THE NEST (1987) – Episode 238 – Decades Of Horror 1980s

“I so admire these nymph cockroaches – their ability to reproduce without the contribution of their male counterpart.” A society where men are incidental? Hmm. Humans could learn from cockroaches. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr along with guest host effects artist Julian Ledger – as they experience the creepy, creature effects on display in The Nest (1987).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 238 – The Nest (1987)

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Decades of Horror 1980s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of 1980s and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

A biological experiment goes haywire when meat-eating mutant roaches invade an island community, terrorizing a peaceful New England fishing village and hideously butchering its citizens.

 

• Director: Terence H. Winkless
• Writers: Robert King (screenplay by); Eli Cantor (based on the 1980 novel by; under the pseudonym Gregory A. Douglas)
• Produced by: Julie Corman (producer), Roger Corman (executive producer) (uncredited)
• Special Effects by: 
  • Special Effects Coordinator: Cary Howe
  • Effects Artist: Julian Ledger
  • Special Effects: James M. Navarra 
  • Puppeteers: Julian Ledger, Ted Lamoureux, Ralph Miller III, Dave Matherly (credited as Paul David Matherly), Christine Papalexis
  • Pyrotechnics: Roger George (Humanoids from the Deep pyrotechnics stock footage), Frank Ceglia  
• Selected Cast:
  • Robert Lansing as Elias Johnson
  • Lisa Langlois as Elizabeth Johnson
  • Franc Luz as Richard Tarbell
  • Terri Treas as Dr. Morgan Hubbard
  • Stephen Davies as Homer
  • Diana Bellamy as Mrs. Pennington
  • Jack Collins as Shakey Jake
  • Nancy Morgan as Lillian
  • Jeff Winkless as Church
  • Steve Tannen as Mr. Perkins
  • Heidi Helmer as Jenny

If you have a fear of roaches and pests, you’re gonna love episode 238! Yes, sir, it’s time for … The Nest (1987)! The Grue-Crew are joined by special effects artist Julian Ledger who worked on the film (despite being omitted on IMDb) as a puppeteer (according to the onscreen credits) and monster makeup and effects under the supervision of Cary Howe, providing behind-the-scenes insight into the making and design of the critters, creatures, and goo. There’s lots of entertaining discussion with Julian, Jeff, Crystal, and Bill. And, of course, bugs, baby … bugs.

At the time of this writing, The Nest is available for streaming from Tubi, Plex, and PPV from Amazon. It is also available on physical media as a Blu-ray disc from Shout! Factory. 

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Crystal, will be Dolls (1987), directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Charles Band and Brian Yuzna. Special effects artist Ralph Miller III, who worked on the film under the supervision of John Carl Beuchler at MMI (Mechanical and Makeup Imageries) will be joining the 80s Grue Crew for this one!

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