Following a discussion with filmmaker Douglas McKeown regarding his cult flick The Deadly Spawn, we were able to get our hands on a selection of behind-the-scenes images from the movie, courtesy of the director himself.
Released in 1983 and having been distributed under a variety of names (including Return of the Aliens), the movie recently enjoyed a new lease of life when he was interviewed for Stephen Edward Thrower’s exhaustive study of exploitation cinema, Nightmare USA.
“I always had a dislike for the more gory movies of the horror genre. I believed as Karloff did, that the best horror films were really “terror” films where the bloody violence is left to the imagination,” McKeown told Dr. Gore’s Funhouse. “Nevertheless, once I actually decided to do it, I gave it my all. And I loved every single creative aspect of working on the film, except the severe limitations to our time… I did regret not being able to assemble more of the footage myself into a rough cut. I really was the only one who knew how it was to go together, and it hurt to have to abandon so much work to others – and then to have to see it in its final form with so much I had intended end up, well, compromised”
Despite failing to attract much attention upon initial release, The Deadly Spawn has since enjoyed success on home video (including a DVD from Synapse Films back in 2004), whilst Michael Perilstein’s soundtrack was unearthed the following year. Fans of the movie may find much to enjoy on the tribute site.
All images courtesy of Douglas McKeown.
Read our exclusive interview with Douglas McKeown.