Microwave Massacre

Microwave Massacre
Credits
Title:	Microwave Massacre
Directed by:	Wayne Berwick
Written by:	Thomas Singer; Craig Muckler
Produced by:	Craig Muckler; Thomas Singer
Music by:	Leif Horvath
Cinematography:	Karen Grossman
Edited by:	Steve Nielson
Production
Production:	Reel Life Productions
Distributors:	Anthem Pictures
Released:	October 31st, 1979
Rating:	Unrated
Running time:	76 min.
Country:	USA
Language:	English
Navigation
Previous:	—
Next:	—

Microwave Massacre is an American independent feature film of the pyscho-thriller and comedy subgenres of horror. It was directed by Wayne Berwick with a screenplay written by Thomas Singer based on a story treatment by Craig Muckler. It was produced by Reel Life Productions and distributed theatrically through Muckler/Singer Productions. It premiered in Austin, Texas on October 31st, 1979. Microwave Massacre stars Jackie Vernon as Donald - a construction worker who is trapped in an unhappy marriage because his wife May, played by Claire Ginsberg, refuses to prepare him the meals that he likes, preferring instead to only serve mis-pronounced gormet quisine. Donald's exploration of fine dining takes an unexpected turn when he drunkenly murders his wife, only to develop an appreciation for the taste of human flesh.

Cast

Actor	Role
Jackie Vernon	Donald
Loren Schein	Roosevelt
Al Troupe	Philip
Marla Simon	Knothole girl
Claire Ginsberg	May
Lou Ann Webber	Dee Dee Dee
Anna Marlowe	Chick
Cindy Gant	Susie Grubb
Sarah Alt	Evelyn
Karen Marshall	Neighbor
Phil De Carlo	Sam
Aaron Koslow	Salesman
Ed Thomas	Doctor Von Der Fool
John Harmon	Doctor Gestalp
Norman Friedman	Mister Goodbite
Debra Draper Berwick	La nurse
Malvina Ackerman	La waitress
Al Mannino	Le fruit
Elaine Barker	La greasy delight
Brad Ford	Le drunk
Joel Hurwit	Le mover
Greg Walter	Le mover
Luigi Bercovici	Le mover
Rory Hurwit	Le juicer
John Beyrooty	Le Fried Piper
Bill Ingwersen	Le Fried Piper
Tonedeaf Jackson	Le Fried Piper
Bob Shebop	Le Fried Piper
Larry Allen	Le drunk, too
Harry Evans	Le worker
Craig Muckler	Le lover
Dick Nibbler	Le reader
Allison	La danceur
Major Electric	The Oven

Notes & Trivia

Jackie Vernon as Donald.

• The tagline for this film is "They Came For Dinner ... To Find They Were It!!"
• Production on Microwave Massacre began on August 22nd, 1979. Principal shooting concluded on September 8th, 1979.
• This movie marks the directorial debut of Wayne Berwick. Berwick also makes an uncredited appearance in this film as one of the movers. He appeared in the 2016 video documentary short on the film My Microwave Massacre Memoirs. Berwick also directed the 1985 archival stock footage video Attack of the B Movie Monsters. Berwick also directed the 2005 schlock-fest The Naked Monster, presented by Anthem Pictures, and also wrote "The Hole" episode of Monsters in 1990.

Claire Ginsberg as May.

• Actor Jackie Vernon, who plays the lead role of Donald, was a stand-up comedian and voice actor. He is best known for voicing Frosty the Snowman in the Rankin/Bass animated holiday special Frosty the Snowman, as well as its sequel, Frosty's Winter Wonderland. Jackie Vernon passed in Hollywood, California on November 10th, 1987 at the age of 63.
• This is actress Claire Ginsberg's first, and to date, only known acting work in film. She receives a "Claire Gisnberg as May" credit in the opening titles.
• Film editor Steven Nielson is credited as Steve Nielson in this film.
• This is the only film produced by Reel Life Productions.

This chick is going to shove her boobs through some plywood. I'm not joking.

• The character of Donald dies of a heart attack in this film. Actor Jackie Vernon also died of a heart attack, albeit several years later.
• Actor Jackie Vernon also played Coahc Toomey in "Demon in Lace" episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker in 1975.
• The budget for Microwave Massacre was between $70,000 and $80,000.
• Producer and writer Craig Muckler makes an appearance in the film as the lover.
• Major Electric actually receives a credit in the film as The Oven. Major Electric is a fictional manufacturing company and a play on the real multinational conglomerate, General Electric.

Donald enjoys his wife's ribs for lunch - literally!

• Most of the end title credits are dipslayed in French.
• One of the end title credits states "The producers wish to express their thanks to MICROWAVE OVENS, without which this movie would have taken much longer".
• This is one of John Harmon's final film roles. Harmon also appeared in the 1959 sci-fi/horror movie The Monster of Piedra Blancas, which was directed by Irvin Berwick - father of Microwave Massacre director Wayne Berwick.
• Actress Anna Marlowe, who plays the girl in the chicken costume, is also known for playing a harlot in Beyond Evil in 1980.
• Actor Alex Mann is credited as Al Mannino in this film. Although he is portrayed as extremely effeminite in this film, in actuality, Alex Mann was something of a badass. He died in Sherman Oaks, California on July 6th, 2010 - eighteen days before his sixty-ninth birthday.
• There is actually an actor credited as "Dick Nibbler" in this film.

Recommendations

• Blood Diner
• Blood Feast
• Motel Hell

External Links

• Microwave Massacre at IMDB
• Microwave Massacre at Trakt.TV
• Microwave Massacre at Wikipedia
• Microwave Massacre at Letterboxd.com
• Microwave Massacre at Themoviedb.org