I never had the pleasure of meeting Reggie Bannister at a horror convention, but friends of mine who had attested to what I’ve always suspected: that the unlikely hero in the amazing Phantasm movie franchise was pretty much the Reggie in real life, maybe without the ice cream man outfit. Phantasm creator Don Coscarelli confirms this in his lovely, heartfelt tribute to his friend and collaborator. Reggie the man inspired Reggie the character, which is probably why he became such a singular, unforgettable character: a true icon in the horror pantheon. Reggie earned that place.
Since the first time I watched Phantasm at a drive-in as an impressionable high school kid, I became an instant fan. I’ve seen the original film more than a hundred times — even taught it in one of my film classes to the delight of my students. Coscarelli’s Phantasm has the mark of a young and talented filmmaker who is a true American auteur. Even in the digital age, where you can make a film with your buddies in a weekend, few films carry the imprimatur of authenticity and wacky weirdness as Phantasm does. You can tell there was no production company oversight, and that’s a good thing.
Phantasm has meant a lot to me over the years, maybe because it imprinted my mind back in 1979. I’ve spoofed it, and I’ve created an homage to it in my web series Gemini Rising. It’s never left me. Reggie was a true original, the ultimate cool best friend, and popular with the ladies too, despite the balding mullet. Aura such as Reg’s can’t be faked. He’ll be greatly missed, but his legend lives on–hot as love forever!
Watch my Phantasm discussion video from a few years back HERE.
R. Saint Claire 