A parody of the kind of movies we were already giggling at, which leaves no actual room for parody ... works best when we just go along with [it].
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:66
Fresh:35
Rotten:31
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: Lost Skeleton is clever at spoofing B-movies, but the joke isn't sustainable for its running time.
Theatrical Release:Feb 6, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: It's 1961 and Dr. Paul Armstrong (Larry Blamire) and his lovely wife Betty (Fay Masterson) head into the mountains in search of a recently fallen meteor containing the rare element atmosphereum.... It's 1961 and Dr. Paul Armstrong (Larry Blamire) and his lovely wife Betty (Fay Masterson) head into the mountains in search of a recently fallen meteor containing the rare element atmosphereum. Paul needs it to help him with his science work, but Betty'd just as soon have a vacation. Also in the area, sinister Dr. Roger Fleming (Brian Howe) asks trusty Ranger Brad (Dan Conroy) the whereabouts of Cadavra Cave, mysterious home to rumors of a legend of the Lost Skeleton." That night, both parties witness what appears to be yet another meteor falling. Immediately after, a local farmer is killed by a horrible, unseen thing. Is there a connection? Indeed there is. The second meteor is actually a disabled alien spaceship with a strange couple from the planet Marva, Krobar (Andrew Parks) and Lattis (Susan McConnell). These aliens discover they also need Atmosphereum to power their really high tech ship, and notice their horrible pet mutant (Darrin Reed), which they travel around with for some reason, has escaped. Unfortunately, Dr. Fleming discovers he also needs the atmosphereum to bring to life the dreaded Lost Skeleton of Cadavra which he finds in the cave. After the aliens disguise themselves as earth people with the aid of their "transmutatron", Dr. Fleming swipes it and morphs four different forest animals into his own ally - the beautiful cat-suited Animala (Jennifer Blaire). Now everyone's after the atmosphereum and the Armstrongs find they have their hands full, capturing the mutant, stopping the evil scientist, and vanquishing the power-mad Skeleton who wants to rule the world. [More]
Starring: Larry Blamire, Fay Masterson, Andrew Parks, Susan McConnell
Starring: Larry Blamire, Fay Masterson, Andrew Parks, Susan McConnell, Brian Howe, Jennifer Blaire, Robert Deveau
Director: Larry Blamire
Director: Larry Blamire
Screenwriter: Larry Blamire
Producer: F. Miguel Valenti
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Get This Movie
Reviews for The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
A really, really hokey movie that is indeed so bad it's good. With its deliciously trite dialog and its anything-but-special effects, it's a hoot.
directror Larry Blamire has understood it all perfectly: the tautological dialogue Stiff-as-a-plank thespians in spacesuits, waterlogged messages of interstellar brotherhood.
The film cannot make up its mind. Is it B-movie or a spoof of B-movies?
Anyone familiar with Roger Corman's output in the 1950s will appreciate how much artistry (or lack thereof) has gone into this cornball masterpiece.
The perilously low budget plays to Lost Skeleton’s advantage, and the scant 90-minute running time assures that it doesn’t wear out its welcome.
My bone of contention with The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is that it can't quite straddle the fine line between tongue-in-cheek parody and serious homage.
After about 15 minutes of glossy faux-50's style dialogue, I got the joke and just didn't find it funny enough to last 90 minutes.
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra has to be one of the greatest parodies of old black and white sci-fi movies to date. It is just brilliant.
The score, costumes, sets and intentionally bad, exposition-heavy dialogue (delivered in either cool deadpan or borderline-hysterical readings) are a deft mix of campy spoof and finely shaded replication.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra at IGN
- The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!






