The Monster Squad (1987)

Director:

Fred Dekker

Writers:

Shane Black (written by) &
Fred Dekker (written by)

Release Date:

14 August 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

The End of the World Starts at Midnight

Plot:

Dracula is alive. In fact, he plans to rule the world and that is why he seeks the help of other legendary monsters...

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Dracula | Friend | Amulet | Mummy

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Andre Gower	...	Sean (as André Gower)
Robby Kiger	...	Patrick
Stephen Macht	...	Del
Duncan Regehr	...	Count Dracula
Tom Noonan	...	Frankenstein
Brent Chalem	...	Horace
Ryan Lambert	...	Rudy
Ashley Bank	...	Phoebe
Michael Faustino	...	Eugene
Mary Ellen Trainor	...	Emily
Leonardo Cimino	...	Scary German Guy
Jon Gries	...	Desperate Man (as Jonathan Gries)
Stan Shaw	...	Detective Sapir
Lisa Fuller	...	Patrick's Sister
Jason Hervey	...	E.J.
Adam Carl	...	Derek
Carl Thibault	...	Wolfman
Tom Woodruff Jr.	...	Gillman
Michael Reid MacKay	...	Mummy (as Michael MacKay)
Jack Gwillim	...	Van Helsing
David Proval	...	Pilot
Daryl Anderson	...	Co-Pilot
Robert Lesser	...	Eugene's Dad
Gwill Richards	...	Mr. Metzger
Ernie Lively	...	Night Watchman (as Ernie Brown)
Sonia Curtis	...	Peasant Girl
Daniel W. Barringer	...	Squad Room Cop #1 (as Paul Barringer)
Julius LeFlore	...	Squad Room Cop #2
Jim Stephen	...	Squad Room Cop #3
Bryan Kestner	...	Rookie Cop
Denver Mattson	...	Beefy Cop
Diana Lewis	...	TV Anchorwoman
Gary Rebstock	...	TV Anchorman
David Wendel	...	Army General
Charly Morgan	...	Vampire Bride with Possom
Phil Culotta	...	Driver of Coroner Van
Mary Albee	...	Pantry Girl / Vampire
Brynn Baron	...	Pantry Girl / Vampire (as Joan-Carrol Baron)
Julie Merrill	...	Pantry Girl / Vampire
Marianne De Camp	...	Mrs. Carlsen
Paul Van Camp	...	Guy in Ground Hog Day
Riad Galayini	...	Girl in Ground Hog Day (as Riad)
Jake	...	Pete
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jean-Paul Hellendall	...	Nerd (uncredited)

Directed by
Fred Dekker

Writing credits
Shane Black		(written by) &
Fred Dekker		(written by)

Produced by
Keith Barish	....	executive producer
Rob Cohen	....	executive producer
Peter Hyams	....	executive producer
Neil A. Machlis	....	co-producer
Jonathan A. Zimbert	....	producer

Original Music by
Bruce Broughton

Cinematography by
Bradford May		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
James Mitchell

Casting by
Penny Perry

Production Design by
Albert Brenner

Art Direction by
David M. Haber

Set Decoration by
Garrett Lewis

Makeup Department
Janice Alexander	....	hair stylist (as Janice R. Alexander)
Katalin Elek	....	makeup artist
Zoltan Elek	....	makeup artist (as Zoltan)
Matt Rose	....	special makeup effects artist
John Rosengrant	....	special makeup effects artist

Production Management
Neil A. Machlis	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Bruce Carter	....	dga trainee
Jodi Ehrlich	....	second assistant director
Richard Luke Rothschild	....	first assistant director
Janet G. Knutsen	....	first assistant director (uncredited)
Janet G. Knutsen	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Richard Boris	....	leadman
David B. Brenner	....	foreman (as David Brenner)
David B. Brenner	....	propman (as David Brenner)
Frank L. Brown	....	assistant property master
Harold Fuhrman	....	set designer
Roland E. Hill Jr.	....	set designer (as Roland Hill)
David F. Klassen	....	assistant art director
C.J. Maguire	....	property master
Joe F. Nelson	....	stand-by painter
Dan Ondrejko	....	greens foreman (as Daniel L. Ondrejko)
Richard Dean Rankin	....	construction coordinator (as Richard Rankin)
Victor M. Shannon	....	plasterer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Randle Akerson	....	supervising sound editor
Gene Ashbrook	....	boom operator (as B. Eugene Ashbrook)
Bill W. Benton	....	sound re-recording mixer
Eric Boyd-Perkins	....	adr editor
Stephen Bushelman	....	sound editor (as Steve Bushelman)
Richard S. Church	....	sound (as Richard Church)
Norval D. Crutcher	....	supervising sound editor
Donlee Jorgensen	....	sound editor (as Don Lee Jorgensen)
Dennie C. Modes	....	utility sound technician (as Dennis C. Modes)
Richard Portman	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Shouse	....	sound editor
Beth Sterner	....	foley supervisor (as Elizabeth Sterner)
Gregory H. Watkins	....	sound re-recording mixer
Norval D. Crutcher III	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)
Samuel C. Crutcher	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Joe Dorn	....	assistant adr editor (uncredited)
Ron Meredith	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
David LeRoy Anderson	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Grant Arndt	....	creature effects crew: Stan Winston Studios
Grant Arndt	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Phil Cory	....	special effects coordinator
Eric Fiedler	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Rocky Gehr	....	special effects technician
Alec Gillis	....	head monster maker: dracula and bat transformation, Stan Winston Studio
Emilio M. Gonzales	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Steven James	....	monster mechanical department: Stan Winston Studio
David Kindlon	....	monster mechanical department: Stan Winston Studio
Richard J. Landon	....	monster mechanical department: Stan Winston Studio (as Richard Landon)
Leonard MacDonald	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Lindsay MacGowan	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Shane Mahan	....	head monster maker: Mummy, Stan Winston Studio
Dave Matherly	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Hans Metz	....	special effects company supervisor
Thaine Morris	....	special effects foreman
David Nelson	....	monster mechanical department: Stan Winston Studio
Steve Patino	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Matt Rose	....	head monster maker: Gillman, Stan Winston Studio
John Rosengrant	....	head monster maker: Wolfman, Stan Winston Studio
Anton Rupprecht	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Shannon Shea	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Brian Simpson	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Wayne Sturm	....	monster mechanical department: Stan Winston Studio
Ray Svedin	....	special effects shop supervisor
Michiko Tagawa	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Jackie Tichenor	....	monster art department: Stan Winston Studio
Steve Wang	....	head monster maker: Gillman, Stan Winston Studio
Stan Winston	....	monster creator
Tom Woodruff Jr.	....	head monster maker: Frankenstein, Stan Winston Studio

Visual Effects by
Michael Backauskas	....	visual effects editor
Wayne Baker	....	visual effects (as Wayne D. Baker)
Brent Boates	....	visual effects art director: Boss Film Corporation
Laura Buff	....	visual effects consultant
Richard Edlund	....	executive visual effects supervisor: Boss Film Studios
Donald Fly	....	chief financial officer: Boss Film Corporation (as Donald R. Fly)
Robert Hippard	....	production supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Neil Krepela	....	director of photography: Boss Film Corporation
Neil Krepela	....	visual effects supervisor
Lesley Mallgrave	....	visual effects coordinator
Michele Moen	....	matte painter
Thaine Morris	....	special effects foreman: Boss Film Corporation
James Nelson	....	production advisor: Boss Film Corporation
Chris Regan	....	optical supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Mark Stetson	....	model shop supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Paul Van Camp	....	software programmer
Garry Waller	....	special projects supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Gene Whiteman	....	chief engineer: Boss Film Corporation
Claire Wilson	....	assistant: Richard Edlund, Boss Film Corporation
Matthew Yuricich	....	chief matte artist: Boss Film Corporation

Stunts
J. Mark Donaldson	....	stunts
Dick Durock	....	stunts
Robert Elmore	....	stunts (as Bob Elmore)
Larry Holt	....	stunts
John Hudkins	....	stunts (as John 'Bear' Hudkins)
Lane Leavitt	....	stunts
John Moio	....	stunt coordinator
Salli Newman	....	stunts
Beth Nufer	....	stunts
Regis Parton	....	stunts (as Reg Parton)
Larry Randall	....	stunts
Walter Robles	....	stunts (as Walt Robles)
George Marshall Ruge	....	stunts
Felix Silla	....	stunts
Paul Stader	....	stunts
Jerry Summers	....	stunts
Neil Summers	....	stunts
Mike Washlake	....	stunts
George P. Wilbur	....	stunts (as George Wilbur)
Brian J. Williams	....	stunts
Bob Yerkes	....	stunts
Laura Dash	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Shawn Lane	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Pat Romano	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jim Stephan	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jim Stephen	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tony Willard	....	stunt double (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Alex Barraza	....	best boy
Joseph Capshaw	....	chief lighting technician
Robert Edesa	....	second camera operator (as Bob Edesa)
Buzz Feitshans IV	....	first assistant camera
John M. Hennessy	....	dolly grip
Michael P. May	....	second assistant camera (as Michael May)
Tom May	....	key grip (as Tommy May)
Bruce McBroom	....	still photographer
Baird Steptoe	....	first assistant camera
Timothy E. Wade	....	camera operator
Richard Walden	....	additional camera operator (uncredited)

Animation Department
Mauro Maressa	....	animator

Casting Department
Donna B. Anderson	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michael W. Hoffman	....	costume supervisor (as Michael Hoffman)
Aggie Lyon	....	costume supervisor
Daniel Grant North	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Beau Barthel	....	associate editor (as Beau Barthel-Blair)
John Duffy	....	associate editor
Gillian L. Hutshing	....	assistant editor
Bob Kaiser	....	color timer
Beverly Pinnas	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Mark McKenzie	....	orchestrator
Curt Sobel	....	music editor
Armin Steiner	....	scoring mixer

Transportation Department
Joel Marrow	....	transportation coordinator
Edward F. Voelker	....	transportation captain
Mario Simon	....	picture car coordinator (uncredited)
Joseph Sullivan	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Faye Brenner	....	script supervisor
Katharine Ann Curtiss	....	production office coordinator
Elise Ganz	....	studio teacher
Mario Iscovich	....	location manager
Roberta Lewis	....	assistant: Messrs. Hyams & Zimbert
Karl Lewis Miller	....	animal action
Teresa Ann Miller	....	animal action
Peter J. Silbermann	....	unit publicist
Jessica Weissmann	....	assistant: Mr. Dekker
Stan Winston	....	monsters
Kevin J. Zeheb	....	production assistant
Bundy Chanock	....	set medic (uncredited)
Solomon J. LeFlore	....	production financing (uncredited)
Joseph Long	....	photo double: Van Helsing (uncredited)
Christopher W. Trott	....	location manager (uncredited)

Thanks
Dick Rudolph	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Home Box Office (HBO)
• Keith Barish Productions
• TAFT Entertainment Pictures

Distributors

• Filmpac Distribution (1988) (Australia) (theatrical)
• TriStar Pictures (1987) (USA) (theatrical)
• Braveworld (1988) (UK) (VHS)
• Filmpac Home Video (1988) (Australia) (video)
• IDA films (2010) (Spain) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• J&M Entertainment (1987) (worldwide) (all media) (sales)
• Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Olive Films (2012) (Canada) (DVD) (DVD and Blu-ray)
• Olive Films (2012) (USA) (DVD) (DVD and Blu-ray)
• RCA / Columbia Pictures Video (1988) (UK) (video)
• Transvídeo (Brazil) (video)
• VZ-Handelsgesellschaft (2011) (Germany) (DVD)
• Vestron Video (USA) (VHS)
• Viacom (2006) (USA) (all media)

Special Effects

• Boss Film Studios
• Stan Winston Studio

Other Companies

• Boss Film Corporation  main titles designed by
• Complete Casting  extra casting
• Intrada  score album released by (limited edition)
• Lorimar Opticals  end titles and opticals (as Lorimar Optical)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Portugal:M/6 | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County - 900 Exposition Boulevard, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

There is a poster for the Lucio Fulci film Zombie (1979) visible in the background of the club house.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Horace, Sean and Eugene are cornered near the statue in the house, Eugene is covering his eyes with both hands (in the first 2 shots). In the third shot, he's holding Pete the dog. In the last shot before the trapdoor opens, he's covering his eyes again.

Quotes:

Eugene:Creature stole my twinkie!

Movie Connections:

References Vampire Circus (1972)

Soundtrack:

Rock Until You Drop

Great monster movie for films buffs

The Monster Squad is a terrific re-telling of the House of Frankenstein, set in the late 80s. A group of young boys unearth an evil secret within the diary of vampire hunter, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing (Dutch, not German, but forgivable). Dracula has returned, and has re-animated Frankenstein's monster, and brought along a innocent, but tortured werewolf, the frightening, Creature of the Black Lagoon-esque Gill-Man, and a 2000-year old Mummy.

The SFX are spectacular, and the make-up and costuming are very well-made. This movie closely follows the the myths and folklore of popular monsters (only wooden stakes and garlic are effective on vampires; even dynamite cannot stop the silver-prone werewolf; etc.)

The acting is somewhat lacking, but this is a kid's Saturday night drive-in type movie. Only Duncan Regehr (syndicated TV's Zorro) as the truly and unrelentingly evil Dracula is worth mentioning. However, Tom Noonan as the kindly and gentle Frankenstein's monster is a great departure from the malevolence of his counterparts.

Highly recommended.