It's Alive (1974/I)

Director:

Larry Cohen

Writer:

Larry Cohen (written by)

Release Date:

October 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror

Tagline:

Whatever it is, it's alive and deadly.

Plot:

The Davies expect a baby, which turns out to be a monster with a nasty habit of killing when it's scared. And it's easily scared. |

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Monster | Hospital | Homicidal Baby | Throat Ripping

Awards:

1 win

Cast

John P. Ryan	...	Frank Davis (as John Ryan)
Sharon Farrell	...	Lenore Davis
James Dixon	...	Lieutenant Perkins
William Wellman Jr.	...	Charley
Shamus Locke	...	The Doctor
Andrew Duggan	...	The Professor
Guy Stockwell	...	Bob Clayton
Daniel Holzman	...	Chris Davis
Michael Ansara	...	The Captain
Robert Emhardt	...	The Executive
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nancy Burnett	...	Nurse (as Mary Nancy Burnett)

Also Known As:

Baby Killer (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1984) | UK:15 (video re-rating) | Portugal:M/16 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | West Germany:18 | Norway:16 (video premiere) | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Australia:R | Finland:(Banned) (1975) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:PG | Iceland:16 | Norway:(Banned) (1975-2003) (cinema release)

Company:

Larco Productions

Trivia:

Bernard Herrmann titled the music cue where the milkman meets his demise "The Milkman Goeth."

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the end, when Frank is holding the baby in his arms, the cover accidentally reveals a patch of hair, revealing it to be a dog.

Quotes:

Lieutenant Perkins: Hunting and killing babies doesn't seem to be my specialty.

Movie Connections:

References The Chain Gang (1930)

Chillin 70s horror

It's Alive is one of those horror movies that although it is obviously fantasy, could one day be a reality. In the film a mutant baby is born after the parents use an experimental fertility drug. While the tot in the film is a very rubber looking creation that goes on a killing spree, the possibility that the film presents of deformities from genetic tampering poses a very real point that should be addressed. Possibly one of the better films for parents looking for a good chill. The film moves along at a nice crisp pace, avoiding wasting time with long setups and keeping the story flowing. As I said the baby isn't very believable, but the script is smart and the actors all do a fine job as well. This is one film that a bigger budget and updated effects might help. Still worth a look though.