There was a time when the word slasher and Hollywood icon Glenn Ford would not be uttered in the same sentence, and yet, along came 1981 and what can only be a downturn in the man’s career, in order for this to happen. The star of Gilda, The Big Heat, 3:10 to Yuma and more would sign on to this picture due to the presence of director J. Lee Thompson, and whether that was true or not, one can say that it was a very surprising move and more than likely helped to give this movie a boost, where without him, it might have faded into obscurity.

Happy Birthday to Me features more than just a starring role for Ford; it showcases gruesome murders, a slightly confusing and bizarre story that seems to take place in flashbacks, and more than one suspect who could be the killer. The film was chaotic and jumbled and crazy at times, and it more often than not made the audience wonder just where it was going, but it was also the very reason people kept watching. Who is the killer? Why are all of these kids getting killed? Is Ford just a psychiatrist or is he something more? As things move along, you ask a lot of questions, and just when you think you have it figured out, Thompson and the makers of this film send it in another direction.

The movie would begin with a murder, just one member of a group of friends, who do not really think anything of it and continue on with their collective activities. Soon enough, though, more of them begin to get picked off, and they realize that something is wrong. The school is put on alert, and Virginia, one of those friends, starts to have flashbacks to a time long ago that left her injured. Then Ford comes in and makes things even more confusing for the viewer, with Thompson throwing red herrings everywhere, only to end on a strange reveal that comes out of nowhere. Strangely enough, it does not necessarily ruin the whole picture; in fact, it fits the vibe the movie was going for, but no one could have guessed where it was going.

There is some good tension throughout, with Thompson making his audience feel like something could happen at any moment. The acting by the players involved, including lead Melissa Sue Anderson, is not too bad either, adding to that tension and painting a foreboding atmosphere at times. Anderson does a good job, but one has to wonder if even she knew where this picture was headed at times. There is a bit of blood throughout, with most of the murders taking place offscreen rather than on. The kills are somewhat inventive at times; the guy dying as he tries to lift weights is one, but a little more violence in front of the audience would have been nice. As a slasher, the film works well, but you have to imagine how much better it might have been with a better script or, at the very least, a more linear one with fewer flashbacks.

Despite its shortcomings, Happy Birthday to Me is a horror movie worth seeking out, simply for the fact that it has Glenn Ford in it. Horror will always be a home for older stars as they move into their golden years.

3 out of 5