BURBANK – Traci Lords was the biggest name in showbiz in 1986, but for all the wrong reasons. She had become a major star in the adult industry. Her run started as Penthouse Pet of the month for the issue that exposed Vanessa Williams in September of 1984. Dozens of video titles appeared as she became the it girl noted for her youthful looks.
There was a reason for her looking so young: she’d used fake IDs to appear 20. She was under 18 in dozens of her adult films. Only one was made after she turned 18. The FBI and other police agencies poured over the valley investigating everyone connected to the industry. In the midst of this ugliness, Traci Lords still dreamed of being an actress. Luckily she found entry into the profession through the gates of Roger Corman’s studio.
She was signed to remake Not of This Earth with Jim Wynorski directing. The film became a sensation and allowed Traci to have a successful showbiz career including Melrose Place, Profiler, Blade and numerous John Waters’ flicks. But it all started with a remake shot in 11 and a half days as part of a legendary bet. Corman had made the original in 12 days and Wynorski swore he could go faster than the master. The film marked the last time Traci Lords did a nude scene on camera. Although the skin moments include a love scene with Jim Rome’s substitute host Roger Lodge.
Shout! Factory is releasing Roger Corman’s Cult Classics: Not of This Earth with new bonus features. The Party Favors was able to catch up director Jim Wynorski to ask him about his work with Traci and Corman. He’s like Michael Curtiz or Norman Taurog directing numerous films each year. His early career included Chopping Mall and Munchie. He’s recently made films that have become legendary on SyFy channel including Dinocrock vs. Supergator and Komodo vs. Cobra along with numerous softcore spoofs like The Devil Wears Nada and Cleavagefield. Because of his busy schedule, it was easier to email him the questions.
Party Favors: Were any other remakes considered for Traci Lords?
Jim Wynorski: I don’t understand the question, but I will say this…. Traci had just gone underground to avoid the bad publicity regarding her rather disruptive departure from the porn industry. I searched her down when I set out to do a remake of Not of This Earth. I found her through some Sam Spade detective work and convinced her to read the script. She did and agreed to star in the picture.
Party Favors: How was the news of Roger Corman making a deal with Traci Lords treated back in 1988?
Jim Wynorski: He was out of town when the film was in pre-production. I made the deal with her through the lawyer at Corman’s office. As far as I know, Roger was unaware of Traci or her reputation. It was only on his return, while the picture was in full production, that he understand the full extent of Traci’s appearance in the movie.
Party Favors: At what point did you know you’d get to direct the project?
Jim Wynorski: I was the one who suggested it to Roger Corman before he left on a business trip to Europe.
Party Favors: What were Roger Corman’s instructions about what he wanted to see on the screen?
Jim Wynorski:“Make it fun and exciting, Jim; it’s one of my own personal favorites of the films I’ve directed.”
Party Favors: Is it tough to remake a film with the original director being the producer?
Jim Wynorski: No, he never even came to set. When he realized that Traci’s name might mean extra sales, he wisely added more money for special efx. I think he enjoyed the redux, even though I left out the flying umbrella creature that attacked people’s brains.
Party Favors: What sort of pressure did you feel in wanting to match Roger Corman’s production time? Did you keep an eye on the clock to nail that half day? Was there a wager?
Jim Wynorski: Yes there was a friendly wager. I won. But then so did Roger. The film was a huge financial success.
(Editor note: the prize that Wynorski won from Corman is revealed on the new commentary track.)
Party Favors: How much faster do you think you could have made the film in HD instead of 35mm?
Jim Wynorski: How much faster do you think you could eat lunch if you had two mouths instead of one?
Party Favors: Did Traci Lords background in adult features keep her from being overwhelmed by your production speed?
Jim Wynorski: No, she was nervous the first day – but her stress wore off after she discovered the entire crew was on her side and wanted her to succeed. I used the last day to reshoot many of the scenes she’d filmed on day one. It greatly improved her performance and the picture as well.
Party Favors: Did you have any strategies for working with her? Or was there little time for such head games?
Jim Wynorski: I treat every actor the same. If they do good, I reward. If they’re bad, I reward even more.
Party Favors: Was there much pre-production time with your cast?
Jim Wynorski: None.
Party Favors: What’s your favorite memory from the set?
Jim Wynorski: Calling a wrap on the last day, then going out drinking with the cast. Very nice party.
Party Favors: How was it working with Monique Gabrielle?
Jim Wynorski: I was living with Monique at the time. She wanted to do something different, so I cast her as the bag lady. She was so cute when she was doing that part. I think I still have her broken tennis racket somewhere out in the garage.
Party Favors: Did Penthouse want to help promote the film since you had two Penthouse Pets in the cast?
Jim Wynorski: Nope. Never heard a peep from them.
(Editor note: Not of This Earth is a tribute to the various films Corman had produced at New World with numerous clips from these films being cut into the action. During a crash scene, the truck explosion from Humanoids From the Deep was used. The opening credits lift many spaceship effects from Galaxy of Terror and Forbidden World.)
Party Favors: Why were clips from other films used in the opening credits?
Jim Wynorski: I wanted to make a fun montage of sci-fi clips before the picture opened, so I spent an afternoon cutting them all together out of Roger’s vast library for fun.
Party Favors: What did you think of the 1995 remake?
Jim Wynorski: Was there really another remake????
Party Favors: What was it like to get to go in and do a new commentary track for the DVD?
Jim Wynorski: Fun. Free food and drink, although the pineapple was tart. And Traci wore something low cut just for me. Yay!!
Party Favors: Did you and Traci share the same studio space or are your comments edited together? (Editor note: this was asked before the DVD showed up in our mailbox.)
Jim Wynorski: We were both there together, but they had to restrain me behind glass in another adjoining room.
Party Favors:What was it like reuniting with her?
Jim Wynorski: I’d seen often during the interim between 1988 and now. She doesn’t age, so it’s always fun to meet up with her.
Party Favors: Have you worked with her since Not of this Earth?
Jim Wynorski: No, but not because I didn’t want to – it’s just our skeds never really meshed.
Party Favors: What of your films you’ve made with Corman are you excited about seeing on the new Roger Corman Cult Classics series?
Jim Wynorski: All of them. They should finally put out DINOSAUR ISLAND on DVD, along with reissues of DEATHSTALKER 2, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST, HAUNTING OF MORELLA, SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE 2, HARD TO DIE and a bunch of others.
Party Favors: You’ve directed several movies that run on the SyFy channel. Is anyone making one about a killer sloth?
Jim Wynorski: Yes, you are – if you can locate some dentists with a bunch of disposable income.
If you are part of a dentist investment group that want to make your own SyFy channel flick, drop us a line at the Party Favors.
THE GREATEST RALLY EVER!
The Party Favors will be covering both the Rally to Restore Sanity and the March to Keep Fear Alive in Washington D.C. This will mark the first time in 25 years that we’ve ever gone to a Rally that didn’t provide free beer. Unlike other rallies over the year, the joy of this Daily Show – Colbert Report unification is not to cure cancer, stop the war, give us the right to vote or make Area 51 public. It’s just happening to scare the crap out of loud mouth pundits who think Comedy Central viewers are stoned losers who can’t figure out how to get out of their parents’ basement.
The joke shall be on them.
There will be miracles occurring on the Washington Mall. There will be moments on the stage that will be preserved on Franklin Mint plates. While nothing has been announced rumors are swirling as to what’s on the schedule. A few of our favorites include:
Weird Al Yankovic kicking off the event with his accordion version of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Terrence Stamp shall be lowered onto the platform dressed as General Zod. He’ll have an army of bears that collect social security checks. He’ll demand we kneel before him.
The League of Pocket Protectors will accompany Jon Stewart on stage. This will be 1,000 leading scientists, historians and engineers that will remind Americans that there’s no reason to be stupid and fear the education process. Then they’ll have a battle royale with members of Glenn Beck’s cultish Black Robe Brigade.
Brian Wilson shall perform “Good Vibrations” and then tell James Watt to suck it.
The shadow of John McCain’s Maverick self will commit seppuku.
Unveiling of a memorial to dead members of the Kiss Army.
Albert Pujols will receive a medal for being an award whore who cursed his Cardinals by stooping to be a tool for someone else’s rally.
Jon Stewart will deport all the Canadian geese from Washington D.C.
Colbert will announce the Smithsonian’s newest exhibit: the history of internet porn.
Tom Hanks will appear as Forrest Gump and keep yelling for Jenny. Sean Penn will punch him out.
Mel Gibson will give the opening pray for Shemp Howard to bless us.
Expect plenty of video from the greatest event of our lifetime. This will be better than Woodstock since it’s only 3 hours of weirdness. You can go home and shower afterward.
TWINS?
When will James Nesbitt and Titus Welliver play brothers in a project? I kept thinking the star of Murphy’s Law was tangling with the Sons of Anarchy. Titus could probably collect Nesbitt’s BBC royalty checks if the bank’s lighting is kept low.
CORMAN CORNER
Roger Corman’s Cult Classics returns for another month of amazing releases. We’ve already given you the major low down on Not of This Earth. Traci Lords is a nurse who gets involved with a mysterious patient at the doctor’s office. While things are weird, she has plenty of time for a few nude scenes and an amazing bikini moment. This movie gave me the faith that she’d become the first ex-porn star to win the Oscar. It’s still her finest performance in a lead role. Besides the old commentary track with Jim Wynorski from the 2001 DVD, there’s a new one with Traci and Jim having a swell time remembering the whirlwind production. There’s a bit of talk about why John Lodge shouldn’t drive your car. There’s also a video interview with Traci. She looks youthful enough to card her for buying beer. The remastered transfer is the best this film has ever looked on home video. The original Not of This Earth comes out on DVD in January as part of Roger Corman’s Sci-Fi Classics including Attack of the Crab Monsters and War of the Satellites.
Double Feature: The Terror Within / Dead Space is mutant mania served up from Corman’s Concorde era. Terror Within takes us to a post apocalyptic world after some thing has swept the country. In the midst of the desert only an outpost of humanity remains inside a bunker with George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke) and Andrew Stevens (too many Cinemax After Dark flicks) lead a science community. They can’t figure out how to make it to a distant bunker, but they need to get serious since a mutant monster is roaming their turf. They rescue a pregnant woman from outside, but guess what happens when she comes down? It’s Alien underground! Lots of cheap thrills as George Kennedy does his best to keep from cracking up.
Dead Space is a complete remake of Forbidden World without the luxury of slapping styrofoam containers on the Galaxy of Terror sets. This time Marc Singer (The Beastmaster and V) is the outerspace lawman that arrives at the scientific outpost to help subdue a mutated experiment that’s gone out of control. Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad and Malcolm In the Middle) is the nutso scientist. It’s interesting to see how a filmmaker remakes a low budget film with an even lower budget. Cranston does well against the monster that’s not quite as complex as the original films’ creature. Director Fred Gallo gives a commentary track.
The sweet part of this DVD is being able to run it as a grindhouse double feature with the trailers and other promo reels linking them together.
BLU-RAY HEAVEN
The Crimson Wing, Mystery of the Flamingos returns Disney to their roots of the True-Life Adventures series with their new Disneynature banner. This is a 21st century version as they bring 1080p to the wilderness. There is an elegance framing to the story of flamingos. These poor creatures have been reduced to plastic figures littered around trailer parks. Now they can take flight and soar. This is an extremely beautiful film that stuns on a hi-def TV. It follows the birds that live at Lake Natron in Tanzania. The footage of a predator bird picking away at the chicks is savage until a brave parent flamingo steps up. There’s a lot of predators in the African wilderness. The Blu-ray includes the DVD in case you want to watch it in the mini-van. This is the March of the Penguins for those who can’t stand the cold.
Oceans is another lush documentary from Disneynature. It takes us to the salt water world filled with aqua life. This is not your father’s Jacques Cousteau documentary. Ultimately this is gorgeous and perfect for running on your HDTV as a piece of art. The footage of a school of fish fighting off attacks from dolphin and divebombing fish is more exciting than anything in the Matrix. Sharks and whales join into the feeding frenzy. This action doesn’t seem to stop until the attackers get full bellies. For kids who enjoyed Finding Nemo, this seems to be the best way to explain what life is really like deep down in the blue sea. Although it might not be good to let the kids see how the little baby turtles make it from the nest to the water. That’s brutal footage. But kids must know that their are predators in the world. The bonus features include a song from Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato and a piece on Disney’s work with the environment.
Los Angeles Lakers 2010 NBA Finals Series: Collectors Edition – Blu-Ray gives all seven games against the Boston Celtics in 1080p clarity. Amazing how fast the games go when they don’t have to show us all the time outs. The series can pretty much be summed up with how Ray Allen went completely cold after eating at STK. He sets the record for nailing 3-pointers, eats at this high profile dining establishment and transforms into a brick layer of epic proportions. The Celtics lost the final game by 4 points. Watch painfully in Blu-ray as Allen goes 3 for 14 from the field. If he’d be merely mediocre, the Celtics would be on the cover of these discs. That’s not saying Ray Allen is the goat of the team. Rashad Wallace didn’t step up when Kendrick Perkins went down in game six. Needless to say this will be a bigger hit with fans of the Purple and Gold and not the Green. It ends with Kobe Bryant having to share the glory with a Kardashian family member. Wasn’t that also the ending of the Super Bowl? The bonus features get us into the locker room for the various games. It’s the perfect way to relive the excitement of Kobe getting his fifth ring. If only Ray Allen hadn’t gone to STK, this all could have been prevented.
DVD SHELF
Tales From the Darkside: The Final Season wraps up the syndicated horror anthology that was a good scare before heading out for a Saturday night in 1987. The George Romero production had the unforgettable opening featuring the bright countryscapes that get negative flipped to make us feel the impeding darkside. “Beetles” unleashes an Egyptian curse when the guy refuses to believe what he reads. Colm Meaney plays a cop. “The Moth” gives Deborah Harry a scare about a dying soul being trapped in a moth. Clive Barker gives us his adaptation of “The Yattering and Jack.” A demon tempts a nice guy. It’s good versus evil. “Sorry, Wrong Number” rings in the fear from Stephen King. “Don’t Open This Box” was directed by Jodie Foster. “Basher Malone” makes an holy roller wrestler grapple with a demonic opponent. Vic Tayback is the wicked manager. Brinke Stevens graces the screen in the finale. The bonus features include “Akhbar’s Daughter” and “Attic Suite” – two episodes from a spin-off series that never took off.
The Ghost Whisperer: The Final Season wraps up Jennifer Love Hewitt’s spiritual mystery series. How could this happen? The season opens with “Birthday Presence.” She’s fearful about her impending trip to the delivery room. After the baby pops out, the show jumps five years. During the kiddie’s birthday, the ghost of a month that died during delivery arrives. She swears her son’s spirit is inside Jennifer’s child. Fans seemed a bit rattled by the missing years. “Head Over Heels” puts her in the middle of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This is a fine thing to play for a date night near Halloween. Jennifer directed “Implosion” that was the show’s 100th episode. It made the magic number to make sure The Ghost Whisperer will live forever in syndication instead of rotting away. A bonus feature covers how she juggled being star, producer and director. There’s various tours of the sets. The big extra is The Other Side IV webisodes. It’s a fond farewell.
Cannibal Girls is finally here. Remember to hide when the bell rings for it rings for blood. The comedic horror film helped launch the careers of SCTV legend Eugene Levy (American Pie) and Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). It was directed by Ivan Reitman who would go on to direct Stripes and Ghostbusters. It’s dared to make us laugh over ritual cannibalism in a small town. Three women butcher tourists in order stay young. Their next victims might be Eugene and Andrea. Can they survive or will we be hiding our eyes for the majority of the film? It’s a fine mixture of gores and laughs. Eugene Levy’s hair looks like he’s coated with the pelt of a black poodle. The cool thing is that you can listen to the audio track that has the ringing bell if you want to cover your eyes before the gore. The bonus features include extensive interviews with Eugene Levy and Ivan Reitman. They also include the original AIP trailer, TV spots and radio ads.
The Real L Word: Season One lets us experience the true tales of lesbians in LA versus the fake ones that took place on The L Word. This is kinda like Bravo’s Real Housewives series except without any dorky husbands holding back their table flipping, extension pulling wives. Basically it lets us know that the type of characters found in the fictional series do exist around Los Angeles. There’s the committed couple and the swinging single. There’s always tension with the classic power plays and bickering between social pals. As the women grow used to being followed by cameras, they loosen up. The nudity and SSC warning is earned on the final episodes. It’s kinda hard how real the show is. Seems less staged than an episode of The Hills, but not quite as raw as Cops. They’re in the production of capturing a second season.
The Tudors: The Final Season proves that the main problem with a historical drama is no matter how much of hit it becomes, you can’t make the characters outlive their real life counterparts. Henry VIII (B. Monkey‘s Jonathan Rhys Meyers) died at age 55 after going through 6 wives. Historical events are still dramatic and kinky in these final years of his reign covered on the 10 episodes. He marries the extremely young Katherine Howard (Tamzin Merchant). She’s a little vixen who becomes a queen bee when she gets the crown. She also thinks that just cause the king messes around with other women, she ought to be able to keep a stable of studs. There’s was not an open marriage. The resolution allows Henry to hook up with Katherine Parr (Nip/Tuck‘s Joely Richardson). She’s rather nervous since he’s pretty nasty when break ups happen. Can she calm him down? His last great event is taking a run at France to reclaim his property. Meyers adapts well as Henry becomes hobbled by his leg injuries. This is when he become the fat monarch as seen in the famous paintings and spoofs. In a sense he was the first Fat Elvis works since Meyers also played the King of Rock and Roll. This is a great series for college kids who want to enjoy English history with plenty of carnal action. This was a great series for Showtime. Shame Henry didn’t live a little longer for a Season Five.
TapouT: The Complete Series takes us deep inside the world of UFC action and attire. Mask, Punkass and Skyskrape are the faces behind the clothing line that dominates the fans of Mixed Martial Arts. The trio want to do more than make new t-shirts that rival Ed Hardy. They want to give back to their sport. They want to find superstars ready to dish out MMA beatdowns. They cruise around the country in a bus to scout fresh talent. Each episode features the person getting into the cage octagon to prove if they really are ready for the sport or if they should go to pro wrestling school. This is a lot more entertaining than that other search for the next UFC superstar show. All 20 episodes from its two season on Versus are in the boxset. The TapouT trio are goofy yet serious about the sport of the 21st Century.
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