Tremors (1990)

Natives of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one.

Director:

Ron Underwood

Writers:

S.S. Wilson (story), Brent Maddock (story),

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Valentine McKee
Fred Ward	...	Earl Bassett
Finn Carter	...	Rhonda LeBeck
Michael Gross	...	Burt Gummer
Reba McEntire	...	Heather Gummer
Robert Jayne	...	Melvin Plug (as Bobby Jacoby)
Charlotte Stewart	...	Nancy Sterngood
Tony Genaro	...	Miguel
Ariana Richards	...	Mindy Sterngood
Richard Marcus	...	Nestor
Victor Wong	...	Walter Chang
Sunshine Parker	...	Edgar
Michael Dan Wagner	...	Old Fred
Conrad Bachmann	...	Dr. Jim
Bibi Besch	...	Megan

Storyline

A small town gradually becomes aware of a strange creature which picks off people one by one. But what is this creature, and where is it? At the same time, a seismologist is working in the area, she detects _tremors_. The creature lives underground, and can 'pop up' without warning. Trapped in their town, the town-folk have no escape.

---

Plot Keywords:

graboids | monster | underground | seismologist | nevada | 

---

Taglines:

The monster movie that breaks new ground.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Fan site German Tremors poster

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 January 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beneath Perfection

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$16,667,084 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, No Frills Film Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to promotional material from the Sci-Fi Channel, the official scientific name of the Graboid is "Caederus mexicana".

---

Goofs

Above the doctor's head when he and his wife are discussing possible guises. [widescreen only]

---

Quotes

Rhonda LeBeck: I think I have a plan. Why don't we throw a bomb the way we want to go and then when it goes off, we run like goddamn bastards!
[Everyone looks at her]
Rhonda LeBeck: Pardon my French.

---

Connections

Referenced in Silent Hill 3 (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"It's a Cowboy Lovin' Night"
Written by Ronnie Rogers
Performed by Tanya Tucker
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

Surprisingly enjoyable good old fashioned monster movie!

On paper I would have expected 'Tremors' to suck - a low budget sci fi action comedy written by the 'Short Circuit' guys, and directed by a hack who went on to make 'City Slickers'. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence, does it? But if you put your prejudices aside you'll find that this is a surprisingly enjoyable good old fashioned monster movie. There is humour here, sure, but thankfully the movie doesn't go for a camp, tongue in cheek parody style, something for me that almost never works. The movies real strength is the perfect casting of Kevin Bacon ('Diner') and Fred Ward ('Henry And June') as the small town handymen turned reluctant heroes. They are supported by the left field but inspired casting of 'Family Ties' Michael Gross and country singer Reba McEntire as a couple of gung ho survivalists. 'Tremors' succeeds in what it sets out to be, an exciting and wonderfully entertaining b-grade horror thriller. A lot of fun and highly recommended.