DR. GIGGLES
A film review by Ken Johnson
Copyright 1992 Ken Johnson
95 min., R, Horror, 1992 Director: Manny Coto Cast: Larry Drake, Holly Marie Combs, Glenn Quinn, Cliff De Young, Richard Bradford, Michelle Johnson, Keith Diamond, Denise Barnes
When Larry Drake was a child, his father was a doctor and his mother was dying from heart problems. Drake's father lost it and started killing the residents of a town for their hearts, to save his wife. Drake's father was killed by the occupants of the town and Drake, who helped his father, escaped. Now, many years later, Drake is coming back to the town, as a doctor, to get a bloody revenge. Holly Marie Combs is having heart problems and may have to have an operation. Her boyfriend is generally causing her problems and her father Cliff De Young, whose wife just died in an operation, is seeing rather young Michelle Johnson. All this is putting considerable strain on Combs heart. Then Drake, Dr. Giggles, shows up in her life.
DR. GIGGLES is a humorous horror film. It almost seemed to be a parody of modern horror films, but just when I started to get that feeling, the film reminded me that it wasn't. I definitely don't recommend this film to those with a weak stomach. I do, however, recommend this film to any fan of horror films. On a scale of zero to five, I give DR. GIGGLES a four. DR. GIGGLES is rated R for explicit language, adult situations, and graphic violence.
The cast for this film is relatively well known for a horror film. Larry Drake (DARKMAN, MURDER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: THE PAMELA WOJAS SMART STORY) was perfect in the title role. He has this look that can be rather spooky (especially behind a bloody saw). Holly Marie Combs (BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, "Picket Fences") also does a great job. I found myself caring more for her character than I usually do at a horror film. I found her character to be above the typical "horror movie bimbo". Glenn Quinn ("Roseanne," "Covington Cross") does a relatively good job as Combs's boyfriend. He didn't look like he gave all that he could for his role, however. Cliff De Young (SECRET ADMIRER, RUDE AWAKENING, SHOCK TREATMENT), I think, gave the weakest performance in the film. He wasn't on screen for very much, and when he was on, I got nothing from his character. Michelle Johnson (BLAME IT ON RIO, WAXWORK, as well as some small roles in the recent films DEATH BECOMES HER and FAR AND AWAY), also gave a reasonable performance. I will never figure out why she made the beginning credits since her role was rather short. Because of this, no real characterization was created for her character and it was hard to feel one way or another for her.
There aren't many gory scenes in this film, but for the most part, the few that there are turn out to be really good ones. The special effects for the film are very well done. The script is well written and interesting. The film doesn't fall into too many of the typical slasher film cliches, although the ending could have been improved, as it was too predictable. The director Manny Coto, who I think is a first time director, does a great job. The sets that are used are excellent. I especially like how the old doctor's house was made to look on the inside.
-------- Ken Johnson blj@mithrandir.cs.unh.edu
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