Snobby critics claim Mystery Science Theater 3000 merely mocked films. They believe the series was a taker and not a giver to the cinema universe. But that is far from the truth. It bestowed fame on the obscure and previously unloved. For the longest time, people argued what was the worst movie of all time. Many sided with either Robot Monster or Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From Outer Space. MST3K changed the game when they aired Manos: The Hands of Fate. The horrific film from 1966 was mostly known as a rumor. Its tiny distributor didn’t have it running on Saturday afternoon TV creature features like The Killer Shrews. Nearly 25 years after its forgettable opening, Manos became an overnight painful cinema sensation thanks to MST3K. Mystery Science Theater 3000 – “Manos” The Hands of Fate (Special Edition) puts everything about this film at your fingertips.
Hal Warren was a fertilizer salesman in El Paso with a dream. He scraped together less than $20,000 and bought a small 16mm camera to make a low budget horror film. He wasn’t going to let anyone derail his dream by being director, writer, producer and star of the production. Not even his lack of talent as an actor, director or writer. He did succeed as a producer since the movie was completed. He’s the dad that gets his family lost on their vacation trip. They end up spending the night at a creepy lodge run by Torgo (John Reynolds). The caretaker barely moves with his freakish kneecaps. The owner is simply known as The Master (Tom Neyman). He has a bevy of wives, but wants more. He’s got his cultish eyes directed at Warren’s wife (Diane Mahree) and daughter (Jackey Neyman). Any more plot details would be too much telling. When the film premiered, Warren admitted that the it stunk. Reportedly, he swore that Manoscould make a great comedy if redubbed. The man was a visionary since his film became a masterpiece after Joel and the Bots added their voices to the soundtrack.
Manos doesn’t start off the episode. Joel (Joel Hodgson), Tom Servo (Kevin Murphy) and Crow (Trace Beaulieu) must complete “Hired Part 2.” Car salesmen in 1940 were considered lazy by the previous generation. You can probably use this same educational short to describe today’s recent college graduates trying to sell Chevys. This Jam Handy educational film is the perfect opening act for Manos.
Right off the bat Manos lowers the entertainment bar with a 10 minute driving scene that doesn’t do too much except to explain that the family is lost. There’s a little comedy with a cop repeatedly hassling a guy (Bernie Rosenblum) looking for make out spots with his lady. “This is going to turn into a snuff film,” warns Tom Servo. Even worse. This film is going to be Manos. Is this really the worst film ever made? If you ever volunteer to judge a film festival, your answer will be no. You’ll experience films more painful and made by less talented people. Manos qualifies as the King of the Cinematic Mutts. It has strange elements that make you stick around for the whole 68 minutes. Torgo becomes an iconic character with his freakish knees and haunting theme. You’re not going to get that in a forgettable bad movie based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Manos is a good type of bad. The type of badness that makes you say to a pal, “This is the worst film ever. You have to see it with me.” The fine work of Joel and the Bots yapping from the front row supplies the pals who want to share the badness of Manos with all.
Further reading: From The Inside – Outsider Filmmaker Harold P. Warren
The video is 1.33:1 full frame, The transfer looks fine as it’s projected above Joel and the Bots. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo. The sound will enhances Torgo’s walking theme. Manos was completely voiced in post production with only three people. If you’re worried about how this will sound in your top of the line surround sound system, you don’t have a clue about Manos.
Shout! Factory has made sure that this special edition release have plenty of bonus material to pour over. We begin with the movie again. Mano: Hand of Fate (68:35) gives viewers a chance to experience the movie without the wisecracks. This is one amazingly dumb film. The print is rough with lots of dirt. What’s amazing is how the jazzy score dominates the film. It’s like it’s a music video that went out of control. The nice thought is you can have a party and make your own wisecracks without competing with Joel and the Bots.
Group Therapy (18:03) brings together Joel Hodgson, Frank Conniff, Trace Beaulieu and Mary Jo Pehl to discuss how Manos ended up on MST3K. They talk about how they were able to elevate this film so that it got it’s respect in the “Worst Movie Ever Made” Pantheon.
MST Hour Wraps (5:11) are the intros and outros when Manos was cut in half for the hour long version of MST3K. Mike Nelson dresses up as Jack Perkins to host the show. He jokes about the hospitality industry and bad vacation planning.
Hotel Torgo (27:17) takes us back to the locations of Manos with cinematographer and actor Bernie Rosenblum. He tells all the secrets about the production. He take the documentary crew to the “hotel” location. The place is trashed by kids with graffiti. What’s sad is that the kids don’t spray paint tributes to Torgo. They have no sense of history. Bernie still lives in El Paso.
Hired! – Parts 1 & 2 Together Again (18:27) gives both parts of the sales short from Chevy.
Jam Handy to the Rescue (23:19) is a spoof educational film company that made “Hired.” Larry Blamire once more has fun creating a vintage feel. A little kid is upset that kids mocked him for not knowing Jam Handy. The adult explains he deserves to be picked on for not knowing Jam Handy. There’s even a blooper reel. This wasn’t a one take wonder.
Archival “Look Over” TV spot (0:22) introduces Jam Handy.
My (Educational) Short Life: An Interview with Joel Hodgson (8:53) explains how they found short films for the show. Rick Prelinger of the Internet Archive gets name checked. He shares his love for the AV department in school.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 – “Manos” The Hands of Fate (Special Edition) is the ultimate packaging for “The Worst Film You’ll Ever Want to See.” Seeing how Manos was shot on 16mm, there’s no need to hold out for the Blu-ray transfer. Everything you’ll ever want to know about Manos and even “Hired” is contained on these two discs. This is perfection for a film that was not so long ago forgotten.
Shout! Factory presents Mystery Science Theater 3000 – “Manos” The Hands of Fate – Special Edition. Starring: Joel Hodgson, Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu. Boxset Content: 2 films on 2 DVDs. Released on DVD: September 13, 2011. Available at Amazon.com.
