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Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1978 · 83 min · English
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Directed by
John De Bello
Starring
Sharon Taylor, Eric Christmas, Al Sklar, David Miller, Don Birch, Ernie Meyers

A bizarre and chaotic event unfolds as killer tomatoes begin attacking people across the globe. As the situation escalates, a ragtag group must find a way to defend humanity against the relentless, pulpy assault. The world descends into madness as the juicy menace wreaks havoc, leaving innocent bystanders covered in a barrage of red, pulpy fury. Can anyone survive this gory and gut-busting attack?

Adventure Sci-Fi Horror Comedy Musical Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Mason Dixon

    Mason Dixon is the courageous leader of the task force assembled to combat the killer tomatoes. He demonstrates resourcefulness and determination, navigating through absurd challenges while trying to keep calm amid chaos.

    • 🦸‍♂️ Heroic
    • 🎩 Leader

  • Jim Richardson

    Jim Richardson serves as the President's press secretary, attempting to downplay the threat of killer tomatoes. His character oscillates between authority and desperation, revealing the conflict between public perception and reality.

    • 🗣️ Authority
    • 📊 Manipulative

  • Gretta Attenbaum

    Gretta Attenbaum is portrayed as an Olympic swimmer, showcasing bravery and physical prowess in the face of absurd threats. Her character amplifies the theme of survival through athleticism and determination.

    • 🏊‍♀️ Brave
    • 💪 Athletic

  • Lois Fairchild

    Lois Fairchild is an investigative character who becomes entangled in the chaos. Her curiosity leads her to uncovering vital information, ultimately representing the spirit of inquiry amidst absurd danger.

    • 🔍 Inquisitive
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Resourceful

  • Wilbur Finletter

    Wilbur Finletter is a soldier who remains loyal to Mason Dixon throughout the unfolding drama. His character embodies courage and the absurdity of military protocols in a comical setting filled with vegetable threats.

    • 🎖️ Loyal
    • 🤪 Comedic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:07

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Setting

Where and When Does Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Take Place?

The setting of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1975

Set in 1975, the film captures a period marked by a mix of cultural absurdities and the rise of campy horror in cinema. This era also reflects a playful yet satirical take on societal fears, blending comedy with elements of traditional horror narratives that were prevalent during this time.

Location

unnamed urban city, West Coast

The movie primarily unfolds in an unnamed urban city on the West Coast, characterized by its chaotic atmosphere as it faces an unprecedented assault from killer tomatoes. This city serves as a backdrop of absurdity and humor, where terror and hilarity collide amid the tomato crisis.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌊 Coast

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:07

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3 major themes

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Absurdity

    The film explores the theme of absurdity, illustrated through the bizarre premise of tomatoes turning against humanity. This theme is presented in a humorous light, highlighting the chaos arising from trivial fears and societal commentary.

  • Survival

    Survival is a central theme as characters unite in their bizarre quest to combat the invading killer tomatoes. Their quirky methods and teamwork showcase the human spirit's resilience, even in the face of the ludicrous.

  • Music

    Music plays a significant role in the narrative, with the revelation that the killer tomatoes are weakened by the sound of 'Puberty Love.' This theme intertwines humor and creativity, using sound as a weapon against absurdity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:07

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Character & theme questions

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The film takes place in an unnamed urban city on the West Coast of the United States. This chaotic city serves as the primary backdrop for the tomato attacks, creating an environment where terror and humor collide amid the unprecedented vegetable crisis.

  • setting
  • west coast
  • city
  • location
Q2

When does the story take place?

The movie is set in 1975, a period characterized by campy horror cinema and cultural absurdities. This era choice reflects the film's satirical approach to societal fears, blending comedy with traditional horror elements popular during the mid-1970s.

  • 1975
  • time period
  • 1970s
  • era
Q3

What is the main theme of the film?

Absurdity is the central theme, presented through the ridiculous premise of tomatoes turning against humanity. The movie uses this bizarre concept to comment on trivial fears and societal anxieties in a humorous, satirical way.

  • absurdity
  • theme
  • satire
  • humor
Q4

How does survival factor into the story?

Survival plays a key role as characters band together to combat the invading tomatoes. The quirky methods and teamwork showcase human resilience even when facing completely ludicrous threats, highlighting the human spirit's determination.

  • survival
  • teamwork
  • resilience
Q5

What is the significance of music in the movie?

Music is a central narrative element because the killer tomatoes are specifically weakened by the sound of the song 'Puberty Love.' This creates a humorous and creative solution to the absurd crisis, using sound as a weapon against the vegetable menace.

  • music
  • puberty love
  • sound
  • weapon
Q6

Who is Mason Dixon?

Mason Dixon is the courageous leader of the task force assembled to combat the killer tomatoes. He demonstrates resourcefulness and determination, guiding his team through absurd challenges while trying to maintain composure amid the chaotic tomato assault.

  • mason dixon
  • leader
  • task force
  • protagonist
Q7

Who is Gretta Attenbaum and what is her role?

Gretta Attenbaum is an Olympic swimmer who brings bravery and physical prowess to the fight against the killer tomatoes. Her character embodies the survival theme, using athleticism and determination to confront the absurd threat.

  • gretta attenbaum
  • olympic swimmer
  • survival
  • bravery
Q8

What role does the government play in the story?

Jim Richardson serves as the President's press secretary and attempts to downplay the tomato threat to the public. His character highlights the conflict between public perception and reality, adding a layer of bureaucratic satire to the absurd situation.

  • government
  • president
  • press secretary
  • jim richardson
Q9

What is the tone of the film?

The film has an unambiguously whimsical tone, established through its central absurd premise, intentionally bad humor, and cartoonish situations. The 'horror' elements are presented as farcical, making this a quintessential cult comedy rather than a genuine thriller.

  • tone
  • whimsical
  • comedy
  • cult
  • humor
Q10

What type of story is this?

The narrative is a straightforward parody of invasion movies, following a simple plot structure with a clear, happy resolution. Despite having multiple characters, the story maintains its identity as a satire that mocks traditional horror tropes while embracing deliberate campiness.

  • parody
  • satire
  • invasive movie
  • plot structure

Movie threads

More Movies Like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Absurd genre parodies like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

Movies that lovingly mock serious genres with intentionally silly premises and humor. Discover movies like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! that satirize classic film genres with over-the-top silliness. If you enjoy films that poke fun at serious tropes with a lighthearted, campy approach, you'll find more hilarious, off-the-wall comedies here.

  • satirical
  • absurd
  • campy
  • playful
  • self-aware
  • parody
  • Tone: whimsical, satirical, playful
  • Pacing: variable, often fast-paced
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a familiar genre structure—such as an invasion or a monster attack—but subvert it at every turn with ludicrous threats and incompetent characters. The plot serves as a vehicle for jokes and satirical commentary, often resolving conflicts in unexpectedly humorous and anti-climactic ways.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared goal of deconstructing genre tropes through absurdity. They possess a whimsical tone, light emotional weight, and a playful spirit that prioritizes laughs over genuine suspense, creating a cohesive vibe of intelligent silliness.

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra movie poster

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

2004
UHF movie poster

UHF

1989
Lobster Man from Mars movie poster

Lobster Man from Mars

1989
Hyperspace movie poster

Hyperspace

1984
Top Secret! movie poster

Top Secret!

1984
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie movie poster

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

1996
Outer Space Jitters movie poster

Outer Space Jitters

1957
Strangers with Candy movie poster

Strangers with Candy

2006

Campy B-movie chaos like in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

Low-budget films that embrace their flaws for a delightfully messy and hilarious ride. Find similar movies to Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! that revel in their low-budget, campy nature. If you love chaotic, quirky films with a cult following where the fun is in the film's sheer audacity and lack of polish, this collection is for you.

  • campy
  • chaotic
  • quirky
  • low-budget
  • cult classic
  • zany
  • Tone: whimsical, quirky, campy
  • Pacing: variable, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is often straightforward but delivered with a frantic, variable pace. Plots are simple excuses for a series of bizarre events and slapstick humor. Character arcs are minimal, with the focus instead on the outrageous situations and the film's unique, unpolished aesthetic.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their camp sensibility and low-budget origins, which create a specific, communal viewing experience. They share a lighthearted, quirky mood, an acceptance of chaos, and a focus on entertainment value over technical perfection.

Outer Space Jitters movie poster

Outer Space Jitters

1957
Big Trouble movie poster

Big Trouble

1986
Schlock movie poster

Schlock

1973
Bunks movie poster

Bunks

2013
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra movie poster

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

2004
Killer Klowns from Outer Space movie poster

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

1988
Invasion of the Star Creatures movie poster

Invasion of the Star Creatures

1962
Big Trouble in Little China movie poster

Big Trouble in Little China

1986

Every angle

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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