By Dr.LoveGore
Dick Miller's presence was always welcomed in movies. I love how he popped up (sometimes more than others) so randomly. I've wanted to do a Dick Miller list and it seems now is the time. The man was, and always will be a legend. Rest In Peace, Mr. Miller, this one's for you.
In the order the films were released.
Minor spoilers
9. The Little Shop Of Horrors (1960)
Miller line -
"It's all right. I'll eat em' here."
Mr. Miller plays a plant eater in Roger Corman's original 'The Little Shop Of Horrors.' It's a funny scene which has the workers of the flower shop and the customers stop to stare as he salts and consumes his purchased carnations.
8. The Terror (1963)
Miller line -
"How do you know what harm he plans? You want him wandering around the castle? Do you want him down in the crypt?"
Dick Miller, Jack Nicholson and Boris Karloff, what a trio to have in a movie. Watching a film where Miller shines as much as both these other phenomenal actors makes me wonder why his status never got to monstrous heights as theirs did.
7. The Howling (1981)
Miller lines -
"I got black candles, I got wolf's
bane. Look at this, silver bullets."
"That's a good book."
This is the scene where we learn all the rules of werewolves. It's one of my favorite parts in the movie as Miller upstages both the other actors. His delivery is A+. Watch this scene and tell me you don't believe he really owned that book store.
6. Gremlins (1984)
Miller line -
"There's a real gremlin in my cab! Ahhhhh!"
Probably one of my first times seeing his amazing talent on-screen, was 'Gremlins.' Here we have a WW2 vet played by Dick Miller. He plays it straightforward until the comedy is called for - and what a surprise, he delivers.
5. The Terminator (1984)
Miller lines -
"You can't do that."
"That's a good gun."
This is a mixture of his scenes in 'Night Of The Creeps' and 'The Howling' which makes for quite the perfect mix. Unfortunately, The Terminator blows Miller's character away after being told he can't load a gun in the store.
4. Chopping Mall (1986)
Miller line -
”You son of a bitch!"
This is so fuckin funny. Working overnight in a mall as a custodian, Dick Miller finds himself face-to-face with a security robot. He pops a little shit to the bastard bot and gets himself electrocuted in a very silly looking way.
3 Night Of The Creeps (1986)
Miller line -
"What's the matter? The ol' snub nose not good enough for ya anymore?"
This movie is classic for every reason imaginable. On top of it already being quintessential, a detective needs the ol' flamethrower to burn up some zombie slugs. Guess who has to give the detective the heavy artillery?
2. Demon Knight (1995)
Miller line -
"Jeryline, you wouldn't hurt your Uncle Willy now, would ya, baby?"
Uncle Willy is the town drunk. He ends up being possessed and turns into a badass demon. I'm not sure I've seen Dick Miller in prosthetics other than this movie, but he wore it well. He looks freaky even after he gets his head chopped off.
1. Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993)
Miller line -
"Well, well; if it ain't the big, bad Batman come to break up Boxy Bennett's little social club."
I loved this animated movie when it first came out. I still do, but there was something magical about watching this when I was a boy. It's pretty serious for a cartoon. Dick Miller plays a gangster and talks some trash to Batman, then he gets put down by a masked figure who tries to frame Batman. Tough break for a cartoon character..
Honorable Non Horror Mentions
Pulp Fiction - deleted scene (1994)
The Trip -1967
Matinee - 1993
Dick Miller was a great actor that brought talent and class to any movie he was in. You will be missed, Mr. Miller. Hope you're in Heaven entertaining everyone. Rest In Peace.
Dr.LoveGore is all about the gore, and quality in anything related to Horror. Movies, soundtracks, comic books, novels, you name it, he loves it!
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