Trail of the Screaming Forehead (2007) User Reviews

Blamire stands Forehead and Shoulders Above the rest

[Scott_Mercer · 7/10 · 25 November 2010]

The scuttlebutt is that apparently, as of late 2010, the film has gotten distribution and will be released to DVD shortly.

The version I saw was the one screened on the Independent Film Channel. According to director Larry Blamire, he stated in a Facebook post that this is NOT his approved cut of the film, so I am curious to see the differences between the two presentations. Any comments I am making here relate to the cut seen on IFC. The only way it could have been seen otherwise was at a film festival, which the film played several of since 2007.

I still loved the film, even if Larry had some problems with it.

You get his usual company of players, and "play" is the appropriate word here, since they all seem to be having a great time, playing around and coming together to pay tribute to a wide variety of classic cinema tropes.

This time, the target is medium budget almost major studio sci-fi extravaganza of the late 1950's or early 1960's. The studio has decided to spring for the indulgence of color film for a sci-fi genre picture, and the art department is told to make the most of that extra investment: costumes, sets and cars are highly colorful, with that saturated technicolor look of films such the Hitchcock productions of the period (like "The Birds," the closest thing Hitchcock ever did to a science fiction film).

A little pre-Betty Friedan feminism is thrown in for good measure, as well as the usual themes of that time such as suburban conformity and the Red Scare/Cold War.

All the actors are spot on, including Larry himself as two-bit hood Nick Vassidine. He probably started life as Nick Vaseline, because he was so greasy, but Larry had to change it due to trademark concerns. Just speculation there on my part.

Also should mention Jennifer Blaire as his moll, Droxy, who has a lot of Moxie. I just hope she doesn't drink it, that stuff is the second worst soda pop ever made.

I hate to bring up the cliché, but if you're a fan of Larry's, you've probably already seen it, and if you don't get his thing, then you never will. I'm just wondering how to convert the unconvinced out there, those not already on the Blamire train. Handcuffs and threats? Bribes and tickling? Infomercials? Any suggestions on bringing Larry's art to a wider audience would be welcome.

Good but a bit awkward

[ninnyhammer1 · 7/10 · 15 June 2012]

I accidentally found Lost Skeleton of Cadavera while channel surfing one day. It became one of my top five favorite movies. I anxiously awaited Lost Skeleton Returns Again and found it to be trying hard to recapture the magic of its predecessor. Trail of the Screaming Forehead seemed to me to be doing the same. I did get a few chucks and one or two "laugh out louds" but I think that was because I knew what to expect. Now I get Larry Blamire and his "so stupid its funny" approach, however in this movie sometimes it worked and sometimes it just didn't. The actors seem less straight faced and tend to get a bit silly at times, even leaving the motivation within motivation that the actors used in Lost Skeleton (Andrew Parks is quoted as saying he imagined himself as an actor who viewed as his most important roll ever).

All thing considered I did enjoy the movie because this is the kind of humor that I enjoy. It will have a cult following I'm sure, and I will watch it again just to notice those little gems I'd missed the first time, just like the first two that I've seen.

Fails as a movie and as camp

[drumax-759-417828 · 1/10 · 21 February 2012]

I understand what they were going for in this movie but it just failed. It wasn't funny...if it had managed to make me even snicker a bit I might be more forgiving but it just seems like trash for the sake of trash. It just didn't work on any level and I understand why nobody wanted to distribute the film. I am sure the actors did exactly what was asked of them but any talent there may have been was stiffled by delibrately awkward dialoge and stilted acting. The movie was a one note running gag that I got immediately and then tired of within the first 10 minutes, after that it was simply a chore to make it to the end of the movie.

Be sure to walk along this "Trail"

[ftm68_99 · 8/10 · 4 January 2013]

How anyone could give this amiable parody of a old sci-fi movies less than a grade of 7 is beyond me. Even if it's not to your taste, it's clear that the movie makers knew exactly what they were doing, and they never cheat.

I've seen all four of Larry Blamire movies (he directs, writes and produces them), and, while they're all sublime, I think this is my favorite. In addition to the wit and affection that's part and parcel of these movies, there's a cheerfulness and joy of living that I find is maybe the most appealing quality of all.

So don't miss "Trail of the Screaming Forehead" on DVD today!

Forehead fun

[FilmFlaneur · 8/10 · 11 October 2016]

So far, the American Larry Blamire has completed five features, achieving in my opinion an admirable and likable body of work, beginning with the well-received Lost Skeleton Of Cadavra (2001). Of the four I have managed to see, each has the distinctive style of its writer-director-actor: genial and humane humour, consistently amusing parody of older genres, allied with use of an increasingly familiar stock company - all of whom seem to be enjoying themselves as much as director and audience.

Blamire writes, directs and frequently acts in his own films, his careful scripts reveling in non-sequiturs and deliberate longueurs whilst eschewing coarse dialogue. The surreal Trail Of The Screaming Forehead stands the most apart from its fellows I have seen, being made in colour, perhaps more expressly silly, with increased special effects work and the inclusion of special guest players (Dick Miller and Kevin McCarthy). Perhaps because of that, whilst still very amusing, it seems a little less characteristic and considered. However, this said, I have to report that after seeing it again lately I chuckled just as much as the first time - something which is entirely in line with those who revisit Blamire's films, which have a quiet quality all of their own and which never grow stale - which is ironic, as they constantly reference dated genres.

I think Blamire is an auteur to treasure, one who gives the art of parody back its name and quality - especially after the dismal, bigger-budgeted attempts of the likes of Jason Friedberg and the Wayans, directors who seem to have no affection for the films they imitate and always aim for the obvious. Their films are, arguably, hardly films at all - merely narrative clothes pegs on which to hang cheap laughs, slapdash and vulgar in equal measure, where Blamire is neither.

Speaking for myself, a sure-fire indication of a good parody is my willingness to revisit the work when the original joke has been seen and gone; this is true of most of Blamire's films, which grow more amusing and endearing upon re-acquaintance. And while the film types Blamire affectionately references have typically long since left our screen, I think his own work set around them remains fresh and original.

Lost Skeleton was the first I discovered and still has a special place in my affections; but there's not much between it and Dark And Stormy Night - the finest ensemble piece in Blamire's work. Only The Lost Skeleton Returns Again I think a slight disappointment - even though it too has its moments, if only because inevitably there's a sense of deja vu in any sequel of this sort while the narrative flow seems a little forced. (I hope to rent a copy of Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits (UK: Meet The Mobsters) soon, as that undoubtedly adds another dimension to Blamire's output albeit one far more commercial.) Although the liking, or not, of any film is always a matter of taste, I would recommend a discovery of Blamire's small but extremely likable oeuvre, filled with charming nonsense, endearing featured players, and quotable moments of dialogue, to anyone. In a world of CGI, bloated superstar egos and coarse humour passing as wit this all comes a pleasant discovery.

Larry Blamire did it again!

[tiffanymayne · 10/10 · 22 December 2006]

This movie is a great spoof to the old sci-fi 50s movies. James Karen and Brian Howe play two great characters. From the opening song to the end 'bell routine', it had me laughing the whole way through. It is full off wit, play on words, and great color saturation. The cheesy special effects make it even more funny, especially with the makeshift spacecraft in the opening scene. The idea of hiding the foreheads is hilarious since it is painfully obvious who has been attacked and who hasn't. The best characters are the sailors who have great chemistry on the screen. If you like Larry Blamire and old sci-fi flicks then you'll love this movie. It's a must see for the whole family.

Very odd

[adriangr · 8/10 · 23 July 2013]

Trail of the Screaming Forehead is (I think) the 4th movie from the mind of Larry Blamire, and it's subject matter is the most eccentric yet. Basically it apes the B movies from the 1950's yet again, with the Blamire twist of more than one strand of plot happening at the same time. So this time we see a female scientist tampering with nature - she's trying to prove that human intelligence is housed in the forehead not the brain, while at the same time, as fate would have it, alien foreheads from another galaxy are invading and taking over the minds and bodies of unsuspecting humans!

The familiar cast from previous movies all return again, and not only that, they come back in this movie (See what I did there?). By now you'll have your favourites, for me it's Alison Martin, who is absolutely hysterical once again this time as the loopy librarian, and Jennifer Blaire, who again looks amazing, plus she's a very good actress and singer so I am surprised she's not seen more often. But all of the cast are great and play everything to perfection.

If anything lets the film down it's the plot, which hinges on anything associated with the forehead, so unless you find this concept funny in it's purest abstract form, you might find parts of the film bewildering. I mean, there's only so much laughter that can be extracted from the subject of foreheads! But they make a very brave attempt. There's also a slight shift in the parody aspect, as there are no more bad special effects, these have all been replaced by adequate special effects, so the humour comes from the script which is littered with just as many of the trademark stilted funny lines as before, in fact this time it feels like EVERY line of dialogue has something silly planted in it, so there's much fun to be had just by listening. I'm amazed that the cast manage to say some of them without getting them wrong.

If you've seen the Lost Skeleton movies and would like more, then this delivers, but for newcomers to this niche genre, I wouldn't start with Screaming Forehead, as it's just too plain odd to grab you as quickly as the previous three Blamire epics. Worth seeing though.

As Enjoyable as Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

[tomservo-10 · 9/10 · 12 June 2007]

Had a great time at the world premier in Seattle. Screaming Forehead is EXTREMELY funny, with great writing and acting. The entire ensemble from Lost Skeleton is back and in fine form, joined by some great additions to the cast. In particular, Alison Martin is hilarious as the town's stream-of-consciousness librarian.

The movie is very pleasant to look at with a wonderful 'day-glow' sixties feel, a great compliment to the grainy black and white feel of Lost Skeleton.

As a big fan, it was a given that I would see the film, if only out of respect for Larry Blamire and the team. But I'm very pleased that the quality of the film is every bit as good as their previous work. Highly recommended.

A terrifyingly funny movie!

[noir-13 · 10/10 · 9 June 2007]

I just was at the world premiere of The Trail of the Screaming Forehead at the Seattle International Film Festival (2007), and it was terrific! I was afraid that The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra would be a hard act to follow (probably the funniest movie of the new millennium)…but they did it! The writing was sharp and funny, the acting was spot-on, the cinematography was great (surreal primaries and pastels of the 1960s), even the score and lyrics were good! The audience was laughing from start to end. Larry Blamire, Jennifer Blaire, Dan Conroy and Trish Geiger were on hand for the Q&A (also very funny). And the film has special treats like animation from Ray Harryhausen, and cameos from movie icons like Dick Miller and Kevin McCarthy. Go see this movie when it comes to your town, buy it when it comes out on DVD!

Remarkably good

[ridgebacked · 9/10 · 5 December 2023]

I was expecting some low budget so-bad-its-good but actually this is fantastic!

It's a very well thought out parody of 70s films. The script, the casting, the score and even the awkward extras are all PERFECT for getting this vibe right. There was obviously a lot of love gone into this.

I was also expecting it to be super wacky, but the jokes are often a way more subtle than the slapstick I expected.

My favourite bit in the whole movie is the scene where a man lights two cigarettes. Had me in tears.

Anyway, I'd definitely recommend this to people. It's an excellent movie and if you love retro trash, there's a lot of nods to the genre.