Celluloid Diaries: Caturday Movies - The Uninvited

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Caturday Movies - The Uninvited

uninvited horror movie 1988

This week's Caturday Movie is brought to you by Justine Coote from The Overlook Theater and was previously published in the book When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals.

For a monster kid like myself, meeting legendary writer/director Greydon Clark was like meeting Alfred Hitchcock. Although Clark is not as well known or praised for his cinematic achievements, he has left his mark in film history and has inspired countless generations of grindhouse enthusiasts, creature feature kids, and independent filmmakers. Sitting with Mr. Clark at Monsterpalooza, I experienced his love of the genre first hand as we went from discussing his film It Came Without Warning (1980), which was admittedly the inspiration for the film Predator (1987), to one of Greydon’s lesser known creations, Uninvited (1988).

He placed a DVD in my hands with some of the worst cover art - an airbrush profile of a cat hovering above a small yacht in the ocean. "The best monster cat on a boat movie ever made!" Mr. Clark said about it, and I challenge anyone to disagree. The tagline - “Cats have nine lives. You only have one!” - lets the viewer know exactly what they’re in for: entertainment. Sadly this killer cat classic has never been given the respect it deserves. Not only was it made in an insanely small amount of time on a shoestring budget, but you can tell a lot of love went into the making of this film.

Husband and wife team, Jim and Debi Bouldin, are the creators of the cat creature. Jim Bouldin had already worked on the film Predator in 1987, but for Debi Bouldin this was her first onscreen FX work but by no means her last as she later went on to work on yet another feline run amok film, Strays (1991). Both would become the top creators of animatronic animals for TV and blockbuster films. The creation of these much needed animatronic and puppet animal effects allow for realistic yet cruelty-free action and stunts. It’s through their artistic abilities and love of animals (they own a rabbit, five cats, and a dog) that no killer cats were harmed during the filming of Uninvited.

The Bouldins were not the only noteworthy people involved in the creature feature. From Faces of Death and Friday the 13th part 3 to The Avengers and Django Unchained, Allan A. Apone’s resume would easily impress any sci-fi, action, or horror aficionado. Somewhere hidden amongst the classic and big budget titles lies Uninvited on which Allan was the makeup effects supervisor. Allan shows how to make a small budget count as his gore effects showcase creativity in a practical way without coming off as cheap. They even rival the bigger budget practical effects of its time.

A major part of the cast should not come off as strangers to fans of the horror genre either. Actress Toni Hudson went on to be in Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3. Acting veteran Clu Gulager was one of the most recognizable characters in The Return of the Living Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, and most recently Feast and Piranha 3DD. Clare Carey, you will recognize from the classic 1980s horror romp Wax Work. If you look deep into the resume of most great actors, directors, producers and makeup artists, you will find more than a few skeletons, or in this case cheesy low-budget horror releases, in their closets. But let's get back to the killer cat.

The premise is this: a radioactive mutant cat escapes a lab and ends up on a yacht with some spring breakers and an eccentric murdering mafia boss/eccentric stockbroker with a taste for young women. The cat has obviously been through a lot seeing how it’s in a rush to get out of the lab. The feline only mutates and attacks as self-protection and to protect those it cares about, much like most creatures found throughout Universal horror classics. To top it all off, if you’re bitten or scratched by the cat you end up contracting a disease that makes your skin burst out with boils before you die. As if that weren’t enough we have subplots involving old hit men questioning where they are in life, cheating girlfriends, embezzlement, and murder - not by the cat! Who is the real villain here?

This creature is the creation of man, this is not nature run amok. This is something to keep in mind throughout the film, that much like Frankenstein or Jurassic Park, it is humans with their God complexes and complete lack of understanding that are the antagonists. Murder, deceit, and greed all exist amongst these characters before the monster rears its ugly head. Taken from its home like King Kong, the cat is forced to survive by any means necessary.

The setting of a yacht allows for some beautiful and simultaneously bleak settings. The middle of the sea is a place of freedom and adventure but also of danger and solitude. Sailing out to sea allows our characters to be trapped by nature. Whatever troubles they’re escaping from pale in comparison to the troubles ahead where the most basic primal instincts become their only options. The ocean places them at the mercy of nature and turns bravery into fear.

The transition of cat to mutant animal is not that unusual within this story as innocents turn to violence rather quickly with every character. “Fight or flight” is a commonly used human instinct in horror or suspense movies. Quick decisions must be made when our lives or those of the people we love are in jeopardy. Primal instinct kicks in, and everyone on the yacht has to fight for their lives, not only when confronted with the killer cat but with fellow humans as well. In true horror/science fiction form, people never seem to be able to work together and get past their petty greed or jealousy, not even if life is on the line.

All in all, Greydon Clark’s Uninvited is a killer cat movie to be shared and enjoyed by the masses, a fun and cheesy creature run amok film that will have you loving how good bad movies can be. Clark pulls it off and gives the audience exactly what they paid for: entertainment! Creature kids worldwide will keep this title near and dear to their hearts for decades. In a better world, Mr. Clark would receive an Academy Award for his achievements. Sometimes I guess it’s just as good to have made “the best monster cat on a boat film ever."

This essay about Uninvited has previously appeared in the book When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals.

killer cat movies

41 comments:

  1. I advise you to read https://eduessayhelper.org/blog/paper-outline in any case. You can use this info in order to write paper outline.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't like watching horror movies. But I like your blog. Please, continue blogging.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ready to submit your instant assignment help with the help of online assignment helper. Get services of Australiaassignmenthelp.com for help in your assignment. Hire best writing experts online now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Best qualified writers of Students Assignment Help are offering write my essay services to the students. We never miss any of the deadlines as our professional and expert writers are available online 24*7 to help the students.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SingaporeAssignmentHelp.com is largest assignment provider company in Singapore. Singaporean students love to take Dissertation help online from our experts at minimum cost.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love horror movies, but after watching a good movie it's hard to go to bed calmly. I prefer to play online games on Manekicasino after watching. Here are the most interesting games and high bonuses that I received.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The insulation of the water pipes is also done with a material intended for that, and thus no leakage occurs.
    You can do this insulation, which works to provide such a service with high quality and in a very short time, and the result is complete protection from water leaks, whether for walls, pipes and other important home features.

    كشف تسربات بالدمام

    ReplyDelete
  8. The apparent leakage, which can be identified simply because it is located inside the basins, appears in tanks very clearly, and can be identified through an unknown increase in water consumption.
    The other type of leakage is invisible, as it is in the interior walls or the roof of the house, etc. This type is the worst type of leakage.

    شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالخبر

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a horror movie, and we should not watch it lonely because we can feel fear and face some issues. We should watch it in day time and with friends or family members, so that we can save from any problem. Dissertation writing services.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The 70's ever the best horror movie. The best scene of this movie is when the shark is fighting with all animals in the dark night it was full of the scaring scenes.
    Phd Thesis Writing Help

    ReplyDelete
  11. Situations which suit using guaranteed loans for unemployed are called emergency, which means that facing them unexpectedly you can’t wait till the end of the month when get your salary. Among unplanned expenditures the most common are house or payday loans on disability benefits car repair, medical bills and some other expenses which require instant financial support.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The premise is this: a radioactive mutant cat escapes a lab and ends up on a yacht with some spring breakers and an eccentric murdering mafia boss/eccentric stockbroker with a taste for young women. buy pakistani designer lawn suits online , pakistani lawn dress material online shopping The cat has obviously been through a lot seeing how it’s in a rush to get out of the lab. The feline only mutates and attacks as self-protection and to protect those it cares about, much like most creatures found throughout Universal horror classics.

    ReplyDelete
  13. دو سوت تعمیر 2sottamir به مشتریان خود یک راه حل کامل برای همه ارائه می دهد.

    مزایای سرویس و تعمیرات قطعات یدکی در دو سوت تعمیر شامل:

    بزرگترین تعمیرکاران آشپزخانه تهران
    تکنسین های محلی ، مجرب و واجد شرایط تهران، تعمیرات شما را ارائه می دهند.
    عرضه عظیم قطعات وسایل، که مستقیماً برای طرفداران "2sottamir" به درب منزل شما تحویل داده می شود.
    قیمتهای ویژه تعمیرات ما برای لوازم خانگی و الکترونیکی

    ReplyDelete
  14. خدمات تخصصی سرویس و تعمیر موبایل در تهران و حومه

    تعمیر موبایل در دو سوت تعمیر

    ReplyDelete
  15. جهت استفاده از خدمات طراحی لوگو پزشکی در ریوال آنلاین با ما تماس بگیرید.

    ReplyDelete
  16. After reading your article I was amazed. I know that you explain it very well. And I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article. 국산야동

    Please visit once. I leave my blog address below
    야설
    국산야동

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. 중국야동넷

    Please visit once. I leave my blog address below
    야설
    중국야동넷

    ReplyDelete
  18. Really enjoyed reading your blog.It is highly informative and builds great interest for the readers. For the people like us your blogs helps to get ideal information and knowledge. Thanks for providing such blogs. Yeezy Gap Black Jacket

    ReplyDelete
  19. This content is always an interesting topic for me and difficult to find out information about it. Thanks for sharing with us. There's no doubt i would fully rate it after i read what is the idea about this article. You did a nice job. Joe Burrow Jacket

    ReplyDelete
  20. Buy new branded watch Royal Oak Double Balance 41mm Steel Grey , This watch comes with automatic movement and contains an open-worked dial in grey color. Its hour markers are in rose gold color. We are proud of the standard of our watches.

    ReplyDelete
  21. We live in an era where most people use social media to find their favorite products. Line Heights is qualified Social Media Management in Uk . We'll help you gain more organic traffic using different social media platforms.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for sharing helpful information. Visit :Technology write for us

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for sharing helpful information! Visit : Cryptocurrency write for us

    ReplyDelete
  24. It sounds like meeting Greydon Clark was a really exciting experience for you as a fan of his work. Greydon Clark was a prolific filmmaker who directed and wrote many cult classic films, including "Satan's Cheerleaders" and "Joysticks", lolbeans . As a fan, meeting someone you admire can be a thrilling experience, and it's always interesting to hear stories from people who have met their idols. Did you have a chance to ask him any questions or talk about his films with him?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nice Post
    Struggling to keep up with your coursework? Don't let your grades suffer - turn to MaltaAssignmentHelp.com for online assignment help in Malta. Our skilled writers and editors are available 24/7 to help you with any assignment, no matter how complex. Whether you need assistance with research, writing, or editing, we've got you covered.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for sharing this great and useful information in your blog abogado bk cerca de mí. The best monster cat on a boat movie ever made!" Mr. Clark said about it, and I challenge anyone to disagree. It is really good and interesting. Keep sharing more useful blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great blog
    At Greeceassignmenthelp.com, we understand that university coursework can be challenging. That's why we offer a variety of academic services to help you succeed, including the option to pay to do my university assignment in Greece. Our team of experienced writers can help you with any type of assignment, from essays to research papers and more. So why struggle on your own when you can get the support you need from the experts at Greeceassignmenthelp.com?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Information from this blog is very useful for me, am very happy to read this blog Kindly visit us
    A Mecklenburg Traffic Lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in representing individuals charged with traffic offenses in the Mecklenburg area of Virginia. Traffic laws in Virginia can be complex and carry significant consequences, including fines, points on the driver's license, and even license suspension.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wondering about the caliber of translation services? Explore the intricacies of language translation and its impact on effective communication. Stay informed to ensure successful cross-cultural interactions. What Is the Quality of Translation Services? Visit here for answers.

    ReplyDelete
  30. l
    http://www.celluloiddiaries.com/2017/07/uninvited-horror-movie.html

    ReplyDelete
  31. Amazing, Your blogs are really good and informative. Not only was it made in an insanely small amount of time on a shoestring budget, but you can tell a lot of love went into the making of this film bankruptcy lawyers around me. I got a lots of useful information in your blogs. Keeps sharing more useful information in your blogs..

    ReplyDelete
  32. "Caturday Movies presents 'The Uninvited' for feline-friendly entertainment. Curl up with your cat and enjoy this suspenseful thriller. From mysterious plot twists to chilling atmospheres, 'The Uninvited' promises a purrfect blend of excitement. Grab some snacks, snuggle with your furry friend, and immerse yourself in Caturday suspense!" "Your comment is like a burst of confetti, adding joy to our blog. Each word is a brushstroke on the canvas of conversation, creating a vibrant tapestry of ideas. We eagerly await your next insight, as your contributions light up our digital world. Thanks for being our comment superstar!" abogado de delitos sexuales de nj

    ReplyDelete
  33. "Uninvited" - a chilling masterpiece that lingers in the shadows of your thoughts long after the credits roll. This horror movie defies the expected, weaving an intricate web of suspense, terror, and unexpected twists. The uninvited guest in this cinematic nightmare becomes an indelible presence, haunting both the characters and the audience. A must-watch for horror enthusiasts who crave spine-tingling suspense and a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat! 👻🎬 #UninvitedMovie #HorrorFilmExcellence #ThrillsAndChills

    Abogado Defensor Violencia Domestica Nueva Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for sharing this! A quick, delightful read that left me inspired Thanks! Personal lawyers near me

    ReplyDelete
  35. In Perth, obtaining a First Aid certification is crucial for individuals seeking to enhance their emergency response skills. A First aid course in perth typically covers essential topics such as CPR, wound care, and basic life support. Participants learn how to assess and respond to various medical emergencies, providing them with the knowledge and confidence to assist in critical situations.

    These courses are designed to meet national guidelines and are often conducted by accredited training providers. Completing a First Aid course in Perth equips individuals with the necessary tools to respond effectively to accidents or injuries, potentially making a life-saving difference in emergency scenarios.

    ReplyDelete
  36. CelluloidDiaries is a captivating blog delving into the realm of film and cinema. Offering insightful reviews, intriguing analyses, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, it's a cinephile's haven. Dive into its pages for diverse perspectives on movies, directorial insights, and the magic of storytelling on the silver screen.uncontested divorce virginia online





    ReplyDelete
  37. "I'm grateful for your flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. Your versatility is commendable. abogados familia cerca mi edison nj

    ReplyDelete