HoopTober 8: Mosquito Takes Mandragon

Movie 47
6th of 12 countries: USA

See? This is the kind of obscure little gem that only the horror genre seems to be able to turn over as hopeless cases like me dive deep deep deep down the rabbit hole. It looks pretty cheap. It doesn't make a huge amount of sense. If you were so inclined, you could just dismiss it as a pathetic waste of celluloid (in fact, that might be the verdict of most non-horror fans, so fair warning if that's you). But I just thought it was charming and fun and for 90 minutes or so I was perfectly content and didn't feel the need to be doing anything else.

The film stars Wings Hauser, and so is instantly imbued with a certain queasy appeal. He's his usual slightly demented self. The supporting cast is largely less-than-stellar in the acting department, although we do get Bo Hopkins as the drunk, useless sheriff with a heart of gold and, classing up the joint considerably, Jennifer Warren as the local GP.

So this starts out as a kind of hicksploitation jam as Wings and his brother get immediately victimised by "southern" rednecks on their random road trip (mind you, Wings totally asks for it by driving like an absolute ass-hat). However, once entering the bar at the next town (which makes The Slaughtered Lamb look like Cheers), they soon discover themselves in the middle of a sinister epidemic. Chemicals are turning the locals into zombies. Or vampires. Or... something. Actually, these guys are most like the infected folks in Cronenberg's Rabid. Actually, although nowhere near as good as that movie (and yes, I like Rabid more than most), I have to give credit where it's due - I think these infected look better than the ones in the Cronenberg film.

I know "pulp" is not the right word for movies like this, but I want to use it anyway. This movie is pulp in that delicious way that so many forgotten American horror movies from the VHS age are. As and when this gets a deluxe, steelbook, limited edition 40th anniversary blu-ray release, I'll be lined up to purchase it (assuming I haven't already missed it). Great fun!