Lobster Man from Mars (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Shelldrake agrees because his accountant proposes a scheme where the expenses of a film can be written off as a tax loss only if the movie flops at the box office. Since Shelldrake is desperate to dodge millions in IRS back taxes, he sees Stevie's low-budget sci-fi picture as the perfect candidate to fail and provide the tax write-off he needs.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Shelldrake's accountant explains that the film's expenses can only be written off if it's a box office flop, establishing the greedy motivation behind Shelldrake's interest.

• tax write-off
• shelldrake
• producer
• steve horowitz
• scheme
• irs

In the film-within-a-film, Mars is suffering from a severe air leakage that threatens to destroy the planet. The King of Mars commands the Lobster Man and his assistant Mombo to travel to Earth in a flying saucer and steal Earth's air to save Mars.

Foreshadowing: The opening of the in-film story establishes Mars's atmospheric crisis, explaining the Lobster Man's mission.

• lobster man
• mars
• earth
• air theft
• alien invasion

Professor Plocostomos devises a plan to lure the Lobster Man to Mr. Throckmorton's Haunted House near boiling hot springs, intending to push him into the hot water. When that plan fails due to military interruption, the Lobster Man is eventually tricked into stepping into Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone, where he is boiled to death.

Foreshadowing: The initial trap at the haunted house uses the hot springs, establishing that extreme heat can kill the Lobster Man.

• old faithful
• yellowstone
• lobster man death
• professor plocostomos
• geyser

Shelldrake's tax scheme backfires spectacularly. He purchased Stevie's film expecting it to flop so he could write off the expenses against his tax debt. Instead, the movie becomes a huge box-office hit, making substantial profits. The unexpected success exposes his tax evasion scheme, and Shelldrake is sentenced to prison for his unpaid taxes.

Foreshadowing: The accountant warns that the scheme only works if the film fails, setting up the ironic reversal.

• tax prison
• shelldrake
• box office success
• ironic ending
• tax evasion

The film's ridiculous, goofy nature ends up being part of its appeal. Shelldrake initially sees the movie's apparent stupidity as a virtue for his tax scheme, but the quirky, satirical humor and the film's self-aware parody of sci-fi tropes give it an odd charm that audiences embrace, turning it into a profitable hit.

Foreshadowing: During the screening, Shelldrake reacts with disbelief but also recognizes an undeniable charm to the film.

• box office hit
• parody
• sci-fi spoof
• audience success

John and Mary discover the flying saucer hiding in a dark cave and attempt to warn the authorities about the alien threat. However, they are dismissed as hysterical or crazy, so they turn to Professor Plocostomos for help instead.

• john
• mary
• authorities
• ignored
• professor plocostomos

Stevie's career takes off dramatically. After Shelldrake purchases the production and goes to prison for tax evasion, Stevie becomes the studio's new star talent, taking over as the leading filmmaker at the studio. His dream of breaking into Hollywood comes true.

Foreshadowing: Shelldrake buys the production on the spot, securing Stevie's future as his next big project.

• steve horowitz
• success
• hollywood
• studio
• filmmaker

During the chase sequence, Professor Plocostomos uses the overheated coolant from his vehicle to drench Mombo, the Lobster Man's helmeted gorilla aide. The hot coolant causes Mombo's foamy demise, eliminating the Lobster Man's companion.

• mombo
• gorilla
• professor plocostomos
• coolant
• death

After the Lobster Man captures Mary during the interrupted trap at the haunted house, she manages to escape from him. A chaotic chase ensues through rugged terrain as she flees from the alien, ultimately leading to the final confrontation at Yellowstone.

• mary
• escape
• lobster man
• chase
• john

Shelldrake's accountant hatches a plan where the expenses of his next film release can only be written off as a tax loss if the movie bombs at the box office. With millions in back taxes owed to the IRS, Shelldrake desperately needs a flop to write off his debts, making Stevie's ridiculous sci-fi film seem like the perfect candidate.

Foreshadowing: The scheme is established early in Shelldrake's office scene.

• tax scheme
• accountant
• irs
• back taxes
• write-off