Alligator [Collector's Edition]

Alligator (Collector's Edition) (3Pc) / (Coll 3Pk)

Overview

Lewis Teague directed this sly horror-comedy from a script by John Sayles, which plays off the old urban legend about the dangers of flushing one's pet alligator down the toilet. One such unlucky reptile is "Ramon," who survives in the subterranean cesspool by feeding on the steroid-saturated carcasses of dogs dumped there by chemical company researchers and eventually bulks up to the size of a Winnebago. When assorted sewage workers start disappearing into Ramon's massive maw, hard-boiled cop David Madison (Robert Forster), who has a history of unlucky partners, reveals a strong personal interest in the case. Deemed a jinx and a nutcase by his superiors, he's kicked off the force and must go underground (literally) to destroy the beast with the help of young reptile-expert Marion (Robin Riker). The witty screenplay is filled with clever references, eccentric characters and in-jokes aplenty (a style reflective of Joe Dante's Piranha and The Howling, both of which Sayles also scripted), which combines with decent effects and a good amount of suspense (particularly in the sewer scenes) to make this an entertaining romp overall. Highlights include Henry Silva's over-the-top performance as a misplaced big-game hunter who recruits urban "native guides" in his back-alley search for the elusive Ramon.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/22/2022
UPC:	0826663219272
Original Release:	1980
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Language:	English
Time:	1:31:00
Format:	Blu-ray
Sales rank:	10,639

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Forster	David
Robin Riker	Marisa
Michael Gazzo	Chief Clark,Police Chief Clark,Actor
Perry Lang	Kelly
Jack Carter	Mayor
Henry Silva	Col. Brock
Bart Braverman	Reporter
Dean Jagger	Tycoon
Sue Lyon	News Reporter
Angel Tompkins	News Reporter
Perry Lanz	Actor
Pat Petersen	Actor
John Sayles	Actor
Lewis Teague	Actor
Sidney Lassick	Gutchel,Actor
James Ingersoll	Helms
John Wood	Mad Bomber
Robert Doyle	Bill
Patti Jerome	Madeline
Buckley Norris	Bob
Royce Applegate	Callan
Tom Kindle	Announcer
Simmy Bow	Seedy
Jim Boeke	Shamsky
Stan Haze	Meyer
James Arone	Sloan
Peter Miller	Sgt. Rice
Ed Brodow	Ross
Larry Marko	Stanley
John Goff	Ashe
Richard Partlow	Policeman 2
Dick Richards	Gator Vendor 2
JoJo D'Amore	Gator Vendor 4
Bella Bruck	Dot
Kendall Browne	Ann
Anita Keith	Old Lady
Mike Mazurki	Gatekeeper
Margaret Muse	Society Matron
Craig Hundley	Composer

Technical Credits

John Sayles

Lewis Teague	Director
Robert S. Bremson	Executive Producer
Brandon Chase	Producer
Richard Helmer	Special Effects
John Sayles	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This updated version of the giant-animal monster movies that dominated drive-ins during the 1950s modernizes their formula with style and charm. The slyly satirical script by future indie auteur John Sayles delivers plenty of suspense while working in some nifty in-jokes (example: a sewer worker victim of the title creature is named Ed Norton) and some surprising anti-corporate and animal rights messages. Despite the plentiful humor, Alligator still manages to pack a punch because director Lewis Teague takes the shock scenes seriously and crafts them with impressive skill. The most memorable moment is an intense, well-edited scene where the alligator wreaks havoc on an outdoor wedding party. Alligator also benefits from solid acting. Robert Forster anchors the film with his low-key, believable portrayal of an average-joe cop who has to deal with the title monster, and Robin Riker is quite likable as the eccentric scientist who becomes Forster's unlikely partner. There are also scene-stealing supporting performances from Henry Silva as an arrogant big game hunter and Dean Jagger as the shifty industrialist whose illegal waste disposal techniques spawned the alligator. The only truly misjudged element of Alligator is its patchy musical score, which awkwardly mixes synthesizer sounds with orchestral music library cuts. Otherwise, Alligator is a fun monster movie guaranteed to please cult movie fans who likes their exploitation films fast and witty.