Howard the Duck is a 1986 American science fiction comedy film directed by Willard Huyck and starring Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, and Tim Robbins. Based on the Marvel comic book of the same title, the film was produced by Gloria Katz and written by Huyck and Katz, with George Lucas as executive producer. The screenplay was originally intended to be an animated film, but the film adaptation became live-action because of a contractual obligation. Although several TV adaptations of Marvel characters had aired during the preceding 21 years, this was the first theatrically released feature film, coming after the serial Captain America.
Lucas proposed adapting the comic book following the production of American Graffiti (1973). After multiple production difficulties and mixed response to test screenings, Howard the Duck was released in theaters on August 1, 1986. Upon its release, the film was a critical and commercial failure, and in the years since, is considered one of the worst films of all time. It was nominated for seven Razzie Awards (winning four), and made about US$15 million domestically compared to its US$37 million budget.
Storyline[]
In this film based on the comic book character, Howard the Duck is suddenly beamed from Duckworld, a planet of intelligent ducks with arms and legs, to Earth, where he lands in Cleveland. There he saves rocker Beverly (Lea Thompson) from thugs and forms a friendship with her. She introduces him to Phil (Tim Robbins), who works at a lab with scientist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones). When the doctor attempts to return Howard to his world, Jenning instead transfers an evil spirit into his own body.
Sound Effects Used[]
- SKYWALKER, AIRPLANE - MILLENNIUM FALCON POWER UP
- SKYWALKER ASTROMECH CRITICAL SCREAM (Heard briefly once during the end of the film.)
- SKYWALKER BODYFALL SOUNDS (debut)
- SKYWALKER, BULLET - HOTH BLASTER RICOCHET
- SKYWALKER, CAR - VARIOUS TIRE SCREECHING
- SKYWALKER, ELECTRICITY - LIGHTNING BOLT POWER 01 (debut)
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 01
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 07 (Might've been heard in a low quality sometimes, but otherwise mistaken for any of the Skywalker Sound's electrical sounds, I TMD the Hedgehog think.)
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 19
- SKYWALKER EXPLOSION 22/Space Lightning 01 (Heard once during the introduction's of the title screen.)
- SKYWALKER, EXPLOSION - MEDIUM SET-OFF WITH WHISTLE (possible debut)
- SKYWALKER, FIRE - FLAMES QUICK ROAR BY 01
- SKYWALKER, FIRE - FLAMES QUICK ROAR BY WITH WHISTLE (debut)
- SKYWALKER GLASS, SMASH - LARGE WINDOW CRASH
- SKYWALKER GLASS, SMASH - LARGE WINDOW CRASH 02
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - BIG BELCH 02
- SKYWALKER, HUMAN - YELL, LONG, MALE 02
- SKYWALKER, JET - ARTOO'S ROCKET THRUSTERS
- SKYWALKER LASER BLAST SOUND
- SKYWALKER MACHINE GUN 01
- SKYWALKER, METAL - LIGHT CRACKLE AND SQUEAK
- SKYWALKER POWERLINE SNAPPING SOUND
- SKYWALKER PUNCHING SOUNDS
- SKYWALKER, SCI-FI GUN - ION CANNON GUN
- SKYWALKER, SQUISH - TAUNTAUN GUTS
- SKYWALKER, SMASH - SLIDING DOORS FALLING DOWN
- SKYWALKER, WHISTLE - CARTOON FALL WHISTLE
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - INDY'S WHIP CRACKS (reversed)
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - METALLIC PIECES FLY BY (debut)
- SKYWALKER, WHOOSH - SCREAM-LIKE PASS BY
- SKYWALKER, WIND - REACTOR SHAFT EXPLOSION, WIND, WEATHER
- Sound Ideas, BIRDS, JUNGLE - AFTERNOON JUNGLE BIRDS CALLING, ANIMAL
- Sound Ideas, DOG - DISTANT BARK, NEAR & FAR DOGS BARK AT NIGHT, ANIMAL (debut)
- Sound Ideas, EXPLOSION - INCREASING RUMBLE LEADING TO EXPLOSION
- Sound Ideas, INSECT, CRICKET - SINGLE, ANIMAL
- Sound Ideas, MOTOR, ELECTRIC, SMALL - COFFEE GRINDER (debut)
- Sound Ideas, MUD, SPLASH - GIANT GLOP & BUBBLE BLAST (debut)
- Sound Ideas, WEATHER, LIGHTNING - BOLT OF LIGHTNING STRIKES CLOSE BY, THUNDER 10
- SoundDogs, Train: Trains - Freight Cars Coupling Impact - MCU - Bg Engine Noise, Also Rattles, Clunks, Squeaks, & Creaks, All Coupling Related, Several Ambiance Changes
- Wilhelm Scream