Arbor Day, one of the looniest horror spoofs of all time has resprouted after a 30 years disappearance! Easily one of our favorite films about a secular holiday, this bonkers 90s movie is being nurtured back to life with a brand new 4k restoration. The 1991 satire of low-budget slasher films of the 80’s, is now available for pre-order, along with some special collectibles from the movie.

The pre-order Indiegogo campaign will help the filmmakers complete a 4k scan and restoration from the original A/B negative that was recently obtained from a defunct NYC film lab. It’s actually the first feature from documentarian Joseph Sikorski (TOWER TO THE PEOPLE – Tesla’s Dream at Wardenclyffe, INVISIBLE THREADS – From Wireless to War).

The plot features Elmer Jacobs, the terrifying slasher with an average smile and otherwise helpful nature about him. As a boy, Elmer witnesses the horrifying slaughter of his parents by a grizzly bear while planting a tree as part of an Arbor Day celebration. Catatonic for the next 20 years, he is taunted by apathetic doctors and a cruel hospital staff. Ultimately, his reign of terror continues on Arbor Day, 20 years later. Unaware of Elmer’s rampage, a group of teens party in his abandoned home only to be chopped down one by one (despite the warning from a high-strung Cassandra figure).  This is honestly one of the silliest, most batsh*t movies we have seen.

Arbor Day, which starred Janine Carney ,William Walsh and Timmy O’Shaugnessy, began as a half-hour parody of commercials that were to be interrupted periodically by a feature film. The cheesy, tv-horror film evolved into its own entity to become the feature-length Arbor Day. In recent years, enthusiasts have sought out the title over the internet only to come up empty. The Indiegogo pre-order campaign hopes to address that, while endeavoring to help filmmakers create the highest quality master of Arbor Day ever available with a 4k scan, restored colors and significantly reduced grain. Some of the special perks include actual props from the movie, and limited edition collectibles, which the filmmakers hope will appeal to both DAYzee’s and offbeat-cinephiles alike. Among the treasures, Elmer’s on-screen house miniature prop, and one-of-ten limited edition Elmer Jacobs’ action figures signed by actor William Walsh.

Go on, help the ARBOR DAY team reach their goal. There are only a few days left and this is a project worth backing.

About the Author

Norman Gidney is a nearly lifelong horror fan. Beginning his love for the scare at the age of 5 by watching John Carpenter's Halloween, he set out on a quest to share his passion for all things spooky with the rest of the world.