Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things
Tags: paranormal, cult, good versus evil, violence

Plot synopsis:
The story focuses on a theatre troupe, led by Alan (Alan Ormsby). He is a mean-spirited director, who travels with the others by boat to a small island that is mainly used as a cemetery for deranged criminals, to have a night of fun and games. Once on the island Alan tells his group, which he refers to as his "children"— numerous stories relating to the island's history and buried inhabitants. he leads them to a cottage where they are supposed to spend the night. He then opens a chest they had brought with them, puts on a mystical robe and says that they are to prepare for the summation at midnight. Alan takes sheer delight in torturing his cast with threats of firing them if they do not do as he pleases which always makes them go along with his plan. At midnight using a grimoire, Alan begins a séance to raise the dead after digging up the body of a man named Orville Dunworth (Seth Sklarey). Though the original intent of the ritual may have been solely as a joke, Alan appears disappointed that nothing happens.
Afterwards the party continues and Alan goes to extremes to degrade the actors, using the corpse of Orville for his own sick jokes. Then, however, animated by the fell ritual, the dead return to life and force the troupe to take refuge in the old house. Unfortunately for the group, the dead get their revenge, and in the movie's closing credits we see the group of corpses boarding Alan's boat with the lights of Miami in the background.

Review: It went places I knew instinctively most movies did not, and I loved it for that, as well as the fact that I knew others would NOT like it.The story is nothing remarkable--a bunch of hippy actors invade an island, raise the flesh-eating dead, and die horribly.
Bob Clark is an oddity, to be sure--he went from this to another wonderful cheap-o zombie film ("Dead Of Night," aka about 40,000 other titles) and "Black Christmas," to..."A Christmas Story"??
Is It Uncut.There are many bad reviews written about this film that include its bad points, but here I'll focus on some of its meritsTongue in cheek, little slapstick, creepy cemetery sequences by filmmakers with potential to prolong their careers, Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things is a bad film, but a good bad film.
Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things was directed by Bob Clark when he worked with cult icon, Ormsby.
After co-directing Deranged with his co-star of Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things, Jeff Gillen, Ormsby went on to screenplay the alluring Cat People ('82) and silly Popcorn ('91).
Before Clark moved on to comedies like A Christmas Story and Porkies, he directed the excellent Black Christmas ('74) and the interesting Murder by Decree ('79).The obnoxious director, Alan (played by Ormsby himself), threatens his group of actors with unemployment unless they accompany him to a deserted island to perform some satanic rituals.
Ormsby himself has said that he's barely able watch Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things anymore as he hates himself acting in it, but admits that it does have some appealing attraction, hence the cult following..
The movie was ghoulishly funny in an adult way that was really beyond a tyke's comprehension, so kids tended to sit there for an hour scratching their chins, understanding only vaguely that the acting troupe performing satanic rituals on the "burial island" (or whatever it is), is doing something monstrously, horribly WRONG.
I remember when I watched it that before the film started, the station (Channel 9 out here in Los Angeles) would show scenes of the "good stuff" to get you jazzed, so, you knew some "zombie consequences" were coming down the pike.
And for all its cheapness and crudity and cheesy performances, this is a very frightening and threatening flick, and no one who's seen it, I am willing to wager, has ever gone to a deserted cemetery to jokingly work Satanic rituals for the purpose of raising the dead.
Either because of the ritual, or that and their disrespect for the dead and Satan, which is never made clear, the dead come back to life in the style of flesh eating shamblers.The first ghoul doesn't make it's appearance until halfway into the movie, and the first-half is packed with long dialog, but there is some really good and creepy cinematography when the zombies do come..
"Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" is a very creepy and atmospheric zombie film about a group of hippie actors who go to a small island to practice satanism and succeed in raising the dead!The only problem is,the dead wants to eat them all.Surely one of my favourite horror flicks this one contains really cool zombies and dark,brooding atmosphere.The acting is surprisingly good,the location sets are spooky and there's also a sprinkle of black humour added for good measure.Only a little bit of gore,so fans of Italian zombie gut-munchers may be disappointed,but if you like scary horror movies  this one is perfect for you.Anyway,check this movie out-you'll love this!And the ending is the most edge-of-your-seat ever.A must see!Highly recommended..
It's more 'Night of the Living Dead' inspired than any zombie film I have ever seen.
But anyone expecting Tom Savini-style blood and guts will be sorely disappointed  'Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things' is rated PG for a reason.The hand-held camera-work is a nice touch, and the dark and grainy film stock lends a certain low-fi analogue appeal, but such aesthetic niceties are rendered redundant thanks to Orsmby's incompetence as both a writer and actor.
There are a couple of scenes that are genuinely arresting  the sight of the undead scrambling out of their graves to the accompaniment of a raucous ambient industrial soundtrack works well, and one of the final shots, of zombies tumbling in to an upstairs bedroom in slow motion has a certain raw and gritty realism about it.'Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things' is an ultra low-budget, played-for-laughs, light-hearted zombie flick whose great final act is not compensation enough for an hour of risible and tedious nonsense.
I'd heard a lot of bad things about this film before seeing it, but thought all the negative comments were probably down to the film's low budget and poor acting - both of which I can deal with when it comes to zombie films.
I'm quite surprised, because the previous two horror films I've seen from director Bob Clark - Deathdream and Black Christmas - were both highly inventive and entertaining films, but Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things just doesn't cut it.
However, they soon learn that playing with things they don't understand is a really stupid idea when their rituals actually bring the dead back to life and the corpses of the island return to feast on their blood!The plots sounds like it could lead to a decent flick, but what I didn't mention is that the interesting parts don't start until the final twenty minutes; and as this is a ninety minute movie, I'm sure you can guess that this isn't a good thing.
Classic zombie film that ranks with "Night of the Living Dead".
It's not so much that the special effects are good, or that the zombies look like real walking dead, nor that the plot is especially believable.
Originally reviewed rather poorly, and referred to for many decades as campy, cheesy, and low-budget schlock, the recent resurgence of the zombie genre has brought a new generation to Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, and a whole new appreciation.
In 1973, a relative unknown director,named Bob Clark (who would go on to direct such toothsome fare as 'A Christmas Story',the original 'Black Christmas',and to a lesser extent,the Porky's films)directed (and co-wrote the screenplay) a shoe string budget horror/comedy film,which was eventually released as 'Childern Shouldn't Play With Dead Things'(although it did go by other titles in various other places),that for it's time was an obvious homage (of sorts)to George A.
After a while, the fun of the first half of the film turns to a night of horror as the dead do start to rise from the grave.
The film is cast with an ensemble of relative unknowns (but does feature low budget schlock horror Meister,Alan Ormsby,who co wrote the screenplay with Bob Clark, as the male lead).
The dead rise and devour several of the thespian interlopers and force the surviving members to take refuge in an isolated house.Despite some bad attempts at black comedy, this low-budget effort has some good scary moments.
Some hammy acting and hilarious seventies clothes styles may bring some chuckles.Florida-based director Bob Clark would go on to direct other low-budget horror films, including the seminal slasher flick "Black Christmas" as well as the comedy hit series.
"Porky's" But Clark will most likely be best remembered as the director of the ultimate holiday classic "A Christmas Story" Truly a perfect film in just about every since of the word..
i really do like this movie i loved watching the dead come back to kill and eat the actors there should have been more gore but all in all it was great..
Kill 'em all!' The low budget was accommodated by brilliant pacing, condensing all the action into the final moments of the film.The fact nearly everyone who's seen this movie saw it on the little screen, and that so many of them (like me) were scared out of their minds is proof that this movie is a must-see for any fan of the macabre.
Okay, so "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" isn't the scariest movie ever made, and it sure isn't the most technically proficient of films, but it is a creepy, spooky, entertaining 80+ minutes.
It seems that the ritual actually worked, and in a truly breathtaking sequence, the dead rise from their graves and close in on the living.I saw CSPWDT on videotape, alone, as dusk melted into night.
It has a real sense of humor (and surprisingly snappy dialog)and has some wonderfully atmospheric scenes of zombies coming out of the ground.This movie was tailor made for Saturday afternoon TV before it was surrendered to infomercials and is great for preteen and early teen guys that got Famous Monsters magazine.
Why they dress him up, perform a mock wedding ceremony, and basically humiliate him beyond belief, even coming up with some pretty good one liners such as "Keep up a stiff upper lip Orville."  Of course, whilst they degrade the dead at the cottage, the spell actually begins to work in the cemetery.
Some of the characters are so obnoxious that the first half may be hard-going for many viewers, but when the zombies make their appearance the film invites comparison with "Night of the Living Dead" - certainly the makeup effects are just as good, if not better, and let's remember that "Night" was not exactly overflowing with likable characters, either.
I first learned about "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" in a movie calendar on a day when the theme was "Gruesome Titles": there was this one along with "Nice Girls Don't Explode", "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" and "8 Heads in a Duffel Bag".
You're sure to love it - assuming that you're the type who takes the time to watch these kinds of flicks.So, in conclusion: Bob Clark, wherever you are, we'll always remember you for this movie, and for "Porky's" and "A Christmas Story"..
My expectations of this movie were a great deal higher than my viewed opinion.Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things is a movie with a good intended plot that trips up too many times to carry it out.
Strange, often effective hippie zombie flick, starring the unforgettable husband/wife team of Alan and Anya Ornsby, this movie isn't as bad as most in its genre, but is still way high on the cheese-factor.
These zombies are more like hell-spawn than mindless reanimated corpses.Had there been more gore, I think this movie would be better received by the horror crowd.
No, it's not Night of the Living Dead, but Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things does manage a creepy oompa loompa vibe with it's characters quite different from Romero's classic...You won't consider them great actors, you won't consider this a great story, but for me, it did manage to entertain, even in the long stretches..
But CSPWDT is part of the fallout that comes when the earth is moved by something like Romero's NOTLD.For me, "Children" took a particularly quirky tangent, quirky enough to make it enjoyable to the point of guilty treasure.Yeah, it rips Romero.But does anyone remember that "Alien", another milestone film, was inspired by its makers to be a "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" set in outer space?Artists rip off one another all the time, it's like a ladder, using another's rung to climb on and up.Do you like spooky graveyards where the gravestones begin to wobble when the music is right?Do you like the idea of the dead climbing out of their graves to...?If you do, then buy or rent Night of the Living Dead or any of its sequels and any of its multitude of rip offs.But don't bother with this one.snicker snicker snicker...Those trashing this film, if one does a little exporation, seem to consider Jason, Freddie and Scream the crux of horror cinema.
Another pre-PORKY'S horror flick by director Bob Clark, this one pays clumsy homage to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD only it's nowhere near as good.
Also, this movie has one of the neatest titles of the genre!It ain't Night of the Living Dead, but it's a good watch that horror fans will enjoy whether they scream or laugh!
CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is a surprisingly effective low-budget horror movie, w/ a beautiful, slow-building atmosphere of dread and doom.
Remember that it's a COMEDY-Horror when watching - it is not a pure Horror flick.It takes the first hour of the film to build the story and suspense before the zombies arise.
This is the first time in years I've seen this movie and it's great to watch again - even though it's a mess of a film.7/10.
A small time acting crew raises hell on an island then awakens the dead.Alan Ormsby is the lead dude who takes a liking to Orville a corpse.Its creeping and funny with soft gore{standard PG} Its perfect for Halloween viewing due to its mere 70,000 budget.Its my favorite next to Night of the Living Dead and Dawn Of the Dead.Who would of thought that Bob Clark after directing this would go on to direct Porkies.If you are in the mood for a good under rated movie this is it.Alan Ormsby went on to write Cat People which I actually thought it was pretty good.Not as good as the original but hey what is better..right?.
This movie came on one night and it was more real to me then because it was like I was with the actors as they filmed themselves - kind of gives you a Blair Witch Project feeling when you are watching it.
Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (1972)** 1/2 (out of 4) Absolutely bonkers film from Bob Clark has a group of people being led into a cemetery where their leader Alan (Alan Ormsby) plans to use black magic to bring to life a corpse he has dug up.
Soon the kids begin to have a little party and before they know it they're under attack by the living dead.This film deserves to go down in history for having one of the greatest titles ever to grace a movie.
CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS isn't really a complete success and I must admit that I probably won't ever watch it again but at the same time I can respect Clark and company with what they made..
I have the same problem with this zombie flick from director Bob Clark as I do with his proto-slasher Black Christmas: whilst it may be chock full of atmosphere and effectively creepy visuals, the thoroughly unlikeable characters, a troupe of irritating hippy theatre actors, make it very difficult for me to enjoy.I realise that Clark's intention may have been to make his characters as obnoxious as possible, thus making see them die all the more enjoyable, but when I spend the duration of the film wishing I could reach into my TV screen and throttle them myself then I think he may have gone a tad too far!Alan Ormsby plays theatre director Alan, a tyrannical toss-pot (with dreadful dress sense) who bullies his spineless cast into travelling to a deserted island to take part in a satanic ritual to make the dead come back to life.
Clark's first film (for which he's actually billed "Benjamin") is essentially amateurish but surprisingly engaging; the young cast  led by an enjoyably hammy Alan Ormsby (the film's own screenwriter and scribe for DEATHDREAM [1974] itself) and including his then-wife Anya, a lovely but ill-fated heroine in Jane Daly, as well as Jeff Gillen (who would go on to direct DERANGED [1974] with Alan and which I watched the very next day)  is likewise agreeable.For the record, the fact that the plot revolves around a group of unemployed actors who get together in a remote and eerie location and end up being 'bumped off' recalls Pete Walker's THE FLESH AND BLOOD SHOW from the same year  though, of course, the details are entirely different.
the first time i saw children should'nt play with dead things was in new jersey on wor-TV channel 9.it was shown uncut and this was in the late 70s.i thought it was genuinely scary creepy and funny.the cast of then unknowns is good headed by alan ormsby,and his sister anya is very good.a troupe of young actors travel to an island thats a graveyard and all hell breaks loose,think night of the living dead,same premise.but much more gruesome.its a pg movie but on some DVD boxes its listed as r rated.directed by bob clark who went on to do porkys and a Christmas story.i bought this in the bargain bin at fye!and it also has the undertaker and his pals on it as well,a bargain for $3.99.theres a lot of good lines in the movie,one actor says;id whistle past the graveyard,but my lips are afraid to be separated.i recommend this to all fans of zombie films.8 out of 10..
Director Clark manages to create some eerie atmosphere and, once the zombies finally rise, the film becomes very creepy indeed.The story is relatively simple.
If this isn't the best title for a horror movie you better show me the winner.This is a pretty neat collaboration between Bob Clark & Alan Ormsby.
In the early 70's it was double billed at the drive-in circuit with Night Of The Living Dead.the movie is a lot of fun.The actors do very well in their roles.
The moral of the movie is clear and simple: CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS!
But Satan, better late than never, has finally called the dead from their graves, and the greenish, crusty zombies now stagger freely around the island, eating anyone who is dumb enough to venture outside and working their way to the cabin.The last thirty minutes or so of this film are better than the first hour or more that you have to sit and suffer through.
Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things: great title, bad movie.
Than we get less than half an hour of zombie invading the cabin which looks like a bad parody of Night of the Living Dead.