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 | |
| 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: | |||
 |
Amanda H. Bearde | ... | Teenage Girl |
|
|
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
|
Add Synopsis
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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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
July 1983 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ein Sprung in der Schüssel See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Dr. Paul Batton: We've got trouble!
Fritz: Right here in River City!
All: With a capital T and that rhymes with G and that stands for GHOUL!
Kate: We've got Captain Howdy!
Dr. Paul Batton: Right here in Hellview City!
Fritz: With a capital C and that rhymes with Z and that stands for Zom... bie.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Released in July of 1983, the dancing zombies of Hysterical predate Michael Jackson's Thriller release by about 4 months. See more »Quotes
[Dr. Paul Baton, Fritz, and Kate all run to the sheriff's office.]Dr. Paul Batton: We've got trouble!
Fritz: Right here in River City!
All: With a capital T and that rhymes with G and that stands for GHOUL!
Kate: We've got Captain Howdy!
Dr. Paul Batton: Right here in Hellview City!
Fritz: With a capital C and that rhymes with Z and that stands for Zom... bie.
See more »
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It perhaps sounds strange but there is truly such a thing as having too much comedy in a comedy. It makes the movie just silly but what is way worse is that there is something funny going on, a pun being uttered or whatever else, every 5 seconds or so in the movie. This movie doesn't give you a moment to breath or think about what you have just seen or heard. This is a bad thing from its storytelling perspective but also comedy-wise its really harming the movie.
It seems almost as if the movie was having too many good ideas. They wanted to spoof far too many movies and no matter how good or funny some of those moments are, the movie as a whole just never feels like a successful one. It's perhaps also due to it that the movie is using far too many different comedy elements. You have some slapstick comedy, some puns, a couple of running gags and some spoof elements, all crammed into one movie.
Besides, the movie is of course spoofing only movies- and making fun of people that were only relevant around that time. It makes the movie already sort of outdated. Seriously, which young people shall understand who that Ralph character was supposed to be? Or recognize Travis Bickle? The movie is filled with moments like that. You can't of course really hold it against the movie and I also wont but it's still something important to note and realize when deciding to watch this movie.
The story itself is just as messy and random as its comedy really. This sounds like fun perhaps but it really isn't. It makes the movie hard to follow, simply because you don't understand what is going on. It has something to do with an haunted lighthouse and a writer and a couple of ghost-hunters show up, while meanwhile some people are also turning into zombies. Why? I absolutely have no idea. How? I'm clueless about that as well. It's a shame, since I truly feel and believe that the movie had some really good ideas and potential in it to become a good horror-comedy, or spoof.
But having said all that, I have to admit that the movie still made me laugh. It does definitely still has its great and effective moments, mainly with its spoof elements. The Ralph character was pretty hilarious, while it also was quite funny to see Murray Hamilton. I can't be too sure about it but it seems like he actually was supposed to be the same character as he played in the Jaws movies. It are some of the movie its comical moments that still make the movie somewhat worthwhile, even though I still really can't recommend it to just everyone.
It has its funny moments but it's really far from a great movie!
5/10
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