On the DVD interview that accompanies "Rat Pfink A Boo Boo", Ray Dennis Stekler claims that it was Arch Hall Sr.'s idea to cast Stekler in the role of "Steak" in "Wild Guitar". Stekler claims he had already cast the role, and that after his discussion with Hall, Stekler let the original "Steak" go.
My theory is that Stekler was "Steak" from the get-go. I am deducing this using these three points:
1. Arch Hall Sr. has passed away, so there is no way to validate Stekler's claim.
2. "Steak" sounds like it could have been Stekler's nickname as a kid. Stekler was probably called "Stek", which eventually morphed into "Steak".
3. Wasn't Stekler the director of the film, or was Hall running the show?
What do you think?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Look for Lang Jr on IMDB.com
While I wait impatiently for the Lemon Grove kids DVD, I need to direct you to my five reviews on IMDB.com. I thought I had a review out there for "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians", but it may have been archived or sent to the Smithsonian or something. There are 157 reviews on SCCTM already, but I think I mine was the only one to deal intelligently with Jamie Farr's performance. So be it. Look for "Lang Jr" or go to "Don't Knock the Twist" (only six comments for DKTT).
Hard to believe there are only 22 comments on Rat Pfink a Boo Boo. One comment on The Lawton Story (The Prince of Peace), made by someone -- desperate like me -- trying to find the DVD of VHS.
Hard to believe there are only 22 comments on Rat Pfink a Boo Boo. One comment on The Lawton Story (The Prince of Peace), made by someone -- desperate like me -- trying to find the DVD of VHS.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
New Hero: R. D. Steckler
O.K., so why hasn't Ray Dennis Steckler been on my radar?
I watched the amazing Rat Pfink a Boo Boo last night and was blown away! Forget the silly costumes and the gorilla, how about using a claw hammer to dial a telephone! The film lasts only sixty minutes but seems twice as long. The "chain guy" stalking Cee Bee could be the dullest ten minutes on film.
Not much more than a tinted black and white home movie, it's hard to believe people may have actually paid to see this at the drive-in.
The DVD contains an interview with the man himself. IMDB states he was born in 1939; here he says he was born in '38. The DVD trailer contains previews of the horrific Lemon Grove Kids (an homage to the Bowery Boys with R.D. in the "Satch" role), which I promoted to the top of my Netflix Queue.
See it now, and nominate R.D. for president!
I watched the amazing Rat Pfink a Boo Boo last night and was blown away! Forget the silly costumes and the gorilla, how about using a claw hammer to dial a telephone! The film lasts only sixty minutes but seems twice as long. The "chain guy" stalking Cee Bee could be the dullest ten minutes on film.
Not much more than a tinted black and white home movie, it's hard to believe people may have actually paid to see this at the drive-in.
The DVD contains an interview with the man himself. IMDB states he was born in 1939; here he says he was born in '38. The DVD trailer contains previews of the horrific Lemon Grove Kids (an homage to the Bowery Boys with R.D. in the "Satch" role), which I promoted to the top of my Netflix Queue.
See it now, and nominate R.D. for president!
Monday, January 21, 2008
"Wild Guitar" Really Swings
Just finished Arch Hall Jr. classic "Wild Guitar" (Netflix, comes with Arch Hall Jr. in "The Choppers"). Pretty bad, but the songs aren't as lousy as you would think. I've heard worse from Elvis (try "Confidence" from "Clambake").
The story: Bud Eagle (Hall) swings into town looking for a gig in the music biz. At a restaurant, he meets Vickie - a dancer -- who just happens to be audtioning for the "Hal Kenton" show that day. Eagle gets a chance to play and becomes an instant sensation. Hall's dad -- Arch Hall Sr. -- plays ruthless talent agent Mike McCauley, who cons Eagle into representing him. McCauley's assistiant, "Steak" (played by the director, Ray Dennis Steckler, billing himself as "Cash Flagg"), is a dick. Eagle encourages three small time hoods to kidnap him and get him out of his contract with McCauley.
Steckler also directed "Rat Pfink a Boo Boo".
The story: Bud Eagle (Hall) swings into town looking for a gig in the music biz. At a restaurant, he meets Vickie - a dancer -- who just happens to be audtioning for the "Hal Kenton" show that day. Eagle gets a chance to play and becomes an instant sensation. Hall's dad -- Arch Hall Sr. -- plays ruthless talent agent Mike McCauley, who cons Eagle into representing him. McCauley's assistiant, "Steak" (played by the director, Ray Dennis Steckler, billing himself as "Cash Flagg"), is a dick. Eagle encourages three small time hoods to kidnap him and get him out of his contract with McCauley.
Steckler also directed "Rat Pfink a Boo Boo".
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Purpose
OK, folks! I've searched high and low and am trying to find a copy of "The Lawton Story" also known as "The Prince of Peace", DVD or VHS. This was a Kroger Babb (Mom and Dad) film that contained the infamous "Okie Oberammergau", spliced within a corny story of two feuding uncles. "Homely moppet" Ginger Prince eventually reconciles the uncles.
I was inspired to see the film after reading the description in David Friedman's autobiography "A Youth in Babylon". Friedman -- a protege of Babb's -- marks this film as the start of the descent of Babb's career. "Secrets of Beauty" finished it. Babb made a fortune on "sex hygiene" books that his "experts" peddled for a dollar a piece during the intermission of his road-show classic "Mom and Dad". But the $10 make-up kit offered during "Secrets of Beauty" was too much cash for the 1951 crowd. It was also his third film with Ginger Prince.
"Secrets of Beauty" is also known as "Why Men Leave Home", and can be found for about $6.00 at oldies.com, and used copies on Amazon are about $3.50. Here is the oldies.com entry:
http://www.oldies.com/product-view/5141D.html
Also, does anyone know if Friedman ever followed-up with "Kings of Babylon"? Also looking for any more info on Kroger Babb. Have read "Grindhouse", and several Internet articles on Babb -- was wondering if there were any other books documenting his life and career. I'm currently pouring through the references in Wiki. Friedman's book was great, but we need more info on this exploitation icon!
Here is Babb's wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroger_Babb
I'd like to help others, too, who may be looking for that hard-to-find classic. The best sites I've found are:
www.somethingweird.com
www.moviesunlimited.com
For those looking for Tim Carrey's "World's Greatest Sinner" I bought the VHS on a site that I think his son runs. Unbelievable!
I would like to know if there are any other sites that specialize in exploitation.
I was inspired to see the film after reading the description in David Friedman's autobiography "A Youth in Babylon". Friedman -- a protege of Babb's -- marks this film as the start of the descent of Babb's career. "Secrets of Beauty" finished it. Babb made a fortune on "sex hygiene" books that his "experts" peddled for a dollar a piece during the intermission of his road-show classic "Mom and Dad". But the $10 make-up kit offered during "Secrets of Beauty" was too much cash for the 1951 crowd. It was also his third film with Ginger Prince.
"Secrets of Beauty" is also known as "Why Men Leave Home", and can be found for about $6.00 at oldies.com, and used copies on Amazon are about $3.50. Here is the oldies.com entry:
http://www.oldies.com/product-view/5141D.html
Also, does anyone know if Friedman ever followed-up with "Kings of Babylon"? Also looking for any more info on Kroger Babb. Have read "Grindhouse", and several Internet articles on Babb -- was wondering if there were any other books documenting his life and career. I'm currently pouring through the references in Wiki. Friedman's book was great, but we need more info on this exploitation icon!
Here is Babb's wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroger_Babb
I'd like to help others, too, who may be looking for that hard-to-find classic. The best sites I've found are:
www.somethingweird.com
www.moviesunlimited.com
For those looking for Tim Carrey's "World's Greatest Sinner" I bought the VHS on a site that I think his son runs. Unbelievable!
I would like to know if there are any other sites that specialize in exploitation.
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