Silent Night, Deadly Night controversy

"Most protests were generated by the feeling that the depiction of a killer in a Santa Claus suit would traumatize children and undermine their traditional trust in Santa Claus."

- Variety editorial, November 1984.

In 1984, the first film in the franchise  Silent Night, Deadly Night  was released and many people (mainly parents) protested against it. the film was one of the most controversial films ever released in the 1980s.

Controversy
The controversy was due to the film appearing in advertising campaigns (mainly on posters and TV spots), The PTA wanted the film to be removed from theaters because of his subject and being shown around Christmas. Many parents complained about the film for scaring their children and its television commercials aired between episodes of Three's Company and Little House on the Prairie, both series for families. Large crowds protesting the film, including protests against the film's East Coast premiere at the Interboro Quad Theater in the Bronx in New York, and sang Christmas songs in protest.

Aftermath
As a result, TriStar Pictures, the film's original distributor, withdrew all ads for the film six days after its release and then withdrew the film itself soon because of the controversy over the film.

Six months later, the film was re-released by an independent distributor, Aquarius Films, and the ads were changed because of the controversy that took place six months ago, they exchanged all of Billy's close-ups, in Santa's costume, with weapons, and even the original 'Chimney' image.

Because of the controversy, the film gained a cult following.

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