Alien from L.A. (1988)

A young woman with a childish voice travels to Africa looking for her missing archaeologist father, and stumbles into a strange subterranean civilization.

Director:

Albert Pyun

Writers:

Debra Ricci, Sandra Berg (as Regina Davis)

Stars:

Kathy Ireland, William R. Moses, Richard Haines

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kathy Ireland	...	Wanda Saknussemm
William R. Moses	...	Guten 'Gus' Edway
Richard Haines	...	Professor Arnold Saknussemm
Don Michael Paul	...	Robbie
Thom Mathews	...	Charmin'
Janie du Plessis	...	General Rykov / Shank / Claims Officer
Simon Poland	...	Consul Triton Crassus / Mailman
Linda Kerridge	...	Roryis Freki / Auntie Pearl
Kristen Trucksess	...	Stacy
Lochner de Kock	...	Professor Ovid Galba / Paddy Mahoney
Deep Roy	...	Mambino
Albert Maritz	...	Mago / Maintenance Worker / Evangelist / Pack Slag Jack
Russel Savadier	...	Loki
Denis Smith	...	Anchorman
James Lithgow	...	Donaldson / Wrestling Announcer / Emcee

Storyline

Nerdy social misfit Wanda Saknussemm is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her because she lacks a sense of adventure. Then she has been informed that her father, an archaeologist, has disappeared on an expedition in North Africa. She goes in search of her missing father and, before long, finds herself in a bizarre underground world where crazy subterranean creatures think she is a secret agent and want her dead. Thwarting them at every turn, Wanda discovers an inner strength she never knew she had before her arrival. But once the denizens of the underground have their way, she will never find her father - or see the light of day in sunny Malibu - again.

---

Plot Keywords:

daughter searching for missing father | underground city | hidden civilization | bikini | upskirt | 

---

Taglines:

Kathy Ireland is the Alien from L.A.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The background music that plays when Wanda and Gus first meet is an almost note for note recreation of "Yoda's theme" by John Williams. Most likely, the original music was used as a temp track during the editing process and the composers were encouraged to create a similar theme.

---

Goofs

Kathy Ireland briefly loses her squeaky voice when she's doped up on the table. She laughs and says in a deeper voice (probably her real one), "You think I'm an alien?"

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Stacy: Wanda, the creep broke up with you over your answering machine.
Wanda Saknussemm: I just want to know why he broke up.
Stacy: He doesn't like you.
Wanda Saknussemm: Thanks, Stacy.
Stacy: You should have gone blonder.

---

Crazy Credits

Interspersed during the credits is the Anchorman, giving reports about Wanda's existence (or lack thereof) as he gets conflicting reports from Crassus and Rykov.

---

Alternate Versions

UK version is cut by 21s to secure a 'PG' rating.

---

Connections

References The Exorcist (1973)

---

Soundtracks

State of the Heart
Written by James Saad, Anthony Riparetti and Steve LeGassick
Performed by Donna DeLory (as Donna Eve DeLory)
Produced by Drock

User Reviews

PLEASE! This movie is bad

Even in her glasses wearing geek mode Kathy Ireland is very easy on the eyes but her acting is not easy to watch. Most of the actors in the film either take it way over the top (beyond "campy fun") or act slightly embarrassed at being there. The effects and soundtrack are nothing special and fairly low budget. The plot line REALLY stretches ones ability to suspend disbelief. Catch this one to laugh at if it comes on a premium movie channel or network Saturday afternoon TV, but DO NOT waist money on this thing.

One worthy mention for trivia purposes is that one of the underground mobsters is played by Deep Roy. Deep is now famous for playing (and doing it well) all the Oompa Loompas in Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Details

Country:

USA South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wanda

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1