We kick off #AUGHOST with 1987’s PRISON. Directed by Renny Harlin (CLIFFHANGER, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT) and written HALLOWEEN producer Irwin Yablans, PRISON is a curious partnership between New World Pictures and Empire Pictures. And who’s the beneficiary of this partnership? We all are.
Don’t let the title fool you. The Prison in PRISON offers loose rules, plenty of yard time, and a ghost that’s out for revenge. In this prison, you’re locked up with an ensemble cast including Chelsea Field (or Mrs. Bakula according to Marc) from BIRDS 2: LANDS END, Lane Smith (SON-IN-LAW) and some guy named Viggo Mortenson. He didn’t do a whole lot outside of this movie but that doesn’t stop Erica from creating a new fan club called the Viggans (pronounced, “vegans”). The meals are exceptional and they have open mic night.
PRISON feels like it could have been an entry into the Hellraiser franchise or a Pauly Shore vehicle while also carving it’s own path. Spoiler, we spend a lot of time talking about Pauly Shore.