Wacko

source: Wacko

I'm not sure how they could round up a cast this good for a movie this bad. I suppose Wacko deserves some credit for coming before the Scary Movie franchise, but at least some of those movies occasionally remembered to be funny. Wacko has maybe 2 chuckles throughout it's blessedly short run time and wastes the likes of Joe Don Baker, George Kennedy, Stella Stevens, and Julia Duffy - all talented actors - with some of the most painfully cheesy "jokes." When the almost equally pathetic Student Bodies is a better horror spoof than you, you've got a lot of soul searching to do.

If you thought Student Bodies or Pandemonium were bad, just hold onto your hats, because Wacko is more than willing to take one for the team and make those other two look like grade A masterworks. The cast is better than expected with the likes of George Kennedy, Stella Stevens, Andrew Dice Clay, and Julia Duffy, but they're forced to spit out such inane dialogue that you almost wish it had happened to people you don't know or don't like. If you're even considering watching this movie, don't waste your time. It's time you'll never get back.

I was 4 when this came out and it is a vivid memory of both my brother and I. I have been going into HMV for years saying can you order a film called "the lawnmower killer." Now i know where i have been going wrong. Oh my God, what a film, "Daddy what are you doing??" "Just, err, mowing the lawn." "Sure Daddy, that's what you always say." And the guy who spat the pea soup out after his head rotated 360 degrees. Pure genius and the cop who sees a pool of blood and bends over and picks a sandwich from his pocket, dips into the blood, bites the sandwich, "erm... ketchup." Comedy Genius!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also recall Damian at the dinner table and lots of cake being handed out. It was like everyone got a slab of cake and after it was handed out, Damian at the table pulled a fork out of his leg and ate with it and when he finished the cake, he stabbed the fork back into his leg. Great!! And Daddy took the chainsaw out and chopped off his missus's hair, which was an afro. These are all just memories from over 20 years ago so i think i am doing great.

I think it's funny that someone actually thought this was an inspiration for "The Lawnmower Man," which was actually loosely based on a story published by Stephen King five years before "Wacko" was made. So...inspiration for "The Lawnmower Man"? No. Damn funny horror spoof? Yes. Check this out, along with "Student Bodies"...the only two good horror spoofs to date.

This is absolutely fab. Among the greatest cult movies ever, although it isnt rated like that - yet. Put your brains on the table and enjoy. Joe Don Baker - I salute you.

Joe Don Baker cracked me up in this comedy about an inept cop who is the only one convinced there is a Pumpkin-Headed Lawn Mower Killer on the loose. I first saw this movie in the earlier 1980's, but unfortunately, it looks like it's not available anymore. All I can say is that the images I saw then inflicted emotional scars that took years to heal.....

My brother and I absolutely love this movie. So many quotable lines, so many wonderfully absurd sequences. We know certain sections of this picture verbatim and have even created a techno-track comprised of samples from the film. My fave character is the psychiatrist Joe Don Baker brings into Charles Napier's office, Dr.Dick. What a classic. "If you piss him off....run!" "You've inflicted emotional wounds which may take years to heal!" Also Harry Palms, the school's "vice" principal "Look at him now....gentle as a lamb. And blank as a fart." and of course Joe Don Baker who is always a welcome presence to any picture. His rendition of Dick Harbinger, the cop who hasn't slept in 13 years, is simply sensational. "It's the 13th anniversary of the lawnmower killings. It's October 31st. 31 backwards is 13, it's Friday, it's Halloween, it's Prom Night. There's a crazy loose. I'm outta coffee." It's certainly not a movie for everyone (ie. those looking for sophisticated, high-brow fare or well-drawn characters) but if all you're after is a good laugh then WACKO will do the trick. It's not easy to find - I own a LaserDisc version which is pretty crummy quality and the VHS versions floating around have seen better days but you might occasionally run into this flick on TV late at night. I'll be one of the first to buy the DVD whenever it makes it's way to this shiny new format. It's amazing how many "stars" Greydon Clark was able to assemble for this absurdist extravaganza. Andrew Dice Clay is memorable as Tony Schlongini - "Everyone's talking' about him, people that know him just love him, so if you're feeling down, or if you're feeling blue, this dude will make you feel super-coooool" TONY SCHLONGINI - Owwwwwwwwww!

Move over Star Wars, Wacko is the greatest movie of all time. This movie has it all … from lawnmowers to carrots you don't want to miss Wacko. If you do you are an idiot! Andrew Dice Clay gives a balanced, poignant performance as Tony Schlongini (hey lets all sing along: "Tony Schlongini I am respected everywhere ... Tony Schlongini ... you know how it goes). Jon Don Baker as Dick Harbinger could go down as the greatest hero since Jesus. While some movies are afraid to push the envelope of brilliance (I'm looking at you Godfather!!!) Wacko takes the horror genre to places not scene in Hollywood. Oh by the way I love black women.

This is one of the 1st horror parodys I think that was made. Scary Movie ain't got nothing on it know what i mean? Anyway to be truthful only reason I checked it out since it's Andrew Dice Clay's 1st starring role. And he does a great job as Tony Shlongini. Anyway George Kennedy is also in it, and he does a good job as well. Some really funny original things are in this movie, and it's worth checking out.