ALTERED STATES (1980) – Episode 301 – Decades of Horror 1980s

“A little bit nuts? You’re an unmitigated madman! You don’t have to tell me how weird you are. I know how weird you are!” It takes one to know one? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they discuss a true classic: Ken Russell’s Altered States (1980).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 301 – Altered States (1980)

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ANNOUNCEMENT
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Synopsis: A psycho-physiologist experiments with drugs and a sensory-deprivation tank and has visions he believes are genetic memories.

• Director: Ken Russell
• Writer: Paddy Chayefsky (written for the screen by, credited as Sidney Aaron) (from his 1978)
• Cinematographer: Jordan Cronenweth (director of photography)
• Makeup Department:
  • Carl Fullerton (special makeup assistant)
  • Michael Hancock (makeup artist)
  • Craig Reardon (special makeup assistant)
  • Dick Smith (special makeup)
  • Dione Taylor (hair stylist) (as Dione Taylor-Demsky)
  • Rick Baker (special makeup artist) (uncredited)
• Visual Effects: 
  • Robert Blalack (special optical effects) (as Robbie Blalack)
  • Bran Ferren (special visual effects)
  • Louie Schwartzberg (time lapse photography) (as Lou Schwartzberg)
  • Jamie Shourt (special optical effects)
  • Max W. Anderson (visual effects) (uncredited)
• Selected Cast:
  • William Hurt as Eddie Jessup
  • Blair Brown as Emily Jessup
  • Bob Balaban as Arthur Rosenberg
  • Charles Haid as Mason Parrish
  • Thaao Penghlis as Eccheverria
  • Miguel Godreau as Primal Man
  • Dori Brenner as Sylvia Rosenberg
  • Peter Brandon as Hobart
  • Charles White-Eagle as The Brujo
  • Drew Barrymore as Margaret Jessup
  • Megan Jeffers as Grace Jessup
  • Jack Murdock as Hector Orteco
  • Francis X. McCarthy as Obispo (credited as Frank McCarthy)
  • Deborah Baltzell as Schizophrenic Patient
  • Evan Richards as Young Rosenberg
  • Hap Lawrence as Endocrinology Fellow
  • John Walter Davis as Medical Technician
  • Cynthia Burr as Parrish’s Girl
  • Susan Bredhoff as Eccheverria’s Girl
  • John Larroquette as X-Ray Technician
  • George Gaynes as Dr. Wissenschaft
  • Ora Rubinstein as Young Medical Student
  • Paul Larsson as Charlie Thomas
  • Eric Forst as Mingus
  • Adriana Shaw as Dr. Antonini
  • Martin Fiscoe as Graduate Student
  • Olivia Michelle as Veronica

Crystal chose Altered States (1980) as her favorite horror film of 1980 for the Grue-Crew’s 300th episode of Decades of Horror 1980s, so it seemed only natural that she would immediately choose it for discussion. What an excellent movie! It’s directed by Ken Russell, written by Paddy Chayefsky, and stars William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, and Charles Haid, with a very recognizable supporting cast. Don’t forget the quality crew, including Dick Smith, Craig Reardon, Cal Fullerton, and Rick Baker on makeup effects, and Bran Ferren orchestrating visual effects. Yes, the story is overloaded with scientific and psychological mumbo jumbo, but that failing is outweighed by the excellent acting and the visual extravaganza presented in Altered States. We had fun recording this episode, and we hope you enjoy our talkabout!

At the time of this writing, Altered States (1980) is available to stream on Roku, Tubi, and various PPV services. It is available on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from Criterion and on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video.

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 Chad, is Cat People (1982), a reimagining of Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 original. Paul Schrader directs this version, which sports an incredible cast including Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell, John Heard, Annette O’Toole, and Ed Begley Jr. Yeah, baby!

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