Hysterical (1983)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Chris Bearde

Writers:

Chris Bearde (writer)
Bill Hudson (writer)

Release Date:

July 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Are you insane enough to watch this?

Plot:

A burned out writer retreats to a northwest town called Hellview to write the great American novel. Unfortunately for him...

Plot Keywords:

Lighthouse | Library | Vampire | Tour Guide | Madness

Cast

Bill Hudson	...	Frederic Lansing / Casper
Mark Hudson	...	Dr. Paul Batton
Brett Hudson	...	Fritz
Cindy Pickett	...	Kate
Richard Kiel	...	Captain Howdy
Julie Newmar	...	Venetia
Robert Donner	...	Ralph
Murray Hamilton	...	Mayor
Clint Walker	...	Sheriff
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Leroy
Charlie Callas	...	Dracula
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Amanda H. Bearde	...	Teenage Girl
Pamela Bowman	...	New York Model #2
Robert Alan Browne	...	New York Press Man
Sue Casey	...	Bookstore Society Lady #2
Gene Castle	...	Lead Zombie Dancer
Kathy Cherry	...	Sexy Girl
Dick Chudnow	...	Looney
Pat Colbert	...	Hooker #1
Natalie Core	...	Bookstore Society Lady #1
Bud Cort	...	Dr. John
John Diehl	...	Taxi Driver
Mary Ellen Flaherty	...	Bookstore Society Lady #4
John Larroquette	...	Bob X. Cursion
Helena Mäkelä	...	Nurse
Gary Owens	...	TV Announcer (voice)
Indy Shriner	...	Hooker #2
Maurice Sneed	...	Looney
JoAnn Willette	...	Bookstore Society Lady #3
Keenan Wynn	...	Fisherman

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Norway:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

Quotes:

Fritz: Oh, so this is Mexico.
[Dr. Paul Batton looks at Fritz, the map, and the tall trees around them, then grabs the map, turns it upside down, and hands it back to Fritz.]
Fritz: Oh, so this is Oregon.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Chariots of Fire (1981)

Lost Classic

Being a fan of this movie is like being in a secret club. So many funny lines - so many bizarre things happening throughout. I guess you either get it / like it - or you don't. Not much middle ground. I first saw it on cable when I was a kid and had the good sense to tape it. Unfortunately, I brought it with me when I went away to college, and now like so many CDs and T-Shirts it is long gone. I had no idea who the Hudson brothers were, and was surprised to find out that they had their own variety show on TV in the late 70's, and, one of them was married to Goldie Hawn! This movie seems to have been their last hurrah together, oh well, at least they went out on a suitably weird note. I'm just glad I got to see it, and I'm looking forward to picking up another copy some time soon. Without question the strangest comedy/parody you'll ever see, but really,... what difference does it make?