A Nightmare on Elm St, Potsdam NY

One of the most iconic horror films of the 1980s, “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” has historical ties to the area, unbeknownst to many. The director of the film, Wes Craven, used to teach down the road. He was a humanities professor at Clarkson University in the mid 1960s. According to Craven himself, he and a group of students began a film club during his time at Clarkson. In fact, parts of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” are speculated to be inspired by a short film that a group of the students made, involving an abandoned fraternity house at the end of the road. This house was taken down in 2010 by the town of Potsdam, to the disappointment of many residents, according to North Country Public Radio. When comparing the fraternity house and the house used in the film, there are some subtle similarities. Another fun fact about the film, the original script included the town name “Madstop,” which spells Potsdam backwards. This interesting easter egg was eventually changed to “Springwood” before filming. Craven later went on to create more horror classics including “Scream” (1-4), “The Hills Have Eyes,” and “Cursed,” becoming one of the most prominent directors in the genre.

After rewatching the film recently, I can see why it has held up so well. Its original concept and innovative filmmaking techniques could rival films of today. The film brilliantly uses practical effects, something that is not seen often in films now. For example, everyone knows the iconic bathtub scene and monster in the ceiling bedroom scene. This all wouldn’t work without some incredible acting, which the film also has. Of course, we cannot ignore the introduction of one of the most well-known and terrifying horror villains, Freddy Kreuger. Even if you have not seen the films, you know who he is. What the filmmakers were able to pull off by making him look so scary without the use of CGI is a testament to the abilities of the filmmakers. Both the cinematography and soundtrack are uniquely interesting and have become a point of inspiration for many other films to come in the genre. The film also introduces a 21-year-old Johnny Depp, who would become one of the most notable actors of the next generation.

The impact and influence that “A Nightmare on Elm Street” had on the film industry has solidified its place in modern pop culture and is beloved by many. While Craven never confirmed the Potsdam connection conspiracy theories, they definitely left their mark on local history.