comedy-comedians-satirists
Laughing while remembering Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind
Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind is a hilarious short film that serves as a direct spoof of the Steven Spielberg film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The film was released in 1980 and is a perfect example of the humor and satire that was popular during that time.
The film was written and produced by Rick Harper and Bob Rogers.
What sets Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind apart from other spoofs is the way it pokes fun at the stereotypes of nerds and geeks. The two scientists are portrayed as socially awkward and obsessed with science, which is a trope that was popularized during the 1970s and 1980s.
In the film, sewage worker Roy Dreary and a number of unusual characters meet up with strange extraterrestrials traveling to earth in a giant pie in the sky. Dreary develops an obsession with mashed potatoes, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries. He encounters singing mailboxes, truck radios that spout bubbles and bubble music, and one pie in the face after another, before finally finding himself at the Sara Loo pie factory-and his close encounter of the nerd kind.
Other characters include a wide-eyed cherubic child, a famous French scientist, a bewildered wife, plus Darth Vader on a motorcycle complaining that he is blocking the road. The film also includes a mysterious code (which turns out to be the first nine digits of the mathematical constant pi) and an oversized xylophone on which Dreary signals to the aliens. All of the character voices are over-dubbed by voice artists Corey Burton and Sandy Stotzer.
The special effects in the film are intentionally cheesy, which adds to the overall humor of the film. The aliens are portrayed as goofy and cartoonish, which is a stark contrast to the serious and ominous tone of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Overall, Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind is a must-watch for fans of comedy and science fiction. The film’s humor and satire hold up even today, and it remains a cult classic among fans of spoof movies. If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, this film is definitely worth checking out.
| Directed by | Rick Harper |
|---|---|
| Written by | Rick Harper Bob Rogers |
| Produced by | Rick Harper Bob Rogers |
| Starring | Stan Greiwe Corey Burton Sandy Stotzer Hennan Chambers |
| Edited by | Marshall Harvey |
| Music by | Larry Wright |
| Distributed by | Pyramid Films |
| Release date | 1980 |
| Running time | 12 min |
| Language | English |
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closet_Cases_of_the_Nerd_Kind