Scene 8: Checking in at the Last House on the Left Probably the most memorable moment of the slapstick comedy (though still out of place), involved the bumbling law enforcers trying to hitch a lift on a chicken truck. The driver of the truck was played by black actress Ada Washington, who made her debut film appearance here. Realising that there is no space in the back of the truck, the idiots clamber onto the top of the vehicle. |
As the driver starts the truck, the two cops are sent flying down onto the concrete in true slapstick style. They decide to resort back to walking. Back at the Collingwood home, Mrs Collingwood informs her husband that they have guests. They are none other than Krug and his posse, who have decided to call at Mari's home for a place to stay the night, blissfully unaware of the situation they are creating for themselves. While alone, the gang attempt to make themselves appear presentable in the living room. Weasel makes the observation that they are in "the middle of nowhere" - a line which confirms the incorrectness of the movie's title. As already stated, the title of the film, at this point, was 'Night of Vengeance'. Craven himself was never taken with the eventual title, and was merely tacked onto the movie during test-marketing. The actual mastermind behind the final title, is believed to be a man named Lee Lewis, who Sean Cunningham has revealed was behind the movie's ad campaign. The title 'Last House on the Left' stuck, and the movie took-off. Revealing his knife, Weasel cuts the television wire, in case the news reports of their breakout hits the airwaves. They are then introduced to Dr Collingwood, and his wife introduces the thugs by their made-up names. Krug tells them that their car has broken down (which is true), and the Collingwood's insist that they don't mind putting them up until morning. John and Estelle then show their guests to their rooms. Hanging out in Mari's room, the gang finally discover their potential problem, when Weasel spots photographs of Mari. However, they don't seem to show any signs of worry. That said, there is an aura of fate over the whole scene, and there is definite irony. We then cut to the Collingwood's eating dinner with the gang. They try to pass themselves off as travelling salesman, but their vulgar behaviour starts to make the Collingwood's think twice about their 'guests'. This is doubled, by the fact that the events in the woods have left their mark on the gang, and scratches, bite marks and cuts are all visible. The Collingwood's uneasily look on, as the group storm through their meal, and Sadie inparticular is drinking a little too much wine. Meanwhile, a sleeping Junior begins to dream in the other room, and has the first nightmare sequence featured in the film. The brutality that the group showed the two girls is hitting him hard, and his conscience is definitely too strong. His nightmare involves Mari, as she was shot by his father. Screaming out from his sleep - "I'm sorry!" - Junior interrupts the dinner. Bursting into the room, Krug orders his son to keep quiet, or he'll end up in the lake with her. Later on, the gang sit in Mari's room once more, and we discover that Krug hasn't bothered to give Junior another fix of drugs. We cut to the bathroom, where a withdrawal-wracked Junior is vomiting into the toilet. Mrs Collingwood hears him in the other room, and she goes to see if he is alright. She is suddenly shocked to see a peace-symbol necklase around his neck - the exact same kind that was given to Mari earlier on. Leading Junior back to his room, Mrs Collingwood decides to investigate. After all, it doesn't necessarily mean that it was Mari's necklase. Finding the gang's suitcase, she opens it to reveal their bloody clothing. At exactly the same moment, she hears an argument between Junior and Krug in the other room, which reveals the truth (Junior: "Krug, we gotta get out of here...if they find out we killed their kid..." Krug: "Shut up, or you'll wind up in the lake with her!"). We then cut to the Collingwood's as they rush down to the lake, in the darkness of night. They soon discover her body. Although in most released versions of the film, Mari is dead when they find her, the scene was filmed with additional dialogue, in which Mari identifies the killers before dying in her parent's arms. The scene ends with the shock induced upon the Collingwood's, and we are all too aware of what is coming up... |
The Deputy (Martin Kove) and the Sheriff (Marshall Anker) attempt to board a chicken truck for transport. |
Junior wasn't the only member of the gang to be plagued by bad dreams, as Weasel discovers. |
Scene 9: Screams and Nightmares We cut back to the Collingwood home, where Weasel appears to be having a bad night's sleep. Suddenly, a light in the room comes on, and standing over Weasel, is Doc Collingwood and his wife in medical gear. They tell him not to move, and Mrs Collingwood pulls his top flip back, revealing his teeth. Then, the doctor brings a chisel down onto the top of Weasel's teeth, and a hammer is brought smacking down... |
As the eerie metal sound rings through the air, Weasel awakes from his nightmare. It is now evident that Weasel also has a small conscience, and we get the feeling that Junior isn't alone in that respect. This entire sequence was improvised on the spot by Craven, and it was filmed on the same day that it was written. It is now regarded as one of the many chilling aspects of the film, and is always remembered by it's audiences. Craven has since filled his movies with dreams and nightmares, culminating in the hugely successful 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' in 1984. |
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