Picking up where the original left off, Laurie Strode (played winningly again by Curtis) is taken to a hospital to recover from her injuries.

But Michael Myers is on her trail once again. As the longest Halloween night ever on record passes slowly into the dawn, will Laurie be able to defend herself from Michael's murderous rampage?

Hospitals are terrific settings for horror movies, and in this one, the sleepy mood - and virtually deserted building! - enhances Laurie's isolation quite effectively.

Although this was directed by Rick Rosenthal, John Carpenter produced it and reportedly went in afterward to add some rather gory special effects. Rosenthal would return to direct the eighth entry in the series Halloween: Resurrection in 2002.

Seems that in the three years since the original, Friday the 13th had raised the stakes in that department. Look for Eddie Benton (from 1980's Prom Night) in a very small role.

Followed by Halloween III: Season of the Witch in 1982, which was itself followed by five more installments. Not to mention two remakes: of the 1978 original, and the 1981 sequel, respectively.