Lucky Stiff (1988 film)

Lucky Stiff is a 1988 American black comedy film written by Pat Proft and directed by Anthony Perkins. It is his only directing credit apart from Psycho III.

Plot
Ron Douglas goes on his would-be honeymoon in the mountains to seek solace from his bride abandoning him on their wedding day. This is the second failed wedding for him. There he meets Cynthia Mitchell, who invites him home for Christmas dinner with her family, cannibalistic descendants of the Donner Party. In the lead up to Christmas he is introduced to Francis, Cynthia’s sister-in-law and the rest of her family, including Ike Junior and Ike III (who believes that he is a ghost haunting the family).

Even with all the odd family dynamics Ron is determined to make a good impression. Francis tries to warn him about the family’s homicidal festivities but he refuses to believe her until he’s told that he’s not a guest for dinner, he is dinner.

After evading a gunfight with the Mitchells and the neighboring cannibal family that would also love to have him for dinner; Ron manages to successfully escape with Francis. Third times the charm for Ron as he finally marries Francis. The movie ends with them leaving on their honeymoon.

Production
The movie was initially filmed under the title Mr. Christmas Dinner.

Release
The film was released in the United States in November 1988. While a box office failure, the film developed a cult following due to its quotable dialogue, with Fangoria doing a feature on the film.