They Get Under the Skin

 

Set in a rural Georgia town, Lieberman shot a when nature strikes humankind flick in the mid 70s, with AIP releasing it to theatres with surprisingly successful results, even garnering some positive critical reception. Being from the Southern United States myself, it was a pleasant find, "Squirm" (1976). I consider myself one of the fandom mentioned in the cult following, a vocal supporter of the film despite another set of detractors who find it a laugh factory, with even a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode dedicated to poking fun at it. Worms burrowing under the skin of the face of worm farmer, Roger, and nearly out of the showerhead on top of Geri aren't the only highlights featuring the creepy crawlies. A giant tree caving in the side of a house and found body with his lower torso covered in worms also provide creature feature moments quite memorable. Featured outside the city legit in the very rural Georgia environs, Lieberman certainly gets the most out of it. On top of the crazed attack worms, Roger  goes berserk due to jealousy because he loves Geri, launching wood at visiting Mick in one scene. There are plenty of worms, too. Lots of them. Filling a bathtub, exploding out of a room after a door is opened, etc. The sheriff sure won't help due to his disregard for Mick as an outsider he considers a troublemaker. And his ineffectual intolerance to just humor Mick sure comes back to bite him... literally.

An electrical charge from power lines causes worms in the surrounding area of a Georgia town to attack and eat local residents, forming giant pools squirming and shrieking, with Lieberman giving us really right close-ups of the icky, slimy creatures. Where they go after their day and night of terror is up to us to figure out. I was actually surprised that Lieberman allowed for survivors. The 70s hardly pulled back on grim endings.

Old IMDb user comments from November 2006...

Surprisingly fascinating "nature goes berserk" film opting to go more towards a character driven piece than you normally see in these kind of films. The plot is really silly, but fortunately Lieberman has the skills to shoot the film evocatively(especially the wooded areas and candlelit nighttime when the worms descend on a town not ready for them). The cast, and good Georgia accents, also bring a freshness to this film that adds an original peculiarity to the mix. It isn't exactly gory, where Lieberman seems to want it to get under your skin more than shock you with graphic violence. That feeling of dread knowing they will eventually come out from hiding, the hordes of them, also adds a quiet intensity to the film.

I like the leads of Don Scardino as Mick, from "the city", who comes to Georgia to begin a hopeful relationship with the sexy Patricia Pearcy as Geri. The other element of fear derives from loony Roger(RA Dow)who desires Geri and is insanely jealous of Mick. Rounding out the interesting cast is Jean Sullivan as Geri's traumatized, numb mother Naomi(recently losing her husband has certainly caused a depression), Fran Higgins as Geri's sister Alma, and Peter MacLean as the Sheriff(with the teeth)who doesn't like Mick in his little town "starting trouble."