Possibly the greatest found-footage horror movie ever made
Late Night with the Devil (R13, 92 mins) Directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes Reviewed by James Croot **** ½
Evoking the spirit of Orson Welles’ magnificent 1938 Halloween “hoax” (a radio dramatisation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds that many listeners believed was a real martian invasion), this might just be the greatest “found-footage horror” movie ever made.
Inspired by Australia’s own late-night, somewhat anarchic The Don Lane Show, which screened on the Nine network for nine seasons from 1975, Late Night with the Devil evocatively, provocatively and meticulously brings to life the chaos of live television from a bygone era, while also scaring the bejesus out of you.
As Michael Ironside’s (Total Recall, Starship Troopers) opening scene and tone-setting voice-over inform us, it was the TV event “that shocked a nation”. A moment when the medium literally brought horror into America’s living rooms.
Affectionately known as “Mr Midnight”, former Chicago radio announcer Jack Delroy’s (David Dastmalchian) Night Owls show captured the hearts and minds of audiences, thanks to its entertaining mix of interviews, musical acts and sketch comedy, right from its debut on April 4, 1971.
But although he helped an anxious nation forget its troubles five nights a week, Delroy never quite managed to steal the late-night crown he so coveted from the likes of Johnny Carson.
However, it was only when his beloved wife – acclaimed stage actress Madeleine (Georgina Haig) – was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 1976 that Delroy started going out of his way to court controversy in a naked grab for ratings.
It backfired badly, his viewer numbers in freefall by the time the all-important Sweeps Week began in late October 1977.
Desperate to win them back and new fans over, he plans an episode he hopes will turn his fortunes around.
Not only does the lineup for October 31’s broadcast include Night Owls’ beloved annual Halloween costume parade and a “bewitching” jazz medley from Cleo James, but his guests are psychic Christou (Fayssal Bazzi), former magician-turned-sceptic Carmichael Haig (Ian Bliss) and parapsychologist Dr June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon), who will be joined by the subject of her controversial new book Conversations with the Devil – Lilly D’Abo (Ingrid Torelli) – the young, sole survivor of a satanic cult.
To say any more about “the recently discovered master tape of what went to air that night, as well as previously unreleased behind-the-scenes footage” that unfolds before us in real-time would be to ruin a truly thrilling, emotional rollercoaster that’s full of unexpected twists and turns, dark laughs, unforgettable set-pieces and a pitchperfect commitment to creating a real sense of space and place.
There are times when it really feels like you’re watching an episode of 1970s variety television.
Australian brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ (100 Bloody Acres and Scare Campaign) production design, camera work and use of black-and-white and garish 70s colour to delineate the on and off-air moments are impressively immersive.
Mention must also be made of the casting, which brings together an ensemble of unknown performers (Bliss and Torelli the standouts among the uniformly fabulous supporting cast), as well as providing a terrific showcase for the magnificent Dastmalchian (Boston Strangler, Dune: Part One).
He not only acts as a terrific, charismatic guide into this world, but there’s also just enough of an aura of mystery around him to ensure you’re never quite sure of his motivations, or where he might be leading us.