Our lookbacks at the screen adaptations of Stephen King arrive at The Mangler’s house…
The film:The Blue Ribbon Laundry houses a big industrial press called The Mangler.
Overseeing everything is the Laundrys mysterious owner and Sherrys uncle, William Gartley (Robert Englund).
When it comes to adapting Stephen King films, a horror pedigree usually helps.
The man himself is handy to have around when it comes to screenplay duties.
When youve got directors like George A. Romero and John Carpenter on board, you are guaranteed fun.
Well… not so much.
Englund is clearly having the most fun out of everyone and is starring in the horror comedy portion.
He hisses and snarls, clunking around on leg braces that make him look half man, half machine.
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Levine as Hunton, in contrast, is set to Very Serious.
He hulks his way through the film, looking like hes wandered in from a neo-noir.
I think his best moment might be in a photograph where hes posing manically by the possessed fridge.
However, whereChristinesucceeds is exactly whereThe Manglerfalls flat.
Were talking about possessed fridges and laundry presses after all.
A lighter touch is needed.
Where the film does succeed is in aTexas Chainsaw Massacresense of griminess, particularly in the Blue Ribbon Laundry.
Everyone is sweaty and everything feels like its coated with a thick layer of muck.
It might not be very good, but it certainly makes your skin itch.
The Mangleris a very odd film and a slog to get through.
Scariest moment:Poor Mrs Frawley.
A human being is not designed to be pressed, steamed, and folded like a piece of linen.
What a gross image that is indeed, and kudos to the effects team for something truly disgusting.
A few high-pitched notes on stringed instruments do not a horror score make.
A King thing:Shady businesses.
Join me next time, Constant Reader, as we meetDolores Claibourne.
