3. Basket Case (1982)
One of the more successful Poverty Row films on this list, Basket Case was noted for its bloody violence and gore - all done on a low budget. Basket Case became a smash hit, not in the cinema, but when VCRs became essential household items in the early 1980s. Basket Case follows the exploits of Duane, a siamese twin, who keeps his hideous mutant brother - Belial - in a basket. They were separated when they were very young and the mutant is not too happy with this. The twins have a hatred of doctors, whom they blame for their plight. So Duane carries Belialin a basket and gain vengeance on the doctors that parted them. Typical of the age it was made in - Basket Case is an example of how directors with an interesting idea but short on funds - were able to make engaging horror movies. Sam Raimi did it with The Evil Dead and with Basket Case, director Frank Henenlotter manages to create his own sordid little film. That's not to say that the acting is brilliant or the film is technically sound, but it has an idea that generates creepiness and radiates intelligence. It is a tale of brotherly love and jealousy and it is a stunning master class on how to film a movie that has a deep impact on the audience - on a shoestring.