Buy:ViewAskewbian
09-02-04, 07:26 PM
http://www.mst3kinfo.com/satnews/images/Essentials_sm.jpg
Fans, or MSTies as they prefer to be called, would be hard pressed to find episodes of cult classic TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K for short) which they would deem “Essential” but at least one episode on Rhino’s Mystery Science Theater Essentials Collection would be on every list. This horror, this pure monstrosity of cinema is so putrid, so vile and so utterly stink worthy it will make those who feel Van Helsing is a bad film quickly praise it as the second coming of Welles. Of course, it is all of the above that makes this MST3K episode a classic that sends quivers of joy and fear through the torsos of all who set eyes upon it. Of course, I am referring to "Manos" The Hands of Fate. *Cue lightening strike and thunder clap*
For those of you not familiar with MST3K allow me to provide a little background. This groundbreaking and Peabody Award winning television show had been around for 10 years when singing off for the final time on August 8th, 1999 and yet with 10 years and 200+ episodes the show still remained virtually unknown by the general populace tuning into Must See TV. No, this show probably would have never survived on the larger networks but thankfully there was Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi Channel to save the show from pure and utter obscurity after it left the local Minneapolis UHF station KTMA-TV in 1989.
The creator of the show was Joel Hodgson, stand up comic/magician and the premise is certainly as unique as his act (which consisted, at times, of screaming cotton candy). It would be difficult to imagine an NBC exec giddy like a schoolgirl to pick up the show. (Then again it would be difficult to imagine an NBC exec as a schoolgirl...but I digress)
Joel, a lowly janitor at the Gizmonic Institute, is launched into Space by his bosses/mad scientists (henceforth known as The Mads) on a large ship called the Satellite of Love. There he is subjected to The Mads experiments in which they will monitor his mind. Now, these are not tests on human weightlessness in other atmospheres or even the study on the isolated human in an unknown and unfamiliar environment. Of course not! They sent him cheesy movies, the worst they could find, and forced him to sit through them. Thankfully, Joel seemed to have a degree in robotics and he fashioned two robots (the wisecracking Crow and the lovable Tom Servo) to sit with him to endure the tortuous proceedings.
Other characters abound but you are generally stuck with Joel (later Mike, a temp at Gizmonic, who replaced Joel when he finally escaped the clutches of The Mads) and the bots as they sit through about 75 minutes of the worst films you have ever laid eyes upon. In between they offer humorous host segments that sometimes pertain to the film. The films are made watchable, however, by the heart of the show which is the trio are cast in silhouette at the bottom of the movie screen spending the entire production riffing on the film. Be it potty humor, pop culture references are deep quotes from Nietzsche, the fun never stops as the crew tear the film to shreds. Yes, one could see now how the show might be admired by a select few.
Sadly, many of the films the series have ripped into have taken back their copyrights and only a select few (40 or so out of the show's 200+ run) have been released on DVD. This essentials collection has something old and something new.
<b>THE DVD</b>
The packaging is nearly identical to the Mystery Science Theater Collection Vol. 4 release (reviewed here at DVDtalk (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=8580)) and comes in a single sized case. The back, I was surprised to see, lists a quote form DVDtalk's own John Sinnott (congrats John! . . . and check out his great review of the collection here (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=12141)) and a brief blurb one the show and episodes complete with original airdate. An episode number, as they do for the box sets, would have been nice but I can’t complain.
Inside the discs rest on hubs on either side of the DVD with the insert flopping about loose. Again, a minor quibble. The discs, at first, are hard to take out and seem rather wedged in there so be cautious of snapping them. The insert lists the Chapter Index for both films.
<center>http://www.mst3kvideos.com/joel11.GIF
Both films, incidentally, are Joel shows, which should be welcome to Joel fans that have sat
through Mike only box sets releases in recent months.</center>
<center>http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/title.jpg
<b>Disc A – “Manos” The Hands of Fate (released in 1966):</b></center>
This is the aforementioned fan favorite and one many fans already have on DVD from a previous RHINO release (I will get to that at the end of the article). The disc is exactly the same as that release complete with the blooper reel bonus entitled Poopie.
Manos, which my friends and I now use as the single word description for anything vile, is probably the single worst film you will ever see and at times it is hard to sit through the thing even with Joel the bots gags.
<center>[http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/torgo_queasy.jpg</center>
<b>Plot (there's a plot to this???): A man and his family get lost on an outing after driving and driving and driving and driving and driving and driving AND DRIVING!!!!!!! and find themselves at the abode of Torgo, a "monster?" with large knees and his Manos worshipping Master who bears a striking resemblance to Freddie Mercury. Torgo plots after the man's wife and the Master's wives wrestle for about 30 minutes in skimpy nightgowns. The man tries to fix a car. There is a poodle mishap. Oh, and some cops show up to prevent unauthorized kissing. And, ummm, yup, that's about it.</b>
<b>Here are a few Manos facts to add:</b>
*Manos is now listed at the #4 worst film of all time at IMDB.com although it held the top spot for at least a year.
*It was filmed with a handheld camera, usually used for animation, and could only film 30 seconds at time. This would equate for the rather odd cuts and edits in the film.
*The film was made on a bet by director/writer/producer Harold P. Warren that he could make a popular horror film on a minimalist budget. The budget was small…the film was NOT popular (at least not until MST got ahold of it) so, yeah, he lost that one.
*The film was given a large premiere in El Paso where the audience started to boo and heckle the production. The cast and crew were in attendance and many of them snuck out.
*4 cast members committed suicide after the filming of Manos
<center>http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/painting.jpg </center>
This is a truly classic episode of the show and Joel and the Bots are in great form. The crew shows no mercy to the “monster” Torgo or the watermelons in his pants. Lines like “Designing Women the lost episode” or “The Wilson Philips breakup” should have you rolling during the nightgown wrestling scene and the riffs on the cops are hilarious. “Did you see how you were framing back there?”
Toss in a short film before the feature about how to sell cars ("BUT HE BOUGHT THE CAR!!!!!!") and the blooper reel (A MUST for fans, if anything, to see the bots flub lines and remain in character or to see Crow on fire) and this becomes one of the most loved DVDs in any MSTies collection. If anything, you’ll have something to show when somebody asks:
<center>http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/torgo_knees.jpg
“What’s the worst film you have ever seen?”</center>
<center>* * *</center>
<center>http://www.mst3kinfo.com/daddyo/images/321PINK.JPG
<b>Disc B – Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (released in 1964):</b></center>
This would be another episode that topped fan requests for a DVD release and this is the first time it is available.
<b>Plot: Mars needs Santa to cheer up the Martian kiddies who seem to be caught in the Red Planet doldrums. Yet, not everybody is happy with bringing the jolly fat man (Santa, not Al Roker) to Mars and a plot is made to destroy Christmas. One giant robot and a guy in a bear suit later and you have a film truly deserving of the MST treatment.</b>
<b>Fun Film Facts:</b>
*Also titled Santa Claus Defeats the Aliens
*Rated #25 on the worst films ever list on IMDB.com
*Footage from Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove was used in some scenes
*Remade in 2002 with the same title
*Bill McCutcheon, the actor who played Dropo, went on to star on Seaseme Street and, also, to win a Tony Award in 1988
You can add this next to It’s A Wonderful Life and Die Hard as your favorite Holiday flicks. Seeing Servo’s head as a snow-globe or Crow decked out like Rudolf will place you in the holiday spirit instantly. Even The Satellite of Love is festively decorated! And, hey, nothing says Xmas like aliens right….right? Place this in and add A Roadhouse Christmas to your list of holiday carols. Yuppers, this would make a perfect caper to the Christmas Eve where Grandpa spiked the eggnog. This is Pia Zadora’s first film and, oh, let’s not forget the lovable antics of Dropo! Add a terribly costumed polar bear and the evil robot Torg and you got a Christmas Classic the whole family can enjoy!
<center>http://www.mst3kinfo.com/daddyo/images/321LOBBY.JPG </center>
NOTE: If you were so inclined, you can get an Un-MST version out there with a bunch of Xmas shorts, commercials and bad Xmas music to make this Yuletide “log” complete but, errr, that is only for the truly devoted or insane.
<center>* * *</center>
The transfers for the host segments and such are great although don’t expect much from the actual films…nobody is paying to restore these stink burgers!
Each disc begins with a RHINOized FBI warning (does anybody miss the dancing guys and large fat lady from the RHINO tapes…errr…didn’t think so) and the Joel era door sequence. The films have scene selections, which allow you to jump right to host segments and play the Patrick Swayze Xmas song (see BONUS at the end of review) to your hearts content.
<b>EXTRAS</b>
As stated, Manos contains the blooper reel which is pure gold for fans and newcomers alike.<center>
http://www.mst3kvideos.com/crow.GIF
* * *
</center>
Although there was much quibble when it was announced that Manos would be added here, I personally think the Essentials collection is well worth the upgrade to have Santa Claus. Yes, Manos is already out there on DVD but the price for the Essdentials is rather low and it is as though you are getting Manos tacked on for no extra charge. If anything, give you old Manos disc to a friend to introduce them to the wonder of MST3K.
Personally, I am happy to drop my cash down on the RHINO releases in hopes that said cash will be used to obtain rights to release more shows. And, hey, if any of you folks out there have NOT dived into this amazing experience then this collection is the perfect introduction. Just, you know, don’t order your munchies from Torgo Pizza.
Five Servo heads!
http://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpg
<center>* * *</center>
<b>SPECIAL BONUS</b>
Here are the lyrics to A Patrick Swayze Christmas in their entirety sung by Patrick Swayze himself. Sing along with Swayze this holiday season:
<center>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/Viewaskewbian/SWAYZE.jpg
Open up your heart and let the Patrick Swayze Christmas in.
We'll gather at the Roadhouse with our next of kin.
And Santa can be our regular Saturday night thing.
We'll decorate our barstools and gather round and sing.
Oh, let's have a Patrick Swayze Christmas this year!
Or we'll tear your throat out and kick you in the ear!
It's my way or the highway, this Christmas at my ba-ha-haar.
I'll have to smash your kneecaps if you bastards touch my car!
I got the word that Santa has been stealing from the till.
I think that that right jolly old elf better make out his will, ohh,
Oh, let's have a Patrick Swayze Christmas, one and all.
And this can be the haziest...
This can be the laziest...
This can be the Swayziest
Christmas of them aaallllllllll!"
La la la laa ha HAAA!</center>
Fans, or MSTies as they prefer to be called, would be hard pressed to find episodes of cult classic TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K for short) which they would deem “Essential” but at least one episode on Rhino’s Mystery Science Theater Essentials Collection would be on every list. This horror, this pure monstrosity of cinema is so putrid, so vile and so utterly stink worthy it will make those who feel Van Helsing is a bad film quickly praise it as the second coming of Welles. Of course, it is all of the above that makes this MST3K episode a classic that sends quivers of joy and fear through the torsos of all who set eyes upon it. Of course, I am referring to "Manos" The Hands of Fate. *Cue lightening strike and thunder clap*
For those of you not familiar with MST3K allow me to provide a little background. This groundbreaking and Peabody Award winning television show had been around for 10 years when singing off for the final time on August 8th, 1999 and yet with 10 years and 200+ episodes the show still remained virtually unknown by the general populace tuning into Must See TV. No, this show probably would have never survived on the larger networks but thankfully there was Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi Channel to save the show from pure and utter obscurity after it left the local Minneapolis UHF station KTMA-TV in 1989.
The creator of the show was Joel Hodgson, stand up comic/magician and the premise is certainly as unique as his act (which consisted, at times, of screaming cotton candy). It would be difficult to imagine an NBC exec giddy like a schoolgirl to pick up the show. (Then again it would be difficult to imagine an NBC exec as a schoolgirl...but I digress)
Joel, a lowly janitor at the Gizmonic Institute, is launched into Space by his bosses/mad scientists (henceforth known as The Mads) on a large ship called the Satellite of Love. There he is subjected to The Mads experiments in which they will monitor his mind. Now, these are not tests on human weightlessness in other atmospheres or even the study on the isolated human in an unknown and unfamiliar environment. Of course not! They sent him cheesy movies, the worst they could find, and forced him to sit through them. Thankfully, Joel seemed to have a degree in robotics and he fashioned two robots (the wisecracking Crow and the lovable Tom Servo) to sit with him to endure the tortuous proceedings.
Other characters abound but you are generally stuck with Joel (later Mike, a temp at Gizmonic, who replaced Joel when he finally escaped the clutches of The Mads) and the bots as they sit through about 75 minutes of the worst films you have ever laid eyes upon. In between they offer humorous host segments that sometimes pertain to the film. The films are made watchable, however, by the heart of the show which is the trio are cast in silhouette at the bottom of the movie screen spending the entire production riffing on the film. Be it potty humor, pop culture references are deep quotes from Nietzsche, the fun never stops as the crew tear the film to shreds. Yes, one could see now how the show might be admired by a select few.
Sadly, many of the films the series have ripped into have taken back their copyrights and only a select few (40 or so out of the show's 200+ run) have been released on DVD. This essentials collection has something old and something new.
<b>THE DVD</b>
The packaging is nearly identical to the Mystery Science Theater Collection Vol. 4 release (reviewed here at DVDtalk (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=8580)) and comes in a single sized case. The back, I was surprised to see, lists a quote form DVDtalk's own John Sinnott (congrats John! . . . and check out his great review of the collection here (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=12141)) and a brief blurb one the show and episodes complete with original airdate. An episode number, as they do for the box sets, would have been nice but I can’t complain.
Inside the discs rest on hubs on either side of the DVD with the insert flopping about loose. Again, a minor quibble. The discs, at first, are hard to take out and seem rather wedged in there so be cautious of snapping them. The insert lists the Chapter Index for both films.
<center>http://www.mst3kvideos.com/joel11.GIF
Both films, incidentally, are Joel shows, which should be welcome to Joel fans that have sat
through Mike only box sets releases in recent months.</center>
<center>http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/title.jpg
<b>Disc A – “Manos” The Hands of Fate (released in 1966):</b></center>
This is the aforementioned fan favorite and one many fans already have on DVD from a previous RHINO release (I will get to that at the end of the article). The disc is exactly the same as that release complete with the blooper reel bonus entitled Poopie.
Manos, which my friends and I now use as the single word description for anything vile, is probably the single worst film you will ever see and at times it is hard to sit through the thing even with Joel the bots gags.
<center>[http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/torgo_queasy.jpg</center>
<b>Plot (there's a plot to this???): A man and his family get lost on an outing after driving and driving and driving and driving and driving and driving AND DRIVING!!!!!!! and find themselves at the abode of Torgo, a "monster?" with large knees and his Manos worshipping Master who bears a striking resemblance to Freddie Mercury. Torgo plots after the man's wife and the Master's wives wrestle for about 30 minutes in skimpy nightgowns. The man tries to fix a car. There is a poodle mishap. Oh, and some cops show up to prevent unauthorized kissing. And, ummm, yup, that's about it.</b>
<b>Here are a few Manos facts to add:</b>
*Manos is now listed at the #4 worst film of all time at IMDB.com although it held the top spot for at least a year.
*It was filmed with a handheld camera, usually used for animation, and could only film 30 seconds at time. This would equate for the rather odd cuts and edits in the film.
*The film was made on a bet by director/writer/producer Harold P. Warren that he could make a popular horror film on a minimalist budget. The budget was small…the film was NOT popular (at least not until MST got ahold of it) so, yeah, he lost that one.
*The film was given a large premiere in El Paso where the audience started to boo and heckle the production. The cast and crew were in attendance and many of them snuck out.
*4 cast members committed suicide after the filming of Manos
<center>http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/painting.jpg </center>
This is a truly classic episode of the show and Joel and the Bots are in great form. The crew shows no mercy to the “monster” Torgo or the watermelons in his pants. Lines like “Designing Women the lost episode” or “The Wilson Philips breakup” should have you rolling during the nightgown wrestling scene and the riffs on the cops are hilarious. “Did you see how you were framing back there?”
Toss in a short film before the feature about how to sell cars ("BUT HE BOUGHT THE CAR!!!!!!") and the blooper reel (A MUST for fans, if anything, to see the bots flub lines and remain in character or to see Crow on fire) and this becomes one of the most loved DVDs in any MSTies collection. If anything, you’ll have something to show when somebody asks:
<center>http://www.agonybooth.com/manos/torgo_knees.jpg
“What’s the worst film you have ever seen?”</center>
<center>* * *</center>
<center>http://www.mst3kinfo.com/daddyo/images/321PINK.JPG
<b>Disc B – Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (released in 1964):</b></center>
This would be another episode that topped fan requests for a DVD release and this is the first time it is available.
<b>Plot: Mars needs Santa to cheer up the Martian kiddies who seem to be caught in the Red Planet doldrums. Yet, not everybody is happy with bringing the jolly fat man (Santa, not Al Roker) to Mars and a plot is made to destroy Christmas. One giant robot and a guy in a bear suit later and you have a film truly deserving of the MST treatment.</b>
<b>Fun Film Facts:</b>
*Also titled Santa Claus Defeats the Aliens
*Rated #25 on the worst films ever list on IMDB.com
*Footage from Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove was used in some scenes
*Remade in 2002 with the same title
*Bill McCutcheon, the actor who played Dropo, went on to star on Seaseme Street and, also, to win a Tony Award in 1988
You can add this next to It’s A Wonderful Life and Die Hard as your favorite Holiday flicks. Seeing Servo’s head as a snow-globe or Crow decked out like Rudolf will place you in the holiday spirit instantly. Even The Satellite of Love is festively decorated! And, hey, nothing says Xmas like aliens right….right? Place this in and add A Roadhouse Christmas to your list of holiday carols. Yuppers, this would make a perfect caper to the Christmas Eve where Grandpa spiked the eggnog. This is Pia Zadora’s first film and, oh, let’s not forget the lovable antics of Dropo! Add a terribly costumed polar bear and the evil robot Torg and you got a Christmas Classic the whole family can enjoy!
<center>http://www.mst3kinfo.com/daddyo/images/321LOBBY.JPG </center>
NOTE: If you were so inclined, you can get an Un-MST version out there with a bunch of Xmas shorts, commercials and bad Xmas music to make this Yuletide “log” complete but, errr, that is only for the truly devoted or insane.
<center>* * *</center>
The transfers for the host segments and such are great although don’t expect much from the actual films…nobody is paying to restore these stink burgers!
Each disc begins with a RHINOized FBI warning (does anybody miss the dancing guys and large fat lady from the RHINO tapes…errr…didn’t think so) and the Joel era door sequence. The films have scene selections, which allow you to jump right to host segments and play the Patrick Swayze Xmas song (see BONUS at the end of review) to your hearts content.
<b>EXTRAS</b>
As stated, Manos contains the blooper reel which is pure gold for fans and newcomers alike.<center>
http://www.mst3kvideos.com/crow.GIF
* * *
</center>
Although there was much quibble when it was announced that Manos would be added here, I personally think the Essentials collection is well worth the upgrade to have Santa Claus. Yes, Manos is already out there on DVD but the price for the Essdentials is rather low and it is as though you are getting Manos tacked on for no extra charge. If anything, give you old Manos disc to a friend to introduce them to the wonder of MST3K.
Personally, I am happy to drop my cash down on the RHINO releases in hopes that said cash will be used to obtain rights to release more shows. And, hey, if any of you folks out there have NOT dived into this amazing experience then this collection is the perfect introduction. Just, you know, don’t order your munchies from Torgo Pizza.
Five Servo heads!
http://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpghttp://www.mst3kvideos.com/tn-servo13.jpg
<center>* * *</center>
<b>SPECIAL BONUS</b>
Here are the lyrics to A Patrick Swayze Christmas in their entirety sung by Patrick Swayze himself. Sing along with Swayze this holiday season:
<center>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/Viewaskewbian/SWAYZE.jpg
Open up your heart and let the Patrick Swayze Christmas in.
We'll gather at the Roadhouse with our next of kin.
And Santa can be our regular Saturday night thing.
We'll decorate our barstools and gather round and sing.
Oh, let's have a Patrick Swayze Christmas this year!
Or we'll tear your throat out and kick you in the ear!
It's my way or the highway, this Christmas at my ba-ha-haar.
I'll have to smash your kneecaps if you bastards touch my car!
I got the word that Santa has been stealing from the till.
I think that that right jolly old elf better make out his will, ohh,
Oh, let's have a Patrick Swayze Christmas, one and all.
And this can be the haziest...
This can be the laziest...
This can be the Swayziest
Christmas of them aaallllllllll!"
La la la laa ha HAAA!</center>