The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)

A bad scientist and wife, a mad scientist and skeleton, two aliens and their escaped pet are all searching for the elusive element "atmospherium".

Director:

Larry Blamire

Writer:

Larry Blamire

Stars:

Larry Blamire, Fay Masterson, Brian Howe

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Fay Masterson	...	Betty Armstrong
Andrew Parks	...	Kro-Bar
Susan McConnell	...	Lattis
Brian Howe	...	Dr. Roger Fleming
Jennifer Blaire	...	Animala
Larry Blamire	...	Dr. Paul Armstrong
Dan Conroy	...	Ranger Brad
Robert Deveau	...	The Farmer
Darrin Reed	...	The Mutant

Storyline

A dedicated scientist, aided by his clueless wife, rolls up his shirt sleeves and tries to save the world from a radioactive monster, curious space aliens, an evil scientist and a crabby skeleton in this send-up of the best of the B movies of the 1950's.

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Plot Keywords:

skeleton | alien | b movie | spoof | title spoken by character | 

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Taglines:

From the company that brought you "Zombies of Mora Tau" and "Lawrence of Arabia."

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cadavra elveszett csontváza

Filming Locations:

Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,425, 8 February 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$143,121, 15 April 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fragmighty, Transom Films, Valenti Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (production logos)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The homages to classic science fiction and horror films extend even to the poster, which references the posters for The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Forbidden Planet (1956), Destination Moon (1950), House on Haunted Hill (1959), Cat-Women of the Moon (1953), and Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956).

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Goofs

Most errors in continuity and acting are purposeful and are part of the gag in recreating the '50s B movie experience. For example during the cabin sequence, Dr. Fleming's jacket disappears between shots immediately after Ranger Brad arrives, Animala suddenly sprouting furry gloves without explanation during the last half of her appearance in the film, the visible wires on the Skeleton, and the shoes of the actor portraying the mutant during some of the walking scenes.

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Quotes

Dr. Roger Fleming: Even when I was a child, I was hated by skeletons!

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Crazy Credits

Filmed in the New Miracle Wonder of the Screen - Skeletorama

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Alternate Versions

A slightly shortened version (one scene removed) of "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" was released by Sony/Tristar (with a 2003 copyright); 35mm prints played commercially, theatrically early in 2004. Columbia Tristar Home Video released a special edition DVD in the summer of 2004. Another company also exhibited this particular print overseas.

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Connections

References The Graduate (1967)

User Reviews

Not for everyone, but I loved it.

I knew this was going to be very much an homage/parody-type of movie, but I still expected to be disappointed, overall; however, I was not. I was amazed at how authentic the cast and crew was about this film.

I presume most people won't like this movie because most people would not know how to appreciate it.

The dialogue in the movie is very well-done, as well as overdone, but that was just fine with me, because I understand the homagesness (I know that's not a real word, but I don't know how to say "dedication to honouring the silliness of old b-movie cheesiness").

I must admit that another portion of this film that totally captivated me was Jennifer Blaire (Animala), but I know I'd still adore the movie, even if she was not part of it.

I've only seen one other movie in my life that seemed to have the same kind of dedication to the "legend" or "spirit" of old, no-budget sci-fi movies, which is "Invasion", but that movie was not as dedicated. "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" had the B&W applied to it, and there was no cussing or violence either. Even though I'm a horror movie fan and violence really never bugs me, I didn't miss it while watching this movie, because this movie was so darn dedicated (how many times have I used that word so far?). These kind of movies are either hit-or-miss; I've seen a few movies in the 90's that tried to do the same thing, and they were ultra-terrible. You just need to have the right-minded folks at the keyboard and behind and in front of the camera, and "Lost Skeleton" has it.