The Hidden (1987)

Director:

Jack Sholder

Writer:

Jim Kouf (written by)

Release Date:

20 October 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A new breed of criminal.

Plot:

An alien is on the run in America. To get his kicks, it kills anything that gets in its way, and uses the body as a new hiding place...

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Police | FBI | Chase | Politician

Awards:

4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Kyle MacLachlan	...	Lloyd Gallagher
Michael Nouri	...	Tom Beck
Claudia Christian	...	Brenda Lee Van Buren
Clarence Felder	...	Lt. John Masterson
Clu Gulager	...	Lt. Ed Flynn
Ed O'Ross	...	Cliff Willis
William Boyett	...	Jonathan Miller
Richard Brooks	...	Sanchez
Larry Cedar	...	Brem
Katherine Cannon	...	Barbara Beck
John McCann	...	Senator Holt
Chris Mulkey	...	Jack DeVries
Lin Shaye	...	Carol Miller
James Luisi	...	Ferrari Salesman
Frank Renzulli	...	Michael Buckley
Duane Davis	...	Eddie
Kristen Clayton	...	Juliet Beck (as Kristin Clayton)
Whitney Reis	...	Liz
Joey Sagal	...	Drunk
Jeff Levine	...	Drunk's Friend
Mark Edward Morante	...	Record Store Clerk
Jill Friedman	...	Girl at Record Store
Rick Lieberman	...	Dr. Glass
Joseph Whipp	...	Dr. Rogers
Donald Willis	...	Intern
Beau Gibson	...	Jailer
Joe Perce	...	Coroner
Jason Edwards	...	Adler
Joy N. Houck Jr.	...	DeVries' Neighbor (as J.N. Houck)
Mary Petrie	...	TV Reporter
Joey Aresco	...	Woodfield
Judy Kerr	...	Waitress
Luce Morgan	...	Waitress
Richard B. Whitaker	...	Plainclothesman (as Richard Whitaker)
Michael Yama	...	Sketch Artist
Charlene White	...	Nurse
Marc Siegler	...	Doctor (as Mark Siegler)
Jack McGee	...	Bartender
Steve Eastin	...	Agent Stadt
Ted White	...	Agent Fowler
Loren Haynes	...	Cop with Aspirin
Rachel Todd	...	Reporter
Buckley Norris	...	Reporter
Lenna Robinson	...	Rodeo Drive Girl
Cate Caplin	...	Bank Customer
Joe Gilbride	...	Bank Guard
Deke Anderson	...	Roadblock Cop
Wren T. Brown	...	Patrolman (as Wren Brown)
Alan Marcus	...	Cop in Hotel
Mark Phelan	...	Fielding
Danny Trejo	...	Prisoner
Branscombe Richmond	...	Roberts
Charles Edward Smith	...	Avery
Lew Hopson	...	Jail Escort
Doug Collins	...	Agent Sardi
Bob K. Cummings	...	Agent Lowe (as Bob Cummings)
Alonzo Brown Jr.	...	Lab Technician
Rick Diamond	...	Paramedic
Charlie Skeen	...	Agent Graves
Robert Brown	...	Agent Bach
Chris Wentzel	...	Record Store Cop
Jake	...	Roy the Dog
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kris Gilpin	...	(unconfirmed)
Michael Joiner	...	Undercover Policeman (uncredited)

Directed by
Jack Sholder

Writing credits
Jim Kouf		(written by) (as Bob Hunt)

Produced by
Stephen Diener	....	executive producer
Dennis Harris	....	executive producer
Jeffrey Klein	....	executive producer
Michael L. Meltzer	....	producer (as Michael Meltzer)
Lee Muhl	....	executive producer
Gerald T. Olson	....	producer
Robert Shaye	....	producer

Original Music by
Michael Convertino

Cinematography by
Jacques Haitkin		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Michael N. Knue
Maureen O'Connell		(co-editor)

Casting by
Annette Benson

Production Design by
C.J. Strawn
Mick Strawn

Set Decoration by
James R. Barrows

Costume Design by
Malissa Daniel

Makeup Department
Carlos David Amador	....	hair designer (as Carlos Amador)
Howard Berger	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions
Everett Burrell	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions
Gino Crognale	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions
S. Sue Elliott	....	hair stylist: second unit (as Sue Elliot)
S. Sue Elliott	....	makeup artist: second unit (as Sue Elliot)
Steven James	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions (as Steve James)
David Kindlon	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions (as Dave Kindlon)
Robert Kurtzman	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions
Gina Monaci	....	assistant hair stylist
Gina Monaci	....	assistant makeup artist
Christa Reusch	....	makeup artist
Mike Trcic	....	makeup effects crew: Kevin Yagher Productions (as Michael Trcic)
Kevin Yagher	....	makeup effects

Production Management
Joe Fineman	....	post-production supervisor (as Joseph R. Fineman)
Daryl Kass	....	production manager
Deborah Moore	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Benita Allen	....	second assistant director
Jason Clark	....	second second assistant director
Cathy Gesualdo	....	second assistant director: second unit
J. Marc Strachan	....	second second assistant director: second unit (as Mark Strachan)
Jack White	....	first assistant director: second unit
John R. Woodward	....	first assistant director
Cindy Clark	....	third assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Ella St. John Blakey	....	art department production assistant
David T. Cannon	....	set dresser (as David Cannon)
Julie Carnahan	....	assistant props
Rebecca Carriaga	....	art department coordinator
Tom Dillenkoffer	....	carpenter
Steven P. Duchscherer	....	property master
Andre G. Ellingson	....	assistant leadman
Keith Hill	....	carpenter
Mark Kamps	....	leadman
Bill Kolodziej	....	assistant property master (as Bill Kolodsiej)
Thomas Lee	....	lead carpenter (as Thomas E. Lee)
Grant Lukenbill	....	swing gang
Shawn Maurer	....	swing gang
James M. May	....	swing gang
Thomas A. O'Conor	....	set construction coordinator (as Thomas O'Conor)
Mitch Simmons	....	lead scenic artist
Linda Syufy	....	set dresser
Laura Velkei	....	assistant props: second unit
Pete von Sholly	....	storyboard artist (as Peter Von Sholly)
David A. Weinman	....	set dresser: second unit

Sound Department
Petra Bach	....	adr editor
Mark R. Crookston	....	sound editor
Fred Dawson	....	foley artist
Donald W. Ernst	....	sound editor (as Don Ernst)
Jeffrey J. Haboush	....	sound re-recording mixer
David Halbert	....	boom operator (as Dave Halbert)
Ron Horwitz	....	supervising sound editor
Warren Kleiman	....	adr mixer (as Warren Kleinman)
Gary Krivacek	....	sound editor
Sharon Michaels	....	foley artist
John O. Robinson III	....	sound editor
Greg P. Russell	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Salvetta	....	foley artist
Jackson Schwartz	....	foley mixer
Kevin Spears	....	sound editor
James Thornton	....	sound mixer
Ara Ashjian	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Gregory Cheever	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Paul J. Diller	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Eric J. Goldstein	....	cable puller (uncredited)
Mark L. Mangino	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Les Wolf	....	dialogue editor (uncredited)
Les Wolf	....	foley editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Thomas L. Bellissimo	....	special effects carpenter (as Thomas Bellisimo)
Martin Bresin	....	special effects
Greg Landerer	....	special effects coordinator (as Gregory C. Landerer)
Eric Rylander	....	special effects
Steve Wolke	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Michael Backauskas	....	visual effects optical line-up
Katherine Kean	....	animator: DQI
Justin Klarenbeck	....	visual effects supervisor: DQI
Jeff Matakovich	....	compositor: DQI
David McCue	....	optical supervisor: Dream Quest Images, Inc.
Jim Shaw	....	animator: DQI

Stunts
Rick Avery	....	stunt performer
Jeff Brewer	....	stunt performer
Bob Brown	....	stunt performer (as Robert Brown)
Hal Burton	....	stunt performer
Monty Cox	....	stunt performer
Jeffrey J. Dashnaw	....	stunt performer (as Jeff Dashnaw)
Andy Epper	....	stunt performer (as Andrew Epper)
Glory Fioramonti	....	stunt performer
Greg Gault	....	stunt performer
Rob King	....	stunt performer
Lane Leavitt	....	stunt performer
Irving E. Lewis	....	stunt performer (as Irving Lewis)
Cole S. McKay	....	stunt performer (as Cole McKay)
Artie Nay	....	stunt performer (as Arthur Nay)
Mark Orrison	....	stunt performer
Diane Peterson	....	stunt performer
Don Pike	....	stunt coordinator
Gary Pike	....	stunt performer
Charlie Skeen	....	stunt performer
Alex Stevens	....	stunt performer
John Stewart	....	stunt performer
Steve Vandeman	....	stunt performer
Jon H. Epstein	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gene LeBell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Víctor Quintero	....	stunts (uncredited)
John R. Woodward	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Joey Alvarez	....	grip (as Joey A. Alvarez)
Huston Beaumont	....	grip electric: second unit
Monté Black	....	second assistant camera (as Monte Black)
Marsha Blackburn	....	still photographer
Kevin Brennan	....	gaffer
Frank Byers	....	camera operator: second unit
Ian Christenberry	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Stuart E. Cropley	....	electrician (as Stuart Cropley)
Paul A. Edwards	....	director of photography: second unit (as Paul Edwards)
Paul A. Edwards	....	second camera operator (as Paul Edwards)
Nelson Elwell	....	best boy grip
Rudy M. Fenenga Jr.	....	additional first assistant camera (as Rudy Fenega)
Rudy M. Fenenga Jr.	....	first assistant camera: second unit (as Rudy Fenenga Jr.)
Terry Gilbert	....	electrician
Doc Heavirland	....	best boy grip: second unit
Lydia Hollyfield	....	electrician
Jay Anthony Jones	....	second assistant camera: second unit (as Tony Jones)
Cindy Lagerstrom	....	grip (as Cindy Langerstrom)
Dennis J. Lootens	....	electrician (as Dennis Lootens)
Michael Lund	....	first assistant camera
Tim McGinnis	....	best boy electric
Charlie McIntyre	....	grip: second unit (as Charles H. McIntyre III)
Philly Melnick	....	camera dolly
Philly Melnick	....	key grip
Craig Mitchell	....	second dolly grip (as T. Craig Mitchell)
Chris Morley	....	key grip: second unit
Marie Pedersen	....	additional second assistant camera (as Marie Pederson)
Robert A. Preston	....	grip
Michael Sudmeier	....	electrician (as P. Michael Sudmeier)
Gregory Vanger	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Greg Fausak	....	grip (uncredited)
Gary Molyneux	....	grip (uncredited)
Bob Myers	....	dolly grip (uncredited)
Bob Myers	....	key grip (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sarah Bardo	....	costumer: second unit
Thomas G. Marquez	....	first assistant wardrobe
Todd Roberts	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Victor Du Bois	....	associate editor (as Victor DuBois)
Bob Hagans	....	color timer
Ric Keeley	....	assistant editor
Brian Ralph	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Kevin Benson	....	music supervisor
Michael Bloecher	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Jason Belsky	....	transportation captain
Arthur C. DeCesare	....	driver (as Arthur DeCesare)
Antonio Franchi	....	driver
D.J. Gardiner	....	driver: second unit (as D.J. Gardner)
Kenneth L. Hardman	....	driver (as Ken Hardman)
Mathew Lansford	....	driver: second unit
Terry Mack	....	driver
Chaz Merriam	....	driver: second unit
Griff Ruggles	....	transportation coordinator
William B. Steakley	....	driver
Mark Twogood	....	driver
Chris Wentzel	....	driver
Veronica Williams	....	driver
Brian Joseph Moore	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Steve Berens	....	owner: "Jake"
Steve Berens	....	trainer: "Jake"
Jane Cassell	....	choreographer: Ms. Christian
Cindy Clark	....	production assistant
Grace Dennis	....	production accountant
Bob Dunn	....	animal supplier (as Bob Dunn)
Bob Dunn	....	animal supplier
Elizabeth Ervin	....	production assistant
Larry Evans	....	stand-in
Gerrit V. Folsom	....	location manager
Antonio Franchi	....	mechanic
Eric J. Goldstein	....	production assistant (as Eric Goldstein)
Catherine Jelski	....	assistant: Mr. Sholder
Krister C. Johnson	....	craft service: second unit (as Krister Johnson)
Dixie Jones	....	assistant accountant
Jeffrey J. Kiehlbauch	....	production coordinator
Lawrence Lanoff	....	production assistant: second unit (as Larry Lanoff)
Martha J. Liermann	....	production secretary
Tom Lowe	....	production assistant
Joseph McCarter	....	assistant trainer
Alan Z. McCurdy	....	production assistant: second unit
Jonathan Meizler	....	production assistant: second unit
Lollie Ortiz	....	title designer
Vic Parker	....	security liaison
Robert Perault	....	stand-in
Oscar Rosas	....	craft service
Oskar A. Rosas	....	craft service (as Oscar Rosas)
Grant Rose	....	stand-in
Annie Welles	....	script supervisor
Jeffrey Wetzel	....	production assistant
Richard B. Whitaker	....	technical advisor
Deani Wood	....	script supervisor: second unit (as G. Deani Wood)
Deani Wood	....	set nurse (as G. Deani Wood)
James A. Wylie	....	stand-in

Production Companies

• Heron Communications
• Mega Entertainment
• New Line Cinema
• Third Elm Street Venture

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox of Germany (1989) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• New Line Cinema (1987) (USA) (theatrical)
• Succéfilm AB (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Alliance Home Video (Canada) (VHS)
• Asso Film (video)
• Astral Films (Canada)
• Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2007) (United Arab Emirates) (DVD) (Middle East)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• Lumivision (USA) (DVD)
• Lumivision (USA) (VHS)
• Lumivision (USA) (laserdisc)
• Media Home Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Media Home Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• New Line Home Video (USA) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Dream Quest Images (special visual effects)
• Kevin Yagher Productions (makeup effects)

Other Companies

• Adidas  special thanks
• B & B Sound Studios  re-recorded at
• B.F. Goodrich Co.  special thanks (as B.F. Goodrich)
• Chrysler Corporation of America Inc.  special thanks (as Chrysler Corporation of America)
• Coleman  special thanks (as The Coleman Company)
• Coors Brewing Company  special thanks (as Coors)
• Creative Film Promotions  special thanks
• Ferrari North America  special thanks (as Ferrari of North America)
• Galpin Ford  special thanks (as Galpin Ford Studio Rentals)
• Hill Production Services  video playback
• Horta Editorial & Sound  post-production sound (as Horta Editorial)
• IRS Records  soundtrack available on
• Jimmy Z  special thanks
• L.A. Eyeworks  special thanks
• Levis  special thanks (as Levi)
• Maxwell House  special thanks
• Ray Mercer & Company  titles and opticals (as Ray Mercer and Co.)
• Ray-Ban  special thanks (as Ray Ban)
• SSI  sound transfers (as S.S.I.)
• Shasta Beverages  special thanks
• Unique Product Placement  special thanks
• Unisys  special thanks (as Unisys Corporation)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | West Germany:18 | France:-12 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Heron Communications

Trivia:

When we first see the police squad-room we hear a radio call go out to police car '1L19'. This was also the callsign of the LAPD car hijacked by Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in The Terminator (1984).

Goofs:

Factual errors: The M72 LAW rocket used by Clarence Felder's character would not have exploded so soon after leaving the launch tube. By design, the LAW rocket must travel 10 meters before arming itself. If it strikes a target closer than 10 meters, it will not detonate.

Quotes:

Tom Beck:Doesn't anyone say please any more?
Lloyd Gallagher:Please.
Tom Beck:How can I refuse?
Lloyd Gallagher:You can't.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Bad Movie Beatdown: Ghost Rider (#3.26)" (2011)

Soundtrack:

While the Going's Good

Diamond in the Rough

What is "the Hidden"? Exactly what the name implies. It's like searching for a diamond in a pile of coal. There are a lot of stupid, inane sci-fi action pics out there with some boring spin on the alien possession story, but this movie has something that those lack. Compelling characters. What, you say? A character study in sci-fi? Well, yes and no. It is as far away from a after-school TV drama, but the characters do have depth and they aren't cookie board cut-outs. Kyle MacLachlan, before his dark days of "showgirls", and Michael Nouri(Flashdance) star in this buddy-cop film, on the track of a killing-spree that seems to change with different humans. This film is a taught, well acted story. Sometimes creepy, sometimes genuinely funny. The score, although definitively 80s, complements the film with subtle overtones that enhance the viewing experience. A very good film that has a fair amount of blood and gore, but does not revolve around those genre staples. Overall, it's a safe bet for a good time. Watch it with someone you love.