THE ALIEN FACTOR (1978) – Episode 216 – Decades Of Horror 1970s

“I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out. Edie, don’t you see? I am an alien too.” After all, isn’t everyone waiting for the mothership? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they consume the cheesy goodness of Don Dohler’s The Alien Factor (1978).

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 216 – The Alien Factor (1978)

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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast 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 spaceship crashes in a sparsely populated area of Earth and three horrific aliens survive the accident. The grotesque extraterrestrials soon begin to terrorize the locals until a mysterious stranger shows up claiming to be able to save the day.

 

• Writer/Director: Don Dohler 
• Makeup Department: John Cosentino, Britt McDonough, Larry Schlechter
• Special Effects by:
  • Larry Schlechter (‘Inferbyce’ (insect) designed by / special effects)
  • John Cosentino (‘Zagatile’ (tall creature) designed by / special effects)
  • Ernest Farino (‘Leemoid’ designed & animated by) (as Ernie Farino) 
  • Britt McDonough (special effects)
  • Ted Rae (special effects assistant) (as Ted Richard Rae)
  • Bill Cosentino (special effects assistant
• Production Assistant: John Dods
• Selected Cast:
  • Don Leifert as Ben Zachary
  • Tom Griffith as Sheriff Cinder
  • Richard Dyszel as Mayor Wicker
  • Mary Mertens as Edie Martin
  • Richard Geiwitz as Pete
  • George Stover as Steven
  • Eleanor Herman as Mary Jane Carter
  • Anne Frith as Dr. Ruth Sherman
  • Christopher Gummer as Clay
  • Don Dohler as Ernie
  • Dave Ellis as Richie
  • Dave Geatty as Man in Bar
  • Margie Van Tassell as Susan
  • Tony Malanowski as Ed Miller
  • Debbie Pietron as Couple in Woods
  • William Cosentino as Couple in Woods (as Bill Cosentino)
  • Rick Cosentino as Biker
  • Greg Dohler as Three Children
  • Kim Pfeiffer as Three Children (as Kim Dohler)
  • Joey Merenda as Three Children
  • Ann Hanks as Barmaid
  • Lon Talbot as Rock Band
  • Glenn Ruby as Rock Band
  • Jack Campbell as Rock Band
  • Daniel White as Vance (as Dan White)
  • Britt McDonough as Ted
  • William L. Brown as Drunk
  • Cathy Oldaker as Girl in Bar
  • Donna Foster as Girl in Bar
  • Toni Watcheski as Couple in Bar
  • Ed Watcheski as Couple in Bar
  • Johnny Walker as Rex
  • Larry Schlechter as Inferbyce – Insect
  • John Cosentino as Zagatile – Tall Creature

It’s time to head for Maryland, USA to head off an alien invasion of sorts with the overly ambitious, roughly made, yet surprisingly entertaining creature feature, The Alien Factor (1978). Fans of horror host Count Gore De Vol will have a delightful surprise inside. And, for those who remember the odd alien creature cover of Famous Monsters of Filmland – with a ‘pink’ background – will finally get to see that monster and three others in this minor… masterpiece (?- Bill, really, I have to say this? – Okay…sigh.) All kidding aside, if for no other reason, this episode (and the movie watched for it) is a blast because of Bill Mulligan’s unwavering love for Don Dohler, his magazines, and his first full-length feature film. For better, or worse.

At the time of this writing, The Alien Factor (1978) is available to stream from Wicked Horror TV, Classic Horror Movie Channel, Tubi, and PPV on Amazon.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Bill, will be Mark of the Devil (1970), starring Herbert Lom, Udo Kier, Olivera Katarina, Reggie Nalder, and of course, Herbert Fux and Gaby Fuchs. The movie proudly owns the tagline, “This vomit bag and the price of one admission will enable you to see… the first film rated V for violence.” Oh-oh.

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].