Chopping Mall (1986)

A group of young shopping mall employees stay behind for a late night party in one of the stores. When the mall goes on lock-down before they can get out, the robot security system malfunctions, and goes on a killing spree.

Director:

Jim Wynorski

Writers:

Jim Wynorski, Steve Mitchell

Stars:

Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, Russell Todd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kelli Maroney	...	Alison Parks
Tony O'Dell	...	Ferdy Meisel
Russell Todd	...	Rick Stanton
Karrie Emerson	...	Linda Stanton
Barbara Crampton	...	Suzie Lynn
Nick Segal	...	Greg Williams
John Terlesky	...	Mike Brennan
Suzee Slater	...	Leslie Todd
Paul Bartel	...	Paul Bland
Mary Woronov	...	Mary Bland
Dick Miller	...	Walter Paisley
Gerrit Graham	...	Technician Nessler
Mel Welles	...	Cook
Angela Aames	...	Miss Vanders
Paul Coufos	...	Dr. Stan Simon

Storyline

The Park Plaza 2000 Shopping Center is implementing a new nighttime security system developed and monitored by Secure-tronics. While part of that system is fortifying the interior with impenetrable doors timed to be secured from midnight to 6AM, the core of the system is three 101 series Protector robots who are programmed to neutralize any non-authorized personnel until the police arrive. On the first night of this new system, eight (four pairs) of the younger shopping center employees are secretly planning on an after hours party at the home furnishings store in the mall, so chosen for the beds and couches for more intimate pursuits. Set up on a blind date, Ferdy Meisel and Alison Parks are the two somewhat reluctant attendees, mild-mannered Ferdy worried about the state of the store after the fact, it where he works, and proverbial girl next door Alison, who has only worked at the mall for a week, not knowing anyone at the party besides her coworker Suzie Lynn. Their party takes a ...

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Plot Keywords:

person on fire | exploding head | mall | robot kills human | shopping center | 

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Taglines:

At Park Plaza Mall the security force isn't just tight, it's terrifying!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in Sherman Oaks Galleria, the same mall used in Commando (1985). Most notably when near the elevators. Both films would've been filmed around the same time. But due to budget constraints, this movie was filmed after close of business.

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Goofs

When the guys leave the gun store, they stand around and talk for a minute. During this scene, Ferdy alternates between holding his revolver with two hands and holding it with one hand and a propane tank in the other.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[in a darkened deserted mall after hours, a burglar has just smashed and grabbed items in a case at a jewelry store, and is escaping through the empty mall]
Killbots: [from behind the burglar] Stop right there.
[the burglar turns around pulling out his gun, pointing it at whoever is speaking to him]
Killbots: Stop right there and surrender your weapon.
Burglar: [smiling as he sees it is only a robot, and takes aim with his gun and shoots at it] Whatever you say.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the closing credits, the name of each actor appears over their photo. However, the name of the person whose character is decapitated appears over a photo of their headless shoulders.

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Alternate Versions

The TV network version has some minutes of aerial stock footage of Los Angeles added, as well as some more voice-over dialoge between the robot technicians and more scenes of Alison and Ferdy watching Attack Of The Crab Monsters on the TV set.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Elves (2011)

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Soundtracks

Stranger in Paradise
(aka "Gliding Dance of the Maidens")
Music by Alexander Borodin
Lyrics (unused) by Robert Wright and George Forrest
Hummed by Barbara Crampton as she's undressing

User Reviews

Cheezy '80s movie fun

Even in the 80's this movie was cheezy, but it's still entertaining campy fun. So, if you like an 80's horror cheezfest, filled with 50's-style effects, teenage mindless parties with a lil titular action, & Ash-esque bravado... you should check this one out. It won't disappoint.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

21 March 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Killbots

Filming Locations:

Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Concorde Pictures, Trinity Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min 95 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1