John Carpenter has no problem being known as the guy that directed Halloween. Co-written by Carpenter and Debra Hill, Halloween arrived in 1978. The horror film introduced moviegoers to Michael Myers and created an indelible final girl with Jamie Lee Curtis’ portrayal of Laurie Strode.
Since then, Carpenter has directed a number of other memorable features. The Thing came out in 1982, preceded by Escape From New York the previous year, and Big Trouble in Little China, which debuted in 1986. He also helmed They Live, a blend of sci-fi action and horror, in 1988. But nonetheless, for many, the director’s most lasting contribution will be Laurie’s saga with Michael.
In an interview with NME, Carpenter was asked about how he felt regarding the possibility that Halloween overshadowed the rest of his filmography. In his response, the acclaimed director makes it clear that he doesn’t at all object to being known for the 1978 horror staple first and foremost. Carpenter goes further in the conclusion of his comments, crediting Halloween as the reason he’s turned into a household name. You can read Carpenter’s quote below:
No, I love it, and I’m still loving it. Are you kidding me? Being the ‘Halloween guy’ gave me a career in movies. And even now I’m working on the new Halloween movies that are being released by David Gordon Green. I’m as happy as a pig in shit. Halloween gave me everything. It’s great. I get to be John Carpenter.
The director’s perspective is not necessarily common among artists who gain fame as a result of a particular project or one specific work. Whether it’s musicians dreading requests to play a hit song or a television actor attempting to move past their breakout performance, there is often a tension between being grateful for the work that has garnered acclaim and an urge to chase similar acclaim. This can be true for directors as well, many of whom attempt to diversify their output in an effort to prove that they are capable of more than their best-known credits. Carpenter, after a long and fruitful career in Hollywood, exhibits none of this tension in his response. As he points out, he’s even returned to the Halloween franchise which has undoubtedly helped the anticipation surrounding the David Gordon Green trilogy.
Still, every artist will have a different perspective on their most enduring success. Carpenter clearly takes the view that his connection to 1978 slasher is no hardship. Looking beyond the financial security the franchise has offered, the movies have helped Carpenter’s career in other ways. The popularity of Michael Myers surely opened doors for the director to spearhead other projects. The horror classic likely operated as a gateway for some audiences as well, introducing a younger generation of fans to his other influential features. For those fans, it’s good to hear that Carpenter is still as proud of Halloween as ever.
Source: NME
