Don’t Let The Riverbeast Get You!

***Don’t Let The Riverbeast Get You!*** is a 2012 comedy-horror movie directed by Charles Roxburgh and produced by Matt Farley.

The movie had its world premiere at the West Newton Cinema in West Newtown, Massachusetts, on September 2, 2012. It was subsequently released on DVD and is currently also available on Amazon Prime.

The DVD cover tagline for the movie is "He's the most indecorous aquatic menace of all-time."

A special Blu-Ray edition of the movie was released in October 2020, which includes commentary tracks, and many bonus features, including the long-unseen *Druids Druids Everywhere*.

## Synopsis

Neil Stuart, a skilled tutor, returns to Rivertown, USA, three years after being left at the altar and run off in shame due to his obsession with the mythical Riverbeast. With the help of a new pupil, old friends, and a former professional athlete, Neil is determined to prove the existence of the Riverbeast, and his own mettle.

Stuart was also member of the band "The River Mud Warriors", which reunites in the film, and has only one song that has also been recorded by Farley, "The River Mud Shuffle."

## Plot

The film begins with a brief disclaimer from a man warning the audience to avert their eyes from the screen when it flashes red and to beware the next time they enter the woods.

Allie Stone briefly talks to Professor Ned Matthews, a man that Allie and other college girls are suspicious of spying and peeping on girls unclothing by the lakeside. Allie and her friend lay bait and catch Matthews spying on them. They film it and make plans to prove it as evidence against Matthews to the head of the school.

After a title card showing The Riverbeast emerge from the water, we see Neil Stuart receive a letter from someone pursuing him to return to Rivertown, USA. The credits roll as we see Neil return to Rivertown. **"(Gee I Miss Those) River Party Days"** plays over it from a radio, which introduces the River Mud Warriors. It is clear that Neil is missed in the town by many. Meanwhile, Allie is expelled from her third finishing school, and Matthews is not punished despite clear evidence of his misdeeds.

Neil returns to Rivertown and meets his friend and former colleague, Millhouse "Milly" Jensen. We learn Neil was stood up by his fiance, Emmaline Price, at the alter 3 years ago. Neil meets Emmaline struggling to fit groceries into her car and we meet her new boyfriend Danny O'Grady, and Bradley, his son from another marriage. Danny beats up Matt and is clearly abusive towards Emmaline, but she is not bothered by it.

We meet Neil's godmother Peggy who introduces Neil's former roommate and best friend Teddy Hollingsworth, who has become a free-loading bum, wasting his guitar talents after Neil left town. Teddy asks very violent towards Neil but he eventually gets the upper hand, and Teddy agrees to move in with Neil and pick up guitar busking again if Neil begins tutoring. Neil agrees to begin again. While on the way to meet with his friends, Matt has a confrontation with nasty smear journalist Sparky Watts, who has a rude history with Neil.

Neil gets a tip from Troy Kiel and Milly that Allie Stone needs tutoring, and we also learn that Allie Stone is the daughter of Frank Stone, former professional athlete. Troy is a blunt, fierce spirit while Milly is a loyal, kind soul that slips through the cracks. Allie meets Neil in her father, Frank Stone (former professional athlete)'s prestigious home.

## Production

The movie was filmed in New England with 12 primary days of filming in 2011, two days in August, five in October, and five in November.

## Cast

* Matt Farley as Neil Stuart
* Kevin McGee as Frank Stone
* Sharon Scalzo as Allie Stone
* Elizabeth M. Peterson as Emmaline Price
* Jim McHugh or Sheriff Paultique Hanson
* Kyle Kochan as Sparky Watts
* Tina Kochan as Connie
* Bryan Fortin as Troy Kiel
* Tiffany L'Heureux as Pamela Gladwell
* Tom Scalzo as Teddy Hollingsworth
* Chris Peterson as Ned Matthews
* Ryan Desmarais as Cupcake Shop Patron
* Erin C. McHugh as Rivertown Police Dispatch
* Joanie Greenan as Godmother Peggy
* Jim Farley as Ito Hootkins
* Millhouse G. as Milly Jensen
* Nick Lavallee as Danny O'Grady
* Jon Noble as Phillipe
* Michelle Briand as Cynthia
* Bill Reilly as Riverbeast Warning Host
* Max McGee as Maxwell
* Terry Dugan as Chancellor McMichael
* Richard D. Irving as Cupcake Shop Worker
* Colin Hebert as Bradley
* Ryanne Welch as Bernice
* Charlotte Hebert as Jumprope Girl
* Rich Hallinan as Guy on Bench #1
* Carlos Santiago as Guy on Bench #2
* Timothy Caldwell as Shakes His Head at Neil
* Kelly Vigneault as Waving to Someone Else Girl
* James, Victory & Matthew Farley - Alphabet students
* Kat Greenan as Algebra Student
* Amelia Shields as Cupcake Shop Patron #2
* Dan Speake as Wolfman Speake
* Amy & Cole Schroeder as Mother and Son in Park
* Kathy Hayes as Women in Park
* Chris Sleison as High Hat Harry
* Amanda Middleton as Guitar Sam
* Meg Welch as Picnic Babe #1
* Heather Martineau as Picnic Babe #2
* John Lonergan as Cotton Candy Fan
* Tim Hallinan as Barber
* C.J. Hebert as Gentleman in Window
* Erin B. McHugh as The Nod
* Other fabulous talent

## Reviews

* Bad Movie Diaries: Don't Let the Riverbeast Get You, *Paste* (July 4, 2018)
* Film Review - A Local Independent Film, *The Noise* (Boston) (October 3, 2012)
* "Don't Let the Riverbeast Get You" a Campy, Low-Budget Good, The Independent Critic
* The After Movie Diner, Ep. 55 (October 1, 2012) (podcast review and interview with Farley and Roxburgh)

## Music

The title theme is performed by The Dying Elk Herd. (music video) The band also wrote the title song for *Slingshot Cops* (2016), and the band's prior musical incarnation as Kirk and the Jerks was first used by Farley/Roxburgh on *Freaky Farley* (2007).

Still photos from this movie shoot have been used as album covers for a number of Farley bands, including *Play This Song For Her, Vol. 5* (2012) by The Prom Song Singers, *The Maniac Genius Piano Song Person Again* (2012) by Papa Razzi and the Photogs, and *Songs from Deep in the Vault (1996-2010), Vol. 1* (2013) by Moes Haven.

## See also

* Don’t Let The Riverbeast Get You! on IMDB
* Don't Let The Riverbeat Get You! Facebook Page

## References

<references>

1. ↑ EPISODE 55 - The Independents 2: Don't Let The Riverbeast Get You/The Fixer, The After Movie Diner (October 1, 2012, Ep. 55)
2. ↑ #90: Long Walk With Charlie, MMIP (at 35:55) (March 1, 2016)