Get An Exclusive Sneak Peek At NIGHTMARE AUTOPSIS: A RETURN TO ELM STREET With Author Lowell Greenblatt
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…so you’d better be prepared by learning all about him in Lowell Greenblatt’s new book! Now available from Harker Press, Nightmare Autopsis: A Return to Elm Street is the definitive retrospective on A Nightmare on Elm Street, and FANGORIA is excited to present an exclusive chat with Greenblatt about why he chose the slasher franchise to write about, and what makes it so special for fans and filmmakers alike.
Nightmare Autopsis is an in-depth retrospective on one of the biggest horror franchises of all time, featuring new production information from the making of the films. The book features a foreword by Nathan Thomas Milliner, examinations of unused sequel scripts, notes on deleted and alternate scenes, a history of Freddy’s iconography, new interviews with cast and crew, and deep dives on the origins of each film. (It also features a section on FANGORIA’s connection to the franchise, featuring an interview with our very own Phill Nobile Jr.!)
Also included is a photo gallery spanning the entire franchise, as well as new insights from Jack Sholder, Chuck Russell, and Stephen Hopkins, who directed the second, third, and fifth films in the franchise respectively.
Nightmare Autopsis is one of many celebrations of the popular slasher franchise that’s coming to life this fall for fans to enjoy. A special seven-film collection is being released this fall, rereleasing the franchise in killer 4K to celebrate its fortieth anniversary. The 4K remasters will also be featured as part of a marathon at Alamo Drafthouse as part of their Dark Visions series, for those that live near the cinema chain, and another book on the legacy of the franchise, Never Sleep Again, is also getting a special release. (Better buy both to cover all your bases!)
Nightmare Autopsis: A Return to Elm Street is available for purchase now. Check out the cover and our exclusive interview with Greenblatt below:
Why a book on A Nightmare on Elm Street?
I’ve been waiting for a book like this for years, so I decided to stop waiting and start writing. Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Scream all have multiple books, documentaries, and retrospectives. There’s barely anything for the Nightmare on Elm Street films and it’s long-overdue.
You conducted a lot of new interviews for Nightmare Autopsis. Do you have a favorite?
Legally, I have to say Phil Nobile Jr. He’s not reading this, right? Kidding, of course. It’s impossible to choose because I spoke to so many amazing people, who all told stories I never thought I’d get to hear, let alone write about. If pressed, I’d have to say Patrick Lussier and Chuck Russell. Mimi Craven was also candid and hilarious. Ask me again in 10 minutes.
Did you learn anything new or surprising in your research?
I learned so much about the trajectory of New Line Cinema. They’re not just the proverbial “House That Freddy Built.” They made sure Freddy had a penthouse suite! Even as they were growing from an indie film company to the studio that made Lord of the Rings, they really tried to make great movies and push the envelope of the Nightmare films.
In your opinion, what’s the ultimate Nightmare sequel and why?
Look, Dream Warriors is one of the greatest sequels of all time, in ANY genre. That’s a given, but consider The Dream Master (part 4), which almost acts as a reboot. Renny Harlin took Wes Craven’s ideas and ran with them, making a bombastic action/horror hybrid with some cutting-edge effects and a truly excellent final girl. Try to catch it on the big screen.
You interview a number of genre personalities on Elm Street’s legacy. What did you learn from those discussions?
I always knew there was a reverence for this franchise among fans, but I never knew the extent in which it extends to the people who made it. Everyone always says “we had a great time and we’re still friends,” but it’s absolutely true in the case of Nightmare. Some of the special effects crew were always excited when they knew they were about to work on a new entry. A few of the cast members even lived together for years after filming. Even after all this time, the films are still remembered fondly.
