"The Day It Came to Earth" (1977)
Movie review by William Moriaty

Cast:
George Gobel...........Professor Bartholomew
Roger Manning............Ronnie McGuire
Wink Roberts............Eddie Newton
Rita Wilson.............Debbie Jones
Delight DeBruine.........Sally Baxter
Bob Ginnaven...........Lt. Mike Kelly

Produced and Directed By:  Harry Thomason
Screenplay By:  Harry Fisk

Music By:  Joe Southerland

This low-budget 1977 flick is basically a 1970's nostalgic look at late 50's/early 60's sci fi/horror movies. The story centers on two midwestern/southern frat boys, "Ronnie McGuire" and "Eddie Newton", and their encounter with the reanimated corpse of a slain gangland mobster.

The "creature" was formerly an organized crime member named "Lou Jacobi" who testified against the mob in the Kefauver Hearings. "Jacobi" is killed by two mob thugs in front of the "Jonquil Hotel" who drive out into the country and dump his body in "Miller's Lake". Actor Ed Love plays both the "creature" and "Lou Jacobi".

After "Jacobi's" body is thrown into "Miller's Lake", we pan over to a nearby college where we find out that none other than "Lonesome George" Gobel is a science teacher named "Professor Bartholomew". Early on, student "Ronnie McGuire" asks "Lonesome George" about his views on UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Tactfully, the prof from "Hollywood Squares" brushes off the question with a boilerplate response that any academician would be proud of.

Once class is over we see our "Dynamic Dunderheads", "Ronnie" and "Eddie" try their hand at pick-up patrol by asking students "Sally Baxter" and "Debbie Jones" out on a date to, guess where now y'all? That's right! "Miller's Lake"! Later that evening as "Ronnie" and "Eddie" are in their dorm contemplating life, the universe and women, a UFO that "Ronnie" wants so desperately to see, goes flying over their heads and dorm--after they've gone bed! Better luck next time Bucko! In reality the UFO is merely a meteorite that looks like a piece of trash on fire. And where do you suppose that meteorite ends up crashing? Right again! "Miller's Lake!"

This is no ordinary meteorite for it not only glows in the dark and makes a funny noise, but it can reanimate the dead! "Lou Jacobi", who now looks like the fish made a four course dinner out of his face now has superhuman strength, which he uses to kill the two torpedoes that whacked him. The "creature" growls like a cross between the Tasmania Devil and Rick Dees on crack (I don't really know what that old "Disco Duck" would sound like on that blow, but it must be some horrible!).

This cheesy-yet-fun flick has a most maniacally bizarre oboe and violin musical score when the "creature" is shown stalking. The remaining musical scores are meant to replicate ballads from the late 50s and early 60s. The movie's intro song, "Hoppin", sounds like Jerry Lee Lewis playing a synthesizer for the first time. Nevertheless, this awful flick has managed to stand the test of time as one of my all-time favorite movies since I first saw it on Channel 28's "Elvira's Movie Macabre" back in September 1984.

Best Actor:
Boy is this a tough one! If hard-pressed, my kudos go to Bob Ginnaven for his portrayal of police "Lt. Mike Kelly".

Worst Actor:
Is a tie between Wink Roberts ("Eddie Newton") and Delight DeBruine (don't ask--"Sally Baxter").

Worst Portrayal:
"Sally Baxter" going into conniption fits at police headquarters after encountering the "creature".

Most Memorable Deliveries:
"Professor Bartholomew" exclaiming "I know that!" when reviewing a chunk of the meteorite brought to him by "Ronnie" and "Eddie".

College girl after being alarmed by the "creature": "Oh Gawd, ah thank ah wet mah pay-ants."

"Lt. Kelly" after almost being involved in a head-on collision due to the inattentive driving of his police sergeant: "Day-ahm"

"Professor Bartholomew" explaining to "Lt. Kelly" what a meteorite is. This has to be seen to be believed! And to think that that old ukulele-playing "Lonesome George" used to grace billboards on I-75 for Palm Harbor Homes back in the 70s and 80s. Yet another reason other than tornadoes and divorce settlements to not invest in a manufactured home!

The movie synopsis and review of "The Day It Came To Earth" is ©2002 by William Moriaty. "Schlockarama™" is a part of Crazed Fanboy™ dotcom and all contents are ©2002 by Nolan B. Canova

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