Review of Happy Birthday to Me (1981) by Jay F — 22 Mar 2008

Happy Birthday to Me suffers from occasionally sluggish pacing, subpar editing, and more than one harebrained moment (including the utterly convoluted ending). Clocking in just short of two full hours, this is an epic slasher film. I can list off several scenes that should have remained on the cutting room floor.

All that being said, this is still an engaging little slasher number that is worth a watch for its high production values and novel approach to red herrings -- not to mention a delightfully unhinged performance from Melissa Sue Anderson (of Little House on the Prairie fame). Also, I'm hard-pressed to fault any early-1980s Canadian slasher. The atmosphere of the films from this period is just too good. Hold on tight for yet another zany end revelation that you'll only find in Slasherfilmland!