Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) - Disney Under the Rug

 "Your torments call us like dogs in the night. And we do feed, and feed well."

Director

Jack Clayton

Cast
Jason Robards - Charles Halloway
Jonathan Pryce - Mr. Dark
Diane Ladd - Mrs. Nightshade
Royal Dano - Tom Fury
Vidal Peterson - Will Halloway
Shawn Carson - Jim Nightshade
Mary Grace Canfield - Miss Foley

I debated with myself if I should include Disney's 1983 movie, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" on my other blog, 1000daysofhorror.blogspot.com, or not. I obviously decided to include it here as it's really more of a dark fantasy movie than a horror. But, then again, it has some scenes clearly intended to scare the audience. Also, I hope to watch a review a string of Disney movies alongside this one from the 1980s that are dark, not-too-mainstream, and a bit unusual. They're movies I like to think Disney keeps swept under the rug - probably the rug they keep inside their "Disney vault."

The 1980s weren't the brightest time for the Disney Company. In fact, 1981 to 1988 were the dark ages for Disney. The company fell into quite a slump in that decade, producing flop after flop. That is until "The Little Mermaid" (1989) pulled Disney out of the quagmire of underwhelming productions.

Some of their movies from the decade somehow managed to withstand the test of time and collected pockets of cult followers who have since elevated these once poorly received movies into experiences worth appreciation. "Return to Oz" (1985) certainly comes to mind as far as that goes. It's a movie I remember enjoying in my youth. And I plan to review it at some point. 

But like this dark era for Disney, a number of these movies have quite a dark and sinister tone to them uncharacteristic of Disney at the time. They're dark in either their story or depictions, such as "Watcher in the Woods," "The Devil and Max Devlin," "The Black Cauldron," and even "Return to Oz." 

There's also "The Kids Who Knew Too Much" (1980) which centers around a political assassination plot. 

The 1980s also saw Disney release movies that were more adult oriented. A lot of these adult oriented movies were released under their distribution company, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

"Night Crossing" (1982) is a true story thriller about two families that tried to escape East German in a hot air balloon back in 1979. 

Disney's "Tex" (1982) is about two teenagers who struggle to make it on their own after their mother dies and their father leaves them in Oklahoma. 

"Tex" shows Disney's early efforts to put mature content in their movies. 

Disney's "Trenchcoat" (1983), starring Margot Kidder from the "Superman" movies is about a professional writer who gets caught up with some plutonium smugglers. And it's a comedy!

"Condorman" (1981) is about a comic book illustrator's attempts to assist in the defection of a female Soviet KGB agent.

"Never Cry Wolf" isn't a dark movie necessarily, but it's the first Disney movie to feature brief full-frontal male nudity, as well as scenes with bare buttocks. 

It's worth mentioning Disney's oddball comedy "Midnight Madness" which Disney produced in 1980. It's Michael J. Fox's movie debut. I wrote about it back in 2019. 

It's not a dark movie, but it is a movie Disney no doubt wants audiences to completely forget about more so than "Song of the South." It's a movie best kept under the Disney rug. 

Among these dark and obscure 1980s films from Disney, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" stands out in my mind above the rest. 

This dark fantasy movie, based on the novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury, takes place in Green Town, Ill. Will Halloway (Vidal Peterson) and Jim Nightshade (Shawn Carson) are two young boys who live next door to each other, and are in the same class. 

Will is a rather reserved and mild mannered kid who has a close relationship with his father, Charles Halloway (Jason Robarbs). Jim is more of a rebellious kid who tends to be impulsive.

Jonathan Pryce in "Something Wicked This Way Comes."

He lives with his single mother, played by Diane Ladd. It's implied that his father walked out on the family. 

The boys were born one minute apart on Halloween. I don't know what significance that plays other than being a small pillar in the foundation of their friendship.

Anyways, a vagabond looking gentleman named Tom Fury (Royal Dano) wanders into town selling lightening rods. He sells a rod to Jim, informing him that it'll protect him from a storm that's moving into town. 

Shortly after that, a carnival makes its way into town. And this carnival is giving off some bad vibes. 

It's operated by a sinister looking guy named Mr. Dark. (Jonathan Pryce). 

Jim and Will notice that the locals seem entranced by this carnival that arrived suddenly and was set up in one night. 

Carnival attendees are enchanted by the attractions. For instance, the local bar owner, Ed (James Stacy) who is an amputee, sees himself in a reflection with his missing arm and leg inside the hall of mirrors.
Their school teacher, Miss. Foley (Mary Grace Canfield) is shown what she looked like in her younger days - a gorgeous young woman, which she really wants to be again. Carnival guests are basically given what the desire most, but at a detrimental cost. 

The boys finally realize what's going on when they sneak into a closed off carousel. There, they witness a local, Mr. Cooger (Bruce M. Fischer) on the carousel as Mr. Dark makes it move backwards reversing Cooger's aging until he turns into a little boy. 

Later, they witness Mr. Fury being held captive by Mr. Dark and his assistant, the Dust Witch (Pam Grier). They torture Mr. Fury about the secret of the upcoming storm.

They boys are spotted, and they both run home to escape Mr. Dark. 

They both sleep in Will's room. During the night, the Dust Witch makes them think their room is being invaded by spiders crawling in through the window and through cracks. 

The lightening rod, however, causes the apparition to disappear. 

The next day, the carnival has a parade through town, led by Mr. Dark. And the towns people who were influenced in some way by the enchantment of the carnival walk within the parade. 

However, Jim and Will think the parade is really Mr. Dark's attempt to secretly search the boys out. After all, they're on to his scheme. 

Mr. Dark confronts Mr. Halloway inquiring about the presence of both boys, the images of whom he has drawn on the palm of his hands. He says the boys won a prize and need to claim it. However, Mr. Halloway suspects Mr. Dark has more evil intentions. He manages to deter Mr. Dark for the time being, and does what he can to protect his son and Jim. 

Vidal Peterson, Jason Robarbs, and Shawn Carson

Watching this movie, which is well paced, engaging, and frightening, makes me want to read Bradbury's novel. 

Jonathan Pryce steals the show. He has an intimidating presence on screen which brings the intensity and true sense of dread necessary to justify the word "wicked" in the title. 

The imagery and plot are truly unforgettable and frightening. Some of it may be too frightening for younger viewers. The movie doesn't pull any punches when it comes to bringing in something wicked onto the screen. 

The atmosphere has a Norman Rockwell style and appeal, but with a dark and sinister tone. 

I was curious how my children would react to this. My oldest son of nine found it too scary. My daughter, seven, found it entertaining. My five-year old found it boring. So, mixed reviews came from my household. 

Vidal Peterson gives a bland performance, however. He doesn't emote much no matter what's taking place in front of him. He's pretty stoic, actually. But he does convey convincing affection towards his father. 

Still, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" is a film that has something to offer its audiences. The age old lessons about the importance of family bonds and conquering evil influences continue on. This movie depicts that in a unique way that can make a positive impression on young viewers.