Tourist Trap

This was surprisingly fun and kept my interest 👍

I was 18 when this movie first came out. My early entry into the horror genre included "The Fog," "Alien," and this movie, "Tourist Trap." Those movies not only scared the living daylights out of me, but they also set the stage for my love of horror over the years.The neat thing about Tourist Trap was that it was simply some guy doing bad things. While The Fog had a cadre of 'evil' ghosts and Alien had, well, an alien, Tourist Trap featured a mostly ordinary man (with telekinesis!) who also happened to be a serial killer. It was this movie that ensured I'd be curious in "Motel Hell" (1980) and was a solid precursor to my much later interest in the Saw series.Mind you, this type of horror is not my usual type of horror. There's a bit too much schlock in it for me, even when I first saw it. But Chuck Connors' character is naturally off-putting from the very beginning and all of the victims are portrayed as naturally as people who exist only to be slaughtered can be. The setting is outstanding in its creepiness and the music brings just the right amount of atmosphere without overpowering the dialogue. As others have commented, the opening and closing scenes were by far the best, but the pacing never truly flagged throughout. If you have not seen this movie and don't mind a tiny bit of stereotyping (nothing particularly egregious), check out this film. You won't regret it.

First off, I want to say that I expected the film to be a lot more like the trailer. But, unfortunately, no. The trailer would lead you to believe that these evil, possessed mannequins are coming alive to cause mayhem, terror, and death. But, actually, it is only during the first, relatively brief scene, that the mannequins do much of anything at all. From then on, they're pretty much just a decorative backdrop in the movie. They don't play a big role for the remainder of the plot -- which is disappointing. That being said, though, I still enjoyed this film. It wasn't great, but it held my interest. [spoiler alert] You could almost say that this movie is a mixture of Psycho and Carrie. Imagine if Norman Bates had impressive telekinetic powers, and that's what you have here. Chuck Connors' character has genuine supernatural abilities, but he's also a dangerous lunatic. This wicked combination propels the plot along at a brisk clip. And it does have its exciting, scary, and creepy elements. On the other hand, there are plenty of flaws and weaknesses, too. Several of the female leads are not exactly great in terms of acting ability. One of the male leads, who gets knocked off in the first five minutes, is pretty bad as an actor as well. And there are big gaps in logic, to say the least. For example, after that first guy gets killed, how come no one looks for him or wonders what the hell happened to him -- or even mentions him, for that matter? He just disappears from the plot, and is totally forgotten. Also, one of the Civil War mannequins in the mechanical wax museum gets its head blown off, and then one minute later, his head is back on again, fully intact. And Chuck Connors gets shot with a shotgun, and then he's totally fine in the next scene. I guess it was loaded with blanks? And so on. But it's still fun to see old school horror movies from 1979. They're loaded with nostalgia and quirks. AND.... this film features a long-forgotten vehicle known way back when as the Volkswagen "Thing". It's amusing, and sentimental, to see one again, after all these years. Anyway, this film is not too bad -- it will provide you with a few jolts, and some genuinely creepy shivers. It's a good Saturday night popcorn film, especially if you have a yen for nostalgic 70's spookiness. But don't be fooled by the trailer -- it will only give you the wrong impression.

Multi-lingual, well educated, teacher-turned-filmmaker (or vice versa?) David Schmoeller has outdone himself with "Tourist Trap," another 1979 horror outing that raises the hair of all who encounter it, mostly for the better. I appreciate the fact that the blood and violence were limited here, as the result is actually a low-budget (and low scream, thank God, I'm so tired of the screaming sounds in these otherwise good horror pictures) and low-brow yet nonetheless memorable horror movie concoction. Everyone's favorite rifleman Chuck Connors is on display as a rather cranky guardian of a wax museum whose "brother" is up to no good when a travelling group of teens come through town. The movie leaves you teetering on the verge of saying was that supernatural (?) or was that mechanical (?) and really pulls you in with Connors's effective mannerisms, all of which yields up an incredibly eerie performance that I didn't know he had in him. "Tourist Trap" is important too for its illustration of what can be achieved with a tiny budget and a committed group of actors and filmmakers--the movies of today are losing their sense of cultural independence (today everyone is looking to win an Oscar, promote a political agenda, or toggle onto the attention being given to the newest media "star"--back and forth between gossip and rumors) and creative modesty, and therefore we (as the more serious movie-going audience) lose an appreciation for (and probably a taste for) these lower-level but nonetheless well-meaning pictures that maybe don't have political ends but do have storytelling ends (well, I haven't lost my taste for these movies personally, but being able to see what is happening in culture I can no longer pretend like I don't understand what is going on with the public's level of cinematic taste and acceptance--not a good development for movies, if you ask me).While a genuine slasher/chase movie set up, "Tourist Trap" seems as if it could have been based upon a great old pulp novel or short story concerning some backwoods terrors, and yet the "...Chainsaw Massacre" comparisons are obvious, despite the fact that (to me) they are two very different movies. But what really caught my eye here was the beautiful and vivacious (and pre-"Sheena") Tanya Roberts, an eye-filling example of woman that will take your breath away if you stare at her too long (I confess, she was hard to take the eyes off of). The movies are wonderful because they capture and document the beauty of such women when they are at their physical peaks of perfection and in the prime time of their youth. Running around in those skimpy jean shorts, that tight blue (and shoulder-less) top, and with that straight black (and shoulder-length) hair, Tanya appears to be the classic slasher movie goofball type--but her legs are longer, her tan is better, and her eyes are softer (I was very sad for her character, but I'm not saying anything more). Tanya does not disrobe in this one (at least, not in front of the camera), but she is the most amazing visual effect that I have found in a movie in quite some time. Tanya may not be remembered for being a great actress, but mercy, what a fine and good looking young lady! So, in sum, if you enjoy older horror films that rely more upon script and hand crafted sets and limited special effects, then you'll like this...it certainly has enough mystery to draw you in, while at the same time having enough horror to satisfy its principal audience. I'm glad I checked this one out, and I intend to view it more than once. There is apparently a deluxe 2-disc set that I do not yet own, but it apparently has more features (and maybe a longer cut) than this edition.

This is an unusual slasher item with some teenagers finding themselves out in the backwoods with a hick farmer and his weird waxwork museum, where the models come to life and kill.Not the usual slaughter fest by any means, the film aims for weird ambience and mood rather than a ton of blood-letting, and some of the events seem downright peculiar, and largely unexplained.Th dummies in the museum sometimes appear to talk and move on their own, sometimes through mechanical means, but others via sinister supernatural elements it seems.Chuck Connors overacts shamelessly throughout, and the film does drag a bit in spots, but the whole nature of the film sets it apart from other horrors of this era ( 1979), and it is worth a look if you are seeking something a little offbeat.

This film is everything you'd expect from a late '70s Horror Flick. It has your usual dark picture, Plot with odd twists, and some very strange scenes. I first saw this film about 15 years ago by waking up in the living room in the early hours and seeing the scene with the Plaster! It made me crack up! I thought it was hilarious. I only recently found out what the film was called so looked straight to Amazon.co.uk to find a copy. I would recommend this film to any Horror Fan. I'm not going to spoil it and give away the plot in this review. But as '70s Horror Films go the acting is mostly excellent, the plot believable, the effects good and the picture quality very good. I do not have a single negative thing to say about this one. Seriously get yourself a copy.

A Surprisingly Stylish and creepy Horror from the Charles Band Stable Starring and Equally good Chuck Connors. I thought there was a real Texas Chainsaw feel to Tourist Trap and then was interested to hear in the Directors Commentary that the Effects design was done By Robert Burns the Man Behind Chainsaw Massacre,there are some points in the film that One of the masks worn by the Villain bares a striking resemblance to Leatherface and the whole thing does have a real Backwater,Maniac feel to it.Tourist Trap is well worth A look.It even has an ending with a Vibe to the Texas Chainsaw One.

I first saw this movie in the early days of video tapes.Transfer then was dark and murky to say the least but it still scared the pants off me.To see it 30 years later in such a good print was a revelation.It petrified me all over again.....The cast is good and likable,you want them to survive,and includes a pre "Charlies Angels" Tanya Roberts.It is one of the most underrated horror movies of the late 70s and deserves so much more recognition than it has.Nice to have the original artwork and some decent extras are included.Excellent release and if youre a horror buff and don't own this........SHAME on you!! Go buy.Now.

A film for horror fans. Little bit dated but so is Don't Look Now. Not quite up there but watchable and enjoyable.