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{{For|the video game based on the film|Manos: The Hands of Fate (video game){{!}}''Manos: The Hands of Fate'' (video game)}} | |||
{{Infobox Film | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}} | |||
| name = Manos: The Hands of Fate | |||
{{Infobox film | |||
| image = Manos ad2x-z.png | |||
| name = | |||
| alt = Promotional El Paso newspaper advertisement for the film showing a woman with a low-cut dress, another tied to a pole, some other images obscured by poor quality printing, and a hand reaching through flames. Text in the ad reads "It's shocking! It's beyond your imagination!" and show times are included. | |||
| |
| image = Manosposter.jpg | ||
| alt = The film poster shows a gripping hand in the foreground, and a flame between a woman on the left and apparently the same woman on the left. The top of the poster has the word "shocking" in large letters. | |||
| caption = Theatrical release poster | |||
| director = Harold P. Warren | |||
| producer = Harold P. Warren | | producer = Harold P. Warren | ||
| writer = Harold P. Warren | | writer = Harold P. Warren | ||
| starring = |
| starring = {{Plainlist| | ||
* Tom Neyman | |||
| music = Ross Huddleston <br />Robert Smith Jr. | |||
* John Reynolds | |||
* Diane Mahree | |||
* Harold P. Warren | |||
}} | |||
| music = {{Plainlist| | |||
* Russ Huddleston<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundtrack.net/movie/manos-the-hands-of-fate/|title=Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) |website=www.soundtrack.net}}</ref> | |||
* Robert Smith Jr.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shiptoshoremedia.com/products/manos-the-hands-of-fate-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-lp|title=Ship to Shore Media|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=November 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116030915/https://shiptoshoremedia.com/products/manos-the-hands-of-fate-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-lp|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
| cinematography = Robert Guidry | | cinematography = Robert Guidry | ||
| editing = |
| editing = James Sullivan | ||
| studio = Sun City Films<br/>Norm-Iris Productions | |||
| distributor = Emerson Film Enterprises | | distributor = Emerson Film Enterprises | ||
| |
| released = {{Film date|1966|11|15}} | ||
| runtime = 70 minutes | |||
| released = November 15, ] (premiere) | |||
| |
| country = United States | ||
| |
| language = English | ||
| |
| budget = {{US$|19,000}} | ||
| budget = ]19,000 (estimated) | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Manos: The Hands of Fate''''' is a 1966 American ] ] written, directed, and produced by Harold P. Warren. It stars Tom Neyman, John Reynolds, Diane Mahree, and Warren. The film follows a family getting lost during their vacation road trip through the ] desert and becoming stranded at the lodge of a ] ] ] led by the Master who decides their fate. | |||
Warren was an insurance and fertilizer salesman from ], who made the film as a result of a bet with screenwriter ]. Most of the remaining cast and crew had little or no background in filmmaking. The theatrical debut was poorly received, playing only at the Capri Theater in El Paso and some ]s around ] and ]. | |||
'''''Manos: The Hands of Fate''''' is a ] ] ] written, directed, and produced by ]. It is widely recognized to be one of ]. In ], television comedy series '']'' (''MST3K''), a show based on the premise of mocking ]s, featured ''Manos: The Hands of Fate'', giving the film ]. | |||
''Manos'' remained obscure until featured in a 1993 episode of '']'', a television series based around mocking ]s. This developed its ] as one of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/mystery_science_theater_3000_manos_hands_of_fate |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Manos: Hands of Fate (1992) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726155752/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/mystery_science_theater_3000_manos_hands_of_fate/ |archive-date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> The film has been criticized for continuous deficiencies in editing, continuity, audiovisual synchronization, pacing, acting, and several inexplicable and disconnected scenes, such as a nameless couple repeatedly shown kissing in a distant car and the Master's wives breaking into ]s.<ref name="EW1">{{cite magazine |first=Dalton |last=Ross |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/06/06/worst-movie-ever-made/ |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=1 |magazine=] |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=November 4, 2006}}</ref> Its ''MST3K'' appearance resulted in several DVD releases of the original film and three of the ''MST3K'' episode.<ref name="EW5"/> The original ] ] was discovered in California in 2011, from which a new, remastered version of the film was released on ] by ] on October 13, 2015.<ref name="NPR(2011-12-12)">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/12/12/143573040/manos-the-hands-of-fate-carefully-restoring-the-opposite-of-a-masterpiece|title='Manos: The Hands Of Fate': Carefully Restoring The Opposite Of A Masterpiece|first=Chris|last=Heller|date=December 12, 2011|website=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/read-this-the-battle-over-the-infamous-cult-classic-ma-1798284742|title=Read this: The battle over the infamous cult classic Manos: The Hands of Fate|date=September 25, 2015|website=The A.V. Club}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.synapsefilms.com/product/manos-the-hands-of-fate-special-edition-blu-ray/|title=Manos: The Hands of Fate - Synapse Films|date=October 13, 2015}}</ref> | |||
The plot of the film revolves primarily around a vacationing family who lose their way on a road trip. After a long drive in the ] desert, the family is trapped at a lodge maintained by a ] ] cult, and they attempt to escape as the cult's members decide what to do with them. The film is technically deficient with significant editing flaws; its soundtrack and visuals are not synchronized, and several scenes are inexplicable or unconnected to the overall plot. | |||
The film was followed by a ], ''Manos: The Rise of Torgo'' (2018), and a ], '']'' (2018). | |||
Harold Warren was a fertilizer salesman from ] who produced the film as a result of a bet. He also starred in it, alongside El Paso theater actors Tom Neyman and John Reynolds. ''Manos'' was an independent production by a crew that had little or no background or experience in filmmaking and a very limited budget at their disposal. Upon its theatrical debut, the film was poorly received, and remained obscure until its ''Mystery Science Theater'' appearance. | |||
== |
==Plot== | ||
] | |||
While on a road trip, a young couple, Michael (]), Margaret (Diane Mahree), their young daughter Debbie (Jackey Neyman Jones) and their dog, Peppy, search for the "Valley Lodge." Michael and his family finally reach a house which is tended by a bizarre, ]-like person named Torgo (John Reynolds) with an erratic, repetitive speech pattern who takes care of the house "while the Master is away". Michael and Margaret ask Torgo for directions to Valley Lodge; Torgo simply replies that, "There is no way out of here. It'll be dark soon. There is no way out of here." With this information, Michael asks Torgo to let him and his family stay the night, despite objections from both Torgo and Margaret. | |||
While on vacation near ], Michael, Margaret, their young daughter Debbie, and their dog, Peppy, drive through the desert in search of the Valley Lodge. Margaret insists they are lost, and Michael claims they are not. They are stopped by a local deputy for a broken taillight, and released because Michael asks him for mercy on their "first vacation". After driving through farmland and the desert, the family reaches a house. The ]-like Torgo is caretaker "while the Master is away". Michael and Margaret ask Torgo for directions to the Valley Lodge, which Torgo denies knowing. Frustrated, Michael asks Torgo to let him and his family stay the night, despite objections from both Torgo and Margaret. | |||
] | |||
Inside the home, the family sees a disturbing painting of a dark, malevolent-looking man and a black dog with glowing eyes; the man it depicts is the Master. Margaret becomes frightened upon hearing an ominous howl, Michael investigates, retrieving a flashlight and ] from his car. He finds Peppy lying dead on the ground. Torgo reveals his attraction to Margaret and tells her that, although she is doomed to become yet another bride of the Master, he intends to keep her for himself. Margaret threatens to tell Michael of Torgo's advances, but Torgo convinces her not to say anything to her husband by promising to protect her. Michael returns, unable to start the car. With the revelation that there is no phone in the house the family reluctantly decides to stay the night. | |||
Inside the house, Michael and Margaret find a painting of the Master and a dog with glowing eyes. A howl frightens Margaret; Peppy breaks away from Debbie and runs outside. Michael investigates with a flashlight and ] from his car and finds Peppy lying dead on the ground. Michael buries the dog in the desert and returns to the house. Meanwhile, Torgo reveals his attraction to Margaret and wants to keep her, defying the Master's desire to marry her. Margaret threatens to tell Michael of Torgo's advances. However, Torgo convinces Margaret not to say anything by promising to protect her. Michael cannot start the car. Torgo tells them there is no phone in the house, so the family decides to stay the night. | |||
Torgo secretly watches Margaret changing her clothes. Michael and Margaret find Debbie is gone and start looking for her, going outside and shouting Debbies name. Debbie returns, holding the leash of the dog from the painting. Following Debbie, Michael and Margaret stumble upon the Master and his wives, sleeping around a blazing fire. The wives are dressed in nightgowns, the Master in a robe with two red hands on it. Margaret and Debbie run back to the house to get their things and escape. As Michael runs behind them, Torgo uses a stick to knock him out and then ties him to a pole. The Master awakens and summons his wives, announcing that Michael must be sacrificed to the ] Manos, and that Margaret and Debbie will become his new wives. He leaves. | |||
Michael and Margaret stumble upon "The Master" (Tom Neyman) and several women dressed in translucent nightgowns, later revealed to be his wives, who are asleep. Torgo ties Michael to a pole and The Master suddenly comes to life. His wives also awake, and a short argument over the fate of the family ensues. The Master decides to sacrifice Torgo and his first wife to the film's mysterious ] and namesake, "Manos". When The Master leaves, his wives engage in further argument that soon degenerates into a fight, and the women wrestle in the sand. | |||
The wives argue with each other about whether Debbie should become one of them or also be sacrificed. This turns into a catfight, where the wives tumble around in the dirt. The Master returns, breaks up the fight and decides to sacrifice Torgo and his first wife instead. Meanwhile, Michael wakes up, unties himself and returns to the house to collect Margaret and Debbie. The family runs off into the desert to escape. The Master summons Torgo and hypnotizes him, ordering the wives to kill him. Two of the wives attack Torgo using their hands, Torgo, who falls to the ground, apparently dead. However, he regains consciousness and stands up. The Master severs and burns Torgo's left hand. Torgo runs off into the darkness with his stump of a wrist in flames, and the Master sacrifices his first wife. | |||
As Michael, Margaret and Debbie run through the desert, Margaret falls and says she cannot go any farther. A ] appears and Michael shoots it, the noise attracting the attention of the deputies, who assume the noises came from Mexico due to the large desert echoes and leave it at that. Margaret convinces Michael to return to the house, as the cult would never think to look for them there. They go back and find the Master and his dog waiting for them. The Master steps towards them, and Michael fires his gun in shock, to no effect. | |||
Michael and his family barricade themselves in one of the rooms of The Master's house, where the Master confronts them. Michael fires several shots into the Master's face at ], but they have no effect. The screen fades to black, indicating that the Master has again applied his hypnotic power. | |||
Some time later, two women starting their vacation drive through a rainstorm, searching for shelter. When they find the Master's house, the entranced Michael greets them, saying "I am Michael, I take care of the place while The Master is away." Margaret and Debbie have become wives of the Master, and all are asleep. | |||
== |
==Cast== | ||
] | |||
]; actor John Reynolds wore metal rigging under his trousers.]] | |||
*Harold P. Warren as Michael | |||
Warren was very active in the theater scene in El Paso, Texas, and once appeared as a walk-on for the television series '']'', where he met screenwriter ]. While chatting with Silliphant in a local coffee shop, Warren claimed that it was not difficult to make a film, and bet Silliphant that he could make an entire film on his own. After placing the bet, Warren began the first outline of his script on a napkin, right inside the coffee shop.<ref name=EW1/> To finance the film, Warren accumulated a substantial, but nevertheless insufficient, sum of cash, reportedly $19,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|19000|1966|2009|r=0}}}} in 2009), and hired a group of actors from a local theater and modeling agency.<ref name="EW1">{{cite news |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1068572,00.html |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=1 |work=] |date=June 6, 2005 |accessdate=2006-11-04 |first=Dalton |last=Ross}}</ref> Because he was unable to pay the cast and crew wages, Warren promised them a share in the film's profits.<ref name="Interview">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Brandt |url=http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m18/brandt.htm |title=The Hand That Time Forgot |work=Mimosa |year=1996 |month=May |accessdate=2006-08-17 |pages=35–38}}</ref><ref name="EW2">{{cite news |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1068572_2,00.html |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=2 |work=] |date=June 6, 2005 |accessdate=2006-11-04 |first=Dalton |last=Ross}}</ref> | |||
*John Reynolds as Torgo | |||
*Diane Mahree as Margaret | |||
*Jackey Neyman as Debbie | |||
*Tom Neyman as The Master | |||
*Stephanie Nielson, Sherry Proctor, Robin Redd, Pat Coburn, Bettie Burns, and Pat Sullivan as the Master's wives | |||
*Bernie Rosenblum as Teenage boy | |||
*Joyce Molleur as Teenage girl | |||
*William Bryan Jennings and George Cavender as Cops | |||
*Jay Hall as Girl in convertible | |||
*Lelaine Hansard as Girl in convertible | |||
==History== | |||
Under the working title ''The Lodge of Sins'', the movie was filmed in mid 1966. Filming mainly took place on the ] of Colbert Coldwell, a former judge of ]. Most of the equipment used for production was rented, therefore Warren had to rush through as many shots as possible to complete filming before the deadline for returning the equipment.<ref name="MSTpage"/> Footage was shot with a ] ] camera which had to be wound by hand and filmed for only 32 seconds.<ref name="Interview"/> This has been suggested as a possible explanation for the many editing problems present in the final cut.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/_Manos__The_Hands_of_Fate_1966.aspx |last=Walker |first=Albert |title='Manos' The Hands of Fate (1966) Recap |work=The Agony Booth |date=August 25, 2002 |accessdate=2007-04-24 |page=1}}</ref> The Bell & Howell camera was incapable of ], and thus all sound effects and dialogue were dubbed later in post-production, reportedly by only three or four people including Warren.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="EW4">{{cite news |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1068572_4,00.html |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=4 |work=] |date=June 6, 2005 |accessdate=2006-11-04 |first=Dalton |last=Ross}}</ref> Later during production, Warren renamed the film from its working title to ''Manos: The Hands of Fate''.<ref name="Interview"/> The word "]" in the title is ] for "hands",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mano|title=Mano|work=]|accessdate=2009-09-14}}</ref> therefore the film's title literally translates to ''Hands: The Hands of Fate''.<ref name=EW1/> | |||
===Production=== | |||
]-like features]] | |||
Warren was very active in the theater scene in El Paso, Texas, and he once appeared as a ] for the television series '']'', where he met screenwriter ]. While chatting with Silliphant in a local coffee shop, Warren claimed that it was not difficult to make a horror film, and he bet Silliphant that he could make an entire film on his own. After placing the bet, Warren began the first outline of his script on a napkin, right inside the coffee shop.<ref name=EW1/> | |||
Warren financed it with a substantial but insufficient amount of cash, {{US$|19,000|1966|round=-3}}. He hired a group of actors from a local theater, many of whom he had worked with before, and a modeling agency.<ref name="EW1"/> Instead of any ]s, Warren promised the cast and crew a share of profit.<ref name="Interview">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Brandt |url=http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m18/brandt.htm |title=The Hand That Time Forgot |work=Mimosa |date=May 1996 |access-date=August 17, 2006 |pages=35–38}}</ref><ref name="EW2">{{cite magazine |first=Dalton |last=Ross |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/06/06/worst-movie-ever-made/ |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=2 |magazine=] |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=November 4, 2006}}</ref> | |||
Early in production, one of the actresses broke her leg. Warren rewrote her role to have her make out in a car with an actor during the events of the entire film. The couple appears in the beginning of the film interspersed with the opening credits and shots of the main characters driving through the Texas desert. Despite events in the film portraying police officers ordering them to leave, they are seen again later in the film while the events transpire at night, still embracing in the same location. The inclusion of these characters has been the focus of criticism for having no apparent connection to the main plot of the film.<ref name="Interview"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/_Manos__The_Hands_of_Fate_1966.aspx?Page=5 |last=Walker |first=Albert |title='Manos' The Hands of Fate (1966) Recap |work=The Agony Booth |date=2002-08-25 |accessdate=2007-04-24 |page=5}}</ref> | |||
In mid-1966, it was filmed with the working titles ''The Lodge of Sins'' and ''Fingers of Fate''. It was shot mainly on the ] of Colbert Coldwell, a lawyer who shared an office floor with Warren and who later became a judge in ]. Most equipment was rented, so Warren hurriedly maximized the number of shots before the rental deadline. The ] ] camera is wound by hand with up to 32 seconds of footage,<ref name="Interview"/> creating many unresolved editing problems.<ref>{{cite news |first=Albert |last=Walker |url=http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/_Manos__The_Hands_of_Fate_1966.aspx |title='Manos' The Hands of Fate (1966) Recap |work=The Agony Booth |date=August 25, 2002 |access-date=April 24, 2007 |page=1 |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721115230/http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/_Manos__The_Hands_of_Fate_1966.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rather than using ], all sound effects and dialogue were ] in post-production by few people, including Warren, Tom Neyman, Reynolds, Jennings, and Warren's wife, Norma.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="EW4">{{cite magazine |first=Dalton |last=Ross |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/06/06/worst-movie-ever-made/ |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=4 |magazine=] |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=November 4, 2006}}</ref> Later during production, Warren renamed the film ''Manos: The Hands of Fate''.<ref name="Interview"/> Warren's small crew became so bemused by his amateurishness and irascibility that they derisively called the film ''Mangos: The Cans of Fruit'' behind his back.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="YouTube">Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M91cwEjFBA |title=Interview with Tom Neyman |work=Manos Podcast – Talk to the Hand |access-date=October 11, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
During filming, Warren said that presenting Diane Mahree as the Texas Beauty Queen would generate good publicity for his movie. He signed her to a regional West Texas ] that would lead to ] and then to the ] pageant, but he neglected to tell her about it until she was accepted as an entrant. She complied and appeared onstage as a finalist. She later asserted that Warren urged her to remove her top for filming the window-peeping scene where Torgo observes her before declaring his love but, when she refused, he quickly backpedaled by claiming the suggestion was a test.<ref name="2014interview"/> Warren contracted with a modeling agency to provide the actresses who would play the Master's wives, including Joyce Molleur. She broke her foot early in production, so Warren retained her by rewriting the script to include a young couple kissing in a car on the side of the road, who are otherwise unconnected to the plot.<ref name="Interview"/> | |||
To portray his character Torgo as a ], John Reynolds constructed what is described as a metallic rigging worn under his trousers.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="MSTpage">{{cite web |url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/daddyo/di_424.html |title=424 - Manos, The Hands of Fate |work=Daddy-O's Drive-In Dirt |accessdate=2007-04-23}}</ref> The effect conveyed by his work was to leave his character with oversized knees and difficulty in walking.<ref name="agony2">{{cite web |url=http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/_Manos__The_Hands_of_Fate_1966.aspx?Page=2 |last=Walker |first=Albert |title='Manos' The Hands of Fate (1966) Recap |work=The Agony Booth |date=2009-09-13 |accessdate=2007-04-24 |page=2}}</ref><ref name="I">{{cite web |url=http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/manos/default.php |title='Manos' The Hands of Fate |work=I-Mockery.com |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> Fake ] may have been made by Reynolds for his costume, but they were not worn during filming, as he is clearly shown wearing boots in several scenes, which can even be seen in the ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' version which superimposes the silhouettes of theater seats and three of the show's characters over the bottom of all the films they feature.<ref name="Interview"/> | |||
] | |||
Warren shot ] scenes, because many of the cast and crew also held day jobs.<ref name="EW2"/> In many of the night scenes, the lights attracted swarms of ]s in view of the camera. In the scene in which the police investigate Mike's gunfire, the lights could cover only a few feet forward, so the police stood there to feign a search and leave without any scenery or a panning shot.<ref name="Interview"/> | |||
{{listen | |||
Warren decided to shoot ], which proved to be difficult, and for unknown reasons, Warren did not choose to use the normal technique of shooting ]. In many of the night scenes, the camera and lights attracted swarms of ]s, which can be seen in the film's final production.<ref name="BadMovies">{{Cite web |url=http://www.badmovies.org/movies/manos/ |title=Manos, The Hands of Fate |work=BadMovies.org |date=March 30, 2003 |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> In the scene in which the cops "investigate" Mike's gunfire, they could walk only a few feet forward, because there was not enough light to illuminate the scenery for a panning shot,<ref name="Interview"/> creating the unintentionally amusing impression that the officers hear the gunfire, step out of their car, consider investigating but then give up and leave before making a proper check of the scene. | |||
|filename=Haunting Torgo Suite.ogg | |||
|title=Torgo Suite | |||
|description= A brief arrangement of the Torgo theme from the film, by Russ Huddleston and Robert Smith Jr.}} | |||
] efforts were minimal, though Warren promised crew members that any problems in filming would be fixed in later editing.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="interview2">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Brandt |url=http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m30/brandt.htm |title=Growing Up 'Manos' |work=Mimosa |pages=42–43 |date=August 2003 |access-date=April 24, 2007}}</ref> For example, the ] is momentarily visible.<ref name="I">{{cite web |url=http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/manos/default.php |title='Manos' The Hands of Fate |work=I-Mockery.com |access-date=April 24, 2007}}</ref> The entire nine-minute opening sequence, which consists of the main characters driving around looking for their hotel with minimal dialogue or plot, was the result of such neglect. Warren had likely intended to include ] over these shots, but either forgot or lacked the post-production budget.<ref>{{cite web |first=Gael |last=Fashingbauer Cooper |url=http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/13/12645253-torgo-lives-mystery-science-alums-revisit-worst-movie-ever-manos-the-hands-of-fate?lite |title=Torgo lives! 'Mystery Science' alums revisit worst movie ever, 'Manos: The Hands of Fate' |publisher=] |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305220339/http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/13/12645253-torgo-lives-mystery-science-alums-revisit-worst-movie-ever-manos-the-hands-of-fate?lite |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
John Reynolds, who played Torgo, committed suicide with a shotgun on October 16, 1966, one month before the premiere.<ref name="Interview"/> He was 25 years old and this was his only film appearance.<ref>John M. Reynolds, Jr. certificate of death, Texas state file #72646</ref> | |||
] efforts were reportedly minimal, despite promises by Warren that any problems in the film would be fixed in later editing.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="MSTpage"/><ref name="interview2">{{cite news |last=Brandt |first=Richard |url=http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m30/brandt.htm |title=Growing Up 'Manos' |work=Mimosa |page=42–43 |month=August |year=2003 |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> One of the more visible examples of this is a brief moment at the beginning of the film in which the ] is visible after a cut to the "make-out couple".<ref name="agony2"/><ref name="I"/> It is rumored that the entire opening sequence, which consisted of the main characters driving around looking for their hotel for minutes on end with minimal dialogue or effect on the plot, was the result of such neglect. Warren had intended to include ] at this stage of the film, but forgot or was unable to add them. Reportedly, Warren's small crew became so bemused by his amateurishness and irascibility that they derisively called the movie ''Mangos: The Cans of Fruit'' behind his back.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="MSTpage"/> | |||
== |
===Release=== | ||
] | |||
The film premiered at the Capri Theater in Warren's hometown of ] on November 15, 1966.<ref name="massaged">{{cite news|url=http://www.mst3ktemple.com/images/manos_review-post-x.jpg |title=Hero Massaged to Death in 'Manos--The Hands of Fate' |first=Betty |last=Pierce |date=November 11, 1966 |publisher='']'' | accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> Warren arranged for a searchlight to be used at the cinema,<ref name="Interview"/> and for the cast to be brought to the premiere by a limousine, in order to enhance the Hollywood feel of the event. Warren could afford only a single limousine, however, and so the driver had to drop off one group, then drive around the block and pick up another.<ref name="EW3">{{cite news |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1068572_3,00.html |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=3 |work=] |date=June 6, 2005 |accessdate=2006-11-04 |first=Dalton |last=Ross}}</ref> The premiere was attended by numerous local dignitaries, including the mayor and local sheriff. Shortly after the film began, the audience began laughing at its poor quality and redundant dialogue. Humiliated, Warren and the rest of his cast made a hasty exit. The film ended with a mixture of laughter and applause. The following day, a review of film was featured in the '']'', which described the film as a "brave experiment", although it criticized some elements such as the attempted murder of Torgo by being "massaged to death" by The Master's wives, and Margaret's claim of "It's getting dark", while she stands in front of a glowing sun.<ref name="massaged"/> | |||
The film premiered at the Capri Theater in Warren's hometown of ] on November 15, 1966, as a benefit for the local ] fund.<ref name="massaged">{{cite news | first=Betty | last=Pierce | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/798261711/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017113128/https://www.newspapers.com/image/798261711/ | archive-date=October 17, 2022 | url-access=subscription | title=Hero Massaged to Death in 'Manos—The Hands of Fate' | newspaper=] | location=] | date=November 11, 1966 | page=8 | access-date=October 17, 2022 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Warren rented a searchlight<ref name="Interview"/> and paid for the cast to be delivered by limousine to enhance the Hollywood feel. The single limousine delivered one group, then drove around the block for another.<ref name="EW3">{{cite magazine |first=Dalton |last=Ross |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/06/06/worst-movie-ever-made/ |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=3 |magazine=] |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=November 4, 2006}}</ref> Jackey Neyman-Jones, the seven-year-old who played Debbie, wept in disappointment at the premiere, particularly when hearing a woman's dubbed voice instead of her own.<ref name="elpasonew" /> Mahree laughed throughout the screening at the film's ridiculousness.<ref name="2014interview"/> | |||
Following the premiere, Warren |
Following the premiere, Warren thought ''Manos'' was the worst film ever made, but was proud of it,<ref name=EW5/> and he suggested that its audio might be re-dubbed into a passable comedy.<ref name="Interview"/> The film was briefly distributed by Emerson Film Enterprises, with a brief theatrical run at the Capri Theater, and at various ]s in West Texas and New Mexico, including ]. The only compensation was Jackey Neyman's bicycle and her family dog's 50 pounds of ].<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="interview2"/> Official box office figures are unknown, if they ever existed. Warren won his bet against ], proving that he was capable of creating an entire film.<ref name=EW4/> | ||
The majority of the cast and crew never appeared in another |
The majority of the cast and crew never appeared in another film, though Mahree had a successful modeling career as Diane Adelson.<ref name="2014interview">, from ManosinHD.com. Retrieved March 24, 2017</ref> Warren pitched another script he had written called ''Wild Desert Bikers'', and then pitched its novelization, but with the failure of ''Manos'', there was no interest.<ref name="EW5"/> | ||
=== |
===Obscurity=== | ||
Following few local screenings, ''Manos'' was almost entirely forgotten. When Jackey Neyman attended the ], her friends could not find a copy of the film.<ref name="interview2"/> A 1981 newspaper article by cinematographer Bob Guidry's ex-wife Pat Ellis Taylor reports the film may have appeared on a local television station and that it was "listed at the bottom of a page in a film catalogue for rent for $20". The film re-surfaced through a 16 mm print, presumably from this television package, which was introduced into the home video collecting market by a number of public domain film suppliers. One of these suppliers was ultimately the one that offered the film to ]. It was in a box of films sent to ] in 1992, when he chose ''Manos'' as one of the films to be shown on '']''.<ref name="EW4"/> | |||
==Reception== | |||
] chose ''Manos'' to be featured on ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' in 1992.]] | |||
The day after premiere, Betty Pierce, the film reviewer of the '']'' described it as a "brave experiment". She criticized some elements, such as the "hero" Torgo being "massaged to death" by the Master's wives and Margaret's claim of "it's getting dark" with a bright midday sun.<ref name="massaged"/> | |||
In 2005, Dan Neil of the '']'' explained the film's appeal: "After screening ''Manos'' for probably the 10th time, I've concluded it has to do with intimacy. Because it is such a pure slice of Warren's brain – he wrote, directed, produced and starred, and brooked no collaboration – ''Manos'' amounts to the man's cinematically transfigured subconscious."<ref name="LAtimes">{{cite web |last=Neil |first=Dan |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-07-tm-neil32-story.html |title=Why We Love Bad Movies |work=] |date=August 7, 2005 |access-date=September 11, 2009}}</ref> ''Manos'' buff Bobby Thompson said, "It's like a train wreck; you just can't take your eyes off it."<ref name="EW5"/> | |||
Following these few local screenings, ''Manos'' was almost entirely forgotten. When Jackey Neyman attended ], her friends unsuccessfully made an effort to track down a copy of the film.<ref name="interview2"/> A 1981 newspaper article by cinematographer Bob Guidry's ex-wife Pat Ellis Taylor<ref name="MSTpage"></ref> reports the film may have appeared on a local television station, and that it was "listed at the bottom of a page in a film catalogue for rent for $20.00."<ref name="Taylor"></ref> The film re-surfaced through a 16 mm print, presumably from this television package, which was introduced into the home video collecting market by a number of public domain film suppliers. One of these suppliers was ultimately the one that solicited the film to ] in 1992, when he chose ''Manos'' as one of the films to be shown on '']''.{{cn|date=September 2009}} | |||
On review aggregator website ], the film has an approval rating of 0% based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 2.56/10.<ref name="Rotom">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/manos-the-hands-of-fate |title=Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) |work=] |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref> The book ''Hollywood's Most Wanted'' lists ''Manos'' as the #2 in the list of "The Worst Movies Ever Made", following '']''.<ref>{{cite book |first=Floyd |last=Connor |title=Hollywood's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Lucky Breaks, Prima Donnas, Box Office Bombs, and Other Oddities |publisher=Brassey's, Inc. |location=Dulles, Virginia |year=2002 |page=221}}</ref> '']'' proclaimed ''Manos'' "The Worst Movie Ever Made".<ref name="EW1"/> The scene in which the seven-year-old Debbie becomes a wife of the Master, played by her real father, was included in a list of "The Most Disgusting Things We've Ever Seen" by the ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' crew.<ref name="mst3k-guide">{{cite book |first=Trace |last=Beaulieu |title=The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide |publisher=] |location=New York City |year=1996 |isbn=0-553-37783-3}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' === | |||
The film was featured in the final episode of season four of '']'' (''MST3K'') on January 30, 1993, preceded by the second half of the short ] training film '']'' The "bots" (] and ]) used the long uneventful drive at the beginning of the movie to repeat the title of the movie numerous times, as there was yet to be any action to mock. During the host segment breaks, ] and the "bots" mocked the film's opening sequence, debated whether Torgo should be considered a monster, and impersonated "The Master" and his dog. At one point during their sketches, both the bots broke down into tears due to the poor quality of the movie, which was beyond even their attempts at making it interesting. After the film had finished, the slow-moving Torgo, played by ] (John Reynolds, the original Torgo, died in 1966), appeared at the lair of ] and ] to deliver a pizza two hours after it was ordered.<ref name="Episode guide">{{cite web |url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/episodes/epfour.html |title=SEASON FOUR: 1992-1993 |work=Satellite News |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> Torgo would also be featured in the later episodes '']'' (where he finally brings the ] that Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV's Frank had ordered in this episode), '']'', '']'', and ''Samson Vs. The Vampire Women.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/episodes/epfive.html |title=SEASON FIVE: 1993-1994 |work=Satellite News |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/episodes/epsix.html |title=SEASON SIX: 1994-1995 |work=Satellite News |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> Both Forrester and Frank were shown apologizing for showing the film, which they admitted was abysmal and went beyond acceptable limits.<ref name="Episode guide"/> | |||
==Legacy== | |||
In the ''MST3K'' episode guide, the show's team of writers stated that they still feel ''Manos'' is the worst movie they ever covered, and that the film subsequently "became the standard by which all others are measured." During a Q&A session at the 2008 ], a question was put to the cast and writers of ''MST3K'' about any movie they passed on that was worse than ''Manos'', and many cited the film '']''.<ref>{{cite news |first= Chris|last= Conaton|title= Comic-Con 2008: Bigger Than Ever, But Does That Mean Better?|url= http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/comic-con-2008-bigger-than-ever-but-does-that-mean-better|work=]|date= August 7, 2008|accessdate=2009-09-13}}</ref> | |||
===''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' and RiffTrax=== | |||
] chose ''Manos'' to be featured on ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' in 1992.]] | |||
On January 30, 1993, the film was featured on the fourth season finale of the ] series '']'', a show about a crew held captive in outer space by two mad scientists, and forced to watch bad movies. ''Manos'' was far worse than the usual fare, with the long uneventful drive used by the hosts to sarcastically repeat its title numerous times, in lieu of any action to heckle. The host robots eventually sobbed at the film defeating even their attempts at making it interesting. The mad scientists apologized and admitted the film was abysmal beyond their limits for torture. Torgo (played by ]) made a cameo in later episodes. | |||
Selection of ''Manos'' for the show is credited to ], who also played ''TV's Frank''. Conniff was generally in charge of pre-screening and selecting films sent to them by ], the show's network at the time, and ''Manos'' was a random tape that he had pulled from a recent batch they had been sent. He felt the movie "seemed like it was maybe a crime against humanity, but you couldn't be sure" and "has an atmosphere, a vibe" that made it appropriate for the show.<ref name="playboy"/><ref>{{Cite web |first=Alex |last=Biese |url=http://www.app.com/story/entertainment/television/2015/03/20/frank-conniff-shares-mystery-science-theater-memories/25074659/ |title=Frank Conniff shares 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' memories |work=Ashbury Park Press |location=Neptune, New Jersey |date=March 20, 2015 |access-date=November 25, 2016}}</ref> The ''Manos'' episode has been described as one of the best of the ''MST3K'' series by '']''<ref name="EW5">{{cite magazine |first=Dalton |last=Ross |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/06/06/worst-movie-ever-made/ |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=5 |magazine=] |date=June 6, 2005 |access-date=November 4, 2006}}</ref> and '']'',<ref>{{cite web |first=William |last=Bibbiani |url=http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/927229-happy-turkey-day-15-best-mst3k-episodes-ever |title=Happy Turkey Day – The Best 15 MST3K Episodes Ever |work=Crave |publisher=CraveOnline Media, LLC |location=New York City |date=November 25, 2015 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref> and the ''MST3K'' episode is credited with bringing to light the otherwise obscure film, even though it led to the film being considered one of the worst films made at user polls at the ].<ref name="playboy"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Pete |last=Dillon-Trenchard |url=http://www.denofgeek.us/movies/mystery-science-theatre-3000/21863/looking-back-at-mystery-science-theatre-3000 |title=Looking back at Mystery Science Theatre 3000 |work=] |date=July 4, 2012 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208133556/http://www.denofgeek.us/movies/mystery-science-theatre-3000/21863/looking-back-at-mystery-science-theatre-3000 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://avclub.com/article/read-battle-over-infamous-cult-classic-manos-hands-225914 |title=Read this: The battle over the infamous cult classic Manos: The Hands of Fate |first=Joe |last=Blevins |date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |work=]}}</ref> Kevin Murphy later declared, "I hate this movie. I think I hate this movie more than any other film we ever did at ''RiffTrax'' or ''Mystery Science Theater''. Even more than the ] movies. There's something about this movie that just makes my skin crawl."<ref>Kevin Murphy's video introduction to the RiffTrax-sold version of the MST3K episode.</ref> During a Q&A session at the 2008 ], a question was put to the cast and writers of ''MST3K'' about any film they passed on that was worse than ''Manos'', and many cited the film '']''.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Conaton |title=Comic-Con 2008: Bigger Than Ever, But Does That Mean Better? |url=https://popmatters.com/pm/feature/comic-con-2008-bigger-than-ever-but-does-that-mean-better |work=] |date=August 7, 2008 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-date=June 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607014156/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/comic-con-2008-bigger-than-ever-but-does-that-mean-better/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
''Manos'' has been described as one of the best, if not the best, episode of the series by publications such as '']''.<ref name="EW5">{{cite news |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1068572_5,00.html |title=The Worst Movie Ever Made |page=5 |work=] |date=June 6, 2005 |accessdate=2006-11-04 |first=Dalton |last=Ross}}</ref> ] grades the episode 9.6/10, garnering "superb" status, while separate pages on ] and the ] for the ''MST3K'' cut give it an 80% "fresh" ranking and a 9.3/10 ranking respectively.<ref> TV.com. Retrieved on ].</ref><ref> Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on ].</ref><ref> Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on ].</ref> | |||
''Manos'' has also been riffed on by '']'', a later project of ''MST3K'' alumni Mike Nelson, ] and ], during a live show on August 16, 2012,<ref>{{cite web |author=Sampo |url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=12024 |title=News from RiffTrax… « Satellite News |publisher=Mst3kinfo.com |date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=August 6, 2013}}</ref> a live event that was simulcast in film theaters across the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/rifftrax_manos.aspx |title=RiffTrax Live: "Manos" The Hands of Fate |access-date=June 3, 2012 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120523144748/http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/rifftrax_manos.aspx |archive-date=May 23, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> While Nelson and Murphy were part of the cast when ''MST3K'' riffed on ''Manos'', neither their fellow RiffTrax star ] nor their writers were involved in the original episode; the riffing was all new jokes, using a cleaner print of the original ''Manos'', allowing them to joke about things not obvious in the original television episode.<ref>{{cite web |first=Gael |last=Fashingbauer Cooper |url=http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/13/12645253-torgo-lives-mystery-science-alums-revisit-worst-movie-ever-manos-the-hands-of-fate?lite |title=Torgo lives! 'Mystery Science' alums revisit worst movie ever, 'Manos: The Hands of Fate' |publisher=] |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=August 13, 2012 |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305220339/http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/13/12645253-torgo-lives-mystery-science-alums-revisit-worst-movie-ever-manos-the-hands-of-fate?lite |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
=== Popularity as a cult film === | |||
The ''MST3K'' episode featuring the film was released on DVD on its own in 2001, and in the ''Mystery Science Theater 3000 Essentials'' collection in 2004.<ref name="dvdreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdreview.com/quickpeek/collect/580.shtml |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: Manos, The Hands Of Fate |work=DVDreview.com |date=November 19, 2001 |accessdate=2007-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Henderson |first=Eric |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/dvd_review.asp?ID=425 |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Essentials |work=Slant Magazine |date=August 21, 2004 |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> A DVD of the original version of ''Manos'' has also been made available through ],<ref name="Aplha">{{cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/product-view/4251D.html |title=Manos The Hands of Fate |work=Oldies.com |accessdate=2006-11-01}}</ref> which also released original versions of other "MST-ed" films including '']''.<ref name="TeenAlpha">{{cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/product-view/4112D.html |title=Teenagers From Outer Space |work=Oldies.com |accessdate=2006-11-01}}</ref> In attempting to explain the film's appeal, the '']'' hypothesized, "After screening ''Manos'' for probably the 10th time, I've concluded it has to do with intimacy. Because it is such a pure slice of Warren's brain—he wrote, directed, produced and starred, and brooked no collaboration—''Manos'' amounts to the man's cinematically transfigured subconscious."<ref name="LAtimes">{{cite web |last=Neil |first=Dan |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/aug/07/magazine/tm-neil32 |title=Why We Love Bad Movies |work=] |date=August 7, 2005 |accessdate=2009-09-11}}</ref> | |||
===Cult following=== | |||
''Manos'' holds a 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the one positive review posted for the ''MST3K'' episode rather than the film itself (which was described as "unwatchable").<ref name="Rotom">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/manos_the_hands_of_fate/ |title=Manos, The Hands of Fate (1966) |work=] |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref><ref name="toxic">{{cite web |last=Bracken |first=Mike |url=http://www.toxicuniverse.com/review.php?rid=10002381 |title=MST3K: Manos: The Hands of Fate |work=ToxicUniverse.com |date=February 1, 2002 |accessdate=2007-04-24}}</ref> The book ''Hollywood's Most Wanted'' lists ''Manos'' as the #2 in the list of "The Worst Movies Ever Made", following ''Plan 9 from Outer Space''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Connor|first=Floyd|title=Hollywood's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Lucky Breaks, Prima Donnas, Box Office Bombs, and Other Oddities|publisher=Brassey's, Inc.|location=]|date=2002|page=221}}</ref> The June 10, 2005 issue of '']'' contained an in-depth article which proclaimed ''Manos'' "The Worst Movie Ever Made".<ref name="EW1"/> The scene in which Debbie is dressed as one of the Master's wives has also attracted the attention of observers due to the implications of ].<ref name="I"/> The crew of ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' later included the scene in a list of the most disgusting things they had seen.<ref name="mst3k-guide">{{cite book |author=Beaulieu, Trace; et al|title=The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide |publisher=] |date=1996 |ISBN=0-553-37783-3 |location=]}}</ref> | |||
The ''MST3K'' episode featuring the film was released on ] in 2001, and in the ''Mystery Science Theater 3000 Essentials'' collection in 2004.<ref name="dvdreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdreview.com/quickpeek/collect/580.shtml |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: Manos, The Hands Of Fate |work=DVDreview.com |date=November 19, 2001 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927230801/http://www.dvdreview.com/quickpeek/collect/580.shtml |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Henderson |url=https://slantmagazine.com/dvd/dvd_review.asp?ID=425 |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Essentials |work=] |publisher=Slant Magazine LLC |location=Brooklyn, New York |date=August 21, 2004 |access-date=April 24, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613155411/https://slantmagazine.com/dvd/dvd_review.asp?ID=425 |archive-date=June 13, 2007}}</ref> | |||
Four comedy stage adaptations of the film have been made. The first was given in ] in early 2006.<ref name="New Production">{{cite web |first=Alison |last=Hallett |url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=36294&category=22143 |title="Manos" The Hands of Fate |work=] |publisher=Index Publishing |location=Portland, Oregon |date=January 26, 2006 |access-date=October 31, 2006}}</ref> The second, a musical titled ''Manos: Rock Opera of Fate'', was launched in October 2007.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Lowery |title=Manos: Rock Opera of Fate |url=http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/theater/23187/manos-rock-opera-of-fate |work=] |location=Chicago, Illinois |date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref> The third, a puppet musical titled ''Manos – The Hands of Felt'', was performed by Puppet This in ] in April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jay |last=Irwin |title=BWW Reviews: MANOS – THE HANDS OF FELT |url=http://seattle.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_Reviews_MANOS_THE_HANDS_OF_FELT_from_Puppet_This_and_Eclectic_Theater_Company_20010101 |work=Broadway World dot com Seattle |date=April 3, 2011 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> After raising funds with a ] campaign in May 2013, ''Manos – The Hands of Felt'' was performed again in Seattle by Vox Fabuli Puppets in August 2013 and filmed for DVD release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manos – The Hands of Felt |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/499454737/manos-the-hands-of-felt-dvd |website=Kickstarter |access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hamlin |first1=Andrew |title=Manos: The Hands of Fate, Part Deux |url=http://www.seattlestar.net/2013/08/manos-the-hands-of-fate-part-deux/ |website=The Seattle Star |date=August 6, 2013 |access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref> The fourth was in ] in April 2013.<ref>{{cite news |first=Marty |last=Hughley |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2013/04/blitzen_trappers_brian_adrian.html |title=Blitzen Trapper's Brian Adrian Koch drags infamous "Manos: the Hands of Fate" from film to stage |work=] |publisher=Oregonian Media Group |location=portland, Oregon |date=April 5, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> | |||
In March 2015, the murderers on the '']'' episode "]" used the physical features of Torgo (portrayed by John Reynolds) to compose a fake ] to get the ] off their trail. It worked until they were caught, due to the character of Dr. Joan Watson having recognized Torgo's features from the film. The film's editor, James Sullivan, is the namesake of one of the characters in the episode.<ref>{{cite web |first=Genevieve |last=Valentine |url=https://avclub.com/tvclub/elementary-t-bone-and-iceman-216527 |title=Elementary: "T-Bone And The Iceman" |website=] |date=March 13, 2013 |access-date=March 13, 2015}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
==Restoration== | |||
{{Multiple image | |||
| image1 = Manos, The Hands of Fate (1966 film).jpg | |||
| image2 = Manos the Hands of Fate screenshot from Solovey workprint.jpg | |||
| footer = Comparison of the print found in various releases prior to 2015 and the Solovey workprint found in 2011 | |||
}} | |||
In 2011, the original ] ] of ''Manos: The Hands of Fate'' was discovered by Ben Solovey, a Florida State film school graduate, in a collection of 16 mm films. Solovey announced his intention to preserve and ] ''Manos'' for a ] release.<ref name="NPR(2011-12-12)" /><ref name="'Manos' in HD">{{cite web |url=http://www.manosinhd.com/?page_id=277_id=2 |title=Why I'm Saving 'Manos: The Hands of Fate' |work=ManosinHD.com |access-date=December 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/05/restoring-the-worst-movie-ever-made/ |title=Restoring the worst movie ever made |date=January 5, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2012 |first=Herny |last=Hanks |publisher=CNN |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214072052/http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/05/restoring-the-worst-movie-ever-made/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> His ] campaign raised $48,000, nearly five times the initial goal. A 90% finished print was premiered at the El Paso ], near the original premiere in 1966.<ref name="elpasonew">{{cite news |first=Doug |last=Pullen |url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/entertainment/ci_21221429/horrifyingly-bad-lovingly-restored-el-paso-made-manos |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122042420/http://www.elpasotimes.com/entertainment/ci_21221429/horrifyingly-bad-lovingly-restored-el-paso-made-manos |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |title=Horrifyingly bad, lovingly restored: El Paso-made "Manos: The Hands of Fate" stars at Plaza Classic |work=] |location=El Paso, Texas |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref> The new restoration premiered on ] on October 13, 2015, with an unrestored version ("Grindhouse") as one of the bonus features.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Manos-The-Hands-Fate-Blu-ray/dp/B012BD3RNU |title=Manos: The Hands of Fate |website=Amazon |date=October 13, 2015 }}</ref> | |||
=== Copyright dispute === | |||
In general, any work first published in the United States before March 1989 required a ] notice, or the work was not copyrighted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Copyright Notice |url=https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ03.pdf |website=copyright.gov |page=2}}</ref> ''Manos: The Hands of Fate'' is in the ] because director Harold Warren failed to include a copyright notice in the film. When news broke of Solovey's restoration, the son of Harold Warren, Joe Warren, started exploring the possibility that the film was not in the public domain, seeking to prevent others from profiting from his father's work. Warren discovered in 2013 that the script had been copyrighted and registered in the ], and he believes that this copyright also applies to the film. No ] exists for this case so the legal status of the film is uncertain. Solovey applied copyright on his restored version, an action that Warren believes is unenforceable, though has not sought any legal action against Solovey.<ref name="playboy">{{cite web |url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/the-battle-over-the-worst-movie-ever |title=The Battle for the Worst Movie Ever |first=Jake |last=Rossen |date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203144617/http://www.playboy.com/articles/the-battle-over-the-worst-movie-ever |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Warren obtained pending publication of a ] on the phrase ''Manos: The Hands of Fate'', which could have impacted the various fanworks if the ] finalized approval.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://avclub.com/article/get-involved-internet-keep-mst3k-classic-manos-han-249224 |title=Get Involved, Internet: Keep MST3K classic Manos: The Hand Of Fate in public domain |first=Alex |last=McCown-Levy |date=January 27, 2017 |access-date=February 5, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> However, the trademark filing has since been abandoned as of December 6, 2018, for a "failure to respond or late response".<ref>{{cite web |title=MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE - Trademark Details |url=https://trademarks.justia.com/871/99/manos-the-hands-of-87199417.html |access-date=May 10, 2021 |work=Justia Trademarks}}</ref> | |||
==Home video releases== | |||
] released a ] with both the ''MST3K'' and uncut versions called ''Manos y Manos''. A DVD of the original was published by ],<ref name="Aplha">{{cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/product-view/4251D.html |title=Manos The Hands of Fate |work=Oldies.com |access-date=November 1, 2006}}</ref> which also released original versions of other ''MST3K'' films such as '']'' and '']''.<ref name="TeenAlpha">{{cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/product-view/z.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130806044843/http://www.oldies.com/product-view/z.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |title=Teenagers From Outer Space |work=Oldies.com |access-date=November 1, 2006}}</ref> | |||
==Sequels== | |||
===''Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge''=== | |||
In 2010, writer and director Rupert Talbot Munch, Sr. began work on ''Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge''. Tom Neyman (in a cameo reprising his role as the Master), his daughter Jackey Neyman-Jones (reprising her role as Debbie), Diane Mahree (reprising the role of Margaret), and Bernie Rosenblum (who played a teenage boy in the original film) were involved in initial filming. Others engaged to appear included ] star ], former WWE diva and Playboy centerfold ], and UFC fighter ]. Munch was to play Torgo.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Master Would Like You to See Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge |date=December 30, 2011 |url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/29338/the-master-would-like-you-to-see-manos-the-search-for-valley-lodge/ |access-date=November 24, 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
In 2013, Neyman-Jones left the project after disagreements with Munch,<ref>{{cite web |title=Debbie's Manos |date=December 23, 2013 |url=http://debbiesmanos.blogspot.ca/2013/12/another-manos-film.html |access-date=November 24, 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref> and by the end of 2014, the project was reportedly canceled.<ref>{{cite web |title=MANOS Sequel Canned, But Torgo May Live On In A Prequel |date=December 26, 2014 |url=http://www.horrorsociety.com/2014/12/26/manos-sequel-canned-torgo-may-live-prequel/ |access-date=November 24, 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Manos: The Rise of Torgo''=== | |||
In 2013, a project began for a prequel titled ''Manos: The Rise of Torgo''. David Roy (producer of the 2014 film ''Cheeseballs'') was announced as the writer and director, and cast members were to include Neyman-Jones (playing Manos, the evil deity). It was released on Amazon Prime streaming in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Manos-Rise-Torgo-Danny-McCarty/dp/B083JNTLZW|title=Watch "Manos" The Rise of Torgo | Prime Video|website=www.amazon.com}}</ref> | |||
===''Manos Returns''=== | |||
{{main|Manos Returns}} | |||
Jackey Neyman-Jones, who played Debbie in the original film, launched a Kickstarter campaign in February 2016 to make a sequel titled ''Manos Returns''. According to Neyman-Jones, the sequel was not to be a recreation of ''Manos'' but instead a "tongue-in-cheek" setting within the ''Manos'' storyline; Neyman-Jones described the planned product as being both funny and scary, similar to '']'' or '']''.<ref>{{cite web |title=MANOS Returns |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1840778752/manos-returns |website=Kickstarter |access-date=February 4, 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Falls City residents work to bring Manos back |url=http://www.polkio.com/news/2016/feb/03/falls-city-residents-work-bring-manos-back/ |website=polkio.com |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=February 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cnet.com/news/worst-movie-ever-take-two-manos-star-raising-funds-for-sequel/ |title=Worst movie ever, take two! 'Manos' star raising funds for comedic sequel |publisher=] |first=Gael Fashingbauer |last=Cooper |date=February 23, 2016 |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref> | |||
The Kickstarter goal of $24,000 was reached on February 24, 2016. It stars Neyman-Jones, reprising her role as Debbie; her father Tom Neyman, reprising his role as the Master; and Diane Mahree reprising her role as Margaret. Neyman-Jones and director Tonjia Atomic shot the film in western Oregon in the summer of 2016. The film had its world premiere screening at Crypticon Seattle on May 4, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 22, 2018 |title=Manos Returns to World Premiere at Crypticon Seattle. |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2018/02/22/manos-returns-world-premiere-crypticon-seattle/ |access-date=July 29, 2020 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Manos Returns'' was published on ] in May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wynne |first=Ken |date=May 4, 2020 |title=MANOS RETURNS Now Available on Amazon Prime Video |url=https://www.attackfromplanetb.com/2020/05/manos-returns-now-available-on-amazon-prime-video/ |access-date=July 29, 2020 |website=Attack from Planet B |language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
==Video game== | |||
{{Main|Manos: The Hands of Fate (video game)}} | |||
A video game based on the film for ] was released in 2012 by FreakZone Games. A ] port and an ] port were later released.<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Musser |first=Cody |title=MANOS - The Hands of Fate Review |url=https://ign.com/articles/2012/08/03/manos-the-hands-of-fate-review |website=] |date=August 3, 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
== |
==References== | ||
{{ |
{{Reflist}} | ||
== |
==External links== | ||
{{commons category}} | |||
* {{imdb title|0060666|Manos: The Hands of Fate}} | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
* {{Internet Archive film|id=manos_the_hands_of_fate|name=Manos: The Hands of Fate}} | |||
* {{ |
* {{IMDb title|0060666|Manos: The Hands of Fate}} | ||
* {{rotten-tomatoes|manos-the-hands-of-fate|Manos: The Hands of Fate}} | |||
* {{imdb title|id=0422433|title=Hotel Torgo}} | |||
* , in which she shares some of her stories about the making of the film | |||
* {{imdb title|id=0757564|title=MST3K - 'Manos' The Hands of Fate}} | |||
* {{Internet Archive film|ManosTheHandsofFate|Manos: The Hands of Fate}} | |||
* in the Mystery Science Theater cut. | |||
* | |||
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Latest revision as of 01:56, 22 December 2024
For the video game based on the film, see Manos: The Hands of Fate (video game).1966 American film
Manos: The Hands of Fate is a 1966 American independent horror film written, directed, and produced by Harold P. Warren. It stars Tom Neyman, John Reynolds, Diane Mahree, and Warren. The film follows a family getting lost during their vacation road trip through the Texas desert and becoming stranded at the lodge of a polygynous pagan cult led by the Master who decides their fate.
Warren was an insurance and fertilizer salesman from El Paso, Texas, who made the film as a result of a bet with screenwriter Stirling Silliphant. Most of the remaining cast and crew had little or no background in filmmaking. The theatrical debut was poorly received, playing only at the Capri Theater in El Paso and some drive-ins around West Texas and New Mexico.
Manos remained obscure until featured in a 1993 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, a television series based around mocking B movies. This developed its cult reputation as one of the worst films ever made. The film has been criticized for continuous deficiencies in editing, continuity, audiovisual synchronization, pacing, acting, and several inexplicable and disconnected scenes, such as a nameless couple repeatedly shown kissing in a distant car and the Master's wives breaking into catfights. Its MST3K appearance resulted in several DVD releases of the original film and three of the MST3K episode. The original 16 mm workprint was discovered in California in 2011, from which a new, remastered version of the film was released on Blu-ray by Synapse Films on October 13, 2015.
The film was followed by a prequel, Manos: The Rise of Torgo (2018), and a sequel, Manos Returns (2018).
Plot
While on vacation near El Paso, Texas, Michael, Margaret, their young daughter Debbie, and their dog, Peppy, drive through the desert in search of the Valley Lodge. Margaret insists they are lost, and Michael claims they are not. They are stopped by a local deputy for a broken taillight, and released because Michael asks him for mercy on their "first vacation". After driving through farmland and the desert, the family reaches a house. The satyr-like Torgo is caretaker "while the Master is away". Michael and Margaret ask Torgo for directions to the Valley Lodge, which Torgo denies knowing. Frustrated, Michael asks Torgo to let him and his family stay the night, despite objections from both Torgo and Margaret.
Inside the house, Michael and Margaret find a painting of the Master and a dog with glowing eyes. A howl frightens Margaret; Peppy breaks away from Debbie and runs outside. Michael investigates with a flashlight and revolver from his car and finds Peppy lying dead on the ground. Michael buries the dog in the desert and returns to the house. Meanwhile, Torgo reveals his attraction to Margaret and wants to keep her, defying the Master's desire to marry her. Margaret threatens to tell Michael of Torgo's advances. However, Torgo convinces Margaret not to say anything by promising to protect her. Michael cannot start the car. Torgo tells them there is no phone in the house, so the family decides to stay the night.
Torgo secretly watches Margaret changing her clothes. Michael and Margaret find Debbie is gone and start looking for her, going outside and shouting Debbies name. Debbie returns, holding the leash of the dog from the painting. Following Debbie, Michael and Margaret stumble upon the Master and his wives, sleeping around a blazing fire. The wives are dressed in nightgowns, the Master in a robe with two red hands on it. Margaret and Debbie run back to the house to get their things and escape. As Michael runs behind them, Torgo uses a stick to knock him out and then ties him to a pole. The Master awakens and summons his wives, announcing that Michael must be sacrificed to the deity Manos, and that Margaret and Debbie will become his new wives. He leaves.
The wives argue with each other about whether Debbie should become one of them or also be sacrificed. This turns into a catfight, where the wives tumble around in the dirt. The Master returns, breaks up the fight and decides to sacrifice Torgo and his first wife instead. Meanwhile, Michael wakes up, unties himself and returns to the house to collect Margaret and Debbie. The family runs off into the desert to escape. The Master summons Torgo and hypnotizes him, ordering the wives to kill him. Two of the wives attack Torgo using their hands, Torgo, who falls to the ground, apparently dead. However, he regains consciousness and stands up. The Master severs and burns Torgo's left hand. Torgo runs off into the darkness with his stump of a wrist in flames, and the Master sacrifices his first wife.
As Michael, Margaret and Debbie run through the desert, Margaret falls and says she cannot go any farther. A rattlesnake appears and Michael shoots it, the noise attracting the attention of the deputies, who assume the noises came from Mexico due to the large desert echoes and leave it at that. Margaret convinces Michael to return to the house, as the cult would never think to look for them there. They go back and find the Master and his dog waiting for them. The Master steps towards them, and Michael fires his gun in shock, to no effect.
Some time later, two women starting their vacation drive through a rainstorm, searching for shelter. When they find the Master's house, the entranced Michael greets them, saying "I am Michael, I take care of the place while The Master is away." Margaret and Debbie have become wives of the Master, and all are asleep.
Cast
- Harold P. Warren as Michael
- John Reynolds as Torgo
- Diane Mahree as Margaret
- Jackey Neyman as Debbie
- Tom Neyman as The Master
- Stephanie Nielson, Sherry Proctor, Robin Redd, Pat Coburn, Bettie Burns, and Pat Sullivan as the Master's wives
- Bernie Rosenblum as Teenage boy
- Joyce Molleur as Teenage girl
- William Bryan Jennings and George Cavender as Cops
- Jay Hall as Girl in convertible
- Lelaine Hansard as Girl in convertible
History
Production
Warren was very active in the theater scene in El Paso, Texas, and he once appeared as a walk-on for the television series Route 66, where he met screenwriter Stirling Silliphant. While chatting with Silliphant in a local coffee shop, Warren claimed that it was not difficult to make a horror film, and he bet Silliphant that he could make an entire film on his own. After placing the bet, Warren began the first outline of his script on a napkin, right inside the coffee shop.
Warren financed it with a substantial but insufficient amount of cash, US$19,000 (equivalent to $178,000 in 2023). He hired a group of actors from a local theater, many of whom he had worked with before, and a modeling agency. Instead of any wages, Warren promised the cast and crew a share of profit.
In mid-1966, it was filmed with the working titles The Lodge of Sins and Fingers of Fate. It was shot mainly on the ranch of Colbert Coldwell, a lawyer who shared an office floor with Warren and who later became a judge in El Paso County. Most equipment was rented, so Warren hurriedly maximized the number of shots before the rental deadline. The 16 mm Bell & Howell camera is wound by hand with up to 32 seconds of footage, creating many unresolved editing problems. Rather than using location sync sound recording, all sound effects and dialogue were overdubbed in post-production by few people, including Warren, Tom Neyman, Reynolds, Jennings, and Warren's wife, Norma. Later during production, Warren renamed the film Manos: The Hands of Fate. Warren's small crew became so bemused by his amateurishness and irascibility that they derisively called the film Mangos: The Cans of Fruit behind his back.
During filming, Warren said that presenting Diane Mahree as the Texas Beauty Queen would generate good publicity for his movie. He signed her to a regional West Texas beauty pageant that would lead to Miss Texas and then to the Miss America pageant, but he neglected to tell her about it until she was accepted as an entrant. She complied and appeared onstage as a finalist. She later asserted that Warren urged her to remove her top for filming the window-peeping scene where Torgo observes her before declaring his love but, when she refused, he quickly backpedaled by claiming the suggestion was a test. Warren contracted with a modeling agency to provide the actresses who would play the Master's wives, including Joyce Molleur. She broke her foot early in production, so Warren retained her by rewriting the script to include a young couple kissing in a car on the side of the road, who are otherwise unconnected to the plot.
Warren shot night-for-night scenes, because many of the cast and crew also held day jobs. In many of the night scenes, the lights attracted swarms of moths in view of the camera. In the scene in which the police investigate Mike's gunfire, the lights could cover only a few feet forward, so the police stood there to feign a search and leave without any scenery or a panning shot.
Torgo Suite A brief arrangement of the Torgo theme from the film, by Russ Huddleston and Robert Smith Jr.Problems playing this file? See media help.
Post-production efforts were minimal, though Warren promised crew members that any problems in filming would be fixed in later editing. For example, the clapperboard is momentarily visible. The entire nine-minute opening sequence, which consists of the main characters driving around looking for their hotel with minimal dialogue or plot, was the result of such neglect. Warren had likely intended to include opening credits over these shots, but either forgot or lacked the post-production budget.
John Reynolds, who played Torgo, committed suicide with a shotgun on October 16, 1966, one month before the premiere. He was 25 years old and this was his only film appearance.
Release
The film premiered at the Capri Theater in Warren's hometown of El Paso, Texas on November 15, 1966, as a benefit for the local cerebral palsy fund. Warren rented a searchlight and paid for the cast to be delivered by limousine to enhance the Hollywood feel. The single limousine delivered one group, then drove around the block for another. Jackey Neyman-Jones, the seven-year-old who played Debbie, wept in disappointment at the premiere, particularly when hearing a woman's dubbed voice instead of her own. Mahree laughed throughout the screening at the film's ridiculousness.
Following the premiere, Warren thought Manos was the worst film ever made, but was proud of it, and he suggested that its audio might be re-dubbed into a passable comedy. The film was briefly distributed by Emerson Film Enterprises, with a brief theatrical run at the Capri Theater, and at various drive-in theaters in West Texas and New Mexico, including Las Cruces. The only compensation was Jackey Neyman's bicycle and her family dog's 50 pounds of dog food. Official box office figures are unknown, if they ever existed. Warren won his bet against Stirling Silliphant, proving that he was capable of creating an entire film.
The majority of the cast and crew never appeared in another film, though Mahree had a successful modeling career as Diane Adelson. Warren pitched another script he had written called Wild Desert Bikers, and then pitched its novelization, but with the failure of Manos, there was no interest.
Obscurity
Following few local screenings, Manos was almost entirely forgotten. When Jackey Neyman attended the University of California, Berkeley, her friends could not find a copy of the film. A 1981 newspaper article by cinematographer Bob Guidry's ex-wife Pat Ellis Taylor reports the film may have appeared on a local television station and that it was "listed at the bottom of a page in a film catalogue for rent for $20". The film re-surfaced through a 16 mm print, presumably from this television package, which was introduced into the home video collecting market by a number of public domain film suppliers. One of these suppliers was ultimately the one that offered the film to Comedy Central. It was in a box of films sent to Frank Conniff in 1992, when he chose Manos as one of the films to be shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Reception
The day after premiere, Betty Pierce, the film reviewer of the El Paso Herald-Post described it as a "brave experiment". She criticized some elements, such as the "hero" Torgo being "massaged to death" by the Master's wives and Margaret's claim of "it's getting dark" with a bright midday sun.
In 2005, Dan Neil of the Los Angeles Times explained the film's appeal: "After screening Manos for probably the 10th time, I've concluded it has to do with intimacy. Because it is such a pure slice of Warren's brain – he wrote, directed, produced and starred, and brooked no collaboration – Manos amounts to the man's cinematically transfigured subconscious." Manos buff Bobby Thompson said, "It's like a train wreck; you just can't take your eyes off it."
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 0% based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 2.56/10. The book Hollywood's Most Wanted lists Manos as the #2 in the list of "The Worst Movies Ever Made", following Plan 9 from Outer Space. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed Manos "The Worst Movie Ever Made". The scene in which the seven-year-old Debbie becomes a wife of the Master, played by her real father, was included in a list of "The Most Disgusting Things We've Ever Seen" by the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew.
Legacy
Mystery Science Theater 3000 and RiffTrax
On January 30, 1993, the film was featured on the fourth season finale of the Comedy Central series Mystery Science Theater 3000, a show about a crew held captive in outer space by two mad scientists, and forced to watch bad movies. Manos was far worse than the usual fare, with the long uneventful drive used by the hosts to sarcastically repeat its title numerous times, in lieu of any action to heckle. The host robots eventually sobbed at the film defeating even their attempts at making it interesting. The mad scientists apologized and admitted the film was abysmal beyond their limits for torture. Torgo (played by Michael J. Nelson) made a cameo in later episodes.
Selection of Manos for the show is credited to Frank Conniff, who also played TV's Frank. Conniff was generally in charge of pre-screening and selecting films sent to them by Comedy Central, the show's network at the time, and Manos was a random tape that he had pulled from a recent batch they had been sent. He felt the movie "seemed like it was maybe a crime against humanity, but you couldn't be sure" and "has an atmosphere, a vibe" that made it appropriate for the show. The Manos episode has been described as one of the best of the MST3K series by Entertainment Weekly and CraveOnline, and the MST3K episode is credited with bringing to light the otherwise obscure film, even though it led to the film being considered one of the worst films made at user polls at the Internet Movie Database. Kevin Murphy later declared, "I hate this movie. I think I hate this movie more than any other film we ever did at RiffTrax or Mystery Science Theater. Even more than the Coleman Francis movies. There's something about this movie that just makes my skin crawl." During a Q&A session at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con, a question was put to the cast and writers of MST3K about any film they passed on that was worse than Manos, and many cited the film Child Bride.
Manos has also been riffed on by RiffTrax, a later project of MST3K alumni Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett, during a live show on August 16, 2012, a live event that was simulcast in film theaters across the United States. While Nelson and Murphy were part of the cast when MST3K riffed on Manos, neither their fellow RiffTrax star Bill Corbett nor their writers were involved in the original episode; the riffing was all new jokes, using a cleaner print of the original Manos, allowing them to joke about things not obvious in the original television episode.
Cult following
The MST3K episode featuring the film was released on DVD in 2001, and in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Essentials collection in 2004.
Four comedy stage adaptations of the film have been made. The first was given in Portland, Oregon in early 2006. The second, a musical titled Manos: Rock Opera of Fate, was launched in October 2007. The third, a puppet musical titled Manos – The Hands of Felt, was performed by Puppet This in Seattle in April 2011. After raising funds with a Kickstarter campaign in May 2013, Manos – The Hands of Felt was performed again in Seattle by Vox Fabuli Puppets in August 2013 and filmed for DVD release. The fourth was in Portland, Oregon in April 2013.
In March 2015, the murderers on the Elementary episode "T-Bone And The Iceman" used the physical features of Torgo (portrayed by John Reynolds) to compose a fake facial composite to get the NYPD off their trail. It worked until they were caught, due to the character of Dr. Joan Watson having recognized Torgo's features from the film. The film's editor, James Sullivan, is the namesake of one of the characters in the episode.
Restoration
Comparison of the print found in various releases prior to 2015 and the Solovey workprint found in 2011In 2011, the original 16mm workprint of Manos: The Hands of Fate was discovered by Ben Solovey, a Florida State film school graduate, in a collection of 16 mm films. Solovey announced his intention to preserve and restore Manos for a Blu-ray release. His Kickstarter campaign raised $48,000, nearly five times the initial goal. A 90% finished print was premiered at the El Paso Plaza Theatre, near the original premiere in 1966. The new restoration premiered on Blu-ray on October 13, 2015, with an unrestored version ("Grindhouse") as one of the bonus features.
Copyright dispute
In general, any work first published in the United States before March 1989 required a copyright notice, or the work was not copyrighted. Manos: The Hands of Fate is in the public domain because director Harold Warren failed to include a copyright notice in the film. When news broke of Solovey's restoration, the son of Harold Warren, Joe Warren, started exploring the possibility that the film was not in the public domain, seeking to prevent others from profiting from his father's work. Warren discovered in 2013 that the script had been copyrighted and registered in the Library of Congress, and he believes that this copyright also applies to the film. No precedent exists for this case so the legal status of the film is uncertain. Solovey applied copyright on his restored version, an action that Warren believes is unenforceable, though has not sought any legal action against Solovey. Warren obtained pending publication of a trademark on the phrase Manos: The Hands of Fate, which could have impacted the various fanworks if the United States Patent and Trademark Office finalized approval. However, the trademark filing has since been abandoned as of December 6, 2018, for a "failure to respond or late response".
Home video releases
Shout! Factory released a special edition with both the MST3K and uncut versions called Manos y Manos. A DVD of the original was published by Alpha Video, which also released original versions of other MST3K films such as Teenagers from Outer Space and Eegah.
Sequels
Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge
In 2010, writer and director Rupert Talbot Munch, Sr. began work on Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge. Tom Neyman (in a cameo reprising his role as the Master), his daughter Jackey Neyman-Jones (reprising her role as Debbie), Diane Mahree (reprising the role of Margaret), and Bernie Rosenblum (who played a teenage boy in the original film) were involved in initial filming. Others engaged to appear included World Wrestling Entertainment star Gene Snitsky, former WWE diva and Playboy centerfold Maria Kanellis, and UFC fighter Ryan "Big Deal" Jimmo. Munch was to play Torgo.
In 2013, Neyman-Jones left the project after disagreements with Munch, and by the end of 2014, the project was reportedly canceled.
Manos: The Rise of Torgo
In 2013, a project began for a prequel titled Manos: The Rise of Torgo. David Roy (producer of the 2014 film Cheeseballs) was announced as the writer and director, and cast members were to include Neyman-Jones (playing Manos, the evil deity). It was released on Amazon Prime streaming in 2018.
Manos Returns
Main article: Manos ReturnsJackey Neyman-Jones, who played Debbie in the original film, launched a Kickstarter campaign in February 2016 to make a sequel titled Manos Returns. According to Neyman-Jones, the sequel was not to be a recreation of Manos but instead a "tongue-in-cheek" setting within the Manos storyline; Neyman-Jones described the planned product as being both funny and scary, similar to The Cabin in the Woods or Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
The Kickstarter goal of $24,000 was reached on February 24, 2016. It stars Neyman-Jones, reprising her role as Debbie; her father Tom Neyman, reprising his role as the Master; and Diane Mahree reprising her role as Margaret. Neyman-Jones and director Tonjia Atomic shot the film in western Oregon in the summer of 2016. The film had its world premiere screening at Crypticon Seattle on May 4, 2018. Manos Returns was published on Amazon Prime in May 2020.
Video game
Main article: Manos: The Hands of Fate (video game)A video game based on the film for iOS was released in 2012 by FreakZone Games. A Microsoft Windows port and an Android port were later released.
See also
References
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External links
- Manos: The Hands of Fate at IMDb
- Manos: The Hands of Fate at Rotten Tomatoes
- Jackey Neyman-Jones' blog, in which she shares some of her stories about the making of the film
- Manos: The Hands of Fate is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- The complete official soundtrack on Bandcamp
- RiffTrax Live treatment of the infamous cult classic on official YouTube channel
- 1966 films
- 1966 horror films
- American supernatural horror films
- American independent films
- Culture of El Paso, Texas
- 1960s English-language films
- Films set in Texas
- Films shot in El Paso, Texas
- American religious horror films
- Fiction about polygamy
- Films about pedophilia
- Folk horror films
- Films about neopaganism
- Films about cults
- 1966 directorial debut films
- 1966 independent films
- 1960s rediscovered films
- Rediscovered American films
- American exploitation films
- 1960s American films
- Films about human sacrifice
- English-language independent films
- English-language horror films
- Mystery Science Theater 3000