Anthony Hickox's Loopy and Bloody Delight: A Look at Waxworks (1988)

Incidentally, Anthony Hickox had filmmaking in his blood. His father was Douglas Hickox, a renowned film director known for his work on The Giant Behemoth, Theater of Blood, and Zulu Dawn. As if that weren't enough, his mother, Anne V., added an extra layer of creativity to the family mix. It's no wonder, then, that Hickox would grow up with a passion for storytelling.

However, getting Waxworks (1988) made was no easy feat. The script was rejected by every major studio and producer, including Vestron Pictures, despite its unique premise and clever writing. Undeterred, Hickox teamed up with producer Dan Ireland to get the project off the ground. And when the head of Vestron finally read the script, he loved it, giving the green light for production.

The idea for Waxworks was born from Hickox's childhood fascination with Madame Tussaud's wax museum in England. He would visit as a child and be captivated by the intricate details and eerie atmosphere. This sparked his imagination to create a movie set within such an environment.

Interestingly, Hickox wrote the script in just a matter of days for a paltry $3,000. The producer at the time was desperate for cash, which led to the two striking up an agreement. And while working on the project, Hickox suffered a minor setback when he accidentally crashed his car into that of producer Staffan Ahrenberg.

Despite these setbacks, Waxworks went on to become a cult classic, impressing audiences with its blend of horror and humor. The film follows a group of students who discover that the creepy local wax museum is home to more than just lifeless statues – it's a deadly place where the figures come to life.

In this installment of Arrow in the Head's 'The Best Horror Movie You Never Saw,' we're shining a spotlight on Waxworks (1988), a loopy, gory, and fun-as-hell horror film that deserves more recognition. So if you haven't seen it yet, grab some popcorn and get ready for a wild ride.

Waxworks movie 1988