Arachnophobia (1990)

Country of Origin: USA
Year of Production: 1990
Running Times: 109 mins
Format: colour     35mm     70mm (blow-up)
Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby SR (35mm prints)     70mm 6-Track (70mm prints)

CREDITS

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Hollywood Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall
Co-Executive Producers: Ted Field, Robert W. Cort
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Richard Vane
Co-Producer: Don Jakoby
Associate Producer: William S. Beasley
Production Supervisor (Venezuela): Rolando Loewenstein, Roland G. Haiek Wulff
Unit Production Manager: William S. Beasley
Production Manager (Venezuela): Nicholas DiBlasi
Amblin Production Controller: Bonnie Radford
Production Coordinator: Christie Johnston
Assistant Production Coordinators: Bart Brown, Ann Eysenring
Production Coordinator (Venezuela): Maria Eugenia Gil

SCRIPT
Script: Don Jakoby, Wesley Strick
Story: Don Jakoby, Al Williams

DIRECTION
Director: Frank Marshall
1st Assistant Director: Bruce Cohen
2nd Assistant Director: David D'Ovidio
Assistant Director (Venezuela): Luisa De La Ville

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Mikael Salomon
Camera Operator: Eric J. Goldstein
1st Assistant Camera: Ian Maguire Fox
2nd Assistant Camera: David Luckenbach
Camera Assistant (Venezuela): Henry Guerrero, Natalio Lorenzo
Camera Loader: Rebecca Baehler
Gyrosphere Operator: Mikael Salomon
Gyrosphere Assistant: Michael Kelem, John Connell
Gaffer: Dwight D. Campbell
Gaffer (Venezuela): Alfonso Vera
Electrics Best Boy: Andrew Ryan
Electrics Best Boy (Venzuela): Franklin Campos
Electricians: Dave Bartholomew, Mark Crosthwaite
Electricians (Venezuela): Johnny Rodriquez
Key Grip: Robby Huber
Key Grip (Venezuela): Antonio Subero
Grip Best Boy: Jesse Chavez
Grip Best Boy (Venezuela): Francisco Silva
Dolly Grip: Jimmy Leavens
Grips: Jack Glenn, Paul Iski
Grip (Venezuela): Jorge Gutierrez
Stills: Ralph Nelson
Stills (Venezuela): Richard Foreman
Video Assistant Operator: Richmond Cogswell
Colour Timer: Steve Sheridan
Cameras and Lenses: Arriflex
Colour: DeLuxe

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Michael Kahn
Assistant Editors: William Goldenberg, Patrick Crane, Alan Cody
Amblin Post Production Supervisor: Martin Cohen
Negative Cutter: Gary Burritt

MUSIC
Music: Trevor Jones
Songs: Henry Mayer, Hans Brudtke, Johnnt Mercer (Summer Wind); Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly, Martika (Blue Eyes Are Sensitive to the Light); Pat Metheny (Goin' Ahead); George C. Cory, Douglass Cross (I Left My Heart In San Francisco); Jimmy Buffett, Michael Utley, Jay Oliver (Don't Bug Me)
Songs Performed By: Frank Sinatra (Summer Wind); Sara Hickman (Blue Eyes Are Sensitive to the Light); Pat Metheny (Goin' Ahead); Tony Bennett (I Left My Heart in San Fransisco); Jimmy Buffett (Don't Bug Me)
Music Conducted By: Shirley Walker
Orchestrators: Larry Ashmore, Shirley Walker, Guy Dagul
Music Coordinator: Victoria Seale
Music Scoring Mixer: John Richards
Music Editor: Thomas A. Carlson
Synths Mixed By: Paul Hulme
Music Contractor: Sandy DeCrescent
Music Recorded At: Evergreen Recording Studios

SOUND
Sound Mixer: Ronald Judkins
Boom Operator: Robert Jackson
Re-Recording Mixers: Terry Porter, David J. Hudson, Mel Metcalfe
Supervising Sound Editor: Tom McCarthy
Sound Editors: Bill Hartman, Dave Ice, Jimmy Ling, Roxanne McCarthy, Don Walden, Chris Welch, Dave Williams
Assistant Sound Editors: Steve Born, Bruce Foster
ADR Mixer: Tanya David
Supervising ADR Editors: Richard Friedman, Robert Kizer
ADR Loop Group: Jane Alden, Ellen Blain, Cathy Cavadini, Judi Durand, Doris Hess, Barbara Iley, Rocky Krakoff, David J. Randolph, Gary Schwartz, La Gloria Scott, Christina McGregor, Ryan McWhorter
Foley: Taj Soundworks
Foley Mixer: Kevin Bartnof
Foley Artist: Hilda Hodges
Wind Synthesist: Phil Todd
Sound Effects Processing: Edward Bannon, Mary Erstad
Cableman: Randy McDonald

COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP
Make Up: James L. McCoy, David Quashnick
Hair: Carolyn L. Elias, Dione Taylor
Make Up/Hair (Venezuela): Sandy Jelamby
Costumes: Jennifer L. Parsons
Women's Costumer: Elaine Maser
Men's Costumer: Dave Powell
Wardrobe Supervisor (Venezuela): Tania Perez

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects Supervisor: Matt Sweeney
Special Effects Foreman: Bob Stoker
Special Effects Assistant: Michael Bisetti, Jim Schwalm, Doyle Smiley, Lucinda Strub
Creature Effects Supervisor/Spider Creator and Designer: Chris Walas
Creature Effects General Manager: Mark Walas
Creature Effects LA Coordinator: James Isaac
Animatronics Engineers: Connie Angland, Carol Bauman, Jon Berg, Brian Dewe, John Drouillard, Stephen Dupuis, Joel Friesch, Guy Hudson, James Hyneman, Conrad Itchener, Maggie Jensen, Michael Jobe, James Kent, Kelly Lepkowsky, Victoria Lewis, Alan Lipney, Michelle Lyman, Clayburn Moore, Greg Olsson, Valerie Sofranco, Michael Steffe, Paul Theren, Lauren Vogt, Danny Wagner, Melanie Walas, Scott Walas, Harold "Pookie" Weed, Michael Wick, Dave Wiezer

VISUAL EFFECTS
Visual Effects Supervisor: David Sosalla
Visual Effects Coordinator: Alison Savitch
Executive in Charge of Production Matte Painting: Krystyna Demkowicz
Matte Painting Effects: Matte World
Matte Director of Photography: Craig Barron
Matte Artist Supervisor: Michael Pangrazio
Computer Graphics: Industrial Light and Magic
Titles and Opticals: Pacific Title

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: James Bissell
Art Director: Christopher Burian-Mohr
Assistant Art Director: Edward T. McAvoy
Senior Set Designer: Carl J. Stensel
Set Decorator: Jackie Carr
Set Dressers: Max Brehme, Don Kaeding, Mike Carrillo
Property Master: Louis S. Fleming
Assistant Property Masters: Gary F. Kieldrup, Gus Feederle
Propmaker Foreman: Darrell Huntsman
Construction Coordinator: Ernie DePew
Construction Foremen: Paul Cohen, Michael Litteken, Paul A. Litteken
Set Constructor (Venezuela): Abraham Bucce
Drapery: John J. Slatsky
Art Department Coordinator: Suzanne Lee Peck
Illustrators: Edward C. Eyth, Marty Kline, Thomas J. Southwell
Art Department Production Assistant: Jill Hall
Leadman: Tim Donelan

OTHER CREW
Script Supervisor: Julie Pitkanen
Continuity Assistant: Robin Skelton
Production Accountant: Vince Heileson
Assistant Production Accountants: Denise Morgan, Kelly Richards Stitt
Assistant Production Accountant (Venezuela): Maria DeVane
Payroll Services: Disc Production Management Group
Production Associate: Brian Steward
Production Assistant: Daniel J. Lombardo, Russell Martin
Assistant to Kathleen Kennedy: Cathy Konrad
Assistant to Richard Vane: Dara L. Weintraub
Assistant to Don Jakoby: Renne Dupont
Assistants to Frank Marshall: Mary T. Radford, Laurie Reese
Transportation Coordinator: Daniel C. Marrow
Transportation Captain: Randy Burke
Helicopter Pilots: Don C. Hildebrand, Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc
Supervising Entomologist: Steven Kutcher
Live Spider Coordinator: Jim Kundig
Spider Consultants: Arnold Peterson, Chuck Kristensen
Animal Trainers: Jules Sylvester, Mark Harden
Spider Spotter: Jurgen Heimann
First Aid: Lucy Michael
Craft Service: Tiffany Ann Battersby
Caterer: Tony's Food Service Inc
Projectionist: Walter McCormick
Unit Publicity: Marsha Robertson
Studio Teacher: Dick Wicklund
PR (Venezuela): Carolina Montenegro
Logistics Support (Venezuela): Jimmy Caprillo
Production Services (Venezuela): Warm Weather International; Group de Venezuela C.A.

LOCATIONS
Locations: California, USA; Cambria, California, USA; Venezuela
Location Supervisor: Dow Griffith
Location Manager (Los Angeles): Paul Hargrave
Location Manager (Venezuela): Michael John Meehan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks To (USA): Cranes and Dollys By Chapman; Kenworthy Snorkel Camera Systems; Preston Cinema Systems; Manhattan Microwave Communications; Mobile Telesystems; Comsat Mobile Communications; Carlson Travel Network; The People of Cambria, California; The San Luis Obispo County Film Commission
Thanks To (Venezuela): Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales Renovables Inparques; C.V.G. - Edelca; Hoturvensa/Avensa; Fuerzas Amardas de Cooperacion; Policia Metropolitana; Ministerio de Transporte y Communicaciones; Sindicato Profesional de Trabajadores de Radio, Teatro, Cine TV y Afines - Seccionales del Destrito Federal y Estado Bolivar; Comision Indigenista del Ministerio de Educacion; Gobernacion del Estado Bolivar; Direccion de Cine del Ministerio de Fometo; The Flying Squirrels

STUNTS
Stunt Coordinator: Chuck Waters
Stunts: Clark Coleman, John Hock, John Robotham, Lincoln Simonds, Jeff Smolek, Jim Waters, Spice Williams

CASTING
Casting: Mike Fenton, Judy Taylor, Valorie Massalas
Casting Assistant: Allison Gordon
Cambria Casting: Judith Bouley
Local Extra Casting: Cenex Casting
Extras Co-Ordination (Venezuela): Oscar Gamez Arevalo
ADR Voice Casting: Barbara Harris

CAST
Jeff Daniels (Dr Ross Jennings)
Harley Jane Kozak (Molly Jennings)
John Goodman (Delbert McClintock)
Julian Sands (Dr James Atherton)
Stuart Pankin (Sheriff Parsons)
Brian McNamara (Chris Collins)
Mark L. Taylor (Jerry Manley)
Henry Jones (Dr Sam Metcalf)
Peter Jason (Henry Beechwood)
James Handy (Milton Briggs)
Roy Brocksmith (Irv Kendall)
Kathy Kinney (Blaire Kendall)
Mary Carver (Margaret Hollins)
Garette Patrick Ratliff (Tommy Jennings)
Marlene Katz (Shelley Jennings)
Jane Marla Robbins (Edna Beechwood)
Theo Schwartz (Bunny Beechwood)
Cori Wellins (Becky Beechwood)
Chance Boyer (Bobby Beechwood)
Brandy (real name: Brandy Norwood) (Brandy Beechwood)
Frances Bay (Evelyn Metcalf)
Lois de Banzie (Henrietta Manley)
Warren Rice (Dick Manley)
Robert Frank Telder (Mayor Bob)
Michael Steve Jones (Irv's assistant)
Fiona Walsh (little girl)
Terese Del Piero (Mum)
Nathaniel Spitzley (Todd Miller)
Jay Scorpio (mover)
Mai-Lis Kuniholm (girlfriend)

PLOT SUMMARY

Dr James Atherton discovers several dozen new species of insect in a remote corner of Venezuela. One particularly nasty strain of spider kills a photographer and hides out in his coffin, finding its way to Canaima, California whe it begins mating with the local arachnids to produce murderous hybrids. Arachnophobic doctor Ross Jennings and his family have recently moved to the town and as his patients begin to die in a mysterious way and the rest of the town dub him Doctor Death, Jennings fights a lonely battle to convince the authorities that the deadly spiders are for real. Aided by eccentric bug exterminator Delbert McClintock and a bunch of Atherton's entomologist buddies, Jennings tracks the male spider to its lair and prepares to face his terrible fears...

CAPSULE REVIEW

Arachnophobia pretty much came out of nowhere to emerge as a first rate "revenge of nature" thriller with a few moderate laughs along the way. For non-arachnophobics it certainly isn't as scary as some spider hating critics and audiences have made it out to be, but Marshall still does remarkably well to generate a few nicely timed shocks and scares. (Full Review)

AVAILABILITY

Argentina
Video Distributors: Gativideo

France
Theatrical Distributors: Warner Bros.

Germany
Theatrical Distributors: Warner Bros. GmbH
DVD Distributors: Hollywood Pictures Home Video (34592)

USA
Theatrical Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures
Video Distributors: Hollywood Pictures Home Video
Laserdisc Distributors: Hollywood Pictures (1080 AS)
DVD Distributors: Hollywood Pictures Home Video (17098)

CENSORSHIP HISTORY

Argentina
Rating: 13

Australia
Rating: PG

Chile
Rating: 14

Finland
Rating: K-16

Germany
Rating: 16

Iceland
Rating: 14 (theatrical); 16 (video)

Netherlands
Rating: 12

Norway
Rating: 15

Peru
Rating: 14

Singapore
Rating: PG

South Korea
Rating: 12

Sweden
Rating: 15

UK
Rating: PG

USA
Rating: PG-13

AWARDS

1991
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (Saturn Awards)
Best Actor (Jeff Daniels) - winner
Best Horror Film - winner
Best Director (Frank Marshall) - nominated
Best Supporting Actor (John Goodman) - nominated
Best Writing (Don Jakoby, Wesley Strick) - nominated

Young Artist Awards, USA
Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Marlene Katz) - nominated
Most Entertaining Family Youth Motion Picture: Comedy/Horror - nominated

TIMELINE

1990
July
18: USA - theatrical release

October
18: Argentina - theatrical release

December
14: Netherlands - theatrical release
26: Australia - theatrical release

1991
January
4: UK - theatrical release
10: Germany - theatrical release
11: Finland - theatrical release
25: Sweden - theatrical release

April
17: France - theatrical release

1999
June
15: USA - DVD release (Hollywood Pictures Home Video (17098))

November
30: Germany - Hollywood Pictures Home Video (34592)

POSTER TAGS

Eight legs, two fangs and an attitude.

The suspense of Alien! The excitement of Jaws! The fun of Back To The Future!

ALTERNATIVE TITLES

Along Came a Spider - working title
Arachnophobie - French title
Aracnofobia - Argentinean/Italian/Peruvian/Portuguese /Spanish title
Araknofobia - Finnish title
Imse vimse spindel - Swedish title
Pajaki - Polish title

LINKS

FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN
The Horror Hall of Fame (1990)

SEE ALSO
Eight Legged Freaks (2002)

REFERENCES

MAGAZINES

The Dark Side January 1991 p.35 (UK)
review

Fear December 1990 p.55 (UK)
review

Première (May 1991) p.18 (France)
review (by Patrick Fabre)

Sight and Sound Autumn 1990 p.280 (UK)
credits, synopsis, review

Starburst no.150 pp.20-25 (UK)
illustrated article

Studio May 1991 p.8 (France)
review (by Catherine Wimphen)

Trash City no.9 (UK)
review

NEWSPAPERS

Svenska Dagbladet 25 January 1991 (Sweden)
review (Spindlar i härlig skräckis by Jeanette Gentele)

BOOKS

Aurum Encyclopaedia of Film: Horror (2nd edition) p.458
credits, review

Fantastic Cinema Subject Guide p.121
note

Hoffman's Guide to SF, Horror and Fantasy Movies p.26
credits, review

Horror and Science Fiction Films IV by Donald C. Willis p.22
credits

Illustrated Dinosaur Movie Guide by Stephen Jones p.132
credits, review

OTHER SOURCES

screen
credits

KEYWORDS

american football, arachnophobia, barns, coffins, doctors, exterminators, funerals, microscopes, mortuaries, nail guns, phobias, photographers, showers, spiders, spider webs, undertakers, wine

Last Updated: 15 October, 2008