Squirm (1976)

July 30, 1976 (US) • Horror • 92m

Overview

A violent electrical storm topples power lines into the rain soaked earth that is home for an aggressive breed of worms. The high voltage causes the worms to mutate into larger, hostile hordes of man-eating worms that lie in wait for the residents of Fly Creek.

Director

Jeff Lieberman

Writer

Jeff Lieberman

Top Billed

Don Scardino

Keywords

small town jealousy love triangle obsession light flooding georgia rural area power outage missing person worms human skeleton eco-horror

Where to watch

Free / Included

Top Billed Cast

Don Scardino

Mick

Patricia Pearcy

Geri Sanders

R.A. Dow

Roger Grimes

Jean Sullivan

Naomi Sanders

Peter MacLean

Sheriff Jim Reston

Fran Higgins

Alma Sanders

William Newman

Quigley

Barbara Quinn

The Sheriff's Girl

Carl Dagenhart

Willie Grimes

Angel Sande

Millie

Carol Jean Owens

Lizzie

Kim Iocouvozzi

Hank

Walter Dimmick

Danny

Leslie Thorsen

Bonnie

Julia Klopp

Mrs. Klopp

Ralph Flanders

1st Man at Lunch Counter

Albert Smith

2nd Man at Lunch Counter

Jim Shirah

3rd Man at Lunch Counter

Harold Mumm

Bus Driver

W.A. Lindblatt

Power Line Repairman

Crew

Jeff Lieberman

Director

Jeff Lieberman

Writer

Joseph Beruh

Executive Producer

Edgar Lansbury

Executive Producer

Geri Windsor

Casting

Edgar Lansbury

Producer

Robert Prince

Original Music Composer

Joseph Mangine

Director of Photography

Brian Smedley-Aston

Editor

Henry Shrady

Art Direction

Al Gramaglia

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Mark Hindenburg

Assistant Director

Chris Balton

Assistant Camera

Neil Deluca

Assistant Art Director

David Fatt

Assistant Editor

Darrell Jonas

Production Coordinator

Luis Vidal

Boom Operator

Kevin Janicelli

Best Boy Grip

Mik Cribben

Still Photographer

Jon Neuburger

Second Assistant Camera

Bernard Stevens

Assistant Sound Editor

Bill Chant

Location Coordinator

Peter Kean

Production Manager

Al Gramaglia

Sound Editor

Dan Sable

Sound Editor

Harriet Glickstein

Sound Editor

Judy Rosenthal

Script Supervisor

Bill Lister

Gaffer

Norman Page

Makeup Artist

Dianne Finn-Chapman

Costume Design

Bob Ippolito

Key Grip

R. Bruce Steinheimer

Property Master

Bill Milling

Special Effects

Don Farnsworth

Special Effects

Lee Howard

Special Effects

Don Blackburn

Unit Manager

Rick Baker

Makeup Designer

Drew Struzan

Art Designer

Reviews

Wuchak

⭐ 7/10

December 27, 2018

***The Best Horror Flick about Hostile Worms Ever Made!***

After the incredible success of Jaws in 1975 "nature runs amok" flicks became real popular for the next decade or so; in fact, they're still being made. "Squirm" was released one year after "Jaws" in late July 1976 in the USA and most other countries in 1977-1978.

THE PLOT: A storm downs power lines in a coastal Georgia town, electrifying the wet mud and unleashing millions of 10-18 inch sand worms of the area. City slicker Mick (John Scardino) comes into town to visit redhead Geri (Patricia Pearcy), eldest daughter of a widow (Jean Sullivan). A slow-witted local hick Roger (R.A. Dow) is attacked by the worms and goes mad as slimy creatures attack the citizens over the course of a day and night. The opening claims that the events are based on an actual incident from September 29, 1975.

The first time I saw "Squirm" I was about 13 years old and high as a kite (something I don't do anymore) and, man, it scared the you-know-what out of me! I was completely taken in by the story, the eerie mood and Deep South ambiance. I was ENTRANCED. Seeing it again as an adult (and sober), it's understandably not as scary or captivating, but that first viewing won my utmost and eternal respect.

"Squirm" was actually shot in the deep South, in Port Wentworth, Georgia (just North of Savannah), and all the actors go for the whole "Southern" bit with aplomb. So the film has a real authentic Southern feel.

The story is generally slow-paced but that's okay because the movie only runs 92 minutes. It has loads of atmosphere and a few really creepy scenes, like when the worms attack Roger's face while fishing in a rowboat with Geri. The story isn’t campy at all, as some claim, although there’s some realistic humor. It's pretty much presented in all seriousness; and the acting by the main characters is believable and good (not so much with the peripheral characters). Roger strikes you as a likable genuine country boy before the attack.

All of these factors explain how I was able to get swept up in the story and take it seriously (at least as serious as such a story can be taken). It may not be a Grade A film like "Jaws" or "Orca" but it's certainly a quality "B" film, that is, if you have a taste for "nature runs amok" flicks. Don't listen to those who say this is a Grade Z flick. It's not; it’s a well-made B picture.

How you will take "Squirm" depends on your personality. Some will find it unintentionally funny or cheesy, while others, like me, will take it seriously and enjoy the eerie air, Southern locations and a few good frights. "Squirm" is effective for the type of film it is.

GRADE: B

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Squirm (1976)

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Wuchak

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