THE MANITOU (1978)

[The Burgomaster]

Hey, no matter how bad it may be, any movie that involves the fetus of an Indian medicine man growing on the back of Susan Strasberg's neck is sure to be entertaining.



I just purchased this newly released Anchor Bay DVD for about $9.00.  I read the novel when I was in high school and found it to be far-fetched, yet a fun, mind-numbing experience.  The movie is downright dumb, but it's never boring and some of the parts that are supposed to be scary will make you laugh out loud.



Tony Curtis (who appeared in more than one "questionable" movie during the 1970s) stars as a tarot card reader (complete with a wizard-like cloak) who seeks out a modern medicine man (Michael Ansara, another guy who will appear in just about any movie regardless of the quality) to help destroy the ancient medicine man who is growing out of Susan Strasberg's spine.



This movie was directed by William Girdler (GRIZZLY, DAY OF THE ANIMALS, ABBY, ASYLUM OF SATAN, etc.), who surely would have gone on to become a top "bad movie" director if he hadn't died so young.  He was only 31 when his helicopter crashed . . .



And get a load of the fine "B" supporting cast, including Stella Stevens and Burgess Meredith!  A cheesy, yet entertaining experience.  

[BeyondTheGrave]

This was a fun flick. Andrew did a review as well as my little mini review.

[Andrew]

I am happy that it is now widely available on DVD, so that others can also discover the majesty that is "The Manitou." 

My review here:
http://www.badmovies.org/movies/manitou/

Rich's here:
http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php/topic,112951.msg134519.html#msg134519

And anyone interested in William Girdler's films should visit here:
http://www.williamgirdler.com/

[BeyondTheGrave]

Thanks for putting up the links Andrew. I was going to do it but.....So friggin lazy 

[Shadow]

It's odd, I was flipping around channels earlier and saw this film listed on one of the pay channels. Since I ordered the DVD, I decided to wait until it arrived before watching the film, but it seems like a lot of recent DVD releases have been popping up on cable relatively close to their DVD release dates. Night of the Comet was just on the other day. Maybe Hundra will be on next week.

[biff_debris]

Ooh, I so need to get this one on DVD. Remember it from when my family first got cable in the 80s -- one of the first flicks I saw on HBO (along with The Fury and The Exorcist). No way it compares to either of those, but it is one heck of a slice of cheese.

[RCMerchant]

I actually read the book in high school! BEFORE I saw the movie on the CBS LATE MOVIE,or something.

[Joe the Destroyer]

You know, you had me when you mentioned that this movie was bad, but entertaining, but when I saw "Burgess Meredith"  I felt I really needed to see it now.  I'm sure it'll be silly, but it has to be at least entertaining!

[Trevor]

Thanks for the memories, people! 

The distributors of The Manitou had a weird way of plugging the film at its' SA premiere ~ they printed the invitation tickets on air sick bags!

Am I missing something here or what? 

[RCMerchant]

Thanks for the memories, people! 

The distributors of The Manitou had a weird way of plugging the film at its' SA premiere ~ they printed the invitation tickets on air sick bags!

Am I missing something here or what? 

A great exploitation movie gimmick...I actually own a MARK of the DEVIL sick bag that was given at showings...not to me,as I was only 8 years old and way to young to gett into a Mark of the Devil showing...I bought it for $5.00 off E-bay.  Pretty cool! I framed it!

[The Burgomaster]

RC:

I saw BASKET CASE in the theater and they handed out surgical masks made of strong tissue paper with the words BASKET CASE written across the front.  And when I saw RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, they handed out posters of the movie.  Unfortunately, I don't have either of these treasures anymore.