The Vagrant is a 1992 comedy horror film directed by Chris Walas for Mel Brooks’ (Young Frankenstein; Dracula: Dead and Loving It) company. It stars Bill Paxton (Mortuary; Aliens; Near Dark), Michael Ironside (American Nightmare; Visiting Hours; Scanners), Marshall Bell (Innocent Blood; Starship Troopers), Colleen Camp (Deadly Games; Tales from the Darkside TV series), Marc McClure, Stuart Pankin and Patrika Darbo.
After brief VHS distribution, the film dropped into obscurity. Scream Factory finally released The Vagrant on DVD for the first time along with The Outing, The Godsend and What’s the Matter With Helen? in the All Night Horror Marathon collection on August 20, 2013.
Plot teaser:
Graham is a “suck-up” yuppie whose ambition is to be a senior analyst. Having purchased a slightly run-down house in an upcoming area, he is appalled by and increasingly paranoid about a vagrant that lives on the derelict land nearby. Graham’s girlfriend Judy invites the vagrant in for a sandwich which tips the young careerist over the edge, he even imagines her having sex with the homeless hobo. When pieces of people Graham knew begin appearing in his fridge, the sceptical police naturally blame him. He vainly struggles to comprehend what is really going on. As the deaths continue he starts to even doubt his own sanity…
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Reviews:
“it’s empty-headed nonsense that challenges my lifelong assumption that anything involving Paxton and Ironside would be awesome by default. The script betrays both of them and Walas, one of the era’s best effects masters, here presumably looking to stretch his legs and do something a little different.” Brett Gallman, Oh, the Horror!
“Sure to inflame the ire of homelessness activist groups for its unflattering portrayal of a psychotic derelict, The Vagrant (executive-produced by Mel Brooks, who earlier made the homeless laughfest Life Stinks) plays like an attenuated, not to mention rejected, Tales From the Darkside episode. Even a restrained (for him) performance by the always-fun Bill Paxton (Aliens), as the put- upon yuppie nerd, can’t mask the stench exuded by this moronic, ineptly directed bummer.” Doug Brod, Entertainment Weekly
“The weaker conclusion is not as strong as the first hour that’s for sure but it’s still entertaining. If the film doesn’t make you laugh it will surely make you look twice next time some bum asks you for chump change.” The Arrow, Joblo.com
Choice dialogue:
Policeman: “Sir, we cannot apprehend a citizen upon the basis of what he eats. Read the Constitution.”
Graham’s boss: “C’mon, talk some of that Czech shit, talk the Czech shit”.
| Actor / Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Bill Paxton | Graham Krakowski |
| Michael Ironside | Lt. Ralf Barfuss |
| Marshall Bell | The Vagrant |
| Colleen Camp | Judy Dansig |
| Marc McClure | Chuck |
| Stuart Pankin | Mr. Feemster |
| Patrika Darbo | Doattie |
| Ken Love | Cop (Buzz) |
| Mitzi Kapture | Edie Roberts |
| Derek Mark Lochran | Det. Lackson |
| Teddy Wilson | X-Rays |
| Mildred Brion | Mrs. Howler |
| Allan Berne | Mr. Polkowisz |
| Katherine Gosney | Graham’s Mother |
| Nick Young | Guard |
| Lance Brady | Sheriff |
