Q (1982)

NYPD detectives Shepard and Powell are working on a bizarre case of a ritualistic Aztec murder. Meanwhile, something big is attacking people of New York and only greedy small time crook Jimmy Quinn knows where its lair is.

Director:

Larry Cohen

Writer:

Larry Cohen

Stars:

David Carradine, Michael Moriarty, Candy Clark

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Moriarty	...	Jimmy Quinn
Candy Clark	...	Joan
David Carradine	...	Shepard
Richard Roundtree	...	Powell
James Dixon	...	Lt. Murray
Malachy McCourt	...	Commissioner
Fred J. Scollay	...	Capt. Fletcher
Peter Hock	...	Det. Clifford
Ron Cey	...	Det. Hoberman
Mary Louise Weller	...	Mrs. Pauley
Bruce Carradine	...	The Victim
John Capodice	...	Doyle
Tony Page	...	Webb
Larkin Ford	...	Curator
Larry Pine	...	The Professor

Storyline

New York police are bemused by a spate of reports of a giant flying lizard that has been spotted around the rooftops of New York, which they assume to be bogus until the lizard starts to eat people. An out-of-work, ex-con piano player is the only person who knows the location of the monster's nest and is determined to turn the knowledge to his advantage, but will his gamble pay off or will he end up as lizard food?

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Plot Keywords:

manhattan new york city | monster | one letter title | giant egg | giant monster | 

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Taglines:

"Q" is Here!

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

A young Eddie Murphy was considered for Moriarty's role, but the investors didn't think a black unknown would do well in overseas markets.

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Goofs

During the police shootout with the serpent, the monster lands next to a cop in a basket dangling over the side. In close-ups, the cop is clean-shaven with no mustache. But, the cop the creature grabs and throws to his death has a thick bushy mustache. Clearly, there were no clean-shaven stunt men available.

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Quotes

Doyle: The entire gig shouldn't take more than 3 and a half minutes, right? In and out.
First Robber: Hey Quinn? Take it easy on the cashew chicken will you?
Jimmy Quinn: [sarcastically] Oh I'm sorry, I thought you had some
[passes him the plate]
Webb: You got to watch this guy, you know. I'm telling you, he's a nervous eater. You got to defend yourself over here.
Jimmy Quinn: Now, let's talk business. I'm strictly a wheelman. I don't go inside. And I don't carry a piece. And my cut is 20%
Doyle: [talking over] Oh no no, your cut is 12.5%, and you haven't ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The original theatrical print, as well as the HBO and Cinemax airing, and the syndicated TV print, at the finale of Q, with the shot of the new egg hatching and the camera zooming inside to black, instead of cutting to the credits, a title card stating that Michael Moriarty's character sued the city and got $1 million tax-free , yet all video and DVD of this film is missing this.

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Connections

Referenced in The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs: C.H.U.D. (2019)

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Soundtracks

Let's Fall Apart Together Tonight
Music by Andy Goldmark
Lyrics by Andy Goldmark and Janelle Webb (as Janelle Webb Cohen)

User Reviews

Fluffy candy

A prehistoric serpent-type Aztec god soars high above New York attacking various people. Ex-con Jimmy Quinn (Micheal Moriarty) is the only living person who knows where it resides. And it's up to Detective Shepard (David Carradine) and Sergent Powell (Richard Roundtree) to find the creature in this cheese-fest. This is one of those films that you have to check your brain at the door for. Unlike most of Cohen's directorial efforts there's not even a hint of social commentary in here. Mindless entertainment B-movie fluff, but really GOOD mindless entertainment B-movie fluff.

My Grade: B

Blue Underground DVD extras: A humorous commentary by Larry Cohen; Teaser; Posters and Stills gallery; Larry Cohen bio DVD-ROM: Q Memorabilia

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Q: Winged Serpent

Filming Locations:

Chrysler Building - 405 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arkoff International, Larco Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1