MovieChat Forums > Spawn of the Slithis (1978) Discussion > I had the 'survival kit'.

I had the 'survival kit'.

posted 18 years ago by nsavage3-1
13 replies | jump to latest

I remember when this was playing at my local cinema in the 70's. The promotion for this was that anyone who bought a ticket to this movie would recieve a free Slithis "survival kit"! I was so excited- I could'nt wait to see what would be in this cool "kit".

When I received my ticket, a little pamplet was handed to me with the ticket. What was this, something to tell me how to get my survival kit? No. This little pamplet WAS the survival kit! The only thing I remember is that it said something like- you must put this [pamplet] under your pillow at night to keep Slithis away. Ha ha ha! I was so mad, I just threw it away.

Looking back, that was a very clever way to get people to the movie, so I must give credit where credit's due. I sort of wish I had kept that survival kit now. It would be funny to show people and get a good laugh!

[–] gravehugger 18 years ago

I still have mine.

[–] LChrist276 18 years ago

I used to work for a business associate of Richard Davis, the film's producer. The business associate (Bob Fridley) had me cleaning out Davis' office one day when I opened a cabinet full of unused survival kits. Still have a bunch of these things! :-)

[–] almosthumanfx 18 years ago

I'm doing a documentary on 80's horror and would love to get in touch with Bob Fridley or anyone from the production. I'd also love to shoot one of those "Survival Kits". LChirst , could you e mail me thru our website?

80shorror.com

Robert

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] unamerican_heckel 18 years ago

Can anyone scan that image? I would love to see the 'survival kit', nostalgically it would be cool

[–] karizmaone-1 18 years ago

I was just a kid (maybe 4) when my dad took me to see this movie at the theatre. We got the survival kit and I was so scared because I had convinced myself that the "monster" was going to come in the theatre, and the survival kit had to be presented to the monster in order to live. Jeesh. Clever marketing though.

[–] siteslinger 17 years ago

I recently attended a screening of Quentin Tarantino's rare 35mm print of this film, and received a copy of the Survival Kit. It's yellow on glossy card stock, folded in half like a birthday card, with a picture of the Slithis on the front. Inside, the left side of the card reads:

"Warning!

SLITHIS A creature spawned from
the waste of a nuclear energy
plant...wants you to survive.

FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

A) Remove picture of SLITHIS by
cutting along the dotted line.

B) Keep picture of SLITHIS on
your person at all times.

C) At night, when sleeping, place
picture of SLITHIS under pillow.

D) Join the SLITHIS fan club...
He will remember you when he
stalks your neighborhood."

The right side of the card consists of a membership form for the SLITHIS fan club. The form reads: "For my personal safety, please sign me up for the SLITHIS fan club...I solemnly swear to uphold the following rules and regulations:

1.) To establish that SLITHIS is a victim of our society.

2.) To promote a better understanding of the SLITHIS and the environmental conditions that created it.

3.) To assure others that with the Survival Kit they need not fear the SLITHIS.

Please send me my free photo of the SLITHIS and my official membership card."

I assure you, it's awesome, and I was given the last one! Ha ha!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] lotusracer 15 years ago

I no longer have the "survival kit", but have a picture of my wife at the time holding hers.

When it played at a local drive in, Slithis himself actually made an appearance. I found out it was actually my wife's brother in the suit as he worked for the drive in and was a good fit for the suit.

They encouraged people to bring cameras to take pictures (pictures I still have), and at one point, there were quite a few people there to check him out. What was funny was that they warned the crowd: "better stand back, Slithis is getting mad".

[–] dirkzorn 14 years ago

I, too, had the survival kit. I saw the film with my cousin at the Northside Twin Theater in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, July 22, 1978...before the show, the audience was treated to a full-on live-action monster fight...four or five guys in monsters suits duked it out NWA-style in the aisles and down by the screen. Being 14 at the time, I thought the whole thing was a total hoot! I've never seen the movie since, but I'll get my hands on it one day.....

[–] eagle79-1 13 years ago

I saw this movie in its original run back in Puerto Rico. The "survival kit" was just a white button on which was written on red lettering: SLITHIS, TU ERES MI PANA!" which translates as "Slithis, You Are My Pal!". They must've used one of the locals for help with the translation because "Pana" is sort of like the local way of saying "Pal" or "Friend" or "Buddy". The "logic" behind it seemed to be that, if the monster came to get you, at least you had a button that indicated that you were his pal so it probably wouldn't hurt you. Or something like that. BTW, the film was rated R during its run on the island. Why? Because of one breast? I remember watching COACH with Cathy Lee Crosby around the same time which featured plenty of breasts & butts & that was rated PG.
Sweet psychotronic memories of my youth...

[–] dealey52 10 years ago

I had it too! My ex-wife saw it at the Crest Drive-in on old US 71 Hiway that summer it was released. They were bombing the media with commercials for a week. And on the add the had the nerve to print "In the tradition of The Creature from the Black Lagoon"! So bad it was great! It's listed on EPIX right now but it will never play.

[–] theoktitus 8 years ago

Scroll down about 3/4 of the way down this website to see the kit:

http://quasi-interestingparaphernaliainc.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html