Strange and Fantastic Tales of the 20th Century is a look back at the weirdest, most memorable, and most off center movies of the 20th century. From head turning horror to oddball science fiction, this column examines the films that will leave a lasting impression for centuries to come.
Summer is upon us and the world expects bodies to magically morph into aesthetically pleasing shapes that can bounce around on the beach. Why bounce when you can wriggle and writhe? This summer, I will pick up the column that has lain dormant this past semester and give it new life with even stranger and more fantastical stories than before. So let’s get comfortable in our summer creature bodies as I boldly attempt to write about only creature features for the next few sweaty months. This week’s film is The Deadly Spawn.
Remember when E.T. was left behind on earth and he lived with Elliott and together they bonded and engaged in wacky shenanigans? Well, that happens here, too. Except instead of living with Elliott, the alien is a squatter in the basement and instead of making friends he eats everyone in the house. Thinking that their parents left on vacation, Charles and Pete are blissfully unaware that a giant phallic worm with crazy looking teeth has consumed their parents.
Pete invites some friends over to study and a couple of things happen here. Pete’s friends have found a strange alien tadpole and think it would be scientific and really smart to dissect it in the upstairs bedroom. Charles, a kid who loves all things horror, discovers the alien in the basement and learns he can stay safe as long as the monster can’t hear his movements.. His love of horror has saved his life.
It’s not long before the alien worm and its offspring start going after everyone in the house. Charles, our horror friend, actually saves the day. But not before the deadly spawn delights us with some entertaining visuals. When the boys’ parents meet the monster, it eats the father first. The mother searches the basement for him and feels a familiar tap on the shoulder. She turns around to find her husband’s arm sticking out of the worm’s throat. The monster disrupts a luncheon, but learns that ladies who lunch will not be interrupted and they make an escape after getting some hits in.
Written and directed by Douglas McKeown, The Deadly Spawn is perfect popcorn on a Friday night fare. You can get your spawn body by avoiding carbs and eating only humans. Watch this with your slimiest friend.
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