Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a 1988 American comedy horror movie, made by The Chiodo Brothers and starring Grant Cramer. It is the only Chiodo Brothers directed and written film – they have worked in many other projects in other roles, such as producing and visual effects.
The film is about aliens (who look like clowns) that arrive on Earth to capture and harvest people in order to use them as sustenance.
Movie notes
- Actor Sam Rockwell appears in his film debut in an uncredited role as a busboy.
- The opening and end credits feature the punk rock band The Dickies performing the film’s theme, “Killer Klowns”.
- The movie’s taglines: “They make Aliens look like a circus” and “In space no one can eat ice cream” parodied that of the 1979 Ridley Scott film Alien.
- The hardcore/emo band Chiodos stated in an interview that their name was taken from the production company’s name of “Killer Klowns…”
- The DVD Commentary indicates that Charles Chiodo portrayed “Klownzilla” in the film.
- Hanson originally died in the original ending, but test audiences liked the character so much that the ending was altered to have him survive.
Action figure
There are two such figures. The first is the most common Klown in the movie, a Klown warrior armed with a deadly popcorn blaster, cotton candy coccoon victim, and a colourful base with a pole to hang the deceased. A Tower Records exclusive figure of the same Klown mold has a radical blue paint scheme with vibrant red and purple highlights. This warrior comes with all the same accessories as the regular Klown, with the exception of the blaster; instead he is equipped with a sinister bat (similar to those the aliens use at end of the movie to pummel the heroes). Though the latter Klown model is considered a one-off variant, it can clearly be seen near the end of the film as one of the first Klowns to reveal itself. It can also be seen earlier in the film during the Klown parade, where it is one of the two Klowns pushing the vacuum that collects the cotton candy cocoons. The only discrepancy is that the figurine comes with a white bat, rather than one of the red ones wielded in the film.There’s a Shadow Puppet Bozo action figure also.
SOTA’s Jerry Macaluso has stated that he would like to create a mega-size “Klownzilla” figure (approx.size up to 20 inches high or more).
Cast
- Grant Cramer Mike Tobacco
- Suzanne Snyder Debbie Stone
- John Allen Nelson Dave Hanson
- John Vernon Curtis Mooney
- Michael Siegel Rich Terenzi
- Peter Licassi Paul Terenzi
- Royal Dano Farmer Gene Green
- Chris Titus Bob McReed
- Irene Michaels Stacy
- Karla Sue Krull Tracy
- Emily Beck Smartass #1 and Queen of the Klowns
