Famous Faces in Slasher Films Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tom Hanks

Hanks has a small part as a psychology student in this slasher about a killer who stalks brides to be. Despite his limited screen time and his character's insignificance to the overall plot, Hanks demonstrates the screen presence and charisma that he would be known for years later as a Hollywood lead actor. Allegedly, Hanks' character was meant to be killed off, but the makers of the film found his portrayal so likable that they wrote his murder out of the film.

Answer: Alice, Sweet Alice

"Alice, Sweet Alice" was actually released under the name "Communion" in 1976, but was re-released under its new name in 1978 to capitalize on Shield's fame after the success of "Pretty Baby". In "Alice, Sweet Alice", Shields plays nine-year-old Karen, the film's first victim.

The film more prominently features an affecting performance by Paula Sheppard, who plays 12-year-old Alice, though she was 19 at the time of filming.

Answer: The Burning

"The Burning" falls under sub-genre of slasher films sometimes referred to as "Friday the 13th" rip-offs. Like that movie, it takes place at a summer camp, and it's about a former caretaker who was disfigured years earlier in a prank gone wrong and is back for revenge. "The Burning" is unusual in that, despite a low budget, it has a very large cast. Alexander has a significantly bigger part than Hunter, though neither are killed or appear any in of the movie's principal scenes.

Answer: Johnny Depp

Depp plays Glen, the supportive boyfriend of the film's central character, Nancy. He's considerate and understanding throughout the film and committed to helping his girlfriend catch Freddy. Ultimately though, he turns out to be the weaker of the two, succumbing to sleep, being caught by Freddy and perishing in a geyser of blood. Depp would also have a brief cameo (unrelated to his role as Glen) in the sixth film of the series "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare".

His other film credits include "Donnie Brasco", "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", and "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Answer: Kevin Bacon

Unlike the rest of the film's supporting cast, Bacon had already had film exposure, having had small parts in other films, including "National Lampoon's Animal House". In "Friday the 13th", he plays Jack, an unremarkable counselor who doomed himself not only by venturing to Camp Crystal Lake, but by committing the cardinal slasher film sin of having sex.

His demise is startling and effective, and features impressive special effects by Tom Savini.

Answer: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

Director/producer Tobe Hooper took an interesting approach with "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2", making it a parody of the first film, and the result is more gory comedy than horror film. Many of the elements of the first film are developed to ridiculous proportions, one example being the Sawyer family (named in the second film) progressing from cannibals to chili barons whose secret ingredient is human flesh. Hopper plays a former Texas lawman bent on avenging relatives who were victims in the first film.

His quest culminates in a chainsaw duel with Leatherface.

Answer: Black Christmas

In 1978's "Halloween", Curtis's first film, she plays Laurie Strode, and just as the film is credited for establishing many conventions of the slasher genre, her portrayal of the chaste and innocent teen survivor is seen as the archetypal slasher film heroine. Both "Terror Train" and "Prom Night" followed in the footsteps of "Halloween", though neither were as successful or memorable. Curtis, while continuing as the lead, plays more generic, "popular girl" characters. Other horror films she starred in were "The Fog", "Roadgames", as well as two "Halloween" sequels.

"Black Christmas" is a Canadian slasher from 1974 that stars Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder, and is about a killer who stalks sorority girls on Christmas Eve from within the house. It is in all respects a well-made movie and it stands up against the better-known classics of the genre.

Answer: Parts 4 and 5

Feldman first appeared in "Friday the 13th Part 4, The Final Chapter" as a 12-year-old prodigy with an affinity for the occult. His character is a laudable protagonist and the first one to truly defeat Jason.

Feldman later revealed in an interview that was meant to star in the fifth film of the franchise as well, but as he was unavailable for filming due to other commitments, he reprized the Tommy role for the film's opening scene only, which was shot in one day. For the rest of the film the character was played by adult actor, John Sheppard. The character returned again in the sixth film of the series, this time played by Thom Mathews.

Answer: Paul Rudd

"Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers", altered the backstory of the "Halloween" series so drastically that subsequent sequels ignored its existence entirely, as do many fans of the series. Nevertheless, it was enough to launch the career of Rudd, who would go on to become a prolific film actor, particularly in comedies including "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and "The Forty Year-Old Virgin" which, unlike "Halloween 6", are funny intentionally.

Answer: John Larroquette

Unlike the actors in this film, Larroquette would go on to achieve a high level of fame, notably winning a then record four consecutive Emmy Awards in the 1980s for his performance as Dan Fielding on the sitcom "Night Court." In contrast to the cheerful, aloof demeanor for which he is more known, his somber, authoritative voice-over at the introduction to "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" led credence to the assertion (mostly false) that the events in the film were real. Larroquette also narrated the 2003 "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake, as well as the 2006 prequel, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning".