Overview:
As Halloween approaches, horror fans revisit classics like Halloween (1978) and Psycho (1960). Yet hidden gems like Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987) often get overlooked. Combining elements of The Exorcist (1973), Carrie (1976), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), this underrated horror sequel is a stylish, supernatural ride that deserves renewed attention.
A Forgotten Gem of the Halloween Season
With Halloween just two weeks away, horror films are in heavy rotation. While many fans return to familiar favorites, other lesser-known tales of terror are worth a watch. Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987) is one of them — a mix of dark humor, revenge, and supernatural thrills.
Recently, screenwriter Ron Oliver sat down with Presence News to discuss the creative vision behind a film that has quietly gained cult status among horror enthusiasts.
Mary Lou Maloney: A Force to Be Reckoned With
The film opens in 1957, where teenager Mary Lou Maloney is crowned prom queen. Popular, powerful, and unapologetically confident, Mary Lou is played by Lisa Schrage, whose performance brings an unexpected depth to the character.
“She made everything about the character as a very empowered woman, which was an unusual thing for the ‘50s,” Oliver told Presence News. “The notion of a young woman taking control and taking power — over the men in the movie and in her own life — is something that still resonates.”
Shades of Carrie
Given its prom-night setting and themes of vengeance, comparisons to Carrie (1976) are inevitable. Oliver reflected on this influence:
“At the time, I did not have the understanding of cinema craft that I kind of do now. I think that there were some ideas of using a Carrie-esque feeling in a lot of the visuals.”
Both Carrie White and Mary Lou Maloney experience betrayal and humiliation on prom night — and both stories end in fiery chaos.
A Night to Remember Goes Up in Flames
When Mary Lou’s jilted boyfriend Billy plays a prank gone wrong, tragedy strikes. A stink bomb ignites her dress, engulfing her in flames before the horrified crowd. It’s a shocking, symbolic end for a young woman punished for her independence — and it sets the stage for supernatural revenge.
Prom Night Possessions
Thirty years later, Mary Lou’s spirit returns, possessing shy student Vicki Carpenter (Wendy Lyon). This twist infuses Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II with echoes of The Exorcist (1973) as themes of possession, repression, and identity collide.
“For the character, she was this strong woman who, because she took agency of her own sexuality and life, gets punished for it in 1957,” Oliver explained. “Then decades later, she returns through Vicki — a meek, timid girl — and brings that power back.”
When Carrie Meets A Nightmare on Elm Street
The film’s surreal horror sequences also draw comparisons to A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Some of its most memorable moments include:
- A chalkboard that sucks Vicki into its surface, completing her possession
- A possessed rocking horse in Vicki’s bedroom
- A locker death scene reminiscent of Elm Street’s dreamlike terror
“We had Jim Doyle, who had worked on A Nightmare on Elm Street,” Oliver shared. “He designed the whirlpool blackboard and the hands coming out.”
Oliver also recalled calling director Wes Craven for advice before reshoots:
“He said, ‘It’s real simple; all you’ve got to do when making a horror movie is this: remember your audience — give them a scare, give them a hard-on, and send them home.’”
A Fun Ride Worth Revisiting
As Halloween approaches, Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II deserves a spot on any horror fan’s watchlist. It’s campy, stylish, and packed with subtext — a perfect mix for spooky season.
Oliver fondly recalled a double feature screening of Prom Night II and Prom Night III: The Last Kiss (1990) at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre:
“I got to do a Q&A, introduce the movies, and be part of it all. Everyone got into it — it was really fun to be with a bunch of people watching it.”
This October, give Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II a chance. You might just discover a new Halloween favorite.
Sources:
- Ron Oliver Interview with William Barber, Presence News — October 17, 2025
- Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987), Dir. Bruce Pittman — IMDb
- Halloween (1978), Dir. John Carpenter
- Psycho (1960), Dir. Alfred Hitchcock
- The Exorcist (1973), Dir. William Friedkin
- Carrie (1976), Dir. Brian De Palma
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Dir. Wes Craven
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