Squirm (film)
Encyclopedia
Squirm is a 1976
"nature-strikes-back" horror film starring Don Scardino
and Patricia Pearcy. It was the debut of cult horror director Jeff Lieberman
and remains the director's most popular film. Squirm also features early makeup work from Oscar-winning makeup artist Rick Baker. The film was shot over the course of 24 days in Port Wentworth, Georgia
.
by American International Pictures
in July 1976.
This movie was initially rated R by the MPAA and released theatrically in that form in the U.S. Shortly after this initial theatrical release, the U.S. distributor, American International Pictures
, made some minor cuts to the picture and re-submitted it to the CARA. This new cut of the picture received a PG-rating and, subsequently, was also released theatrically by A.I.P. No additional edits were made specifically for the U.S. video release. The R-rated version has a slightly longer shot in the shower in the beginning of the film, and a slightly longer shot of the worms burrowing into Roger's face.
The film was released on DVD
by MGM Home Entertainment
in 2003. The MGM re-release VHS
contains the PG version, while the DVD contains the R version. The R-rated version is one minute longer than the PG-rated version.
created an entire album dedicated to the worm in the egg cream
scene. The album is called Worm in my Egg Cream, and all 16 tracks are titled "Worm In My Egg Cream". It makes extensive use of sound bites from the film.
In 1999, Squirm was one of the final films to be featured on the cult TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000
. The film was heavily edited for its appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Among the many scenes cut from the film was the scene of Mick trudging through the swamp, the conversation between Mick and Alma, the worms' graphic attack on Roger, the gruesome fate of Mrs. Sanders, and the climax where Roger crawls after Mick and attempts to bite him.
1976 in film
The year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
"nature-strikes-back" horror film starring Don Scardino
Don Scardino
Don Scardino is an American television director and producer and a former actor.-Acting:Born in New York City, Scardino began his career as an actor. His first Broadway credit was as an understudy in The Playroom in 1965. Additional Broadway acting credits include Johnny No-Trump, Godspell, and...
and Patricia Pearcy. It was the debut of cult horror director Jeff Lieberman
Jeff Lieberman
Jeff Lieberman is an American film director and writer.His films include:*Squirm*Blue Sunshine*Just Before Dawn*The NeverEnding Story III*Satan's Little Helper-External links:...
and remains the director's most popular film. Squirm also features early makeup work from Oscar-winning makeup artist Rick Baker. The film was shot over the course of 24 days in Port Wentworth, Georgia
Port Wentworth, Georgia
Port Wentworth is a city in Chatham County, Georgia, USA. The population was 5,359 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Port Wentworth is located at...
.
Plot
When a powerful storm knocks Fly Creek, Georgia's power lines down onto wet soil, the resulting surge of electricity drives large, bloodthirsty worms to the surface-and then out of their soil-tilling minds. Soon, the townspeople discover that their sleepy fishing village is overrun with worms that burrow right into their skin. Inundated by hundreds of thousands of carnivorous creatures, the terrorized locals race to find the cause of the rampage-before becoming tilled under themselves.Cast
- Don ScardinoDon ScardinoDon Scardino is an American television director and producer and a former actor.-Acting:Born in New York City, Scardino began his career as an actor. His first Broadway credit was as an understudy in The Playroom in 1965. Additional Broadway acting credits include Johnny No-Trump, Godspell, and...
as Mick - Patricia Pearcy as Geraldine "Geri" Sanders
- R.A. Dow as Roger Grimes
- Jean SullivanJean SullivanJean Sullivan was an American actress and dancer. She acted in film, television and stage productions, and danced both flamenco and ballet, the latter with the American Ballet Theatre....
as Naomi Sanders - Peter MacLean as Sheriff Jim Reston
- Fran Higgins as Alma Sanders
- William NewmanWilliam NewmanWilliam Newman may refer to:* William Newman , politician from Ontario, Canada* William Gould Newman, politician from Ontario, Canada; MPP, 1967–1981* William Newman , football player and coach...
as Quigley - Barbara Quinn as The Sheriff's Girl
- Carl Dagenhart as Willie Grimes
- Angel Sande as Millie
- Carol Jean Owens as Lizzie
- Kim Leon Iocovozzi as Hank
- Walter Dimmick as Danny
- Leslie Thorsen as Bonnie
- Julia Klopp as Mrs. Klopp
Release
The film was released theatrically in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by American International Pictures
American International Pictures
American International Pictures was a film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing Corporation by James H. Nicholson, former Sales Manager of Realart Pictures, and Samuel Z. Arkoff, an entertainment lawyer...
in July 1976.
This movie was initially rated R by the MPAA and released theatrically in that form in the U.S. Shortly after this initial theatrical release, the U.S. distributor, American International Pictures
American International Pictures
American International Pictures was a film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing Corporation by James H. Nicholson, former Sales Manager of Realart Pictures, and Samuel Z. Arkoff, an entertainment lawyer...
, made some minor cuts to the picture and re-submitted it to the CARA. This new cut of the picture received a PG-rating and, subsequently, was also released theatrically by A.I.P. No additional edits were made specifically for the U.S. video release. The R-rated version has a slightly longer shot in the shower in the beginning of the film, and a slightly longer shot of the worms burrowing into Roger's face.
The film was released on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
by MGM Home Entertainment
MGM Home Entertainment
MGM Home Entertainment is the home video and DVD arm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.-History:The home video division of MGM started in 1979 as MGM Home Video, releasing all the movies and TV shows by MGM. In 1980, MGM joined forces with CBS Video Enterprises, the home video division of the CBS television...
in 2003. The MGM re-release VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
contains the PG version, while the DVD contains the R version. The R-rated version is one minute longer than the PG-rated version.
Cultural references
Pittsburgh musician Weird Paul PetroskeyWeird Paul Petroskey
Weird Paul Petroskey is a lo-fi musician in the Pittsburgh, PA, area. He has been writing and recording music since 1984 and releasing music since 1987. The majority of his music is self produced and distributed in limited numbers...
created an entire album dedicated to the worm in the egg cream
Egg cream
An egg cream is a beverage consisting of chocolate syrup, milk, and soda water, probably dating from the late 19th century, and is especially associated with Brooklyn, home of its alleged inventor, candy store owner Louis Auster. It contains neither eggs, cream, nor ice cream.The egg cream is...
scene. The album is called Worm in my Egg Cream, and all 16 tracks are titled "Worm In My Egg Cream". It makes extensive use of sound bites from the film.
In 1999, Squirm was one of the final films to be featured on the cult TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
. The film was heavily edited for its appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Among the many scenes cut from the film was the scene of Mick trudging through the swamp, the conversation between Mick and Alma, the worms' graphic attack on Roger, the gruesome fate of Mrs. Sanders, and the climax where Roger crawls after Mick and attempts to bite him.