Book #149: Jason 3D: A Comprehensive Exposé on Friday the 13th Part 3 by R.G. Henning

Jason 3D: A Comprehensive Exposé

on Friday the 13th Part 3

R.G. Henning

Released: February 14th, 2024

(Blogger's Notes: Friday the 13th is often seen as a cheap 1980's slasher film series that capitalizes on blood, gore, and violence. If you take a deeper look into it, you'll find that there's much more to the series than most people know. Friday the 13th primarily focuses on killers seeking revenge for the death of loved ones. In the first Friday the 13th, we learn that a young boy named Jason has drowned, and that his mother has gone on a killing spree to avenge him. In Part 2, we learn that Jason survived the near-drowning, and has learned his mother was killed by a camp counselor. He has taken to seeking revenge on teenagers and adults that he finds responsible for the death of his mother. In Part 3, Jason begins his assault on ordinary teenagers (as opposed to camp counselors). He hides out in a barn on a property known as Higgin's Haven as he dispatches members of the group. This is where he obtains the iconic hockey mask, and gets the cut above the left eye.

R.G. Henning is the admin who runs "Camp Packanack: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)", which is a F13 Part 2 fan group on Facebook. I discovered it in 2020 and have been a huge fan ever since. He has a wealth of F13 knowledge that surpasses even the most informed fans. He is very passionate and dedicated to his love of Part 2, and the series in general. He has written several books including this one, a book on Friday the 13th Part 2, and a book on Jaws. I highly recommend checking them out as well.)

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My 15th book for 2026 was R.G. Henning's "Jason 3D: : A Comprehensive Exposé on Friday the 13th Part 3".

Ever since Sackhead was released, I had been meaning to read it. That urge intensified when this book was released. I am a huge fan of Friday the 13th Parts 2 & 3, so to have essentially two "Bibles" written about them is tremendous.

Sackhead was such a good read. It bothers me that some who will never see Part 2, will never get the chance to enjoy that book. So much great information and stories. Part 3 did not disappoint. While I always saw Part 2 as stronger in the lore, and essentially Part 1 on steroids, Part 3 was its own unique sense of horror. As a fan, the name Higgins Haven still makes me think of horrific death and destruction. There's a lot of Friday the 13th films, but if you want one that could potentially give you a mild chill, 2-4 have that factor in some capacity. Part 3 has a distinctive factor as the cameras were intended for 3 Dimensional effect, so the film looks a lot different as well.

In this book, Henning discusses his love for Friday the 13th Part 3. He talks about the history of the series' lore, and general information about the third film. As he did with the 2nd film, he presents the information character by character, which is the way I will present this information.

Friday the 13th Part 3 - 3D was groundbreaking in many ways. Let alone being different in tone and story, the use of 3D was a novel concept that delivered an epic experience to a good movie. That disco theme at the beginning was another unique element. Personally speaking, I have never understood the issues with the Part 3 script/story. I truly enjoyed it. I have read both the novels and this book, and it's just hard to find a very compelling story like this one. The characters are memorable and likeable. It bridges the gaps between Parts 2 & 4, almost in a "Search for Spock" sort of way. I have seen the movie at home in 3D, but never on the big screen. I had the opportunity twice this past year but had to pass on it. It's on the list. I hear this experience will redefine F13 Lists.

Jason is the modern-day classic horror monster. He's been around for decades and we've seen what he is capable of. He is of the same generation as Freddy Kruger, Michael Myers, and Chucky. These beings are a lot more sadistic than your Dracula, Frankenstein, Werewolf, and Mummy. It's neat to see the evolution of your favorite character. I know I'm about 20 years behind because I was not born until 1989, but it's still cool to see how Jason evolved from a sort of backwoods hillbilly to a stalking merciless killer. Part 3 is such a strong entry.

Chris Higgins is a complicated character. Part 3 carries some strange irony in it. This is the only film where nobody utters the name "Jason" nor knows of him, yet the main heroine had a previous encounter with him in the woods. She returns this time to conquer her fears and spend some time with friends. Instead, Jason has other plans. He kills all her friends and sets up for a final showdown in the barn. She is the one who delivered the cut in the mask above Jason's left eye. That's always been one of my favorite parts of Friday the 13th continuity.

Rick Bombay is a lot like Paul Holt. When I was a teenager and first started getting into the films, I actually believed they were the same person at one point. This farm boy is ripped. I do like how he comforts Chris, even after her friends destory his car and stick him with the repairs. Sadly, his choice in women was his undoing because he opted to skip out on THE Mary Jo Conrad. Sorry Rick, maybe next time you'll live through the weekend. Paul Kratka did an awesome job in this role. Paul is strong and resourceful with a boyish charm. Outside the eye-popping, he is a believable character with good intentions. I found it fascinating that he opened a practice after this film and then retired to Vanuatu (a South Pacific island near Australia). I researched the place and definitely want to check it out some time.

Shelly Finklestein is the guy who wants to be popular but self-sabotages. He is a prankster, a court jester if you will. But there can only be so much humor in a horror film, and Jason rarely has a sense of humor (aside from scaring off those NYC street punks in Part 8). Shelly is an artist. Someone longing to be seen as a hero in the limelight for what he is good at. He's lost himself in binge eating which has caused him heavy weight gain. He's not very confident, and it shows in his character. When he does have confidence, it's fighting a local biker gang. We all knew a "Shelly" in high school. It's not an uncommon persona. The funniest thing is, when people comment about the "bad acting" in Part 3, Shelly is usually first to mind. The interesting part is, Larry Zerner was picked off the street for the role. Any flaws in his character only amplifies the character. Shelly is awkward, he sometimes doesn't word things right. But that's what makes him all the more human and real. I can relate to Shelly, and I'm sure many others can as well. He did play the Boy Who Cried Wolf one too many times, and it got him in the end. I did feel bad for him somewhat, but at the same time, you knew he wasn't going to make it. Larry Zerner is an outstanding Actor turned Entertainment lawyer. He's been a proud member of the franchise and always seems like one of the most personable members of the cast.

Vera Sanchez is a character I feel sorry for. Think about her mother at the beginning, who was so against her daughter going. As a teenager, her mother is a bitch and overprotective. As an adult, it's interesting to see that she knew something bad was going to happen, and Vera pushed her way past, and it eventually cost her life. Catherine Parks played Vera with a good heart. She will always have the distinction of being the Hockey-Masked Jason's first kill. While things didn't work with her and Shelly, she at least attempts to given him some social cues on dating and women in general. Shelly just blew it off because he never knew any better.

Andy & Debbie is a tragic tale of various proportions. They remind me of Jeff & Sandra from Part 2. Both couples do hook up in each film respectively, so it's easy to see those comparisons. The difference is where Jeff and Sandra were a young amorous couple that died together after passion, Andy and Debbie were expecting their own young child. Meaning this is the first time Jason has killed a growing baby. In a very dark silver lining, I suppose we can be grateful that the young family all died together, so that they continue on in the afterlife without being separated by life. Debbie seems like a cool social character. Andy is athletic type who you'd find on the wrestling and football teams. His death was crazy to see as a teenager and left you legitimately fearing Jason. I used to take the picture of him strung up in the rafters as my MSN Messenger picture in high school. Because we all want to be shocking. Tracie Savage played a cool-headed Debbie, and after acting, went to the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and became a newscaster. Jeffrey Rogers fascinated me with his story. After retiring from acting, he went on to open a practice in Issaquah, WA. I used to live in Seattle and have been through Issaquah many times. I had no idea that an actor from one of my favorite films settled there. I'm delivered many orders there as well, and now I wonder if I ever delivered to him...

Chili & Chuck were people I thought would be fun to hang out with (getting murdered aside). They are Cheech and Chong clones in the form of a couple, and they do what they do best: Smoke Weed! It's like a trip through the 1960's with these two in tow, and it makes for some hilarious moments with stereotypical stoner humor. David Katims does one hell of a Tommy Chong impersonation. Rachel Howard was evidently apprehensive about her role in the film for many years. I suppose when you're known around the world as a perpetual stoner, it's hard to get good work, unless you're Snoop Dogg. Chuck's death was supposed to be a lot longer, and more gruesome, but was cut down. That's a shame, because I would love to have seen that footage. I remember what Wayne looked like in Part 8 after his electrocution, and that scene in the cellar with Chuck and Jason...horrified me for years. I hated going into any basement after Parts 3 & 4...

The Black Widows (Biker Gang) were an interesting group. Certainly memorable, but with a unique subplot. Their story stems from an incident with Shelly and Vera at a local convenience store. They track them back to Higgins Haven, and while attempting to siphon gas, and burn the place down, they encounter a hiding Jason, who lays waste to Loco and Fox before knocking Ali cold...for now... Later, Ali comes "back from the dead" to save Chris against Jason, before Jason confirms his kill this time. They bring about mixed emotions because while they are a nefarious gang who seeks retribution and revenge against people, Ali's attempt to fight Jason at the end nearly redeems him. I know I keep making comparisons to Part 8, but it's like the drugged-up rapists in the NYC alley. Jason doesn't see good/bad people, he just sees people to eliminate, and seeks to do it. Nick Savage and Kevin O'Brien have given interviews in the past regarding the role. Very little is known about Gloria Charles on the role that made her famous. Her only major comment was that the "Condom" line in the convenience store made her more embarrassed than Catherine Parks.

Harold & Edna Hockett always reminded me of Married With Children if Al and Peg did not have children. This is funny in two ways because Al had a shotgun wedding with Peg, and Steve Susskind had a role on the show once. Harold is a former high school football star. Edna was his high school sweetheart. They both got married and instead of a football career, Harold got sent to West Germany where he did his time, came home, and put together a rough existence in rural New Jersey. As Henning says, the Hocketts are the "red-shirts" or throwaway characters. Their deaths set up the movie and help keep people locked in while the main story is unfolding. Susskind and Cheri Maugans were good in their roles as a bickering couple. The one thing to this day that still irks me, I get that Harold is a bit on the unclean side, but not wiping after ripping a gnarly one in the outhouse is concerning.

Steve Miner is a great director. Friday the 13th Parts 2 & 3 may not be multi-billion-dollar hits, but they are solid horror films and were given direction by a successful director. Both gave him credibility in Tinseltown and established a franchise with successful early films. The characters were believable, the tone was realistic, and the suspense was intense for its time. Even today, when I see that shot of a desolate Higgins Haven after Chris and Rick return, it's a very scary feeling and with the windy blowing and one of the more brutal Jasons on the loose, it's a classic horror film.

As with the first one, Henning concludes the novel with an overall appraisal of the film. It took the first film, and retold virtually the same story, only better. The characters are more interesting, the action is more suspenseful, the film is darker, and the kills are visible and more brutal. This film is truly the "sequel without equal". I also enjoyed what Henning wrong towards the ending to summarize various fan's love for this entry in particular:

“F13 PART 3D is, in a word, an overachiever. It was more successful that the filmmakers assumed it would be in 1982 and continues to exceed expectations. Moreover, it is a film that is creepier than it deserves to be and, to that end, more enjoyable than it ought to be 40 years removed from its theatrical release. While certain aspects of the film may have aged poorly—not unlike the Universal Classic Monsters-its main monster has not. He continues to ferment like a fine wine with each new viewing.”

Here is what I learned:

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To Joe Billips. I am indebted to your editor's eye, keen mind, and unflappable support. Thank you for making this book better than it had any right to be.
R.G. Henning only recognizes the first four Friday the 13th films, and calls them “The Classic, the Favorite, The Iconic, and The Best”.
Part 3 feels like Punk Rock. It defined norms, tried new things, and rebuilt the audience.
Richard Brooker played Jason Voorhees.
Part 3 is a revolutionary movie.
Friday the 13th Part 3 - 3D earned $9 million its opening weekend, and went on to gross $36 million worldwide ($118 million adjusted for inflation).
Crystal Lake rests among 387 acres of woodland.
Jason Voorhees has an enlarged cranium due to an excess of cerebrospinal fluid in his body.
Christine (Chris) Higgins is the main female protagonist of Part 3.
Her parents own the lake-front property at Higgins Haven.
Higgins Haven is a ranch-style property, boasting a 2-story cabin house, and a Dutch barn.
Chris ran away after he mother slapped her for coming home late with Rick one night.
The Bat (1926) and The Leopard Man (1943) are early examples of slasher films.
During the Golden Era of Slasher Films (1978-1984), 168 slasher films were released.
Part 3 was the first slasher film to be shot in 3D.
Part 3 has victim POV kills instead of killer POV.
Part 3 cost $2.5 million to make.
Part 3 unseated E.T. from the top of the box office.
“The first half of the 1980s saw a return to campy 1950s moviemaking. A newer generation of filmmakers who had grown up in the 50's under the influence of 3-D movies showed an exuberant interest in the format.”
It was Paramount’s first 3D film since 1956.
It was also the first 3D film to be given a wide release by a major motion picture studio.
Every scene had to be brighter to effectuate the 3D.
The film went over budget time-wise.
Part 3 moved production to California to be closer to 3D technology experts.
Members of the cast and crew felt the script was poor and the acting was not a concern.
Part 3 sold out every East Coast theater in minutes. It had made back itMs entire budget before it premiered on the West Coast.
Steve Miner worked on hockey documentaries when he was coming up in the industry.
3D Effect Supervisor Martin Jay Sadoff was a huge Detroit Red Wings fan.
Hollywood Stuntman Dick Warlock owned the original hockey mask, but sold it to a fan in 2012.
2 masks were used for Part 3.
The Valuzet Movie Ranch is located in Saugus, CA.
Harold and Edna Hockett run Crystal Lake Country Market.
Richard Brooker passed away in 2013 at the age of 58.
Richard unknowingly cut off the audition line.
Brooker spent hours each day getting his makeup on and off.
Brooker smoked a pipe.
There were 3 different masks/makeup designs used for Jason’s unmasked faces. The “Winston Sculpt”, the “Flashback Sculpt” and the Unmasking Sculpt.
Dana Kimmel played Chris Higgins.
“Final Girl” was a term first coined in the 1992 book, “Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film.
Rick Bombay is the Higgins Haven caretaker when the Higgins are away.
Hot Ice is the name of the band who performed the Part 3 theme track.
The theme song was released as a dance track in 1982.
Kimmel’s role as Marci Burke in slasher film Sweet Sixteen.
Kimmel is Mormon.
She had several scenes rewritten that she was uncomfortable with.
The working title for Part 3 was Crystal Japan.
Kimmel gave an interview to Fangoria in 1989 that was seen as blasting the series for inappropriateness. She wanted films that she could be proud to take her children to go see.
She doesn’t recall giving the interview, and has softened her stance in recent years.
Today, Kimmel is the co-proprietor of the Kimmell-Anderson Property Management in Hemet, CA.
A debate has arisen over if Jason attempted to sexually assault Chris. He is considered asexual, and not a predator.
Jason tends to be right-handed.
Paul Kratka played Rick Bombay.
Paul has hooked up with Mary Jo Conrad.
Rick is 4 years older than Chris.
Kratka was informed that the part he was reading for was a mountain man who worked as a carpenter.
Kratka auditioned while on General Hospital. When the director when home, his wife has it on TV, and he made his decision.
It took 2 months for special effects to recreate Kratka’s torso.
Kratka started a new career as a chiropractor in 1988.
Rick was originally named Derek.
Kratka recommends all fans see the movie in 3D at the movie theater at some point.
Kratka retired to the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.
Part 3 is a horror movie where everyone dies without realizing a killer is on the loose.
Larry Zerner played Sheldon “Shelly” Finklestein.
When Shelly was sad, he ate. The more he ate, the heavier he became. The heavier he got, the sadder he became.
Andy Beltrami was Shelly’s college roommate.
Andy set Shelly up on a blind date with Vera Sanchez.
Chris drove a souped up 1981 Dodge Van.
Larry Zerner and Tracie Savage (Debbie) reunited to cover the O.J. Simpson trial for Channel 4.
Tracie Savage was a reporter for Channel 4 News in L.A.
Vera and Shelly shop at the Crossroad Convenience Store.
Zerner’s mom cameo’ed in a picture inside of his wallet.
Zerner opened his own legal practice in 2000.
Zerner hates his character’s introduction scene.
Richard Brooker was once a circus acrobat.
Catherine Parks played Vera.
Friday the 13th was the first to prominently feature other people of color in co-starring roles.
Chris and her friends all go to the same community college.
Vera was brought up Catholic.
Paris grew up in Tampa, FL before moving to Los Angeles.
Vera is the first person killed by Jason in his hockey mask.
Jeffrey Rogers played Andy.
Tracie Savage played Debbie Klein.
Able was a Crazy Ralph style character.
Savage had her final role in Part before attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and becoming a newscaster.
Andy quit acting and runs a medical practice in Issaquah, WA.
David Katims played Chuck Garth.
Rachel Howard played Chili Jachson.
Chili had a twin sister named Pepper.
Chili was raised in Santa Fe.
The “weed” the cast ate on their way to Higgins Haven was regular barley.
Howard is notoriously standoffish about her role in the film.
Chuck’s death was originally longer and more gruesome featuring melted eyes to eye lids.
The biker gang was known as the “Black Widows”.
Nick Savage played Ali.
Kevin O’Brien played Loco.
Gloria Charles played Fox.
The trio used to be in the infamous New Jersey bike gang the “Pagans”, but all three left after a stint in jail.
Ali rides a 1971 BSA A65 Custom Chopper.
The phrase “A Needle in a Haystack” originated in Miguel de Cervantes’ 1605 epic Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Savage was often typecast in Hollywood.
He landed the role of Ali by driving his new motorcycle to the audition.
Savage was not a horror fan at the time of audition.
Charles was more embarrassed about the condom line than Parks.
Loco siphoned gas with a lit cigarette.
Charles died in 2016 at the age of 61.
Cheri Maugans played Edna Hockett.
Steve Susskind played Harold Hockett.
Harold and Edna were high school sweethearts who were married 12 years.
Harold was a starting high school quarterback who was drafted into the Army instead of being drafted by a Pac-10 school on a football scholarship.
Harold was stationed in West Germany.
The couple ran the Crystal Lake Country Market.
Edna is a good cook.
Harold keeps Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker hidden in his bathroom because nobody goes in there but him.
The Hocketts live in a neighborhood with a pesky raccoon.
Kevin O’Brien (Loco) recommended Maugans for the role of Edna.
Susskind passed away in 2005 when a limousine he was chauffeuring was struck by another vehicle.
Susskind was a member of the 1960’s doo-woo group The Roommates.
“Head” is mispelled as “Had” on page 204.
There were 3 different endings considered for the end of Part 3.
Steve Miner never went to film school.
Chris had hallucinations that were later diagnosed as “monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis”.
Crystal Lake’s police chief is Scott Fitzsimmons.
Phil Scuderi was the owner of the Friday the 13th franchise and financier.
The Fun Fact on page 226 should say West Coast.
Richard Brooker was ranked as the #2 greatest Jason of the franchise.
“F13 PART 3D is, in a word, an overachiever. It was more successful that the filmmakers assumed it would be in 1982 and continues to exceed expectations. Moreover, it is a film that is creepier than it deserves to be and, to that end, more enjoyable than it ought to be 40 years removed from its theatrical release. While certain aspects of the film may have aged poorly—not unlike the Universal Classic Monsters-its main monster has not. He continues to ferment like a fine wine with each new viewing.”

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Overall, a very good read for Friday the 13th Part 3 fans. To me, this was my favorite film growing up, and it's a toss-up between 2 and 3 today. If Part 2 is the stronger film, then Part 3 is my favorite. That made this book extra special to me, and it's very difficult to not be biased, especially since I have seen this film 30 times.

If you don't enjoy horror, skip it. Otherwise...

Highly Recommended if you've seen the movie or enjoy Horror.

On to Book #150: Annie Knows Everything by Rachel Wood.

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Need to catch up? See previous blog post: All Quiet On The Western Front.

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Want to read about just this series? See the other posts below:

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th Part II

Friday the 13th Part 3

Friday the 13th Part 3 - 3D

Friday the 13th Part 6