Farewell to Wes: Dread Central Writer Scott Hallam
Growing up, I had a huge six-foot poster on my bedroom door featuring Freddy Krueger looking menacingly out, wearing a long trench coat in promotion for Elm Street 2 or maybe Elm Street 3. I honestly can’t remember. But it hung there for so long it became part of my room, my space, part of me. And, as it did with many of you, horror became part of me as well.
I’m sure I can speak for all of us when I say that we embraced horror in a gregarious fashion, keeping up on every new film while delving into the past to find the best of the best that had come before. For me, growing up in the 80’s, Wes Craven’s name was attached to huge films in both past and present. We all ventured back to find The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes while we reveled in A Nightmare on Elm Street. And, unbeknownst to us at that time, the brilliant horrors of Scream would be waiting for us in the future. For a horror kid growing up in the 80’s, Wes Craven was a superhero.
I’m saddened to have never gotten a chance to meet the man in person, shake his hand, and thank him for all the wonderful years of entertainment he gave me. But I know that you guys out there, those who also had giant Freddy Krueger posters hanging on your doors and walls all throughout your childhoods, took care of that for me. I’m sure that Wes Craven knew that we loved him as much as he surely must have loved us. And there is something special to be said about that. He must have had a real sense of fulfillment in his life to be known as an icon for his life’s work. A well-deserved title and one that he must have been incredibly proud to have bestowed on him, not by an awards committee, but by those that truly matter… the fans.
An absolute groundbreaking visionary in every sense of the expression, Wes Craven pushed the boundaries. He was amongst a group of filmmakers that allowed horror to evolve into what it is today, and we cannot thank him enough for that. Thank you, Mr. Craven. You’ve given us more than we could ever have asked for.
“Do you like scary movies?” Yes, sir. We like them a whole lot. Thank you.
— Scott “Doctor Gash” Hallam
With the tragic passing of Wes Craven, literally everyone in the industry has been reeling and expressing love for the man and his work. Several people have been writing in to Dread Central to ask if it would be cool to post their thoughts. So this Farewell to Wes feature will be their opportunity to share their feelings and their thoughts with you, the horror community.
Some will be long, some will be short, but all are important and will be featured with love and caring. It’s our honor to be able to do this for the man who gave us so very much.
Categorized:News
