WACKO is an amazingly unfunny slasher spoof made by director Greydon Clark, he of the variable film quality. This one's set in a high school menaced by a figure known as the 'lawnmower killer', and everything is played out as high farce with lots of terrible overacting and general inanity. I did find the endless references to movies and movie characters to be somewhat endearing, what with characters including Dr Moreau and Norman Bates, and the use of the ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS theme music is cleverly done. Cast-wise, we get turns from a hammy George Kennedy, a typically voluptuous Stella Stevens, Charles Napier as a police chief yet again, and an annoying Joe Don Baker.

My brother and I absolutely love this movie. So many quotable lines, so many wonderfully absurd sequences. We know certain sections of this picture verbatim and have even created a techno-track comprised of samples from the film.My fave character is the psychiatrist Joe Don Baker brings into Charles Napier's office, Dr.Dick. What a classic. "If you piss him off....run!" "You've inflicted emotional wounds which may take years to heal!"Also Harry Palms, the school's "vice" principal "Look at him now....gentle as a lamb. And blank as a fart." and of course Joe Don Baker who is always a welcome presence to any picture. His rendition of Dick Harbinger, the cop who hasn't slept in 13 years, is simply sensational. "It's the 13th anniversary of the lawnmower killings. It's October 31st. 31 backwards is 13, it's Friday, it's Halloween, it's Prom Night. There's a crazy loose. I'm outta coffee."It's certainly not a movie for everyone (ie. those looking for sophisticated, high-brow fare or well-drawn characters) but if all you're after is a good laugh then WACKO will do the trick.It's not easy to find - I own a LaserDisc version which is pretty crummy quality and the VHS versions floating around have seen better days but you might occasionally run into this flick on TV late at night. I'll be one of the first to buy the DVD whenever it makes it's way to this shiny new format.It's amazing how many "stars" Greydon Clark was able to assemble for this absurdist extravaganza. Andrew Dice Clay is memorable as Tony Schlongini - "Everyone's talking' about him, people that know him just love him, so if you're feeling down, or if you're feeling blue, this dude will make you feel super-coooool"TONY SCHLONGINI - Owwwwwwwwww!

Parody of the first generation of US splatter pics works on about the level of a Mad Magazine parody, but one of the FUNNY ones. (You may have to be kind of old like me to remember those.)Some veteran hams give it a kick along. Julia Duffy, (who was the snooty chambermaid who never did any work in the "Newhart" TV series set in an inn in Vermont)has exactly the right aloof/just don't care/not all there presence for the heroine here. Andrew Dice Clay has a great bit as the Vinnie Barbarino parody "Tony Schlongini". His theme-song/entrance is a case of 'once fingerpopped, never forgotten'.Proudly unsophisticated comedy has the dual charm of complete conviction in its silly gags, and not pretending it's anything other than what it is. Very easy watch, with more than enough laughs to get you through.

This is absolutely fab. Among the greatest cult movies ever, although it isnt rated like that - yet.Put your brains on the table and enjoy.Joe Don Baker - I salute you.