Kiss Daddy Goodbye

Here's another gloriously absurd and grotesque horror movie concept that only could have sprung from the mind of delirious early 80's scriptwriters. Dig this: A father and his two psychically and telekinetic gifted children lives isolated atop of a mountain, because daddy is worried the government will come and kidnap the children for examination. One day, however, the happy family receives a visit from a gang of nasty biker thugs and they kill daddy right in front of the children. Rather than to use their powers to rescue him, Beth and Michael prefer to resurrect his corpse later on and employ it as a tool of vengeance against the bikers. Meanwhile a social worker (Marilyn Burns of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre") and the new local deputy (Fabian Forte the singer) attempt to visit the family without finding it strange the father is never available. "Kiss Daddy Goodbye" is likely to be the only movie ever in which children toy around with one of their deceased parents and even instruct him to dig his own grave. However, this ultra morbid storyline aspect is probably the only reason to check out this otherwise boring, unexciting and amateurishly put together film. The death sequences are dull and bloodless, the pacing is intolerably slow and the acting performances of the entire cast rank among the worst I've ever seen in 80's horror; and that is saying quite a lot. Especially the child actors are terrible, but they are director Patrick Regan's offspring and they look exclusively modeled after the uncanny kids of "Village of the Damned". Apparently only cute-faced kids with white hair and pale skins are allowed to have telepathic powers. This rare and curious piece of 80's trash is probably not worth tracking down, but still I can't say I regret having seen it. There's a certain something about this movie which fellow cult fanatics will notice and appreciate as well.

I rented this only because Marilyn Burns was in it, and I am a huge fan of hers and of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," where she played her most famous role of Sally, the terror-stricken heroine. I had seen her in "Eaten Alive," Tobe Hooper's follow-up to TCM, and she was great in that. And I wondered if she would keep that same style of acting in this. (If you've seen her in those two movies, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.)

What a surprise, she played an extremely timid role, and it was interesting to see her acting in such a contemporary manner. She plays Nora Dennis, a social worker of some sorts who checks on these two children every month. The children are these two little psychic kids whose father was killed by roadhogs. They bring him back through "the Power" to exact revenge, and thus he does, in a very boring manner.

The other part of the movie is Nora meeting and becoming involved with this cop who is investigating some on what's going on in the movie. Burns plays the role well, but I've seen her do better, and she never actually gets to pull off that Sally-like performance that made her first two roles so memorable. In fact, this film in a whole is quite timid, and pretty boring. There is no blood whatsoever (not that I'm a gorehound, but some would be okay.) It's a weak movie, and I can't recommend it much. But fans of Burns might be interested in seeing her in this film.

An aura of mystery surrounds the twins,Beth and Michael and their widowed father.Daddy has reason for keeping them from a normal life;for they've inherited their dead mother's powers.When their father is killed by four gun-crazy bikers they decide to re-animate daddy's corpse.They create a zombie to protect them,and to avenge his own death."Kiss Daddy Goodbye"/"Revenge of the Zombie" is a shoddy horror flick that is perfect for fans of trash cinema.The acting is truly horrible and the gore is non-existent.The only reason to watch this obscure horror film is Marilyn Burns in a small role as the social worker who unites with policeman Fabian Forte to unravel the mysterious secrets of the children.The film lacks tension and excitement and is pretty boring,so fans of low-budget American horror will be disappointed.Anyway,give this one a look only if you're a fan of Marilyn Burns.4 out of 10.

This inferior quality film has a few decent ideas at work...a young girl and boy are siblings with telekinetic powers, and are kept hidden from the world by their protective father, who fears that they will be taken for scientific study should their secret become revealed. Their incommunicado home is invaded by some nasty bikers whose punkish antics result in the Father's death, obviously leaving the kids in quite a pickle. Unsure of what to do, they use their paranormal abilities to resurrect their father...thus begins a bloody rampage of zombie vengeance.

A poorly shot flummox with flavorless performances, KISS DADDY GOODBYE somehow manages to retain a level of watchability in a quirky sort of way...I suspect it could have been great had it been made under better conditions.

Take it or leave it. 4/10

I saw this years and years ago on Elvira. It was amusing because of the strange, stilted quality of the child actors. Years later I met the producer at a cook out in Santa Monica. She was very self effacing and sweet. Once in awhile I would see her on the street and wave.

In the early nighties they opened a "Hogie" sandwich place at a maul at Pico and La Cienega in L.A. The put up a sign advertising the Fabian would be there making a special appearance. I thought it was kinda funny. I didn't go to see if he was there for the opening. I think I had a sandwich there once. I don't know if it's there anymore.

I remember you used to see the big sized box for this film at the video store.