“Svengoolie” presents “Barracuda” (1978), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be interested in the return of a cult seaside thriller that was independently produced and released in the late 1970s.

“Svengoolie” presents: “Barracuda” (1978) 

Original 1978 trailer for “Barracuda.”

1978 poster art for “Barracuda.”

The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based horror/thriller film host will present the return of “Barracuda” (1978), this Sat., July 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

The 1978 thriller was directed by Harry Kerwin*, who also worked as an actor throughout his brief cinematic career (“Barracuda” was Kerwin’s final production, he died on June 2, 1979).   The Atlas International film was released theatrically in the United States by Republic Industries under the “Republic Pictures” moniker.  The aforementioned incarnation of Republic Pictures had no connection to the original Republic Pictures corporation and the original Republic film catalog, which was acquired by National Telefilm Associates/NTA in 1967 (NTA purchased the Republic trademarks in 1984 and renamed themselves after the former studio).

This will mark Sven’s second broadcast of “Barracuda” (1978) on Me-TV.  He had previously showcased the Harry Kerwin feature back in Nov. 2017.

 

 

Who was in “Barracuda” (1978)?

The players who appeared in Kerwin’s feature were Wayne David Crawford (as Mike Canfield; Crawford also served as director for the underwater sequences and co-wrote the screenplay), Roberta Leighton (as Liza Williams, Leighton later appeared in Ivan Reitman‘s 1981 comedy, “Stripes” w/ Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and John Candy), Jason Evers (as Dr. Elliot Snow), Barbara Keegan (as Maggie Snow, Keegan received screen credit as as Bobbie Ellyne Kosstrin in the film), Cliff Emmich (as Deputy Lester, Emmich later appeared in Rick Rosenthal‘s “Halloween II” w/ Jamie Lee Curtis in 1981), William Kerwin (as Sheriff Ben Williams; William was Harry Kerwin’s older brother and appeared in Herschell Gordon Lewis‘ thriller features), Bert Freed (as Papa Jack), Denise Taylor (as a student), a cameo appearance by Harry Kerwin (as a government agent) and Rick Rhodes (as a government agent).

“Svengoolie” to showcase “Barracuda” (1978), this Sat. on Me-TV

Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals from coast-to-coast will be looking forward to his upcoming premiere of a cult underwater cinematic thriller entry.

“Svengoolie” presents: “Barracuda” (1978)

Original theatrical trailer for “Barracuda” (1978).

1978 poster art for “Barracuda.”

The iconic Berwyn/Chicago-based horror film host will showcase his premiere of “Barracuda” (1978) on Sat., Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.

“Barracuda” was directed by Harry Kerwin, who was also an actor and a film producer.  This was Kerwin’s last feature film; he died on June 2, 1979 (according to IMDB). At the time, “Barracuda” was one of many cinematic underwater thrillers that were released to capitalize on the success of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” (1975).  Some of the other “Jaws-style” thrillers included “Mako: The Jaws of Death” (1976), “Tentacles” (1977), “Orca” (1977) and “Pirhana” (1978).

Who was in “Barracuda” (1978)?

The players who appeared in “Barracuda” were Wayne David Crawford (as Mike Canfield), Jason Evers (as Dr. Elliot Snow), Roberta Leighton (as Liza Williams), Cliff Emmich (as Deputy Lester), William Kerwin (as Sherriff Ben Williams), Barbara Keegan (as Maggie Snow, Keegan was credited as Bobbie Ellyne Kosstrin in the film), Bert Freed (as Papa Jack), Denise Taylor (as a student), Rick Rhodes (as a government agent) and Harry Kerwin (as a government agent).

In addition to playing the role of Mike Canfield in “Barracuda,” Wayne David Crawford also directed the underwater sequences for Harry Kerwin’s film.   Crawford also co-wrote the screenplay with Kerwin, according to additional details from IMDB.

William Kerwin, who played Sherriff Ben Williams in the film was the older brother of Harry Kerwin.  According to his IMDB profile, the elder Kerwin appeared in bit roles in numerous films and television series throughout his screen career, notably in Herschell Gordon Lewis’ horror flicks.