Entry #55 - A Lost Buster H. McHenry Classic

This is a section of a lost unproduced screenplay by Buster H. McHenry called HellCopter: Helicopter From Hell. It was written in 1982 and at one point was optioned with Jack Palance starring, but the studio went bankrupt.

Jack Palance in 1979

The script tells the gritty story of a psycho Vietnam helicopter pilot, Capt. Herc Stanaczyk (who was to be played by Jack Palance) who after slaughtering tons of innocent people in the war and having a complete mental breakdown is sent to a mental asylum. When he is released years later, he gets a job as a Helicopter Traffic Reporter at a local news channel. Suddenly helicopter related deaths start happening and young hot shot reporter Jim Carson (They never cast this role, but Buster wanted Eric Roberts) suspects Capt. Herc Stanaczyk is the killer, but can't prove anything. It all leads to a gruesome and action packed finale and plenty of helicopter related deaths.

Eric Roberts in 1981

EXT. COCKPIT - DAY
VIETNAM 1969. A younger looking Capt. Herc Stanaczyk is frantic, piloting the helicopter over a small village in the thick jungle. The Helicopter is full of wounded soldiers.

CAPT. HERC STANACZYK

God damn, slant eyes. Look at them run.
Like a fucking virus. And I have the perfect shot for them.

I have been a big fan of this script for years after Buster H. McHenry sent me a copy. I even made a reference of this script in an unaired TV pilot I made called Automated Pilot. Where I played a network executive and producer who actually made HellCopter: Helicopter From Hell and is planning on making a sequel with Judge Reinhold.

Stay Tuned for more scenes from HellCopter: Helicopter From Hell.