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This week at The Tryon Theatre features a pair of seasonally spooky films for the Halloween holiday: “Ghostbusters” (Reitman 1984) and “Little Shop of Horrors” (Oz 1986). 

Both films are well-known and well-celebrated, with cult followings and critical acclaim. Their self-aware silliness is a large part of their success. Born from the same era of comedy, both films saw the rise of many talents we still honor and appreciate today, such as Bill Murray, Steve Martin, and Ernie Hudson. 

The casts of these two films overlap, most notably Rick Moranis, the lead in “Little Shop of Horrors” and a prominent guest in “Ghostbusters,” and Bill Murray, a lead in “Ghostbusters” and a notable guest in “Little Shop of Horrors.” But the similarities go further than casting.

The late 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of a more provocative form of comedy than the preceding decades of the Hays code and “I Love Lucy.” Boundaries of style and decorum were pushed, a laugh from shock as valuable as one from joy. At the same time, all of this openly brash testing and prodding of social norms was relatively new, blending the earlier roots of slapstick and bone-dry wit, dripping with irony and self-awareness. Ultimately, the outcome is one of great charm engendered by the silliness and almost vaudevillian antics. At the same time, these films are delightfully raunchy, with euphemisms and innuendos running wild despite a relatively restrained image on screen. There are also elements of horror, with any potential darkness so brightened by camp and goofiness it can hardly register as fear. 

“Ghostbusters” follows a team of paranormal investigators, predominantly academic, who take on wayward ghosts in New York City and open the door to a wider and more dangerous world of the unknown. It is witty, ridiculous, and a rollercoaster of brainless fun. 

“Little Shop of Horrors” follows a young shop clerk who is full of unspoken love for a coworker and burdened with caring for a strange sentient plant, Seymour, whose intelligence and malevolence grow with each passing day. This peppy musical is chock full of song, laughter, and cheeky camp. 

“Ghostbusters” will play Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday at 2:30 p.m., and Saturday at 7 p.m. “Little Shop of Horrors” will play on Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. 

We hope you will join us for all the campy, creepy fun!