We all know there are true cult classics in the horror genre, this movie took some time to earn that distinction, but has a rightful place, emerged from the depths in 1984, a science fiction horror film directed by Douglas Cheek, which some inadvertently linked to now proven false urban legend. The tale originated with the supposedly true story from Loveland Cincinnati in the 1972 leading the Loveland Frogman. Alas, none of it influenced the filmmakers, as they filmed their classic in and under New York City and created what fans love Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers and received a limited theatrical release as it earned $4.7 million for New World Pictures. Also, what is interesting to note comes from the four screenwriters, though technically there was only one, which was mystery novelist Parnell Hall, the story came from Stephen Abbott and actors Christopher Curry and Daniel Stern wrote in-changes to their dialogue. The original script involved homeless people driven crazy by toxic waste, but the producers wanted more of a creature feature with hints to zombies, so a large portion of the storyline was changed though some do believe the ‘toxic waste’ angle was a direct oozing leakage from the Love Canal in upstate New York. Strangely and highly unwanted was the lame and dumb sequel C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Bud which played in both Night of the Creeps [1986] and Day of the Dead [1985].
John Goodman, Jay Thomas and Hallie Foote
This sets a lure for the viewer quickly with a woman strolling down a lonely, darkened street walking her pooch, unbeknownst to us she is Mrs. Flora Bosch (Laure Mattos), as a creature reaches out from a manhole cover pulling her yapping doggy and screaming herself down into the sewers. It’s from here the movie begins to spawn a few storylines that will reconnect in stages later, it is a creative way to establish the individual characters and provide minimum exposition, without slowing the past. Next, we introduce to a once well-known photographer George Cooper (John Heard (Locusts [2005])) and girlfriend (maybe more) Lauren (Kim Greist), who is a model, however he is turning to more creative projects namely the Undergrounders, those of the homeless population living beneath the New York City streets. Meanwhile see meet NYPD Captain Bosch (Christopher Curry) who has a very personal interest in missing person cases who is investigating an old adversary The Reverend A.J. Shephard (Daniel Stern (Leviathan ([1989])) who runs a homeless shelter that connects to the hole-in-the-wall to the sewer system, other encampments; who has discovered a governmental connection. The agency the Captain, discovers is NRC – Nuclear Regulatory Commission who is headed by Wilson (George Martin) but aware he’s not being told the whole truth per his police instincts and bullshit measuring stick; especially it is illegal to store this toxic material as harmful the citizens; but Wilson considers it all part of larger plan called C.H.U.D. (Contamination Hazard Urban Disposal); well, the exposure to it is transforming the forgotten and discarded homeless to mutants that are going to monstrous ways to remind people of the existence. This opens the film to a minuscule bit of social commentary, involving the mistrust of so-called safety protocols and the how the homeless are still individuals not wanted trash. A.J. and George meet up and soon discover Wilson’s further involvement and how this effecting the people and how it breaks out of the confines of the underground. So much that it affects Lauren’s life and shows further transformational evolution of the flesh hungry beasts. Nevertheless, there’s one outstanding b-movie line and delivery from Captain Bosch to a bureaucratic “Are you kidding? Your guy’s got a camera. Mine’s got a flamethrower.” (Sergeant Parker (Frankie R. Faison (Cat People [1982])) points his weapon at the cameraman). Soon afterwards, after both diner waitress (Hallie Foote (Paranormal Activity 3 [2011])) and two police offers, including the minor role of John Goodman (Arachnophobia [1990]), are brutally killed by the C.H.U.D.s who seek more food Wilson sets forth the plan to seal the sewers and flood them with gas to suffocate the creatures any witnesses. It is clear who the real monster actual is, the originator of the entire scam and mess.
Christopher Curry and Daniel Stern
George Martin
One key element that stands out and works to bring everything together, is the characters, their tone and dialogue allow for a steady pace which aided the director in the creation of tension especially with the little boy playing by the cellar stairs. These engaging characters have a convincingly naturalistic style, which assists in the believable sequences giving repeated viewings of the film, especially the suspenseful conclusion. When Cheek introduces the government angle makes sure it does not overwhelm the storyline away from the creature feature lurking in the background and hidden primary in the shadows, another smart maneuver. While composer David Hughes generates a worthy score, the crudeness and filth convey easily to the viewer thanks to cinematographer Peter Stein (Friday the 13th, Part 2 [1981]). However, creatures, ala C.H.U.D. still hold up very well, and do not seem too dated for the modern audiences, thanks to special effects leader John Caglione Jr. (The Blob [1988]) slimy beasts with large glowing eyes, and those powerful humanistic claws and enjoy the Shower Scene – it’s a splattering good time.
Kim Greist’s Blood Splatter Shower
This movie faced immense competition during 1984, which highlighted by Children of the Corn, Firestarter, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Night of the Comet, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Gremlins, yet with its b-movie standing held its own with carefully placed lines, and that special cameo role of then unknown John Goodman. I thoroughly find myself entertained by a good character driven monster movie, which makes scary of what is lurking the darkness of subway tunnels; it harkens back to the numerous classy 50s style monsters but with the practical effects of gore found in the beloved 80s. Every year I attend an event called “Comics Here Under Dollar” here in southern New Jersey by a store called Frankenstein Comics (perfect excuse to watch this film again); in addition, Waxwork Records had once released a detailed artwork of the score and lastly, the influence continued with The Sewer Monster mask from Trick or Treat Studios.
Ready for My Close-up, This Is My Best Side
TAGLINES:
- Humanoid. Underground. Dwellers.
- Slobbering. Ferocious. Carnivorous.
- They’re not staying down there, anymore!
- You Won’t Want To Know What It Means.
- A recent article in a New York newspaper reported that there were large colonies of people living under the city… The paper was incorrect. What is living under the city is not human. C.H.U.D. is under the city.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087015/
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
Baron’s Rating: 5.5/10
Followed by C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud [1989]