By: debbie lynn elias
The time is 1961. Dr. Paul Armstrong and his trusty wife and all around assistant Betty head up into the mountains (in this case, Lake Arrowhead, California) in search of a meteor that has fallen to Earth. Ah, but this isn’t just any meteor. This one contains that extraordinarily rare element known as (GASP!) atmosphereum. Essential to Paul’s work, he simply must locate the meteor. Lurking about the crash site though is the evil Dr. Roger Fleming who it seems is seeking the whereabouts of Cadavra Case, home to local legend, “The Lost Skeleton.” That night, while Armstrong looks for his atmosphereum and Fleming looks for Cadavra Cave, another object falls from the sky. Ah, but is it a meteor or an alien spaceship? Of course it’s a space ship, silly! (How else could we have a sci-fi spoof without aliens?)
Enter Krobar and Lattis, your average happy couple from the planet Marva who, together with their beloved mutant pet, have crash landed on earth. Interestingly, it looks like Krobar and Lattis need atmosphereum to repair their ship. Even more interestingly, turns out Dr. Fleming needs atmosphereum to bring the Lost of Skeleton of Cadavra to life once he finds it.
Embarking on their own scavenger hunt for atmosphereum, Krobar and Lattis use their “transmutatron” to transform their appearance into that of Earthlings. Stumbling upon the aliens and their technology, however, is the evil Dr. Fleming who steals the transmutatron in order to make his own little assistant, Animala, a combination of four little woodland creatures all rolled into one. And she looks good in a cat suit, to boot! (Hey, Armstrong has Betty, Krobar and Lattis have each other. It’s only fair that Fleming get someone in his camp, too.)
Will Armstrong find the atmosphereum first? Will Fleming? What about Krobar and Lattis? What about their mutant pet? What about the Skeleton? To find out the answers to these and so many other aching questions, go see, “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra Cave”!
Larry Blamire clearly has an affinity and adoration for the material here. Written in a mere five days and shot in 10, he capitalized on every lovable memory and laugh from the “B”, “C” and “D” movies of the 50’s and early 60’s and by directing the work, perfectly translated his vision to the screen. In his role as Paul Armstong, he likens himself to a scientist’s version of Ed Wood or even, to some degree, Dr. Frank N. Furter in “Rocky Horror Picture Show” – the biggest camp phenomenon of all time. Veteran actress Fay Masterson, who began her career as Pippi Longstocking and has been seen in such works as “Eyes Wide Shut” and the recent cable western “Peacemakers,” is ideal as the perenially preppy Betty Armstrong. Another “Majestic” veteran, Brian Howe, camps it to the hilt here as Dr. Fleming, drawing hoots and howls at every turn. But the real eye-popping performance is that of Jennifer Blaire as Animala. Bringing a new level of sensuality to both the genre and this film, she is the reason men will run to see “Skeleton.” (And to think she never auditioned for “Catwoman” is beyond me.)
But the real fun of this film is the low budget camp. With props purchased on E-bay, including an old Geiger counter and a box full of electric meters which served as the “bridge” of the alien space vehicle (Note to Larry Blamire: You should have checked my father’s basement. A treasure trove I assure you!!!), candleholders used as drinking goblets and a used medical school skeleton, same served as a real test of ingenuity for Blamire and his crew. And for special effects, well, who needs CGI! One of my favorite effects, the atmosphereum meteor, was created by using a singed, spray-painted art supply sea sponge with a light bulb placed inside to create that all essential glowing effect. (Note to film makers though, light bulbs will make sponge burn and smolder.) Completing the package is the work of film editor Bill Russell who enhances the camp with an 8 or 16mm, handcrank moviola look. Nice job.
Another key to a film of this ilk is the score and again, Blamire did his homework well, actually selecting vintage music from the period, but doing same before shooting so as to stay on track with the sense of the film and the period. Shot in Bronson Canyon (which was also used in “Robot Monster”) and Lake Arrowhead, California, the locations work well to enhance the ambience and feel of “camp.”
Low (and when I say low, I mean, l-o-o-o-o-w) budget, hackneyed one-gag one-liners, cheesy effects, rubber suits, characters pulled through frames by string, and E-bay purchased props make this spoof of the black & white sci-fi Saturday matinee flicks of days gone by (although I do remember them) an absolute must see with a good time guaranteed for all. An independent production written, produced, directed and starring Larry Blamire, thanks to some extraordinary behind the scenes marketing and screening efforts, “Lost Skeleton of Cadvara” was picked up by Tristar and Sony and hits theatres on February 13. Now THIS is a movie.
Larry Blamire: Dr. Paul Armstrong Fay Masterson: Betty Armstrong Jennire Blaire: Animala Brian Howe: Dr. Roger Fleming
Written and directed by Larry Blamire. A Tristar-Sony Pictures release. Rated PG. (90 min)
