In Remembrance: Top 5 'Phantasm' Moments

Phantasm fans were saddened to hear the news this week that cult actor Angus Scrimm had passed away at age 89. The beloved actor had created a truly legendary horror icon with his Tall Man image from the 1979 movie Phantasm and subsequent 3 sequels.

Phantasm creator and Director Don Cascorelli made the announcement via Facebook:

"Angus Scrimm passed away peacefully tonight surrounded by his friends and loved ones. He was 89 years old. His performance as the Tall Man is a towering achievement in horror film history. He was the last in a long line of classic horror movie stars. Angus was a terrific actor and an even better friend. He will be missed"

Fans will get to see Angus one last time on the silver screen as he revived his Tall Man character in the upcoming, much belated sequel, Phantasm:Ravager.

If this isn't music to your ears, how about the fact that non other then J.J. Abrams is shepherding the original Phantasm into 4K for your viewing pleasure..! It's never over. Hopefully coming to your living room later this year.

So in celebration of Angus, I've picked 5 top moments from the Phantasm series that have stuck with me as a long time fan. So in no particular order, let the madness descend.

Phantasm

A jump scare that really packs a punch, this is a favorite of mine mainly because it made my best mate jump a mile out of his seat on his first viewing. Angus is a towering menace here and quite frankly deserves to be recognized alongside Christopher Lee's Dracula persona as ultimate horror villain of the past 100 years.

4. "You think that when you die.." Phantasm II (1988)

Just think about those words! seriously that has got to be one of the most shocking dialogue uttered in a horror film. Even the most hardcore atheist would be loath to say it and send a shiver up their spine.

3. "BOY!!" Phantasm (1979)

Perhaps the most menacing line from the original movie. The absolute contempt in his voice is what makes this line better then it possibly could have been imagined on paper. Try it for yourself, all together now "BOYYYY!!!!"

2. "It's never over" Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994)

A hell of a line and even more earth shattering being it was the end of the third movie. Fans had to wait another four years to see if Reggie would survive all those balls (insert pun if necessary).

1. "You play a good game boy" Phantasm (1979)

It speaks for itself I believe, a truly memorable quote that I used to say a lot when I first discovered these movies. Let's hope that Don Coscarelli keeps hold of the rights to Phantasm and blocks any sort of remake plans. I mean could you imagine anyone filling those BIG shoes? I don't think so.