Mr Ice Cream Man (1996) was chosen by Patreon supporter Helen, and is a perfect example of the kind of deep-cut oddity that makes their way into the Year of the Stitch-Up. Directed by Mack Hail and co-written with Jim Mills, this low-budget horror outing was produced by Jeremy Settles with executive production from Hail, Mills, and Yvette Hoffman. Released straight to video, the film leaned into the 1990s boom of VHS horror, serving up a mix of camp, gore, and uneasy humor. The cast featured Henry Weckesser, Jim Mills, Cindy Reed, and even Hail himself in a supporting role.
Shot on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, the film made use of everyday suburban backdrops to heighten its eerie and unsettling vibe. While it never received mainstream attention, Mr Ice Cream Man has since earned a small cult following among collectors and fans of obscure horror. Its scrappy production values and surreal tone give it that unmistakable 90s direct-to-video flavor, making it a quirky gem in the world of independent fright flicks.
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Trailer Guy Plot Summary
A quiet neighborhood. A summer heatwave. And one man with a frozen secret…
From director Mack Hail comes a twisted slice of 90s VHS horror — where sweet treats turn sour, and the ice cream truck’s jingle is the sound of fear. Starring Henry Weckesser, Cindy Reed, and Jim Mills, Mr Ice Cream Man (1996) serves up a chilling tale of small-town terror with a scoop of pure indie grit.
This isn’t the Ice Cream Man you’ve heard of. This is something darker. Something stranger. Something you’ll never forget…
Mr Ice Cream Man — once you hear the music, it’s already too late.
Fun Facts
Mr Ice Cream Man (1996) was directed by Mack Hail, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Mills.
The film was shot on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, giving it a distinct 90s suburban horror feel.
Director Mack Hail not only worked behind the camera but also appeared in the film in a supporting role.
The cast featured Henry Weckesser, Cindy Reed, and Jim Mills — the latter of whom also co-wrote the film.
Mr Ice Cream Man was produced on a very modest budget typical of direct-to-video horror films of the mid-1990s.
Executive producers included Hail, Mills, and Yvette Hoffman, who all helped push the project through independent distribution channels.
The film was released straight to VHS at the height of the 90s home-video boom, making it a cult collector’s item today.
Despite being overlooked at release, it has gained a small cult following among fans of obscure horror cinema.
Unlike the similarly titled 1995 film Ice Cream Man starring Clint Howard, Mr Ice Cream Man (1996) is a completely separate production with no connection to the earlier movie.
Today, Mr Ice Cream Man is celebrated in horror fan circles as an example of DIY filmmaking that captures the gritty, experimental spirit of 1990s indie horror.
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