SEALED

A little-known early work by David Newman which displays the command over symphonic forces he would later get to exhibit on much larger pictures.

Newman’s third feature film score scarcely belies his relative newcomer status, even as its mature, accomplished orchestral-electronic cues underscore his years of training, performance and session work. It may be rooted in the same classical traditions (and particularly the late-20th century influences that would soon come to dominate the horror genre) his father employed with such mastery.

1. Lullaby (:46)
2. Main Title (3:18)
3. Hart Attack (3:04)
4. John Goes Home (1:21)
5. Epilogue (4:48)
6. Transformation (4:52)
7. John’s Revelation (2:38)
8. Harry’s Van (:51)
9. Harry’s Creatures (1:27)
10. Amanda And John (1:15)
11. Hart Escapes (:40)
12. La Mort Du Chien (:45)
13. Melissa’s Jars (3:29)
14. Amanda Dies (1:13)
15. Nell’s Death (1:39)
16. Lab Reveal (:40)
17. Melissa And Dr. Lloyd (:38)
18. Lullaby (:46)
19. End Title (2:34)

SYNOPSIS - A scientist discovers that he isn't an only child in this effects-laden creature feature whose cast includes screen veterans Kim Hunter and Rod Steiger among a host of other, less well-known performers. John Hollins (David Allen Brooks) is delighted to learn that his geneticist mother, Amanda (Kim Hunter), has awoken from her coma years after she suffered a horrible car crash. During their reunion, he learns that she was trying to put an end to a misguided experiment at her home on the night of the accident. Before losing consciousness, Amanda reveals that John has a brother named Anthony. Later, she's murdered by Dr. Phillip Lloyd (Rod Steiger), an old colleague who wants to uncover the secrets of her research. John travels to his large, run-down boyhood home with his girlfriend, a group of pals, and a mysterious acolyte of his mother's named Melissa (Amanda Pays); the group plans to search for clues about Amanda's research and John's supposed sibling. The young scientist soon ascertains that his mother had created some sort of human/aquatic hybrid, but he doesn't realize that the creature was assembled from his own genetic material - or that it's still alive in the bowels of the house and picking off his friends one at a time. Meanwhile, something's fishy with Melissa, who skulks around, doesn't sleep, tries to seduce John, covers up details of the attacks on his friends, and seems to have some sort of connection to Dr. Lloyd. Co-directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen W. Carpenter previously collaborated on the slasher quickie "The Dorm That Dripped Blood" and on "The Power," a made-for-TV horror film. Pays would go on to co-star in the similarly aquatic sci-fi film "Leviathan." 1987