If you haven't heard of this holiday it's because I just made it up, much like Frank Costanza made up Festivus on an episode of Seinfeld.
The idea came to me when I grew bored of the endless string of bloated, boring, blockbuster movies that have saturated theaters in recent years. I wanted something that celebrates the joy of watching a cheesy, B-movie no matter how bad it may be.
A New Holiday is Born
Reptilicus Day is a celebration of all B-movies, not just for its namesake.
If you are planning to take your mom out on Mother's Day, avoid the Valley Lodge at all costs. Even though they have a hands-on staff, the waiter is really slow and the owner is always rambling on about some Manos nonsense. The couch in the lobby is filthy, too.
Mother Maggie comforts her daughter Debbie
The original version of ManosMother's Day began as an image I made in 2015. In that version, I wrote "R" is forRed Hair, to describe Margaret's hair colour (it's a stretch, I know). I posted it online and not long after that, someone shared it with Jackey Neyman Jones (aka Debbie). She in turn shared it on Debbie'sManos FB but commented that "R" should have been for "Run!" I had to admit, that makes much more sense and I was kicking myself for not thinking of it. I decided that I would make a new version in time for Mother's Day 2016. A few weeks ago, I had the idea to make a companion video for it with clips from Manos: The Hands of Fate and here it is.
Dedicated to Diane Mahree and Jackey Neyman Jones, both of whom will be reprising their roles in Manos Returns
"Forgetting You" sung by Nicki Mathis who will be recording a new version for the sequel which I'm happy to say I will receive as a reward for donating to the Manos Returns Kickstarter Campaign. In the meantime, you can download two versions of the song; the original version and a cover version.
M is for Margaret O is for Ogle T is for Torgo H is for Hands E is for Eww! R is for Run!!
If you've ever wanted to see how a Trekkie celebrates Christmas, then watching the docu-comedy A Very Gerry X-mas is a good way to do it.
The opening credits feature beautiful stop-motion animation by Rob Niosi in an obvious tribute to the Rankin/Bass specials, specifically Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The star of the show is the eccentric and frugal Gerry (aka Reed Farrington) who attempts to bake and build a gingerbread house while battling a cold and decorates his Christmas tree as only a Trekkie would.
Part of the charm of this would-be holiday classic is that the bloopers have been left in. It also has a touching moment as Gerry tells a story of an unopened present that was never presented to the intended recipient. Does this remind anyone of the Island of Misfit Toys?
Of course, what would a holiday special be without a message? I'm not sure what that message is in this one was but it has one, with a special appearance by Film Junk's Frank Knezic.
It might not be It's A Wonderful Life but it is worth watching.
Happy Reptilicus Day!
