Writer: L. Ford Neale, John Huff
Director: Seymour Robbie
Actors:
Frank Campanella as Ted Chapman / John Hoyt as Dr. Beckwith / Kathie Browne as Lt. Irene Lumont / Tom Bosley as Jack Flaherty / Albert Paulsen as Dr. James Verhyden / Margaret Avery as Ruth Van Galen / Lew Brown as First Detective / Bill Deiz as Second Reporter / George Finley as Dr. Phillips / Frank Marth as Colonel Brody / Tom Moses as Dr. Gordon / Cliff Norton as Arnie Wisemore / Keith Walker as First Reporter / Kelly Wilder as Receptionist / Paul Baxley as Lawrence Earl Coogan / Craig R. Baxley as the Creature / Andrew Robinson as Shipping Clerk / Uncredited actor as Howard Kipler
Memorable Line:
Vincezo: "Carl, Carl! I don't want to hear anymore about that giant newt!"
Story:
The government attempts to hide a series of mysterious deaths at an underground storage facility
Kolchak ends with a straightforward creature feature that acts as an ode to Sci-Fi’s past (The story recalls a few from the original Star Trek) as well as a nod to its future (The Government conspiracies of the X-Files). While there’s humor, it focuses more on the terror and cover-up.
Yes, it’s a flawed production, with a thin story that is padded out with unedited shots of people walking to their destinations or riding carts through halls. The cinematography is grainy. The lizard suit - which looks like a sports team mascot with its laughably oversized head- was wisely kept in the dark for the most part. They do try and get clever with that by making the creature photophobic, and there are a couple of goosebump-inducing scenes where it destroys the lights as it draws closer to its prey.
Performances are at times out-and-out hammy, the comedic delivery exaggerated, silly. Some speculate that the unhappy McGavin came off rather bored. I don't see it. Oh, he might have been sick of it all but he was also enough of a pro that he puts in an effort and manages some good reaction shots, especially in dealing with the cop of the week.
Speaking of which… I appreciate the fact that in the past few shows the writers have moved beyond the screaming Captains and explored a few new personality types. To this end, we have Lt. Irene Lamont, played by Kathie Browne, the real-life wife of Mr. McGavin. She's got everyone wrapped around her finger, but Kolchak doesn't buy it, and it's amusing watching him roll his eyes as his fellow newshounds fawn all over her. (Oh, and I love the name she gives Carl's car).
Sentry is not a critical darling, and I agree it's far from perfect. But it does have its B-movie style charms and has become a bit of a guilty pleasure among certain fans. And I number myself among them. I enjoy this in the same way I enjoy the Giant Claw or Corman’s Attack of the Crab Monsters. It’s a cheesy good time, with some nice claustrophobic elements and a good opening scene... with the camera following an unnerved Kolchak who announces, "It's after me"
Grade: B-
No comments:
Post a Comment