Into the Spider's Web
Encyclopedia
Into the Spider’s Web is a 1988 American
adventure film
made for children. It was directed by Steve McCurdy, produced by Warren Chaney
and stars Chuck Stockdale, Robert Shafer, Jessica Avery and Luis Lemus. The Executive Producer
was Beverly Wilson and the film’s production company
was Sandpiper Pictures. The screenplay
was based upon the Christopher Brooke series of novels also written by Warren Chaney
.
A ten-year old boy genius
invents a cognitively interactive communication device for the U.S. Military but is kidnapped by a shadowy organization and later rescued by a famous flying stunt pilot.
The production was one of the first feature films shot in 3-D
for later television
broadcast using a technology new to television
at the time.
The picture was shot on location in Houston and Dallas, Texas
. Into the Spider’s Web completed filming in early 1998 and was released to theatres and later television
in November of 1988 by Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
. After acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, the movie was re-released in 1996.
Unbeknownst to Zach and government officials, a shadowy criminal organization led by a sinister figure known only as the Spider Woman (Gage Tarrant) plots to steal the invention and kidnap Christopher. To carry off her scheme, the villainess enlists the help of Major Thompson (Mark Fletch) one of the Spider Woman’s operatives. Her chief henchman, Wade (Luis Lemus) attempts to steal the device following the test. However Zach, returning from the airbase, foils the plot. Thompson quickly removes Christopher and Misty from the test area before others can learn of his duplicity.
The Spider Woman instructs Thompson to change cars and provides instructions as to where the stolen device is to be transferred. Following the auto exchange from a limo to a convertible, the kids are shoved to the floorboard and covered with a tarp so they remain unseen. Under cover of the tarp, Christopher dons the helmet used in the testing so others can see and hear what he does. Thompson is unaware than that the boy genius’ invention is being monitored.
Back at the trial site, the military test supervisor General John Arnold (Ivy Pryce), realizes that the children and invention are missing and issues an all points alert. Zach catches up with the Spider Women’s mob before they can escape. Wade engages Zach in hand-to-hand combat causing both to fall from the precipice of a tall building. Wade dies but Zach manages to grab a ledge before he plummets to the concrete. He nearly slips from the edge but is saved by General Arnold and Dr. Richard Evans (David Folwell). Dr. Folwell informs the others that Christopher’s telepathic device is working but is unworn. Zach suggests that Folwell continue to monitor the signals and wear the remaining helmet in the advent someone else should put it on. Zach and General Arnold take to the air in an attempt to find the car used in the kidnapping. At the same time, they maintain contact with Dr. Folwell in case Christopher can get through.
Christopher and Misty plot to inform others of their location. The boy waits for the opportune moment and then suddenly stands as Misty throws off the tarp. Christopher quickly looks around hoping that the images he sees are being transmitted to others back at the military test site. They are and as soon as Dr. Folwell obtains their location, he transmits the data to Zach and General Arnold.
Thompson realizes what the boy has done and smacks the child to the floorboard. In the meantime, Zach locates the escaping car and aerially pursues the vehicle. In a daring rescue effort, Zach makes several close passes at the car – virtually flying at car level. Thompson removes a heat laster from the car and fires repeated at the aircraft, nearly hitting it on several occasions. Christopher lurches upward and with Misty’s help, knocks the weapon from Thompson’s hands. Misty shoves herself forcibly into Thompson as Christopher leaps into the front seat of the car. As he settles into the seat, he spins and delivers a strong martial arts kick to the driver's head, sending him flying out of the car. Christopher quickly moves behind the steering wheel.
General Arnold has taken control of the plane as Zach crawls to the outside. Zach sees Christopher remove the car's driver and immediately dives from the low flying plane. He lands atop Major Thompson in the back seat and as they struggle, the driverless car heads for a steep cliff. Christopher swiftly grabs the steering wheel and pulls hard in the other direction as he tries to apply the break. This sends the car into a wild spin, which barely misses the cliff but does pitch Thompson overboard. As the car comes to a stop, Zach leaps from the car onto Thompson, knocking him unconscious.
The Spider Woman calls Thompson to get an update but her message is intercepted by Zach who promises that they will track her down. She knows she has lost and screams with rage as the scene dissolves to a press conference where Christopher Booke and Misty Sommers’ quick action is being recognized. One of the reporters asks about the identity of the Spider Woman. General Arnold affirms that authorities do not know but that her men are talking and authorities expect to take her into custody soon.
Hidden in the reporters is the Spider Woman, disguised as one of them. She watches as Misty kisses Christopher on the cheek. The boy turns a bright red as the Spider Woman slips away into the dark recesses of an adjacent corridor. The villainess glares hostilely once more as the screen fades to black and the closing credits.
The new camera systems weighed approximately 800 pounds and required a five person camera team to operate.
Special camera and camera mounts were required for all of the air stunt footage used in the film.
The lead actor-portraying aerial ace Zach Taylor, was Chuck Stockdale, himself a well-known stunt pilot. Stockdale flew the planes and did most of his own stunts including a leap from a low flying airplane. During the air chase sequences, Stockdale accidentally flew into a series of low hanging but nearly invisible electrical wires. Expert piloting avoided a serious accident.
The feature was a screen adaptation from two of the Christopher Brooke novels written by Warren Chaney
who also wrote the screenplay. A second feature was slated for production but the 3-D camera process proved to be overly troublesome and the movie was cancelled.
(IRC) in 1988 and later picked up for continuing distribution by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
adventure film
Adventure film
Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way....
made for children. It was directed by Steve McCurdy, produced by Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
and stars Chuck Stockdale, Robert Shafer, Jessica Avery and Luis Lemus. The Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
was Beverly Wilson and the film’s production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
was Sandpiper Pictures. The screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
was based upon the Christopher Brooke series of novels also written by Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
.
A ten-year old boy genius
Genius
Genius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
invents a cognitively interactive communication device for the U.S. Military but is kidnapped by a shadowy organization and later rescued by a famous flying stunt pilot.
The production was one of the first feature films shot in 3-D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
for later television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
broadcast using a technology new to television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
at the time.
The picture was shot on location in Houston and Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. Into the Spider’s Web completed filming in early 1998 and was released to theatres and later television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in November of 1988 by Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
The Intercontinental Releasing Corporation , was an American media company, primarily involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs. IRC was founded in September 1974 as the larger film studios' grip on domestic and international distribution diminished...
. After acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, the movie was re-released in 1996.
Plot
Christopher Brooke, portrayed by Robert Shafer, is a ten-year old boy genius who has invented a two-way telepathic device. The apparatus permits direct visual and thought communication between one wearing the device and another wearing the same mechanism. The second wearer experiences exactly what the first one experiences. The U.S. Military believes this to be a positive development for air defense and has scheduled an official test of the unit. Christopher and his friend, Misty Somers (Jessica Avery) attend as his pilot friend, ace air pilot Zach Taylor (Chuck Stockdale), helps with the Government analysis.Unbeknownst to Zach and government officials, a shadowy criminal organization led by a sinister figure known only as the Spider Woman (Gage Tarrant) plots to steal the invention and kidnap Christopher. To carry off her scheme, the villainess enlists the help of Major Thompson (Mark Fletch) one of the Spider Woman’s operatives. Her chief henchman, Wade (Luis Lemus) attempts to steal the device following the test. However Zach, returning from the airbase, foils the plot. Thompson quickly removes Christopher and Misty from the test area before others can learn of his duplicity.
The Spider Woman instructs Thompson to change cars and provides instructions as to where the stolen device is to be transferred. Following the auto exchange from a limo to a convertible, the kids are shoved to the floorboard and covered with a tarp so they remain unseen. Under cover of the tarp, Christopher dons the helmet used in the testing so others can see and hear what he does. Thompson is unaware than that the boy genius’ invention is being monitored.
Back at the trial site, the military test supervisor General John Arnold (Ivy Pryce), realizes that the children and invention are missing and issues an all points alert. Zach catches up with the Spider Women’s mob before they can escape. Wade engages Zach in hand-to-hand combat causing both to fall from the precipice of a tall building. Wade dies but Zach manages to grab a ledge before he plummets to the concrete. He nearly slips from the edge but is saved by General Arnold and Dr. Richard Evans (David Folwell). Dr. Folwell informs the others that Christopher’s telepathic device is working but is unworn. Zach suggests that Folwell continue to monitor the signals and wear the remaining helmet in the advent someone else should put it on. Zach and General Arnold take to the air in an attempt to find the car used in the kidnapping. At the same time, they maintain contact with Dr. Folwell in case Christopher can get through.
Christopher and Misty plot to inform others of their location. The boy waits for the opportune moment and then suddenly stands as Misty throws off the tarp. Christopher quickly looks around hoping that the images he sees are being transmitted to others back at the military test site. They are and as soon as Dr. Folwell obtains their location, he transmits the data to Zach and General Arnold.
Thompson realizes what the boy has done and smacks the child to the floorboard. In the meantime, Zach locates the escaping car and aerially pursues the vehicle. In a daring rescue effort, Zach makes several close passes at the car – virtually flying at car level. Thompson removes a heat laster from the car and fires repeated at the aircraft, nearly hitting it on several occasions. Christopher lurches upward and with Misty’s help, knocks the weapon from Thompson’s hands. Misty shoves herself forcibly into Thompson as Christopher leaps into the front seat of the car. As he settles into the seat, he spins and delivers a strong martial arts kick to the driver's head, sending him flying out of the car. Christopher quickly moves behind the steering wheel.
General Arnold has taken control of the plane as Zach crawls to the outside. Zach sees Christopher remove the car's driver and immediately dives from the low flying plane. He lands atop Major Thompson in the back seat and as they struggle, the driverless car heads for a steep cliff. Christopher swiftly grabs the steering wheel and pulls hard in the other direction as he tries to apply the break. This sends the car into a wild spin, which barely misses the cliff but does pitch Thompson overboard. As the car comes to a stop, Zach leaps from the car onto Thompson, knocking him unconscious.
The Spider Woman calls Thompson to get an update but her message is intercepted by Zach who promises that they will track her down. She knows she has lost and screams with rage as the scene dissolves to a press conference where Christopher Booke and Misty Sommers’ quick action is being recognized. One of the reporters asks about the identity of the Spider Woman. General Arnold affirms that authorities do not know but that her men are talking and authorities expect to take her into custody soon.
Hidden in the reporters is the Spider Woman, disguised as one of them. She watches as Misty kisses Christopher on the cheek. The boy turns a bright red as the Spider Woman slips away into the dark recesses of an adjacent corridor. The villainess glares hostilely once more as the screen fades to black and the closing credits.
Cast
- Robert Shafer ... Christopher Brooke
- Jessica Avery ... Misty Somers
- Chuck Stockdale ... Zach Taylor
- Gage Tarrant … The Spider Woman
- Luis Lemus ... Wade
- David Sanders ... Jake Carson
- Suzanne Savoy … The Leader
- Ivy Pryce as General John Arnold
- David Folwell as Dr. Richard Evans
- Mark Fletch as Major Thompson
- Jim Stockdale as Ted
- David Lord – Driver
- Charity Merrill … Reporter
- Vernita Crenshaw … Reporter
- David Raibon … Reporter
- Jimmy Pickens … Reporter
- Joe West as vendor
- Keith Alsip as MP
- Michael Morales as Guard
- Karen Cook … Scientist
- Leslie Staffa … Scientist
- Joyce McMillan … Scientist
- Georgette McMillan … Scientist
- Debra Oelberg … Scientist
- Warren ChaneyWarren ChaneyWarren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
as Ted Craftsman - Cracker as “the food munching mutt”
Reviews
Reviews were mixed but tended toward the favorable. Jonathan Davis writes in a Turner Classic Movie Review, “The action is capable and Robert Shafer as Christopher Brook is adorable as is his little friend Misty, portrayed on screen by Jessica Avery.” However, writing for IMDb, Winston Aaronson comments, “This was director Steven McCurdy's first film and it shows. Coverage is limited and not enough care was taken with the actors. Still, the picture's action sequences are quite good as are the film's aerial stunts.”Production
Into the Spider’s Web was the first of a series of children’s films aimed at what Sandpiper Productions had estimated would be a future television market for 3-D productions. Although the 3-D process developed by Ashai, Tec, Ltd. was reported to be excellent for television, the filming process was burdensome. Each film setup took many hours and hundreds of takes in order to achieve a stabilized 3-D picture.The new camera systems weighed approximately 800 pounds and required a five person camera team to operate.
Special camera and camera mounts were required for all of the air stunt footage used in the film.
The lead actor-portraying aerial ace Zach Taylor, was Chuck Stockdale, himself a well-known stunt pilot. Stockdale flew the planes and did most of his own stunts including a leap from a low flying airplane. During the air chase sequences, Stockdale accidentally flew into a series of low hanging but nearly invisible electrical wires. Expert piloting avoided a serious accident.
The feature was a screen adaptation from two of the Christopher Brooke novels written by Warren Chaney
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
who also wrote the screenplay. A second feature was slated for production but the 3-D camera process proved to be overly troublesome and the movie was cancelled.
Distribution
Into the Spider's Web (1988) was distributed by Intercontinental Releasing CorporationIntercontinental Releasing Corporation
The Intercontinental Releasing Corporation , was an American media company, primarily involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs. IRC was founded in September 1974 as the larger film studios' grip on domestic and international distribution diminished...
(IRC) in 1988 and later picked up for continuing distribution by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998.