Books by Sampo!

 

 

Support Us

Satellite News is not financially supported by Best Brains or any other entity. It is a labor of love, paid for out of our own pockets. If you value this site, we would be delighted if you showed it by making an occasional donation of any amount. Thanks.

Sampo & Erhardt

Sci-Fi Archives


Visit our archives of the MST3K pages previously hosted by the Sci-Fi Channel's SCIFI.COM.

Social Media


Ted V. Mikels, RIP

tedLAS VEGAS–Director Ted V. Mikels died at his home here on Oct. 16. He was 87.

MSTies will remember him as the producer/director of the movie in episode 1002- GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS but may not have been aware that he was cinematographer for the movie in episode 204- CATALINA CAPER.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has the story.

Thanks to Timmy for the heads up.

20 Replies to “Ted V. Mikels, RIP”

Commenting at Satellite News

We are determined to encourage thoughtful discussion, so please be respectful to others. We also provide an "Ignore" button () to help our users cope with "trolls" and other commenters whom they find annoying. Go to our Commenting Guidelines page for more details, including how to report offensive and spam commenting.

  1. Brandon says:

    And the director of Astro-Zombies, recently given the RiffTrax treatment. That film was Wendell Corey’s last role, for another MST connection.

       11 likes

  2. tormented says:

    Aw man, total bummer. Dude was a living MST3K legend. Girl in Gold Boots is one of the funniest SciFi episodes and he just seemed like a really cool guy. RIP.

       13 likes

  3. Eduardo says:

    Unreal! I did not know that he passed, and by sheer luck I just happened to watch Catalina Caper today. Sad news.

       4 likes

  4. Atorgo says:

    R.I.P.

    I’ve got the Incredibly Strange Films book and he was rocking that same look back in the mid 80’s! An interesting guy, although I’m not really into his films. I LOVE the “design” of the Astro Zombie head though, so cool!

       4 likes

  5. Goldbootz says:

    The Rifftrax release of Astro-Zombies finished him off.

       2 likes

  6. maclen says:

    Very sad to hear. Girl in Gold Boots is not only one of my top favorite episodes of MST, but a favorite non riffed film to watch. The Doll Squad is also a favorite. Condolences.

       4 likes

  7. Numanoid says:

    Yet another connection… I believe that Cinematic Titanic live riffed Mikels’ The Doll Squad.

       2 likes

  8. Kenneth Morgan says:

    Numanoid:
    Yet another connection… I believe that Cinematic Titanic live riffed Mikels’ The Doll Squad.

    That’s correct; they riffed on it and “The Wasp Woman” at their last (to date) show. It was on Dec. 30th, 2013. I was there, it was a great show, and I dearly wish they had recorded it for release.

       2 likes

  9. bartcow says:

    Kenneth Morgan: That’s correct; they riffed on it and “The Wasp Woman” at their last (to date) show.It was on Dec. 30th, 2013.I was there, it was a great show, and I dearly wish they had recorded it for release.

    I asked Trace when I saw the Mads back in August, and he confirmed that they did not record any performance of The Doll Squad. A shame, since that movie is totally off the rails, and I remember hurting from laughing so much.

       2 likes

  10. Zshazlez says:

    I watched Girl in Gold Boots with a large group of friends. It was some of the hardest laughing I’ve ever heard out of some of them. I think it was a favorite episode for some of the girls there too. I appreciate Mr. Mikels’ work because it led to a great night for me and my friends. I hope for peace for those he left behind.

       6 likes

  11. Hotchka! says:

    I keep confusing him with Jon Mikl Thor of “Zombie Nightmare” fame.

       2 likes

  12. jjk says:

    I have a copy of Astro-Zombies. I wish MST3K had done that movie.

       1 likes

  13. Kenneth Morgan says:

    bartcow: I asked Trace when I saw the Mads back in August, and he confirmed that they did not record any performance of The Doll Squad. A shame, since that movie is totally off the rails, and I remember hurting from laughing so much.

    Um, Joel? Unless you’ve already scheduled it, any chance the revival could do this? I’m sure the other Titans wouldn’t mind if you re-used jokes from the CT version.

       1 likes

  14. hellokittee says:

    Girl in Gold Boots is in my top 5 episodes, it had brought me a lot of joy over the years. Thank you Sir, RIP.

       2 likes

  15. Richard the Lion-Footed says:

    If you get a chance, watch the DVD of Girl in Gold Boots with the commentary from Ted V. Mikels.
    It is a priceless education on making films fast and dirty.
    They had no permits, they just set up on the road and filmed between traffic.
    The party scene was done in Mikels’ apartment and the “party guests” were his neighbors.

    Unbelievable.

       4 likes

  16. Mr. Krasker says:

    Richard the Lion-Footed:
    If you get a chance, watch the DVD of Girl in Gold Boots with the commentary from Ted V. Mikels.
    It is a priceless education on making films fast and dirty.
    They had no permits, they just set up on the road and filmed between traffic.
    The party scene was done in Mikels’ apartment and the “party guests” were his neighbors.

    Unbelievable.

    Unbelievable? Having watched the film, I can’t imagine it having been made any other way!

       2 likes

  17. Cam says:

    It’s not just anyone who can get away with wearing a snake-skin print shirt and a wild boar tusk necklace at the same time.

       2 likes

  18. Gobi says:

    My copy of Astro Zombies with the Rifftrax commentary arrived yesterday, and today I hear this. Weird.

       0 likes

  19. Johnny's nonchalance says:

    The first few times I read this I thought Sampo was saying Mikels may not remember being cinematographer for Catalina Caper, I read it like this:

    “He was” the producer/director of the movie in episode 1002- GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS but may not have been aware that he was cinematographer for the movie in episode 204- CATALINA CAPER.

    Ha! Must have been on the goofballs with Little Richard.

    Sorry Mikels, I read it wrong. Thank you for bring us the creepy girl and Critter.

    Wikipedia tells me you were born in my hometown! Well extra kudos to you, sir.

       0 likes

  20. Bat Masterson says:

    Say what you want the man seemed to enjoy his job and Girl in Gold Boots is one of my favorite episodes . I applaud him for doing what he loved, his movies may not have been masterpieces but they were entertaining and I find Girl in Gold Boots better than Showgirls. RIP Mr. Mikels , and thank you for the entertainment you brought us.

       0 likes

Comments are closed.