Rabid (1977)
AKA: –
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Starring: Marilyn Chambers (Rose), Frank Moore (Hart), Howard Ryshpan (Dr. Dan Keloid), Joe Silver (Murray), Patricia Gage (Roxanne Keloid), Susan Roman (Mindy)
Country: Canada; Effed Up Canadian Cinema
Language: English (Optional Eng Subs)
Runtime: 01:30:50
Genres: Body Modification, Medical, Violence against Men
Plot – Spoilers:
A couple in a bike accident are taken to the nearby Keloid clinic that specializes in grafts of the dodgy sort, and which also attracts people obsessed with their appearance and who end up looking weird.
The guy from the accident gets off easy with a pin in his shoulder and is able to maintain his pre-accident stoned gaze (until the climax where he cracks quite hilariously). The woman though is in a coma and undergoes some experimental grafting that leaves her rabid. Like the disease. She’s got this thing poking out of her armpit that she uses to jab her disease into mostly horny men, and soon, the whole town is rabid, biting each other. The disease also works like a drug and has withdrawal symptoms, though the carriers seem to have a semblance of control over whom they choose to munch on.
Watching this Cronenberg classic, you’ll probably realize where the whole premise of Species came from. Even the lead actress looks similar, though one actually did porn, and the other probably should have.
Cronenberg, the master of medical horror films and the creator of movies such as ” Shivers ” and a whole series of ” Scanners ” films in the 70s and 80s has come up with this classic that was remade a couple of years ago, by the Soska Sisters, which I watched awhile back. It was ok but not up to the standard of the original.
So awesome,Marylin chambers was cute,I love Dave’s early work,particularly Rabid,then of course Shivers,Scanners,Videodrome & the awesome,The Fly,really digging his sons movies too,Possessor was hectic,apple don’t fall to far from the tree,remake came out of Rabid,3 years ago I think,by the Soska sisters & I have to Agree with Zed it was okay,just average,this,right here,the original is where it’s at,a classic