Stardate 05.12.2026.B: Happy Anniversary - 1989's 'The Return Of Swamp Thing' Turns An Incredible 37 Years Young Today!

so many movies ... so much to celebrate!!!
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On this day in 1989 (in the U.S.), The Return Of Swamp Thing enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever.  Directed by Jim Wynorski from a screenplay by Neil Cuthbert and Grant Morris, the SciFi/Fantasy film starred Dick Durock, Louis Jourdan, Heather Locklear, and others. 

​According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"In this tongue-in-cheek sequel, the benevolent bog creature falls for the vegetarian, plant-loving daughter of the evil scientist who created him."

For the record:
At the 1990 Razzie Awards, actress Heather Locklear took home the big win in the category of 'Worst Actress.'  Ouch.

ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was fortunate to receive an all-new release of The Return Of Swamp Thing via a distributor relationship in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net.  Interested in knowing my thoughts on the project?  Readers can find my review right here.

-- EZ

From Google.com:

​Released on May 12, 1989, The Return of Swamp Thing is a campy, lighthearted sequel to Wes Craven's 1982 original. Directed by B-movie veteran Jim Wynorski, the film pivots away from the first movie's serious horror roots, embracing a colorful "comic book" aesthetic filled with over-the-top creatures and tongue-in-cheek humor. [1, 2, 3]

The Return of Swamp Thing | Rotten Tomatoes
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Film Review: The Return of Swamp Thing (1989) | HNN
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The Return of Swamp Thing (1989) - IMDb

​Plot and CharactersThe story follows Abigail Arcane (Heather Locklear), a vegetarian horticulturist who travels to the Louisiana swamps to confront her stepfather, the villainous Dr. Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan), about her mother’s death. [4, 5]

• The Conflict: Dr. Arcane, who has somehow survived his previous death, is conducting experiments to achieve immortality by creating a serum from his stepdaughter's genes.
• The Romance: Alec Holland, the Swamp Thing (Dick Durock), rescues Abby, and the two develop an unlikely romantic bond, leading to a famous and bizarre dream-sequence love scene.
• The Monsters: Arcane’s lab is filled with "Un-Men"—grotesque, human-animal hybrids like "Leech-man"—which provide much of the film's campy action. [2, 5, 6, 7, 8]\

Key Trivia & Production
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• Cast Highlights: Dick Durock became the first actor after Christopher Reeve to reprise a DC protagonist role. Sarah Douglas, known as Ursa in Superman II, joined the cast as Arcane's assistant, Dr. Lana Zurrell.
• Rating Milestone: It was the first PG-13-rated comic book movie, beating Tim Burton's Batman to theaters by one month.
• Soundtrack: The film's iconic opening montage of comic book covers is set to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Born on the Bayou".
• Filming Locations: The exterior of the Arcane mansion was filmed in Savannah, Georgia, at Oatland Island, where the crew built a temporary facade for the building. [2, 5, 9, 10, 11]

Where to Buy

The film has a significant cult following and is available through various retailers:

• 4K / Blu-ray Special Editions: You can find high-definition transfers from the MVD Rewind Collection or at specialty retailers like Frightmare Collectibles for approximately $27.99.
• Standard DVD: Available at Target for around $11.69.
• Collector's Items: Sealed original VHS tapes are often listed on eBay for high prices, sometimes reaching $150. [12, 13]

[1] https://www.imdb.com
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org
[3] https://www.youtube.com
[4] https://www.rottentomatoes.com
[5] https://swampthing.fandom.com
[6] https://www.amazon.com
[7] https://reviewallmonsters.wordpress.com
[8] https://mikesmoviecave.blogspot.com
[9] https://www.imdb.com
[10] https://www.facebook.com
[11] https://www.facebook.com
[12] https://www.vcientertainment.com
[13] https://www.target.com