The Dark Side of Midnight

My review was written in February 1988 after watching the movie on Prism video cassette.

"The Dark Side of Midnight" is another amateur production released by Troma, the N. Y.-based distributor yet to upgrade its product. Pic bears a 1984 copyright and was released briefly to theaters in 1986 ahead of current home video availability.

Wes Olsen performs virtually all credits here in a relentlessly dull attempt at a "thriller" about a slasher preying on folks in Fort Smith, Arkansas (where the pic was lensed). He's called in as a specialist private eye when local police are baffled by the murderer called "The Creeper".

Nominal lot has the local mayor (Dave Bowling) obstructing the course of James Moore's investigation in order to further his own scheme to sell some local land to developers planning to build a university in Fort Smith.

The acting is extremely stiff and amateurish, and action scenes are kept to a minimum. With violence off camera, no sex and no nudity, pic has nothing to offer to the exploitation market. On any other level, it is inept. Casting the tall killer to look a lot like cop James Moore doesn't pay off, it's just a mistake. Lack of an ending is another problem.

this movie was great. it had everything like: killing, teenage girls and mustaches, mustaches, mustaches! did i mention the mustaches? if you love to look at mustaches then buy this movie. but mustaches aside, this movie is so funny. there are some great one liners in this. DUMBEST COPS EEEEEEEVER. i dont care watch anyone says , this is not a horror film....nor is it trying to be one. its more of a suspence thriller/comedy. honestly, they couldnt have been serious about this movie. check it out.

The Dark Side of Midnight,I thought was great.Don't get me wrong it's not scary or gory but I still think it's great.I love low and no budget films where creativity is nonessential and there are no polished results.

Wes Olsen was awesome as the non charismatic detective Brock Johnson,I think this movie was the basis for CSI,as Brock was so scientific in his detecting and his dialogue recitation.The way he walks,talks and runs away from danger.And the ending is priceless!!

The Police Chief was great too,although he seemed to swallow a bit of the dialogue in each of his scenes.

The Lt. was awesome too,wasn't he the singer in jefferson starship?

The Mayor,what a great mustache!!

but then again even I had a mustache in 1984,please see this film,you wont regret it....too much,aj

Wes Olsen's "The Dark Side of Midnight" is a pure garbage that can be pretty amusing,if you're in the right mood.The police in a small town of Fort Smith have one confrontation after another with an evil and vicious killer called The Creeper.This film is so boring and lifeless that you'll need some fresh air after watching it.The acting is hideous and the gore is awful.And yes,the cops here are incredibly dumb and provide some laughs.Check it out,if you enjoy Troma films.However if you're a casual horror fan avoid this mindless junk like the plague.

My friend managed to by a VHS copy of this movie in a car boot sale for 50 pence. The acting is very cheesy, some of the facial expressions are classic!. Warning even though this is a Troma films release, hardcore Troma fans will be disapointed cause of the lack of blood, gore and actual shock value. I think this movie has been deleted now but if your lucky enough to get hold of a copy watch it because it's the funniest film you might ever see.