Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! 1978

As the curtain opens, a prophetic scroll flashes before our eyes, recalling the momentous release of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963), where audiences chuckled at the notion of avian rebellion against humanity. Yet, fate had other plans, and in 1975, a shocking event would unfold, leaving no room for laughter. This eerie foreshadowing is followed by a chilling pre-credits sequence: a tomato suddenly bursts forth from a woman’s garbage disposal, its unexpected emergence transforming her puzzlement into sheer terror as it corners her.

In the aftermath of credits, the authorities investigate the unfortunate demise of the woman, only to discover that the crimson substance covering her body is not blood, but rather the juice of a killer tomato. This gruesome revelation sets the tone for a series of attacks orchestrated by tomatoes, which claim innocent lives, including a man’s tragic demise after consuming tomato juice made from a particularly deadly specimen.

As chaos ensues, the President’s press secretary, Jim Richardson (character), struggles to reassure the public that no credible threat exists, while the Commander-in-Chief assembles a team of specialists to counter this bizarre menace. Led by Mason Dixon, the team comprises Sam Smith, an unconventional disguise expert capable of transforming into George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and even Adolf Hitler; scuba diver Greg Colburn; Olympic swimmer Gretta Attenbaum; and soldier Wilbur Finletter, equipped with a parachute.

Smith is dispatched to infiltrate the tomatoes at a campfire, where his cover is blown when he inquires about passing the ketchup while enjoying a hotdog. Meanwhile, Colburn and Gretta are sent to various sectors, while Finletter remains by Mason’s side. The President, however, dispatches Richardson to Mind Makers, an ad agency known for developing ineffective marketing ploys. Ted Swan, the executive, squanders vast sums of money on absurd ideas, including a bumper sticker with “STP” for “Stop Tomato Program,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to the real-life “whip inflation now” campaign and STP motor oil decals.

As tensions escalate, a human adversary emerges, seeking to thwart Dixon’s efforts. A masked assassin attempts to take out the leader but misses, setting the stage for further intrigue. In a separate development, a senate subcommittee convenes, where a secret pamphlet is leaked to a newspaper editor, prompting Lois Fairchild to investigate. While she tracks Finletter, he mistakenly identifies her as a spy and ransacks a hotel room in an attempt to eliminate her. Later, he gives chase to the assassin, who fails once more to strike down Dixon but loses him in the process.

As chaos engulfs the West Coast, the once-mighty American forces lay in ruins. Amidst the devastation, Dixon stumbles upon an unusual trail of tomato juice, piquing his curiosity and leading him on a perilous chase. His pursuit takes him to an apartment where a carefree child is enthralled by the radio’s tunes. Just as the tomato is about to deliver the final blow, it suddenly soars out the window, leaving Dixon stunned and disoriented. As he peers out into the night, his gaze falls upon the assassin hijacking his vehicle, prompting a leisurely car chase that would later influence comedies to come. However, Dixon’s pursuit is short-lived, as he soon finds himself knocked unconscious by his own car.

Upon regaining consciousness, Dixon discovers himself captive in Richardson’s clutches. Though not the mastermind behind the killer tomatoes, Richardson has discovered their secret and plans to exploit them once civilization crumbles, allowing him to seize control. Just as he prepares to unveil his sinister plan to Dixon, Finletter bursts in, sword drawn, and brings an abrupt end to Richardson’s machinations.

As Dixon picks up the scattered remnants of records, a crucial realization dawns on him: the killer tomatoes had retreated at the sound of “Puberty Love,” but it wasn’t until now that he connected the dots. He orders Finletter to gather the remaining survivors and bring them to the stadium, where they can face the impending threat together.

Finletter remarks wryly that only those driven by madness have managed to survive in the nearly deserted city, resulting in a bizarre assortment of people donning costumes, united against the relentless onslaught of tomatoes. Cornered and helpless, the tomatoes are subjected to the sonic assault of “Puberty Love” over the stadium’s loudspeakers, causing them to shrink and become vulnerable to the crowd’s merciless stomping.

Meanwhile, Fairchild finds herself cornered by a behemoth tomato donning earmuffs, its deafness rendering it immune to the music’s effects. Dixon intervenes, presenting the tomato with the sheet music to “Puberty Love” and professing his love for Fairchild in song. As the chaos subsides, a triumphant carrot rises from the soil, declaring, “All right, you guys. They’re gone now.”