Sonny Boy (1989)

A small-town crime boss accepts delivery of a stolen car, only to find there's a baby in the back-seat. He and his transvestite "wife" cut out the boy's tongue and raise him as a mute ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Martin Carroll

Writers:

Graeme Whifler (original screenplay), Peter Desberg (additional dialogue)

Stars:

David Carradine, Paul L. Smith, Brad Dourif

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Carradine	...	Pearl
Paul L. Smith	...	Slue
Brad Dourif	...	Weasel
Conrad Janis	...	Doc Bender
Sydney Lassick	...	Charlie P.
Savina Gersak	...	Sandy
Alexandra Powers	...	Rose
Michael Boston	...	Sonny Boy (as Michael Griffin)
Steve Carlisle	...	Sheriff
Steve Ingrassia	...	Deputy
Stephen Lee Davis	...	Bart
Robert Broyles	...	Mayor
Jeff Bergquist	...	Father Owen
Dalene Young	...	Doc Wallace
Christopher Bradley	...	Husband

Storyline

A small-town crime boss accepts delivery of a stolen car, only to find there's a baby in the back-seat. He and his transvestite "wife" cut out the boy's tongue and raise him as a mute accomplice in their crimes. When the grown "Sonny Boy" escapes and tries to make contact with the outside world, the attention he draws to his warped family results in darkly-humored mayhem.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male bondage | murder | child abuse | pyramid | father son relationship | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Il dono del silenzio

Filming Locations:

Columbus, New Mexico, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trans World Entertainment (TWE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 93 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally the shootout finale was suppose to take place in a farmhouse that was scheduled to be demolished, so that it could be burned in the end. However, the owner of the house changed his mind and the production ended up having to create the "pyramid" structure in which the climax takes place.

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Connections

Referenced in David on 'Death Race' (2010)

User Reviews

Quite interesting, very bizarre.

If you're expecting this to be just a cheap, ugly exploitation film, you may actually be surprised. Although it does border on the offensive, and Paul L. Smith plays (convincingly) one of the most repugnant characters you'll ever see, the film has enough originality and audacity to be preferable to many other formula horror outings. The script develops into a variation on the "Frankenstein" myth, and the terrific music score gives a poetic dimension to some scenes. Outstanding performance by the actor who plays Sonny Boy. (**)