A burned out writer retreats to a northwest town called Hellview to write the great American novel. Unfortunately for him, the lighthouse he is renting is inhabited by the spirit of a woman...
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Title: Hysterical (1983)
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Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
| Bill Hudson | ... | Frederic Lansing / Casper | |
| Mark Hudson | ... | Dr. Paul Batton | |
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Brett Hudson | ... | Fritz |
| Cindy Pickett | ... | Kate | |
| Richard Kiel | ... | Captain Howdy | |
| Julie Newmar | ... | Venetia | |
| Robert Donner | ... | Ralph | |
| Murray Hamilton | ... | Mayor | |
| Clint Walker | ... | Sheriff | |
| Franklyn Ajaye | ... | Leroy | |
| Charlie Callas | ... | Dracula | |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Amanda H. Bearde | ... | Teenage Girl |
|
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Pamela Bowman | ... | New York Model #2 |
| Robert Alan Browne | ... | New York Press Man | |
|
|
Sue Casey | ... | Bookstore Society Lady #2 |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A burned out writer retreats to a northwest town called Hellview to write the great American novel. Unfortunately for him, the lighthouse he is renting is inhabited by the spirit of a woman who killed herself there one hundred years before and now wants him to replace her lost love, Captain Howdy. When Captain Howdy is resurrected, two daring adventure seekers are brought in to solve the case and find out the secret of the lighthouse. Written by Todd A. Bobenrieth <TAB146@PSUVM.EDU>
Taglines:
The Movie You're Holding in Your Hand is So Bad it's HYSTERICAL! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Those panning this film are taking the jokes at pure face value. And that's good, because the film doesn't try to be too clever, but some of the humor requires you to sit back, burn a thought or two, and then sit back with a chuckle or grin. Thus I think some of those people giving the film a thumbs down are expecting a bit much.
It's the kind of film that's worth being a cult classic, but was striving for more.
So, does anyone remember the Hudson Brothers? Me neither ... OK, that's not entirely true, when I was younger I vaguely remember seeing a small portion of their short lived (and thankfully defunct) TV show.
The Hudson brothers can (and I emphasize; CAN) be funny, but more often than not spend so much time trying to be clever that they themselves forget that they too need to create a joke or two, and not just pull a semi-clever gag or act funny while relying on some clever visual references.
Well, the thing's out on DVD, but no letterbox nor commentary on this disk (go figure). And I'm glad for that, for if the Hudson Brothers had decided to make a collector's edition of their film, then it would've shown that they still hadn't learned their lesson from years back.
Even so, like a lot of the other aficionados, it's primitive (and I mean that in a good way) sense of humor is worth a few smiles, and an occasional laugh. It's a good hearted film that means well, and does no harm.
Something that might've helped this movie during production would've been a better film stock grade, and a more professional shooting schedule because it looks as if it were shot as a made for TV movie, even though it saw theatrical release. This tells me that someone above the Hudson Brothers knew not only the film's ultimate fate, but also that of the Hudson Brothers' comedy career.