BASKET CASE (1982)

Director: Frank Henenlotter

Writer: Frank Henenlotter

Producer: Edgar Ievins

Cast: Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith, Beverly Bonner, Robert Vogel, Joe Clarke, Diana Browne, Bill Freeman, Lloyd Pace, Richard Pierce, Ruth Neuman, Sean McCabe, Kerry Ruff, Dorothy Strongin, Ilze Balodis, Chris Babson, Tom Robinson, Maria T. Newland, Florence Shultz, Mary Ellen Shultz, Constantine Scopas, Sydney Best, Charles Stanley, Johnny Ray Williams, Yousej Abuhamdeh, Lubi Kirsch, Catherine Russell, Mitchell Huval, Noel Hall, Bruce Frankel, Pat Ivers, Emily Armstrong, Russell Fritz, Jerry Butler (uncredited), Frank Henenlotter (uncredited) 

Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) is a young man that relocates in New York City from upstate. He rents a cheap room in the sleazy Hotel Broslin. He is stalking and killing doctors with the assistance of the strange being that he keeps in a large wicker basket, his deformed twin brother Belial.

The Flashback Fanatic movie review

Basket Case contains everything that the jaded horror buff is looking for and more. In addition to its unique monster, gore, and humor, it has an eccentric and likable cast of characters in an environment so seedy it is fascinating.

This was writer-director Frank Henenlotter’s feature-length film debut. Having grown up watching all of the exploitation films he could in New York City’s once sensationally sordid 42nd Street theaters, Henenlotter seems to have distilled that entire atmosphere into the settings and subject matter of Basket Case. As a result, we are given a film with a distinctive style and a visceral sense of place that makes it really come alive. It shocks, teases, amuses, and involves the viewer in ways that most genre fare these days cannot even approximate. Over-budgeted, hyperactive spectacles meant to appeal to every attention span-challenged customer all over the world will never feel unique and sincere. 

Kevin Van Hentenryck’s Duane Bradley character has an appealing naïveté and perhaps a tinge of madness. Born as a Siamese twin conjoined at the side to his deformed brother Belial, and raised in isolation by his ashamed father, it is no wonder Duane’s personality seems a bit odd. An operation meant to separate the “normal” Duane from his brother Belial did not eliminate the twins’ mental and emotional attachment. This is a very weird case of brotherly love demanding vengeance. Because the doctors left Belial for dead after the separation operation, the twins’ agenda is certainly a sympathetic one, even if it involves murder. 

After its nasty opening scene, Basket Case takes us to the seamy side of New York City. We follow along with young Duane Bradley as he lugs along his wicker basket to find lodging at the dilapidated Hotel Broslin. Duane is really out of his element being in the big city for the first time. The kooky and colorful cast of fellow residents at the hotel form a bizarre community. You may never want to live in a joint like this, but it would never be boring. 

Things get off to a very tantalizing start when Duane is welcomed with a wink from his voluptuous neighbor Casey as she is bringing a “john” back to her room. Before long she introduces herself to Duane and suggests that they get a drink together sometime. Who says New Yorkers are unfriendly? Beverly Bonner is very vivacious as Casey, and she reminds us that people in even the most disreputable circumstances can still have character and humanity. 

A real standout in the cast is Robert Vogel as the volatile and humorous manager at the Hotel Broslin. He spends most of his time doing crowd control herding his curious and frightened tenants back to their rooms after each alarming disturbance in and around Duane’s room. 

Terri Susan Smith plays Sharon, Dr. Needleman’s funny receptionist that becomes Duane’s love interest. She is another slightly odd and appealing character. Unfortunately, she also appeals to Belial. 

Aside from ogling Beverly Bonner and Terri Susan Smith, the greatest joy I derive from Basket Case is Dr. Needleman’s awesomely ramshackle office. Now THIS is art direction! The place doesn’t look fit for cleaning fish, much less being a doctor’s office. However, this décor suits its owner perfectly; check out Lloyd Pace as the sleazy Dr. Needleman at his desk jamming a huge, greasy mass of food into his mouth just before he is about to conduct a medical examination. 

Belial himself is one of the most original horror movie menaces ever. A nice touch is the telepathic bond that he has with Duane. This allows us insight into the mute creature’s character based on Duane’s vocal responses during their conversations. In the tradition of many classic movie monsters, Belial is sympathetic. He may perform horrendous deeds, but he has grievances and human feelings that motivate him. 

Like directors George A. Romero and Tobe Hooper before him, Frank Henenlotter delivered a cult classic with his very first horror film. Basket Case is as daring, offbeat, and original as those earlier masterpieces, and it should be just as revered.