The Clonus Horror (1979)

Director:

Robert S. Fiveson

Writers:

Bob Sullivan (story)
Ron Smith (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

August 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

WARNING: The shock and horror of this film is unusually intense. It is not a film for the faint-hearted.

Plot:

Politicians scheme to clone themselves, assuring immortal life.

Plot Keywords:

Clone | Escape | Cloning | Presidential Candidate | Secret Experiment

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Tim Donnelly	...	Richard Knight Jr. (as Timothy Donnelly)
Paulette Breen	...	Lena
Dick Sargent	...	Dr. Jameson
Keenan Wynn	...	Jake Noble
David Hooks	...	Prof. Richard P. Knight
Peter Graves	...	Jeffrey Knight
Zale Kessler	...	Dr. Nelson
James Mantell	...	Ricky Knight
Lurene Tuttle	...	Anna Noble
Frank Ashmore	...	George Walker
Larry Manning	...	Guide #4
William Bufkin	...	Clone
Tony Haig	...	Jack
Boyd Holister	...	Senator
Eddy Carroll	...	Doctor
John Donovan	...	Guide #5
Greg Brickman	...	Motorcycle rider
Keith Langsdale	...	Guide #3
Eileen Dietz	...	Dana
Eugene Robert Glazer	...	Guide #2
Rick DiAngelo	...	Guide #1
Joel Lawrence	...	Guide #6
George P. Wilbur	...	Walker man
Chuck Hayward	...	Walker man
Amanda Davies	...	Reporter Grady
Frank Birney	...	Reporter Birney
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert S. Fiveson	...	Security Guard (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert S. Fiveson

Writing credits
Bob Sullivan		(story)
Ron Smith		(screenplay) and
Bob Sullivan		(screenplay)
Myrl A. Schreibman		(adaptation) and
Robert S. Fiveson		(adaptation)

Produced by
Peter R.J. Deyell	....	associate producer
Ray Dryden	....	supervising executive producer
Robert S. Fiveson	....	producer
Walter Fiveson	....	executive producer
Michael D. Lee	....	co-producer (as Michael Lee)
Mark L. Rosen	....	producer
Myrl A. Schreibman	....	producer

Original Music by
Hod David Schudson

Cinematography by
Max Beaufort		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Robert Gordon

Casting by
Susan Arnold

Art Direction by
Steve Nelson

Costume Design by
Durinda Wood		(as Durinda Rice Wood)

Makeup Department
Joe Blasco	....	special makeup effects artist
Richard Rivas	....	makeup supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Berkowitz	....	assistant director
Bob K. Cummings	....	assistant director (as Robert Cummings)
Joe Giannone	....	assistant director (as John Giannone)
Michael D. Lee	....	assistant director

Art Department
Frank Coccaro	....	assistant art director
Frank Coccaro	....	property master

Sound Department
Richard L. Anderson	....	sound effects editor
Teresa Eckton	....	sound effects editor
H. Daniel Gross	....	boom operator (as Dan Gross)
Paul Jasiukonis	....	sound effects editor
Ken Robinson	....	production sound mixer

Special Effects by
Steve Karkus	....	special effects

Stunts
George P. Wilbur	....	stunt gaffer (as George Wilbur)

Camera and Electrical Department
John Bertram	....	key grip
Mike Bruns	....	grip
Robert Cummings	....	still photographer
Frank Detone Jr.	....	dolly grip
Michael Duman	....	electrician
James J. Gilson	....	electrician
Brad Goldberg	....	first assistant camera
Daniel Graff	....	gaffer
Dwight Joseph Lavers	....	best boy
Guy Olds	....	second assistant camera
Harley Pence	....	photographer: second unit
Peter Saxby	....	additional photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Timaree McCormick	....	assistant wardrobe

Editorial Department
Brogan De Paor	....	assistant editor
Brad Goldberg	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Richard Thompson	....	orchestrator

Other crew
Carolyn Haber	....	secretary to producers
Ruth Hill	....	auditor
Ray Hinton	....	production assistant
Danielle Hunter	....	production assistant
Michael La Coe	....	location manager
Timaree McCormick	....	production assistant
David Paananen	....	production assistant
Jeanne Rummans	....	script supervisor
Myrl A. Schreibman	....	visual consultant (as M.A. Schreibman)
Laurie Sossna	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Clonus Associates

Distributors

• Group 1 International Distribution Organization Ltd. (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• Mid-America Releasing (1979) (USA: Midwest) (theatrical)
• Danton Films (1980) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Frontier Amusements (1982) (Canada) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Catalina Video (VHS)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1982) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Lightning Video (1986) (USA) (VHS)
• Mondo Macabro (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Alter Ego (UK) (video title)
Clonus (USA) (alternative title)
Parts: The Clonus Horror (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Moorpark College - 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, California, USA

Company:

Clonus Associates

Trivia:

Director Robert S. Fiveson brought a copyright infringement suit against the makers of The Island (2005). The lawsuit cited almost 100 points of similarity between "Clonus" and "The Island", and the court ruled that Fiveson made a prima facie case for infringement. Before the case could go to trial, Dreamworks settled with the plaintiffs for an undisclosed amount.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When the old reporter introduces the clone to the professor and his son by the pool, the boom mic is clearly visible above him. This is only visible in open matte version of the film.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Parts: The Clonus Horror (#9.11)" (1997)

Yep, The Island isn't that original.

This low budget thriller is a pretty decent B movie with a great original premise.

The government has been running a clone farm for many years and now one of the clones has escaped into the outside world.

A clever premise, some solid direction, and a good cast help to make this film a pretty compelling sci-fi thriller. The Clonus Horror is an effectively chilling film that examines the theme of what it is to be human and just how the advance of science can ultimately turn to a violation of human life. The direction of Robert Fiveson is well-done, as he creates some nicely nightmarish sequences to give this film a creepy edge, as though the subject matter of the movie alone isn't unsettling enough. There's also some gruesome scenes as well. Kudos also go to a stirring, operatic music score.

The cast delivers good on their performances and features some great veteran actors like Dick Sargent, Peter Graves, and Keenan Wynn.

While The Clonus Horror may not have the big budget of The Island, it's as equally thought-provoking and disturbing. Worth seeking out, especially for film buffs.

*** out of ****