150 Movies You Should Die Before You See - Miller Steve [27]
Doug Wren, the actor who played Lord Crumb, died during production, which is why another actor provided the character's voice.
Trivia Quiz
Bad Taste takes place on October 31. What is remarkable about that day?
A: It's the day famous British explorer Jack Harkness landed in New Zealand.
B: It's Peter Jackson's birthday.
C: It's Black Sheep Day, a New Zealand holiday.
D: It's a joke; October only has thirty days.
Answer: B. Peter Jackson was born October 31, 1961, on New Zealand's North Island in the small town of Pukerua Bay.
THE BLOODY BROOD
Julian Roffman Productions, 1959
PRODUCER Julian Roffman
WRITERS Ben Kerner and Elwood Ullman (script), Anne Howard Bailey (story)
DIRECTOR Julian Roffman
STARS Peter Falk (Nico), Jack Betts (Cliff), Barbara Lord (Ellie), Robert Christie (Detective McLeod), and Ron Hartmann (Francis)
A drug-dealing small-time hood (Falk), enamored with the beatnik lifestyle and nihilism, murders a messenger boy as a piece of performance art. However, he didn't count on the boy's brother (Betts), who begins an investigation.
Why It Sucks
It's so close to being a decent film. It tries to show balance in regards to the beatniks and their subculture. Further, we've got Peter Falk in his first starring role and his prerumpled overcoat days actually managing to mumble his way into a fairly decent portrayal as a bad guy. How dare they hide a halfway decent film behind a title like that?! Sooo close!
Thumbs Down Rating:
The Crappies
The Worst Actor Award goes to … Jack Betts for taking a pure-hearted hero who was already scripted as bland and turning him into something that looks as if he's on loan from Attack of the Zombies.
And the Dustbin of History Special Achievement Award goes to … Producer/Director Julian Roffman for making a film that gives modern audiences a chance to experience beatniks as they were. The fifty years that has gone by makes beatniks look even goofier than they did in the 1950s. (Hands up anyone who remembers the character Maynard G. Krebs from The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.)
They Really Said It!
Nico: First they spend millions developing toothpaste to stop cavities, then they spend billions on bigger and better ways to blow us all to bits.
Betcha Didn't Know
These were the first starring film roles for Peter Falk and Barbara Lord, both of whom had appeared in supporting parts on television programs previously.
The coining of the term “beatnik” has been attributed to two different individuals. Some sources say it was first used by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen in April of 1958, while others attribute it to film producer Sam Katzman, around the same time.
Trivia Quiz
What star of The Bloody Brood is a parent of comedian and voice actor Patrick Warburton?
A: Peter Falk
B: Barbara Lord
C: Ron Hartmann
D: Jack Betts
Answer: B. Barbara Lord married Dr. Jack Warburton in 1961 and mostly retired from acting. Patrick Warburton is the oldest of her four children.
CANNIBAL: THE MUSICAL
(AKA “ALFERD PACKER: THE MUSICAL”)
Avenging Conscience, 1993
PRODUCERS Alexandra Kelly, Andrew Kemler, Jason McHugh (executive producers), Ian Hardin, Jason McHugh, Trey Parker, and Matt Stone (producers)
WRITER Trey Parker
DIRECTOR Trey Parker
STARS Juan Schwartz (Alferd Packer), Dian Bachar (George Noon), Jason McHugh (Frank Miller), Matt Stone (James Humphries), Ian Hardin (Shannon Bell), Jon Hegel (Isreal Swan), Toddy Walters (Polly Pry)
The lone survivor of an ill-fated mining expedition (Schwartz) tells how his hunger for gold led him to eat human flesh in this all-singing, all-dancing, all cannibalism musical extravaganza!
Why It Sucks
Yikes! This first feature film by co-creator of South Park Trey Parker was definitely a sign of things to come. It's a musical — that's right, a musical — about stranded prospectors who resort to cannibalism to survive. It's based on a real-world tragedy, and it's got several catchy tunes that will stick in your head for days after