News

Before USA Network became series-focused, the cable channel delivered a steady stream of weekly original movies. Many of which were produced by McA (now NBCUniversal). And during this era — between the late 1980s and early 2000s — USA offered a variety of genres; action and suspense were the most common, but horror also came up from time to time.

Especially around Halloween.

USA Network is no longer in the business of airing these “World Premiere Movies,” horror or otherwise, and there haven’t been great strides to bring all of them to streaming or modern home video. However, the horror entries certainly have their merits as well as fans.

See if you can remember these original movies from USA Network’s horror history.

Trapped (1989)

Image: Kathleen Quinlan in Trapped (1989).

Directed by Fred Walton, Trapped was one of USA’s first World Premiere Movies. Here Kathleen Quinlan starred in what feels like a blueprint for P2.

New month, new horror recommendations from Deep Cuts Rising. This installment’s five selections reflect the month of June 2024.

Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.

This month’s offerings include a father gone mad, deadly dares, and more.

High Desert Kill (1989)

Image: Chuck Connors, Micah Grant and Anthony Geary in High Desert Kill (1989).

Directed by Harry Falk.

Summer officially begins in June, so why not watch a horror movie whose story is set under the hot sun? The TV oddity High Desert Kill seems like it’s about another camping trip gone wrong, with its male cast setting off for the New Mexico wilderness. Indeed they end up being hunted, however, the predator is not of this world.

Both the slow pace and the limitations of television — that orgy sequence could have...

By Chris Wright, More Horror

“Waxwork” (1988)

Written By: Anthony Hickox

Directed By: Anthony Hickox

Starring: Zach Galligan (Mark), Jennifer Bassey (Mrs Loftmore), Joe Baker (Jenkins), Deborah Foreman (Sarah), Michelle Johnson (China), David Warner (Mr. Lincoln), Eric Brown (James), Clare Carey (Gemma), Dana Ashbrook (Tony), Micah Grant (Johnathan)

I use to love watching this movie as a kid and as an adult, I still enjoy it just as much. I had to originally do a search as I had no idea what the title of this movie was but was overjoyed to be able to watch it again when I found out the title. “Waxwork” is a classic B style horror movie that isn’t cringe-worthy but very enjoyable to watch. It was one of the few motion pictures that Vestron at the time actually produced. It was made available in an R-rated and an unrated edition from them. It is available on DVD by Lionsgate.

You can’t beat late night television to catch some of the oddities of the film world. Series’ like Moviedrome and Mondo Macabro presented some weird and wonderful films, but sheer scheduling alone would bring the occasional strange delight our way. The only bonus of insomnia was that I’d never miss these films when they were on and it’s how I got into loving film, the veritable B-movie banquet that was the early hours So, here are my choices of five late night TV gems:

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark (1973) Now you see them, now you don’t…now you die

Be afraid, be very afraid in this very effective made-for-tv movie which has already made an entry in fistinface’s ‘Five: TV Movies Not About Eating Disorders’. I love cheesy TV movies but this is the rare thing of a darker, more original film and...