Short Take: Galaxy of Terror

(1981) Directed by Bruce D. Clark; Written by Marc Siegler and Bruce D. Clark; Starring: Edward Albert, Erin Moran, Ray Walston, Grace Zabriskie, Zalman King, Robert Englund, and Sid Haig; Available on Blu-ray and DVD 

Rating: ***

“…I came up with the idea of the monster, but each monster would be a different monster for each member of the cast and would be a monster coming out of their unconscious. This is part of certain Freudian theories I had.” – Roger Corman

“You’re trying to do a science fiction remote planet set on the budget of a cheese commercial. What more of a challenge do you want?” – Bruce D. Clark

After the box-office success of Alien (1979), it seemed as if everyone and their cousin wanted to duplicate that movie’s formula, combining sci-fi thrills and horror chills, but for a fraction of the cost (Saturn 3, Creature, Parasite, and on and on…). It was only a matter of time before Roger Corman and New World Pictures would try to get a piece of the peril-in-space pie. Following his Star Wars rip- (ahem) inspired Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)), Corman brought us Galaxy of Terror.*

* Fun Fact #1: Before it was known as Galaxy of Terror, the movie went through several titles: Planet of Horrors (pre-production), Quest (working title, suggested by production assistant David De Coteau), and was released in the American south as Mindwarp: An Infinity of Terror.

Stop me if this sounds familiar (on second thought, read on): At the behest of a shadowy leader known only as “The Master,” (think the Weyland Yutani Corporation in Alien) the spaceship Quest, crewed by a ragtag bunch of misfits is dispatched to an alien world to respond to a distress call. What they find there are their worst nightmares. Instead of an acid-spewing xenomorph, however, some unseen force is turning people’s worst fears against themselves. Much like Ridley Scott’s film, the crew members are picked off one by one. 

The cast is eclectic enough to keep things interesting, despite the underdeveloped characters. Zalman King is suitably intense as trigger-happy Baelon, who has an unspecified feud with fellow crew member Cabren (Edward Albert). Grace Zabriskie (who would later gain fame as Laura Palmer’s bereaved mother Sarah in Twin Peaks), sporting fake gray hair, is the grizzled Captain Trantor. Ray Walston is the enigmatic ship’s cook, Kore (considering the tech that would go into an interstellar craft, would there even be a need for a chef?). A pre-Nightmare on Elm Street Robert Englund appears as Ranger, a man whose worst enemy is himself. laconic Quuhod (Sid Haig), armed only with his crystal throwing stars, proclaims that he lives and dies by them (guess what does him in?).  

 

For all its derivative elements, Galaxy of Terror provides some innovative aspects as well. It looks like a more expensive production, thanks to inventive effects by a young James Cameron (who served as second unit director and production designer), Allan Apone (makeup effects),* and Dennis and Robert Skotak (who would collaborate with Cameron on several of his future projects). One of the standout pieces is a mysterious pyramid, made to look gargantuan through in-camera effects. The various gore effects are effectively stomach-turning.** Undoubtedly the most memorable effect (and the film’s dubious claim to fame), however, graces the silver screen when Quest crew member Dameia (Taaffe O'Connell) is sexually assaulted by a giant space maggot *** (shot in part by second unit director, James Cameron). 

* Fun Fact #2: Sergeant Apone in Aliens (1986) was named after the effects master, who worked with James Cameron on Galaxy of Terror. 

** Fun Fact #3 (SPOILER ALERT): For Erin Moran’s exploding head scene, the effects team used a gelatin head filled with Dinty Moore stew. 

*** Fun Fact #4: The one-ton space maggot served as a proof-of-concept for the xenomorph queen in Aliens (1986), which employed a similar rig: a giant puppet suspended by a crane.

Besides being a dress rehearsal for Cameron and his effects team (who would go on to bigger and better things), Galaxy of Terror is a reminder that cheap knock-offs can be fun too. Although it might not win any awards for originality, it helped launch the careers of several talented individuals in front of and behind the camera.* If you’re in the mood for something that’s more Corman than Criterion, it’s a decent cure for the late-night doldrums.    

* Fun Fact #5: In addition to the professionals cited above, Galaxy of Terror boasts a pre-acting-career Bill Paxton (carpenter).

 

Sources: Shout Factory DVD commentary by Taafe O’Connell, Alec Gillis, Allan Apone and David DeCoteau; “Tales from the Lumber Yard: The Making of Galaxy of Terror” (2010)