Squirm

Film: Squirm
Genre: Horror
Director: Jeff Lieberman
Year: 1976
Starring: Don Scardino & some Georgians.




Creature features have been a staple of the horror genre for decades, taking ordinary animals and multiplying the numbers, suddenly they become "horrifying," or at least they try. Usually these films center on creatures that seem threatening to humans in some aspects, like snakes, ants, leeches, or giant frogs. But this film takes a bold step and uses worms as their beast of brutality. Yes, the worm; scourge of mankind!

During an large and violent thunderstorm a power line is knocked down, and the excess electricity goes into the ground, diverting it from the city of Fly Creek, GA. Fly Creek is the home to the Hee-Haw inspired family consisting of two sisters, Gerri and >Alma, and their overtly insane mother, who constantly employs the son of their worm farming neighbor: Roger. Eventually a northerner named Mick(Scardino) is invited down to Fly Creek by Gerri to look at some antiques (a true patron of testosterone, this man.) Hark! Remember all that excess electricity? It feeding into the ground has led to all the worms in the area to become rather grumpy, and decide the attack the town. In the process of attacking the town the worms attack the citizens, killing them by the sheer power of their numbers. In their mayhem they attack Roger, but instead of killing him they for some reason turn him into an angry mutant near worm-man.

The film's protagonist is Mick, who is played by Don Scardino. Who you would think would have disappeared into the depths of B-Movie hell after this piece of fantastic ham and genius. But, as I discovered after watching my 30 Rock DVD set, he is actually a fairly prominent TV director, who has won awards for his work, including two prime-time Emmys. In one of the commentaries he is asked if he misses his acting career, after chuckling to himself, he gives a reserved no. After discovering what he had become I rather enjoy his performance in this film, I see it as a stepping stone for him, leading to him working on one of my favorite television programs.

Despite the film being about worms, the villains are not really worms per-say. They vaguely look like worms, but act more like militant centipedes that have been coated in gasoline. Director Jeff Lieberman things he is able to make them look scary by providing many macro shots of the creepy-crawlies and making them roar. The result makes it seem more like a nature documentary more than a horror film.

So, should you see this film? If you like cheesy 70's era horror flicks, then go right ahead. It has an acquired taste that goes with people who enjoy grainy horror films, that aren't necessary. If you aren't into this kind of film, then just watch the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode that lampoons the movie. If you watch this version, you will also be treated to a short film explaining the fantastical greatness of springs, and why you should never wish them away...

Memorable moments:

• Roger's line: "You're gonna be the worm face!" He then seems to stumble off screen.

• The shouting of "Mr. Beardsly!" (This is due largely to the MST3K episode, where it became a running joke.)