'Dig That Cat... He's Real Gone' spins the yarn of Ulric (Joe Pantoliano, "The Fugitive"), a homeless person dragged from the street by Emil Manfred (Gustav Vintas, "Lethal Weapon"), a mad scientist needing a subject for longevity experiments. By implanting a gland from a cat into Ulrics' brain, Manfred thereby gives Ulric its "nine lives". And they figure to profit from the circumstance, setting up Ulric as a sideshow attraction who will be repeatedly "killed" by an audience member and then get resurrected. Their plans go awry when both Ulric and his carny girlfriend Coralee (Kathleen York, 'The West Wing') get greedy.
Although it's easy to predict how the main character will get his comeuppance, this extremely lively, stylish third episode of the first season has lots of pleasures. Joey Pants is highly engaging in the lead, and given fine support by Robert Wuhl ("Batman") as an equally sleazy barker (with ever-changing fake mustaches), the sexy Ms. York, and the delightful Mr. Vintas. More of a dark comedy than true horror, this still shows the audience quite a good time, as director Richard Donner clearly has lots of fun with the script by Terry Black ("Dead Heat"). (Donner also has an uncredited cameo as an audience member, chanting "Ulric! Ulric! Ulric!" along with the rest of the crowd.) The Crypt Keeper gets things off to a fine start with his groan-worthy but still amusing wordplay and quips.
Also appearing uncredited is top character actor Larry Hankin ("Escape from Alcatraz") as a coroner who gets the surprise of his life when Ulric sits bolt upright on the autopsy table.
Seven out of 10.
Although it's easy to predict how the main character will get his comeuppance, this extremely lively, stylish third episode of the first season has lots of pleasures. Joey Pants is highly engaging in the lead, and given fine support by Robert Wuhl ("Batman") as an equally sleazy barker (with ever-changing fake mustaches), the sexy Ms. York, and the delightful Mr. Vintas. More of a dark comedy than true horror, this still shows the audience quite a good time, as director Richard Donner clearly has lots of fun with the script by Terry Black ("Dead Heat"). (Donner also has an uncredited cameo as an audience member, chanting "Ulric! Ulric! Ulric!" along with the rest of the crowd.) The Crypt Keeper gets things off to a fine start with his groan-worthy but still amusing wordplay and quips.
Also appearing uncredited is top character actor Larry Hankin ("Escape from Alcatraz") as a coroner who gets the surprise of his life when Ulric sits bolt upright on the autopsy table.
Seven out of 10.