Dr. Giggles

Dr. Giggles is a horror-comedy movie from 1992 directed by Manny Coto, starring Larry Drake, Holly Marie Combs, and Cliff De Young. The movie introduces us to Dr. Evan Rendell (Larry Drake), a mentally unstable physician who escaped from a mental hospital twenty years after his father's death. Dr. Rendell moves back to his hometown to take revenge on the people who he believed were responsible for his father's passing. He takes on the pseudonym of Dr. Giggles and starts terrorizing the townsfolk.

The movie starts with a young girl called Jennifer (Sara Melson) who complains of heart palpitations to her father, who is also a physician. The father prescribes some medicine and sends her to bed. In the middle of the night, Jennifer is murdered by Dr. Giggles in her home. The cardiac arrest victim becomes Dr. Giggles' trademark. The town of Moorehigh is horrified by Jennifer's death, and everyone is convinced that the physician's son is responsible.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Jennifer's friend, Maxine (Holly Marie Combs), who has a heart condition and has been seeing a therapist. Maxine is haunted by nightmares and visions of Dr. Giggles, who appears to her in various forms. Her therapist, Dr. Rendell's former colleague, tries to assure her that he is safely locked up, even though he knows Dr. Rendell has escaped.

When Maxine and her boyfriend go to Jennifer's house to find out the cause of her death, they encounter Dr. Giggles, but manage to escape. Now, Maxine becomes the primary target of Dr. Giggles as she attends a party at a cabin with her friends. Dr. Giggles follows her there and starts attacking everyone with surgical equipment, including a bone saw, a scalpel, and a chainsaw, in his quest to perform heart surgery on Maxine, his "heart transplant" patient.

The only person who knows the truth about Dr. Giggles is Detective John Clifford (Cliff De Young), a family friend of the Rendells. With the help of Maxine, he learns about Dr. Rendell's past and tries to stop him from killing anyone else. But Dr. Giggles is too smart and too determined to be caught. He creates chaos all over town with his killing spree, and the only hope the residents have is to stop him before he performs his final act of insanity.

Dr. Giggles is an amusing horror-comedy with some excellent dark humor. The movie mostly relies on traditional slasher elements but manages to add a healthy dose of laughter to the mix. The film's standout feature is undoubtedly Larry Drake's performance as Dr. Giggles. He embodies the character's quirky sense of humor and erratic behavior perfectly, creating a villain that is both dark and comedic. The supporting cast, including Holly Marie Combs and Cliff De Young, are equally impressive, providing the movie with some much-needed substance.

The movie's direction is commendable, with Manny Coto infusing a sense of urgency and suspense throughout the film. There are some genuinely frightening moments in the movie, and the sound and cinematography work together to create a chilling and unsettling atmosphere. The movie's special effects are practical and effective, bringing to life some of the most gruesome death scenes, making it a favorite among horror buffs.

Overall, Dr. Giggles is an entertaining horror-comedy that delivers on the promises of slasher flicks while adding its touch of macabre humor. The movie never takes itself too seriously, but that's what makes it all the more fun. It serves up plenty of gore, laughs, and suspense, making it a must-watch for fans of horror and comedy alike.