Scared to Death (1980)

An ex-cop, now working as a hack novelist, is called out of retirement to help investigate a string of deaths that appear to be the work of a serial killer but soon are revealed to be the ... See full summary »

Director:

William Malone

Writers:

William Malone, Robert Short (story)

Stars:

John Stinson, Diana Davidson, David Moses

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Stinson	...	Ted Lonergan
Diana Davidson	...	Jennifer Stanton
David Moses	...	Detective Lou Capell (as Jonathan David Moses)
Toni Jannotta	...	Sherry Carpenter
Walker Edmiston	...	Police Chief Dennis Warren
Pamela Bowman	...	Janie Richter
Mike Muscat	...	Howard Tindall (as Michael Muscat)
Freddie Dawson	...	Virgil Watson
Tracy Weddle	...	Kathy Sperry
Joleen Porcaro	...	Kelly - Victim #5
David Daniels	...	Michael, roller skater (as Joseph Daniels)
Stephen Fanning	...	Scott, roller skater
Greer Justin	...	Sandy, rollerskater
Johnny Crear	...	Victor Colter
John Moskal	...	Police Lab Man (as John Moskal Jr.)

Storyline

An ex-cop, now working as a hack novelist, is called out of retirement to help investigate a string of deaths that appear to be the work of a serial killer but soon are revealed to be the work of the Syngenor - the synthesized genetic organism!

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | voyeur | candle | slasher | psychotronic film | 

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Taglines:

Victims of the Killer Kiss, they were . . .

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director William Malone said in an interview that actor/performer Rick Springfield was originally cast in the starring role of Ted Lonergan. He however called up Malone the night before filming began saying he couldn't be in his film because he was going to miss too many acting classes. Malone called up John Stinson whom he remembered from an improv class and begged him to be in the film.

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Crazy Credits

[Before the film commences, this is placed across the screen] PROLOGUE: The events portrayed in the film, although fictional, are based on scientific fact. If they have not already happened, they soon could. Genetic engineering is real, and soon we may all have to deal with new values and definitions for life and death.

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Alternate Versions

A TV print that aired on USA Network included a scene not included on Media's VHS: a group of teens searching for their lost friend in a parking garage find her body hanging upside down much like a scene in Halloween (1978).

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Connections

Referenced in Creature (1985)

User Reviews

fun low budget sci flick

I thought this movie (for being so bad) was very entertaining. The main characters are the biggest geeks! Especially the male lead. I'm talking about Dorkenstein with a capital D. It was fun making fun of them while hoping the monster eats them. This film seemed to merge cheesey 50's Sci Fi elements with 80's slasher gimmick to create a movie that worked on some level. Mystery Science Theatre would have a field day on this one. I must give it props though. The creatures actually looked good and were indeed creepy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Scared to Death: Syngenor

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$74,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Malone Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1