On this day April 22, 1988, Return of the Killer Tomatoes hit theaters as the follow up to the cult comedy Attack of the Killer Tomatoes from 1978. The film brought back the absurd horror parody style and added a heavy dose of self aware humor, breaking the fourth wall and poking fun at sequels and movie tropes.
Starring Anthony Starke, Karen Mistal, John Astin, and a young George Clooney in one of his earliest roles, the story follows a mad scientist turning tomatoes into humanoid soldiers using a bizarre transformation formula. The movie openly mocked its own low budget and even used fake product placement as a running joke. It was not a hit in theaters, but it found its audience later through home video and midnight movie screenings. Today, it stands as a beloved entry in the world of ridiculous 80s horror comedies.
Fun fact: George Clooney often poked fun at this movie in later interviews, calling it one of his earliest and most unforgettable film experiences.
Trivia question: What future director known for working on big budget action films like Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol once worked in the art department on Return of the Killer Tomatoes?
Starring Anthony Starke, Karen Mistal, John Astin, and a young George Clooney in one of his earliest roles, the story follows a mad scientist turning tomatoes into humanoid soldiers using a bizarre transformation formula. The movie openly mocked its own low budget and even used fake product placement as a running joke. It was not a hit in theaters, but it found its audience later through home video and midnight movie screenings. Today, it stands as a beloved entry in the world of ridiculous 80s horror comedies.
Fun fact: George Clooney often poked fun at this movie in later interviews, calling it one of his earliest and most unforgettable film experiences.
Trivia question: What future director known for working on big budget action films like Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol once worked in the art department on Return of the Killer Tomatoes?
