SCHLOCK (1973) Blu-ray/DVD Combo
Director: John Landis
Turbine Media Group

Before the gonzo sketch mishmash THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE, the mainstream Hollywood darlings ANIMAL HOUSE and THE BLUES BROTHERS, and the popular horror comedy AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, a 21-year-old John Landis gave us SCHLOCK, now available as a limited edition region free Blu-ray/DVD mediabook from German company Turbine Media Group.

In Agoura, California, bodies are piling up everywhere, along with a clutter of banana peels, and it’s soon discovered that this is the work of a missing-link ape man who had been frozen for ages. Affectionately termed Schlock (as played by Landis himself) — or Schlockthropus if you look at the credits — he continues a reign of carnage, while feasting on bananas, chocolate cake, buttered popcorn and cartons of milk. The raincoated Detective Sgt. Wino (a deadpanning Saul Kahan, INTO THE NIGHT) and his incompetent police force can’t apprehend what’s being deemed “The Banana Killer” even though it's been spotted just about every in town. Blind high school student Mindy (Eliza Garrett, ANIMAL HOUSE) is released from the hospital after surgery and greeted by her doting mother (Harriet Medin, DEATH RACE 2000) and her anxious boyfriend Cal (Charles Villiers, who resembles a young Bruce Jenner). With her vision not fully recovered yet, she encounters Schlock in the backyard and takes him to be a friendly stray dog to play catch with. But when the bandages on her eyes are removed (in a hilarious bit showing a mound of unwound wrappings that could cover a mummy) she screams in horror at the sight of lovestruck beast, who later abducts her during a school dance, carrying her fainted body atop a building so he can be pursued by the National Guard (who exit an automobile as if it was a clown car) King Kong-style.

Shot in about 12 days on a budget of around $60,000, SCHLOCK was made in 1971 and copyrighted as 1972, but not released until early 1973 through Jack H. Harris Enterprises (best known for the 1950s monster hit THE BLOB). Jobbing crew member/actor Landis’ first feature (not helming another one until 1977’s THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE) is an all-out goofy satire, though not unexpectedly, about a monster (“aping” everything from KONG to the more recent 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and TROG), and much of the film’s humor doesn’t fly (the “blind” jokes won’t take well with a politically correct audience, but they certainly are funny in a Mel Brooks capacity). There are a few good running gags to be had, including an obnoxious reporter (Eric Allison, BLOOD MANIA) evading everyone’s handshake until Schlock tears off his arm, the dialogue amongst a group of dumbified investigating teens (named Billy, Betty, Bobby and Barbara), frequent straight-out-of-Warner Bros cartoon violence (usually affecting Sgt. Wino) and sight gags galore. Landis has the proper mannerisms, aggressive beastliness and comic timing to play the monster (keeping things mainly light due to the interaction with children who fear him not), but the real champion here is the convincing ape suit created by a young Rick Baker (who can also be seen briefly during the high school dance sequence and as a National Guardsmen). The homages are present throughout, with the casting of Famous Monsters of Filmland editor Forrest J. Ackerman (as a theatergoer sitting next to Schlock watching a double feature of Harris’ THE BLOB and DINOSAURUS) and “Planet of the Apes” make-up great John Chambers cast as the head of the National Guard who also happens to be the local barber.

Despite its no-budget independent origins, SCHLOCK was actually shot on 35mm with plenty of naturally-lit, sunny locations which constitute a professionally shot piece of celluloid, so especially in high definition, it looks as good as just about any AIP drive-in flick of the period. Not seen in the digital age since the 2001 Anchor Bay DVD, Turbine Media Group in association with director John Landis are now releasing the film as a dual-format mediabook Blu-ray/DVD worldwide-playable combo set that's limited to 2000 copies. The Blu-ray presents SCHLOCK in 1080p HD in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, and this is an all-around strong HD transfer that should please fans. Grain has been retained, creating a nice filmic appearance, and there's plenty of fine detail offered. Colors are bold and have enough pop, flesh tones are perfectly stable, and black levels are strong and inky. The DTS-HD MA 2.0 English audio supports the film's dialogue and the score by David Gibson well, with perfectly adequate dynamic range. A German DTS-HD 2.0 audio track is featured as well, as are optional English subtitles, German subtitles and German dubtitles (when the disc first loads, you are given the option to access the menu in either English or German). The standard DVD (NTSC) included contains a full frame (open matte) presentation of the film.

Picked up from the 2001 Anchor Bay DVD is the audio commentary with John Landis and “Monster Maker” Rick Baker. Baker begins by joking to Landis that he still owes him money for the film, but you can tell that they have an undeniable long-time friendship. Landis tells the story about approaching John Chambers to build a gorilla suit, but not being able to afford his price; Chambers’ suggested Don Post Studios, that too being way too expensive. It was there though that he obtained Baker’s business card (“Rick Baker, Monster Maker”), meeting him at his parents’ home (Landis originally envisioned using a “bad” gorilla suit until he saw Baker’s work and realized he could have a “real” character) . Both have a great memory of the shoot, as they discuss the costs, the creation of the Schlock costume and its make-up process, the cast, locations and the 100+ degree weather they had to deal with most of the time. Jack Harris’ involvement is mentioned, as he put up $10,000 to shoot some additional scenes (including the bit in the movie theater). A hidden feature is “I SHOT SCHLOCK! Bob Collins Remembers” (7:33) as the director of photography reveals how he got the gig, meeting Landis and watching him direct in the ape suit, as well as working with Baker. Collins also plays a bartender in the film, and he discusses his taking on a sleazy look for this character (all of Collins’ children also appeared in the movie).

“Birth of Schlock - An Interview with John Landis” (41:26) is a new interview with the director (who also introduces the film with an apology!) who starts by stating that THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD was the film he saw as a child that made him want to be a director. He talks about growing up in Los Angeles, meeting some of his movie heroes, getting a job in the mailroom of 20th Century-Fox and becoming a production assistant on KELLY’S HEROES. He admits that TROG (which he saw in the theater) was an inspiration for SCHLOCK, and covers his chance meeting with Rick Baker who could make a gorilla suit for a price he could afford (he made the appliances in his mother’s oven). SCHLOCK was a learning experience for him as far as working in the cutting room for the first time. Appearing on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson lead to meeting the Zucker brothers and eventually production of THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE. Also included is a “Trailers from Hell” segment with Landis (over the “Banana Monster” re-release) a set of original trailers (the original U.S. theatrical release, the 1979 U.S. re-release, the 1982 re-release as "Banana Monster, the original German 35mm trailer, and a new transfer of the German trailer comprised from the HD elements), and a bunch of American radio spots. A booklet is included with rare photos which includes liner notes in both English and German. (George R. Reis)

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