RAT PHINK A BOO BOO: The film is great and the DVD is great!

[Chris K.]

Plot: Ceebee Beaumont (Carolyn Brandt) is kidnapped by three dumb guys who because they need some money. The contact her boyfriend/rock & roll star Lonnie Lord (Ron Haydock, billed in the credits as 'Vin Saxon') and his gardener Titus Twimbly (Titus Moede) and demand for some ransom cash. Yet, Lonnie Lord is also a superheer known as 'Rat Phink' and Titus Twimbly is his sidekick 'Boo Boo' and together they attempt to rescue Ceebee, especially when she is also kidnapped by a pet gorilla named Kogar!

When it comes to a producer/director/writer/actor Ray Dennis Steckler, most people who have seen his work say it's a mixed bag. And when I read about RAT PHINK A BOO BOO and the negative reviews, I envisioned what the film would look like: poor camerawork, bad acting, and terrible direction. So when I popped the DVD in my player and started the film, an introduction featuring Ray Dennis Steckler started and let me just say that I really like the guy. He comes across as un-pretencious and has that superhuman enthusiasim that makes RAT PHINK A BOO BOO a great flick. The camerawork was really good, the direction was great, and the acting was passable! And so after seeing the film, I must say that I really liked the film and I look forward to seeing more of his stuff.

RAT PHINK A BOO BOO is presented in it's 1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio, enhanced for 16x9 widescreen televisions. Restored from the original camera negative, for those who have had to put up with old VHS releases and bootlegs taken from battered 35mm prints, be prepared for a shock as the film looks better than ever! When shot back in 1965 on black-and-white film stock, Steckler
released the film in a tinted color format. The color tinting is vibrant: blue for night, sepia for day, pinkish-red when our superheros are on the go, and a dash of yellow for the end scene. A few small minimal scratches and grain is visible, but all in all a great restoration to a great cult flick.

One concern that John Sierabella, Shriek Show-Guilty Pleasures head man, was worried about was the 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio. Sierabella originally saw the film in the regular 1.33:1 Full Frame format when released in theatres. Steckler shot the film in 1.33:1 Full Frame and that it would be matted to 1.85:1. Yet, some theatres showed RAT PHINK A BOO BOO in 1.33:1 while others screened it in 1.85:1. But just to let you know, the 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio was the way Steckler wanted the film to be presented in as it was meant to be in that format, not 1.33:1.

The extras are what will interest you Ray Dennis Steckler fans out there. First up is an exclusive interview with Steckler that runs about 41 minutes. It's nicely coordinated and Steckler comes across as charming and informative. He does tend to repeat a few items, but nonetheless he is interesting to listen to. Steckler also provides an audio commentary, his first ever. Now being his first commentary track, Steckler is new to it as he does tend to narrate what's going on in the film. Yet, he does provide his usual info on the making of the film and how it all came about. If Shriek Show-Guilty Pleasures plans to release any more Steckler titles, I do hope Steckler will provide an audio commentary track and that he will be able to adjust to it more. Up next is a special chapter selection that will allow you to pick out your favorite music from the film and watch/listen to it. This, I felt, could have been done away with as it is a needless extra. Another added extra is the viewing of the feature film in black-and-white. Shriek Show-Guilty Pleasures head man John Sierabella added this on because he had originally seen the film in it's black-and-white re-issue format, not the original tinted release version. So you have a choice to either see the film in it's original tinted format or the black-and-white incarnation. Personally, the tinted version is better than the black-and-white version. With the help of the tinting, the darker scenes are easier on the eyes and it gives the performers a more clearer fleshtone, as well as reducing the grain. The black-and-white version is so-so: grain is more abundant and the darker scenes are harder to view. But hey, as long as it gives you the choice to see either version that's fine with me. And last, but not least, is RAT PHINK A BOO BOO's original theatrical trailer in black-and-white and the theatrical trailer of THE LEMON GROVE KIDS MEET THE MONSTERS!

After seeing RAT PHINK A BOO BOO, I am now an admirerer of Ray Dennis Steckler. The man has talent, he has charm, and he has that superhuman enthusiasim that independent filmmakers today don't have. Steckler has made a fun flick that entertains and delivers. And if the critics can't understand his work, then so be it. Real critics and admirers like us welcome this man's work.

Next upcoming review: TROLL/TROLL 2 Double Feature DVD.

[The Burgomaster]

I watched my copy last night. It's good for a million laughs! A great addition to my collection.

[Vermin Boy]

I got mine the other day, too. The movie's been among my all-time favorite b-movies ever since I saw it, so this DVD release was like a gift from God!  I agree, Steckler's commentary was of the "narration" variety, but the man's obvious glee and enthusiasm made it entertaining nonetheless. The sticker included in the case was a nice touch as well. :)

"Guitar player's a rat fink! Ya ya ya ya ya ya! Oooooohhhhhhh SPACK!!"