Review of Hell Comes to Frogtown

Smartaleck Sam Hell (a lively and engaging performance by wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper) is one of the few potent men left in the wake of a nuclear holocaust. He's recruited by uptight doctor Spangle (Sandahl Bergman in top two-fisted form) to impregnate as many fertile women as possible in order to restore mankind's status as the dominant species in a barren wasteland ruled by mutant humanoid frogs. Directors Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer, working from a pleasingly wiggy'n'witty script by Randall Frakes, relate the lovably loopy story at a snappy pace, maintain a winningly zany tongue-in-cheek tone throughout, and milk the amusing sense of cheerfully lowbrow humor for all it's worth. The zesty acting by the enthusiastic cast keeps the movie humming: Cec Verrell as fierce'n'foxy soldier Centinella, Kristi Somers as sassy saloon gal Arabella, Nicholas Worth as brutish "greener" Bull, Brian Frank as evil frog leader Commander Toty, and Cliff Bemis as suave club owner Leroy. Better yet, we've got colorful supporting parts for dependable veterans Big Bill Smith as the surly Captain Devlin and Rory Calhoun as amiable old prospector Looney Tunes. Moreover, there are a lot of cracking hilarious lines, with the sparky rat-a-tat-tat banter between Hell and Spangler providing the biggest belly laughs. Spangler's scorching hot dance number for Commander Toty rates as a definite highlight. David Shapiro's robust score hits the spirited spot. Jackson's sunny cinematography makes the most out of the desolate desert locations. A total hoot.