The Garbage Pail Kids Movie
Encyclopedia
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie is a 1987 live action
musical
film adaptation
of the popular series of children's trading cards
directed by Rod Amateau
. The cards were a parody of the popular Cabbage Patch Kids
dolls and each card featured a character that typically had a gross habit or abnormality. The film depicted many of the Garbage Pail Kids (played by dwarf actors in costumes) interacting with society and befriending a regular boy. This is Amateau's final film. It has since become known as one of the worst films of all time.
). This scene also features paintings with moving eyes, the purpose of which is never explained.
A boy named Dodger (Mackenzie Astin
) is being assaulted by four bullies in a park. The leader of the bullies, Juice (Ron MacLachlan), steals Dodger's money and drops him in a puddle. Dodger goes to Captain Manzini's antique shop where he works, where Captain Manzini takes Dodger's clothes and cleans them while warning him to stay away from the garbage can. Later, Dodger sees Tangerine (Katie Barberi
), one of the bullies and Juice's girlfriend, who seems to be the most compassionate one towards Dodger, and tries to persuade her to buy something. Dodger is attracted to Tangerine and covertly smells her hair while she is distracted. The others bullies enter the shop and attempt to rough up Dodger again, but he manages to outwit them. However, amidst the tussle, the garbage can is knocked over. The bullies then bring Dodger into a sewer, handcuff him to a rail, and open a sewage pipe on him. Dodger is saved by little mysterious people named the Garbage Pail Kids.
Captain Manzini returns and is upset that the Garbage Pail Kids have been released from their can, but introduces Dodger to each of them. Greaser Greg (Jim Cummings
) is a leather jacket-clad greaser with an attitude, Messy Tessie (Teri Benaron) is a girl with a constantly running nose, Windy Winston (Arturo Gil
) is a boy who wears a Hawaiian shirt and often farts violently, Valerie Vomit (Debbie Lee Carrington
) is a girl who throws up on command, Foul Phil (Bobby Bell
) is a whining baby with halitosis
who constantly asks characters if they are his "mommy" or "daddy", Nat Nerd (Jim Cummings
) is an acne-riddled boy who wears a cape and wets his pants frequently and Ali Gator (Kevin Thompson), the group's natural leader, is an anthropomorphic alligator who has an appetite for human toes. Captain Manzini explains that the kids are forbidden from going in public, because they'll be attacked by the "normies" (normal people), and that he can't get the kids to go back into the garbage can without magic.
The next day, Dodger goes with Tangerine to a night club where she sells clothes she designed herself. Dodger behaves awkwardly when Tangerine removes her shirt to sell it. A moment later, Dodger has to hide when Juice shows up. Meanwhile, the Garbage Pail Kids steal a Pepsi truck, flatten Juice's car with it, and then have a camp fire in an alley with stolen food. The next morning, the Garbage Pail Kids recover from hangovers and give Dodger a jacket they sewed. The jacket impresses Tangerine who asks Dodger to get more clothes so she can sell them. The Garbage Pail Kids get bored and decide to wear disguises to go out in public. Some of them go to a theater playing Three Stooges
shorts and behave obnoxiously. Ali Gator and Windy Winston go to a bar where they start a fight with bikers, who are soon won over by the Kids' heroics, in which they celebrate with beers. The Kids make more clothes for Dodger after stealing a sewing machine and singing a song about working together. Tangerine sells the clothes and begins to prepare for a fashion show based on them. She meets the Kids and is repulsed by them, but realizes she can take advantage of their designs.
The night of the fashion show, Tangerine locks the Kids in the basement of the antique shop so that they don't escape, and soon, they are captured by Juice and his gang who bring them to the State Home for the Ugly, a prison where people too ugly for society are brought and executed. Captain Manzini and Dodger help them escape and head to the fashion show. The Garbage Pail Kids trash the fashion show and rip the clothes off the models, while Dodger gets in a fight with Juice. Later that night, Tangerine apologizes to Dodger and asks to be his friend, but doesn't accept her apology for her greed. Captain tries to sing the Garbage Pail Kids' song backwards to coax them back into the garbage can, but the Kids sneak out and ride ATV
s away. The story ends with a cliff hanger ending (and some loose ends, unresolved subplots) which were originally meant to be solved in a proposed "Garbage Pail Kids" live-action TV series (not cartoon series), which never materialized beyond the proposal stage.
, meaning that no established critic gave the movie a positive review. It has also ranked among IMDB's
Bottom 100 Movies, suggesting that it is one of the worst movies ever released. Caryn James of the New York Times said the movie is "too repulsive for children or adults of any age" and that "This crude live-action takeoff on the Cabbage Patch phenomenon ought to have had star Anthony Newley humming 'Stop the Movie, I Want to Get Off.' " The movie has also been accused of being technically incompetent.
The film failed at the box office, grossing only $1,576,615.
Live action
In filmmaking, video production, and other media, the term live action refers to cinematography, videography not produced using animation...
musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
film adaptation
Film adaptation
Film adaptation is the transfer of a written work to a feature film. It is a type of derivative work.A common form of film adaptation is the use of a novel as the basis of a feature film, but film adaptation includes the use of non-fiction , autobiography, comic book, scripture, plays, and even...
of the popular series of children's trading cards
Garbage Pail Kids
Garbage Pail Kids , "La Pandilla Basura" or "Basuritas" in Latin America, "Gang do Lixo" in Brazil, "Sgorbions" in Italy, "Les Crados" in France and "Die total kaputten Kids" in Germany) is a series of trading cards produced by the Topps Company, originally released in 1985 and designed to parody...
directed by Rod Amateau
Rod Amateau
Rodney "Rod" Amateau was an American screenwriter, film and television director.Among programs that he directed were NBC's The Dennis Day Show, CBS's sitcoms The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, starring Dwayne Hickman, and The New Phil Silvers Show, an unsuccessful attempt by comedian Phil Silvers to...
. The cards were a parody of the popular Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids is a line of dolls created by American art student Xavier Roberts in 1978. It was originally called "Little People". The original dolls were all cloth and sold at local craft shows, then later at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia...
dolls and each card featured a character that typically had a gross habit or abnormality. The film depicted many of the Garbage Pail Kids (played by dwarf actors in costumes) interacting with society and befriending a regular boy. This is Amateau's final film. It has since become known as one of the worst films of all time.
Plot
The film opens to a garbage can spaceship flying near Earth. The same garbage can is later shown inside an antique shop owned by Captain Manzini (Anthony NewleyAnthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
). This scene also features paintings with moving eyes, the purpose of which is never explained.
A boy named Dodger (Mackenzie Astin
Mackenzie Astin
-Biography:Astin was born on May 12, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, the son of actress Patty Duke and actor John Astin. His older half-brother is actor Sean Astin. He attended Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School and University High School in Los Angeles, California...
) is being assaulted by four bullies in a park. The leader of the bullies, Juice (Ron MacLachlan), steals Dodger's money and drops him in a puddle. Dodger goes to Captain Manzini's antique shop where he works, where Captain Manzini takes Dodger's clothes and cleans them while warning him to stay away from the garbage can. Later, Dodger sees Tangerine (Katie Barberi
Katie Barberi
Katie Barberi is a Mexican actress best known for her work in telenovelas.-Early life:Barberi was born in Saltillo, Coahuila, to a Mexican father of Italian descent and an American mother. Because of the nature of the careers of both her parents, Katie Barberi attended many different schools...
), one of the bullies and Juice's girlfriend, who seems to be the most compassionate one towards Dodger, and tries to persuade her to buy something. Dodger is attracted to Tangerine and covertly smells her hair while she is distracted. The others bullies enter the shop and attempt to rough up Dodger again, but he manages to outwit them. However, amidst the tussle, the garbage can is knocked over. The bullies then bring Dodger into a sewer, handcuff him to a rail, and open a sewage pipe on him. Dodger is saved by little mysterious people named the Garbage Pail Kids.
Captain Manzini returns and is upset that the Garbage Pail Kids have been released from their can, but introduces Dodger to each of them. Greaser Greg (Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings
James Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
) is a leather jacket-clad greaser with an attitude, Messy Tessie (Teri Benaron) is a girl with a constantly running nose, Windy Winston (Arturo Gil
Arturo Gil
Arturo Gil is an American dwarf actor who has appeared in many films, television programs, and commercials including Spaceballs, Monkeybone, The Fantasticks, Dirty Work, The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas, Silent Tongue, and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.- Filmography :* Agent One-Half * Estudio 2*...
) is a boy who wears a Hawaiian shirt and often farts violently, Valerie Vomit (Debbie Lee Carrington
Debbie Lee Carrington
Debbie Lee Carrington is an American actress and stuntwoman known for her diminutive size . She has appeared in many films and TV shows, including In Living Color, Return of the Jedi, Howard the Duck, Total Recall, Men in Black, Seinfeld, Baywatch, Married with Children , Boston Legal, The Garbage...
) is a girl who throws up on command, Foul Phil (Bobby Bell
Bobby Bell
Bobby Lee Bell, Sr is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.- High school career :He excelled in...
) is a whining baby with halitosis
Halitosis
Halitosis is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.- General :...
who constantly asks characters if they are his "mommy" or "daddy", Nat Nerd (Jim Cummings
Jim Cummings
James Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
) is an acne-riddled boy who wears a cape and wets his pants frequently and Ali Gator (Kevin Thompson), the group's natural leader, is an anthropomorphic alligator who has an appetite for human toes. Captain Manzini explains that the kids are forbidden from going in public, because they'll be attacked by the "normies" (normal people), and that he can't get the kids to go back into the garbage can without magic.
The next day, Dodger goes with Tangerine to a night club where she sells clothes she designed herself. Dodger behaves awkwardly when Tangerine removes her shirt to sell it. A moment later, Dodger has to hide when Juice shows up. Meanwhile, the Garbage Pail Kids steal a Pepsi truck, flatten Juice's car with it, and then have a camp fire in an alley with stolen food. The next morning, the Garbage Pail Kids recover from hangovers and give Dodger a jacket they sewed. The jacket impresses Tangerine who asks Dodger to get more clothes so she can sell them. The Garbage Pail Kids get bored and decide to wear disguises to go out in public. Some of them go to a theater playing Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
shorts and behave obnoxiously. Ali Gator and Windy Winston go to a bar where they start a fight with bikers, who are soon won over by the Kids' heroics, in which they celebrate with beers. The Kids make more clothes for Dodger after stealing a sewing machine and singing a song about working together. Tangerine sells the clothes and begins to prepare for a fashion show based on them. She meets the Kids and is repulsed by them, but realizes she can take advantage of their designs.
The night of the fashion show, Tangerine locks the Kids in the basement of the antique shop so that they don't escape, and soon, they are captured by Juice and his gang who bring them to the State Home for the Ugly, a prison where people too ugly for society are brought and executed. Captain Manzini and Dodger help them escape and head to the fashion show. The Garbage Pail Kids trash the fashion show and rip the clothes off the models, while Dodger gets in a fight with Juice. Later that night, Tangerine apologizes to Dodger and asks to be his friend, but doesn't accept her apology for her greed. Captain tries to sing the Garbage Pail Kids' song backwards to coax them back into the garbage can, but the Kids sneak out and ride ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
s away. The story ends with a cliff hanger ending (and some loose ends, unresolved subplots) which were originally meant to be solved in a proposed "Garbage Pail Kids" live-action TV series (not cartoon series), which never materialized beyond the proposal stage.
Cast
- Anthony NewleyAnthony NewleyAnthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
as Captain Manzini - Mackenzie AstinMackenzie Astin-Biography:Astin was born on May 12, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, the son of actress Patty Duke and actor John Astin. His older half-brother is actor Sean Astin. He attended Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School and University High School in Los Angeles, California...
as Dodger - Phil FondacaroPhil FondacaroPhil Fondacaro is an American actor. A dwarf actor at , Fondacaro began acting in 1981, with the film Under the Rainbow....
(Jim CummingsJim CummingsJames Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
, voice) as Greaser Greg - Katie BarberiKatie BarberiKatie Barberi is a Mexican actress best known for her work in telenovelas.-Early life:Barberi was born in Saltillo, Coahuila, to a Mexican father of Italian descent and an American mother. Because of the nature of the careers of both her parents, Katie Barberi attended many different schools...
as Tangerine - Ron MacLachlan as Juice
- Kevin Thompson as Ali Gator
- Bobby BellBobby BellBobby Lee Bell, Sr is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.- High school career :He excelled in...
as Foul Phil - Larry GreenLarry GreenLawrence Edward Green was a professional football player in the National Football League with the Canton Bulldogs in 1920....
(Jim Cummings, voice) as Nat Nerd - Debbie Lee CarringtonDebbie Lee CarringtonDebbie Lee Carrington is an American actress and stuntwoman known for her diminutive size . She has appeared in many films and TV shows, including In Living Color, Return of the Jedi, Howard the Duck, Total Recall, Men in Black, Seinfeld, Baywatch, Married with Children , Boston Legal, The Garbage...
as Valerie Vomit - Arturo GilArturo GilArturo Gil is an American dwarf actor who has appeared in many films, television programs, and commercials including Spaceballs, Monkeybone, The Fantasticks, Dirty Work, The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas, Silent Tongue, and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.- Filmography :* Agent One-Half * Estudio 2*...
as Windy Winston - Susan Rossitto (Teri Benaron, voice) as Messy Tessie
Reception
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie is considered one of the worst films ever made. It has 0% rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, meaning that no established critic gave the movie a positive review. It has also ranked among IMDB's
Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
Bottom 100 Movies, suggesting that it is one of the worst movies ever released. Caryn James of the New York Times said the movie is "too repulsive for children or adults of any age" and that "This crude live-action takeoff on the Cabbage Patch phenomenon ought to have had star Anthony Newley humming 'Stop the Movie, I Want to Get Off.' " The movie has also been accused of being technically incompetent.
The film failed at the box office, grossing only $1,576,615.
Awards and nominations
Razzie AwardsGolden Raspberry Awards
A Golden Raspberry Award, or Razzie for short, is an award presented in recognition of the worst in movies. Founded by American copywriter and publicist John J.B. Wilson in 1981, the annual Razzie Awards ceremony in Los Angeles precedes the corresponding Academy Awards ceremony by one day...
- Worst New Star: The Garbage Pail Kids (nominated, lost to David MendenhallDavid MendenhallDavid Mendenhall is an American actor and former child actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the films Space Raiders, Over the Top, The Transformers: The Movie and They Still Call Me Bruce.-Biography:...
in Over the Top) - Worst Original Song: "You Can Be a Garbage Pail Kid" (nominated, lost to "I Want Your SexI Want Your Sex"I Want Your Sex" was a single which first charted in June 1987, appearing on George Michael's Faith album, and the soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop II....
" from Beverly Hills Cop IIBeverly Hills Cop IIBeverly Hills Cop II is a 1987 action-comedy film starring Eddie Murphy and directed by Tony Scott. It is the first sequel in the Beverly Hills Cop series. Murphy returns as Detroit police detective Axel Foley, who returns to Beverly Hills, California to track down a joint robbery/gun-running ring...
) - Worst Visual Effects (nominated, lost to Jaws: The RevengeJaws: The RevengeJaws: The Revenge, Also known as, 'Jaws 4: The Revenge', is a 1987 thriller film directed by Joseph Sargent. It is the third sequel to Steven Spielberg's Jaws and the final installment of the series....
)
See also
- List of films considered the worst
- Garbage Pail Kids (TV series, 1987)