Hysterical (1983 film)

Hysterical
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Chris Bearde
Written by	Chris Bearde Bill Hudson Brett Hudson Mark Hudson Trace Johnston
Produced by	William J. Immerman Gene Levy
Starring	(See article)
Cinematography	Thomas Del Ruth
Edited by	Stanley Frazen
Music by	Bob Alcivar Robert O. Ragland
Distributed by	Embassy Pictures
Release date	July 30, 1983 (1983-07-30)
Running time	86 minutes [1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6 million [2]

Hysterical is an American comedy film directed by Chris Bearde. Released on July 30, 1983, by Embassy Pictures, it is a spoof of the horror film genre. The film stars the Hudson Brothers.

In the film, a writer seeks inspiration at a haunted lighthouse in Oregon. He is used in a scheme by two ghosts, and two paranormal investigators subsequently arrive to study the past of the lighthouse.

Plot

Frederic "Casper" Lansing is a writer who hopes to find inspiration while vacationing in Hellview, Oregon; however, the lighthouse in which he is staying is haunted by the ghost of Venetia, who had killed herself 100 years ago and now wants to use Lansing as a vessel for her dead lover, Captain Howdy. When Howdy's ghost starts killing people, two bumbling scientists are brought in to investigate the history of the lighthouse and solve the case.

Cast

• Bill Hudson as Frederic "Casper" Lansing
• Mark Hudson as Dr. Paul Batton
• Brett Hudson as Fritz Batton
• Cindy Pickett as Kate
• Richard Kiel as Captain James Howdy
• Julie Newmar as Venetia
• Bud Cort as Dr. John
• Robert Donner as Ralph
• Murray Hamilton as The Mayor
• Clint Walker as The Sheriff
• Franklyn Ajaye as Leroy
• Charlie Callas as Count Dracula
• Keenan Wynn as Old Fisherman
• Gary Owens as TV announcer
• John Larroquette as Bob X. Cursion

Home media

Hysterical was released on DVD by Image Entertainment on January 30, 2001.

References

1. "Hysterical (15)". British Board of Film Classification . August 18, 1983. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
2. Chase, Donald (Mar 14, 1982). "The New Star Producers: The New 'Star' Producers". Los Angeles Times. p. K1.

External links

• Hysterical at IMDb