Crappy film

It is not only a funny movie, but it allows a great amount of joy for anyone who watches it.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Famous, but deranged and hence dangerous avant-garde artist Charles Butler (a gloriously ripe and plummy portrayal by Larry Swanson) kidnaps beautiful models and disfigures them for the sake of his art. Director Joseph Adler, working from a suitably warped script by Larry Cohen, milks the inspired sadistic premise for a good deal of seedy thrills; the bits of fleeting female nudity and mild gore give this picture a reasonably racy and seamy edge. Better still, this movie astutely nails the wackier aspects of the psychedelic 60's: The whole cutting edge pop-art scene setting, the funky opening credits montage, the wild fashions, the crazy hairstyles, the then hip, now hopelessly dated slangy dialogue, a nifty acid trip sequence, and an astounding band performing a get-down gnarly song in a happening nightclub all give this flick a certain authentically far-out period charm. Ross Harris makes for a likable hero as struggling aspiring artist Jason while Jim Vance gleefully hams it up as mad medico Garrison. Moreover, several lovely ladies are on hand to keep the film watchable: Eugenie Wingate as the foxy, but shrill and bitchy Janet, Suzanne Stuart as the sweet and fetching Marika, and Naomi Fink as the attractive Laura. Chris Martell's groovy free-form jazz score hits the right-on swinging spot. The nicely ironic ending packs a pretty startling punch, too. An enjoyable item.

What about Scream Baby Scream is supposed to make me not feel like a fool for buying it? I bought it because, God help me, I'm a sucker for old B-cinema even as worthless as this. Nonetheless, Something about this movie irritates me, it's probably Janet, Janet comes off cold & snooty, seemingly, with the intention of coming off as deep and noble, with a look on her face that screams constipation, she can't seem to agree to anything her uptight boyfriend wants. I'm glad that this is her only role. What really irritates me is that this is a 1960's gore film gone terribly awry, and as we all know, awry is Floridian for "zero gore". It's like the director started with a Herschell Lewis style but backed out of the gore scenes when his wife found out, so instead we end up with one dull conversation after the other, and basically, a whole lot of irritating nothing. In other words, we end up with Florida Bore. Joseph Adler should be embarrassed. Janets boyfriend, Jason is almost as ridiculous as she is, this guy has something negative to say about absolutely everything, come to think of it, he's probably the least likable good guy in horror history. The only thing this movie really has going for it is that it carries that 60's/early 70's B-gore vibe that you can find in stuff like Undertaker & his pals, Blood Freak, or most anything from Herschell Lewis. Even Rodney from the Gruesome Twosome is in this, I Ithought his caveman comedy routine was irritating, most everything from reel to reel is stupid, even the trip scene was stupid. The only positive thing at all is the small amount of beach scenery, but that mostly includes Janet whining about life not being perfect. In the only real ironic twist, Scream Baby Scream gets even less interesting once the story finally gets started, around the 45 minute mark. If you happen to be indifferent to whether or not your entertainment is watchable, but are offended by the color red, you might not hate this. Why does Troma distribute this? Wouldn't this be Something Weird Video's area? Scream Baby Scream very well may be the worst in Florida horror/gore of its era, but, I suppose, underneath the unlikeable characters, and the incoherent plot, lies potential. Scream, Baby, Scream really just seems like it should follow the Blood Feast pattern, so, to steal a quote from Janet, "If it doesn't fit, I throw it out". 2/10

The script is probably the best thing here, the make-up maybe the worst. Larry Cohen would later revise this idea for THE AMBULANCE. There is some fun 70's elements to this movie like chicks dancing in unison and a, rather disappointed trippin' on acid scene, though it does have the characters imagining they are animals at the zoo. There is some good dialog and though the script provides lots of opportunities the pacing of the film though does get a bit sluggish at times. Still a typically odd and interesting Larry Cohen script, would be great to see him or a better director remake it with better actors and better make-up. More naked butts than anything else but for those who wonder is there nudity as part of a decision to see something or not, the answer here is yes some. Fun credit sequence as well.

I can't explain my adoration for this film. I initially saw it sometime in the mid-80's and it was love at first sight. Perhaps it's because it reminds me of Hershell Gordon Lewis with less gore and (somewhat) better acting? Who knows and who cares?! Hot tunes, bad hair, and acid-washed brains make for good times. SCREAM, BABY, SCREAM is a riot and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys those preposterous '60's tripped-out monster movies (you know who you are). For a double dose of groovy gory fun, track down a copy of BLOOD FREAK and you'll never be the same.