Friday the 13th film stunt goes horribly wrong

A film stunt gone horribly wrong has left an actor temporarily blind after he suffered severe burns to one of his eyes.

The incident occurred in 1980 during the filming of the horror movie Friday the 13th. Actor Harry Crosby, who played the role of Bill, was injured while working in a prop shop on set.

Crosby's father was none other than legendary entertainer Bing Crosby, which likely contributed to some star power being present on the film's set. According to makeup artist Tom Savini's assistant, Taso Stavrakis, Crosby's presence was a notable aspect of the production.

When not acting, Crosby would often visit the prop shop where he would play his classical guitar for the crew. However, it was in this same shop that he suffered severe burns to one eye.

The latex appliance used to create the illusion of an arrow through Bill's eye required a coat of special effects blood to complete the look. The crew had concocted their own recipe for this prop blood using Karo syrup, red food coloring, and Kodak Photo-Flo, a wetting agent typically used in photography.

The addition of these ingredients helped the blood to soak into clothing more effectively, but it also proved to be problematic when used around sensitive areas. Special effects artist Tom Savini later revealed that he had been unaware of the existence of specialized blood products designed for use near eyes and other delicate tissues.

When the appliance was applied to actor Harry Crosby's face, the prop blood pooled beneath it and seeped into his real eye. This caused a surface burn, leaving Crosby in agony when the appliance was eventually removed. In retrospect, Savini described the incident as "not a proud moment" for him or the crew.

Crosby required hospital treatment after the accident, but fortunately he made a full recovery. The incident served as a sobering reminder of the importance of using specialized products and taking necessary precautions when working with special effects in film production.

The use of prop blood and other special effects materials can be hazardous if not handled properly. In this case, the crew's lack of knowledge about specialized blood products for use around eyes led to an avoidable accident.

Crosby was ultimately fine after his ordeal, but the incident highlighted the need for filmmakers to prioritize safety when working with special effects. It also underscored the importance of using proper materials and taking necessary precautions to prevent accidents like this one from occurring in the future.

When the fake arrow was removed from Crosby's eye during filming of Friday the 13th, a pool of blood formed under the appliance used to create the illusion. This blood then flowed into Crosby's actual eye, causing surface burns and severe pain.

The accident left Crosby temporarily blinded and in need of hospital treatment. Fortunately, he made a full recovery, but the incident was far from over. The story began to gain momentum after Netflix featured it in an episode of The Movies That Made Us.

The documentary series revisited the making of Friday the 13th in October 2021, with Crosby, special effects expert Tom Savini, and other crew members sharing their recollections of the accident. This renewed public interest led to further retellings by various outlets, each adding new details and sensationalized headlines.

Some reports claimed that Crosby was blind for months following the incident, while others stated that the crew had been unaware of the presence of Photo-Flo in the blood used for filming. These inaccuracies contributed to a distorted narrative surrounding the accident and its aftermath.

The accident during filming of a horror movie led to an actor being temporarily blinded due to inadequate safety measures on set. A key crew member had openly acknowledged the production's reliance on low-budget methods, highlighting the risks taken in pursuit of cost savings.

The reality of these decisions was starkly contrasted by Savini's own words, which starkly revealed the true nature of the production. The creator of the series later reflected on the experience, stating that making this film involved prioritizing basic requirements over safety and quality.