Continuing in the Vein

Since I focused on a great horror comedy on Sunday, let’s take a look at another wonderful film that combines frights with laughs.

I grew up watching 'B' movies on tv. The sci-fi and monster films of the 50s were regular guests on the 13" black and white television in my room. 'War of the Worlds', 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', 'The Thing From Another World' and ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ are still preferred viewing at my house. This fun film is a 1990 version of a 50s monster movie that you might have missed!

1990’s ‘Tremors’ is excellently cast. Kevin Bacon (Valentine) and Fred Ward (Earl) play two independent "businessmen". They are basically day laborers looking to make a dollar any way they can. Preferably the easy way. They live in the middle of the desert in a very small town. A very small town. One day, while on the prowl for a quick buck, they discover a rancher who has died a grizzly death. This leads to them being on the run from giant worms that devour everything in their path. Just like every 'B' movie ever made, the plot is simple and just a device to introduce the monster. The on-going debate over what to call the monster is fantastic.

In an inspired casting move, Michael Gross, who played the Dad on 'Family Ties', and singer Reba McEntire are cast as gun-toting, right-wing survivalists. They provide a great deal of ammunition. For the story they provide the ammunition used to hunt the monsters. For the viewer the casting of Gross is a joke in-itself. His work on 'Family Ties' as a very liberal PBS employee is wonderfully contrasted by his survivalist in ‘Tremors’. Watching them discuss which huge gun and explosives to use is priceless.

The creation of ‘Tremors’ is a wonderful story in itself. Screenplay writers S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock were educational safety film makers who, while making a video in the desert, wondered “what if there was something that wouldn’t let us off this rock?”. This led to the creation of the original script. National Geographic director Ron Underwood, a close friend, then used his knowledge of zoology to perfect the concept. Once Wilson and Maddock became hits with their script for ‘Short Circuit’, they were off to the races with this great idea.

As in all great “B” movies the violence is kept to a minimum. It is the viewer's imagination that leads to tension and keeps us engaged. Bacon and Ward, along with the rest of the cast, are directed wonderfully. Great characters and a monster that is out to get them. ‘Tremors’ is great fun at the movies!

Side notes: ‘Tremors’ was not a huge hit upon release. It gained a mass following once it appeared on television. So strong is the love that 5 sequels and a prequel have since been made! Also, director Underwood was opposed to auditioning Reba McEntire. He didn’t want another singer who thought they could act in his movie. She had only done music and music videos. However, once he saw her audition she was immediately cast. Since ‘Tremors’ McEntire has created a wonderful career in front of the cameras.