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{{Short description|1988 film by Donald G. Jackson}}
{{Short description|1988 film directed by Donald G. Jackson}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{all plot|date=June 2019}}
{{missing information|the film's production, theatrical/home media releases, reception, and legacy|date=June 2019}}
⚫
}}

{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Hell Comes to Frogtown
| name = Hell Comes to Frogtown
| image = Hell Comes to Frogtown.jpg
| image = Hell Comes to Frogtown.jpg
| director = [[Donald G. Jackson]]<br />R. J. Kizer
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = {{Plainlist|
| writer = Donald G. Jackson and<br />[[Randall Frakes]] (story and screenplay)
| producer = Donald G. Jackson<br />Randall Frakes
* [[Donald G. Jackson]]
* R. J. Kizer
| starring = [[Roddy Piper]]<br />[[Sandahl Bergman]]<br />[[Cec Verrell]]<br />[[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]]<br />[[Rory Calhoun]]
⚫
}}
| cinematography = Donald G. Jackson<br />Enrico Picard
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
| editing = R. J. Kizer<br />James Matheny
* Donald G. Jackson
* [[Randall Frakes]]
}}
⚫
| story = Randall Frakes
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Donald G. Jackson
* Randall Frakes
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Roddy Piper]]
* [[Sandahl Bergman]]
* [[Cec Verrell]]
* [[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]]
* [[Rory Calhoun]]
}}
| cinematography = {{Plainlist|
* Donald G. Jackson
* Enrico Picard
}}
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* R. J. Kizer
* James Matheny
}}
| music = David Shapiro
| music = David Shapiro
| distributor = [[New World Communications|New World Pictures]]
| distributor = [[New World Communications|New World Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|1988|1| |U.S.}}
| released = {{Film date|1988|1|}}
| runtime = 88 minutes
| runtime = 88 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
| budget = $1.5 million<ref name="HellFrogtownCF">{{cite magazine |last=Biodrowski|first=Steve|date=July 1988|title= Hell Comes to Frogtown|url=https://archive.org/details/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2018%20No%205%20%28July%201988%29/page/n17/mode/1up?view=theater|url-status= |magazine=Cinefantastique |location= |publisher= Fourth Castle Micromedia|access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref>
| budget =
⚫
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''Hell Comes to Frogtown''''' is a 1988 American [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] [[action film]] that was created by [[Donald G. Jackson]]. The screenplay was written by Jackson and [[Randall Frakes]]. The film was directed by Jackson and R. J. Kizer, and stars [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[Roddy Piper]] as well as [[Sandahl Bergman]], [[Cec Verrell]], [[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]] and [[Rory Calhoun]].
'''''Hell Comes to Frogtown''''' is a 1988 American [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] [[action film]] directed by [[Donald G. Jackson]] and R. J. Kizer, and written by Jackson and [[Randall Frakes]]. The film stars [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[Roddy Piper]] as Sam Hell, one of the last remaining fertile men in a [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] world populated by both humans and mutant [[amphibian]]s. The film's cast also includes [[Sandahl Bergman]], [[Cec Verrell]], [[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]] and [[Rory Calhoun]].

''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' was followed by two sequels: ''[[Return to Frogtown]]'' (1993) and ''[[Max Hell Frog Warrior]]'' (1996).


==Plot==
==Plot==
This film is set in a [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] wasteland where few fertile men and women exist due to atomic fallout. As a result, the government places a high priority on those whom can still breed. Shortly before the movie opens, a group of mutant [[Amphibian|amphibians]] (who have been exiled to the desert by humans) capture a group of fertile women and are using them as sex slaves.
In the late 20th century, a large-scale [[nuclear war]] ends in a [[nuclear holocaust]]. In the aftermath, Earth has become a [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] wasteland, where, due to [[Nuclear fallout|fallout]], most humans have been rendered sterile. As a result, the government places a high priority on those who can still breed. Additionally, humanity now shares the planet with a race of mutant [[amphibian]]s, whom the government has exiled to the desert and prohibited from possessing firearms.


Sam Hell, a nomadic scavenger, is recruited by the provincial government to serve as a human [[Stud (animal)|stud]]—they tracked him down by following a trail of pregnant women left in his wake from his travels, and have determined that he is one of few remaining fertile men in existence. A protective codpiece that monitors Hell's physiosexual condition is affixed to his groin and secured by an [[electronic lock]]. Upon learning that the mutant amphibians have armed themselves and taken a group of fertile human women hostage, Hell is ordered to infiltrate the mutant city (derogatorily referred to as "Frogtown") and rescue and impregnate the women. He is accompanied by nurse Spangle and corporal Centinella.
Sam Hell (Piper) is a [[Nomad|nomadic]] traveler who wanders the countryside. He is eventually captured by an organization of warrior-nurses, the closest thing to a government in his region of the world, who reveal that they located him by tracking the trail of pregnant women left in his wake. Their original plan was to use him as breeding stock with their collection of fertile women, but this was the group captured by the mutants. With their own attempts to capture the women failing, the group presses Hell into service as a mercenary; he is to infiltrate the mutant city (derogatorily referred to as "Frogtown") and rescue the women. To make sure that the rebellious Hell follows his orders, he is forced to wear an electronic protective codpiece that will explode if he disobeys or tries to abort his mission. Having already had numerous samples of his reproductive material taken, he is now deemed far more expendable than the women themselves. To aid him in his mission (and make sure he follows the plan), he is paired with one of the nurses, Spangle (Bergman), and an aggressive guard named Centinella (Verrell).


During their journey to Frogtown, Hell tries numerous times to escape but quickly learns that a device Spangle carries will shock his genitals if used or if he gets too far away from it. Despite their rocky start and Spangle's initial cold demeanor, the pair grow closer during the journey and eventually fall in love. When they reach Frogtown, everyone involved is captured. The frogs' second-in-command, Bull ([[Nicholas Worth]]), tortures Hell and attempts to remove the codpiece for its technology. Meanwhile, a slightly drugged Spangle is forced to work as a slave and dance for the frogs' Commander Toty (Brian Frank) in the notable "Dance of the Three Snakes" sequence. Proving more successful than she had wished, the nurse soon finds herself at the mercy of the aroused commander. However, with the codpiece now removed (Bull finally removed it with a chainsaw, but it blew up and killed him), the escaped Hell rescues her along with the group of fertile women (Ellen Crocker, Kim Hewson, Ilana Ishaki, Annie McKinon and Janie Thorson) held captive. <ref>http://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/hell-comes-to-frogtown-1987.htm</ref>
During their journey to Frogtown, Hell attempts to escape, but quickly learns that the codpiece will shock his genitals if he strays too far from Spangle. Despite their rocky start and Spangle's initial cold demeanor, the pair grow closer during the journey and eventually fall in love. When they reach Frogtown, everyone involved is captured. The frogs' second-in-command, Bull, tortures Hell and attempts to remove the codpiece for its technology. Meanwhile, a slightly drugged Spangle is forced to work as a slave and dance for the frogs' Commander Toty. Proving more successful than she had wished, the nurse soon finds herself at the mercy of the aroused commander. However, with the codpiece now removed (Bull finally removed it with a chainsaw, but it exploded and killed him), the escaped Hell rescues her along with the group of fertile women held captive.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-01-18|title=Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987)|url=https://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/hell-comes-to-frogtown-1987.htm|access-date=2021-07-29|website=Moria|language=en-GB}}</ref>


== Cast ==
==Cast==
[[File:Roddy Piper (2014-04-04 19-10-01 NEX-6 7421 DxO (13933727033)).jpg|thumb|Roddy Piper portrayed Sam Hell in the film.]]
[[File:Roddy Piper (2014-04-04 19-10-01 NEX-6 7421 DxO (13933727033)).jpg|thumb|Roddy Piper portrayed Sam Hell in the film.]]
[[File:Sandahl Bergman on Count Gore De Vol.jpg|thumb|Sandahl Bergman on Count Gore De Vol]]
[[File:Sandahl Bergman on Count Gore De Vol.jpg|thumb|Sandahl Bergman on Count Gore De Vol]]
* [[Roddy Piper]], as Sam Hell<ref>{{Cite web|last=Irel|first=Rob|date=2020-07-31|title=Roddy Piper - From The Streets to the Big Time|url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/roddy-piper/|access-date=2021-07-29|website=Pro Wrestling Stories|language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Roddy Piper]], as Sam Hell, a man who lost his daughter in the nuclear war that precedes this movie and hooks up with woman very frequently after the disaster.<ref>https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/roddy-piper-acting-career/</ref> He is the main protagonist in this film and is tasked with saving a group of girls from the frog leader Toty (Brian Franks). He changes a lot throughout the film, starting off as an immature man who wants to just keep hooking up with women, to finally a man who finds a true love who will have to be okay with him impregnating several other girls for the good of the world.
*[[Sandahl Bergman]] as Spangle, a government scientist that is tasked with taking care of and making sure that Sam successfully rescues the girls and does his job of impregnating them to repopulate the world.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/15/movies/fighting-fantasy-in-conan-the-barbarian.html</ref> To do this she has the controls to a device on Sam's groin area that lets her inflict pain in that area whenever she chooses with her [[earring]]s.
* [[Sandahl Bergman]] as Spangle<ref>{{Cite news|last=Canby|first=Vincent|date=1982-05-15|title=Fighting, Fantasy in 'Conan the Barbarian'language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/15/movies/fighting-fantasy-in-conan-the-barbarian.html|access-date=2021-07-29|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [[Cec Verrell]] as Centinella
*[[Cec Verrell]] as Centinella, a quiet but fierce military guard escort to Spangle (Sandahl Bergman) and Sam (Roddy Piper). She mainly wields a [[light machine gun]] from the top of the car they are traveling in, however, she proves to be versatile in her arms when she uses other weapons. Centinella is one of the first women we see attempting to [[Seduction|seduce]] Sam, finding out if the "rumors" are true however is cut short by Spangle exiting the tent and getting angry at them.
* [[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]] as Captain Devlin / Count Sodom
*[[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]] as Captain Devlin/Count Sodom is also a military personnel, he first runs into Sam when they capture him and we see Devlin interrogating him about sleeping with his daughter to which he hears from another lady she became pregnant from Sam. He plays a big role in the beginning and end of the movie when we learn that he is dealing arms to the frog people under the disguise as Count Sodom. His plan is to use all the [[nuclear reaction|nuclear energy]] to help in his master plan of ridding all the female leaders/power which he believes is becoming a problem in the world.
⚫
* [[Rory Calhoun]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Allen|first=Henry|date=1997-08-24|title=The Slippery Slope of Stardom|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1997/08/24/the-slippery-slope-of-stardom/6c3195c9-ec8f-4051-a108-c663a3b6b409/|access-date=2021-07-29|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> as Looney Tunes
*[[Rory Calhoun]] as Looney Tunes, a crazy old miner whom Sam knew had known before. Looney first makes his appearance in a bar in Frogtown where he tells Sam his reason for being there which is to mine [[uranium]] to eventually sell to the frog people. He helps play a part in saving Sam from the frog people by distracting them with flares. He later escapes with the party, but is killed while on the road.
* Cliff Bemis as Leroy
*[[Nicholas Worth]] as Bull, a frogtown chief. Power hungry with a strong dislike of humans, he inflicts pain whenever he can on people. Bull shows that side of himself well when he begins his plot to [[torture]] Sam. When however he first decides to remove the government device around Sam's groin, he is killed by the implanted explosive.
* [[Nicholas Worth]] as Bull
*Kristi Somers as Arabella, a female frog mutant and ally of Sam.
* Kristi Somers as Arabella
*Brian Frank as Commander Toty, the Frogtown chief. His goal in the movie is to have a group of girls that can make his "three snakes" rise.
* Brian Frank as Commander Toty, the Frogtown chief
*Julius LeFlore as Squidlips, is a character seen at the very beginning of the movie shooting a man as they rummage for valuables.
* Julius LeFlore as Squidlips
*Eyde Byrde plays Patton, a woman that works in the hospital that treats Sam and puts on the government device. Patton ultimately messes over Sam by having him sign away his rights.
* Eyde Byrde as Patton
*[[Lee Garlington]] as Briefing Officer, is the one tasked with briefing Sam on what he is now to deal with throughout the rest of the movie.
* [[Lee Garlington]] as Briefing Officer

==Production==
After director [[Donald G. Jackson|Donald G. Jackson's]] $70,000 ''Roller Blade'' [[direct-to-video]] film proved a success, [[New World Pictures]] approached Jackson asking him if he had any other viable concepts for another direct-to-video project.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> Jackson presented New World with a script he had written with [[Randall Frakes]] titled ''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' describing the concept as ''[[Mad Max 2|The Road Warrior]]'' meets ''[[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' and after responding positively to the pitch initially agreed to finance the film as a non-union $150,000 production.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> New World then decided they wanted a name attached to the project which led to original Spangle actress, Suzanne Solari, recast in a smaller role and given the option of [[Sybil Danning]] or [[Sandahl Bergman]] as potential choices with Jackson ultimately choosing Bergman.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> With the casting of Bergman this meant the film had to be cast with other [[Screen Actors Guild|SAG]] actors raising the budget to $500,000 and was moved from New World's direct-to-video division to their feature division.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> Once the project moved to the feature division, executives expressed skepticism that the film's action and stunt sequences could be achieved for $500,000 and increased the budget again to between $750,000 and $1 million.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/>

Due to Jackson's experience with smaller scale projects and New World liking the project, they allowed Jackson to stay on as director only if he'd agree to co-direct with R. J. Kizer, an editor for New World who had directed the American sequences of ''[[Godzilla 1985]]'', New World's re-edit of ''[[The Return of Godzilla]]''.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> While Jackson wasn't happy to lose control of the project he ultimately accepted the condition as he felt it was a better career move.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> Once in production Jackson experienced conflicts not only with Kizer but also the art director, who had been hired because he was a friend of one of the New World executives, as Jackson would often need to change the set dressing to make it look better in camera as Jackson was also performing [[cinematographer]] duties which led to executives filling that position with someone who was more agreeable to the art director.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/> Throughout the production producer Neal Nordlinger and R. J. Kizer deviated from and cut the script repeatedly and even fired Randall Frakes after he insisted the script be filmed as written. Despite New World's initial intentions of giving the film a theatrical release, upon reviewing the final cut it was decided to give the film a direct-to-video release.<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/>

The frog effects were designed by [[Steve Wang]].<ref name= "HellFrogtownCF"/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
Critical reception for ''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' has been mixed to positive. [[TV Guide]] awarded the film two out of five stars, calling it "Another of those futuristic, post-apocalyptic science fiction dramas".<ref name="tvguidereview">{{cite web |title=Hell Comes To Frogtown - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings |website=TV Guide.com |publisher=TV Guide Staffhttps://www.tvguide.com/movies/hell-comes-to-frogtown/review/127342/ }}</ref>
Critical reception for ''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' has been mixed to positive. [[TV Guide]] awarded the film two out of five stars, calling it "Another of those futuristic, post-apocalyptic science fiction dramas".<ref name="tvguidereview">{{cite web |title=Hell Comes To Frogtown - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings |website=TV Guide.com |publisher=TV Guide Staff|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/hell-comes-to-frogtown/review/127342/ }}</ref>


[[DVD Talk]] gave the film three out of five stars, writing, "Rowdy Roddy Piper has to save the world by diddling beautiful babes and squashing six-foot mutant toads with crummy attitudes. What's not to like?"<ref name="dvdtalkreview">{{cite web |last1=Gross |first1=G. |title=Hell Comes To Frogtown: SE : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/2332/hell-comes-to-frogtown-se/ |website=DVD Talk.com |publisher=G. Noel Gross |accessdate=2 June 2019}}</ref>
[[DVD Talk]] gave the film three out of five stars, writing, "Rowdy Roddy Piper has to save the world by diddling beautiful babes and squashing six-foot mutant toads with crummy attitudes. What's not to like?"<ref name="dvdtalkreview">{{cite web |last1=Gross |first1=G. |title=Hell Comes To Frogtown: SE : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/2332/hell-comes-to-frogtown-se/ |website=DVD Talk.com |publisher=G. Noel Gross |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>


Jason Cook from ''The Spinning Image'' rated the film a score of six out of ten stars, writing, "Cheap and cheerful its narrative lulls and directorial shortcomings are glossed over by a winning central performance and a smattering of witty dialogue. Its no cinematic masterpiece, but were there any talking mutant frogs in ''[[Citizen Kane]]''?"<ref name="spinningimage">{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Jason |title=Hell Comes To Frogtown Review (1987) |website=The Spinning Image.co.uk |publisher=Jason Cook }}</ref>
Jason Cook of ''The Spinning Image'' rated the film a score of six out of ten stars, writing, "Cheap and cheerful its narrative lulls and directorial shortcomings are glossed over by a winning central performance and a smattering of witty dialogue. Its no cinematic masterpiece, but were there any talking mutant frogs in ''[[Citizen Kane]]''?"<ref name="spinningimage">{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Jason |title=Hell Comes To Frogtown Review (1987) |website=The Spinning Image.co.uk |publisher=Jason Cook|url=https://thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=4229 }}</ref>


Creature Feature gave the movie 2.5 stars, finding that while it is a [[Mad Max]] ripoff, it does so with a sense of style and has the ability to laugh at itself.<ref>Stanley, J. (2000)Creature Feature:3rd Edition</ref>
Creature Feature gave the movie 2.5 stars, finding that while it is a ''[[Mad Max]]'' ripoff, it does so with a sense of style and has the ability to laugh at itself.<ref>Stanley, J. (2000)Creature Feature:3rd Edition</ref>


Though not received well by critics, producer Randall Frakes says he was glad the fans seemed to like it and "get all the jokes as intended".
Though not received well by critics, producer Randall Frakes says he was glad the fans seemed to like it and "get all the jokes as intended".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-05-13|title=HDTGM: Conversation With Hell Comes to Frogtown Writer/Producer Randall Frakes|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/hell-comes-to-frogtown/3/|access-date=2021-07-29|website=/Film|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
{{expand section|date=June 2019}}
{{expand section|date=June 2019}}
''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' inspired the title of the "[[Hell Comes to Quahog]]" (2006) episode of animated television series ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref name="MacFarlane">{{cite video | people=MacFarlane, Seth|date=2006|title=Family Guy season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Hell Comes to Quahog"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' inspired the title of the "[[Hell Comes to Quahog]]" (2006) episode of animated television series ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref name="MacFarlane">{{cite video | people=MacFarlane, Seth|date=2006|title=Family Guy season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Hell Comes to Quahog"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

⚫
''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' still makes an appearance in today's news sources being compared to ''Roller Blade Warriors.''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Allen|first=Henry|date=1997-08-24|title=THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF STARDOM|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1997/08/24/the-slippery-slope-of-stardom/6c3195c9-ec8f-4051-a108-c663a3b6b409/|access-date=2021-07-29|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>


===Sequels and spinoffs===
===Sequels and spinoffs===
Line 73: Line 98:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Allmovie|22052}}
* {{IMDb title|0093171}}
* {{IMDb title|0093171}}
* {{Rotten tomatoes|hell_comes_to_frogtown}}
* {{Rotten tomatoes|hell_comes_to_frogtown}}
* {{tcmdb title|77677}}
* {{TCMDb title|77677}}
* {{Citation | url = http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/09/episode-03-hell-comes-to-frogtown-1988.html | title = Hell Comes to Frogtown review on the When Wrestlers Act podcast}}
* {{Citation | url = http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/09/episode-03-hell-comes-to-frogtown-1988.html | title = Hell Comes to Frogtown review on the When Wrestlers Act podcast | access-date = 2014-09-28 | archive-date = 2015-03-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150325090505/http://www.whenwrestlersact.com/2014/09/episode-03-hell-comes-to-frogtown-1988.html | url-status = dead }}


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[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s science fiction action films]]
[[Category:1980s science fiction action films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:American disaster films]]
[[Category:American disaster films]]
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[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American post-apocalyptic films]]
[[Category:American post-apocalyptic films]]
[[Category:American satirical films]]
[[Category:American satirical films]]
[[Category:American science fiction action films]]
[[Category:American science fiction action films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Donald G. Jackson]]
[[Category:New World Pictures films]]
[[Category:New World Pictures films]]
[[Category:1988 science fiction films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction action films]]

Latest revision as of 22:58, 21 December 2024

Hell Comes to Frogtown
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Screenplay by
Story byRandall Frakes
Produced by
  • Donald G. Jackson
  • Randall Frakes
Starring
Cinematography
  • Donald G. Jackson
  • Enrico Picard
Edited by
  • R. J. Kizer
  • James Matheny
Music byDavid Shapiro
Distributed byNew World Pictures
Release date
  • January 1988 (1988-01)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.5 million[1]

Hell Comes to Frogtown is a 1988 American science fiction action film directed by Donald G. Jackson and R. J. Kizer, and written by Jackson and Randall Frakes. The film stars professional wrestler Roddy Piper as Sam Hell, one of the last remaining fertile men in a post-apocalyptic world populated by both humans and mutant amphibians. The film's cast also includes Sandahl Bergman, Cec Verrell, William Smith and Rory Calhoun.

Hell Comes to Frogtown was followed by two sequels: Return to Frogtown (1993) and Max Hell Frog Warrior (1996).

Plot

[edit]

In the late 20th century, a large-scale nuclear war ends in a nuclear holocaust. In the aftermath, Earth has become a post-apocalyptic wasteland, where, due to fallout, most humans have been rendered sterile. As a result, the government places a high priority on those who can still breed. Additionally, humanity now shares the planet with a race of mutant amphibians, whom the government has exiled to the desert and prohibited from possessing firearms.

Sam Hell, a nomadic scavenger, is recruited by the provincial government to serve as a human stud—they tracked him down by following a trail of pregnant women left in his wake from his travels, and have determined that he is one of few remaining fertile men in existence. A protective codpiece that monitors Hell's physiosexual condition is affixed to his groin and secured by an electronic lock. Upon learning that the mutant amphibians have armed themselves and taken a group of fertile human women hostage, Hell is ordered to infiltrate the mutant city (derogatorily referred to as "Frogtown") and rescue and impregnate the women. He is accompanied by nurse Spangle and corporal Centinella.

During their journey to Frogtown, Hell attempts to escape, but quickly learns that the codpiece will shock his genitals if he strays too far from Spangle. Despite their rocky start and Spangle's initial cold demeanor, the pair grow closer during the journey and eventually fall in love. When they reach Frogtown, everyone involved is captured. The frogs' second-in-command, Bull, tortures Hell and attempts to remove the codpiece for its technology. Meanwhile, a slightly drugged Spangle is forced to work as a slave and dance for the frogs' Commander Toty. Proving more successful than she had wished, the nurse soon finds herself at the mercy of the aroused commander. However, with the codpiece now removed (Bull finally removed it with a chainsaw, but it exploded and killed him), the escaped Hell rescues her along with the group of fertile women held captive.[2]

Cast

[edit]
Roddy Piper portrayed Sam Hell in the film.
Sandahl Bergman on Count Gore De Vol

Production

[edit]

After director Donald G. Jackson's $70,000 Roller Blade direct-to-video film proved a success, New World Pictures approached Jackson asking him if he had any other viable concepts for another direct-to-video project.[1] Jackson presented New World with a script he had written with Randall Frakes titled Hell Comes to Frogtown describing the concept as The Road Warrior meets Planet of the Apes and after responding positively to the pitch initially agreed to finance the film as a non-union $150,000 production.[1] New World then decided they wanted a name attached to the project which led to original Spangle actress, Suzanne Solari, recast in a smaller role and given the option of Sybil Danning or Sandahl Bergman as potential choices with Jackson ultimately choosing Bergman.[1] With the casting of Bergman this meant the film had to be cast with other SAG actors raising the budget to $500,000 and was moved from New World's direct-to-video division to their feature division.[1] Once the project moved to the feature division, executives expressed skepticism that the film's action and stunt sequences could be achieved for $500,000 and increased the budget again to between $750,000 and $1 million.[1]

Due to Jackson's experience with smaller scale projects and New World liking the project, they allowed Jackson to stay on as director only if he'd agree to co-direct with R. J. Kizer, an editor for New World who had directed the American sequences of Godzilla 1985, New World's re-edit of The Return of Godzilla.[1] While Jackson wasn't happy to lose control of the project he ultimately accepted the condition as he felt it was a better career move.[1] Once in production Jackson experienced conflicts not only with Kizer but also the art director, who had been hired because he was a friend of one of the New World executives, as Jackson would often need to change the set dressing to make it look better in camera as Jackson was also performing cinematographer duties which led to executives filling that position with someone who was more agreeable to the art director.[1] Throughout the production producer Neal Nordlinger and R. J. Kizer deviated from and cut the script repeatedly and even fired Randall Frakes after he insisted the script be filmed as written. Despite New World's initial intentions of giving the film a theatrical release, upon reviewing the final cut it was decided to give the film a direct-to-video release.[1]

The frog effects were designed by Steve Wang.[1]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception for Hell Comes to Frogtown has been mixed to positive. TV Guide awarded the film two out of five stars, calling it "Another of those futuristic, post-apocalyptic science fiction dramas".[6]

DVD Talk gave the film three out of five stars, writing, "Rowdy Roddy Piper has to save the world by diddling beautiful babes and squashing six-foot mutant toads with crummy attitudes. What's not to like?"[7]

Jason Cook of The Spinning Image rated the film a score of six out of ten stars, writing, "Cheap and cheerful its narrative lulls and directorial shortcomings are glossed over by a winning central performance and a smattering of witty dialogue. Its no cinematic masterpiece, but were there any talking mutant frogs in Citizen Kane?"[8]

Creature Feature gave the movie 2.5 stars, finding that while it is a Mad Max ripoff, it does so with a sense of style and has the ability to laugh at itself.[9]

Though not received well by critics, producer Randall Frakes says he was glad the fans seemed to like it and "get all the jokes as intended".[10]

Legacy

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Hell Comes to Frogtown inspired the title of the "Hell Comes to Quahog" (2006) episode of animated television series Family Guy.[11]

Sequels and spinoffs

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Hell Comes to Frogtown spawned one sequel, Return to Frogtown, which was released directly to VHS in 1993.[citation needed]

Toad Warrior was released in 1996 and later re-released as Max Hell Frog Warrior in 2002. According to Jackson, the film was intended as a stand-alone story.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Biodrowski, Steve (July 1988). "Hell Comes to Frogtown". Cinefantastique. Fourth Castle Micromedia. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987)". Moria. 2011-01-18. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  3. ^ Irel, Rob (2020-07-31). "Roddy Piper - From The Streets to the Big Time". Pro Wrestling Stories. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  4. ^ Canby, Vincent (1982-05-15). "Fighting, Fantasy in 'Conan the Barbarian'language=en-US". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  5. ^ Allen, Henry (1997-08-24). "The Slippery Slope of Stardom". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  6. ^ "Hell Comes To Frogtown - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TV Guide.com. TV Guide Staff.
  7. ^ Gross, G. "Hell Comes To Frogtown: SE : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". DVD Talk.com. G. Noel Gross. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  8. ^ Cook, Jason. "Hell Comes To Frogtown Review (1987)". The Spinning Image.co.uk. Jason Cook.
  9. ^ Stanley, J. (2000)Creature Feature:3rd Edition
  10. ^ "HDTGM: Conversation With Hell Comes to Frogtown Writer/Producer Randall Frakes". /Film. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  11. ^ MacFarlane, Seth (2006). Family Guy season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Hell Comes to Quahog" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  12. ^ "Donald G. Jackson The Final Interview | Scott Shaw.com". www.scottshaw.com. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
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