Ghoulies
| Ghoulies | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Luca Bercovici |
| Written by |
Luca Bercovici Jefery Levy |
| Distributed by | Empire Pictures |
| Release dates |
1985 1988 1991 1994 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Ghoulies films are an American horror-comedy series released throughout the 1980s and 1990s and centered on a group of demons usually summoned by Satanic worshippers.
Films
Ghoulies
The original Ghoulies (released 2 March 1985) originated in 1983 under the title Beasties. It was to be directed by Charles Band, with special effects by Stan Winston (the two had previously collaborated on Parasite). It ended up being directed by Luca Bercovici[1] with special effects by John Carl Buechler and his company Mechanical and Makeup Imageries Inc. The film was released theatrically by Empire Pictures in March 1985 and was a surprise success on home video. Ghoulies also stars Mariska Hargitay and Peter Liapis.[2]
The film depicts a Hollywood style portrayal of evocation, black magic, and the occult.
According to stories Charles Band tells on his Full Moon Horror Road Show, he was tasked to come up with a great campaign to promote the film. During a brainstorming session he came up with the idea to have the Ghoulie popping up from the toilet. The idea was a huge success and the scene was then shot for the film after the fact.
According to Band's 2012 audio commentary for 88Films Blu-ray of Puppetmaster 2, someone else came up with the idea of the Ghoulie popping out of the toilet. Band actually thought it was a bad idea at first.
Ghoulies II
The first sequel was released in 1988 and sees the titular Ghoulies descend upon a carnival. Again produced by Empire Pictures, the film was directed by Charles Band's father Albert Band. Ghoulies and Ghoulies II were released as a double feature DVD from MGM Home Entertainment in 2003. Special features include theatrical trailers.
Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College
The third film saw Buechler step into the director's chair and was released straight-to-video in 1991 by Vestron Video. The film co-starred genre stalwart Kevin McCarthy and is the first film where the Ghoulies actually speak. The film is currently available on DVD from Lionsgate as part of a 8 horror movie DVD set. This was Matthew Lillard's film debut.
Ghoulies IV
The series' fourth and final entry was directed by Jim Wynorski and made by CineTel Films and also released straight-to-video in 1994 by Columbia TriStar Home Video. Original Ghoulies lead Pete Liapis returned to the series as Jonathan Graves, now a detective who must deal with a new pair of Ghoulies. This entry in the series has been criticized by the fans of the series because the 'ghoulies' in this film are completely different; instead of the usual puppet Ghoulies, the movie cast dwarf actors in costumes. Ghoulies IV was released on DVD in 2007 by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment.
References
External links
- Ghoulies at the Internet Movie Database
- Ghoulies II at the Internet Movie Database
- Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College at the Internet Movie Database
- Ghoulies IV at the Internet Movie Database
- Ghoulies - video clips and images at So Bad It's Good
- Ghoulies II - video clips and images at So Bad It's Good
- Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College - video clips and images at So Bad It's Good
- Ghoulies Movies Blog