Hysterical

Cast

Julie Newmar
as Venetia

Cindy Pickett
as Kate

Richard Kiel
as Captain Howdy

Bill Hudson
as Frederic Lansing / Casper

Mark Hudson
as Paul

Brett Hudson
as Fritz

Bud Cort
as Dr. John

Robert Donner
as Ralph

Murray Hamilton
as Mayor

Clint Walker
as Sheriff

Franklyn Ajaye
as Leroy

Charlie Callas
as Dracula

Keenan Wynn
as Fisherman

Gary Owens
as TV Announcer

Helena Makela
as Nurse

John Larroquette
as Bob X. Cursion

Pat Colbert
as Hooker #1

Indy Shriner
as Hooker #2

Pamela Bowman
as New York Model #2

Sue Casey
as Bookstore Society Lady #2

Natalie Core
as Bookstore Society Lady #1

Mary Ellen Flaherty
as Bookstore Society Lady #4

Bill Cort

Annie Willette
as Bookstore Society Lady #3

Robert Alan Browne
as New York Press Man

Gene Castle
as Lead Zombie Dancer

Kathy Cherry
as Sexy Girl

Dick Chudnow
as Looney

Maurice Sneed
as Looney

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Critic Reviews for Hysterical

Audience Reviews for Hysterical

• Oct 08, 2008

  Long before the Wayans brothers dragged the horror spoof genre through the gutter with their Scary Movie series, The Hudson Brothers wrote and starred in this little gem that spoofs every horror movie from Jaws to The Exorcist. When a novelist retreats to sleepy little Hellview to recharge his writing batteries, he becomes immersed in a 100 year old mystery involving a haunted lighthouse, and the discovery of the long dead lighthouse keeper, Captain James Howdy. The townsfolk call in two inept...whoops, I mean intrepid adventurers, Dr. Paul Baton and Fritz, to investigate what it all means. When the corpse of Captain Howdy returns to life, he begins killing townspeople, turning them in to turtleneck wearing zombies who say only "What difference does it make?" It's all tied in to the spirit that inhabits the light in the lighthouse. Completely non-sensical, cheesy, and juevenille, it's also inexplicably entertaining. Set on the Oregon coast, the movie does contain a certain cool atmosphere that adds to the movies charm. A lot of well known character actors make the most of their small roles, including Murray Hamilton, spoofing his own role of the town mayor from Jaws. As usual, he refuses to close the beaches. Watch for John Larroquette in a small role as the worlds worst tour boat guide, Bob X. Cursion. Other genre character actors include Richard "Jaws" Kiel, Julie "Catwoman" Newmar, Franklyn Ajaye, and Cindy Pickett. Parodies of Dracula, Jaws, The Exorcist, Friday the 13th, Night Of The Living Dead, and countless others abound, culminating in a dancing zombie musical number. Not a gut busting laugh riot, but incredibly charming, and undeniably fun. I don't think the movie ever got a theatrical release. It's one of those movies I discovered long ago on cable, thinking I was the only one who ever saw it. Over the years I've met many others who have the same "Oh yeah, I remember that movie! I love that movie!" moment of recognition when I mention it. A cult movie if there ever was one.
  RJ M Super Reviewer
• Mar 23, 2008

  Remember the Hudson Brothers? That wacky comedy team that follows in the footsteps of the Marx Bros? Don't worry, no on does. Still, I loved it when I was a kid, especially "The Hop" scene. I would really love to see this one again.
  Christopher B Super Reviewer
• Jul 10, 2007

  I loved it as a kid when they showed this movie every free Pay-TV weekend in the 80's. It had funny jokes about my favorite horror films. It was just as good as Airplane! I thought. Now it's a bit goofy, dated and cheesy. The Ralph character who rode the bike and kept saying "You're all doomed!" got pretty annoying. The Hudson Brothers had lame jokes; where did they come from, and where did they go after this weird film? Boys, it just isn't funny anymore. I loved the Venecia ghost woman (Julie Newmar) in the lighthouse, and her freaky husband Captain Howdy (Richard Kiel). The intentionally-generic opening title song is still funny today. "What difference does it make?"
  Lafe F Super Reviewer

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