Kevin Van Hentenryck
Duane Bradley
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Comedy
Horror
A young man carrying a big basket that contains his deformed Siamese-twin brother seeks vengeance on the doctors who separated them against their will.
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| Release Date | 1982-04-02 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 1h 31m |
| Directors | Frank Henenlotter, Bruce Torbet, Jerome Horwitz |
| Producers | Arnold H. Bruck, Tom Kaye, Edgar Ievins |
| Writer | Frank Henenlotter |
Gory and amusing horror about separated Siamese twins in New York City, one vengeful
A young man from upstate New York, Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck), travels to the seedy side of Manhattan with a mysterious wicker basket, looking for a couple of dubious doctors.
“Basket Case” (1982) is a very bloody ‘B’ horror with (mostly) low-key comedy that’s actually funny. The quaint low-budget effects consist of rubber puppetry & gloves with some stop-motion unapproved by Ray Harryhausen. Blonde Terri Susan Smith shines as Duane’s potential girlfriend, Sharon, while Beverly Bonner heartily rises to the challenge as Duane’s friendly next-door neighbor in hotel, Casey.
The flick is entertaining so I can see how it’s become a cult favorite, but the focus on the seedy side of Manhattan makes for a somewhat unpalatable experience. Yet it’s interesting going back in time to New York City in 1981. Some people lambaste “Basket Case” for being “amateurish” but, come on, it only cost $35,000, which would translate to about $100,000 today.
The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in Manhattan with some stuff done in Glens Falls, New York.
GRADE: B-
— Wuchak