Index: Teenage Zombies | Phantom Planet | A Night of Shorts 12 | I Accuse My Parents | She Shoulda Said No | A Night of Shorts 13 | The Incredible Petrified World | The Creeping Terror | A Night of Shorts 14 | Mutiny In Outer Space | The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues | A Night of Shorts 15 | The Wizard of Mars | The Mantser | A Night of Shorts 16 |
"We're doing something wrong!" - "Uh so are we, we picked this movie to riff" - Teenager/Frank
This is a smiler, rather than a howler, which is better than being a groaner. So yeah, mostly I smiled, at the references (Mitch and Murray, Sackler family reunion), at the goofy (a woman's drive through bar in her living room).
Though I will say that it got funnier as it went, with Trace throwing in some clever quips (during a moment where characters stand and talk and talk and talk, "If Aaron Sorkin had written this we'd be a mile away" - and when the girls are put into a booth, "They're forcing them to become sports announcers"), it also lights up during the fight scene - plus Frank gets off a sweet closing riff that could be his new catch phrase, "Take that American society, you've been Conniffed!"
The movie, phew, what a chore, it really drags ("Yup, nothing more compelling than characters looking off screen" - Frank). There's a Batwoman reunion going on here, between director Jerry Warren and Katherine Victor, and MSTies will recognize Don Sullivan (Giant Gila Monster and Rebel Set), so it has that, at the least.
Post show guest was comedian Irene Bremis.
While Chris talked about cutting bits from the flick, there are a few scenes not seen on the Sci-Fi era version (one of which led to Trace's, "Are those two women going to riff the movie now?") so that's something new for old MSTies. I like the first workover, but it's not so amazeballs that I was having flashbacks (other than the sledgehammer thing, where Crow let loose with a few notes from the Peter Gabriel song), plus this is Frank and Trace's first shot at the movie.
The duo makes with the funny observations (the walls made of meat), draw from politics (forcing Mexico to pay for Raton's invisible wall) and sometimes, get personal (I got a big laugh out of Frank's narcissism line). The Tenet riff was cute, as was the complaint about the special effects overwhelming the movie. A couple of other goodies - from Frank, "What, are you Major Creeper, stop staring at me!" - from Trace, "Fred Gebhardt, Male Prostitute", but my absolute favorite moment was Frank's Twilight Zone reference, as this also acts a sweet callback to something he said on an episode of MST... "I'm the God, I'm the God!"
Good stuff - Special guest was cartoonist Bob Fingerman.
"Sometimes heavy equipment had to be bolted to skeletal frames" - Trace
A Night of Shorts 12 | Three Year Anniversary Show - July 11, 2023
The Mads 3-year anniversary opens with tributes from past guests, and then it's off to the prom with Mary Frann (of Newhart fame) - The Prom It's a Pleasure was one of two shorts featured in this show that were previously covered by Bridget and Mary Jo... and I have to say, theirs was a classic that can't be matched. However, I will give the guys the advantage on the other, American Look, which closes the Livestream, if only because B&MJ riffed a mere 6-minute cut of the piece, while Frank & Trace braved the entire 29! Among the laughs in these scenes, Trace does a gross (but funny) poop joke, while Frank notes, "They never should have turned Black Narcissus into a western" (this old film buff loved that line).
Sandwiched between those... The Nation at Your Fingertips, a dry flick about the history of the telephone (and yeesh, that early headset, pictured above, was a painful -though hilarious- looking contraption). Next, The Tip-Tops in Peppyland, which was pretty wacky, about as wacky as a short about milk can get. It was my favorite of the four.
The after show was devoted (primarily) to Elle Schneider, a DP and avid cinephile. I think she was one of the more interesting guests they've ever had. Since this episode was centered on shorts, she spoke of her work on a book and documentary about Centron films, which I loved, loved the questions she was asked, but I wish they hadn't cut into her time by adding other guests - I'm sure the trivia guy is nice and has a cool show, but I hated leaving Elle - and would have liked to have heard her speak on expanded topics that delved into her influences and the genre's she favored, etc. (even if that did go beyond the theme of the stream).
Sandwiched between those... The Nation at Your Fingertips, a dry flick about the history of the telephone (and yeesh, that early headset, pictured above, was a painful -though hilarious- looking contraption). Next, The Tip-Tops in Peppyland, which was pretty wacky, about as wacky as a short about milk can get. It was my favorite of the four.
The after show was devoted (primarily) to Elle Schneider, a DP and avid cinephile. I think she was one of the more interesting guests they've ever had. Since this episode was centered on shorts, she spoke of her work on a book and documentary about Centron films, which I loved, loved the questions she was asked, but I wish they hadn't cut into her time by adding other guests - I'm sure the trivia guy is nice and has a cool show, but I hated leaving Elle - and would have liked to have heard her speak on expanded topics that delved into her influences and the genre's she favored, etc. (even if that did go beyond the theme of the stream).
Weird, they actually got ahold of worse looking print. While the MST episode is a classic without peer, the flick was built for a riffing, and at the start, the Mads put their own stamp on the thing (mocking the cartoonish music was cute). Unfortunately, the second half sputters, and there are a few similar riffs that Frank(ly) aren't as funny (compare the line when Jimmy returns home after taking a beating). So, it's not something I'll return too, not with that other, about perfect version sitting on my shelves. But for a one timer, it was fine.
Starring the woman who was arrested with Robert Mitchum on that famous drug bust, directed by the guy who helmed last months livestreamed movie, as well as Mad Monster and Radar Secret Service, and a dream match between riffer and movie, which provides the right amount of noirish cheese and unintended comedy (both dark and silly) as well as the intended humor launched by the twin titans.
I love how they reference other (often better) pictures, "This is from the Sergei Eisenstein batch of weed" - Frank. And the observational quips had me in tears, like how smoking this stuff looks like playing harmonica, the line about the "theremin stick", and 'putting the bite' on someone; and how they played off the dialogue (Cop: "We'll throw the book at him" - Frank: "A Hunter Thompson book"). And to top it off, was the quote of the night... kid killer.
This was top drawer Mads, just one hilarious riff after another - who needs the demon weed when you have comedy like this?
Fun Q&A too, with special guest Rachel Lichtman, from Programme 4.
More specifically, it's a night of Coronet. Most of these will be familiar to riff fans, though new to the Mads, and boy are they a blast. Here, the duo put a dark spin on an innocent time... where conformity ran supreme, and shaming the bad girl was the only way for theater kids to feel superior. From there we visit a naughty young married couple, spend time with hooligans and moral quandaries, and learn letter writing from overly enthusiastic teens (Trace cracked me up with the sticks of gum bit, and the quip, "she trapped that girl's soul in the paper").
After that, a new short to me, "Ways to Settle Disputes"... in the netherworld? This one served up some of my favorite jibes ("Wonder Woman is kicking Jonah Hex's ass" - Frank, and, "If IBS had a face" - Trace), funny, funny -though I have to dock them for whiffing on a Black Mirror riff after a Bandersnatch is brought up. The show closes with Goldilocks, a piece where the repetition drives Frank up the wall, and I think that (and the obvious animal abuse) makes this the least of the six. All the same, this was another fantastic show.
Special guest was Dave Hill, it was a funny post show, they opened with riff talk and addressed the implausibility of bear housing. Books n' hockey n' Tenacious D were also discussed.
The Incredible Petrified World - November 14, 2023
Scientists use a diving bell to help break through the "phantom layer" under the sea, and then wander about in a cave for what feels like hours. There's not a lot to cling too, joke wise, on this dry hike - so I'm impressed they were able to do as well as they did with this one, even playing with the dull by having characters throw out random thoughts ("You know what Craig?" - "I like apples") that line got Frank laughing, and in turn, his screwy Popeye song during the credits cracked up Trace.
Fortunately, we have John Carradine and Phyllis Coats ("Stay in your lane, Lois"), and later a weird old coot shows up ("from the Torgo school of acting"), but mostly it's about walking and resting and exposition and a montage, answered with puns and irritation and MST callbacks from the twin terrors.
Ken Plume was the Q&A guest.
Selling this re-do as a special Christmas tradition loses something when you do re-dos through the year (this was the third). Not much to say, movies a chore and the riffing can't match the MST version - I had a chuckle here and cracked a smile there. The biggest laugh came when Frank threw in a musical theater reference that I wasn't familiar with, and had to look it up (Bobby).
Kliph Nesteroff returned as the Q&A guest.
It starts with a living gas droplet and closes with Coily, the spring sprite, these animated avatars of hilarity bookend the show nicely. In between there are a couple of familiar ones, a short about arranging a buffet table, and one about a Self-Conscious Guy (previously done by Rifftrax) and some newbies... "I Want to Be a Secretary", "Making Your Own Decisions" and from the folks who gave us "Making a Meal in 20 Minutes (as seen on season 13 of MST3K) is "How to Make a Sandwich".... the title alone is a hoot (are sandwiches that complicated)?
I liked the secretary short and those characters (The bland guy behind the desk, and Robo-Typest) but the one about the young lady fussing over decisions was my favorite (Narrator: "what is a decision without action?" - Frank: "A Coleman Francis film") That shopkeeper cranking the awning was a hilarious way to end the piece.
Special guest Steve Stoliar was there to discuss his book on Groucho Marx, which touches on his unlikely friendship with Alice Cooper
Special guest was Kim "Howard" Johnson who shared stories about his association with the Pythons - during this section Frank revealed that he got many laughs over Trace's improves during the show - but my favorite? Conniff's line about the crazy guy having a zoom call with clouds. Other than that - an astronaut forgets how to properly pleasure himself, Barbie is referenced, and Frank uses a term I wasn't familiar with, and wish to God I'd never looked up, LMAO.
They did get a bit overly enthusiastic with the editing with this one, which created a gap in the story. I know that's an odd complaint, we're here for the comedy after all, but I must have been getting into it because I was thinking, "But wait, what happened between this and that?" Bonus fun? A couple of familiar MST actors in the cast, including the Amazing Colossal Man himself (Glenn Langan).
They did get a bit overly enthusiastic with the editing with this one, which created a gap in the story. I know that's an odd complaint, we're here for the comedy after all, but I must have been getting into it because I was thinking, "But wait, what happened between this and that?" Bonus fun? A couple of familiar MST actors in the cast, including the Amazing Colossal Man himself (Glenn Langan).
The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues - March 12, 2024
The boys rattle off a litany of quips that gets the show started on a high note - A Place in the Sun is referenced, then Trace notes, "Hell of a place to fold his laundry", and later apologizes for a funny pun, cute. I'd seen this movie before and felt it was a good choice + as a bonus there are a lot of recognizable actors from various riff sources. I'm a little surprised they cut the shower scene; or didn't have more fun with Kent Taylor's amusing polka dot swim trunks, but overall, a cute one. And added bonus were Q&A guests, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Mike Nelson from Rifftrax.
A Night of Shorts 15 - April 9, 2024
Kids was the theme and kids were a dream. The show opens the most recent piece, 1970s Holidays Your Neighbors Celebrate, which opens with a calendar and sees Trace immediately jumping in with a pun ("He took that month off", lol) - the bit with the Greeks was a hoot too. After that, the oldest and longest of the group, Your Children and You (1946), an Irish classic... not really, but the Mads wring laughs out of that. Babies make good fuel for comedy, as this was the funniest of the 4.
Wrapping things up, Holiday from Rules? which was done on Rifftrax, but I think I found Frank and Traces take a little funnier, though neither group makes mention of how that one little girl had Joel Hodgson eyes (they also, strangely let "It stinks" go by without a call back quip). Safety After School puts kids in peril, and that's always fun, it was my second fave.
Steve Darnall of OTR (Those Were the Days) and comics fame was the guest; and I think he was one of their best - he has a great voice, great personality, and shared some great stories. Also, Joe Flaherty, who recently passed away, was honored during the after show. Classy.
What a thrilling trailer, what a boring movie, and not even a good riff on Oz - there are no flying monkey's or cackling witches. Now, there is a dubbed Dorothy, who does nothing, and a kind of dull yellowish tile road, and John Carradine's floating head. Aside from John I spotted another familiar name in the credits, Tom Graeff (director of Teenagers from Outer Space), was the editor on this one, unfortunately he didn't cut enough out of this thing (even Dumb Industries judicious editing wasn't enough - then again, only trailer sized would have done the job, lol). There are several familiar shots, which prompts Trace to ask whether they can use jokes from the last time they saw this footage. So yeah, this was hard going, even with the Mads throwing out quips ("Oh Billy", HaHa! and, "Did Perry Como write this dialogue?" - Trace, which made me laugh as it made me think of the SCTV sketch).
After show guest was Julie Klausner, from the delightful "Difficult People".
The Manster - June 11, 2024
"Theremin pain can strike at any time" - Trace
A reporter's interview goes horribly wrong, as he soon becomes the subject of an experiment which turns him into a short tempered, two-headed drunk. A better title would have been "The Asster", because this character's a complete one, Frank goes after the jerk directly, while his partner goes at him in a roundabout way (like when Manster asks if anyone minds if has a drink and Trace responds... "Well, It's a bit out of character for you"). Beyond that, we get the political jabs, the dirty jokes, and where else in comedy can you hear Taylor Swift and Chaka referenced in the same show. The creature is both freaky, and extremely silly - which is good for a laugh, and the endless chase sequence sends Frank on a string of "Mannix's". Special guest was Bonnie Burton (Star Wars Insider).
A Night of Shorts 16 - July 9, 2024
It was a Centron-a-thon, with shorts that include the original The Quiet Place... 1953s "How Quiet Helps at School", shhh, read this quietly... after that (he says at a whisper) is "Boy and Girl of Britain" (1976) a cute travelogue hosted by a brother and sister team ("that is one moist boy" - Trace). The final 3 - City Pets (MJ & Bridget did this one as well - funny how each riff team offered their own Rear Window quip). The creepy puppet play about an angry puppet demon-witch-something, named "Rumpelstiltskin". And finally, "Understanding Your Ideals" (1950) which was one Rifftrax covered back in 2009.
All of these were very funny - but the cherry a top the sundae was the meeting of the Mads at the end. Trace and Frank were joined by Felicity, Mary Jo, Bill and Kevin for a Q&A that was mostly centered on MST3K. There were a lot of fun memories shared, and the cast really do connect, effortlessly, so what a pleasure this was. The piece also opened with 4th anniversary messages from past guests.
