Manos: The Hands of Fate

1966 newspaper ad for Manos: The Hands of Fate

Considered to be among the worst movies ever made, Manos was a film reportedly made by its writer, producer, director and star, Harrold P. Warren, because of a bet. The bet in question involved Warren (an insurance and later on, fertilizer salesman) stating that making a horror movie wasn't that hard and claiming he could make one all on his own. He placed a bet with screenwriter Stirling Silliphant. You can see the end result below and judge for yourself.

I'm not going to lie. This movie will test your patience even if you are a dedicated B movie fan. That's because in addition to the amateur production, acting, and editing, the sound is terrible and the film clarity is very dark.

Another obvious bad movie trademark is evidenced by the opening scene, which shows a couple driving along a highway for what seems like an eternity, presumably where opening credits were supposed to be inserted or an effort on the filmmaker's part to pad the movie's running time.

Despite all this, the story is not that bad. It would have been interesting to see what a bigger budget would have done for it, provided the money went towards a professional production crew and actors. As it was, Warren could not afford to pay any of his actors, who agreed to take a share of the film's profits in lieu of a wage. Well, you know what they say. You get what you pay for.

The plot revolves around a young couple on a vacation with their daughter and the family dog. On a road trip, driving around Texas, the family searches for "Valley Lodge" but become lost. Eventually they come upon a house and stop for directions. They are greeted by a strange man who calls himself Torgo and appears to be part satyr. Torgo mentions that he takes care of the place while The Master is away. As for directions to Valley Lodge, he states that there is no way out, yet the family can't stay at the house since The Master wouldn't approve. It's like some alternate Hotel California. After some persuading, the family is allowed to stay. Later, we find out that The Master is the leader of a polygamous pagan cult and intends to make Margaret his latest of many wives, while sacrificing Michael and Debbie. The family spends the rest of the time trying to escape.  

Feature Presentation: Manos: The Hands of Fate 



Read the rest of the review and see the trailer

Colore Non Vedenti

Colore Non Vedenti from Jay Cheel on Vimeo.

Colore Non Vedenti title screen

Colore Non Vedenti (Colour Blind) is a low-budget, short film from director Jay Cheel, who just directed his first full-length feature, a documentary called Beauty Day.

The genre of this short film would most likely be considered sci-fi/horror and perhaps classified as a B-movie. It has all the tell-tale signs of one. Cheel employs a tactic that every budget-conscious director does and that is casting his friends and colleagues in minor roles or cameos. Despite this, Colore Non Vedenti has a charm to it that harkens back to the days when cheesy movies ruled the Saturday afternoon TV schedule. Good cheese, not that imitation crap they use for individually-wrapped slices.

Check out the trailer below to get a better idea of what I'm talking about.