Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)
April 30, 2024 2:36 PM - Subscribe

After a wave of reports of mysterious attacks involving people and pets being eaten by the traditionally docile fruit, a special government task force is set up to investigate the violent fruit and put a stop to their murderous spree.
posted by bunderful (7 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I remember my dad showing this to me when I was probably five and not understanding a lot of the jokes, but we watched it many MANY times over the years and it still amuses me. The disguise expert asking for ketchup gets me every god damned time!
posted by miss-lapin at 5:12 PM on April 30 [2 favorites]


I would also note the way they kill the tomatoes being ripped off from Day of the Triffids (fictional large carnivorous plants) would also be what saves the day in Mars Attacks!
posted by miss-lapin at 5:13 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]


The nod to “Jaws” was neat.

I liked the music, particularly the opener and the dance number.

Bit of trivia.

Director’s commentary.

And the trailer.
posted by bunderful at 5:53 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]


This movie lives rent-free in my brain. I've made at least two cover versions of the theme song and I quote it all the time.

Giant Tomatoes mean BIGGER PIZZAS!

The nation is in chaos! Can nothing stop this tomato onslaught?

Even the mere mention of the word is sufficient to induce panic.

The man who says "TOMATO" in that clip is played by Costa Dillon, who made the film. He was not just a tongue-in-cheek director of cheesy films, apparently he was also a celebrated employee of the National Park Service and is now teaching at SDSU.

Any time I'm in a large quiet room I'm tempted to say "To-may-to." which is why I have to avoid libraries.

There are three decreasingly funny sequels although national treasure John Astin is in two of them, and one of them has a character who is a "Tomatologist".
posted by mmoncur at 9:53 PM on April 30 [3 favorites]


This film scores 27% on the tomatometer? Adjust your tomatoes!
posted by fruitslinger at 8:03 PM on May 1 [3 favorites]


That's crazy! The Tomatometer should be 100%, there is NO FILM with more tomatoes than this one!
posted by mmoncur at 1:11 AM on May 2 [4 favorites]


My child hood love for this film was a point of contention with my extended family. I REGRET NOTHING.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:04 PM on May 2 [4 favorites]


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