Killer Clowns from Outer Space
- 88 Minutes. Rated PG-13.
“Nobody stores cotton candy like this…”
How do they all fit in those cars? Why are they so happy all the time? What are they really hiding behind those red noses? The 1988 cult horror film, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, directed by Stephen Chiodo, explains all this and more.
Two young lovers, Mike Tobacco (Grant Kramer) and Debbie Stone (Suzanne Snyder) are at “makeout point” in a small town when they are interrupted by what looks like a shooting star. When they investigate, they find a giant circus tent full of aliens posed as clowns. Barely escaping with their lives, they try to enlist the help of the local police department where Debbie’s ex-boyfriend, Dave Hanson (John Allen Nelson), conveniently works. Dave still carries a flame for Debbie and believes her story to get back in her good graces. Surprisingly, police chief Curtis Mooney (John Vernon), doesn’t believe their story, even after numerous strange reports throughout the night. When Debbie is kidnapped, it is up to Mike, his ragtag group of friends, and an ice cream truck to save the town.
What are the alien clowns doing here, you ask? These clowns want to eat you. Using superior alien technology such as popcorn guns, acidic cream pies, giant plastic parade balloons, and cotton candy cocoon makers, their goal is to restock their ship of human carnival goodies and head out. You were right to think that carnival food was bad for you. I still can’t look at silly straws the same way again.
Call me twisted, but one of my favorite components in horror movies are the humorous and often times outlandish ways people end up dying, which is why I loved the first Saw (before the formula got tired) and amazing Freddy Krueger death puns in The Nightmare on Elm Street series. This movie has some of my favorite death scenes of all time including invisible cars, shadow T-Rex puppets and acid pies. It sounds like something from a MacGyver episode. Here are all the kills in case you don’t want to watch the entire movie in all its splendor.
What else makes this movie great? The dialogue from the true star of the show, police chief Mooney. He is probably most well known for his performance as Dean Vernon Wormer in the comedic college classic, Animal House. “Nobody makes a dummy out of me!” “Killer clowns, from outer space. Holy shit!” and “They took your wife away in a balloon? Well you don’t need the police, pal, you need a psychiatrist!” are just some of the comedic kernels sprinkled into this movie.
This movie is on my top three list of favorite horror movies of all time. I knew my freshmen college roommate (Hi Krysten!) and I were going to be best friends when we both owned a copy of this movie. It actually became part of my dating requirements at one point, which brought mixed results, needless to say. The movie has sweet costumes, an awesome theme song performed by The Dickies, and encapsulates the campy feel of the 80’s horror movie. Everyone has had a clown phobia at one point in their lives. If you are looking for a clown horror movie with a lighter tone than Pennywise, bring this to your next Halloween party.
