Prepare for a chilling tale of a Bay Area movie production that took a dark turn.
Sandy King, a renowned Hollywood producer, recalls her final autumn in the Bay Area with vivid clarity. She had recently tied the knot with the legendary filmmaker John Carpenter, known for his iconic horror films like "Halloween" and "They Live.", and they had made their home in the picturesque Marin County.
Carpenter, under contract with Universal Pictures, set his sights on a monster movie project - a reimagining of "The Creature From the Black Lagoon." However, the studio had other plans, presenting him with a script for "Village of the Damned," a sci-fi tale with a dark twist. Reluctantly, Carpenter and King agreed to the project on one condition - they could film it in their beloved Bay Area home.
The two-month shoot began, and while it had its challenges, King found a rhythm. She drove her godson Daniel to school each morning, and on weekends, the cast enjoyed steamed salmon or beef bourguignon. But beneath this idyllic surface, a storm was brewing.
"Now, this is where things get really interesting... or should I say, cursed?" King shared with SFGATE from her Los Angeles home.
As the production progressed, a series of strange and unsettling events unfolded. On November 2nd, flames licked the perimeter of the Carpenter home, likely caused by smoldering embers from a nearby fireplace. Despite suspicions of arson, the authorities never determined a clear cause.
But this was just the beginning. King and the "Village of the Damned" team endured $5,000 worth of vandalism, with locals stealing props, hurling racial epithets, and even gluing keyholes shut.
"They even poured salsa down the window!" King exclaimed.
The film itself tells a story of a small town besieged by a mysterious force, resulting in unexplained pregnancies and the birth of a group of evil alien children. Carpenter aimed to bring the story into modern times, focusing on the expectant mothers and their fear and lack of control.
"John's a true feminist," King said, "and I believe it added a layer of realism."
However, the locals had other concerns. They felt their small-town image was being exploited by Hollywood, despite King's efforts to contribute to the community.
"Some villagers may have felt they had lost control of their neck of the woods," a local columnist wrote at the time.
As the production continued, hundreds of locals were hired, including the entire student body of Nicasio Elementary School. But tensions rose, and a local journalist, David Mitchell, was arrested after attempting to photograph the student extras, leading to a scuffle with the authorities.
The film's release was rushed by Universal, leading to several scenes being cut without Carpenter's approval. Actress Karen Kahn, who played Christopher Reeve's wife, was shocked to find a third of the movie gone.
"Village of the Damned" opened in April 1995, but its release was marred by tragedy. Just days before, the Oklahoma City bombing had taken the lives of 168 people, including 19 children. King recalled calling the studio, pleading, "We can't release this."
Unfortunately, the movie's release date coincided with another tragedy - a horseback riding accident that left Christopher Reeve paralyzed from the neck down.
And the curse seemed to follow King and Carpenter even after the film's release. A fire broke out in Point Reyes National Seashore, destroying their home, along with their wedding photos and Carpenter's first movie camera.
"It was a dream getaway," King said, "but you have to move on."
Despite the challenges and tragedies, King would return to the Bay Area in a heartbeat. "I'm afraid I would cry," she admitted, "but I still have visions of rebuilding up there."
"Everybody is afraid of something," King reflected. "Perhaps deep down, we're all afraid of our influence on our children, or maybe we fear they're small aliens in disguise."
The story of "Village of the Damned" and its production in the Bay Area is a haunting tale, a reminder that sometimes, reality can be stranger and more tragic than fiction.
What do you think? Is this story just a series of unfortunate events, or is there something more supernatural at play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
