Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) – Episode 150 – Decades of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 01/18/2020
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The 3D craze was brief in the 1980s and the output quality was questionable, but the run was fun for all the wrong reasons. Among Friday the 13th part III, Jaws 3D, and Parasite, was AMITYVILLE 3D and the Grue-Crew are ready to investigate all the shenanigans. The film is from accomplished director Richard Fleisher and the cast includes Tony Roberts, Tess Harper, Candy Clark, and Robert Joy. And, in an early role, Meg Ryan appears alongside Lori Loughlin. The film has an unjust bad reputation, but it's much better then you'd expect. Some of the effects are laughable, while others are downright...
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For this episode, Doc picks MADHOUSE (1974), an Amicus / AIP horror film with a notorious reputation. Who knew? On set conflicts, heavy editing from the production team, Dr. Phibes director drops out with a celebrated editor taking the reins, and a script that was being rewritten every day are just some of the things that troubled this shoot. But what does the film have going for it? At it's core, it is a splendid idea, the locations and designs are often well done, and the cast is remarkable: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, and Adrienne Corri. And then there's the "horror icon"...
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The Grue-Crew tackle the American pre-Code mystery-horror film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, and Frank McHugh. That film is MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933). Jeff invites a special guest-host and DoH Grue-Believer, Chris (ManCaveMan), to help better understand the special color process utilized to make this early color film. We also deep dive into the cast of characters, the taglines, marketing, and cast and crew. This episode (and this movie) should not be missed! Enjoy! MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933) Episode 231 - Decades of Horror: The...
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Crystal picks the cult classic slasher film THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE (1982) for the Grue-Crew to review this week. This movie has some bizarre background and strong reactions. Does the film live up to its reputation? Does the film actually come across as either a parody or a feminist horror movie? The debate is on with this review as the crew also explores the taglines, the cast of characters, the promotion and posters along with the cast and crew. And what's up with the oversized drill with a never-draining battery? Huh, huh, huh? It's a great discussion and should not be missed. Enjoy! THE...
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Bill and Jeff welcome guest-host Gregory Crosby to review the TV thriller SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (1973) directed by David Lowell Rich and produced by Aaron Spelling. The wonderful Pamela Franklin is in the lead, suffering the death of her sister, as she investigates the school her sister attended, convinced her death was a... murder. Jo Van Fleet is the headmistress, Roy Thinnes and Lloyd Bochner are some of the teachers. Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, and Jamie Smith-Jackson are schoolmates. As Bill says in the review, "What the devil is going on?" Oh, that Bill... SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS...
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The Grue-Crew tackle the early Italian horror film THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA (1960, L'amante del vampiro) from director Renato Polselli. This is a first watch for each of the crew: Bill, Daphne, Doc, and Jeff. Walter Brandi makes for an interesting vampire appearing mostly in a oddly effective monster mask while Maria Luisa Rolando fills the role of Countess Aldo - also a vampire. Much of the film is reminiscent of the Dracula story but set near Rome, Italy, shot in the spectacular castle of Artena in 1959. This is a fun episode as we dive into the cast of characters, the posters, the...
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Jeff, Bill, and Crystal are joined by Gregory Crosby to review the experimental, B&W, bizarre TETSUO-THE IRON MAN (1989). Enjoy as the Grue-Crew explore this difficult to explain classic. TETSUO: THE IRON MAN (1989) Episode 312 – Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: “Just show me. Nothing much scares me… Nothing shocks me…I told you I could take it. ” – girlfriend Synopsis: A businessman accidentally hits The Metal Fetishist, who gets his revenge by slowly turning the man into a grotesque hybrid of flesh and rusty metal. Writer/Director: Shin’ya Tsukamoto (also Producer,...
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The Grue-Crew tackle a bizarre, vaguely supernatural comic book adaptation BABA YAGA (1973) based on the works of Guido Crepax featuring his character Valentina (portrayed by Isabelle De Funès). In the story, Baba Yaga (Carroll Baker) is a mysterious witch occupying a creepy presumably abandoned mansion who sets her eyes on Valentina for a secretive agenda she may, or may not, share with the audience. The film is more of an artsy exploration of the source material featuring many of its exploitive aspects. Does it succeed as a horror (adjacent) movie? Does it adapt its source material in a...
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The Grue-Crew settle in to review EVIL SPAWN (1987) with special guest host Ralph Miller, who has a very special relationship with the movie. Written and directed by Kenneth J. Hall, the film features Bobbie Bresee as Lynn Roman facing an monstrous change and an aggressive appetite. Check the review to find out more. EVIL SPAWN (1987) Episode 311 - Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: "This sounds like something out of a bad science fiction film." - Lynn Synopsis: A scientist is using Microbes in experiments but dies before the work is finished. An aging actress injects herself the serum and the...
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With a film chosen by Jeff, the Grue-Crew tackle a bizarrely interesting vampire/possession/nun-sploitation film ALUCARDA (1977) from director Juan López Moctezuma. Tina Romero stars as the title character and makes a strong impression, the film firmly rests upon her shoulders. Bravo. Susana Kimini is Justine, Claudio Brook is both Dr. Oszek and the Hunchback Gypsy. Tina French is Sister Angélica. The film has a strong possession film atmosphere with a brilliant blood-soaked vampire segment, and a fiery Carrie-like ending. Check out what the Grue-Crew have to say. Enjoy. ALUCARDA (1977)...
info_outline"I'm supposed to read you your rights. But you're in *Mooney's* jail, and in Mooney's jail, you ain't *got* no rights!" I wonder what the Mooney ventriloquist dummy thinks about that? Join your faithful Grue Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they go on an outing to the big top for some cotton candy and Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 150 – Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Aliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.
IMDb
- Director: Stephen Chiodo
- Writers: Charles Chiodo, Stephen Chiodo
- Production Design: Charles Chiodo
- Cinematography: Alfred Taylor
- Music: John Massari
- Special effects supervisor: Gene Warren Jr. (Fantasy II Film Effects)
- Cast
- Grant Cramer as Mike Tobacco
- Suzanne Snyder as Debbie Stone
- John Allen Nelson as Deputy Dave Hanson
- John Vernon as Deputy Curtis Mooney
- Michael S. Siegel as Rich Terenzi
- Peter Licassi as Paul Terenzi
- Royal Dano as Farmer Gene Green
- Charles Chiodo as Jojo the Klownzilla
- Christopher Titus as Bob McReed
You’re faithful Grue-Crew are a little scattered in this episode. You see, due to a technical glitch, everyone sounded like Killer Klowns on the first go-around so they had to record this episode a second time. They got a little slap-happy in the process and, well, they now know whether or not Crystal likes ice cream.
At any rate, they do get to Killer Klowns from Outer Space and reach a quick, unanimous consensus: they love it! They discuss the Chiodo Brothers, John Vernon’s turn as Officer Mooney, and the splendid and colorful look and feel of the film. Jeff was the Killer Klowns virgin of the crew, but he got so excited after their first attempt at recording the episode, he purchased the Blu ray and took a dive into the extras. This was indeed a great pick by Crystal and she recounts exactly why she loves it so much. Bill is impressed with the practical effects and sympathizes with the problems that had to be dealt with while filming something like Killer Klowns from Outer Space that seems to be a creation like no other. From Chad, we learn about yet another childhood fear of his.
If you haven’t seen this cult classic, you owe yourself a favor. At this writing, it is available to stream and on a fine Arrow Video Blu ray.
Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s is part of the Decades of Horror 3-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1970s. In episode 151, the 80s Grue-Crew will take a broom to Street Trash (1987). Oh yes, they will.
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