Meet the Applegates

This comedy begins in a Brazilian rain forest where a group of insects decide to destroy the human race because humans are destroying the environment. Since insects would be the sole survivors after a nuclear holocaust, they decide to infiltrate a nuclear plant. Taking on the disguise of a typical American family (Dick, Jane, children John, Sally and the family dog, Spot), they settle in suburbia. Before long this family with the peculiar habits, such as consuming huge amounts of candy bars, fall prey to ordinary human vices such as liquor, sex and charge accounts.

  • Starring: Ed Begley Jr. and Stockard Channing
  • Director(s): Michael Lehmann
  • Producer(s): Denise Di Novi
  • Screenwriter(s): Michael Lehmann, Redbeard Simmons
  • Distributor: New World Pictures
  • Release Date: Thursday, May 10, 1990

Featured Animal Action

The environmental theme of the plot puts some focus on the insensitive practices of humans. Where a teenager tortures an earthworm with a match, a real and fake worm were used. Slime was painted on a fake worm which extended and contracted in a realistic movement as the flame came near. Where a fly was squashed, a real fly was filmed in flight and you never see an actual hit. In a scene where a Rottweiler pursues a Terrier across a lawn, two dogs who are friendly with each other were used. When a character blows smoke in Spot's face, the dog turns back into a bug. For this scene a large plastic bug was constructed. Many plastic creatures were constructed and used. A variety of live animals appear as atmosphere in the South American locales.