The Dorm That Dripped Blood 1982

"Uh, I was looking at your shoes."

"Gimme an D! Gimme a E! Gimme a A! Gimme a D! What does that spell?"

"I don't give a damn. I need someone who can get a hard-on."

"That IS a knife in your hand."

"I finally passed that kidney stone."

"I'm gonna lie down. I have a tummy ache"


The janitor has a tummy ache.

Morgan Meadows Hall, an isolated seven story dormitory stands empty. Corridors that were once filled with the vibrant sound of co-eds having sex and puking all over the place is now vacant - on the verge of being torn down. No more wild parties. No more keg stands and such.

Five college students volunteer to close the dorm during the Christmas season. Soon, however, out of the dark recesses of the quiet building emerges a haunting and lethal menace. Mysteriously, all phone lines are cut and the students are plunged into the darkness of a powerless and increasingly frenzied gloom. In a series of grizzly murders by and unknown specter, the students begin to disappear. Did David Copperfield kidnap them and throw them off a train?

As the murder mounts and the high-pitched staccato of slaying continues, the remaining students realize their up against a killer who'll eventually kill them with a spoon or something. The dark halls of the dorm now hide the killers identity. Once the object of nostalgic affection, Morgan Meadows Hall has been hideously transformed into the most suffocating nightmare imaginable. Well, not to unimaginable. Is that a paradox?

Well, right off the bat, bad news prevails as I this little 'hider-in-the-cranny' is directed by two people. Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter are the biggest attention craver's on the face of the earth. Everything was evidently construed from the puny minds of these two people as their name is all over the back of the box.

Sliding towards the gist of the whole thing: The Dorm That Dripped Blood was an attempt by two guys who thought they could make a few bucks off the slasher craze started by 'Halloween' and 'Friday the 13th'. Did they succeed? Well, if you like terrible movies you'll love it. TDTDB delivers in many departments even tho some things are hard to see because of bad lighting. I'm sure either Carpenter or Obrow was responsible for being the DP, but decided to actually not use their name for a credit, pawning off the horrendous lighting job on some other poor soul. How generous of them.

Nevertheless, we start off with a guy who's running away from someone or something. He hides behind some bushes and he thinks he's home free. Wrong. Someone jumps from out of nowhere and slices his hand in two. This scene has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the movie.

We are soon taken to an old dormitory (Morgan Meadows Hall) where Joanne, Craig, Patty, and Brian are doing their best to take inventory of everything in the dorm and sell it. Debbie (A young Daphne Zuniga) eventually gives the crew the news that she's not going to be able to stay for the whole two weeks and that her parents were on the way to pick her up.

Debbie's parents soon get murdered - Her mother choked to death by a wire from the backseat of her car - Her father whacked repeatedly in the head with a baseball bat with barbed-wire wrapped around it. Debbie comes to the parking lot to meet them, finds their bodies, faints, and eventually gets ran over repeatedly by this unknown specter.

Anyway, there's the usual crap dialog - Patty likes Brian, but Joanne likes him too. But Joanne also has a boyfriend. Is he the murderous jealous type? There's a small hint of a love triangle in the making, but it never takes shape.

A couple days down the road, Joanne is out back at the dump checking on 'inventory items' and meets up with a 'junkster' named Bobby Lee Tremble. He takes a liking to Joanne and talks her into taking a check for his junk purchases. Somehow, Bobby Lee acquires Joannes dorm number gives her a call late one night. He wants the two of them to get together for a beer, but she turns him down. He and his hard dick decide to take a drive.

If this isn't enough, we have a homeless balding, fuzzy-headed freak running around - using the dormitory as shelter. After a few encounters with the 'Hemmitt the Hermit', weird things start to happen. A buffet table gets smashed - Food gets stolen - The lights go out - The phone lines get cut - Is HE responsible?

There's not much to comment about when it comes to this film. We do have SOME decent acting, even though the lead, Laura Lapinski, looks like a piece of cardboard taped to a stick that a puppeteer from the rafters was controlling.

We also have some good slasher action going on in the form of drills, Groen pressure cookers, cars, baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire, the good old-fashioned butchers knife and even an incenerator. There's also a very good score that adds a little bit of eeriness to the film that it normally wouldn't have had. There's a couple good point of view shots, but nothing to write home about.

Spoiler below

There's a GREAT down beat ending that leads to a twist that I really didn't see coming. I'll admit, I love the ending even tho the main lead also dies. It definitely gave room for a sequel, but it never happened. I would loved to have seen a sequel to this movie - Still would.

Should you watch this flick? Sure. Why not? The only reason you're here is because you like cheesy flicks. I love you. The alternate title to this film is called 'PRANKS' - Even tho I don't think there was one prank throughout the whole film - Unless you count Craig throwing a fake spider into someone's eggs.

Nevertheless, aside from all the bad things this film contains, it's the worth the view. It's not particularly rare, but you'll probably have to snatch a copy from eBay or Amazon. It's well worth the eight-ten bucks.

Antonella Fulci Interview

*This post may look different on certain browsers. The quality may not be the same.*

Below are a few pics of Lucio Fulci's daughter Antonella. I did an extensive interview with her back in 2003. I learned a lot of things about Fulci that I didn't know. I learned of his love for erotic asphyxiation and implanting needles in his sack. He also liked bathing with his dog and eating cheese while reading Play girl. Of course, I'm kidding. He actually liked to rub chocolate on his face while reading Play Girl.

Seriously, below is the interview I conducted with Anto' back in 2003. I have an updated interview, but it's going to be placed on another website in the near future. I also threw in a few pics. It's nice to see the resemblance.
"Damn right! I'm Fulci's daughter."

Below is the INTERVIEW I conducted with her in early 2003. This should be a cool read for you Fulci fans.

LUNCHMEAT: Being the daughter of one of
the most beloved horror directors of all
time, I would imagine that at
a young age you were introduced to
the nightmarish world of your
Father's work. How did being the
daughter of such a controversial figure
in the Italian/American horror
industry play a part in your
younger years?




ANTONELLA: When my father shot Zombie,
I was already 19 y.o, and for us, it  was
just another film. If you
think that my father had already shot
about 40 films as a director and
had written about 90 as a
screenwriter, you can understand why.
My father had a job like any
other father, the only difference
was that his 'office' was a set. When
I was a kid, in the 60's, the
words 'let's go say hello to dad at
work' meant going somewhere where a
bunch of wonderful people were
playing a game and joked
with me and bought me ice creams. 

I loved it,
and thought that my dad
was the luckiest guy in this
world, cause his job was having fun
with his friends.
I don't think that, if he could decide,
he'd like to be remembered for
his horror movies even if, as
a professionist, he surely did the best
about the matter. After all, he
had 30 years of carrier on his
back. I must say I don't like it too,
cause I find it very limited.


LUNCHMEAT: To shed some light on
my horror background a little: One of the first
films that ever gave me
nightmares was 'The Gates of Hell'-
The scene where the lady vomits up
her intestines is pure art in
my book! I am curious to know, what
was the first horror related
experience you ever had?




ANTONELLA: Good scene indeed, and functional
for the mood of the film. The first
time I saw my father shooting
a 'horror' scene I was very young,
12 or 13 I think. I went to 'visit
dad at work' on the set of 'Don't
torture a Duckling'. We  were in a
small real cemetery in Abruzzo (a
region of central Italy) and my
first vision was miss Florinda Bolkan,
and I still remember how
beautiful she was, with the longest
black hair I'd ever seen, sitting on
a chair and happily chatting with
a guy that was fixing little tubes
full of a red substance on her skin
with some plaster. While I was
still staring at that awesome
'creature of the wood', the guy
started modeling a horrible scar on her
shoulder, and I became
curious to see what would happen next....
There were guys around there,
with plastic chains in their hands,
familiar faces that I had seen
'playing games' with my dad since
when I was a little kid, so nothing
frightened me until then...
But when it came to shoot

the scene of the brutal killing of the
'Maciara' everything changed. It was
so real! Their faces changed, those
harmless plastic things really
seemed deadly weapons, that
false scar kept bleeding tomato
in front of me, and I felt strange,
because I somehow understood
that I wasn't scared by the chains or
by the fake blood, but by what
was behind that scene. When
my father said 'cut!' the villains
and the victim started joking and
laughing as always, but lately,
when I saw the movie, I understood
that my fears were related to
something that my father always
repeated to me. He always said
that the most horrible things in this
world come from ignorance and
bigotry, and as they were both well
represented by that scene, my mind
had gone beyond the
false chains and the tomato.....


LUNCHMEAT: As is probably obvious to you,
many movie critics wrote Lucio's films
off as being barbaric and
lacking vision. I personally couldn't
disagree more and consider him a
master at delivering
'atmosphere'. How did it make you feel
to hear such things about your
Father's work?




ANTONELLA: I think that they probably have
seen the wrong movies. As I said it's
impossible to judge my
father's work only from his horror movies.
If it goes on like this, his
fate is to be misunderstood. If
you could see all the beautiful comedies
he's done and written, and all
the different kind of movies
he has made, you'd see that there are
many good horror directors and
only one Lucio Fulci!




LUNCHMEAT: I understand that you were

a special guest at 'Cult Con 2002' of
November of last

 year in Tarrytown, New York. Could
you maybe give
us some background on who was there and
maybe share a mini
experience you had while attending?




ANTONELLA: I was in Sleepy Hollow-Tarrytown
2 years ago for the 2000 edition of
the Cult Con. It's been mostly
a great experience for me, I met a lot of
very nice people, and a
couple of them have become my
dear friends. Plus I feel that New York
is my second hometown. Me and
Valentina, Mr. Deodato's
girlfriend, were the only girls of the
gang (I'm 42 now but please let
me call myself a girl once
more), and I had a lot of fun with all
the Italian bunch.
There I had the chance to meet many
American hardcore horror fans, all
great guys, and even if I
think that some of them make a little
confusion between fiction and
reality they've been truly
exquisite.
The touching side of the story is that
sometimes I felt 'watched'. You
know when you feel
someone's eyes right on you? Well,
most of the times I turned back and
saw a guy staring at 'the
daughter of the Godfather of Gore'.
Every time that it happened, I would
have liked to go there,
introduce myself and say: 'Hi guy,
I'm Antonella, nice to meet you',
just to show I was nothing
special.....




LUNCHMEAT: As is obvious to any Fulci fan,
your Father didn't start off his
directing career with the horror genre. I
understand that he has a few spaghetti
westerns and comedies under his
belt. Do you have any
idea why Lucio transgressed from the
direction of light-hearted
material, to the the macabre world
of gore and death?




ANTONELLA: The producers offered him to
shoot those kinds of movies, and probably
he showed up so good in
making them that the producers, or better
let's say The Producer a.k.a.
Fabrizio de Angelis, a
genius in my humble opinion, understood
that he had a winning horse by
the hands. They became
collaborators and good friends, and
together made great stuff. Behind
the scenes, the making of
those movies was a fun and a pleasure.
With a wizard of the lights like
Sergio Salvati, cameramen
like Franco Bruni and Maurizio Lucchini,
make up artists like De Rossi
and Maurizio Trani and all the
other wonderful people there, you can
imagine that it was heaven, for
my dad. Unfortunately, even
when Fabrizio de Angelis stopped
producing his movies, his name has
been type-casted into horror
genre, and Italian genre cinema
started to fall down the hill.
I hate the fact that some people
may start to know Lucio Fulci from
film like the ones he just did for
money, like Demonia or Zombie 3, that
he only directed partly. I can't
really disagree when
someone says that my father has made
crappy movies, cause they've just
seen those ones, but it
hurts....



LUNCHMEAT: It was brought to my attention

that you are a very big 'American'
horror film enthusiast as well.
What is your favorite 'American' horror film and why?




ANTONELLA: Actually, I'm a big fan of
'unusual movies' and a John Waters and
Divine's true worshipper. Horror is
a genre like the others, for me. There's
good and (terribly) bad in it.
Anyway, there's a recent
enough American movie that terrified me,
and made me fall in love with
it. It's 'Requiem for a
Dream' by Darren Aronofsky. I consider
it a horror film with a touch of
genius. There's fear, there's
gore, there's hallucination, and the
sensation that you are somehow
part of the story. At the end of
the movie, I was petrified on my chair,
feeling that I was Sara, and
Harold, and Marion, and that
other guy (wonderful actor by the way),
all at once. What I'd just seen
was the nightmarish side of
everyone's everyday life. My father
would have loved it so much!
Ironically the title of one of his
best short stories, that's been published
on one of his books is 'The
Killer of the Dreams'. I've also
had a crush for 'The Blair Witch Project',
so hard that I wrote a book
about it that went very well, but
that's another story....





LUNCHMEAT: I understand that a hardcore
Lucio fan named Mike Baronas is in the
process of publishing a
biography on your Father. I would imagine
you played a part in the
making of the book. Can you
maybe give us a little information on
the book and when it will be
released?




ANTONELLA: As you've probably understood,
I don't think that a horror fan could be
the right person to write my
father's biography. I really appreciate
the passion that one may put in
such a thing, and am
grateful to every single Lucio's fan, but to
speak about my dad so that
people may really know him,
one should dig deeper, so as always I
put a big distance between me and
these projects. I had
problems, in the past, with people who
wrote for horror magazines, and
with some 'wish I was a
writer' people who put out bad books
and articles about my father that
only helped to typecast him.

I'm not saying it could happen again,
but sincerely I prefer not to be
involved with these things.
The only book that gave me a big satisfaction
was Stephen Thrower's
'Beyond Terror'.
Actually there's a book that I'm supporting,
soon to be published by an
Italian author, Paolo
Albiero, that's the most complete Lucio's
biography you can imagine.
The author, a professor in
psychology at the University of Padova,
spent 5 years  collecting
material and interviewing all the
people (some of them are not with us anymore,
unfortunately) that had
an impact on my father's
personal life and carrier. The result is
so awesome that reading it I,
myself, sort of reconstructed
parts of my family life that I had missed.
I'm glad that now the
readers will have a choice. Not only
books about Lucio's carrier in the horror
scene, but also books about
Lucio, that was a more
interesting human being than
most of his horror films.





LUNCHMEAT:I would have loved to have visited

the set of any of Lucio's films
(preferably New York Ripper) so I
could have experienced the magic of film
making first hand. Did you ever
get to visit the set of any
of his films? And if so, could you maybe
share an experience with us?




ANTONELLA: You're lucky cause I've been in
NY during all the making of The Ripper.
A nice anecdote regards
Howard Ross, the guy with the amputated

fingers in the film, and the
nicest and gentlest person
you could ever meet. They had to shoot the
scene where the guy is found
dead with his head
wrapped up in plastic. The make up artist had
done a great work on his
face, so Renato (Howard)
had the idea of making a joke to the hotel
clerks. He went down the
hall in full makeup, with all the
false rotting skin hanging around his face.
But the clerks said
nothing, looked him normally in the

face, took the room key and politely greeted
him. He got very
disappointed by that at first, but
then we looked each other in the face and
started laughing so hard that
the make up almost fell
down.......That was more or less a typical
situation, in the making of
a Lucio's movie....




LUNCHMEAT: When it came to the films of
your Father, some of his ideas were
marvelous. I would imagine that
being around your Father after a long
day of shooting, he would
sometimes 'bring his work' home
with him. Do you have any ideas where
Lucio came up with some of his
nightmarish visions? And if
so, can you elaborate just a little bit?




ANTONELLA: Questions like this make me more
motivated in realizing a project that
I have in mind, a
documentary about my father. The title will be 'Gimme Some Truth', and
it will be a 'Lucio in his own
words' thing. It will include some family
movies shot by him in the
50's and 60's and other amazing
stuff. Anyway, about your question: 'No,
the 'nightmares' stopped when
he said 'cut!' then we all
went back to our lives, that were very happy
at those times. A film maker
is mostly an illusionist, he
can make you believe he's having nightmares
while he's making wonderful
dreams.



LUNCHMEAT: I don't think many people realize
this, but Lucio authored a few books
in his time. Can you give us
a little information on this?
I have to say, that being a
Fulci fan, I tend to enjoy all of his
horror films. I'm sure you have a
favorite of his as well. Just curious,
out of all his films, which do
you enjoy most and why?




ANTONELLA: Don't Torture a Duckling, cause
every character of the movie is a good
fellow and a monster at the
same time, and for the reasons I've
explained before. And all the
wonderful comedies he co-wrote
in the fifties with 'Maestro' Steno
(Stefano Vanzina), a person that he
idolized and that taught hi
almost all he knew about film making, when
my father was his assistant
director.





LUNCHMEAT: Before we close, I would like to say
that to most of Lucio's fans, he
is remembered as being the
'Godfather of Gore', but to his beloved

daughter, what words would you
use as a rememberence to
describe your famous Father?




ANTONELLA: He was a natural born entertainer
and the funniest person I've ever
known. Every day with him was
a 'happening', and you could never imagine
what he could invent next.
He was a cinephile and a
jazz music big fan. He taught me that
if you have a passion, an
interest, nothing can be stronger
than you, because in every situation,
even in the worst ones, you'll
have a film to watch or a song
to listen to, that will help you
overcome the bad times.


LUNCHMEAT: Antonella, I want to express my
deepest thanks for your sharing some
time with us. You have
made me and every other Fulci fanatic
very happy. It is always good to
know that there are still
some very nice and cooperative people
left in the world. I bid you the
best of luck in life and wish
upon you nothing but happiness and good times.
Thank you very much.

The Babysitter

Patty Duke was hot back in the day

A crazy girl weasels herself inside a family home and ruins it from the inside out.

A mysterious, enchanting girl named Joanna manipulates the Benedict family to the very edge of dysfunctional family-ism. Hired as a house maid after an elaborate set-up in which Mrs Benedict (Patty duke) nearly runs over her, the babysitter, Joanne, gains the respect and devotion of the family by her efficiency, understanding, and sympathy.

The suspicious neighbor endeavors to uncover Joanna's closely guarded past but not before his grandson (The blond guy from HUMONGOUS - David Wallace) is drowned while on a boat trip with Joanna.

The neighbor uncovers the disturbing truth about Joanna just in time to save the Benedict family from a hideous fate. This mystery-suspense thriller delivers the goods in some departments - especially William Shatner overacting to the point to where you think he's going to go into the bathroom and change outfits - coming back in a 1960's spandex space costume.

What to think of this film? Released for television back in 1980, the producers were obviously trying to cash in on the slasher craze that befuddled the world around that golden era. Instead of going to the big screen, the film gave even the most wholesome family a taste of slasher-goodness that they normally wouldn't have been exposed to.

When I say slasher, I DO use the term loosely. Basically, there's no slashing going on, but it teeters on the fence - almost stepping on slasher-grounded territory a time or two - especially during our climax where there's a stalking with a butchers knife. There's also a few other little surprises that just so happen to be lying under large sheets of plastic. Is it dusty furniture?

Even the most jaded fan will find something about this little made for television flick to talk about. It may not make discussion at the dinner table, but it has that cold Seattle feel to it that leaves an impression on you. Washington State is the American equivalent as Canada, btw. Feck you too!

There's a great fish bashing scene that gives us a close-up of Joanna's beautiful, but disgruntled face as she whacks a catfish in the head more times than normal. I'm not sure of the 'normal' amount of times one is supposed to whack a catfish over the head, but who's counting anyway? BTW, this movie was produced by the same people who produced 'Cannibal Holocaust'. Of course, I'm only kidding.

The bottom line is that this movie is very watchable - even for the die-hard slasher/horror fan. If nothing else, watch it for a confused William Shatner.

Wrong movie, asshole.

A Day With Jackson Bostwick

Lunchmeat's Bit's and Pieces got a chance to follow alongside Jackson Bostwick (Better known as Ranger Mark O'Brian) on one of his daily routines. He was generous enough to allow us to snap a few pictures along the way.

Above is a picture of Jackson hanging himself to get the day started off right. Nothing like a little lack of oxygen to get the heart pumping.

Above is a picture of Jackson and Mongo doing their daily Judo exercises. Mongo was badly burned in a BBQ'ing incident which eventually destroyed hundreds of acres of wildlife and habitat in the form of the worst forest fire North Point had ever seen - not to mention the rest of Mongo's family were also burned alive.

Above is Jackson shooting is new pellet gun. It was gift from all the other park rangers for Christmas. Jackson wanted the new Family Guy doll, but it was all sold out.

Above is a picture of Jackson after realizing he left the toilet paper back at the cabin.

The above picture was taken when Jackson decided to shave his trademarked beard for the first time in fifteen years. This was the last picture taken just before he and General Zod jetted off into the clouds.

Rare Lucio Fulci Pics

Below are some rare pictures of Lucio Fulci on the job. They were given to me by his daughter (Antonella). I did an extensive interview with her back in 2003, and these are the pictures she sent to go along with the interview. To my knowledge, these pictures haven't been published in any books, magazines, or dvd's. They were, however, placed on a defunct website and another blog I once attempted. I doubt that they've been seen by many people. Some GREAT pictures of the Godfather of Gore in his hey-day.

Look for excerpts (or maybe the whole thing) of the interview with Lucio's daughter. She's one generous lady. I'm an idiot, so I forgot to ask her from what film these were taken. Now, how stupid can one get?

Miami Horror - -aka- Miami Golem

Alberto de Martino may be a recognizable name to fans of Italian B-movies. Fans of the poloziotteschi genre may recognize his entry into the sub genre under the title: 'Shadows in an Empty Room.''

David Warbeck, which may also be a recognizable name in the world of cult cinema, plays a burned out reporter (Craig Milford) who is on the story of a Miami based scientist who has ultimately revived the cells of an unknown creature. But little do they know, their experiment has sparked life, and unlocked the powers of an unknown alien entity. (Golem)

The reporter works to unravel (don't all Italian films has a reporter who stick his nose into shit it doesn't belong?) the complex web of cheesy activity surrounding the scientist's discovery.

Ghost images, strange sounds, and 'powerful' invisible forces that violently attack people is only a spoonful of the Euro-medicine delivered with 'Miami Horror'. It's brain food for a dog. It's cheese for a rat. It has everything b movie lovers will want to marry.The alien continues to grow, utilizing its psychic abilities to control and kill. It's not the only thing doing the killing. A group of power hungry men want control over this force and will murder and cause mayhem to obtain it. Reckon they're from the United States?

Our faithful reporter gets caught right in the middle of things as he runs into a woman who eventually has a lot to do with the story. Oh my. I don't know how to put it mildly, but this movie can boast at having the ugliest leading lady in the history of film. (Including 70's porno flicks) She's a cross between Rod Stewart and a horse. Oh wait, add a little bit of R. Lee Ermy (The eyebrows) in there and you'll have it.

Not only are we treated to this womans ugly face throughout the entire film, we get to see her in her hairy beaver bliss in a nude shower scene. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water! Anyway, this movie is cheese, cheese, cheese. There's just no stopping this cheesy-monster truck as it pummels old cars and buses under its huge frame. How could I have forgotten the obvious ripping off of the 'Beverly Hills Cop' theme? The only thing the composers did that was different was add a little bit of ripped-off 'Miami Vice' music. I guess if two ripped scores are added together, it sort of equals itself out and becomes the original idea of the composers. Hey, I wonder if I could do this with 'Guns 'n' Roses' and 'Metallica'?

I kind of felt sorry for Warbeck after watching this flick. I like Warbeck. He's a very capable actor who always added a certain touch to his roles. I guess my favorite Warbeck performance would have to be in Fulci's 'The Beyond'. Certainly, Warbeck was too talented to be appearing in junk like this.

See if you can spot the worst editing mistake in the history of film.

Hard To Swallow #2

"I Spit On Your Grave" -aka- "Day of the woman"In the same vein as such films like Wes Craven's 1972 barbaric classic, 'Last House on the Left'', "I Spit on Your Grave' is a film that's hard to swallow. Like brussel sprouts, one either hates them or loves them. To be honest, films like these are kind of like dark chocolate. I know it's chocolate, but, it's just not quiet the same. The same can be said for films that are hard to swallow.
Anyway, "I Spit'' focuses on a female writer who eventually gets repeatedly gang raped by a bunch of hick locals. What ensues is a tale of revenge that will leave even the most jaded fans writhering in their chair.A repulsive little movie that eventually turns the tables and allows our victim to take revenge and ultimately sever some male genitals. Resorting to the demeaning of herself - lowering herself to confront these same men who raped her - our rape victim coaxes the men into believing she wants to have some more 'fun'. She eventually has her way and does away with her tormentors is grizzly fashion.Movie's like these have long since been swept under the celluloid rug, but, their cult status will remain the same. Whether the individuals who make up the fan base for such films lack in the morality department, well, I'm not one to say. I find myself watching quiet a few exploitation flicks. They really serve no purpose except to repulse and disturb us, but, if a movie can make us feel such sympathy for our victim and hatred for our villains, can they rightly be dismissed as exploitive trash?

Canadian Slashers #2

'Silent Night Bloody Night' - No, not the 80's slasher flick that involves a crazy boy in a Santa suit.
I'm referring to one of the first proto slashers of its kind that would later set standards for the horror movie world - especially slasher films.

Wilfred Butler supposedly died thirty years ago, but someone has been making sinister phone calls to town officials claiming to be at the Butler house. The Butler house is to be sold by the present owner, Jeff Butler, which just so happens to be old man Wilfred Butler's grandson.

It seems as if a lot of macabre events went on at the Butler House - which was converted from an old asylum in which Wilfred's emotionally distraught daughter would reside. She would also become pregnant during this time.

A series of murders took place after the natives became restless and decided to turn on their tormentors - drunken doctors and nurses with eyes for gluttony and debauchery.

Sinister secrets from the Butler family have been locked away in the town folk's minds ever since Wilfred was burned alive on his farm thirty years before. It is sort of reminiscent of the Myer's house in Carpenter's Halloween - The demonic abode that had a persona all of its own. The house all kids dared their little brothers to step up on the front porch.

Anyway, Jeffrey's lawyer has everything settled with the town council to sell the house at a ridiculously low price of $50,000 . The lawyer seems to think it's worth $250,000 or more, but Jeff wants to hurry up and sell it. The town folk are happy to pay the low fee and set off to the bank for the cash.

In the mean time, an escaped lunatic from the towns mental facility is on the loose. Not only this, but the phone calls persist - the creepy voice on the other end of line coaxing our scared town council to the Butler house.

Is Wilfred Butler alive? Is he seeking revenge upon his grandson's selling of his estate? Whatever the case, this movie is one of the better slashers ever made. Released in 1973, Theodore Gershuny (director) delves deep into incestuous overtones, with a median of sickness and depravity laden atmosphere.

Our creepy phone calls might ring a bell. A year later, Bob Clark released the 1974 Canadian sleeper/slasher entitled 'Black Christmas' - about a sorority house harassed by sick phone calls while a killer is on the loose in town. I would have to imagine that Clark may have watched 'Silent Night Bloody Night' and used the phone calls as an outline for an entire film. Whatever the case, the phone calls in 'Black Christmas' may be a little more sinister and crazy, but SNBN did it first and with mucho effectiveness.

There's a dark and cold ambiance that seems to hover in the middle of the room. There's a certain err of gloom and doom that never leaves the screen. There's an infamous flashback scene involving the last minutes of the asylum that will take your breath away. Filmed in an eerie sepia toned color, the scenes of violence and perversion are escalated tremendously, giving the viewer one of those 'bite the knuckle' moments, as we're not sure we're actually getting things right.

With a narration during this scene, [from a letter Mr Butler had written in regards to why he decided to place his daughter in his asylum] everything finally comes together, although, we're not sure if we're right on the money until the very end.

One can't bring this movie up without mentioning the twist ending. Our heroine of the film is accompanied by Jeff Butler to the old Butler house. This is where Jeffrey finds out of his shaded past. One great climax to a film that did just as well throughout the first 75 minutes. The reveal is just as depraved as the rest of the film. We also find out slowly just who make up the town council as well.

There's more secrets and turns in SNBN than under your grandmother's dress. The feeling of isolation and sexual depravity always lingers about. There's more under the dress tail than meets the eye. Slowly, a tale darker than burnt toast unravels until we're finally let in on the little secret behind the Butler house and the town itself.

One sour note in regards to the film is the dark picture quality. In some parts, it can become frustrating to watch, but not too bad. If ever a film needs a total re-mastering, it's this one. I'd almost cut off my third nut for a special edition dvd release.

In a nutshell, SNBN is a film that shouldn't be missed by a horror fan - not just fans of slasher flicks. This movie delves deep in story with a twist of depravity to make us bite our tongues a bit. One of the better movies of the 70's.

Tidbit: Andy Warhol alumni can be seen in the flashbacks scene.

SOV delight

This little 80's shot-on-video rarity somehow slipped through the gaping retail hole known as home distribution. 'Sledge Hammer' was actually one of the first sov ventures to either grace, or break our television screens. I guess it depends on how you look at it.

This flick is full of so much cheese that its total ineptness is manifested in obvious 'over'-lighting (now, there's something....I spend most of the time griping about under-lighting'), less than mediocre acting, a cheap sov look...everything one needs to make a high honkey pie.

We start out in that famous 'as a kid' scene where a young hot mom wants to get it on with her other lover. It seems as if those pesky kids get in the way every time, but Mom knows best and sees fit to lock her son in the closet until the deed is done. (If one didn't know better, they would swear they were watching an ultra low budget version of Uli Lommell's 'The Boogeyman' - Let's face it, 'The Boogeyman' was made on spare change found under Lommell's couch cushion anyway.)

Anyway, it was a mistake to lock the kid in the closet. He eventually gets out and brings a large sledgehammer with him - bashing mom's lover in the back of the head. He then offs mom in that maniacal off-screen fashion.

The now systematic scene of going ten years down the road to the same location where the murders took place ten years before, rings true in this little tape laden 'opus'. We're soon treated to watching a bunch of mullet wearing body builders pretend to be college kids. This alone makes it worth the wasted time.

I must confess that what ensues isn't really all the bad considering the whole film was shot on video, with the finished budget weighing in at $40,000. It's kind of like your fat smelly uncle. It makes you sick to smell him, but he's a lot of fun to have around.

If you like mullet sporting 30 somethings so baked by over tanning, and so worked over with face-lifts [that his face looks like plastic stretched over bone,] you'll get a grand kick out of 'Sledgehammer'.

It's kind of funny to see a blond muscle bound idiot treating his girlfriend like a possession while in a drunken stupor. We're treated to a very messy food fight, and a prank that involves rope, a fake hanging scene that makes absolutely no sense, a tape recorder, and a seance. I guess the add libbing and pointless slow motion camera shots weren't enough to fill the black void in between semi-action.

Finally, the spirit of the little kid (I guess, I have no clue if the seance brought him back or...) who turns into a grown man, back to a kid, back to a grown man, wears a see through plastic mask and looks like a geeked out version of the 'couch guy' from 'Half Baked'. To be honest, it's a pretty good disguise. What it all means, well, I couldn't tell you. Nevertheless, the killer looms around in the seemingly small house and picks the crew off one by one in over-lit bliss with his big ass sledgehammer.

This whole movie is one big ball of cheese....one big ball of atrocious fun that only a select few will appreciate. Throughout the whole movie, there's this 'happy' vibe going on. It's obvious that all of actors were amateurs that hammed up the experience of being in a slasher movie. Ted Prior (Director, David Priors bodybuilding playgirl centerfold brother) adds a sense of natural comedy that the movie so desperately needed.

In a nutshell, as a slasher film completest, I find myself putting myself through some cinematic torture now and again. Sitting through films like 'The Forest', ''Twisted Nightmare,'' Memorial Valley Massacre'' etc; makes it worthwhile - even when such a shitty movie as 'Sledgehammer' makes its way into my vcr. This is definitely my most guilt ridden pleasure.

For the slasher fan, its a very rare treat. If you can find a copy, I urge you to do so in its big box glorious fashion. I'm not sure if there's a dvd release as of yet, but I'm sure there will be one someday.

Hard to Swallow

Some things are just hard to swallow. Even for the hardcore horror movie fan, some films teeter in between depravity and perversion. Of course, all horror films have one of the other, but when a film's sole purpose is to throw as much sleazy violence in the plate as possible, it become too much for some people to chew on.



"Last House on the Left" - One of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen. A rape/torture/revenge flick that serves us well in the end. This movie is the reason people die from erotic asphyxiation. If you're not depressed before watching this film, you'll be in a straight jacket afterwards. I literally became depressed for weeks after watching this again for the first time again in 1998. I'm still depressed.






"House on the Edge of the Park" - David Hess plays another rapist lunatic. He also has a sidekick...Giovanni Lombardo Radice. Both actors ham it up as disco loving fun timers using such words as 'boogie'.

We know what kind of person Alex (David Hess) is from the opening sequence. He just so happens to run a woman off the road and rape her inside her own car. There's already one point taken away for being mean. It's plain to see that Ricky (Alex's dimwitted friend) is just along for the ride. It's obvious that Alex has him around for self esteem issues, as Ricky is quiet the yes man towards Alex. Italian sleazemesiter Ruggero Deodato gives it to us in a gravy bowl. It looks and smells like 'Last House on the Left', but it's not as hard to swallow. Deodato tried to capture the complete and utter vile approach Craven delivered in 1972 - He almost succeeds, but not quiet.
Bald black women. Disco loving rapists. Slow minded individuals. Heads being repeatedly being beaten into poker tables. Beautiful romantic music being played during rapes scenes - This movie has a little bit of everything.

''New York Ripper'' - One of the most vile and disgustingly brutal movies ever made. Even big fans of the above two films have a hard time sitting all the way through this. Tit slicing, eye dicing, crotch gouging - You name it. This one is topped off with so much sleaze that Ron Jeremy would cry like a baby. This is the 'beer' of all things edible. It tastes like shit at first, but afterwards, it still tastes like shit. But you're able to drink a twelve pack... regardless.

Turkish Giallo

Thanks to Justin Kerswell of Hysteria-Lives, we'll never own all the giallo films ever made.

"Thirsty For Love, Sex, and Murder"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwz-L4lSRoo

Killer Nerd Interview

Some years back, I did an interview with the killer nerd himself, 'Toby Radloff. 'The Killer Nerd' movies aren't your every day average flicks. Radloff plays the vengeful geek in 'The Killer Nerd' and 'The Bride of the Killer Nerd'. Some may remember him from the 80's MTV generation as the nerd who loved White Castle hamburgers. Mmmmm...How he loves them so. I didn't know this until the interview, but Radloff appeared in a comic book as a character in Harvey Pekar's 80's autobiographical comic book 'American Splendor'.

'American Splendor' is now a film based on Pekar's life with Toby's character appearing in the movie - as well as Toby himself making a cameo.

Below is the interview that was conducted in 2003 for a now defunct website.

Toby Radloff Interview (Conducted 2003)

Lunchmeat:Toby, first off, I wanna say thanks for taking time to answer some of
my questions. Are you comfortable?

Toby:Yes, I am comfortable.

Lunchmeat: I have always heard of Harvey Pekar. He became popular for documenting his own life in the form of a comic book of the same name. He looks like your average Joe, but was ultimately banned from the David LEtterman show after making allegations about NBC's Parent Company General Electric. It wasn't known to me until seeing bits and pieces of the making of 'American Splendor' that I learned that you were actually a charcter is his comic books, and ultimately a co-worker of his. You also had another actor playing you. How did this feel, and what kind of experience was it working with Harvey, or being a part of it in general? Any anecdotes you would like to share?

Toby: I felt good about how the finished product of the film "American Splendor"
came out. I had known Harvey Pekar for 23 years, and have worked alongside him in the files unit of the Wade Park VA Medical Center in ClevelandHarvey retired almost two years ago, and his actual retirement party was documented at the end of the film. Judah Friedlander, who has done standup comedy and has appeared in small roles in several other films prior to "American Splendor", did an excellent job portraying me. We got together over dinner, then he studied my character by watching videos of my old MTV spots and low-budget films (Killer Nerd, Bride Of Killer Nerd, Townies), and we got together a couple of times on the set. Judah had my looks,
voice, and mannerisms down pat. At the rate of success (both critical and with audiences) that American Splendor is receiving, I wouldn't be surprised if the film picks up Golden Globe and Oscar nominations at the end of the year. Both Paul Giamatti and Judah Friedlander deserve to be nominated. I appeared in the film as well, as myself, including a scene where both me and Judah are together, as well as Harvey and Paul.

The combination of drama and documentary is done flawlessly in American Splendor. As for the comic books, I started appearing in Harvey's "American Splendor" comic books beginning with #9 in 1984. I tell Harvey my stories, he draws the stick figures, and his artist friends do the artwork. People who have seen the books liked my stories. Working with Harvey at the VA was a very good experience in an otherwise stressful work environment (at the time). Now, with most medical records computerized, stress is less common in the record room. Being in the film was a great experience for me, and I'm glad to be part of it. I traveled to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah last January for the world premiere-an awesome experience. In August I traveled with the Pekar family to Los Angeles and New York City for the premieres there, which went quite well. I also made special appearances at a couple of Cleveland area movie theaters shgowing the film, in which i signed posters and handed out "Genuine Nerd" buttons to the filmgoers. So far, everyone who's seen the film loved it, and I have gotten great compliments for my appearance in the film. American Splendor is going to go a long way.

Lunchmeat:For the 80's generation, some may remember you from MTV as portraying the Genuine Nerd'. How did you get to be part of these segments? Wasn't Wayne A. Harold responsible for producing some of these segments?

Toby: In 1987, shortly after Harvey Pekar started appearing on "Late Night With David Letterman", an MTV crew from New York came to the VA record room to do a story about Harvey. Harvey introduced the crew to me, and as a result, I started appearing on several segments on "MTV News" and "Week In Rock". The first "Genuine Nerd" spots were released to coincide with the upcoming theatrical release of "Revenge Of The Nerds II-Nerds In Paradise". I appeared in a few other segments in which I discussed White Castle hamburgers (how I love them), as well as some holiday-themed segments. In the summer of 1988, Harvey and I appeared at a Superman convention in downtown Cleveland (Superman was introduced by two Clevelanders, Joe Siegel and Jerry Shuster) in the 1930's, and the Superman convention (a large comic book/horror/sci-fi/movie expo) was supposed to raise money to build a Superman statue in Clevelend-however, the event ended up in the red (despite a rib burnoff and an Indians-Yankees game that same day-a lot of people were downtown that weekend), and the statue was never built, and the sponsor, a comic book store, was forced into bankruptcy. However, at the convention, Harvey and I, talking in a hallway after another group took our assigned room, met Wayne Harold and Mark Bosko for the first time. MTV was looking for a local crew to film the segments, and Wayne and Mark (who were in the main business of producing TV commercials for local businesses to air on cable TV) shot several MTV spots that aired in 1988 and 1989. After the MTV spots ended, Wayne and Mark went on to shoot "Killer Nerd".

Lunchmeat: Your portrayal in 'Killer Nerd' was one of the strangest performances I have ever seen. I mean this in a good way of course. You're somewhat of a mystery to me. Do you really consider yourself a nerd in real life? Does being a nerd have its advantages? Drawbacks?

Toby: Being in "Killer Nerd" was a great experience for me, however, acting in a movie was a lot different than shooting an MTV spot, and there were things I had to get used to, including doing multiple takes and working late at night on some scenes. Still, the finished product ended up looking good, and "Killer Nerd" was a modest success saleswise. As for myself, I have always considered myself a nerd. I am smart. I was picked on and harassed back in junior high school, because I didn't fit in to any "cliques". I later embraced my differences, and started ignoring my harassers. I don't get any negative flak over my being a nerd, and I've felt proud of my being a nerd for well over 30 years now. Especially with "American Splendor" in the theaters now, I get lots of compliments over my portrayal, as well as my being part of this film. As for "Killer Nerd", I would never kill anyone in real life-this is basically a dark story of a put down nerd, "Harold Kunkle", taking revenge on his tormentors-by killing them after he is beaten up in an alley by two of those tormentors. Still, it's only a movie-and a movie that's now considered a "camp classic".

Lunchmeat: Wayne A Harold,, has directed or co-directed most of the films you've acted in,(KILLER NERD- BRIDE OF KILLER NERD-TOWNIES) dis-including 'American Splendor'. What's he like to work with? Doyouever go out drinking with him and JR. Bookwalter? I bet they make you pick you the tab, eh?

Toby: Wayne is a very cool person to work with. He assists me with lines and makes sure that his films come out well. I find it very easy to work with him. Wayne and I went out to eat a few times, but never drank (I don't drink alcohol.) BTW, the meals are usually carryout pizza, and Wayne pays for it.

Lunchmeat: There is an upcoming documentary featuring you as the subject entitled 'Genuine Nerd'. This too is directed by Wayne A. Harold. How did it feel to have the camera's with you everywhere you went? Was it frustrating? Can you give us a little more information on this project? What should we expect?

Toby: I don't see any problem with this documentary. Again, Wayne is very easy
and very patient to work with, and I am used to being in the camera's eye. After the success of "American Splendor", Wayne felt that a documentary on me needed to be done. I have worked with Wayne for over 15 years now, and I had a lot to say. I'm basically telling it like it is. The documentary will come out well, and give me additional exposure.

Lunchmeat: Just exactly what do you do when you're not behind the camera? Do you
have
an every-day job like most nerds, or do you spend your time harassing
the locals out of boredom?

Toby: I still work at the VA, but I drive a van now, delivering medical records and other items to various VA facilities throughout Northeast Ohio. I love my present job. I spend my free time either going to movies, taking road trips, and spending time on the Internet.

Lunchmeat: Michelle Sibits (your co-star CRAZY CONNIE in 'TOWNIES) was a really off the wall charcter. I honestly didn't know she had a wig on. Wild stuff! Did you two do any 'off-screen' rehearsals, because you two seemed to click so well on-screen? And also, what was the rest of the cast like to work with?

Toby: I only met Connie once or twice-the only time we saw each other is when we were shooting. She's in interesting person to work with.

Lunchmeat: Being a native of Cleveland, and being a star of locally made films, I'm sure that you're quiet the celebrity in your neighborhood. Do you get approached alot as being 'that nerd' from that 'low budget horror flick'? What does your family think of your infamous 'Nerd' status?

Toby: I have been approached over the years about "Killer Nerd" and "Bride of Killer Nerd". They keep asking me where they could get copies of the movies, which were out of print for several years, but were reissued a year or so ago by Troma. My family and relatives are glad that I'm in the movies-I look more for exposure than money. but more money certainly helps. And "American Splendor"'s success will most certainly find new audiences for my earlier films. They love my successes in film.

Lunchmeat :Do you ever find that you have viciously became caught in the web of 'type-casting'? Being a self professed nerd really doesn't leave you many other options. If I were you, I'd be doing some heavy ass-kissing
toward Wayne Harold or JR Bookwalter. Of course I'm just kidding, but I'm sure you you've experienced the dreaded typecast-syndrome.

Toby: I don't worry about typecasting. I'm just being myself-a nerd. If Hollywood comes knocking on the door as a result of my "American
Splendor" apprearance, as well as my appearances in the earlier films, I would be glad to see what they have to offer. But I'm not quitting my day job yet.

Lunchmeat: Are you pretty much loyal to Wayne and Lurid Productions, or are you pretty much free to obtain other roles as they are offered, or are you sort of legally binded with Wayne in any way?

Toby: I am loyal to Wayne and Lurid. I have a permanent presence on the Lurid.com web site. I am not under any legally binding contract with Wayne; we work together because we are good friends.

Lunchmeat: Are you a real life fan of bizzare cinema, or is it just business? If so, you must have a few favorite horror films lingering around somewhere. If so, besides the ones you've acted in, which are your favorites, and why?

Toby: I love all kinds of weird films, especially old indie films dealing with nerds, high school kids, "trailer trash", and other weird stuff...this stuff beats out most major-studio Hollywood garbage ten times over. I would pick
out 100 Killer Nerds instead of one Gigli...if you know what I mean. Independent film is where it's at-in the past, now, and always. Rarely does a major studio put out a halfway decent film anymore. I am not much into horror, but I do like bizarre stuff...one DVD I watched recently was a low budget "stinker" called "Monsturd"...about a giant bowel movement monsterthat terrorizes a town-very funny but very weird. I also saw a DVD documentary about overweight porn star Ron Jeremy. As I said, I love weird films.

Lunchmeat: Have you ever been dissapointed with any of your performances after you see the finished product, or is everything pretty much cut and dry while you're watching it? I could never watch my own films for fear of looking like an idiot. Are you a big fan of your own films or do you shun the mere thought of them?

Toby: So far, I have been happy with the way I'm portrayed in my films. I love watching them over and over again-just because I'm in them. I already saw "American Splendor" 10 times, and "Killer Nerd" is approaching cult classic status.

Lunchmeat: Have you ever thought of stepping on the other side of the camera and trying your luck at directing? What genre' film would you like to make if the possibility arose? Another off-beat horror-comedy, a drama, an all out horror film, documentary..ect...

Toby:I have thought about it at times, but at the time, I am so busy with other things, that I don't really have the time or frame of mind to direct a film. If I end up a director, Wayne would most likely be there to assist me. It's still a pipe dream to me, to direct a film.

Lunchmeat: Tell us about 'Abberation Boulevard'. Looking forward to seeing the finished product? What should we expect?

Toby: In "Aberration Boulevard", I play a carnival freak who lives with other carnival freaks in a home in Schlarb, Ohio,during the off season. I play a character named "Corky", who has a diaper fetish. In one scene, I hire a teenage prostitute and pay her to "change my diaper". I even cry like a baby and have a pacifier in my mouth in this scene. Again, I am looking forward to the finished product.

Lunchmeat: DVD or VHS?

Toby: Wayne will most likely release "Aberration Boulevard" in both formats, although the DVD will have extras.

Lunchmeat: Nintendo, X-Box, or Playstation? Or are you still playing 'Pong?'
(laughs)

Toby: I used to own an Atari 2600, but now am not much into video games. I do play video games on my computer. I have almost every Atari game ever released on CD-Rom for my computer-bought it at a computer show last year.

Lunchmeat:Any other Toby Radloff news you would like to share before we close?
Any future projects we haven't covered?

Toby: Not really...most of the current media coverage involving me are tied to
"American Splendor". The film continues to do well, and could end up
winning nominations for Golden Globes and Oscars. As for wayne, he has
other unnamed projects in the works, that he would love to have me do. Only
time will tell.

Lunchmeat: And last but not least....in three words, describe what kind of
experience it has been doing what you do!

Toby: Fun, enjoyable, exciting.

Lunchmeat: Toby, I wanna thank you for taking time to answer some of my questions.

Toby: Thanks very much. Keep in touch.

Critters Box Set

Here's the 'Critters' Box set that was released in Hungary - no doubt, Region 2. I'd almost buy it for the hell of it.

Dr Loomis in In.

According to the new hype, Malcom McDowell is cast for the role of Dr Loomis.

What to think of this new 'Halloween' remake? I loved The Devil's Rejects - One of the truest 70's style horror/exploitations we've had in a very long time. I'm hyped about it.

You can visit this site for more information on this, as well on anything else horror related.

http://www.esplatter.com

I can trust her! She's fat!

I could probably bring up the name Marian Waldman to a lot of people, and they would ask me just who in the hell she was. You know? Mrs Mac? The lewd alcoholic who hides her stash in anything from encyclopedias to toilets. Does this ring a bell? 'Black Christmas?' The drunken house mother for our bunch of telecommunicated stalked sorority girls? Oh, now you see.

Marian Waldman (better known as 'pookie' to people who were close to her) was a short little tart - 5ft3 - sassy and big boned - unashamed to go all out in her movie acting performances. Watching the original 'Black Christmas over the holidays became something of a learning experience. Not only did Marian Waldman tickle my fancy as our deranged house mother in Black Christmas - the foul mouthed drunkard who thinks the sorority girls would sit on the leaning tower of piza if they 'could get it up there' - she also played another off the wall character in Jeff Gillen's 1974 release of 'Deranged' - a story loosely based off the grisly findings at Ed Gein's farm in the 1950's -and- written by Canadian screenwriter Alan Ormsby.

In 'Deranged', Maureen Selby (Marian Waldman) is a widow with a complex. She talks to her dead husband. Chocolate is her one true vice''dammit!'' She's even more eccentric than in Black Christmas - and is just fun to watch. A very good character actor who should have gotten more roles.

Our main character in Deranged (Ezra Cobb - played wonderfully by Roberts Blossom, most notable as the old man in Home Alone) was having one last discussion with his mama while on her death bed. While feeding her pea soup, she drew close to him and gave his some motherly advice. Maureen Selby (Marian Waldman) was a friend of Ezra's mother. [Maureen] somewhere along the line had struck some points with Ezra's mom. She is explained to Ezra as being a trustworthy person. She won't break his heart like all those other ''sluts'' and ''whore's'. She's a fat heifer that won't steer him wrong. . Ezra could trust her... She's fat. It's made clear that fat women are more trustworthy - and she makes Ezra vow to hook up with her and eventually marry her. After all, he can trust her. She's fat.

When he finally meets our eccentric lady, he takes a liking, and discusses her big legs and her big round belly with his exhumed and rotting mother. (I forgot to mention that by this point, Ezra has exhumed his moms body and placed her back in bed. He talks to her quiet often) He thinks he should take a gun on his little excursion - just in case he gets lost in all that 'fat'. I'm dead serious here.

Ezra goes to formally meet her a second time - This time, Maureen has on a blond wig, where she and Ezra are to have a seance. They get into the groove and Maureen becomes all hot and bothered at the supposed manifestation of her dead husband - (which coincidently gives Ezra the permission to make her a woman again.) In other words, Maureen's dead husband (through Maureen) gives Ezra permission to give Miss Selby a good poking.

You get the picture. Waldman does her thing again, and comprises numerous personalities to fit her well rounded role. She is definitely one of the most underrated actresses of the 70's. Sadly, she passed away back in the mid 80's from eating herself to death. Of course, I'm kidding. I wish we could have seen more from her. She appeared in a few other movies (one being a made for television movie) but not much else. It would be suffice to say that she probably did a lot of stage work in between her movie career and trips to McDonalds.

I'd love to own a Mrs Mac action figure.