Lobster Man from Mars

Lobster Man from Mars

Year: 1989

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Stanley Sheff

Science FictionComedy

A film student tries to sell his low‑budget sci‑fi picture to a cash‑strapped producer needing a tax write‑off. The producer screens the film, where a dying Mars leaks its atmosphere and sends the Lobster Man to Earth to steal the last air. A mad scientist, a brave woman, and an army colonel foil the alien threat, ending in a chaotic climax.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Lobster Man from Mars (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lobster Man from Mars (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1980s

The story is framed in the late 1980s Hollywood climate, a period known for blockbuster anxieties and tax-related plotlines. The private screening room, the film-within-a-film concept, and the plans for a box-office flop all reflect the era's production culture. The humor relies on contemporary industry tropes and satirical takes on fame and money.

Location

Mars, Earth, Mr. Throckmorton's Haunted House, Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful Geyser, Private Screening Room, Dark Cave

Most of the action unfolds on Earth, beginning in a private screening room and moving to a haunted house. The setting includes a hiding place in a dark cave and a chase that leads toward Yellowstone National Park with its famous Old Faithful Geyser. The locations are used to parody sci‑fi tropes while contrasting Hollywood interiors with outdoor, geothermal landscapes.

🗺️ Mars 🌍 Earth 🏚️ Haunted House 🏞️ Yellowstone National Park ♨️ Old Faithful Geyser 🕳️ Dark Cave 🎬 Private Screening Room

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

Main Characters – Lobster Man from Mars (1989)

Meet the key characters of Lobster Man from Mars (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

J.P. Shelldrake (Tony Curtis)

A powerful Hollywood producer obsessed with avoiding taxes at any cost. He orchestrates schemes to keep profits opaque and to push the film to flop status so expenses can be written off. He thrives on control, charisma, and a willingness to bend rules, even as the plan spirals into unexpected success.

💼 Power 💸 Wealth 🕵️‍♂️ Scheming

Stevie Horowitz (Dean Jacobson)

A young, enthusiastic filmmaker who eagerly presents his project to Shelldrake. He embodies hopeful optimism and artistic ambition, even as he becomes entangled in a larger scheme. By the end, Stevie rises to prominence as the studio’s new creative face after Shelldrake’s downfall.

🎬 Dreamer 🌟 Ambition 🧭 Opportunism

Mary (Deborah Foreman)

A bright, innocent young woman who discovers the hidden flying saucer and becomes a key player in the plan to trap the Lobster Man. She navigates danger with resourcefulness and a resilient spirit, ultimately surviving the chaotic events.

💖 Naive 🕊️ Courage 👧 Youth

John (Anthony Hickox)

A male lead who, along with Mary, uncovers the saucer and attempts to alert authorities. He is brave and pragmatic, often acting as a counterbalance to the cynicism of the production world. His action helps drive the plot toward its theatrical jailbreak finale.

🕵️‍♂️ Heroism 🧭 Loyalty 🧰 Practicality

The Lobster Man (S.D. Nemeth)

The extraterrestrial antagonist who commands the Lobster Man and his gorilla ally. His capabilities to transform victims and wreak chaos provide the film’s outrageous special effects centerpiece. He serves as the farcical threat around which the human schemes revolve.

👾 Alien 🪐 Monstrous 🧪 Sci‑Fi

Professor Plocostomos (Patrick Macnee)

An eccentric, calculating scientist who designs a plan to lure the Lobster Man to a trap. His scheming ingenuity and offbeat demeanor help orchestrate the climactic confrontations. He blends science with theatrical showmanship in equal measure.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Tinkerer 🧠 Eccentric

The King of Mars / The Astrologer (Bobby Pickett)

A Mars royalty figure who also appears as the Astrologer, adding a layer of mythic whimsy to the sci‑fi premise. His dual role underscores the film’s playful approach to fantasy and earthbound schemes. This character anchors the interplanetary flavor of the plot.

👑 Monarch 🪐 Alien 🧭 Mystery

The Queen of Mars (Ava Fabian)

A regal figure from the Martian realm who contributes to the film’s space-age satire. She reinforces the surreal, campy tone of the story with a sense of theatrical pomp. Her presence heightens the otherworldly aspect of the plot.

👑 Queen 🪐 Alien 🎭 Camp

Mr. Throckmorton (Billy Barty)

The quirky host of the Haunted House, who becomes a practical ally in the plan to trap the Lobster Man. His eccentricity and comic timing add a layer of humor to the otherwise tense caper. He embodies the oddball charm of the film’s world.

🏚️ Host 🧩 Quirkiness 🤝 Ally

Vicki the Camper (Diana Frank)

A supporting character who interacts with the main trio and helps propel the chase. Her presence adds an additional human element to the road-mapped adventure. She contributes to the film’s lighthearted, satirical mood.

🧭 Support 🧭 Relatability 🗺️ Adventure

Zip (Skip Young)

A minor but memorable figure who assists in the escapades around the haunted house and the pursuit of the Lobster Man. His quick quips and presence keep the energy buoyant. He represents the ensemble, moneyed industry and impromptu stunt vibes of the story.

🧭 Sidekick 🗯️ Quick Wit 🛠️ Support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

Major Themes – Lobster Man from Mars (1989)

Explore the central themes of Lobster Man from Mars (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Greed drives the plot as Shelldrake pursues a tax write-off by ensuring the film’s failure. The scheme hinges on manipulating box-office perception and promotional hype rather than artistic merit. The satire exposes how profit motives can distort creative decisions and wreck ethical boundaries.

🎭 Satire

The Producers-inspired premise and meta-film structure lampoon Hollywood's self-importance and incentive structure. The film-within-a-film exposes the absurd lengths people go to for fame, money, and control. The humor targets industry arrogance while celebrating the DIY spirit of a young filmmaker.

👽 Alien Comedy

The Lobster Man from Mars serves as a ridiculous sci‑fi villain that heightens absurdity rather than genuine menace. The movie blends space opera with slapstick, deflating genre pretensions and highlighting the clash between fantasy and unscrupulous real-world schemes. The alien enemy becomes a vehicle for playful social satire.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

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Lobster Man from Mars Summary

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Lobster Man from Mars Summary

Lobster Man from Mars Timeline

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Lobster Man from Mars Timeline

More About Lobster Man from Mars

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