By Chris Summerfield
“What’s in the Basket?”
This gem of a movie was written and directed by the legendary, Frank Henelotter. It begins with a very nervous Dr Lifflander (Bill Freeman) rushing towards his practise, knowing he is being followed, but by whom? He calls the police, fearing for his life, the phone goes down and so does the lights, something is in the room with him, a hand grabs his face and he is slaughtered…
The movie then goes to Manhattan, where Duane Bradley, (Kevin Van Hentenryck) is carrying a wicker basket, seeking a room, finally finding a room at the, “Hotel Broslin” for twenty bucks a night, a hotel that is a little run down and seedy looking, the manager looking untidy, guests a little too friendly and curious.
In the basket is Duane’s Siamese twin brother, separated at birth against their own will and therefore seeking revenge against the ones involved in separating them, the three they seek all practising within Manhattan…
Dr. Needleman (Lloyd Pace) is to be the first target… Duane’s crazed half mutant Siamese brother, fuelled with anger and incredible strength then goes on the murderous rampage. Though as the movie progresses their mission becomes somewhat complicated as Duane falls in love with, Sharon (Terri Susan Smith) and it seems love is slowing driving the brothers further apart, destined for disaster and a tragic ending.
The movie also reflects upon the boy’s adolescent years, their mother died giving birth, their father hating the monster of a son that hung from Duane’s side, the movie therefore deals with the pain of separation and the horror that Duane’s Siamese brother was to be tossed out with the garbage. Rejection is a painful experience as we all know from some form of rejection or another we all have had to face within our lives so therefore we can kind of reflect upon that.
Duane’s father, (Richard Pierce) still bitter dies in a gory way therefore it is left with their aunt (Ruth Neuman) to bring them up.
Basket case is a movie of revenge, tragedy, betrayal and disaster. There are gore scenes in, some crazy and sleazy characters as the movie portrays the poorer and darker side of Manhattan, in all this movie is rightfully a classic cult horror and worthy of…
Rating: 9/10