From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Michael Jackson’s Thriller To qualify for an Academy Award, "Thriller" debuted
at a special theatrical screening, along with the 1940 Dis-
Directed by John Landis ney motion picture Fantasia.
Produced by Michael Jackson
Written by John Landis Content
Michael Jackson
Starring Michael Jackson
Ola Ray
Vincent Price
Distributed by Epic Records
Vestron Music Video
Release date(s) December 2, 1983
Running time 13:43
Language English
Budget US$500,000[1]
Sales:
Sales
9 million units
Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller is a 14-minute music video for
the song of the same name released on December 2, 1983
As Michael Jackson was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness at
and directed by John Landis, who also co-wrote the
that time, the first scene includes a disclaimer by Jack-
screenplay with Jackson.
son stating that, "Due to my strong personal convictions,
Voted as the most influential pop music video of all
I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief
time,[2] Thriller proved to have a profound effect on pop-
in the occult."
ular culture,[3][4] and was named "a watershed moment
In a serene 1950s setting, a teenaged Michael Jackson
for the [music] industry"[2] for its unprecedented merg-
and his unnamed girlfriend (Ola Ray) run out of gas in
ing of filmmaking and music. Guinness World Records listed
a dark, wooded area. They walk off into the forest, and
it in 2006 as the "most successful music video", selling
Michael asks her if she would like to be his girlfriend. She
over 9 million units.[5] In 2009, the video was inducted in-
accepts and he gives her a ring. He warns her, however,
to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress,
that he is "not like other guys". A full moon appears, and
the first music video to ever receive this honor, for being
Michael begins convulsing in agony — transforming into
“culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. [6]
a horrifying werecat,[2] growling at her to "GO AWAY!"
Co-starring with Jackson was former Playboy center-
in the process. The girl screams and runs away, but the
fold Ola Ray. The video was choreographed by Michael
werecat catches up, knocking her down and lunging at
Peters (who had worked with the singer on his prior hit
her with his claws.
"Beat It"), and Michael Jackson. The video also contains
The scene then cuts to a movie theater where Michael
incidental music by film music composer Elmer Bern-
and his date, along with an excitable audience, are ac-
stein, who had previously worked with Landis on An
tually watching the scene unfold in a fictional Vincent
American Werewolf in London. The video (like the song)
Price movie titled "Thriller". Michael’s girlfriend leaves
contains a spoken word performance by horror film vet-
the theater as Michael hands his popcorn to another
eran Vincent Price. Rick Baker assisted in prosthetics and
moviegoer, catches up to her, and tells her that "It’s only
makeup for the production. "Thriller" was the third and
a movie". Some debate follows as to whether or not she
final video for the Thriller album. The red jacket that Jack-
was scared by the movie: she denies it, but Michael dis-
son wore was designed by John Landis’ wife Deborah Lan-
agrees. They then walk down a foggy road as Michael
dis to make him appear more "virile".[7]
teases her by singing the verses of "Thriller". They pass a
nearby graveyard, in which the undead begin to rise out
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Jackson’s Thriller
of their graves as Vincent Price performs his sprechge-
sang.
Awards
The zombies corner the two main characters threat- In December 2009, it was selected for the National Film
eningly, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie him- Registry by the Library of Congress along with 24 other
self. The zombies then break into an elaborate song and films.[8] It was the first ever music video to be selected.[9]
dance number, followed by the main chorus of "Thriller" The Registry titled Thriller as “the most famous music
(during which Michael reverts to human form), frighten- video of all time”.[10] The co-ordinator of the National
ing his date to the point where she runs for cover. Film Preservation Board, who decides upon candidates
Michael (who has turned back into a zombie) and his for inclusion in the National Film Registry, Steve Legett,
fellow corpses chase the frightened girl into the corner of said “The time is right” for Thriller to be included, be-
a nearby abandoned house. Michael then reaches for the cause of the death of Jackson that year.[9]
girl’s throat as she lets out a bloodcurdling scream, only
to awake and realize it was all a dream. Michael then of- Grammy Award
fers to take her home, and she happily accepts. As they
walk out of the house, Michael eerily looks at the camera, Year Category Result Notes
revealing his yellow werecat eyes, as Vincent Price offers 1985 Best Video, Long Won "Thriller"
one last haunting laugh. Form
During the closing credits, a reprised scene of the
zombies dancing is shown. At the end of the closing cred- 1984 Best Video Al- Won Making Michael Jack-
its, a disclaimer appears, saying that "Any similarity to bum son’s Thriller
actual events or characters living, dead, (or undead) is
purely coincidental." The same disclaimer appeared in An MTV Award
American Werewolf in London, also directed by Landis. After
this, the zombies then dance back into their graves, end- Year Category Result
ing with one of them (an uncredited Vincent Price, in full 1999 100 Greatest Music Videos of all Time [11] Won
prosthetic makeup) giving the audience a terrifying gri-
1984 Best Overall Performance in a Video Won
mace as the scene fades to black.
1984 Best Choreography (Michael Peters) Won
Credits 1984 Viewer’s Choice Won
• Directed by: John Landis
• Produced by: George Folsey, Jr., Michael Jackson & Origins
John Landis
In the summer of 1983, Thriller had begun to decline in
• Written by: John Landis & Michael Jackson
sales. Walter Yetnikoff and Larry Stessel answered calls
• Starring: Michael Jackson
throughout the night from Jackson. "Walter, the record
• Co-Starring: Ola Ray
isn’t No. 1 anymore," Yetnikoff recalls Jackson saying.
• Director of Photography: Robert Paynter, B.S.C.
"What are we going to do about it?" ’We’re going to go to
• Special Make-up Effects Designed & Created by: Rick
sleep and deal with it tomorrow,’" Yetnikoff remembered
Baker & EFX, Inc.
answering. Jackson manager Frank DiLeo first mentioned
• Choreography: Michael Peters & Michael Jackson
the idea of making a third video, and pressed Jackson to
• Edited by: Malcolm Campbell & George Folsey, Jr.
consider the album’s title track. "It’s simple—all you’ve
• Art Director: Charles Hughes
got to do is dance, sing, and make it scary," DiLeo recalls
• Costume Designed by: Kelly Kimball & Deborah
telling Jackson.[12]
Nadoolman Landis
In early August, John Landis was contacted by Jackson
• Production Manager: Dan Allingham
to direct. At the time, commercial motion-picture direc-
• First Assistant Director: David Sosna
tors did not direct music videos, but Landis was in-
• Scary Music by: Elmer Bernstein
trigued.[13]
Thriller
• Performed by: Michael Jackson
• Featuring ’Rap’ by: Vincent Price
Filming locations
• Produced by: Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson The music video was filmed at the Palace Theatre in
• Written by: Rod Temperton downtown Los Angeles, the zombie dance sequence at
• Recorded & Mixed by: Bruce Swedien the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and South Calzona
• Available on Epic Records & Cassettes Street in East Los Angeles and the final house scene in the
Angeleno Heights neighborhood at 1345 Carroll Avenue.
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Behind the scenes video clips from the songs "Can You Feel It", "Beat It",
and the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean" as well
In an interview that aired December 11, 1999, for MTV’s
as audio clips from songs like "Workin’ Day and Night".
100 Greatest Videos Ever Made, Jackson spoke about the
MTV paid $250,000 for the exclusive rights to show
making of the video:
the documentary; Showtime paid $300,000 for pay-cable
My idea was to make this short film with con- rights; and Vestron Video reportedly plunked down an
versation ... in the beginning - I like having a additional $500,000 to market the cassette, in "a profit
beginning and a middle and an ending, which participation."[15]
would follow a story. I’m very much involved Rick Baker expected to have a few weeks to do the
in complete making and creating of the piece. special effects make up for the zombies (which usually
It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you requires impressions to be taken of the actors face to
know, it’s an interpretation of the music. It base the prosthetics on) only to find out the dancers
was a delicate thing to work on because I re- would not be cast until a few days before shooting began.
member my original approach was, ’How do It was decided to do generic make up for the dancers (us-
you make zombies and monsters dance with- ing a combination of precast prosthetics) while members
out it being comical?’ So I said, ’We have to do of Bakers crew in the more elaborate make up for shots
just the right kind of movement so it doesn’t that featured more closeups (like the zombie coming out
become something that you laugh at.’ But it of the manhole)
just has to take it to another level. So I got in
a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, Broadway and litigation
and he and I together kind of imagined how
In 2009, Jackson sold the rights of "Thriller" to the Neder-
these zombies move by making faces in the
lander Organization, to stage a Broadway musical based
mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes
on the video.
with monster makeup on, and I loved doing
Jackson was sued by Landis in a dispute over royalties
that. So he and I collaborated and we both
for the video; Landis claims he is owed four years worth
choreographed the piece and I thought it
of royalties.[16][17]
should start like that kind of thing and go into
Ola Ray has also complained in the past about difficul-
this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of
ties collecting royalties. At first, Ray blamed Jackson, but
gruesome things like that, not too much ballet
then apologized to him in 1997. However, Ray eventual-
or whatever.
ly sued Jackson on May 6, 2009 in a dispute to obtain un-
—Michael Jackson[14]
collected royalties.[18] less than two months before Jack-
son’s death on June 25.[19]
Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Legacy
Following the success of the "Thriller" video, a Holly-
wood production company reportedly began serious
work on trying to turn Jackson’s song "Billie Jean", which
is also featured on Jackson’s Thriller album, into a feature
film; to date no plans have ever been completed.[20] Vin-
ny Marino of ABC News commented that "Thriller"’s mu-
sic video was being selected as the ’Greatest Video of All
Time" was a "no-brainer" and remarked that, "Michael
Jackson’s "Thriller" continues to be considered the great-
est video ever by just about everyone."[21] Gil Kaufman
of MTV described the "Thriller" video as being "iconic"
and felt that it was one of Jackson’s "most enduring lega-
The Palace Theatre is featured in the music video. cies".[22] Kaufman also noted that the music video was
the "mini-movie that revolutionized music videos" and
Released in tandem with the video was an hour-long doc- "cemented Jackson’s status as one of the most ambitious,
umentary providing candid glimpses behind the scenes innovative pop stars of all time".[22] Steve Peake, of
of the production. Called Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller, About.com, listed "Thriller" as being Jackson’s eighth
it, too, was shown heavily on MTV for a time and was the best song of the 1980s.[23] Patrick Kevin Day and Todd
top-selling home-video release of all time at one point, Martens, of The Los Angeles Times commented that,
with over 9 million copies sold. The VHS also included
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Jackson’s Thriller
"Thriller’s" phenomenal success led to a • Donga, the "Indian Thriller" internet meme
breaking down of traditional racial barriers • Thrill the World
on FM radio at the time. New York’s WPLJ, a
"white" station, played Jackson’s "Beat It" be-
cause of Eddie Van Halen’s appearance on it.
References
The song caused a wave of protests from some [1] Director: Funds for "Thriller" almost didn’t appear
listeners who didn’t want "black" music on [2] ^ Celizic, Mike (2008-04-26). "’Thriller’ still a classic
their station. MTV also had a reputation for after 25 years - TODAY Entertainment -
favoring white performers at the time, and its TODAYshow.com". MSNBC.
heavy rotation of Jackson videos helped alle- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24282347/.
viate the criticism.[20] Retrieved 2010-07-24.
[3] "Sharon Stone | 50 Pop-Culture Moments That
In December 2009, the music video for "Thriller" was Rocked Fashion: The Top 25 | Photo 21 of 25".
selected for the National Film Registry by the Library EW.com. http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/
of Congress, "Thriller" is the first music video to ever 0,,20213730_21,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
be inducted.[24] The Registry explained, "because of the [4] "A farewell to Michael Jackson". Manchester
way the recording industry is evolving and changing, Evening News. 2009-06-26.
we thought it would be good to go back to the devel- http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/
opment of an earlier seismic shift, which was the devel- s/1122801_a_farewell_to_the_king_of_pop.
opment of the music video"[22] and described the mu- Retrieved 2010-07-24.
sic video as being "the most famous music video of all [5] Guinness World Records (2006)
time".[25] The co-ordinator of the National Film Preserva- [6] "Michael Jackson News - Yahoo! Music".
tion Board, who decides upon candidates for inclusion in New.music.yahoo.com. 2009-12-30.
the National Film Registry, Steve Legett, noted that the http://new.music.yahoo.com/michael-jackson/
music video was considered for induction for years, but news/jackson-quot-thriller-quot-film-picked-for-
was chosen mainly due to Jackson’s death that year.[26] In u-s-registry--61980767. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
a poll conducted by Myspace in 2010, which asked over [7] Lauren Goode (June 30, 2009). "Deborah Landis,
one thousand users on their site to name the most influ- Designer of the Red Jacket Michael Jackson Wore in
ential music video of all time from a list of twenty videos “Thriller”". Wall Street Journal (Speakeasy).
selected by music and entertainment critics, Michael Jack- http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/06/30/
son’s Thriller was voted the most influential video.[27] deborah-landis-designer-of-the-red-jacket-
In 2002 Lexington, Kentucky, became the first city to michael-jackson-wore-in-thriller/. Retrieved July
launch a "Thriller" reenactment as a Halloween festivi- 4, 2009. "At the time, she says, the 25-year-old
ty. The video’s storyline and dance sequences were faith- Jackson weighed only 99 lbs, with a 26-inch waist
fully recreated, beginning outside the historic Kentucky (“exactly the same height and weight as Fred
Theater and featuring hundreds of zombies who attend Astaire”), and one of the challenges she faced was
rehearsals at nearby Mecca Live Studio in the weeks lead- making the performer appear more “virile.”"
ing up to the parade. Lexington’s 10th annual Thriller Pa- [8] Alex Dobuzinskis (December 30, 2009). "Jackson
rade was sponsored by Lexington Parks and Recreation, "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry". Reuters.
Mecca, and WRFL FM 88.1, and took place on October 30, http://www.reuters.com/article/
2011 for an audience of thousands, with Albert Ignacio idUSTRE5BT43W20091230?type=musicNews.
playing the role of Michael Jackson.[28] Lexington’s Retrieved January 1, 2010.
March Madness Marching Band also performed in zom- [9] ^ "Michael Jackson’s Thriller added to US film
bie attire. archive". BBC News. December 31, 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/
See also 8435911.stm. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
[10] Itzkoff, Dave (December 30, 2009). "‘Thriller’ Video
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller jacket Added to U.S. Film Registry". The New York Times.
• List of most expensive music videos http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/arts/
• Return of the Living Dead Part II, the film features a music/31arts-THRILLERVIDE_BRF.html. Retrieved
dancing zombie resembling Michael Jackson from January 1, 2010.
this video. [11] MTV: 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made
• Thriller viral video featuring the dancing inmates of [12] Griffin, Nancy (2010-07). "The “Thriller” Diaries".
Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center Vanity Fair. http://www.vanityfair.com/
(CPDRC), Cebu, in the Cebu Province of the hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-
Philippines
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Jackson’s Thriller
thriller-201007?printable=true¤tPage=2. [22] ^ Gil Kaufman (2009-12-30). "Michael Jackson’s
Retrieved 2011-01-02. ’Thriller’ Added To National Film Registry".
[13] Griffin, Nancy (2010-07). "The “Thriller” Diaries". MTV.com. Viacom. http://www.mtv.com/news/
Vanity Fair. http://www.vanityfair.com/ articles/1628945/20091230/jackson_michael.jhtml.
hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson- Retrieved 2010-01-23.
thriller-201007?printable=true¤tPage=2. [23] Steve Peake. "Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs of the
Retrieved 2011-01-02. ’80s". 80Music.about.com. The New York Times
[14] "Michael Jackson’s Life & Legacy: Global Superstar Company. http://80music.about.com/od/artistsfj/
(1982-86)". VH1. Archived from the original on July tp/topmjsongs.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
6, 2009. http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/ [24] Alex Dobuzinskis (2009-12-30). "Jackson "Thriller"
1615220/20090702/ film picked for U.S. registry". Reuters.com.
jackson_michael.jhtml?rsspartner=rssMozilla. http://www.reuters.com/article/
Retrieved July 7, 2009. idUSTRE5BT43W20091230?type=musicNews.
[15] "Sing a Song of Seeing". Time (magazine). December Retrieved 2010-01-22.
26, 1983. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ [25] Dave Itzkoff (2009-12-30). "‘Thriller’ Video Added
article/0,9171,926425-3,00.html. Retrieved to U.S. Film Registry". NYTimes.com (The New York
November 15, 2009. Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/2009/
[16] Grossberg, Josh (January 27, 2009). "A Legal 12/31/arts/music/31arts-
Thriller: Michael Jackson Sued by John Landis". E! THRILLERVIDE_BRF.html. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
Online. http://www.eonline.com/news/ [26] "Michael Jackson’s Thriller added to US film
legal_thriller_michael_jackson_sued_by/81041. archive". BBC News. 2009-12-31.
Retrieved January 14, 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/
[17] Michael Jackson sued by ’Thriller’ director 8435911.stm. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
[18] Dillon, Nancy (2009-05-05). "Gloves are off! [27] "‘Thriller’ voted most influential pop video".
’Thriller’ co-star Ola Ray sues Michael Jackson for MSNBC. 2010-05-02. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/
royalties,". New York: Nydailynews.com. id/36905841/ns/today-entertainment/. Retrieved
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/06/ 2010-05-03.
2009-05-06_gloves_are_off_thriller_model_sues_for_royalties.html.
[28] http://www.kentucky.com/2009/10/30/997818/
Retrieved 2010-07-24. its-thriller-time-if-you-want.html
[19] latimes.com
[20] ^ Patrick Kevin Day, Todd Martens (2008-02-18).
"25 ’Thriller’ facts". The Los Angeles Times. The Los
External links
Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/ • Thriller at the Internet Movie Database
entertainment/news/music/la-et-web- • Michael Jackson’s Thriller at AllRovi
thrillertrivia12feb12,1,4770613.story. Retrieved
2010-01-23.
[21] Vinny Marino (2001-05-02). "VH1 Names ’100
Greatest Videos of All Time’". ABCNews.com. The
Walt Disney Company. http://abcnews.go.com/
Entertainment/story?id=105861&page=1. Retrieved
2010-01-22.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Jackson%27s_Thriller&oldid=474463100"
Categories:
• Zombie films
• Zombies and revenants in popular culture
• Musical films
• 1980s horror films
• Films directed by John Landis
• 1983 films
• 1980s short films
• Michael Jackson
• Music videos directed by John Landis
• United States National Film Registry films
• Music videos
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Michael Jackson’s Thriller
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