The Psychotronic Man
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| The Psychotronic Man | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jack M. Sell |
| Produced by | Peter G. Spelson |
| Written by | Peter G. Spelson |
| Starring | Peter G. Spelson |
| Music by | Tommy Irons |
| Cinematography | Jack M. Sell |
| Editing by | Jack M. Sell |
| Release date(s) | April 23, 1980 |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Psychotronic Man is a low budget science fiction cult film that opened in Chicago April 23, 1980 at the Carnegie Theatre. It was directed by Jack M. Sell and written, produced and starred Peter G. Spelson. This film is considered noteworthy for three distinct reasons. The first is that the name “psychotronic” became the generic name for C-grade cult movies. In fact, after seeing the movie once movie critic Michael J. Weldon created an extensive list of reviews of obscure quirky films that he felt were under appreciated by the mainstream and then marketed it as the “Psychotronic Encyclopedia.” The existence of the Psychotronic Encyclopedia prompted the creation of the Psychotronic Film Society at which point the termPsychotronic fell into generic use for this type of movie.
The second thing the movie is most noted for are the production circumstances surrounding it. It was one of the few feature films to be shot entirely in Chicago since the days of the silent movie. It was also entirely produced outside any of the existing studio systems and financed by private funds. At the time Chicago’s mayor Richard J. Daley actively discouraged movie making because he felt the movies that were being made at that time period were mostly negative and rebellious, and he wanted Chicago to be seen in a good light. As a result of this there were almost no permits issued to get scenes filmed. This meant all of the scenes including the downtown running gun battles and the high speed car chases with fake police cars were filmed illegally and without permission or prior notification. This is a fact that can be verified by the Illinois Film Board and by Peter Spelson's commentary track on the only DVD release of the movie
It is also known for what happened to it after it was made. It was only played commercially once in Chicago, where it was made. The film did well, however, in the southern Drive-in theater circuit, and in Europe where the name was often changed and then pirated.
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[edit] Plot synopsis
Just as Rocky thinks the world is proceeding along quite well, he dashes out of his shop in a kind of trance, as though possessed. Once outside he is driven to hunt for a victim and after he has found someone, he kills them with whatever forces are latent in his subconscious.
[edit] Influences in popular culture
The film inspired the name of Manchester (UK) Punk Rock band Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man. Many people may think this is true, but it is only a myth, the band had never seen the movie and got into a huge dispute with the Spelson family. In the end they wrote a song about Peter Spelson.
[edit] Cast
[edit] The Psychotronic Man
- Peter Spelson - Rocky Foscoe
- Christopher Carbis - Lt. Walter O'Brien
- Curt Colbert - Sgt. Chuck Jackson
- Robin Newton - Kathy
- Jeff Caliendo - Officer Maloney
- Lindsey Novak - Mrs. Foscoe
- Irwin Lewin - Professor
- Corney Morgan - S.I.A. Agent Gorman
- Bob McDonald - Old Man
[edit] Production
- Direction - Jack M. Sell
- Producer - Peter Spelson
- Music - Tommy Irons
- Cinematography - Jack M. Sell
- Editing - Jack M. Sell
- Art Direction - Fred Becht
[edit] External links
