Movies
Gremlins (Warner Bros 1984, Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates)
In cult classic Gremlins as Christmas approaches, Randall Peltzer (Hoyt Axton) is passing a Chinatown curio shop when he notices a curious pet for sale: a cute, furry Mogwai. Buying it for his son Billy (Zach Galligan), he’s warned that it must never get wet, be allowed into the sunlight or fed after midnight.
Inevitably, all three happen and the cute little animal starts spawning evil, maniacal reptilian killers who begin to cause havoc in the town before their inevitable downfall and the happy ending with the Mogwai once again a loveable, cute pet.
Such was the furore over some of the violent scenes in the film that a new rating, PG-13, was created in America but Dante also has his tongue firmly in his cheek, as the little monsters parody Christmas traditions, show a fine taste in films and breakdance beautifully before creating mayhem against the backdrop of the snow-clad town. The film was a breakthrough for Dante, who went on to direct The ‘burbs (another skewed look at suburbia under threat).
production details
USA | Warner Bros | 106 minutes | 1984
Writer: Chris Columbus
Director: Joe Dante
cast
Donald Elson as Man on Street
Scott Brady as Sheriff Frank
Harry Carey, Jr. as Mr. Anderson
Frank Welker as Stripe/Mogwai/Gremlins (voice)
Polly Holliday as Ruby Deagle
Dick Miller as Murray Futterman
Belinda Balaski as Mrs. Joe Harris
Bob Bergen as Mogway/Gremlins (voice)
Howie Mandel as Gizmo (voice)
Judge Reinhold as Gerald Hopkins
Phoebe Cates as Kate Beringer
Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer
Hoyt Axton as Randall Peltzer
Frances Lee McCain as Lynn Peltzer
Corey Feldman as Pete Fountaine
Keye Luke as Grandfather (Mr. Wing)
John Louie as Chinese Boy
Jackie Joseph as Sheila Futterman
Edward Andrews as Mr. Corben
Don Steele as Rockin’ Ricky Rialto (voice)
Susan Burgess as Little Girl
Jonathan Banks as Deputy Brent
Glynn Turman as Roy Hanson