Quite simply the most corrosive “Making-of” movie ever made. A filmed diary shot during the making of THE DEMON LOVER, a no-budget horror flick from the seventies, this film shows like no other the general chaos that goes into low-budget moviemaking, and then ends on an outrageous note, with the filmmakers literally running for their lives!
The Package
DEMON LOVER DIARY became something of a legend after it
played the festival circuit back in 1980, but has never been
spotted (legally) since. The notoriety is hardly surprising, as
it’s far better than THE DEMON LOVER (which was released on
video as THE DEVIL MASTER), the unfortunate film that resulted
from the misadventures chronicled herein.
Joel DeMott, the girlfriend of DEMON LOVER’S
cinematographer Jeff Kreines, was the maker of DEMON LOVER
DIARY, having brought her own camera along to cover the shoot.
Donald Jackson and Jerry Younkins directed the
movie-within-the-movie, both factory workers who financed the
movie through insurance money obtained by an intentional
on-the-job accident. Somewhat amazingly, Jackson is still making
movies today after the disaster that was DEMON LOVER-that is, if
you consider atrocities like ROLLERBLADE and HELL COMES TO
FROGTOWN movies.
The Story
Joel DeMott had no idea what she was in for when she
lugged along her camera to cover her boyfriend’s shoot. Things
start off on a sour note when Jackson and Younkins try and make
DeMott stay behind. She manages to tag along, though, recording
it all as things go from bad to worse: neither Jackson or
Younkins know what they’re doing, Kreines is a (justified)
whiner, and the “actors” can’t ever seem to remember their
lines. Anyone who’s ever been witness to a low-budget shoot will
recognize the near-constant bickering, backstabbing, long hours,
severe money shortage and failed romances that plague DEMON
LOVER’S calamitous production. Here, though, the atmosphere
turns downright poisonous during the shoot’s final days at the
home of rock star Ted Nugent, where Jackson snaps after the
crew, fed up with his broken promises, gives him a contract to
sign. It ends with a terrified DeMott and Krienes on the run,
gunshots ringing out behind them (”they’re shooting at us!” she
screams).
The Direction
This is truly a “diary” and the film is stronger for
it. Joel DeMott is the only credited filmmaker; her
camerawork is utterly crude throughout and, again, this is all
to the better. There is NEVER any question as to the reality of
the situation. Unlike the slick, professionally produced
documentaries that comprise most “Making-of” fare, there were no
outside interests guiding this film, corporate or otherwise.
What we’re viewing is raw, unvarnished truth. See it!
Vital Statistics
DEMON LOVER DIARY
Writer/Producer/Director/etc.: Joel DeMott (“Special Thanks”:
Jeff Kreine)
Cast: Donald Farmer, Jerry Younkins, Jeff Kreines, Joel DeMott