Larry Blamire is the comedic genius behind Trail Of The Screaming Forehead, as well as previous sci-fi kitch comedy The Lost Skeleton Of Cadavra. Always providing quality comedy, Blamire has rocketed the tone and style of Cadavra from the black & white 50's to the color sci-fi films of the 60's.
Trail picks up the Cadavra ball where it was left and runs with it, taking the Pod People-like tale of alien foreheads from space and giving it the Blamire comedic flare.
Realistically, it's not quite as funny as Cadavra, losing the raw hilarity and retarded dialogue behind in favor of a stronger film, a fact that's not necessarily a bad thing but somewhat disappointing. This is not the film I'll be watching for the rest of my life, dying every time some inept line is delivered perfectly. Instead, the movie is clever and well-paced, making for a better, more stable viewing experience. While Cadavra had spots that the movie nearly ground to a halt, Trail keeps the pace moving nicely and feels light due to its sparseness.
Of course, the real joy of the film is in the acting. As usual, all the principals are excellent, Blamire himself moving to the background of the cast and putting the excellent Andrew Parks into the spotlight with the beautiful and hilarious Fay Masterson. But, of course, just as with Cadavra, the show is entirely stolen by Brian Howe and his character, Dutch "The Swede" Annacrombie. Howe is a master of turning every line and look into instant comedy and that's why he fits so well into Blamire's casts. Blamire's wife, Jennifer Blaire, yet again gets attention in this film, with many more lines than Animala, looking gorgeous and perfectly period as the mouthy Droxy Chappelle, foil to Blamire's seedy Nick Vassidine, a couple whose side-plot provides excellent breaks from the other characters.
Will Forehead end up being the cult favorite that Cadavra is? Probably not. It just doesn't pack the same punch of gut laughs. But it is good and provides some of the retro hilarity that Cadavra mined so well. You will be thrilled and amused by the pitch-perfect comedic performances, cute plot turns, and killer lines. It won't have you keeled over for the entire film, but you will enjoy the ride.
Thank you, Mr. Blamire.
