John Carpenter's Lost Horror Movie

Today we are going to take a look at John Carpenter's 1978 film Someone's Watching Me, and talking about how that would go on to influence his decisions when making Halloween.
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[@InPraiseofShadows]

Hey everyone, hope you're doing well and enjoyed this video! I've got another one that I'm currently working on that I'm extremely excited about. I don't want to say too much on it at the moment, but it is a project that I really feel like could turn into a really good video and I am excited to share it with you all soon. Thanks again for everything, and until next time take care!

[@patrickjohnson1649]

How funny would it be if it was a Video on Halloween, and that’s this Video took you 10 Days to Make.

[@leadingblind1629]

All these old movies. Every time you post an older movie reaction and analysis, I just scream at my screen that I want you to cover Audrey Rose and magic lmao. This is a great one too of course. But I never even heard of this one so it's hard to be excited. But it's awesome

[@goatymcgoatface3575]

How's about a video on Berserk. You like horror with deeper meaning right? It'll expand your fan base too

[@IcoOst]

I was not aware of this movie, even tho I call my self a carpenter fan, thanks

[@timcombs2730]

I’m not sure if I wanna watch this because all I know is it’s going to be at a demonstration about how you spent a ridiculous amount of money to go to college to learn Marxists bullshit

[@aidanfarnan4683]

This along with "Perfect Blue" scare me a lot more than any other films as they play to my fear of some crazy stalker just... being there and how helpless that can make you feel.

[@m00k61]

The initial phone call in the first Scream. When he reveals he's watching her. Both genius writing and gd terrifying.

[@gabrielarseneau8662]

Perfect Blue is a masterpiece, what a ride.

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

Especially because, in real life, it's still very difficult to get police to do anything about stalking. They always essentially say that the perp has to hurt you first. But even so, if there is no witness other than you and the perp, you might still not get justice. That's terrifying. Better to find out the self-defense laws in your state (and I don't even like weapons -- I've just heard countless stories in which so much could have been done to stop attacks but isn't).

[@bryansmith844]

The beginning of The Sixth Sense hit me hard for the simple reason that an Other person could just show up in your life if they really wanted to, that mundane activity of a husband and wife getting home to end their day and seeing that somebody is there already was a gut punch.

[@certainmisterbrick]

While supernatural horror is great, I always find horror grounded in reality hits home just a bit harder. A good example that often comes to my mind is the Korean film "I saw the Devil." It isn't horror in the traditional sense, but horrifies in the sense that it registers when watching these things "While this is extreme, this could happen in real life. Huh, that's ominous."

[@brandonpage7087]

This is Carpenter's most underrated film, next to Prince of Darkness. I'm proud to say that I own it. Man, who is behind that amazing cover of Rockwell's "somebody's watching me"???

[@SPFLDAngler]

16:42

[@ryanahr2267]

@@SPFLDAngler Thanks, I was gonna ask the same question. Totally missed that because I was petting my dog

[@Fedorevsky]

I prefer this to Halloween which is great but overrated.

[@colleenposley1084]

I saw this only a couple years ago. It was a good look at how women can be simultaneously tortured and dismissed by people who are supposed to offer help. It's actually pretty terrifying. I didn't realize at the time it was a John Carpenter film - just found it on Amazon Prime or HBO or something and sounded interesting. I wanted to kick the face of every single man in that movie, tbh. Dismissive because she hasn't been physically harmed, basically gaslighting her the whole time...not much has changed.

[@anthonymaslow798]

It's scary how little has changed, and how much a lot of people want to think it has. It must be terribly frustrating to a woman, cuz it pisses me off. If you go on any comment section dealing with feminism, or spousal abuse, etc, it's pretty appalling how many people, both men and women (which can be particularly galling, I would think), dismiss this sort of thing as people being too sensitive. Gaslighting indeed.

[@davidburnett5049]

I think, just, my thoughts, that it's a problem of law. Privacy doesn't matter, as we can tell from all the phone tracking and such that everything does, or the way celebrities & some other people are tracked against their will. Innocent until proven guilty is the other half of the equation. Even removing the treatment she got because of her gender, there still isn't much that could be done.

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

"Dismissive because she hasn't been physically harmed" - And unfortunately that's the reaction to stalking to this day.

[@RowdyBoy82]

@@LadyAstarionAncunin That's the reality of anyone trying to escape domestic violence.

[@grapeshot]

Yeah John Carpenter without a doubt is one of my favorite movie makers. I even like a lot of his movies that other people don't care too much for.

[@skyllalafey]

Love the perfectly 70s font and background images used in this video, they felt spot-on for covering a movie from this era.

[@chainlink2459]

3:00 The Eyes of Laura Mars actually went through a ton of rewrites from Carpenter's original concept, to the point where he disowned the final product as having "shat upon" his script.

[@theoian]

You're one of the best creators on KZbin, hands down.

[@yulebones]

This was so triggering and real for me. The whole description of how nobody would help, the mockery from the police - they're still telling people "I can't do anything until he attacks you." And I can tell you from experience that even if you beg for help on your hands and knees, they're still doing that, right now, and nothing has changed. So no, John, it's not old-hat. It's still extremely relevant and extremely scary.

[@earthwormjim91]

He was talking about the cinematography chill down and don't put words in other people's mouths so you have an excuse to trauma dump

[@yulebones]

@@earthwormjim91 I don't think you know what trauma dumping is, and pretending you do so you can dunk on people online makes you look about 12 years old. Shoo.

[@Mjuxtapose03]

@@earthwormjim91 foreal lol. Man up and buy a fucking gun if you’re so scared. Stop being a victim.

[@williamerickson520]

It's amazing how fast a movie can be made without adding a ton of special effects. This was released just over one month after Halloween. The fact that it was made for television might also have had something to do with that. I wonder how often that happens today.

[@emilylogan2379]

“Not until he does something” Chills. This is horror

[@Dommommy]

It's still that way. They "can't do anything until something is done" for us but for them it's different

[@elonmusksellssnakeoil1744]

Goes to show you that cops don't exist to prevent crime. They can only react to it.

[@Dommommy]

@@elonmusksellssnakeoil1744 They hid your comment

[@LA_HA]

It's the same for everyone. On one hand, there's the law that protects us from people just saying whatever they want to get us into trouble. On the other hand, there's a very real threat of someone stalking and terrorizing a person and nothing can be done because they (male or female) haven't actually done anything yet. It's maddening. It's a good thing many places now have anti-stalking laws in place that came about because of the sad outcomes of all the people that tried to get help, never got it, and didn't survive

[@Fedorevsky]

@@Dommommy And it will always be that way and for good reason.

[@goregrindisthebestgenre]

In general, I find made-for-T.V. movies from this era very interesting. They were so common and I’m not saying the people who made them didn’t care but this was before home video was really a thing, so they weren’t created with much of a shelf life in mind. They would debut and maybe show up on some reruns and were never expected to have much existence after that. As you stated, it didn’t have an official standalone release until 40 years later. There’s always going to be 1,000,000 obscure movies you’ll never see but the vast void of lost television is so intriguing. What great ideas are lost in time?

[@Fedorevsky]

True but some of them (the best ones usually) were released to cinemas overseas. I watched plenty of them in the cinema back then.

[@aperry3869]

As someone who can't give through patron at the moment but very much adore and appreciate your content, it brings me so much joy to see how many people have given Thank you for creating for us

[@Nkanyiso_K]

This movie sounds really good like ahead of its time. I'm glad he got an opportunity to hone his skills before creating his classics but it's unfortunate that this became a hidden gem

[@acespectre5461]

Love the “Somebody’s Watching Me” cover at the end

[@SPFLDAngler]

16:42

[@christopherroa9781]

That was such a nice twist!

[@pdzombie1906]

Even before The Thing, Carpenter was quite ahead of his time. I've been reading Solnit's Men explain things to me, and I can totally see how horryfing it could be being an independant woman in the 70s (and still now), when there wasn't even legal terms and tools to defend against domestic abuse and sexual harrasement. Great as usual, man!!! Thanx!!!

[@Malum09]

The concept Carpenter had for Halloween II originally was shockingly similar to the plot of this movie, with Laurie in a High Rise Apartment complex and Michael tracking her down there

[@jayforoughi2447]

Maybe this one just hit a bit too close to home, but that line about being a woman in a masculine-dominated world is brilliant. Even a full fifty years later, there are still so many instances of men attempting to overpower and terrify women, with physical and online stalking, shielded with anonymity that technology allows. We've moved on from phone calls. Now its spoofed numbers and burner accounts. Very good video, in any case! Your work is great.

[@candide1065]

Cry me a river, Karen.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I agree, I'm a man and I've been stalked by other men.. it's terrifying...

[@LoganCrazyBoy]

Crazy how IPoS could be telling a wholesome story about a film production, but it still makes me go "alright this will take a dark turn in a few moments I can feel it"

[@curiousworld7912]

As a teenager during the '70s, I can distinctly remember the anger and 'offense' many men felt toward the women's liberation movement. This challenge to the patriarchy seemed to bring out the worst in some, and Carpenter was one of the few film makers to explore this, without the mere exploitation or condescension of so many 'women in danger' movies.

[@NostalgiNorden]

Still brings out the worst in alot of women.

[@xBINARYGODx]

@@NostalgiNorden if you mean the anti's, then it brings out the worst in both men and woman - but I doubt you mean that. Go whine about it elsewhere, your BS culture was is no wanted here.

[@galek75]

They had their lesbian separatist communes, which never worked. Men and women should just sort things out like sensible people.

[@curiousworld7912]

@@0223x Yep.

[@galek75]

@@0223x Stop labeling pushback as 'anger' lol.

[@samwill7259]

You know how depressing it is to realize that this sort of scenario would play out frightfully similar for a woman living in an apartment building on her own in the year of our lord 2022? Like, being talked down to, constantly getting harassed by guys who think you owe them attention, having all of your problems getting brushed off because "He's just giving you attention. Be flattered" or some other such bullshit. All of that not only still happens, it happens repeatedly, quietly and without comment from anyone.

[@candide1065]

Hope you get better someday, Karen.

[@marcelo_27]

I was never much of a horror fan but people like you made me want to give it a try and I don't regret it. Your passion when talking about these movies makes me want to watch many things I wouldn't have considered before

[@thomasdoubting]

Hay! I saw this film on swedish tv as a kid and thoe i hardly got the plot, and most sertenly nothing of the subtexture, it left me all hyped, and talking to my dad alfter i ramvledon until he droped it on me: "This was a film, not a show, and there is no rerun tomorow, you will never se this film again..." Thank you for giving me something better than "the second best thing"; a behind the sceens peek, a validation of my 10y old taste in media, and a tripp down memory lane! 😃

[@grapeshot]

Stalking is when two people go for a walk but only one of them know about it.

[@SPFLDAngler]

Yes very clever. All the 8 year old kids who haven’t heard this “joke” a million times will love it.

[@iurivanastacio3081]

Lol

[@hirocheeto7795]

@@SPFLDAngler Well that was dickish. I'd never heard it.

[@joshmay2944]

@@hirocheeto7795 I'd never heard it either. It must suck to know everything and not be able to enjoy any joke ever.

[@snatchadams69]

I've always loved that film noir cliché of shadows being cast on everything but the eyes it still conveys so much emotion, judging on the angle of the light what the character is thinking... In Praise of Shadows is the only YT channel I legitimately feel the passion behind it and that's why I savor every video sometimes over and over..

[@Sci-Fi_Freak_YT]

My favorite film of his is “The Thing” and will always be his best (IMO).

[@thicc_vic]

Its really interesting watching Carpenters early work where he is still learning, whilst nowadays he is someone a lot of people learn from

[@tsarbomba1]

And yet he can't get much of anything done today. I know he's fed up with the whole studio system. Thought it was really funny when being interviewed about people doing remakes of his films. He basically says "I hold out my hand and a check falls from the sky!" Guess I can't blame him for that.

[@tiernanmcculloch]

Amazing work, I always love how no matter if the video is 10 minutes or 3 hours, you perfectly balance out pacing somehow. It is a real talent that shines through in all of your work, and it makes watching every one of these videos really enjoyable.

[@alistairinwonderland]

not even two whole weeks between uploads! u are truly spoiling us

[@DarkReflections86]

Love the video, Zane. It's really interesting how Carpenter, like Spielberg with Duel, basically started their careers by making carbon copy rip-offs of Hitchcock. The 70's truly was a special period in the history of horror movies.

[@mysterymccarthy6851]

The perfect song played at the end! This was awesome to watch, thank you!

[@systemdude1100]

Much better than the last upload in my opinion. Glad to see it.

[@jseger9000]

This was released on DVD in 2009 as a standalone film. I have that version.

[@DownFromTheDoorWhereItBegan]

The weird fonts and backgrounds are so fire dude, i love that shit

[@JoeMama-tl4tr]

The one thing you can’t deny is John Carpenters films have some amazing cinematography. This film, Halloween, and The Thing look amazing today

[@SamuelMcIntosh]

Great video!!! I had no idea about. It's always comforting to see even your fav artists have so many test runs and duds before they finally get if right.

[@acespectre5461]

It’s good to have you back, sir

[@christopherroa9781]

Subtle touch but I love how you made the background images and text on this. Really delivers on the 70s vibe for me

[@megb7715]

The twist is absolutely chilling considering that exact situation happened in Florida. A maintenance man kept harassing her, then one night he used his keys to go in and kill her.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

that's terrifying

[@irishjoe9195]

I praise this Channel!

[@madcountofdumont7742]

I love the way you open videos so much. You've got a really good voice for narration.

[@Laribhaven]

I was waiting for you to post something! Now I have something to watch before my classes. 😊

[@micah3k]

thank you for this upload to tide us over i hope you’re well

[@pdbass]

Brilliant video and concept! I love Carpenter's Halloween and this makes me enjoy it a little more. Subscribed.

[@JaredPoirier]

Wow perfect timing, just finished watching your last video

[@tommyhicks4510]

Another great video man

[@Merylstreep1949]

Awesome use of the type font used in The Prisoner!!!!! Omfh that was so kick ass plus your use of the Hitchcock music....NOICE!!!!

[@AbrasiousProductions]

it hurts how much I relate to Leigh.. I've been stalked online before and it was a really traumatic experience, I still feel afraid even when he's long gone and hasn't made any appearances for months and months, he's still out there...

[@TheDeadmanTT]

"on time and on budget" Well that's new

[@Cameroo]

Wow! 2 videos in 1 month! I feel really blessed. Thanks for your effort and time you put in these! I really enjoy your work. :)

[@mcp.7766]

Great video as always. I would love to see your analysis about H.R. Ginger.

[@orwellianson]

Another banger, Z! Keep em’ comin’, pal! You’re an amazing artist and commentator in this medium! Bravo good sir, bravo indeed!

[@tylertheleper8468]

Great video. Love Carpenter. Your opinions are spot on and I greatly enjoy your attention to detail. Keep going!

[@dailyfyp1736]

Love this glimpse into easy John carpenter

[@rgs8970]

I love this era of television movies. I had no idea this one existed, can't wait to see it!

[@AbrasiousProductions]

just finished this film and I'm completely baffled as to why it was so forgotten!

[@jasonsantos3037]

John Carpenter is a master of his craft I love all his movies I didn't know he made this I like to see you make videos about lovecraft inspired John Carpenter movies

[@chicagotransitauthority3161]

The film actually got a Japanese VHS release, which I just found and copped. If I’m correct based on the listing, this release has subtitles. I have the Blu-Ray but it was still cool to see a release for this film on VHS that I can actually watch

[@nahidahamed1742]

man only 12 days and we got another vid, nice

[@null8fuffzn199]

Love this channel, this guy knows his shit.

[@SBelawski]

Im always impressed by your content and it makes my day when I see a new video posted. Thanx!

[@candide1065]

"holy moly, this guy says stuff about whamen they wanna hear and helps them victimizing themselfes, what a cool dude!!!!!111"

[@SBelawski]

@@candide1065 Are you familiar with a creator called "sisyphus 55" He is a philosophy student who does break downs of various schools of thought in a really approachable way. You should really check him out, the video essays he has put out in the last 2 months might be really helpful for you.

[@DiverHoly1]

He was not allowed to compose the music because of inexperience, turns around and makes Halloween and creates one of the most famous movie scores of all time :D

I remember watching this movie some years ago and being surprised at how good it was, considering it was “just” a TV movie assigment.

[@Randalftown]

wow, you made a short one, how refreshing :)

[@bdso9593]

As always a well done video. Intelligent and well spoken. Can't wait for the next one! We need more of these!!

[@michaelheffner7684]

It’s nice to see you make another amazing video, after that divisive Hills Have Eyes retrospective

[@cjtheclaimed6757]

Blessed again with one of your amazing videos! Thank you!

[@matheusmarcomoraes]

Another great essay, wonderful video. Thanks for your meticulous work.

[@chrisschuber9149]

Keep making videos. Your editing skills have been great a long time, but this video is a triumph.

[@PeteDetective]

Wow, I had no idea that was written & directed by John Carpenter. I used to love that film as a kid, watching it twice when it was shown on UK television in the 80s. I think I turned it off the first time as it was too scary. It would've also been my first experience of watching a Carpenter movie.

[@jorgeluz9560]

Lovely little video, I never knew of this movie before. I'm proud to be one of your Patrons!

[@HornyTaurney]

i love the 70's wallpaper backgrounds it really themes the video , much love from australia

[@joeystracener9804]

Always appreciate your videos! Thank you for what you do.

[@allangray6764]

Dammit. IPoS does it again. Here i am off work, tired and ready to pass out but the brilliant intellectualization of yet another gem of horror has captivated me beyond what my body's fatigue was demanding of me.

[@Sky-tg5rt]

Seriously, great great video!

[@dokoookami5751]

Great flick -- I randomly caught it on TV in the mid-90s - stuck with me ever since

[@lollipoplemur5073]

The kitschy 70s background on the quotes. Perfect 👌

[@evan8542]

Let's go King! This was an interesting video.

[@leoncurtis5762]

My favorite part of your videos is the nuance you put into understanding why artists make certain decisions. Thank you for the great videos.

[@BloodylocksBathory]

Initially I thought this was another film, until I pressed play. Although when you mentioned the movie was lumped together with others on dvd sets, sure enough there it is. Eyes of a Stranger, which had special effects created by Tom Savini, is for the most part sleazy and forgettable... but I still remember being creeped out by it.

[@MrTonyman79]

It's a good day when we get a new video from your channel.

[@GigiMurakami]

Another great video 😌🖤👍🏾

[@ACircadianRhythm]

You should really do a video on the downfalls of some of carpenters movies that fall flat, the ghosts of Mars etc

[@OctoberLotus]

Oh look, another movie to add to my ever growing list. Thanks!

[@Merylstreep1949]

Those title cards are SO Wes Anderson omfg so awesome and funny 😁

[@Jojo-gr4kl]

u always make the best points

[@thebiggestmelonyouneversee1366]

Another great video! Hoping to catch the next one soon

[@MiSambra]

9:59 Uncle Leo!

[@sebastianmittelman4071]

I don't know if this was discussed in the comments, but I have the feeling given the attitudes of the time, that the Adrienne Barbeau character who was queer was done so to be a red herring rather than a statement of inclusivity - this is a made for tv film after all

[@redwillow79schippers94]

This movie wasn't lost for me. Scream Factory put it out on bluray and I picked it up right away. Love it!

[@tonyisgolden5136]

I like john carpenter and I think he's a great director. The thing is definitely my favorite john carpenter movie. I've heard of this movie but I haven't seen it. It seem's like it would be a decent movie and I want to watch it.

[@ethanyoder9953]

Whoa whoa whoa, we just got an IPoS video! What did we do to deserve another one so soon?

[@nadafilms31]

Man ive been talking about this movie ever since I bought it! Its amazing

[@emaan7023]

Wow, I'm going to watch this now.

[@CreepyYetBeautiful]

please keep up the awesome videos. i feel like i learn a lot by watching stuff on your channel

[@candide1065]

cringe

[@horrorhabit8421]

Very interesting. It occurs to me that in the seventies, a woman in a horror movie was seen moving out and making it on her own, but then her decision is almost immediately subverted by placing her in jeopardy. I'm particularly thinking of I Spit on Your Grave (1978) and Black Christmas (1974) here. Also, Last House on the Left (1972), which shows how low the bar is on this independence gesture. In this case, the women are just trying to go to a concert, scandalously unescorted by men.

[@lionhartd138]

Wow dude, I was only kidding about Rockwell. I hadn't watched the video yet, that was just my first thought when you flashed the title on the screen. It couldn't have been on it's soundtrack, the film predates the song by like ten years. In closing I can only say this: "I just saw her - yeaserday I just saw her, had nothin' to say do you know what I mean Whoa - do ya know, know what I mean - yeah..."

[@horrorhabit8421]

I don't really agree with John Carpenter that being watched is an outdated premise for a movie. In fact, these days as we move ever closer to a complete surveillance dystopia, it may be even more relevant. Maybe it's time for a re-make.

[@williamblakehall5566]

I haven't seen anyone say it, so I'll say it or else I may go mad. LAUREN HUTTON. There, now I feel better. Adrienne Barbeau can also be found in the TV thriller movie Red Alert starring William Devane.

[@lionhartd138]

Soundtrack by "Rockwell"?