The ending of Tourist Trap makes this one so much better. It was so weird seeing Molly drive away with mannequin versions of her friends. So weird. I really want to know how Mr. Slausen made those dolls! HOW WERE THEY ALIVE? DID I MISS IT?

Anyway Chuck Connors is great as Mr. Slausen! Really dug him in this one! We also have Midge Pinciotti in this one! I knew I knew Becky from somewhere! After a few lines I recognized her! Tanya Roberts!

Mannequins are always scary right? Even here in a gore free film they are creepy. So weird now that I think about it. Not much happens but you are just dying to find out about the mannequins, how are they talking? How do they aim? I still don't know. Chuck Connors can use magic, that must be it!

This was the first time I watched something hosted by Joe Bob Briggs and I must say, I really, really enjoyed it. Might be watching all of his Shudder hosted films, not might, I will be! I didn't mind the interruptions because he knows what he's talking about and I liked his humor. That joke at the end killed me.

So yeah, if you haven't seen Tourist Trap yet, it certainly worth a watch!

***Chuck Connors & creepy mannequins in the sticks of Southern Cal***

Three girls & two guys break down in the hills north of Los Angeles and are helped by the genial owner of a defunct desert museum with a penchant for spooky masks & mannequins (Chuck Connors).

“Tourist Trap” (1979) combines elements of several previous horror flicks, like “Psycho” (1960), the desert museum opening of “Gargoyles” (1972), “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974), the telekinesis of “Carrie” (1976) and the creepy mannequins of several 70’s movies/shows, including Kolchak: The Night Stalker (“The Trevi Collection”). It was made by the creator of “Puppetmaster” (1989) and heavily influenced “House of Wax” (2005); it even had an impact on the imminent “Friday the 13th” flicks.

If you like those movies you’ll like this one. It’s not as good as the better ones, and is overrated in some circles, but it’s solid for a late 70’s horror flick in the rural slasher mode. The highlights are Connor’s sympathetic portrayal, the rural locations, the sets/props and, especially, the female cast, featuring Robin Sherwood (Eileen), Tanya Roberts (Becky) and Jocelyn Jones (Molly).

The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area: Samma Ranch, Agua Dulce (near Vasquez Rocks) and Latigo Canyon, Malibu (the waterfall scene).

GRADE: B