X-Ray or Hospital Massacre is Another Friday the 13th Copycat Film
I’ve seen 10 copycat Friday the 13th formula movies for each installment in Friday the 13th, and most of them are not well done. X-Ray, or more commonly Hospital Massacre, is an exception. For the third time recently, I rewatched this hospital-set doctor-themed slasher movie featuring Barbi Benton. All three times, I have enjoyed this film despite the fact that it clearly tried to copy so much of the classic formula used in Friday the 13th. Put on your reading glasses and surgery gown, we’re going to discuss a classic, Hospital Massacre or X-ray from 1981.
Hospital Massacre Never Released On DVD
Hospital Massacre is consistently good. The pace is perfect and steady, the acting is convincing, and it keeps your attention for the entire duration of this Friday the 13th formula copycat. I was one year old when Hospital Massacre came out. I forget how I heard about this slasher movie, but the first viewing for me was on DVD. My friend during the early 2000s was a computer guy who would sell bootleg DVDs. I ran across Hospital Massacre or X-Ray and learned it was a VHS movie featuring the legendary Barbi Benton and that it had never been printed on DVD. That changed when my friend acquired it for me off the internet. This was my first experience with his great film. 2 or 3 more viewings later, here we are blogging about this gem.
Family Ties and Unauthorized Hospital Tours Help
In our local community, there is one huge medical facility that employs a large percentage of the populous. My wife and brother are included in that number. Of these 2, my brother is a security guy, and this has allowed me opportunities to see parts of the hospital that are otherwise off-limits to most people. For instance, the basement, which was built, obviously, first and is very old. According to Anmed History on their website, the hospital was opened in 1908. You can read more about this here. Through unauthorized tours, I have also accessed the roof for a nighttime view. Anyway, my wife being a nurse has allowed me access to unfinished floors and offices. Seeing these things helped me relate to X-ray because often the scene in the movie resembled similar places that I’ve seen firsthand.
Barbi Benton is the Lead Role in Hospital Massacre or X-Ray
Hospital Massacre has all the 1980s you want in it. Barbi Benton’s attire and cigarette habits in the hospital reflect this. No more smoking inside a hospital or even on the grounds for that matter. Nurse’s scrubs are reflective of the ‘80s. One scene has a pink pay phone on the wall which really stood out to me. I would love to have something like this in my home. Not to use but to look at and appreciate. Do Not Disturb with these phones meant taking them off the hook. Do not disturb is a must today – we hate you bill collectors and telemarketers! The hospital that was used in Hospital Massacre was Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. It had a cool walking bridge that took pedestrians over the highway. During the movie, the hospital is decorated for Valentine’s Day which is a cool retro twist too. Ok, back to 2023.
Where Was OSHA in Hospital Massacre
As it seems with any of these movies, things happen that are completely unrealistic. For instance, Barbi Benton searches for her clothes so she can change out of her hospital gown and leave throughout Hospital Massacre. Somehow, she is seen fully dressed again as the movie ends. I hope I’m never in a situation where this would really matter but, if someone is threatening my life, I don’t want to act like people in slasher movies. You have a knife with a 10” blade and you stab your would-be killer once in the stomach. This makes no sense but of course, the right choice doesn’t make for good slasher movies. Why would you follow a whispering voice through a creepy room? Another question for me is why you would have a sink full of acid. Yes, an open sink full of acid. Wow, where was OSHA in 1981?
Hospital Massacre or X-Ray is a Must See for Slasher Fans
All slasher fans should watch this Hospital Massacre. Barbi Benton is in the lead role and it’s Barbi, Barbi, Barbi all the way through. I’ve touched on the fact that most slashers from this era hopped on the Jason Voorhees train. X-Ray or Hospital Massacre is no different. Even the music in Hospital Massacre was reminiscent of Friday the 13th including a chanting creepy voice as part of the tune. While it certainly pays homage to Friday the 13th, it also fits the Halloween bill too. We might be splitting hairs here but, the kills mostly happen by knife. I attribute this to Michael Myers as it was his method of choice. Jason seemed to be more creative in administering his victims’ fates. Everyone is wearing scrubs and masks so the killer could be anyone. His or her focus is on one target as opposed to many.
The Operating Room is Closed and So My Blog on X-Ray
There are a lot of creepy elements and scenes in Hospital Massacre. For instance, and I won’t spoil anything, a man with a walker and an elevator full of people wearing masks are a couple. X-Ray is one that I highly recommend and certainly have intentions of rewatching many times. What other never-released on DVD horror films am I missing? Someone let me know in the comments. While you’re on my page, check out my artwork and photography here. You can read more of my blogs here and follow me on all social media here. All likes, shares, subs, and follows are appreciated.