Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie arrived in 1987 from Atlantic Releasing, a low budget spinoff of the Topps trading card line that had already scandalized parents and delighted kids through the mid-1980s. Directed by Rod Amateau, it stands as one of the era's stranger attempts to translate a card gag into a feature, and it has since become a cult artifact of 1980s excess, remembered more for its notoriety than box office success. It remains a touchstone for collectors interested in the crossover between trading cards, toys, and film merchandising during that decade.
This cell centers on Valerie Vomit, portrayed by Sue Rossitto, one of the titular Garbage Pail Kids brought to screen life through practical costume and puppetry work. Valerie's name alone signals the character's gross out comedic function within the group, a signature of the franchise's appeal. For collectors, a piece bearing her name and performer credit offers a tangible link between the card series' original character concept and its theatrical realization, a small artifact of the adaptation itself.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987).
Gauge
35mm; the strip holds three frames, each with four perforations visible on both edges.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges look clean.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a dual variable-area (stereo) format.
Edge print
Edge print reads mirrored as printed; corrected it reads: EASTMAN 38 141
Base & colour
Base shows a warm yellow-cream tint consistent with an acetate safety base; dye image appears saturated with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
Light vertical scratching is visible across the frame area, consistent with a projected print.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with a live-action feature of the era on record.
Era check
The Eastman-branded acetate safety stock, dual variable-area optical soundtrack, and four-perforation 35mm format are all consistent with a mid-1980s theatrical release print.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000062965
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
