I don't know that I have found anything about this horrid little gem on your website. It's a 1986 movie called RATBOY directed by SONDRA LOCKE. Now, it may not be a horror movie, but there were elements that really rang true to one in my seven year old mind. My father took immense pleasure in watching the horrified looks on my brother's and my face when he found a particularly good kindertrauma-esque movie. RATBOY was one of the over the top ones for me.
It's harmless enough, but it begins with a scene that has COURTNEY GAINS in it. After seeing CHILDREN OF THE CORN, that guy scared the bejesus out of me. That is a whole different traumafession that has already been touched on by many here.
Needless to say, that was the beginning of the horror for me. I think I might have peed a little, but I don't remember this movie all that clearly. At 31, I am still too scared to watch it again. Anyhow, when we first find Ratboy, there is an old '50s style box type record player that has Lloyd Price's "Personality" playing on it. I distinctly remember this song being prominent throughout the movie. I still think of the movie every time I hear the song, but the memories are still very fuzzy for me. I think the director really wanted it to be a life lesson sort of the thing, but it was surreal and strange. More of a dark comedy than a horror flick. It had all of the wholesomeness of an Afterschool Special and most of the camp of a Late Night Screamer. I think there was some kind of underlying morality message and you were to be saddened by the plight of Ratboy, but honestly, with Malachai in the opening scene and the makeup job, that was phenomenal for its day, I just couldn't see it. I think I need to man up and give this one another watch, but I am home alone right now and don't think I could do it.
I am interested to see if any of you guys remember this one. I would hate to think that I am the only one who was terrorized by this movie.
— "doihaveto"
New reader!!
I love your site by the way!!
I should explain that the B&W photo in the top picture is not as random as it looks. RATBOY was played by original Mousketeer Sharon Baird and that is she.
Watching more than ten seconds of the video below may give you a seizure but I think you can figure out which one played Ratboy… (with help from make up artist Rick Baker)
Typecasting! Sharon also played Funky Ratt on The Bugaloos…
http://www.70slivekidvid.com/bugaloos/rat1.jpg
I LOVED this movie. Poor Sondra Locke. Clint made sure that she never got any work after they split.
Speaking of Rick Baker… isn't that him, sans pony-tail, hoofin' it next to Annette in the opening number?
Yes! And I believe that is Rob Bottin on the unicycle!
Oh wow! Thanks! I am so honored! Although, Yikes. I think that Mickey Mouse Club Reunion thing is a whole new trauma for me!
Sharon Baird was used to playing short furry creatures. She was also Sa, the Pachuni in Land of the Lost.
I did a kindersearch for "Ratboy" because if no one wrote about it – I WAS GOING TO.
This movie is really bizarre. And i think it was some kind of passion project for Sondra Locke and I always thought it was mind boggling that she was the driving force behind this really abysmal project.