Basket Case (1982)

A young man carrying a big basket that contains his deformed Siamese-twin brother seeks vengeance on the doctors who separated them against their will.

Director:

Frank Henenlotter

Writer:

Frank Henenlotter

Stars:

Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Van Hentenryck	...	Duane Bradley
Terri Susan Smith	...	Sharon
Beverly Bonner	...	Casey
Robert Vogel	...	Hotel manager
Diana Browne	...	Dr. Judith Kutter
Lloyd Pace	...	Dr. Harold Needleman
Bill Freeman	...	Dr. Julius Lifflander
Joe Clarke	...	Brian 'Mickey' O'Donovan
Ruth Neuman	...	Aunt
Richard Pierce	...	Duane's Father
Sean McCabe	...	Young Duane
Dorothy Strongin	...	Josephine
Ilze Balodis	...	Social Worker
Kerry Ruff	...	Detective
Tom Robinson	...	Thief in Theater

Storyline

Charming country bumpkin Duane Bradley takes a motel room in New York with no other luggage then a basket. In a flash back-series we learn it contains his surgically removed Siamese twin who is not only physically deformed so badly the doctors hesitated to consider him a human, but is also the vindictive drive of their trip, with the purpose to kill off all those he blames. But in the reception of one of those doctors, Duane gets his first ever date, with the receptionist, and wants to start a positive life too - when the freak twin escapes, these scene is set for a grim finale.

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Plot Keywords:

doctor | basket | siamese twins | date | vengeance | 

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Taglines:

The tenant in room 7 is very small, very twisted and very mad.

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Basket Case - Der unheimliche Zwilling

Filming Locations:

Franklin Street, Tribeca, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Basket Case Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Casey's apartment, there are at least 7 smiley face items, including her nightie, a clock, a button by the window, and several others.

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Goofs

During the bar sequence, Duane refers to his brother, calling him Duane, instead of Belial.

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Quotes

Aunt: [Reading to young Duane and Belial] Art thou afraid? No monster, not I. Be not afraid, for the isle is full of sights, sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will humm about mine ears. And sometimes voices, that if I then had waked after long sleep would let me sleep again. And then in dreaming, the clouds we thought would open and show riches ready to drop upon me, that when I waked, I cried to dream again...

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Crazy Credits

Since the crew only consisted of three or four people, many of the names in the credits are fictitious.

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Connections

Referenced in Brain Damage (1988)

User Reviews

Love it!

I went into Basket Case thinking "Oh God, this is going to be excruciating." The first five minutes totally shattered my expectations.

This movie wasn't boring and horrible- it was hilarious, gory and great. I laughed hysterically at the bad acting, Crayola paint blood, sleazy characters (and scenes), and horrendous dialogue. "Whatcha got in the basket? Easter Eggs?" This is one of the Best Bad films I've seen (up there with Troll I and II, Chupacabra Terror, and Chopping Mall). I particularly enjoyed the Disgusting Blob Brother's sexual frustration and the black wo-MAN (I couldn't tell until she practically took off all her clothes and even then). All the Roach Hotel's patrons were hilarious, especially the crazy woman who just shows up and tells random stories and then disappears quickly.

Basket Case is great for Bad Movie Connoisseurs and gore lovers. Fantastic... I want to watch again!