Watch Schlock

Schlock is a horror-comedy film from 1973, directed by and starring John Landis, and co-starring Saul Kahan and Joseph Piantadosi. The movie tells the story of Schlockthropus, a prehistoric ape-man who has been hibernating for millions of years. The film starts off with a scene of a young couple out on a picnic at Lookout Point. As they are making out, a creature attacks and kills them. The police have no idea what kind of animal could have done this. Meanwhile, a scientist named Detective Sergeant Wino (Saul Kahan) is investigating an old cave where he thinks a prehistoric creature might have been found. He discovers a giant footprint and a strange object (Schlockthropus) that was buried in the cave.

It's not long before Schlock has been revived and is causing chaos throughout the town. He wanders around, knocking over trash cans and frightening locals with his monstrous appearance. Eventually, Schlock forms a bond with Mindy (Eliza Roberts), a blind woman who mistakes him for her seeing-eye dog.

As Schlock continues to roam around town, Sergeant Wino and a team of scientists attempt to capture him. However, Schlock is too powerful and proceeds to destroy everything in his path. The National Guard is called in to try and stop the monster, but their efforts are futile as Schlock escapes and continues his rampage.

But as Schlock's destruction escalates, he begins to realize the error of his ways. He starts to feel remorse for the damage he has caused and decides to redeem himself by sacrificing his own life.

In terms of the movie's overall production, it is clear that Schlock is a low-budget independent film. The special effects are fairly crude, and the acting can be somewhat amateurish at times. However, the film's silliness and humor are what make it entertaining. John Landis injects the movie with his brand of wacky humor, and it's clear that the film doesn't take itself too seriously.

The film's monster, Schlockthropus, is essentially a guy in an ape suit. However, Landis manages to make the character feel somewhat sympathetic despite his monstrous appearance. In addition, Eliza Roberts adds a touch of heart to the story as Mindy, the blind woman who befriends Schlock.

One of the most interesting aspects of Schlock is how it foreshadows John Landis's subsequent career. The film is full of references to classic horror movies, and it's clear that Landis is a fan of the genre. This is particularly evident in the film's ending, which pays homage to the famous final shot of King Kong.

Overall, Schlock is a fun, quirky film that should appeal to fans of horror-comedies, as well as those who enjoy low-budget cult classics. Despite its flaws, the movie is a charming homage to classic monster movies, and John Landis's irreverent humor makes it an enjoyable viewing experience.

Schlock is a 1976 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.