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It's Alive (1974/I) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
5.5/10   1,817 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Larry Cohen
Writer:
Larry Cohen (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for It's Alive on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
October 1974 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Horror more
Tagline:
Whatever it is, it's alive and deadly. more
Plot:
The Davies expect a baby, which turns out to be a monster with a nasty habit of killing when it's scared. And it's easily scared. | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Remakepalooza: The Latest on Outrageous Horror Movie Remakes
 (From ESplatter. 29 June 2009, 9:08 AM, PDT)

It's Alive Remake On DVD October 6th!
 (From Icons of Fright. 25 June 2009, 10:07 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Great camp B-movie fun more

Cast

  (Credited cast)
John P. Ryan ... Frank Davies (as John Ryan)
Sharon Farrell ... Lenore Davies
James Dixon ... Lieutenant Perkins
William Wellman Jr. ... Charley
Shamus Locke ... The Doctor
Andrew Duggan ... The Professor
Guy Stockwell ... Bob Clayton
Daniel Holzman ... Chris Davies
Michael Ansara ... The Captain
Robert Emhardt ... The Executive
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nancy Burnett ... Nurse (as Mary Nancy Burnett)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Baby Killer (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Finland:(Banned) (1984) | UK:15 (video re-rating) | Portugal:M/16 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | West Germany:18 | Norway:16 (video premiere) | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Australia:R | Finland:(Banned) (1975) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:PG | Iceland:16 | Norway:(Banned) (1975-2003) (cinema release)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Bernard Herrmann titled the music cue where the milkman meets his demise "The Milkman Goeth." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Franks brings the bottles of milk in from the porch, he is never seen closing the door. When he opens the other refrigerator, the door to the porch is closed. more
Quotes:
Lieutenant Perkins: Hunting and killing babies doesn't seem to be my specialty. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Masters of Horror: Pick Me Up (#1.11)" (2006) more

FAQ

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8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
Great camp B-movie fun, 2 April 2005
8/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

Larry Cohen has made a name for himself for producing offbeat horror movies, and this story of a killer deformed baby certainly belongs in his filmography. It's Alive is a huge highlight of the horror genre, and one that doesn't get the praise that it deserves. The film is notable amongst other films of similar plotting because of the way that it fully explores it's premise. Rather than focusing on the monster and the murders, Cohen sees fit to show the audience the effect that the birth of a murderous monster has on the family at the centre of the story, the government, the family friends and various other entities; all of which helps to aid the film in it's bid to be a complete horror thriller. Of course, the film is too silly to be truly touching, but the idea of trying to get the audience to empathise with the characters in this sort of movie is nice, and it adds to kitsch campness of the movie, which does it no end of favours in this kitsch fan's opinion.

The acting adheres to the typical, and much loved, B-movie styling and that is another plus point to add to this movie's resume. John P. Ryan in particular is superb as the upset father, and we see him go through a range of emotions in response to the birth of his 'son', which is a treat indeed. The script isn't the greatest work of art ever to be brought to the screen, but it's always inventive enough to ensure that the action stays interesting and It's Alive hardly suffers from becoming trite and boring. The creature effects aren't the best ever seen, but Larry Cohen hides this fact by never completely showing the creature. This hampers the movie in a way, as it will no doubt get on many viewers' nerves as seeing the monster is normally a highlight of this type of movie; but on the other hand, seeing the monster usually results in disappointment - so at least Cohen's film stays away from that! On the whole, while this film will do nothing for fans of serious art movies; horror fans, particularly very B-horror fans, will be in heaven. Highly recommended!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for It's Alive (1974/I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
This movie made me afraid of the dark Guffinator2003
This movie definately needs a remake. jayburks
Some help would be appreciated.... bbwibb02
April Fool, IFC? kidsolvent
John P. Ryan's performance in this film was excellent valletta33
Larry + Bernard Herrmann - The Odd Couple? moviemaniac2002
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