Tourist Trap (1979)

Director:

David Schmoeller

Writers:

David Schmoeller (written by) and
J. Larry Carroll (written by)

Release Date:

16 March 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Every year young people disappear

Plot:

A group of young friends stranded at a secluded roadside museum are stalked by the owner of the place, who has the power to control his collection of mannequins.

Plot Keywords:

Mannequin | Museum | Mask | Friend | Slasher Flick

Cast

Chuck Connors	...	Mr. Slausen
Jocelyn Jones	...	Molly
Jon Van Ness	...	Jerry
Robin Sherwood	...	Eileen
Tanya Roberts	...	Becky
Dawn Jeffory	...	Tina
Keith McDermott	...	Woody
Shailar Coby	...	Davey
Arlecchino	...	Mannequin
Victoria Richart	...	Mannequin
Millie Dill	...	Mannequin
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Albert Band	...	Waxwork Grandfather (uncredited)

Directed by
David Schmoeller

Writing credits
David Schmoeller		(written by) and
J. Larry Carroll		(written by)

Produced by
Leonard Baker	....	associate producer
Charles Band	....	executive producer
J. Larry Carroll	....	producer
Irwin Yablans	....	executive producer: Compass International (uncredited)

Original Music by
Pino Donaggio

Cinematography by
Nicholas Josef von Sternberg		(director of photography) (as Nicholas von Sternberg)

Film Editing by
Ted Nicolaou

Art Direction by
Robert A. Burns

Makeup Department
Dave Ayres	....	special masks and mannequin effects (as David Ayres)
Robert A. Burns	....	special masks and mannequin effects
Ken Horn	....	special masks and mannequin effects
Ve Neill	....	makeup artist
Ve Neill	....	special masks and mannequin effects
Karen Stern	....	special masks and mannequin effects

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ron Underwood	....	first assistant director
David Wyler	....	second assistant director

Art Department
James Allen	....	associate art director (as Jim Allen)
Mary Church	....	assistant art director
Amanda J. Flick	....	set designer (as Amanda Flick)

Sound Department
Tim Cooney	....	boom operator
David Dockendorf	....	sound re-recording mixer
Courtney Goodin	....	location sound (as Courtney M. Goodin)
Gloria Gunn	....	sound effects
Laurence Jacobs	....	sound effects
Ted Nicolaou	....	sound effects

Special Effects by
Richard O. Helmer	....	special effects

Stunts
Sandra Lee Gimpel	....	stunt coordinator (as Sandra Gimpel)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ron Batzdorff	....	gaffer (as Ron Batzdorf)
Alan Caso	....	electrician
Mike Connors	....	electrician
Bob George	....	key grip
Robert Harmon	....	still photographer
Phil Jacobson	....	electrician
Lowell Peterson	....	camera operator
Raymond Post	....	best boy grip (as Ray Post)
David Schmier	....	first assistant camera
Gary Shore	....	best boy electric
Michael Stone	....	second assistant camera
Paul Tinsley	....	electrician

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Christine Boyar	....	wardrobe
Jessica Doyle	....	assistant wardrobe

Editorial Department
Gloria Gunn	....	assistant film editor
Rebecca Nauert	....	assistant film editor (as Becky Nauert)

Music Department
Natale Massara	....	conductor

Other crew
Richard Band	....	production consultant
Bennah Burton-Burtt	....	production secretary (as Bennah Burton)
Jim Charleston	....	production assistant
Linda Flowerday	....	production accountant
Meredith Kibbee	....	script supervisor
Susan Larson	....	production accountant
Martin J. Layton	....	production assistant (as Marty Layton)
Maria Mazloom	....	production assistant
Debra Michaelson	....	production coordinator
Stephen Purvis	....	production assistant (as Steve Purvis)
Irwin Yablans	....	presenter

Thanks
Albert Band	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Compass International Pictures
• Manson International Pictures
• Charles Band Productions

Distributors

• Compass International Pictures (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• Manson International Pictures (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• Mid-America Releasing (1979) (USA: Midwest) (theatrical)
• Media Home Entertainment (1984) (USA) (VHS)
• Video Screen (1984) (Belgium) (VHS)
• Video Screen (1984) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (1990) (USA) (VHS)
• Cult Video (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Artus films (2009) (France) (theatrical)
• Another World Entertainment (2010) (Denmark) (DVD)
• Future Film (2010) (Finland) (DVD)
• Astral Films (19??) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Videotrage (198?) (Finland) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Popsicle Productions  dialogue editing
• Cougar Hill Ranch  vulture
• Glen Glenn Sound Company  sound by (as Glen Glenn)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)  titles and opticals (as MGM)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | West Germany:18 | Italy:VM18 (DVD rating) | USA:R (1990 home video release) | Australia:M | France:-12 | UK:15 | USA:PG

Company:

Compass International Pictures

Trivia:

Stephen King praised the film in his book Danse Macabre, especially its frightful opening scene.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening scene, a knife sticks in the wall by the victim's head. In most subsequent close-ups, the knife is not there.

Quotes:

Davey:See my *friend*!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fade to Black (1980)

Watch it with the lights out if you dare!

Although widely under appreciated, "Tourist Trap" is still a notable and worthwhile entry into the horror genre. The first film directed by David Schmoeller (of Puppet Master fame). Pino Donaggio's score is nothing short of amazing; elevating the film to a whole other level in terms of both tension and atmosphere. Connors delivers a deliciously over the top performance as Mr. Slausen; the other actors are all competent considering that this is a low budget flick. For being close to 26 years old, the film has stood up extremely well - a creepy back woods setting, decent effects, and few hidden surprises in the script; it's worthwhile viewing for any horror enthusiast. A definite cult classic! My grade 8/10.