Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh is a 1991 American comedy horror feature film directed by Dean Tschetter (art director on The Wraith) from a screenplay co-written with Tom Tully; it stars Jake Dengel, Joe Sharkey, Susann Fletcher and Beverly Penberthy.
On some promo material, Tschetter name is replaced by”Alan Smithee” to indicate his dissatisfaction with the final product. The film’s original title was Picking Up the Pieces.
Reviews [click links to read more]:
“It’s not as bad as its sour reputation, especially for those who enjoy the late ’80s primes of Fred Olen Ray and David DeCoteau. Given the brand of comedy, it’s a love-or-hate proposition, and even then it’s something you have to be in the mood for. Savini’s effects are unfairly busted on with all the MPAA cuts…” Basement of Ghoulish Decadence
“It’s clear the filmmakers intended this to be either a wild, Airplane!-style take on splatter movies or a frenetic, comic gorefest a la Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive, but the story and direction lack wit or creativity enough for either one. Nevertheless, there are some outstanding moments of grim humor (particularly a subplot involving a quit-smoking clinic) and audacious makeup effects from local boy Tom Savini.” Cavett Binion, Rovi
“Borrowing elements from Blood Feast, the film sadly misfires on the comedy aspect side of things and on the whole is rather dull. The special effects, believe it or not, where by Tom Savini, though with one exception, aren’t particularly gory. But as this was being released by a major studio they probably cut a lot out of it.” Realm of Horror
Main cast:
- Jake Dengel (Something Wicked This Way Comes)
- Joe Sharkey
- Susann Fletcher
- Beverly Penberthy
- Veronica Hart (Deranged [1987]; Bad Blood; One-Eyed Monster)
- Shawn Elliott (The Dead Pool)
- Pat Logan (Day of the Dead; Night of the Living Dead [1990])
- Don Brockett (Lady Beware; The Silence of the Lambs)
- Robert Stoeckle (Demonic Toys)
- Debra Gordon (Day of the Dead; Sorority Row; Bloodlock).
Image thanks: Basement of Ghoulish Decadence | That’s Some Bad Hat Harry