Episode 46: Night Ripper! (1986)

Video Store Nightmares

If you've ever wanted your American fashion-giallos with an exclamation mark, check out Night Ripper! Writer-director Jeff Hathcock is better known for "Victims!" - also adorned with an exclamation point - but isn't quite as overtly misogynistic in this one; though, he does channel some eye-rolling prejudice through star Larry Thomas (Seinfeld's the Soup Nazi). Shot-on-video, and apparently without talent, Night Ripper! nevertheless manages to be oddly charming. On this episode: ubiquitous infidelity, questionable photography sessions, short-cut knife murders, repeated reading of newspaper articles, labored mannequin metaphors, some surprisingly creepy literal mannequins, flood-lamp fatigue, and long-groovy driving scenes.