Munchies (1987)

While exploring caves in Peru with his annoying doofus son, Paul (Charles Stratton), eccentric “space archaeologist” Simon Watterman (Harvey Korman) – who is trying to prove that Aliens built Machu Picchu (!) – discovers a strange creature. He calls it “Arnold” and takes it with him in his backpack when he returns to the serene small American town of Sweetwater, California.

Arnold is stolen by Simon’s evil twin brother Cecil (also played by Harvey Korman), a snack food entrepreneur who wants Simon’s land for himself.

Cecil’s idiot stoner stepson, Melvis (Alix Elias),  has a fight with the creature and chops at it with a knife – inadvertently transforming one into four.

More aggressive as a group, the four crude little puppets start to terrorise rural California – causing mischief at ice cream shops, miniature (36-hole!) golf courses, video rental joints and Burgerland – whilst Paul tries to chase them down.

It should come as no surprise that Roger Corman produced this low-budget Gremlins knockoff. Director Tina Hirsch worked as an editor on that 1984 film.

Two “sequels” followed.

Cecil Watterman/Simon Watterman
Harvey Korman
Paul Watterman
Charles Stratton
Cindy
Nadine Van der Velde
Melvis
Alix Elias
Eddie
Charlie Phillips
Big Ed
Hardy Rawls
Dude
Jon Stafford
Bob Marvalle
Robert Picardo
Marge Mavalle
Wendy Schaal
Buddy Holly
Scott Sherk
Terry
Lori Birdsong
Amy
Traci Huber-Sheridan
Dr Crowder
Paul Bartel
Little Old Lady
Ellen Albertini Dow
Old Indian
Jerado De Cordovier
Ramon
Roberto A. Jimenez
Burgerland Manager
Chip Heller
Burgerland Employee #1
Michael Lee Gogin
Burgerland Employee #2
Larry Nicholas
Burgerland Employee #3
Kevin Thompson
Dwight
Justin Dreyfuss
Biker Chick
Jan Kuljis
Head Biker
Paul Short
Dean
Steven Bernstein

Director
Tina (Bettina) Hirsch