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By Sampo, on May 27th, 2019 BORN ON THIS DATE
1898: George Gordon Nogle, camera operator for the movies in episodes 402- THE GIANT GILA MONSTER and 407- THE KILLER SHREWS.
1904: Joji Oka, who played the Phantom of Krankor in the movie in episode 816- PRINCE OF SPACE.
1911: Hubert H. Humphrey, who was included in the list of prominent “doughy guys” shown in a host segment in episode 522- TEEN-AGE CRIME WAVE.
1917: Gene Fowler Jr., director of the movies in episodes 419- THE REBEL SET and 809- I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF.
1919: Ray Montgomery, who played Reggie in the movie in episode 413- MANHUNT IN SPACE.
1922: Christopher Lee, who played Fu Manchu in the movie in episode 323- THE CASTLE OF FU-MANCHU.
1923: Henry Kissinger, who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 503- SWAMP DIAMONDS.*
1924: Jack Reitzen, who played a Russian invader in the movie in episode 602- INVASION U.S.A.
1932: Steve Franken, who played Henry Maitland in the movie in episode 305- STRANDED IN SPACE, Danny McKee in the movie in episode 1103- THE TIME TRAVELLERS and Henry McDade in the movie in episode 1104- AVALANCHE.
1936: Lou Gosset Jr., who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 417- CRASH OF MOONS.*
1944: Robert A. Burns, art director of the movie “Time Walker,” seen in episode 405- BEING FROM ANOTHER PLANET.
1947: Kenpachirô Satsuma, stuntman in the Gigan costume seen in the movie in episode 212- GODZILLA VS. MEGALON.*
1965: TV child star Todd Bridges, who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 305- STRANDED IN SPACE.*
DIED ON THIS DATE
1958: Cardinal Stritch (age 70), who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 415- THE BEATNIKS.
1978: Shelly Novack (age 34, heart attack), who played Brooks in the movie in episode K15- SUPERDOME.
1993: Jan Wiley (age 77), who played Virginia Rogers Scott in the movie in episode 702- THE BRUTE MAN.
1998: Mark Williams (age 38), who played a pool player in the movie in episode 904- WEREWOLF and also did the special effects make-up for that movie.
2015: William Newman (age 80), who played Quigley in the movie in episode 1012- SQUIRM.
2017: Gregg Allman (age 69) whose song “Melissa” (which Allman co-wrote) can be heard coming from the radio of the “loaner Crow” in a host segment in episode 913- QUEST OF THE DELTA KNIGHTS.
EVENTS ON THIS DATE
1950: The featured movie in the movie in episode 201- ROCKETSHIP X-M has its premiere.
1959: The movie in episode 408- HERCULES UNCHAINED is reviewed in Variety.
2004: TV Guide for May 30-June 5 is on the newsstands and contains the article “The 25 Top Cults Shows Ever!” in which MST3K is ranked number 11.
This Date in MSTory is written and compiled by Steve Finley, Chris Cornell and Brian Henry. Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce This Date in MSTory items in any form without express written permission from the authors.
* = According to the IMDB this person is alive. If you can supply evidence that he or she has died, and when, please let us know.
** = If this appears next to a birthday, the IMDB indicates that the person has died, but the IMDB does not have a full death date (probably just a month and year or just the year he or she died). If you can give us the exact date (with some sort of proof we can check), please let us know.
** = If this appears next to a death date, the IMDB does not have this person’s full birthday. If you can provide it (with some sort of proof we can check), please let us know.
By Sampo, on May 26th, 2019 BORN ON THIS DATE
1911: Ben Alexander, who was included in the list of prominent “doughy guys” shown in a host segment in episode 522- TEEN-AGE CRIME WAVE.
1915: Sam Edwards, who played Red in the movie in episode 415- THE BEATNIKS.
1919: Calvin Jackson, who composed the musical score for the movie in episode 414- TORMENTED.
1923: Jean Sullivan, who played Naomi Sanders in the movie in episode 1012- SQUIRM.
1923: James Arness, who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 311- IT CONQUERED THE WORLD.
1926: Bruno Nicolai, who composed the score for the movie “Operation Kid Brother,” seen in episode 508- OPERATION DOUBLE 007.
1926: Miles Davis, who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 510- THE PAINTED HILLS.
1930: Anthony “Tony” Cardoza, who produced and starred as Harry Rowe in the movie in episode 609- THE SKYDIVERS, produced and appeared in the movie in episode 209- THE HELLCATS, produced and starred as Landis in the movie in episode 619- RED ZONE CUBA, produced and starred as the KGB driver in the movie in episode 621- THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS.
1949: Hank Williams Jr., who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 304- GAMERA VS BARUGON.*
1963: Tami Bakke a.k.a. Tamara Clatterbuck, who played Fantazia in the movie in episode 907- HOBGOBLINS.*
1965: Kami Asgar, who was in charge of post-production sound for the movie in episode 1001- SOULTAKER.*
1966: Helena Bonham Carter, who was mentioned in a host segment in episode 524- 12 TO THE MOON.*
DIED ON THIS DATE
1971: Bozuken Hidari (age 77), who played the old man in the movie in episode 302- GAMERA.
1972: Jesus Murcielago Velazquez (age 62), who played Dr. Krupp’s henchman in the movie in episode 102- THE ROBOT VS. THE AZTEC MUMMY.
1976: Philosopher Martin Heidegger (age 86), who was mentioned in a host segment in in episode 812- THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED-UP ZOMBIES!!?.
1980: Franz Bachelin (age 84), art director for the movies in episodes 411- THE MAGIC SWORD and 523- VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS.
1983: Charles Keane (age 61), who played the Spacom operator in the movie in episode 109- PROJECT MOON BASE and the detective chief in the movie in episode 802- THE LEECH WOMAN.
1991: Eugene Lourie (age 88), director of the movie in episode 909- GORGO.
1992: Bob Labansat (age 53), who played Javorsky’s bodyguard in the movie in episode 621-THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS.
2003: Burr DeBenning (age 66), who played Dr. Ted Nelson in the movie in episode 704- THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN.
EVENT ON THIS DATE
1959: The second part of the movie “Yusei Oji” featured in episode 816- PRINCE OF SPACE is released in Japan, its country of origin.
This Date in MSTory is written and compiled by Steve Finley, Chris Cornell and Brian Henry. Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce This Date in MSTory items in any form without express written permission from the authors.
* = According to the IMDB this person is alive. If you can supply evidence that he or she has died, and when, please let us know.
** = If this appears next to a birthday, the IMDB indicates that the person has died, but the IMDB does not have a full death date (probably just a month and year or just the year he or she died). If you can give us the exact date (with some sort of proof we can check), please let us know.
** = If this appears next to a death date, the IMDB does not have this person’s full birthday. If you can provide it (with some sort of proof we can check), please let us know.
By Sampo, on May 25th, 2019 Movie: (2013): When giant monsters crawl out of the Atlantic Ocean and attack the Eastern Seaboard, the U.S. government is forced to trust a trio of mischievous soldiers who specialize in piloting gigantic robots, to defend America.
Open: Intruder alert at Gizmonic Institute! Meanwhile, in the invention exchange, Growler helps out as J&tB show off their inflatable air dancer organ. Max demonstrates “supposi-stories.”
Segment 1: With the bots dressed in mech suits, the Mads demand a new song in the spirit of “Every Country Has a Monster.” Growler and M. Waverly and Gypsy help with “Get in Your Mech.”
Segment 2: Dressed like they are at an awards dinner, J&tB explain how they got their medals.
Close: Jonah wants to do some day drinking, but the bots suggest they pour out a little — actually kind of a lot.
Stinger: Red tells his tale. Buh-boom!
The New Normal: Growler and M. Waverly, once considered one-hit wonders, are now fixtures, including making regular appearances in the theater.
For example, as Gypsy arrives, M. Waverly comes in from the left, makes one riff and scurries back out. Later there is another incursion into the theater, also by M. Waverly, I think. This is typical for the rest of this season.
Thoughts:
• I know a bit about old bad movies but I don’t really keep close track of the new bad ones, so while I had heard of “Pacific Rim” and that it was bad, I had not heard of Asylum. But apparently others had, because I recall the announcement that one of theirs was going to be riffed filled some MSTies with trepidation.
• Are we ever going to find out what that “intruder alert” was about?
• A bonehead (Tim Ryder, I think?) helps out Max with invention exchange.
• A bit of self-referencing going on in this episode: At movie sign, J&tB are sining “Patrick Swayze Christmas.” Later Max says: “It stinks! And not in the joke way.” Still later, in the theater, they say a minor character in the movie looks like “Joel Hodgson.”
• The song was another gem from Paul & Storm.
• Callback: “Packers!” (Giant Spider Invasion.)
• Catchphrases: “Bull butter!” and “Buh-boom!”
• Fave riff: “This one’s more of a landscaping issue.” “What with the streets clogged with corpses and all…”
By Sampo, on May 18th, 2019 I will begin with only a brief personal note. Yes, I am aware this has been a long time in coming. I have been ill and my responsibilities have been enormous, crowding out other things I might rather be doing, like this. But I do want to get this done. I may not do this in six straight weeks, but I will try. In the meantime, please keep sending WDT suggestions.
Okay, off we go with :::makes gesture::: The Gauntlet.
Intro: Joel, ever the trend spotter, picks up on the “binge watching” zeitgeist and offers us fewer episodes, but shows that blend into on another and become one giant riff. Let’s begin.
Movie: (1988) In this blatant ripoff of E.T. filled with shameless product placement, a family of aliens is transported to Earth, much to the surprise of a newly arrived California family.
Open: The bots have rigged “Back Up Travel Cambot” to a pneumatic system.
Jonah, feared dead at the end of last season, is alive! And nobody cares to hear about his miraculous escape.
From Moon 13, Max and Kinga introduce the “Gautlet” concept.
In the invention exchange, The mads have created a smartness drug with terrible side effects. J&tB have created a cross between Spam and Pez, Spez.
Segment 1: Jonah tries to communicate by whistling. Max and Synthia and Crow and Tom try their best.
Segment 2: Crow and Jonah and Gypsy present a birthday party at McDonah’s. Kinga and Max try to join in.
Close: J&tB are complaining when all three are sucked up and deposited in Moon 13. The Mads need Jonah to create six more holes for film canisters.
Stinger: The alien family goes shopping.
The new normal: Two internal host segments instead of three. For the first time, Crow and Tom get sucked up in the vacuum tubes.
Thoughts:
• There’s a good deal of manhandling with Kinga and Max, but they also seem to have become a little more equal.
• When word got out that “Mac and Me” was to be riffed, I was amazed at the fan reaction. Sure, I’d suffered through it before, but I mostly remembered that it was stupid. But for a lot of MSTies, it was like they woke up on Christmas morning to the exact thing that they had asked Santa for.
• “Flush them the movie,” Kinga says. That’s new.
• This movie gave us an already-familiar catchphrase: “Pretty nice!”
• The product placement is relentless. Coke pops up early, McDonalds a little later.
• Naughty riff: Spiderman me, mom.”
• Callbacks: Watch out for snakes!” (Eegah.) McCloud!
• Whoa, slam on Jugaloes outa nowhere!
• In a strange moment, the doctor, without consulting the mom, gives Eric a bottle of sedatives.
• Eden Prairie gets a shout out.
Fave riff: “I wanna see the movie this composer THOUGHT he was scoring.” Honorable mention: “This is like a Pixar movie, in that exists and has a title.”
By Erhardt, on May 17th, 2019
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