Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #208: Lost Continent.
Original Comedy Channel airdate: November 24, 1990.
Available on the eighteenth MST3K DVD collection from Shout! Factory.
Rock climbing.
Cesar Romero, Hugh Beaumont, Sid Melton and Acquanetta star in this 1951 film about an expedition to find a missing atomic rocket. The expedition's flight crashes on a remote island with a big old mountain where a lone native girl indicates that something unusual landed there. After twenty straight minutes of ROCK CLIMBING, the top of the mountain is reached, where a lush jungle inhabited by dinosaurs is found. Two out of the six explorers die, but the survivors salvage crucial rocket parts and escape (thankfully the trip down the mountain isn't depicted in such excruciating detail) before a volcanic eruption destroys the island, dinosaurs and all. The highlight? Hugh Beaumont cracking up in the background while Cesar Romero hauls Sid Melton onto a plateau by the seat of his pants.
The show opens with Joel in a cyan jumpsuit as a tough football coach giving his robots a lively pep talk. Beat 'em, beat 'em, beat 'em! In Deep 13, Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank introduce their exercise treadmill on wheels (which Frank immediately runs into the nearest wall), but sadly, we don't have time for Joel's invention this week. Joel's gadget, a translator that converts language into sign language, would appear again in the next episode (The Hellcats). Hugh Beaumont, having become a Horseman of the Apocalypse, stops by the satellite with his scary, but friendly message of death. Joel and the 'Bots perform their version of Quinn Martin's The Explorers which turns from adventure program to police drama just in time for the epilogue. Later, the gang witnesses "The Cool Thing"* out in space, and they encourage their viewers to send in their ideas of what exactly it is for a contest, and why it's cool. After the film, Joel and his robots recite little known facts about the film, including the knowledge that Cesar Romero may have had ties to the Nazis.
A great episode from season 2, although Shout! Factory's DVD transfer is less than stellar due to the condition of the master tapes they were given. Just make like you're watching someone's second or third generation VHS dubbed tape and enjoy. Highly recommended episode.
...rock climbing.
* The "Cool Thing" was later revealed to be Mexican stoplight candy in a third season episode, although the show did show some viewer submitted pictures at the end of season two. Okay? Fifteen minute break, everyone!
Showing posts with label mst3k: season 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mst3k: season 2. Show all posts
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Thursday, November 26, 2009
MST3K: Mr. B's Lost Shorts
Mystery Science Theater 3000 presents: Mr. B's Lost Shorts.
Available on the sixth MST3K collection.
Featuring for your perusal...
Mr. B Natural, from experiment 319, War of the Colossal Beast.
X Marks the Spot, from experiment 210, King Dinosaur.
Hired! (Part One), from experiment 423, Bride of the Monster.
Design for Dreaming, from experiment 12 to the Moon (also available on Shorts, Volume 3).
Johnny at the Fair, from experiment 419, The Rebel Set.
Are You Ready for Marriage?, from experiment 616, Racket Girls.
Next to Manos, Mr. B Natural is arguably MST3K's most memorable film, and just about every MSTie is very familiar with Betty Luster's over the top performance as the androgynous "hep pixie" embodying the spirit of fun in music. Evidentally, his/her day job is shilling for the now-defunct C.G. Conn company, and persuading awkward teenagers named Buzz into taking up the trumpet. As you all know, playing an instrument increases confidence around teenage girls. Or something.
Sadly, Mr. B doesn't appear in the rest of the shorts, so we do not get to see his/her influence over short films concerning reckless driving in New Jersey (and death), learning how to become a more efficient Chevrolet salesman, surreal showcases for new General Motors products, Johnny getting lost at a fair, or helping a young couple in love recognize that waiting to get engaged would definitely be a good idea. But, you know, Mr. B Natural is there, subtlely influencing everyone involved. Why did Johnny get lost? Blame Mr. B! How did Joe Doakes from New Jersey die in a car accident? That was Mr. B's doing.
This disc is definitely the best of the MST3K shorts collections, so get it while you can. Highly, highly recommended!
The mini Turkey Day marathon is over. My next post will be a review of an actual movie.
Available on the sixth MST3K collection.
Featuring for your perusal...
Mr. B Natural, from experiment 319, War of the Colossal Beast.
X Marks the Spot, from experiment 210, King Dinosaur.
Hired! (Part One), from experiment 423, Bride of the Monster.
Design for Dreaming, from experiment 12 to the Moon (also available on Shorts, Volume 3).
Johnny at the Fair, from experiment 419, The Rebel Set.
Are You Ready for Marriage?, from experiment 616, Racket Girls.
Next to Manos, Mr. B Natural is arguably MST3K's most memorable film, and just about every MSTie is very familiar with Betty Luster's over the top performance as the androgynous "hep pixie" embodying the spirit of fun in music. Evidentally, his/her day job is shilling for the now-defunct C.G. Conn company, and persuading awkward teenagers named Buzz into taking up the trumpet. As you all know, playing an instrument increases confidence around teenage girls. Or something.
Sadly, Mr. B doesn't appear in the rest of the shorts, so we do not get to see his/her influence over short films concerning reckless driving in New Jersey (and death), learning how to become a more efficient Chevrolet salesman, surreal showcases for new General Motors products, Johnny getting lost at a fair, or helping a young couple in love recognize that waiting to get engaged would definitely be a good idea. But, you know, Mr. B Natural is there, subtlely influencing everyone involved. Why did Johnny get lost? Blame Mr. B! How did Joe Doakes from New Jersey die in a car accident? That was Mr. B's doing.
This disc is definitely the best of the MST3K shorts collections, so get it while you can. Highly, highly recommended!
The mini Turkey Day marathon is over. My next post will be a review of an actual movie.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
MST3K #212: Godzilla vs. Megalon
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #212: Godzilla vs. Megalon.
Original Comedy Channel airdate: January 19, 1991.
Amazon.com listing (discontinued). Keep an eye on eBay for available copies.
This episode was originally released on DVD as part of the tenth MST3K set, but rights issues caused it to be withdrawn, and reissued with episode #402, The Giant Gila Monster in its place. It was originally conceived as a solo vehicle for the then-brand new Jet Jaguar character, who was created by a contest winner.
An undersea civilization called Seatopia has been ravaged by nuclear testing conducting by surface nations, so they unleash their god, Megalon, to attack and destroy the surface world. They also try to steal a newly-constructed robot called Jet Jaguar, along with its creator, Goro Ibuki, his kid brother "Roxanne", and their friend Hiroshi Jinkawa. The stolen Jet Jaguar lures Megalon to Tokyo, where human armies can't deal with the monster. Goro regains control of his robot, and sents it to Monster Island to bring back reinforcements: namely, Godzilla. Megalon somehow has backup, Gigan, and after Jet Jaguar grows to massive size, a big ol' royal rumble goes down, complete with Godzilla doing the Muhammad Ali shuffle (!), and executing the now infamous flying kick on Megalon. Godzilla and Jet Jaguar shake hands after their victory (!!), and Japan is safe for another day from men in rubber suits stomping on HO scale sets.
(And you thought that 1998 film abortion that was Godzilla was embarrassingly bad.)
On the SOL, Joel and the robots introduce the program in the style of a magazine show, complete with numerous Robert Goulet and Moms Mabley references. The invention exchange sees numerous simple Halloween costumes created from ordinary household items. Later, Joel catches Tom and Crow looking at naughty pictures, so they quickly improvise a discussion over which monster is more powerful. The SOL crew also introduces the new hit TV program Rex Dart: Eskimo Spy!, with action clips from the film, and the robots do a very bizarre sketch mercilessly lampooning popcorn icon Orville Redenbacher and his grandson. After the film, letters are read, and Joel modifies Crow and Servo with new arms that look cool, but are largely useless. Down in Deep 13, TV's Frank is incensed by his Mario Bros. video game.
Obviously, this isn't one of the best Godzilla movies (it's still better than the 1998 movie!!), but it made for a hilarious early episode of MST3K. This is easily the highlight of Season 2. Highly, highly recommended, but good luck finding a copy!
Original Comedy Channel airdate: January 19, 1991.
Amazon.com listing (discontinued). Keep an eye on eBay for available copies.
This episode was originally released on DVD as part of the tenth MST3K set, but rights issues caused it to be withdrawn, and reissued with episode #402, The Giant Gila Monster in its place. It was originally conceived as a solo vehicle for the then-brand new Jet Jaguar character, who was created by a contest winner.
An undersea civilization called Seatopia has been ravaged by nuclear testing conducting by surface nations, so they unleash their god, Megalon, to attack and destroy the surface world. They also try to steal a newly-constructed robot called Jet Jaguar, along with its creator, Goro Ibuki, his kid brother "Roxanne", and their friend Hiroshi Jinkawa. The stolen Jet Jaguar lures Megalon to Tokyo, where human armies can't deal with the monster. Goro regains control of his robot, and sents it to Monster Island to bring back reinforcements: namely, Godzilla. Megalon somehow has backup, Gigan, and after Jet Jaguar grows to massive size, a big ol' royal rumble goes down, complete with Godzilla doing the Muhammad Ali shuffle (!), and executing the now infamous flying kick on Megalon. Godzilla and Jet Jaguar shake hands after their victory (!!), and Japan is safe for another day from men in rubber suits stomping on HO scale sets.
(And you thought that 1998 film abortion that was Godzilla was embarrassingly bad.)
On the SOL, Joel and the robots introduce the program in the style of a magazine show, complete with numerous Robert Goulet and Moms Mabley references. The invention exchange sees numerous simple Halloween costumes created from ordinary household items. Later, Joel catches Tom and Crow looking at naughty pictures, so they quickly improvise a discussion over which monster is more powerful. The SOL crew also introduces the new hit TV program Rex Dart: Eskimo Spy!, with action clips from the film, and the robots do a very bizarre sketch mercilessly lampooning popcorn icon Orville Redenbacher and his grandson. After the film, letters are read, and Joel modifies Crow and Servo with new arms that look cool, but are largely useless. Down in Deep 13, TV's Frank is incensed by his Mario Bros. video game.
Obviously, this isn't one of the best Godzilla movies (it's still better than the 1998 movie!!), but it made for a hilarious early episode of MST3K. This is easily the highlight of Season 2. Highly, highly recommended, but good luck finding a copy!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
MST3K #204: Catalina Caper
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #204: Catalina Caper (a.k.a. Never Steal Anything Wet).
Original airdate: October 13, 1990.
Available from Amazon as part of the first MST3K Collection.
This was the only intentional comedy film ever featured on MST3K. It was reportedly a difficult movie to write for, thanks to the "comedy" and the musical numbers, not to mention the somewhat confusing plot contained therein.
As an ancient scroll is stolen from a museum, teenager Don Pringle (Tommy Kirk) and his friends take a pleasure trip to Catalina Island, which includes a lot of dancing aboard a yacht while Little Richard serenades them with some of his lesser known hits. Don and his friends get caught up in the mystery about who stole the scroll, finding out that one of the parents of the boys along for the ride is responsible. Also, Don tries to woo away a girl he fancies from a vaguely tough Lyle Waggoner while some older gentleman (Robert Donner) with a talent for bad slapstick situation occasionally gets in the way, before revealing himself as a detective on the trail of the scroll.
The show opens with Tom Servo and Crow in their pajamas saying their prayers before bed, all to well known robots and cyborgs from the world of movies and TV. The invention exchange sees Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank demonstrating their armor plated cannon firing beachwear called, what else, Tank Tops. Joel counters with the Tickle Bazooka (both inventions were shown in the opening titles for a few episodes). Later, when prompted to talk about the '60s by the 'bots, Joel goes off on a long tangent which gradually turns into complaints about his parents sheltering him from events like Woodstock, or spanking him with a leather belt. Tom Servo takes center stage to sing the "Creepy Girl" song, complete with Joel and Crow slow dancing in the background. After the movie, Joel and the 'bots try to figure out exactly what happened in the movie with a very confusing chart.
Recommended episode, but not the best one they ever did.
Original airdate: October 13, 1990.
Available from Amazon as part of the first MST3K Collection.
This was the only intentional comedy film ever featured on MST3K. It was reportedly a difficult movie to write for, thanks to the "comedy" and the musical numbers, not to mention the somewhat confusing plot contained therein.
As an ancient scroll is stolen from a museum, teenager Don Pringle (Tommy Kirk) and his friends take a pleasure trip to Catalina Island, which includes a lot of dancing aboard a yacht while Little Richard serenades them with some of his lesser known hits. Don and his friends get caught up in the mystery about who stole the scroll, finding out that one of the parents of the boys along for the ride is responsible. Also, Don tries to woo away a girl he fancies from a vaguely tough Lyle Waggoner while some older gentleman (Robert Donner) with a talent for bad slapstick situation occasionally gets in the way, before revealing himself as a detective on the trail of the scroll.
The show opens with Tom Servo and Crow in their pajamas saying their prayers before bed, all to well known robots and cyborgs from the world of movies and TV. The invention exchange sees Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank demonstrating their armor plated cannon firing beachwear called, what else, Tank Tops. Joel counters with the Tickle Bazooka (both inventions were shown in the opening titles for a few episodes). Later, when prompted to talk about the '60s by the 'bots, Joel goes off on a long tangent which gradually turns into complaints about his parents sheltering him from events like Woodstock, or spanking him with a leather belt. Tom Servo takes center stage to sing the "Creepy Girl" song, complete with Joel and Crow slow dancing in the background. After the movie, Joel and the 'bots try to figure out exactly what happened in the movie with a very confusing chart.
Recommended episode, but not the best one they ever did.
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