Society (1989)

Director:

Brian Yuzna

Writers:

Rick Fry (writer)
Woody Keith (writer)

Release Date:

11 June 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

In Beverly Hills, what you fear is only the beginning.

Plot:

Bill is worried that he is 'different' to his sister and parents. They mix with other 'upper class' people while Bill is more down to earth...

Plot Keywords:

Party | Upper Class | Incest | Jeep | Orgy

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Billy Warlock	...	Bill Whitney
Devin DeVasquez	...	Clarissa Carlyn
Evan Richards	...	Milo
Ben Meyerson	...	Ferguson
Charles Lucia	...	Jim Whitney
Connie Danese	...	Nan
Patrice Jennings	...	Jenny Whitney
Heidi Kozak	...	Shauna
Ben Slack	...	Dr. Cleveland
David Wiley	...	Judge Carter
Tim Bartell	...	David Blanchard
Brian Bremer	...	Petrie
Maria Claire	...	Sally
Conan Yuzna	...	Jason
Jason Williams	...	Jason's Friend
Pamela Matheson	...	Mrs. Carlyn
Rohni Lee	...	Ferguson's Gang
Michael Schipper	...	'Ferguson's Gang'
Chris Claridge	...	'Ferguson's Gang'
Amy Obrand	...	'Ferguson's Gang'
David Wells	...	Sergeant Burt
Mike Diamant	...	Cop in Woods
Raffaella Commitante	...	Nurse in Hospital
Seely Abraham	...	Extra
Chris Anne	...	Extra
Laura Tulaska	...	Extra
Mike Colletta	...	Extra
Robb Willoughby	...	Extra
Tom Druzay	...	Extra
John Frazer	...	Extra
Allen Eisenhart	...	Extra
Michael 'Tony' Merten	...	Extra
Donamari Tia	...	Extra
Tom Lewis	...	Extra
Blanche Bimstein	...	Extra
Thomas C. Rainone	...	Extra (as Tom Rainone)
Kristine Kauffman	...	Extra
Lisa Bal	...	Extra
Nicolle Durant	...	Extra
Daniel Heren	...	Extra
Caroline Lomas	...	Extra
C. John Merrill	...	Extra
Steven Morgan	...	Extra
Rick Widman	...	Extra
Chanel Ryan	...	Extra
Mark David	...	Extra
Don Storey	...	Extra
Robin Agee	...	Extra

Directed by
Brian Yuzna

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Rick Fry		writer
Woody Keith		writer

Produced by
Keizo Kabata	....	executive producer
Terry Ogisu	....	executive producer
Keith Walley	....	producer
Paul White	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Phil Davies
Mark Ryder

Cinematography by
Rick Fichter

Film Editing by
Peter Teschner

Casting by
Donna B. Anderson

Production Design by
Matthew C. Jacobs		(as Mathew Jacobs)

Art Direction by
Kelle DeForrest

Costume Design by
Robin Lewis West

Makeup Department
Nick Benson	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Christopher Bergschneider	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Roberto dePalma	....	foam technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Jeff Edwards	....	foam technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Screaming Mad George	....	surrealistic makeup designer and creator: S.M.G. Inc.
Wendy Gosse	....	additional makeup artist
Dave Grasso	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Moto Hata	....	head technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Guy Himber	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Makio Kida	....	first technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Lewis Lamonica	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Lisa Love	....	additional makeup artist
Jennifer Martin	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Valerie McKnight	....	additional makeup artist
Kevin Reter	....	fiberglass mold technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Johnnie Saiko	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Rebeca Scott	....	surrealistic makeup lab technician: S.M.G. Inc. (as Rebeca Recio)
Sheri Short	....	hair stylist (as Sheri P. Short)
Sheri Short	....	makeup artist (as Sheri P. Short)
Leigh Stephens	....	fiberglass mold technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Phyllis Temple	....	additional makeup artist

Production Management
Dean Ramser	....	executive in charge of production
Gary Schmoeller	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Terry Benedict	....	first assistant director
Jerome Goldberg	....	second second assistant director
Jerry Goldberg	....	second second assistant director
Jeffrey M. Zeitlin	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Mark Barofsky	....	property master
Kim Barofsky-Thorpe	....	assistant props (as Kim-Gay Barofsky)
Franklyn Gottbetter	....	set dresser
Christy Mozillo	....	set dresser
Don Storey	....	art swing gang
Frank Taylor	....	construction coordinator
Pete von Sholly	....	storyboard artist
Randal Woodward	....	paint foreman

Sound Department
John L. Anderson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Duke Brown	....	sound editor
Gonzo Cervantes	....	sound editor (as Gonzo)
Gail Clark Burch	....	adr editor
Michael P. Cook	....	sound editor
Barbara Delpuech	....	boom operator
William Fiege	....	sound mixer
Robert Friedman	....	foley artist
Al Gomez	....	foley mixer (as Albert Gomez)
Adam Johnston	....	supervising sound editor
Dale Johnston	....	sound editor
Ted Johnston	....	sound editor
James Koford	....	sound editor
John Lawson	....	stereo sound consultant
Tom Ruff	....	adr mixer
Leonard M. Smith Jr.	....	foley recordist
Marty Stein	....	sound editor
Casey Troutman	....	foley artist
Clancy T. Troutman	....	sound designer
Doug E. Turner	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mike Virnig	....	sound editor
John Wilkinson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Frank Fleming	....	loader (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Nick Benson	....	special effects
Guy Himber	....	creature shop

Stunts
Dan Bradley	....	stunt coordinator (as Daniel Bradley)
Tom Elliott	....	stunts
Matt McColm	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Guy Alford	....	electrician
Eric Anderson	....	director of photography: second unit
Kirk Benke	....	electrician
Mike Bienstock	....	second assistant camera
Todd Brown	....	electrician
Gary Cline	....	electrician
Anthony R. Collier	....	grip: second unit
Bruce R. Cook	....	director of photography: second unit
Erin-Bruce Cook	....	grip/electrician swing: second unit
Troy Cook	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Steve Crosland	....	first assistant camera
Peter Drinco	....	grip
Kimo Easterwood	....	electrician: second unit
Marcus 'Roo' Flower	....	grip (as Marcus Flower)
Greg Gardiner	....	director of photography: second unit
Geoffrey George	....	gaffer: second unit
John Grillo	....	first assistant camera: third unit
Mark Gutterud	....	director of photography: third unit
Zoltan Gyulai	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Shawn C. Hice	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Michael Jimenez	....	electrician (as Michael L. Jiminez)
Adam Jones	....	electrician
Michael Maley	....	gaffer
Darin McDaniel	....	electrician
Michael McNeally	....	electrician
William L. Peets	....	best boy electric
R.O. Rafanovic	....	grip/electrician swing: second unit
David M. Rakoczy	....	key grip
Vince Rapini	....	electrician (as Vincent Rupini)
Simon Scheeline	....	grip
Warren Sewell	....	grip production assistant
Steven H. Simons	....	electrician
Adam Smith	....	gaffer: second unit
Ted Vasquez	....	key grip: second unit
Joseph Viles	....	still photographer
Doug Weinmann	....	electrician swing
Doug Weinmann	....	grip
Randy Wyatt	....	best boy grip (as Robert R. Wyatt)

Casting Department
Billy DaMota	....	additional casting
Andrew Miller	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Meg Goodwin	....	set costumer
Kelly O'Gurian	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Ray Morfino	....	color timer
Keith H. Sauter	....	first assistant film editor
Sharon Streich	....	assistant film editor
William Young	....	assistant film editor
David Block	....	colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Steve Parr	....	music engineer
Steve Parr	....	music producer
Steve Parr	....	score recordist

Transportation Department
Kevin Hudis	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Peter Phillip Bayham	....	production assistant
Nick Benson	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Christopher Bergschneider	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Daniel Carrey	....	production assistant
Bruce Robert Fahr	....	craft service
John Frick	....	production accountant
Eric A. Gage	....	location manager
Roy Garcia	....	surrealistic makeup shunting puppeteer: S.M.G. Inc.
Dave Grasso	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Mitchell J. Greenblatt	....	shunting puppeteer: S.M.G. Inc.
Mitchell J. Greenblatt	....	surrealistic makeup shunting puppeteer: S.M.G. Inc.
Guy Himber	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Mike Johnson	....	shunting puppeteer: S.M.G. Inc.
Mike Johnson	....	surrealistic makeup shunting puppeteer: S.M.G. Inc.
Paul Kowalczk	....	set production assistant
Lewis Lamonica	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Candace Lovell	....	craft service
Jennifer Martin	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Mary Ann Molloy	....	set nurse
Thomas C. Rainone	....	production assistant (as Tom Rainone)
Johnnie Saiko	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc.
Rebeca Scott	....	laboratory technician: S.M.G. Inc. (as Rebeca Recio)
Philip J. Slaghter	....	shunting puppeteer: S.M.G. Inc.
Debra Spidell	....	production coordinator
Mark S. Thomas	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Society Productions Inc.
• Wild Street Pictures

Distributors

• Overseas FilmGroup (1989) (worldwide) (theatrical) (Non-USA)
• Zecca Films (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• Re-Animator Productions (2002) (worldwide) (all media)
• Tartan Video (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
• Future Film (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• CMV Laservision (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• VICO (????) (Hungary) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | Italy:VM18 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Iceland:16 | New Zealand:M (uncut) | Finland:K-18 (self applied) (2004)

Filming Locations:

Birmingham High School - 17000 Hayes Street, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Society Productions Inc.

Trivia:

During Ferguson's party Milo is seen wearing a shirt that says "Eat the Rich" on it. The shirt belonged to Brian Yuzna and was a leftover memento of his college days.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Clarissa squirts the suntan cream on Bill's face on the beach, it is in a different pattern in the next shot, and lotion smeared on his shoulder disappears between shots.

Quotes:

Clarissa Carlyn:How do you like your tea? Cream, sugar... or do you want me to pee in it?
Bill Whitney:[after being speechless for a few seconds] You are a class act, Clarissa.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Fear in the Dark (1991) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Tonight

You just gotta see it to believe it!

Billy Whitney is a troubled kid who's seeing a shrink because of his fear of loved ones and those that are close, which he has a hard time fitting in with his wealthy family as he feels he doesn't belong with them. He's also a student at Beverly Hills Academy who's running for president and is dating the head cheerleader, so things aren't all bad. Although things suddenly change for the worse when Billy's Sister's ex-boyfriend convinces him there's something strange about his family. Now Billy gets pulled into a very frightening world that's filled with surreal images and where the paranoia is finally tearing him apart. But what's to come for Billy will be more shocking than what he can comprehend.

After watching a horror-mystery the day before I decided to put my teeth into another, Yuzna's 'Society'. You'll think that Society comes across as usual pure 80's trash in the very cheesy kind. And it does look like that and actually descends into that pattern. But firstly the way it started off you might think otherwise, as it does open proceedings rather eerily with an tight prologue and then a haunting tune through the opening credits, but soon it takes a real sharp turn from its beginning and heads into familiar 80's horror territory, with the usual corny dialogue, gratuitous nudity, camp performances and over-the-top humour. Although when it comes to the final 20 minutes or so, you totally are blown off your feet and possibly are in a state of bemusement. During this stage it turns disturbing and rather disgusting, while there's classical music streaming along. I know that I was left with a bewildered impression on my face and I would be surprised if you don't get the same feeling too. Meaning it's a good idea to make sure your not eating when coming up towards the film's perverted climax.

The odd but fun story does play out like a teen flick with nice amount of mystery and yep I say it, satire. This story has more to it and that shows in the hidden agendas and subtle dialog that all seems to come together perfectly. On a second viewing you would easily pick up on these hints within the script. You got your sick in-jokes, lame pun and plain wicked tone. Back onto the satire now, which this story is an allegory on the rich looking down on the less privilege and finally screwing over the poor. These amusing pot-attacks are scattered across the story, while also worked into the mystery side of the story with Billy trying to figure what's going on and what's this 'society' is. Some moments you see have you contemplating if what he sees is a figment of his imagination. The reason why you question this is because his seeing a shrink so is it just in his head or is this nightmare for real. This is presented in a very good manner and that's because of the man behind the camera.

Brian Yuzna who produced the great 'Re-animator (1985)' makes his directorial debut here and does an extraordinary job. No real atmosphere is generated, but he paces it with such elasticity that there's no labouring about and he ups the suspense with assured handling and control. The humour and horror balance is a bit uneven, at times it felt oddly out of place, but it doesn't destroy the fun mood. Camera placement is rather sharp and well executed, with a nice eye for shots and moods. Going with it all is a likable heroine played by Billy Warlock from 'Bay watch' fame. While, the rest of the acting is nothing out of the norm for a film like this. Everyone was effective in their parts and contributed to the enjoyment that followed. The production is incredibly slick and that's evident by the locations and Screaming Mad George's mind-blowing special effects. Those messed up effects that come out of the blue are what makes this film memorable in its inevitable outcome!

There's nothing really creepy about this real jokey 80's horror flick, but when it gets to the ending credits you'll be left with one real lasting impression… I assure you!