by Shannon Chicoine

Created on: October 13, 2008

The multi talented director John Howard Carpenter was born January 16, 1948 in Carthage, New York. He became inspired by early horror and science fiction films and began shooting his own short horror films on old 8 millimeter film while still in Junior High School. It seemed he was destined to become a legendary director, producer, and screenwriter. With movies such as "Halloween," "The Fog," and "Christine" he will always be one of the most gifted and prominent horror genre directors in the world.

In 1968 John Carpenter entered the University Of Southern California's School Of Cinematic Arts and would graduate in 1971. During that time he made a name for himself as a co-writer for "The Resurrection of Broncho Billy," which won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. It was his breakout into the Hollywood movie crowd as the film was widely released by Universal Studios.

The slasher film genre was born in 1978 when Carpenter released his film about a killer strolling through a neighborhood killing all in his wake on Halloween night. "Halloween" gave us Jamie Lee Curtis as the young babysitter who protects the children at all costs from "Michael Myers" in this low budget film which was a smash hit at the box office. The music in the film, which was also a Carpenter masterpiece, remains one of the most memorable themes of all time. Many films since have mimicked Carpenter's suspenseful approach to movie making but few have come close to comparing to the "Halloween" success.

"The Fog" was released two years later amid production problems and after shooting nearly a third of the film after Carpenter saw the original finished project and was dissatisfied. "The Fog" depicts ghosts who arrive within a glowing fog bank to get their revenge on the descendants of the small town. "The Fog" grossed over $21,000,000, was a box office success even though it was never one of Carpenter's favorites, and continues to gives drivers a chill as they enter a fog bank.

In 1983 "Christine" was transformed from the Stephen King novel onto the big screen. No one can forget that possessed red 1958 Plymouth Fury and what an appropriate car name for this machine. The car is able to rejuvenate it's self after being vandalized and takes its revenge on those who took part in the destruction all while Arnie Cunningham becomes more and more obsessed with "Christine." "Christine" is another example of a film that did well in theaters, but that isn't one of Carpenter's favorites.

John Carpenter has developed a cult following through DVD sales of his earlier work and continues to thrill us with his new projects. One thing is certain about this legendary director, composer, screenwriter, and director; his name will forever be synonymous with the horror movie genre as one of the most artistic minds of our time.

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