Purple People Eater is a 1988 American children's film that was produced in 1988 and released theatrically in December 1988, playing for years on the Disney Channel. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, and Thora Birch (who won a Youth In Film Award for her performance). The movie co-stars Dustin Diamond and Peggy Lipton, with musical guest appearances by Chubby Checker and Little Richard (who also portrays the Mayor).
Linda Shayne wrote, produced, and directed this classic kids' film, inspired by the 1958 novelty song "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley.
When young Billy Johnson (Neil Patrick Harris) plays the novelty song, a flying purple one-eyed one-horned alien from outer space appears and helps him and an elderly couple (Ned Beatty and Shelley Winters) from being evicted by their greedy landlord while joining a rock n' roll band.
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