RAD BASTARD ALERT: JOHN CARL BUECHLER.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about rubber puppets, as you could probably tell from the last article on this site about The Boglins. I don’t think these little freaks would have ever seen the light of day without their biggest inspirations paving the way. Of course I’m talking about demonic, pint-sized creatures such as the Ghoulies, Critters, Hobgoblins and Gremlins. Unforgettable legends of the silver screen, no doubt.

When it comes to creature effects and old school blood n’ guts, the big names that immediately come to mind are Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, Stan Winston, Rob Bottin and Rick Baker (with good reason!). These gentlemen are responsible for creating some of the most groundbreaking and memorable practical effects of all time. Most of the monsters and splatter scenes they’ve been involved with still look remarkable (and better) than the digital technical effects today.

One name that doesn’t get thrown around as much as it should is the late-great father of slimy creatures both small and large: John Carl Buechler.

One glance at this rad bastard’s portfolio of projects he’s been involved with and your brain will start to melt like a droopy, acidic goo that a Ghoulie would pop out of. John not only expertised in SFX but was a director, producer, screenwriter and actor for some of our most beloved scary flicks in the genre.

Let’s spotlight some of JCB’s talented contributions to the horror genre and beyond.

#1 THE DUNGEONMASTER (1984)
JCB’s credits: Director, Writer, Special Make-up Effects
– This was John’s debut as an actual director and man, this one has it all. A major highlight is the band W.A.S.P. being featured prominently in a performance scene with Blackie Lawless doing his signature torture rack theatrics and all!

#2 RE-ANIMATOR (1985)
JCB’s credits: Special Make-up effects
– If you know anything about Re-Animator, the special effects are in a class by themselves. Heralded as the one of the great mad scientist movies of all time, John’s contribution to this classic film is part of the reason why it’s aged so well.

#3 GHOULIES (1985)
JCB’s credits: Special Make-up effects
– This first installment in the Ghoulies movies is somewhat forgettable EXCEPT for the final scenes with the actual Ghoulie creatures causing havoc, which is purely made possible by John’s expertise. I love how slimy and disgusting they appear, which only made viewers demand more Ghoulies which they would deliver in future sequels.

#4 TROLL (1986)
JCB’s credits: Director, Writer, Special Make-up effects
– The first Troll movie doesn’t get the recognition it deserves because of the outlandish, cult-obsessed sequel that followed after. This is John’s second directorial delivery and you can tell in this movie he’s sharpened his skills in both effects and directing abilities. The creatures look straight out of a high-dollar, Jim Henson style production and the movie itself is a great one!

#5 ELIMINATORS (1986)
JCB’s credits: Special Make-up effects
– I’m not exactly sure what John did exactly in terms of effects in this movie but I hope to God it’s something to do with the character “The Mandroid”. He’s like a dollar store version of Robocop and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing at all.

#6 TERRORVISION (1986)
JCB’s credits: Special Make-up effects
– Another release from Empire Pictures that John was a part of. This is a goofy monster movie with incredible, big, squishy monster effects! A great soundtrack and another W.A.S.P. reference that John probably had nothing to do with but it’s still thrilling to see.

#7 FROM BEYOND (1986)
JCB’s credits: Special Make-up effects
– This is proof why digital effects will never, ever hold a candle to practical, in-your-face disgustingness such as what you find in Stuart Gordon’s From Beyond. Plus, scream queen Barbara Crampton in a lingerie scene.

#8 GHOULIES II (1987)
JCB’s credits: Special Make-up effects
– This is easily my favorite of the Ghoulies movies because it is a non-stop thrill ride from the start. From the carnival setting, to Phil Fondacaro (my favorite little person actor of all time) to the soundtrack (W.A.S.P. again!), to the Ghoulie monsters having a ton of screen time and not holding back, this is a movie that has it all.

#9 FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988)
JCB’s credits: Director, Special Make-up effects
– A huge moment in John’s career even if the movie itself didn’t crush at the box office. It’s been well documented that The New Blood had been cut down significantly with all the edgy blood and gore being stripped during editing. However, that doesn’t stop Jason Voorhees from becoming his most “zombie-ish” in this installment, which John did a phenomenal job creating. This also provided actor Kane Hodder the ability to showcase how demented Jason had become.

#10 A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER
JCB’s credit: Special Make-up effects
– To me, this is the last gasp of actual terror in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies and the last time Freddy would get really gnarly, at least for a long time.

I’m leaving out a number of projects John Carl Buechler was involved with, but this list of favorites clearly shows what this man brought to the table during his career right up until his early death at only 66 years old. His work will live on forever! Now I strongly urge you to cue up a movie marathon of horror flicks he was a part of and watch the master at work!