Without Warning (1980) review

WITHOUT WARNING 1980 aka IT CAME... WITHOUT WARNING aka THE WARNING

Christopher S. Nelson (Greg), Tarah Nutter (Sandy), Jack Palance (Taylor), Martin Landau (Dobbs), David Caruso (Tom), Lynn Theel (Beth), Sue Ane Langdon (Aggie), Neville Brand (Leo), Larry Storch (Scoutmaster), Ralph Meeker (Dave), Cameron Mitchell (Hunter), Darby Hinton (Randy), Kevin Peter Hall (Alien)

Directed by Greydon Clark

The Short Version: Greydon Clark's alien slasher movie came without warning right at the beginning of the psycho killer boom of the 80s. This cult favorite isn't a particularly good movie but it has enough wacky elements and a few moments of genuine tension that have made it a lovable low budget gem. The plot has been sucked dry like the alien's victims, but there's a fantastic cast including future Oscar winners Jack Palance and his patented overacting; and Martin Landau's crazed 'Nam vet taking overacting to greater extremes. A moderately gory love letter to 50s SciFi, it's extraordinarily well made for a movie with a $150,000 budget. Influential on the makers of PREDATOR (1987), it's easily the best movie about an alien trophy hunter bagging human prey with the use of flying, plasma-slurping alien flapjacks.

An alien hunter lands on Earth seeking human trophies. After their friends are killed, a young couple try to survive the night while being pursued by the intergalactic invader and his flying, blood-sucking parasites.

Greydon Clark's most well-known movie is arguably his best work; wrangling a great cast of actors and television thespians; topping things off with a few moments of surprisingly eerie atmosphere. Elsewhere, gooey effects work from Greg Cannom off-set the silliness of the pentangular shaped, fang-toothed, plasma-sucking organisms thrown like frisbees that wobble on the strings propelling them through the air. 

For a movie made for $150,000 it left a big impression on the writers of the SciFi hit PREDATOR (1987), a big budget movie pitting Arnold Schwarzenegger and other highly trained soldiers against an alien hunter on Earth seeking trophies in the South American jungle. Director McTiernan swapped out the 50s alien invasion motif/80s slasher pairing to suit the 80s Action Hero style that dominated the decade in its respective genre. Another connection between the two movies was Kevin Peter Hall, the 7'3" actor inside the suits of both hostile visitors.

Hall made a career out of playing monsters, and his height suited such roles. His first was inside the mutant killer bear suit in John Frankenheimer's eco-monster movie PROPHECY (1979). WITHOUT WARNING followed next. He's best remembered for his portrayals as the Predator in PREDATOR and PREDATOR 2 (1990). Sadly, Hall would die from pneumonia in 1991. His last film work was in the wild horror-comedy picture HIGHWAY TO HELL (1991).

The bulbous head and thin body of the unfriendly E.T. is typical of the then cultural fascination with aliens. The ingenuity of the creature's costume looks unusual even though it's just a hammock he's wearing. The monster originally used a bow and arrow, but Clark decided for something more organic and specific to the alien. Attached to its body are these parasitic creatures that operate like homing missiles when thrown like a Frisbee. This added feature is arguably what the film is best remembered for.

The success of WITHOUT WARNING is due in no small part to Academy Award winning makeup effects artist Greg Cannom's squishy FX involving the blood-gurgling, alien flapjacks. When they're flying through the air they look silly (especially the glow in the dark variety) till they latch onto a victims face or other body part. The tentacles emerge, injecting into the victim followed by blood and other bodily fluids erupting from the wounds as it feeds on your insides.

The first look at the otherworldly hunter is very well done with Clark channeling a similar shock moment in PSYCHO (1960); Clark's homage being more effective than anything in that film's shot-by-shot remake from 1998. Some choice editing enhances the surprising potency of this sequence; arguably the best one in the movie. Had Clark been able to display that level of fear and horror throughout, WITHOUT WARNING would be regarded as more than the cult camp item it is today.

The cast has some major names from both film and television; the bulk of them feature in a lengthy bar sequence that feels inspired by the season two TWILIGHT ZONE episode, 'Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?' For 15-20 minutes, the young couple enter the bar and detail their story while the cast contemplate what's out there when the lights go out. Other than seeing these old school actors together in the same sequence (for those who remember them), the scene goes on for too long, failing to amass any tension when it really could've used it. The lumbering pace of the director's cut on this blu-ray also tries the patience.

Landau, who was a fantastic actor, must've been on a ham-only diet while making this. It's one of the most overripe performances ever delivered. He's fine at first, but goes into overdrive hogging a lot of screen time that would've been better suited to encounters with the alien. Co-star and future Oscar winner Jack Palance always went overboard in his movies, but he was also a master of exaggeration. Landau would play a similar role in a far better handled psychopathic performance in the underrated slasher/siege horror picture, ALONE IN THE DARK (1982); also co-starring Jack Palance.

 
One young actor in the movie would go on to bigger things later in his career; that actor being David Caruso. In WITHOUT WARNING, Caruso is your standard obnoxious teen character that ends up dead in the alien's shed along with Lynn Thell (the beautiful woman that gives birth to a monster in 1980s HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP). After several additional film roles, Caruso broke big on NYPD BLUE (1993-2005) during its first two seasons, winning a Golden Globe before leaving the show shortly into its second season. Striking out as a leading man in movies, he returned to the TV medium on CSI: MIAMI (2002-2012) for the entirety of its ten seasons. 

Elsewhere there's Neville Brand (1954s RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11; THE UNTOUCHABLES TV series), Larry Storch (comedian and star of the F TROOP TV series as well as numerous TV comedies), Sue Ane  Langdon (famously as Mary on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW), Ralph Meeker (1972s THE NIGHT STALKER), and Cameron Mitchell (1952s LES MISERABLES). Mitchell is the classic example of an actor beginning his Hollywood career in high profile pictures before working predominantly in Drive-in style exploitation movies and becoming known more for the latter than the former.

I saw WITHOUT WARNING opening day back in 1980. I saw the trailer on television that morning and immediately rushed upstairs from the den to beg my parents to take me to see it. My mom passed, but my dad decided to take me. It was a much better movie to me as a five year old than now, but it still retains some charm that isn't all about the nostalgia.

If you were interested in Greydon Clark's movies, WITHOUT WARNING is the best place to start. He has a website where you can purchase DVDs and blu-rays of his films as well as a book about making his movies. He also personally signs the items purchased HERE.

WITHOUT WARNING remained MIA on American home video for years. You had to buy bootlegs of foreign releases if you wanted to see it. Showings on HBO, 3am airings on late night TV, MGM HD, and other networks such as Canada's Drive-in Channel under the title of THE WARNING (our old review HERE) were the only ways to see it on North American shores till its 2014 Blu-ray/DVD debut. If you're a fan who hasn't seen it since its initial run, its landing on American home video is a stunning, and welcome, presentation. For cult fans who enjoy such low budget movies with a fascinating history and impressive acting pedigree behind it, don't ignore this WARNING.

This review is representative of the Scream Factory blu-ray/DVD combo. Specs and extras: 1080p HD 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen; audio commentary with Greydon Clark; actor/producer/FX artist/DP interviews; original theatrical trailer; other trailers; stills gallery; reversible artwork; running time: 01:36:49

Without Warning (1980) review

CULT FILM FAVES NOT ON DVD

This is a section devoted to rare, obscure and as yet to be released on legitimate DVD movies. Some films may have been released in some part of the world, or on some public domain label, or some may have simply never been released at all on the digital format. This section is designed to keep these films alive and to provide remembrance to those who may have seen them in some form or other, whether it be on the silver screen, video tape, or the small screen at home.

WITHOUT WARNING 1980 aka IT CAME WITHOUT WARNING aka THE WARNING aka ALIEN ENCOUNTER (Tentative title)

Christopher S. Nelson (Greg), Tarah Nutter (Sandy), Jack Palance (Taylor), Martin Landau (Dobbs), David Caruso (Tom), Lynn Theel (Beth), Sue Ane Langdon (Aggie), Neville Brand (Leo), Larry Storch (Scoutmaster), Ralph Meeker (Dave), Cameron Mitchell (hunter)

Directed by Greydon Clark

***NOTE: This review of WITHOUT WARNING is representative of a broadcast from the Canadian Drive In Channel. The title on this version of the film as seen from the screencap above is one of its alternate titles, THE WARNING.

"That Alien...he came down here for the sport! He wants to get himself a few trophies, and you know what? Right now, you and me...we are the prize!"


A huge alien predator from outer space comes to Earth in search of human trophies. A group of young people try to survive the night against the intergalactic menace and his organic, flying, plasma sucking creatures.


Bad movie director, Greydon Clark helmed this interesting 1980 horror picture, the most well known on his resume. Essentially a slasher movie replacing the titular masked murderer with a tall alien hunter, WITHOUT WARNING differentiates itself with some low budget creativity. There's some very nice atmosphere most prominently during the night sequences and a couple of scenes generate some decent suspense. Clark's direction is akin to most of his other directorial efforts; lazy at times with bad dialog and an overabundance of hamminess.


The alien (played by frequent creature performer, Kevin Peter Hall) is a nice design with its blank, dead eyes and large bulbous head. The costume for the monster is a bit unusual as well. Originally, the alien was to have used a bow and arrow as its primary weapon of death. According to Clark, it was his idea to do away with the more Earthly style weapon and opted for a more creatively gruesome method for the otherworldly visitor to snatch his victims. Instead, the alien has these organic, toothy creatures that are attached to its hosts body. He rips one away and throws it like a frisbee at his prey. The spinning critters stick themselves to their victims and sprout tendrils preventing them being torn from the skin. The creatures then suck away blood and other juices from the unfortunates body.


The flying discs of death aren't realized in much of a realistic fashion, but once they latch onto a victim, the grue is quite effective (courtesy of Greg Cannom). If anything, WITHOUT WARNING contains one of the most intriguing monsters in horror cinema. I remember seeing the trailer for the film back in 1980 and shortly thereafter me and my father went out to see it at the local theater. It made an impression on me at the time, but upon seeing it again years later, it serves as little more than a curiosity piece with an occasional good moment here and there.


Greydon Clark made a career out of working in 'B' movies whether it be in front of, or behind the camera. He made appearances in many of his films as well as films from other directors. Some of his directorial work includes the blaxploitation riot, BLACK SHAMPOO (1976), SATAN'S CHEERLEADERS (1977), another star studded alien opus called THE RETURN (1980) the slasher spoof, WACKO (1982) and the hilariously bad mutant killer cat aboard a yacht flick, UNINVITED (1988).


Clark was good friends with a lot of old Hollywood actors and assembled many of them for this movie. The extended sequence inside the bar seems to go on forever and comes off as just a showcase for Palance, Landau and Brand to spout a lot of bad dialog and act insane for about 15 minutes. Palance and Landau (especially Landau) play their characters as completely bonkers and on the verge of a breakdown. At one point, Landau's character somehow ends up with a police vehicle and picks up the two main characters having been chased through the woods by the flying disc creatures. He then attempts to kill them when they manage to escape the car and jump off a bridge into the water below.


Jack Palance takes center stage among the more notable performers on hand. Interestingly, he plays his role of Joe Taylor in an almost identical vein to the military psychopath he played in the superior slasher movie, ALONE IN THE DARK (1982). Palance had an mesmerizing face that served him well especially in villain roles. He has dabbled in just about every genre you can think of. A very popular actor in European territories, Palance lent his talents to all manner of genre cinema in Italy appearing in horror, westerns and modern day crime pictures among his extensive resume. Palance also played himself as the host of the original RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT, OR NOT (1982-1986) television show. That series retained a more macabre horror tone than its later incarnation with Dean Cain as host.


Martin Landau, another alumni from ALONE IN THE DARK who also played a nutjob, plays a similarly unhinged character in WITHOUT WARNING. Unlike Palance, Landau is unbearably over the top. One gets the impression he really didn't want to do this movie as his acting is some of the worst in the picture. Landau was an Oscar winning actor whose career followed a similar trajectory to that of his colleague, Jack Palance. He has a massive resume filled with all manner of television and cinema roles such as THE TWILIGHT ZONE, THE WILD, WILD WEST, THE OUTER LIMITS and GUNSMOKE to name just a few. Landau will most likely be best remembered for his recurring role in the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1966-1969) tv series and the lead in the science fiction program, SPACE: 1999 (1975-1978).


Larry Storch was a familiar face on television and movies. He was a great friend of Tony Curtis (Jaime Lee's dad) and the two did a string of movies together. Storch, like a fair number of other old Hollywood actors and actresses, did voiceover work on cartoons and dozens of television work including two hilarious episodes on GOMER PYLE U.S.M.C. (1964-1969) where Storch played General Manuel Cortez. Storch is probably best known for his role on F TROOP (1965-1967), a goofy and fun anachronistic western comedy program.


David Caruso, who later found major fame on the popular CSI: MIAMI (2002-2009) show got his start in low budget pictures and various tv shows as well. His role in WITHOUT WARNING is the typical disposable oversexed teen who meets a gruesome end at the hands of the monster. He did get to make out with the beautiful Lynn Theel before meeting his doom. Theel was also mutilated by monsters the same year in the cult classic exploitation flick, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP (1980; also reviewed here).


Neville Brand was a oft seen character actor on television and had starring roles on such popular programs such as LAREDO (1965-1967) and guest appearances on shows like THE TWILIGHT ZONE, WAGON TRAIN, GUNSMOKE and THE VIRGINIAN. He had a somewhat memorable horror lead role in Tobe Hooper's EATEN ALIVE (1976).


Ralph Meeker is another familiar face on television having appeared in shows such as ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and IRONSIDE and movies like THE ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE and THE DIRTY DOZEN (both 1967). Cameron Mitchell had a recurring role on the popular western show, THE HIGH CHAPARRAL (1967-1971) among dozens and dozens of other credits. He has a brief role in WITHOUT WARNING during the outset, and his resume is littered with far too many grade Z movies (although some of them have a high fun factor of their own) when his career took a downward spiral towards the end of the 1960's.


WITHOUT WARNING (1980) has a healthy fan base and oddly enough, it's never been released on tape or DVD in America. There were VHS releases in foreign countries, but not in its home country of origin. Despite its many shortcomings, it nonetheless has a goofy charm all its own that at least makes it worth one viewing for the peculiar creatures. Old school horror fans will also get a big kick out of spotting many of the familiar faces from tv and movies.