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The Lamp (1987) - Tom Daley


The Lamp or The Outing, is a low budget horror flick released in 1987. It is the only film to have been directed by the late Tom Daley and it falls into a very small genre of horror dealing with Jinn and Jinni. It’s a surprising movie because it’s actually pretty decent but nearly forgotten. I had never heard of this movie until I was browsing around on the web and stumbled across it. It looked really interesting and I loved Wishmaster so I thought I would give it a try. 

An evil lamp that’s possessed by a demonic jinn had made it’s way into the United States. It was awakened and unleashed by thieves. Then repossessing the lamp again it’s transferred to a Natural History Museum where it peaks the interest of more attractive victims. These victims happen to be some of the teenagers from a local school. One of the teenagers is Alex Wallace the daughter of Dr. Wallace of the Museum. The teens decide to stay overnight in the Museum when things start to go wrong. 

It was really ambitious for Tom Daley to make a movie with a strong supernatural antagonist during a height of slasher movies. But he did a good job of melding both subjects. The killings all have a slasher vibe even though the jinn is using magic and pretty lights. I didn’t mind as long as the damn teenagers were punished for their mistake of thinking they could have a fun night. 

The actors are not very good and the writing is pretty rough. Scenes are commonly out of focus or poorly dubbed. Others are not constructed properly or very well at all. However, I still found it to be pretty redeeming. I enjoyed it quite a bit more on a corny nostalgic factor. 

The Lamp is really surprising. It's far more interesting than I had thought it would have been. I don't know why I hadn't heard of it before. The eighties flair is in full effect. The music, the hair, the style and most importantly, the practical effects. This movie has a ton of really gory special effects. They are pretty awesome.
Director Tom Daley
Producer: Warren Chaney
Writer: Warren Chaney
Starring: Deborah Winters, James Huston, Andra St. Ivanyi, Scott Bankston and Red Mitchell
Studio: Moviestore Entertainment
Release Date: September 11, 1987
Country: United States
Did Ya Know: When Bob the security guard is impaled, in the first shot, the spear enters his chest. In the next, it is stuck in his abdomen.











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