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Sampo & Erhardt
Sci-Fi Archives
Visit our archives of the MST3K pages previously hosted by the Sci-Fi Channel's SCIFI.COM.
Nashville–Delbert B. “Sonny” West Jr., one of the original members of Elvis’ “Memphis Mafia” died here of cancer May 24. He was 78. West became close with Elvis thanks, in part, to his cousin, Red West (Red went to high school with Elvis and worked with him from the beginning of his career). Sonny West was considered Elvis’ Head of Security. He toured throughout the United States with Elvis and even appeared in several of his films.
MSTies will remember his role as Snake in the movie in episode 209- THE HELLCATS.
Frank returns for one final performance of Cartoon Dump on Saturday, June 3, at 8 p.m. at the Steve Allen Theatre, 4773 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles. The show, which has been performed on both coasts since 2007, stars Frank as Moodsy, the clinically depressed owl. Emo Philips, J. Elvis Weinstein, Jimmy Dore and Lisa Corrao (and possibly others) will appear, along without our pal animation historian Jerry Beck. The theatre will be closing this summer (it’s due to be torn down and replaced by condos).
Movie: (1957) A monstrous praying mantis is awakened from hibernation, and attacks the East Coast. Smug scientists are dispatched to stop it.
First shown: 2/22/97 Intro: Tom sets the rules for the SOL’s “business casual day” Opening: The apes fix their mutant neighbors’ malfunctioning thermonuclear device; an alarmed Pearl skeedaddles Host segment 1: The rumors of Pearl’s death are greatly exaggerated and she has a stowaway; Gypsy shakes her off their tail Host segment 2: Mike searches for something good on the radio…and fails Host segment 3: Tom hits something that really likes Crow! End: Crow serves up juicy revenge, a letter from Dr. Peanut, a last word from Pearl Stinger: The smarmy corporal out Donny Most-ing (239 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
• I love this one, largely because, after dopey rocketship movies, giant bug movies are my favorite kind of dumb ’50s sci-fi. I only wish MST3K had done more of them. But this one’s lots of fun. The riffing is also terrific and the promised “endless chase” premise finally kicks into gear, and does so with considerable flair.
• Mary Jo’s take on this episode is here.
• This episode was included in “Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Vol XXVII.”
• I think that’s Beez’ voice as the bomb recording, but it’s uncredited and we neglected to ask at the time, so now I’m sure they (including Beez) have probably forgotten.
• That’s Bill, Beez and Paul as the bomb worshippers. I believe this was the first time Bill face was actually shown on the show.
• The opening segment is LONG, at least compared to what we’re used to.
• Note that Mike does the patented Star Trek shirt tug (aka “the Picard maneuver”) before giving a command to engage.
• This marks the first appearance of the bridge steering wheel, which seems to materialize and dematerialize at will. It also marks the first appearance of The Widowmaker, Pearl’s VW astro-bus.
• Callbacks: Starfighters music, “Gamera!” “Shut up, Iris!” (The Beatniks) “Poopie suits” (Starfitghters) “Everyone’s legs are sticking out!” (reference to a line in MST3K The Movie) Also: “Your crank is turned to Frank,” during the host segment.
• After several episodes in which the Sci-Fi Channel logo, or “bug” was obscuring Crow in the theater, fans began to gently gripe online about it (mindful that their incessant griping seemed to piss off the LAST channel that ran the show). In response, going WAY out of their way, they arranged to move the bug to the left side of the screen — just for this one show (this apparently involved hacking some computer at the channel). By this episode, the bug had officially moved.
• Segment two features the voices of almost the entire cast as country music singers, radio announcers, etc.
• Crow’s voice really settles in with this episode. Compare to his voice in 801, it’s much more natural, with more less strain, much more like Bill’s real voice.
• Gypsy has a nice moment as the “Shirley Muldowney of deep space.” Note that she uses the phrase “Out out out!” just as Mike did to her in MST3K: The Movie.
• I love the riffs as the old scientist. “Marie died, ya know!”
• Then-current reference: “The final desperate hours of the Dole campaign,” (might as well be the Dewey campaign, now) “Kelsey, throw us the keys!” (referencing actor Kelsey Grammar’s run-ins with the law).
• That’s Patrick inside the big blue monster suit.
• Nice job on the digested version of Crow
• When Crow is doing the voice of the Mantis, he sounds just like Observer.
• Cast and crew roundup: producer William Alland also worked on “Revenge of the Creature,” “The Mole People.” “The Space Children” and “This Island Earth.” Scriptwriter Martin Berkeley also worked on “Revenge of the Creature.” Cinematographer Ellis Carter also worked on “Leech Woman” and “The Mole People.” Special effects guy Fred Knoth also worked in “This Island Earth.” Costumer Jay A. Morley Jr. also worked on “Revenge of the Creature” and “The Mole People. Makeup guy Bud Westmore did a whole slew of MSTed movies, as did art directors Alexander Golitzen and Robert Clatworthy and set designer Russell A. Gausman, sound person Leslie I. Carey and music supervisior Joseph Gershenson. Set designer Oliver Emert also worked on “Kitten with a Whip.” Score composer Irving Gertz also worked on “Leech Woman” and “Jungle Goddess.” Score composer Henry Mancini also worked on “This Island Earth,” “Revenge of the Creature,” “The Mole People” and “The Thing that Couldn’t Die.” In front of the camera, John Close was also in “Slime People” and “Beginning of the End.” David McMahon was also in “It Conquered the World.” Paul Frees can also be heard in “War of the Colossal Beast,” “The Sword and the Dragon” and “The Beatniks” (which he also produced and directed).
• CreditsWatch: This time the show is produced by Jim, directed by Kevin. “Additional music” (the various performances on the space radio) by the “Best Brains Ad Hoc Radio Band.”
• Fave riff: “Get back in your little boat, Grandpa!” Honorable mention: “But ah got a mantis in mah pantis…”
• Great host segment line: “Foghat, Lawgiver?”
Savannah, Georgia–Gregg Allman, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, which inspired and gave shape to both the Southern rock and jam-band movements, died on May 27 at his home here. He was 69.
MSTies will recall that a snippet of the Allman Brothers standard “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.
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Nashville–Delbert B. “Sonny” West Jr., one of the original members of Elvis’ “Memphis Mafia” died here of cancer May 24. He was 78. West became close with Elvis thanks, in part, to his cousin, Red West (Red went to high school with Elvis and worked with him from the beginning of his career). Sonny West was considered Elvis’ Head of Security. He toured throughout the United States with Elvis and even appeared in several of his films.
