Like most everyone else, when I think of Summer, I think of the kids being out of school, of beaches and vacations, of cookouts and barbecues, of drive-in movies and baseball games.
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But, when it comes to films, there is only one place that comes to mind when I think of Summer:
Camp Crystal Lake is the fictional setting for the "Friday the 13th" movies. A summer camp for kids, things were never the same after a small boy was left unsupervised by the counselors and supposedly drowned.
His name was Jason.
The camp was closed for years after this tragedy. A couple of attempts to reopen were thwarted by mysterious fires. The camp remained closed until 1980.
A man named Steve Christy tried to reopen the camp, putting lots of hard work into refurbishing the dilapidated cabins and training a new staff. His efforts would be in vain, however, since Jason's mother was determined to keep them from succeeding.
The camp, darkly nicknamed "Camp Blood", has been called cursed by many over the years. The local town attempted to rename the area "Camp Forest Green", but it didn't last long.
Yet some attempts to re-open the camp were successful, and little kids did fill some cabins over the years. But never for long.
Death is always on the itinerary of Summer visits to Crystal Lake.
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Some Crystal Lake links to peruse:
The Official Friday the 13th Films site has Film Location photos from Blairstown, New Jersey. Great before and after pics here.
House of Horrors has a Friday the 13th Timeline.
Blairstown, New Jersey is the town where the original movie was filmed, at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, a Boy Scout camp that wants no part of their horror film legacy.
There is even an online "Escape from Crystal Lake" game!
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If you choose to go camping at Crystal Lake this Summer...
Don't be surprised to find you aren't alone in the woods.
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Check out what Summer means to other Theme Thursday participants!
Yay bloody murderous summer camps!
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer to think of the stereotypical summer fun: beaches, kids out of school, cookouts with friends, etc...I'll pass on Camp Blood!
ReplyDeleteAww Wings, I'm such a goof, I've never seen any of these. So now I'm praying for a wet weekend. A visit to Blockbuster, an engagement with a doona and a couch and a moviethon! Just so I know what you're talking about! I can't tell you how up for it I am!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I can't get the Weird Al song "Nature Trail to Hell" out of my mind...
ReplyDelete(Word verification is "preyi". Without that final "i" it seems appropriate.)
Those poor people who lived on Crystal Lake! They'll never be able to sell their houses.
ReplyDeletehow did i know this was coming. smiles. such frights these gave me as a young lad. summer camp was never the same.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't watch those stalker-movies! After seeing Nightmare on Elm Street, I couldn't take a bath for weeks! (Since I wasn't showering from my "Psycho" experience you can imagine how grimy I got!)
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, I never camp.
Kat
Oh yeah...Creepy memories!To watch those Jason movies!The pic where she is in the boat,hum..scary!
ReplyDeleteGood one Wings! Tho' I'll be more inclined to stay at Camp Granada, this year-LOL!
ReplyDelete@Baino, just make sure you lock all your door and windows, luv!
Well, you sound like you know. I don't watch horror movies but am certainly aware of this series. My husband went to summer camp every year for 7 or 8 yrs. His most cherished memories date back to his experiences. Didn't have a bloody one though. Happy Summer to you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFun summer post!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I never saw one "Jason" movie? I love to read Stephen King but I can't bear to watch scary movies.
GAH!!!! I saw this movie MANY, MANY years ago and just looking/reading through your recap FREAKED me out!!!!
ReplyDeleteyikes! I'm less adventerous than you and when I think of summer movies, I think of Mr Hobbs Takes a Vacation.
ReplyDeleteI finally saw that movie after 25 years or so.
ReplyDeleteFunny that I was just at my bro's house in NJ. He lives about 3 miles from the camp where they filmed the original movie. We used to go swimming at that camp at night! Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteGreat movie!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNothing says summer like a murderous rampage.
ReplyDeleteUs Brits dont really have anything similar to the American SummerCamp..which ,by the looks of this film, I am glad!
ReplyDeleteYeeeahhh!!! Definitely a summertime romp. Haven't seen the new remake yet. Have you?
ReplyDeleteThe kids just needed to keep everything in their pants!
ReplyDelete