National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Atlantic Releasing Corporation brought The Garbage Pail Kids Movie to theaters in August 1987, adapting the wildly popular Topps trading card series that had scandalized parents and delighted children throughout the mid-1980s. Directed by Rod Amateau, the production leaned into practical creature effects and puppet work to bring the grotesque characters to life, resulting in one of the more unusual cult artifacts of the decade.

This cell, confirmed as Valerie Vomit, captures three frames oriented upside-down on the original 35mm strip, each offering a close-up view of the blue and white costumed characters. Two frames feature Messy Tessie as portrayed by Terri Benaron and Sue O'Malley, while the third presents Valerie Vomit, brought to life by Sue Rossitto. The inverted orientation reflects how the strip sat on the light panel during examination.