There is always something creepy about inanimate figurines that come to life that can be creepy sometimes. It's hard to say why maybe it's because of how their made, like their made a little too real or even unreal. Though for me it's a more psychological reason on how much we blur the line between real and unreal and by doing that we become unable to distinguish the difference, which makes us vulnerable to whatever forces threaten us from both realms.This is an under the radar gem that I really like, I really like the plotline which is the typical one you've seen in lots of horror films like "Wrong Turn", "House of 1,000 Corpses" etc. Where some young people go on a road trip but have got themselves going the wrong direction or had a break down at the wrong place at the wrong time. But it's what they always run into that makes the story stand out.Not much in the characters, the group of young adults they serve their functions. Though if anyone it's Chuck Connors, never thought this actor would be in a film like this but he is. I really like his performance as Mr.Salusen, he's the kind of character your not 100 percent sure about where at first he comes off as an alright guy and he's a bit sympathetic as he's a person that has gone through a loss but is down on his luck as his old wax museum no longer gets business. However you sense something about him isn't on the level, like in one scene we see his phone doesn't work. Not that that's a big deal as it doesn't seem like he has anyone to really call but I feel that little thing is a big way of telling you not just he doesn't get out much but how long he hasn't gotten out.The killer Pugface doesn't disappoint, the mask he has along with that voice it will just give your spine a chill tickle, he looks and sounds like Zeke the Plumber from an episode of "Salute Your Shorts" wonder if the writer of that episode saw this film, on a side note that guy creeped me out too. Just the way the guy moves which is sometimes regular speed but also stilted, even with his own mouth or let alone how much the guy stands still. At time your almost not sure if he's a mannequin. The guy utilizes automotive devices to make his mannequins move, however it's not all automated as he is also armed with telecentric abilities to make he's sculptures have life. I also really like that there is a bit of a guessing game on the identity of this killer, though you can easily guess who it is but I like how it's handled because there are times it can really throw a curve ball on you assumptions to keep you guessing.Other than that we're all really in this film for the suspenseful horror as well as effects. The effects in this film are astounding, as it's all practical there's no CGI bull crap. This film really had the best use of puppeteering, electro magnets, automation and even make up designs as there were some people made to look like mannequins/ wax figures, those make up effects were convincing because half the time I wasn't sure. I really like how the mannequins move which I'll admit really creeped me out, though some of the movement was done by the actors as mannequins. It's very strange because it's like the inanimate figures move and don't move at the same time like you would miss it if you blinked or turned your head for a second. That's a creepy feeling because it's that feeling of dropping your guard and becoming vulnerable for a mere moment.The suspense throughout the film is very good it is just creepy as heck from beginning to end, from the use of darkness, seeing those figurines move, that big gapping mouth, the sounds you hear from them or quietly in a different direction. There is that unsafe feeling as there is a great sense of isolation from the fact that they all drove of in the middle of nowhere which means help won't come for miles. That each of them are getting picked off one by one and your honestly hopping at least one will make it. And just simply blurring the line from the real and unreal just like some of the poor characters, even you at time have trouble distinguishing the difference as it's constantly messed with; there is one final scene near the end which I'll admit gave me chills I won't say what it is but it's the time when that line between both real and unreal almost completely disappears.But the very best thing about this film is the score which is great, it's one of my favorite horror movie scores ever. It almost reminds me of the kind of score I would hear from the Italian Horror films. Because the score has this very strange everything out of wack vibe mainly from the theme song, down though out the film to it at first and then cuts to filling you with a sense of dread, which perfectly fits the nature of the film.Watch out for the next mannequin you see, it might have it's eye on you. Rating: 3 and a half stars

This 1979 horror film tells about a group of friends that have car trouble and stay the night at a deserted, roadside museum where a psychotic, doll-maker stalks them. This is an odd horror flick that sort of shares similarities with "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "House of Wax." Chuck Connors (The Rifleman) is featured and is great in this. I'd probably watch this at least once if you're into masked-killer type horror flicks.

A group of young people breakdown in the middle of nowhere and set out in search of help. They find an old roadside museum filled with mannequins, run by an old guy named Mr. Slausen (Chuck Connors). Very quickly, the group realizes all is not right when, one-by-one, the friends go missing.I'm shocked to see all of the glowing, 10/10 reviews for Tourist Trap. I've probably seen the movie three or four times over the years and it's never really done much for me. It's got too many faults for me to rate it average or above. First, the movie is horribly predictable and the final twist is easy to guess about 20 minutes in. There are no surprises. For the most part, the acting is abysmal. Chuck Connors is the only real "actor" in the cast. The group of friends aren't the brightest bulbs - and that's by horror movie standards. Could they have made it any easier for the killer? They each take a turn wandering around aimlessly and alone in the dark. It's hard to feel anything for people this stupid. Finally, unlike most reviews I've read, I've never found Tourist Trap all that atmospheric. Yes, there are some creepy moments, but overall, the movie's never worked on that level for me.I always try to include the good side of any movie I watch, so here it is for Tourist Trap. Chuck Connor is good. He is the creepy part I was referring to earlier. Other than a few instances, Pino Donaggio's score is quite good. Much of the film's music belongs in a better movie than Tourist Trap. Finally, one of the movie's real highlights is Tanya Roberts' tube top. It's the center of attention in most scenes.

A few good jump scares in the first scene, as guy is locked in room and things start flying through the windows, and at him, while mannequin cackles, until a metal post pierces his lower back, killing him- followed by complete silence, as we survey the damage to the room, the scene of the crime. Good opening promises a lot, I hope the rest of the film can hold up. A group of three girls and one guy stumble upon a waterfall after their jeep breaks down. They don't' seem alarmed by the strange local hick (imagine George Lazenby doing a bad Clint Eastwood impersonation) trying to drive them away with a shotgun - he takes them to Slausen's Museum, closed to the public. He even decorated it himself. They're warned by this hick to stay away from the odd, old house in the distance, and for good reason. One girl goes to have a look anyway: life-like mannequins seem to be coming to life to attack her inside. In a good unmasking scene, (Phantom of the Opera reference? vaguely Psycho reference) it is revealed that the old hick thinks he is his own brother, and is killing people to turn them into wax figures, mannequins, which he has some type of power and control over. Jerry jumping out the window was a Texas Chain Saw Massacre reference. Stupid twist of Tanya getting free but then allowing villain to take her back to the house is a major turning point for the film, but not for the better. The first half is quite good, with many references to earlier horrors without being overly derivative, but this weird combo of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, House Of Wax, and Psycho gets silly during Tanya Roberts' attack, and never fully recovers its edge it had in the first half. A basic, uncomplicated premise helps, the plot is not over complicated; weird camera angels and the bizarre mannequins themselves all make this highly effective and memorable, but the climax couldn't be any more stupid. A better ending to the film could have made it a classic.