Hell Comes to Frogtown
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Screenplay by
Story byRandall Frakes
Produced by
  • Donald G. Jackson
  • Randall Frakes
Starring
Cinematography
  • Donald G. Jackson
  • Enrico Picard
Edited by
  • R. J. Kizer
  • James Matheny
Music byDavid Shapiro
Distributed byNew World Pictures
Release date
  • January 1988 (1988-01)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.5 million

Hell Comes to Frogtown is a 1988 American science fiction action film directed by Donald G. Jackson and R. J. Kizer, and written by Jackson and Randall Frakes. The film stars professional wrestler Roddy Piper as Sam Hell, one of the last remaining fertile men in a post-apocalyptic world populated by both humans and mutant amphibians. The film's cast also includes Sandahl Bergman, Cec Verrell, William Smith and Rory Calhoun.

Hell Comes to Frogtown was followed by two sequels: Return to Frogtown (1993) and Max Hell Frog Warrior (1996).

Plot

In the late 20th century, a large-scale nuclear war ends in a nuclear holocaust. In the aftermath, Earth has become a post-apocalyptic wasteland, where, due to fallout, most humans have been rendered sterile. As a result, the government places a high priority on those who can still breed. Additionally, humanity now shares the planet with a race of mutant amphibians, whom the government has exiled to the desert and prohibited from possessing firearms.

Sam Hell, a nomadic scavenger, is recruited by the provincial government to serve as a human stud—they tracked him down by following a trail of pregnant women left in his wake from his travels, and have determined that he is one of few remaining fertile men in existence. A protective codpiece that monitors Hell's physiosexual condition is affixed to his groin and secured by an electronic lock. Upon learning that the mutant amphibians have armed themselves and taken a group of fertile human women hostage, Hell is ordered to infiltrate the mutant city (derogatorily referred to as "Frogtown") and rescue and impregnate the women. He is accompanied by nurse Spangle and corporal Centinella.

During their journey to Frogtown, Hell attempts to escape, but quickly learns that the codpiece will shock his genitals if he strays too far from Spangle. Despite their rocky start and Spangle's initial cold demeanor, the pair grow closer during the journey and eventually fall in love. When they reach Frogtown, everyone involved is captured. The frogs' second-in-command, Bull, tortures Hell and attempts to remove the codpiece for its technology. Meanwhile, a slightly drugged Spangle is forced to work as a slave and dance for the frogs' Commander Toty. Proving more successful than she had wished, the nurse soon finds herself at the mercy of the aroused commander. However, with the codpiece now removed (Bull finally removed it with a chainsaw, but it exploded and killed him), the escaped Hell rescues her along with the group of fertile women held captive.[1]

Cast

Roddy Piper portrayed Sam Hell in the film.
Sandahl Bergman on Count Gore De Vol

Reception

Critical reception for Hell Comes to Frogtown has been mixed to positive. TV Guide awarded the film two out of five stars, calling it "Another of those futuristic, post-apocalyptic science fiction dramas".[5]

DVD Talk gave the film three out of five stars, writing, "Rowdy Roddy Piper has to save the world by diddling beautiful babes and squashing six-foot mutant toads with crummy attitudes. What's not to like?"[6]

Jason Cook of The Spinning Image rated the film a score of six out of ten stars, writing, "Cheap and cheerful its narrative lulls and directorial shortcomings are glossed over by a winning central performance and a smattering of witty dialogue. Its no cinematic masterpiece, but were there any talking mutant frogs in Citizen Kane?"[7]

Creature Feature gave the movie 2.5 stars, finding that while it is a Mad Max ripoff, it does so with a sense of style and has the ability to laugh at itself.[8]

Though not received well by critics, producer Randall Frakes says he was glad the fans seemed to like it and "get all the jokes as intended".[9]

Legacy

Hell Comes to Frogtown inspired the title of the "Hell Comes to Quahog" (2006) episode of animated television series Family Guy.[10]

Sequels and spinoffs

Hell Comes to Frogtown spawned one sequel, Return to Frogtown, which was released directly to VHS in 1993.

Toad Warrior was released in 1996 and later re-released as Max Hell Frog Warrior in 2002. According to Jackson, the film was intended as a stand-alone story.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987)". Moria. 2011-01-18. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  2. ↑ Irel, Rob (2020-07-31). "Roddy Piper - From The Streets to the Big Time". Pro Wrestling Stories. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  3. ↑ Canby, Vincent (1982-05-15). "Fighting, Fantasy in 'Conan the Barbarian'language=en-US". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  4. ↑ Allen, Henry (1997-08-24). "The Slippery Slope of Stardom". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  5. ↑ "Hell Comes To Frogtown - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TV Guide.com. TV Guide Staff.
  6. ↑ Gross, G. "Hell Comes To Frogtown: SE : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". DVD Talk.com. G. Noel Gross. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  7. ↑ Cook, Jason. "Hell Comes To Frogtown Review (1987)". The Spinning Image.co.uk. Jason Cook.
  8. ↑ Stanley, J. (2000)Creature Feature:3rd Edition
  9. ↑ "HDTGM: Conversation With Hell Comes to Frogtown Writer/Producer Randall Frakes". /Film. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  10. ↑ MacFarlane, Seth (2006). Family Guy season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Hell Comes to Quahog" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  11. ↑ "Donald G. Jackson The Final Interview | Scott Shaw.com". www.scottshaw.com. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
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