Alligator (1980)

A baby alligator is flushed down a Chicago toilet and survives by eating discarded laboratory rats injected with growth hormones. The small reptile grows gigantic, escapes the city sewers, and goes on a rampage.

Director:

Lewis Teague

Writers:

John Sayles (screenplay), John Sayles (story)

Stars:

Robert Forster, Robin Riker, Michael V. Gazzo

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Forster	...	David
Robin Riker	...	Marisa
Michael V. Gazzo	...	Chief Clark (as Michael Gazzo)
Dean Jagger	...	Slade
Sydney Lassick	...	Gutchel (as Sidney Lassick)
Jack Carter	...	Mayor
Perry Lang	...	Kelly
Henry Silva	...	Brock
Bart Braverman	...	Kemp
John Lisbon Wood	...	Mad Bomber
James Ingersoll	...	Helms
Robert Doyle	...	Bill
Patti Jerome	...	Madeline
Angel Tompkins	...	Newswoman
Sue Lyon	...	ABC Newswoman

Storyline

Ramon the alligator is flushed down the toilet as a baby and grows into a gargantuan monster by eating the corpses of laboratory animals who have undergone dubious hormone experiments, thus providing all the ecological and social subtext that one could possibly wish for, even if one doesn't normally go for films about giant alligators eating people left, right, and center--which is the inevitable and tragic result of Ramon's decision that the outside world looks rather more interesting than the sewers....

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Plot Keywords:

alligator | toilet | sewer | baby alligator | knocking on a window | 

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Taglines:

At first, no one believed. But now, no one will ever forget!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Ramon", the oft-malfunctioning animatronic alligator used in the film, was later donated to the Florida Gators as a team mascot. Ramon made several appearances before games and during halftime.

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Goofs

When the alligator grabs Henry Silva, his body is horizontal, with the jaws on his midsection and his body hanging out of the sides of the jaws. A moment later, he is spun around lengthwise and sliding down the monster's throat feet first. The alligator would have needed to spit the body out and then begin devouring it feet first for that to happen.

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Quotes

Gutchel: How about cats? I got plenty of cats. I also got a parrot I'd like to get rid of.

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Alternate Versions

The Catalina Home Video version cuts out the blood floating to the top of the water in the pool scene and the line "I'm gonna kick it's ass" is changed to "I'm gonna kick its tail" and "pain in the ass" is changed to just "pain"

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Connections

Featured in Trailer Trauma 3: 80s Horrorthon (2017)

User Reviews

* * * out of 4.

John Sayles brings as another memorable horror effort that mixes horror and comedy rather effectively. Giant alligator is flushed down the toilet as a baby and grows to giant size in the sewers of Chicago. Not finding much food down in the sewer, gator brings his act to the street and begins to make lunch meat of the city's population. Violent flick has a killer pace and never has a dull moment. Beware of the awful sequel though. Rated R.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alligator

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alligator

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 86 min (theatrical cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1