Ghoulies (1984)

Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) falls under the evil spell of his late occultist father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres,) after inheriting the family mansion, unleashing a number of grotesque and deadly creatures from another dimension.

Jonathan and his wife, Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan,) invite a group of friends over for a party (including a young Mariska Hargitay) and as the night wears on and folks start to get bored, Jonathan suggests a bizarre ceremony in the basement.

Everyone joins in but nothing happens. Or so they think.

It turns out that Jonathan actually conjured up some slimy, ugly little creatures.

Jonathan becomes more and more interested in the occult (following in his father’s footsteps) and poor Rebecca has no idea of the weird stuff he and his little demons are up to in the basement.

Meanwhile, dear old dad rises from his grave and begins to cause trouble, including transforming into a buxom woman (Bobbie Breese) with a killer tongue.

All the while, the little demons drool and snarl at everyone and occasionally try to bite someone’s face off.

Fortunately, faithful old family retainer Wolfgang (Jack Nance) is lurking upstairs to do battle with the demon dad, and all is restored to normal.

Jonathan’s dead friends are brought back to life (even the ones who have been eaten), and off they all set for the city – while, unseen by them, some slimy little pointed heads peer over the back seat . . .

Although it made money at the box office, Ghoulies is a disaster.

The film is full of unintentionally hilarious moments, from an evil clown doll to that 10-foot long tongue scene. The only moment that has some solid horror is where Malcolm rises from the grave. Three sequels would follow over the next few years.

Jonathan Graves
Peter Liapis
Rebecca
Lisa Pelikan
Malcolm Graves
Michael Des Barres
Wolfgang
Jack Nance
Grizzel
Peter Risch
Greedigut
Tamara De Treaux
Mike
Scott Thomson
Mark, “Toad Boy”
Ralph Seymour
Donna
Mariska Hargitay
Dick
Keith Joe Dick
Eddie
David Dayan
Anastasia
Victoria Catlin
Robin
Charene Cathleen
Temptress
Bobbie Bresee

Director
Luca Bercovici

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