The Dorm that Dripped Blood (1982)

"Phew, what a night." - Cop

aka: Death Dorm
aka: Pranks
A serial killer terrorizes a college campus.
Starring: Joanne Murray, Stephen Sachs, David Snow, Pamela Holland, Dennis Ely, Woody Roll

Link to IMDB

It's Christmas vacation and all the students at a Californian university are heading home for the holidays. All students except four, that is, who are staying on campus to clean-out a condemned dormitory that is ready to be torn down.
Joanne is the lady in charge and she gets help from her three friends, Brian, Craig and Patti. They think the place is completely devoid of people, except for an old janitor, but we know that there is a serial killer lurking in the shadows! The murderer wastes no time, and four people have already been killed within the first 20 minutes. But Joanne and her friends have no idea that they're in danger.

Joanne                              Brian                                     Patti                                     Craig

Weird John

The four students start noticing that there's a prowler on campus, and they get suspicious of a weird student named John who was supposed to be on vacation. He obviously becomes our first suspect, but there are other people introduced who also could be the killer, making us question who is really responsible for the murders.

The suspense and tension increases at a steady rhythm, as the killer claims more victims and we are left in the dark trying to put put the clues together. Once Joanne realizes someone is trying to murder them all, it becomes a terror filled night of survival. Like all good slashers, you'll be finding yourself surprised right to the very end.



This movie is literally a film student thesis project, made from rented equipment while the filmmakers were still in school. But even though they lacked experience, they still managed to make a very competent, memorable and successful slasher movie.

Gettin' drilled

They really were able to do a lot with very little, delivering all the aspects that makes a slasher mystery work. The eerie vibes are bolstered by an excellent music score, and the brutal killings have some impressive and creative gore.

There's not too many laughs here, because instead of campy fun it's a bleak and grim atmosphere, but it works perfectly to establish the serious tone and make the danger feel real.
It's not going to blow your mind with originality, but it's still good enough to be considered a hidden gem and any fans of slashers should see it for themselves.


Be sure not to miss:
- Was the janitor washing his face with Ajax?
- Do not put a "Beware of Rats" sign in your movie and than not have any rats!
- Daphne Zuniga has a small role.

Internet review:
"A solid slasher film in all respects." - Bub the Zombie

Should I watch it?
A must see for fans of the genre.

Where can I find it?
Here on YouTube.

Dorm that Dripped Blood gets...