Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #505: The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
Original Comedy Central airdate: August 14, 1993.
One-fourth of the 20th MST3K set, available from Amazon.
A Russian film originally entitled Sadko, Roger Corman's Filmgroup released it in America with a new dubbed soundtrack and the title "The Magic Voyage of Sinbad"...even if there's absolutely nothing remotely Arabian depicted in the film. Regardless, Sinbad promises the citizens of his hometown wealth and happiness, only to get mocked publicly. With some assistance from Neptune's daughter, Sinbad catches a golden fish, which doesn't exactly set his town alight with happiness. So, Sinbad recruits a crew of locals to travel to India to seek out and bring back the Bluebird of Happiness. They do find what they're looking for, but Sinbad has an epiphany enroute: there is no better land than where you were born, and one doesn't have to travel far in search of happiness.
It's the S.O.L.tie Awards, and Crow T. Robot wins an award that Tom Servo (and Joel!) feel like they were more worthy of. The prize involved an incident involving Servo's out-of-control hoverskirt, so there may have been some fixing going on behind the scenes. The Mads introduce "Chin-derwear" for your chin; up in space, Joel and his robots come up with the Rat Pack Chess Set, which would probably sell millions if it were a real game. Ol' Blue Eyes also delays movie sign until he says it's okay. Soon after, the meeting of the Junior Jester Club is called off due to exhaustion after much fooling around. A city council meeting follows, where Joel and the 'bots don ridiculous beards and debate the ongoing Sinbad issue. Later, Crow abandons the experiment to embark on an epic quest like Sinbad, shooting himself out an air lock. It goes horribly. After the movie, Crow and Tom are impressed by Joel's Channel Cat puppet...and TV's Frank gets slugged by a different puppet named "Fisty". HEE!
A truly funny episode here. Highly, highly recommended.
Showing posts with label joel hodgson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joel hodgson. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
MST3K #501: Warrior of the Lost World
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #501: Warrior of the Lost World.
Original Comedy Central airdate: July 24, 1993.
Available on the sixteenth MST3K set from Shout! Factory. Maybe if you're lucky, you can get one with the limited edition Tom Servo figurine.
A particularly crummy post-acopalyptic film from the 1980 starring Robert "the Paper Chase guy" Ginty as a nameless motorcycle rider with an advanced, but very annoying motorcycle called Einstein. The Paper Chase guy is picked to lead a rebellion against the Omega government led by Prossor, who is played by Donald Pleasence. The bike rider also meets Nastasia (Persis Khambatta), who urges him to rescue her captured father, McWayne, alias Jimmy Carter. The rescue is successful, but Nastasia is accidentally left behind, and Prossor brainwashes her. It's up to the Paper Chase guy, Einstein, Jimmy Carter, and their lovable band of Outsiders to strike back against Omega and reintroduce the "New Way": freedom, equality, justice. Fred Williamson also stars, as does the real breakout talent of the movie: Megaweapon.
Up on the Satellite of Love, Tom Servo gets his dream opportunity: a formal opening to the show that gets disrupted by Crow, who is then forced to eat Servo's prepared speech. Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank introduce the Square Master as part of the invention exchange, a simple piece of exercise equipment that takes advantage of nature's own gravity. Joel and the robots introduce Bittersweet Hearts, with such touching messages as "Get Out", "My Needs", and "Still Mad". Inspired by the movie's first chase scene, Joel outfits Tom and Crow with slot cars. Crow has a blast on the track, but Servo can't seem to get moving, and when he finally does, he wrecks. Next, Servo (as Steve Allen) introduces a sketch where Joel plays the Paper Chase guy had he not had his drivers' license when the apocalypse hit. The skit kind of runs out of steam just in time for movie sign. Later on, Joel and the 'bots discuss fun things you could do in the event of an apocalypse, like playing stickball on an interstate, among other things. Just be sure to have a spare pair of eyeglasses. After the movie, Joel and the robots call up Megaweapon, who is now living in Tampa with his sister; down in Deep 13, the Mads enjoy an active lifestyle.
Highly recommended episode, and the DVD contains an interview with the movie's director, David Worth, who is a self-professed MST3K fan, and he enjoyed the treatment his film got on the show.
Original Comedy Central airdate: July 24, 1993.
Available on the sixteenth MST3K set from Shout! Factory. Maybe if you're lucky, you can get one with the limited edition Tom Servo figurine.
A particularly crummy post-acopalyptic film from the 1980 starring Robert "the Paper Chase guy" Ginty as a nameless motorcycle rider with an advanced, but very annoying motorcycle called Einstein. The Paper Chase guy is picked to lead a rebellion against the Omega government led by Prossor, who is played by Donald Pleasence. The bike rider also meets Nastasia (Persis Khambatta), who urges him to rescue her captured father, McWayne, alias Jimmy Carter. The rescue is successful, but Nastasia is accidentally left behind, and Prossor brainwashes her. It's up to the Paper Chase guy, Einstein, Jimmy Carter, and their lovable band of Outsiders to strike back against Omega and reintroduce the "New Way": freedom, equality, justice. Fred Williamson also stars, as does the real breakout talent of the movie: Megaweapon.
Up on the Satellite of Love, Tom Servo gets his dream opportunity: a formal opening to the show that gets disrupted by Crow, who is then forced to eat Servo's prepared speech. Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank introduce the Square Master as part of the invention exchange, a simple piece of exercise equipment that takes advantage of nature's own gravity. Joel and the robots introduce Bittersweet Hearts, with such touching messages as "Get Out", "My Needs", and "Still Mad". Inspired by the movie's first chase scene, Joel outfits Tom and Crow with slot cars. Crow has a blast on the track, but Servo can't seem to get moving, and when he finally does, he wrecks. Next, Servo (as Steve Allen) introduces a sketch where Joel plays the Paper Chase guy had he not had his drivers' license when the apocalypse hit. The skit kind of runs out of steam just in time for movie sign. Later on, Joel and the 'bots discuss fun things you could do in the event of an apocalypse, like playing stickball on an interstate, among other things. Just be sure to have a spare pair of eyeglasses. After the movie, Joel and the robots call up Megaweapon, who is now living in Tampa with his sister; down in Deep 13, the Mads enjoy an active lifestyle.
Highly recommended episode, and the DVD contains an interview with the movie's director, David Worth, who is a self-professed MST3K fan, and he enjoyed the treatment his film got on the show.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
MST3K #423: Bride of the Monster
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #423: Bride of the Monster (with short, Hired!, Part One).
Original Comedy Central airdate: January 23, 1993.
This episode is available on the 19th MST3K collection at Amazon.
In part one of the Jam Handy Organization short made for Chevrolet in 1940, we see two new door-to-door salesmen named Jimmy and Henderson, and his frustrated supervisor, Mr. Warren, wondering why they're not panning out. Mr. Warren lives with his parents and complains to his elderly father (who sips lemonade when he isn't swatting at insects and having hankerchief-related "episodes") that the new generation doesn't work as hard as the older folks. Dad sets his son straight by reminding him that he wasn't always perfect and made mistakes as a younger salesman. Part two of Hired! opens MST3K episode 424, Manos.
It's an Ed Wood movie, folks. Bear with us. Bride of the Monster stars Bela Lugosi as mad scientist Dr. Eric Vornoff, who is experimenting with nuclear power with help from his lumbering mute assistant Lobo, played by Tor Johnson. Vornoff is looking to create an army of superhuman soldiers to conquer the world with, and he lives in a house guarded by a giant mutant octopus. The octopus has been responsible for a string of deaths in the region, and a reporter named Janet Lawton (Loretta King Hadler) investigates further into the situation, becoming a prisoner of Vornoff. There's giant rubber snakes, two-foot deep human traps, and stock footage of alligators, not to mention an official from Vornoff's home country demanding that he return home. Oh, and Ed Wood himself might have taken a cameo role as a female secretary in one scene. He loves him some angora.
Opening the episode, Joel utilizes Cambot to analyze Crow's dream. Things are all right until a horrified Tom Servo discovers that he's in the dream as a...candy-striper? Invention exchange: The Mads introduce and demonstrate the Tough Love Seat, equipped with metal studs and painful shocks of electricity. Joel introduces microwavable Faith Popcorn, which predicts upcoming pop culture trends, such as Jerry Reed getting elected to public office (Well, when you're hot, you're hot). Next, the Satellite of Love Community Theater presents the excellent Hired! The Musical which goes off without a hitch until commercial sign, when everyone finally gets annoyed. Later, Joel and the 'Bots discuss how lucky the monster octopus is because its victims literally fall into its grasp, and it segues into a discussion about which other food products could be used as a lame movie monster. Tom Servo next wishes for a world with no advertising, and Willy the Waffle (Crow) shows up to grant that wish. No springs? To end the show, Cambot re-edits the end of the film, Joel and the robots do their best Bela Lugosi evil look, and down in Deep 13, Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank are playing Bela and Tor.
Great episode. The riffing is spot on, and the host segments are great, especially Hired! The Musical. Highly recommended episode!
"He tampered in God's domain..."
Original Comedy Central airdate: January 23, 1993.
This episode is available on the 19th MST3K collection at Amazon.
In part one of the Jam Handy Organization short made for Chevrolet in 1940, we see two new door-to-door salesmen named Jimmy and Henderson, and his frustrated supervisor, Mr. Warren, wondering why they're not panning out. Mr. Warren lives with his parents and complains to his elderly father (who sips lemonade when he isn't swatting at insects and having hankerchief-related "episodes") that the new generation doesn't work as hard as the older folks. Dad sets his son straight by reminding him that he wasn't always perfect and made mistakes as a younger salesman. Part two of Hired! opens MST3K episode 424, Manos.
It's an Ed Wood movie, folks. Bear with us. Bride of the Monster stars Bela Lugosi as mad scientist Dr. Eric Vornoff, who is experimenting with nuclear power with help from his lumbering mute assistant Lobo, played by Tor Johnson. Vornoff is looking to create an army of superhuman soldiers to conquer the world with, and he lives in a house guarded by a giant mutant octopus. The octopus has been responsible for a string of deaths in the region, and a reporter named Janet Lawton (Loretta King Hadler) investigates further into the situation, becoming a prisoner of Vornoff. There's giant rubber snakes, two-foot deep human traps, and stock footage of alligators, not to mention an official from Vornoff's home country demanding that he return home. Oh, and Ed Wood himself might have taken a cameo role as a female secretary in one scene. He loves him some angora.
Opening the episode, Joel utilizes Cambot to analyze Crow's dream. Things are all right until a horrified Tom Servo discovers that he's in the dream as a...candy-striper? Invention exchange: The Mads introduce and demonstrate the Tough Love Seat, equipped with metal studs and painful shocks of electricity. Joel introduces microwavable Faith Popcorn, which predicts upcoming pop culture trends, such as Jerry Reed getting elected to public office (Well, when you're hot, you're hot). Next, the Satellite of Love Community Theater presents the excellent Hired! The Musical which goes off without a hitch until commercial sign, when everyone finally gets annoyed. Later, Joel and the 'Bots discuss how lucky the monster octopus is because its victims literally fall into its grasp, and it segues into a discussion about which other food products could be used as a lame movie monster. Tom Servo next wishes for a world with no advertising, and Willy the Waffle (Crow) shows up to grant that wish. No springs? To end the show, Cambot re-edits the end of the film, Joel and the robots do their best Bela Lugosi evil look, and down in Deep 13, Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank are playing Bela and Tor.
Great episode. The riffing is spot on, and the host segments are great, especially Hired! The Musical. Highly recommended episode!
"He tampered in God's domain..."
MST3K #417: Crash of the Moons
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #417: Crash of the Moons (with an old clip from General Hospital).
Original airdate: November 28, 1992.
Available on MST3K, Volume XVIII, on sale at Amazon.
In a clip from an ancient episode of General Hospital, ABC's last surviving soap opera, Cynthia and Phil argue about who Cynthia is in love with. Phil wants Cynthia to love him and not the poor schmuck she loves. Or something. Truth be told, I couldn't follow what was going on. It ends with Cynthia and Phil engaging in liplock in a car. The repercussions of this kiss are still being felt today on the show.
The main feature is pieced together from episodes of the old sci-fi series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger. Here, Rock and his crew Winky, Professor Newton, Vena and a kid named Bobby are trying to evacuate the planet Ofecious before it collides with another planet. Queen Cleolanta of Ofecious would alternately rather die on her doomed planet, or at least try to destroy the rogue planet first. This second planet is the home of Kwotanda, Bwavarro, and their son, the Little Prince, who won't stop crying. In addition to many bad special effects of rocketships taking off and landing perfectly vertical, we also have John Banner of Hogan's Heroes fame in one of his more memorable roles. Boopie!
On the SOL, Tom Servo tries tackling macrame, and Crow sells Grit to keep kids like him off of the streets. Apparently, Crow has a history of ordering things in bulk that he keeps trying to sell to Joel, Servo and Gypsy. The invention exchange sees the Mads introduce Deep 13 Toothpaste, a sugary product that is great for teeth, I tell you! Meanwhile, Joel introduces the Rock 'n' Wreck Guitar for poor musicians who can wreck it and put it back together to their heart's content...and TV's Frank won't stop bogarting the toothpaste. Later on, introduced by Mr. Robinson, Crow and Tom serenade Gypsy with a song called "The Gypsy Moon", and leave it to Crow to ruin it by getting too dirty at the end. Next, Joel and the 'Bots introduce the Banner-gram in honor of John Banner, which you can send to anyone in the country, Denver in particular. Crow ends up sending a John Byner-gram and a David Mamet-gram by accident. Crow makes up for it next with his new sci-fi teleplay, with a ton of nonsensical, made-up words. Tom Servo isn't exactly impressed. After the movie, after Joel reads a letter, the Satellite receives a Banner-gram. Thinking quickly, Joel and the 'Bots send one down to Deep 13, and Dr. Forrester is not exactly appreciative.
A fun season four episode made even better by Trace Beaulieu's performance at the end of the show. Dr. F's freakout upon learning he's just been sent a Banner-gram is classic. I can't forget to mention Mike Nelson's hysterical John Banner, too. Highly recommended episode.
Original airdate: November 28, 1992.
Available on MST3K, Volume XVIII, on sale at Amazon.
In a clip from an ancient episode of General Hospital, ABC's last surviving soap opera, Cynthia and Phil argue about who Cynthia is in love with. Phil wants Cynthia to love him and not the poor schmuck she loves. Or something. Truth be told, I couldn't follow what was going on. It ends with Cynthia and Phil engaging in liplock in a car. The repercussions of this kiss are still being felt today on the show.
The main feature is pieced together from episodes of the old sci-fi series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger. Here, Rock and his crew Winky, Professor Newton, Vena and a kid named Bobby are trying to evacuate the planet Ofecious before it collides with another planet. Queen Cleolanta of Ofecious would alternately rather die on her doomed planet, or at least try to destroy the rogue planet first. This second planet is the home of Kwotanda, Bwavarro, and their son, the Little Prince, who won't stop crying. In addition to many bad special effects of rocketships taking off and landing perfectly vertical, we also have John Banner of Hogan's Heroes fame in one of his more memorable roles. Boopie!
On the SOL, Tom Servo tries tackling macrame, and Crow sells Grit to keep kids like him off of the streets. Apparently, Crow has a history of ordering things in bulk that he keeps trying to sell to Joel, Servo and Gypsy. The invention exchange sees the Mads introduce Deep 13 Toothpaste, a sugary product that is great for teeth, I tell you! Meanwhile, Joel introduces the Rock 'n' Wreck Guitar for poor musicians who can wreck it and put it back together to their heart's content...and TV's Frank won't stop bogarting the toothpaste. Later on, introduced by Mr. Robinson, Crow and Tom serenade Gypsy with a song called "The Gypsy Moon", and leave it to Crow to ruin it by getting too dirty at the end. Next, Joel and the 'Bots introduce the Banner-gram in honor of John Banner, which you can send to anyone in the country, Denver in particular. Crow ends up sending a John Byner-gram and a David Mamet-gram by accident. Crow makes up for it next with his new sci-fi teleplay, with a ton of nonsensical, made-up words. Tom Servo isn't exactly impressed. After the movie, after Joel reads a letter, the Satellite receives a Banner-gram. Thinking quickly, Joel and the 'Bots send one down to Deep 13, and Dr. Forrester is not exactly appreciative.
A fun season four episode made even better by Trace Beaulieu's performance at the end of the show. Dr. F's freakout upon learning he's just been sent a Banner-gram is classic. I can't forget to mention Mike Nelson's hysterical John Banner, too. Highly recommended episode.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
MST3K #303: Pod People
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #303: Pod People.
Original Comedy Central airdate: June 15, 1991.
Part of the second MST3K DVD set, which looks to be out of stock at Amazon...
Chief? McCloud!!
This episode showcases a trainwreck of a film where an unsuspecting rural family, an unlikeable trio of poachers who constantly argue with one another, and a really bad pop band on vacation are all on a collision course with wackiness in a foggy region. A meteor crashes in the area, and a stash of glowing eggs are found by one of the poachers and a youth named Tommy from the unsuspecting and somewhat unlikeable rural family. An alien mother goes on the hunt looking for her eggs and offspring, killing off several characters. Tommy's egg hatches into something he dubs Trumpy, who unlike his mother, is not at all homicidal. Trumpy's mother eventually comes to the house, and Tommy escapes with Trumpy in tow, not willing to let all of the mean adults shoot his goofy looking pet. After all, Trumpy can do magical things. The ending is kind of depressing, not to mention foggy.
We open on the Satellite of Love where Joel, Servo and Crow are hosting an "arts chautauqua" where Crow debuts a monologue from his one-robot show Robot on the Run, and Tom Servo breaks down in hysterics during his own spoken word piece. The invention exchange is a musical one: Joel demonstrates his explosive new guitar chord, and the Mads debut their concept of public domain karaoke. Inspired by the crappy band in the recording studio, Joel and the 'Bots sing "Idiot Control Now", and Joel declares that it stinks. A wall of keyboards is set up and Joel explains to Tom and Crow about how they can create New Age music simply by holding down two keys for hours on end. Somehow, Windham Hill doesn't come through with a recording contract for "Music from Some Guys in Space". After a wild demonstration of the magic Trumpy can perform, Joel and the 'Bots sing a sad ballad, "Clown in the Sky", and the Mads cheerfully help out by saying that it also stinks.
Another fan favorite, and a great episode to me personally. Highly recommended.
Original Comedy Central airdate: June 15, 1991.
Part of the second MST3K DVD set, which looks to be out of stock at Amazon...
Chief? McCloud!!
This episode showcases a trainwreck of a film where an unsuspecting rural family, an unlikeable trio of poachers who constantly argue with one another, and a really bad pop band on vacation are all on a collision course with wackiness in a foggy region. A meteor crashes in the area, and a stash of glowing eggs are found by one of the poachers and a youth named Tommy from the unsuspecting and somewhat unlikeable rural family. An alien mother goes on the hunt looking for her eggs and offspring, killing off several characters. Tommy's egg hatches into something he dubs Trumpy, who unlike his mother, is not at all homicidal. Trumpy's mother eventually comes to the house, and Tommy escapes with Trumpy in tow, not willing to let all of the mean adults shoot his goofy looking pet. After all, Trumpy can do magical things. The ending is kind of depressing, not to mention foggy.
We open on the Satellite of Love where Joel, Servo and Crow are hosting an "arts chautauqua" where Crow debuts a monologue from his one-robot show Robot on the Run, and Tom Servo breaks down in hysterics during his own spoken word piece. The invention exchange is a musical one: Joel demonstrates his explosive new guitar chord, and the Mads debut their concept of public domain karaoke. Inspired by the crappy band in the recording studio, Joel and the 'Bots sing "Idiot Control Now", and Joel declares that it stinks. A wall of keyboards is set up and Joel explains to Tom and Crow about how they can create New Age music simply by holding down two keys for hours on end. Somehow, Windham Hill doesn't come through with a recording contract for "Music from Some Guys in Space". After a wild demonstration of the magic Trumpy can perform, Joel and the 'Bots sing a sad ballad, "Clown in the Sky", and the Mads cheerfully help out by saying that it also stinks.
Another fan favorite, and a great episode to me personally. Highly recommended.
MST3K #208: Lost Continent
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!
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!
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!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
MST3K #409: Indestructible Man
Mystery Science Theater 3000 experiment #409: Indestructible Man (with short, The Undersea Kingdom, Part 2, "The Undersea City").
Original airdate: August 15, 1992.
Available from Amazon as part of the eleventh MST3K collection.
In the second part of the Undersea Kingdom serial, Crash Corrigan, Billy Norton, and reporter Diana Compton find the lost continent of Atlantis, and spend most of the short following the locals around. There's a lot of villains riding horseback and racing about, but that's about it, really. Perhaps I should've seen the first part of the series before this one?
The main feature stars Lon Chaney Jr. as executed murderer Butcher Benton who is betrayed right before the execution by two henchmen, Squeamy and Joe, and Butcher vows revenge on them, plus their lawyer Lowe, who is interested in finding the $600,000 that Benton and friends stole and hid somewhere in the Los Angeles sewer system. Butcher's body is taken to a cancer researcher, who subjects it to massive jolts of electricity. Benton is revived as an angry and mute killer looking to kill Squeamy and Joe, as well as reconnect with his stripper girlfriend who is now dating the detective who brought Benton to justice.
To open the show, the 'Bots have all traded voices to confuse Joel. The invention exchange sees Joel invent cereal boxes with complete novels attached to the back; the Mads are hosting a celebrity shindig in Deep 13 with plenty of Z-level personalities, but they fail to display their invention, which they claim is for men only. Joel and the robots throw a parade in honor of The Undersea Kingdom, and later describe what they would do if they were indestructible. Joel prefers mundane activities, while Crow and Servo plan to wreak havoc with their new indestructible selves. To end the show, a contact is signed prohibiting any more cop-donut jokes in future experiments, and two policemen (played by Kevin Murphy and Mike Nelson) visit Deep 13.
Recommended episode.
Original airdate: August 15, 1992.
Available from Amazon as part of the eleventh MST3K collection.
In the second part of the Undersea Kingdom serial, Crash Corrigan, Billy Norton, and reporter Diana Compton find the lost continent of Atlantis, and spend most of the short following the locals around. There's a lot of villains riding horseback and racing about, but that's about it, really. Perhaps I should've seen the first part of the series before this one?
The main feature stars Lon Chaney Jr. as executed murderer Butcher Benton who is betrayed right before the execution by two henchmen, Squeamy and Joe, and Butcher vows revenge on them, plus their lawyer Lowe, who is interested in finding the $600,000 that Benton and friends stole and hid somewhere in the Los Angeles sewer system. Butcher's body is taken to a cancer researcher, who subjects it to massive jolts of electricity. Benton is revived as an angry and mute killer looking to kill Squeamy and Joe, as well as reconnect with his stripper girlfriend who is now dating the detective who brought Benton to justice.
To open the show, the 'Bots have all traded voices to confuse Joel. The invention exchange sees Joel invent cereal boxes with complete novels attached to the back; the Mads are hosting a celebrity shindig in Deep 13 with plenty of Z-level personalities, but they fail to display their invention, which they claim is for men only. Joel and the robots throw a parade in honor of The Undersea Kingdom, and later describe what they would do if they were indestructible. Joel prefers mundane activities, while Crow and Servo plan to wreak havoc with their new indestructible selves. To end the show, a contact is signed prohibiting any more cop-donut jokes in future experiments, and two policemen (played by Kevin Murphy and Mike Nelson) visit Deep 13.
Recommended episode.
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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