ALLIGATOR (1980) at AFS

Ok...maybe not the normal fare for this group, but I thought this might be fun. It definitely fits the "Indie" category.

In 1980 (when this movie came out), drive-ins were on the decline, and the increasing costs of running such operations meant that these venues could no longer afford to show major Hollywood releases. This was the heart of the drive-in movie era, and audiences (and especially teenagers) went as much as anything to socialize and maybe watch a little of the movie. In other words...it really didn't matter what the movie was. It just needed a good poster and enticing name to get the wheels through the gates. ID's were rarely checked.

And while many of these movies were beyond (and yet charmingly) awful, the freedom of not really having to answer to the tastes of a standard movie going audience gave many young filmmakers a chance to get a movie made with very small budgets and little to no oversight by people above them. Many of these filmmakers (including most of the people involved with this movie) learned their craft under the tutelage of the late legendary producer Roger Corman, and while Corman was not directly involved in ALLIGATOR, his fingerprints are all over it.

The film's director, Lewis Teague, had worked with Roger Corman in several capacities before moving onward and upward to Hollywood films such as CUJO (1983), THE JEWEL OF THE NILE (1985), and NAVY SEALS (1990).

The film's star, Robert Forster, had previously acted for Corman in the godawful AVALANCHE (1978), starring with an obviously desperate Rock Hudson and Mia Farrow. Forster was already a drive-in movie regular before his career sprang back to life thanks to Quentin Tarantino in JACKIE BROWN (1997).

ALLIGATOR's screenplay was written by none-other than Corman multi-talented alum John Sayles, who started his career penning the Corman classic PIRANHA (1978) and his own THE RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN (1980), which many people believe THE BIG CHILL (1983) directly ripped off. But his career has been truly noteworthy, penning the classics THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (1984), THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR (1986), EIGHT MEN OUT (1988), PASSION FISH (1992), and a personal favorite of mine, LONE STAR (1996).

But as anyone in Hollywood would tell you...You gotta get your hands dirty before you start accepting that Oscar.

ALLIGATOR is not a terrible film despite being a blatantly transparent attempt to capitalize on JAWS (1975), much as Sayles earlier work, PIRANHA had been. What made ALLIGATOR stand out was that these filmmakers and actors knew what they were doing, and despite having no money (except that which was spent on the barely functioning giant alligator robot - shades of JAWS again), they managed to create a gory, funny (both intentional and otherwise), and somewhat scary monster movie with just enough outrageously sly humor that it's actually quite entertaining. And one extended scene in particular is truly one of the most outrageous takes on the "Eat the Rich" theme I've ever seen. Blood goes everywhere, and you can't help but laugh in much the same way as most people did with films like SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004).

There's no subtlety here. At all.

I mention all this because I know this is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, and I want to make sure you are forewarned. Honestly when I saw that it was playing at AFS, I had pretty much decided just to go on my own. But several attendees at our last AFS outing expressed an interest. So if you too would like to take a fun trip back to the days of the local drive-in, which probably would have shown ALLIGATOR on a double bill with BLOOD BEACH (1980), MOTEL HELL (1980), or HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP (1980), then come join us for a funny, gory, and yes, occasionally scary romp. At least you won't be scared to go back into the sewer this time.

We'll meet at the theater at 7:30 pm in the AFS Lobby for a showtime of 8:00 pm. AFS can occasionally sell out, so its always a good idea to get your tickets in advance online (go to ALLIGATOR | Austin Film Society ). I like to go in as the doors open as seats are not reserved. Those doors will probably open around 7:30 or 7:45 if not before, but I'll hang in the lobby until 7:45.

ALLIGATOR (1980)
Directed by Lewis Teague; 1 hr 29 min.; English