Deranged/Motel Hell (Midnite Movies Double Feature)

 

 

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I'm really learning to love these MGM double feature discs. Usually, this motion picture studio releases its films on DVD with few or no extras, a supreme disappointment to cinema fans. When you can get two low budget cheese fests for such a low price, however, you tend to make a few allowances for the lack of bells and whistles. Who could turn down the wonders of "Troll" and "Troll 2," for example, just because the movies' only extras are trailers? It's the same situation with "Deranged" and "Motel Hell." But don't worry. The wonderful badness of these two films makes extras a moot point. Besides, how could you get Nancy Parsons and Rory Calhoun into the studio to record a commentary track? They've both been dead for years.

"Deranged" is a movie that every horror aficionado should see at least once. Actually, one time through is about all you'll be able to take of this low budget excursion into the dark, dank recesses of the human mind. Based on the legendary maniac Edward Gein, the movie "Deranged" has always had a small coterie of loyal fans. They claim that this movie is the closest thing there is to the real events that occurred in rural Wisconsin back in the 1950s. They're wrong, of course. Even a cursory examination of the Gein story will quickly tell you this film wanders far from the truth on several occasions. No matter, though, since the movie is still a fun way to waste a couple of hours. Instead of referring to their main maniac as Ed Gein, the moviemakers decided to rename the guy Ezra Cobb. Old Ezra resembles Eddie Gein in several ways: he's a mama's boy, a bit of a simpleton, and he quickly nosedives into the shrieking pits of insanity after his mother passes on. After his better half (mom, that is) goes to that great farmhouse in the sky, Ezra promptly starts to hear her voice in his head. He goes out, digs up her corpse, and installs her in the house. Soon, he begins to comb the countryside looking for other gals who might want to keep his mother company. A local waitress, a lascivious friend of his mother's who has designs on Ezra, and a local girl manning the counter in the hardware store all fall prey to Cobb's ever expanding lunacy. There's not a lot of gore here for the hounds, but the scuzzy atmosphere and seriousness of the cast (at least it seemed like they were serious) will keep you on the edge of your seat. The guy who played the Barry Convex role in "Videodrome" does a Rod Serling like role as narrator.

I personally prefer the second film on the disc, the 1980 cult classic "Motel Hell." Rory Calhoun, a distinguished actor with a long list of film credits stretching back into the Golden Age of Hollywood, throws his dignity to the wind in the part of Farmer Vincent, a meat manufacturer with a sinister secret. Working with his sadistic sister Ida (Nancy Parsons) out of the Motel Hello (that 'o' is missing on the sign, of course), Vincent always sends his customers packing with a bumper sticker, a box of free meat, and a million watt aw shucks smile. Behind the scenes, things are quite different. The good farmer spends his evenings laying traps on the local roadways, thus luring in a whole passel of hapless wayfarers for reasons best left unsaid here. When a girl survives a motorcycle accident orchestrated by the wily Vincent, the farmer decides to take her in so he can eventually teach her the secrets of curing meat. All sorts of unpleasant activities take place from this point on, as Ida's jealousy of the girl causes friction in the family. The local cop presents a challenge too even though he's related to Vincent and Ida. By the time you see two guys, one of them wearing a giant pig's head, battling away with chainsaws, you know you've just spent a few hours with a classic piece of cinema. If you want a few giggles, try and spot John Ratzenberger in a small role as one of Vincent's living beef jerky sticks. Wolfman Jack pops up to say hello as well.

We're talking zero production values for both films here, folks. "Deranged" is by far the grungier of the two films, with its broken down farmhouses, battered jalopies, and seedy looking characters; but "Motel Hell" won't win any awards for scenery design, either. One thing I will say about the latter film; the DVD transfer is amazingly sharp for a film made nearly twenty-five years ago. It looks like they shot this thing yesterday on top of the line film stock. The same unfortunately cannot be said for "Deranged," which has a fair amount of grain and streaks in the picture. You don't really need a great looking picture to enjoy these cheesy films, but it sure is nice to see "Motel Hell" look this good. Moreover, you get the full version of the movie. Whenever this film appears on television, and it does amazingly enough, they usually cut out the scene where the city couple looking for a good time accidentally shows up at Motel Hello. That sequence is restored here in all of its whip cracking glory.

Give this disc a shot if you like low budget ham. The psychedelic experience in Farmer Vincent's secret garden alone is worth the price of the disc. I've been watching a bunch of these MGM double dip discs lately, and I'll keep watching them if the company keeps releasing them. You should, too.

This 2 disk set is a MUST have for horror/slasher flick fans!

The first film-- Deranged-- is about a wierd fella named Ezra who can't seem to let go of his mother's death. After hallucinations of her he decides to dig her up and keep her near him at all times. The movie after that takes off and basically ends up with his kidnapping, and bitchering (like he was skinning a deer) a local salesclerk.

The movie is based on psychotic killer Ed Gein, which influenced MANY movies such as Silence Of The Lambs, Psycho, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2,3,4) and of course the movie Ed Gein and Ed and His Dead Mother.

The second movie is a bit more strange and funny!

In short it's about a brother and sister who own a motel and sell beef jerky on the side. The only thing is at night, like a hunter going out to hunt, he watches the road waiting for the right time to find his next victim.

After they are caught they are buried in the ground to be harvested and then made into jerky...

A MUST SEE

This dual-sided disc from MGM Midnite Movies is the first one I've bought where the film unknown to me turned out to be better than the one I was buying it for.

I had high hopes for "Motel Hell", hoping to see Nancy Parsons (Beulah Balbricker from the "Porky's" movies) chew the scenery to bits. Unfortunately, the script doesn't give her much to do besides pig out on chicken drumsticks and try and drown Nina Axelrod in the big 'ol swimming hole. Parsons' best role is still as the deadly masseuse Zora on "Charlie's Angels" back in 1978.

Here she's sister to Rory Calhoun, and together they make the best smoked meat in the county. But what their customers don't know is that their special ingredient lay in the hidden "human garden" they're constantly cultivating by capturing innocent passersby on the highway.

While I'm sure this idea sounded much better on paper, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. It plays like a black comedy more than an actual slasher/horror film--but even then misses the mark. Notable only for an amusing turn by Elaine Joyce as half of a swinging couple, and an early non-speaking role for John Ratzenberger (Cliff from "Cheers"). Nothing else here to really recommend.

"Deranged" on the other hand, is much more interesting and well-made, yet downbeat and not an enjoyable film that would merit repeat viewings. Loosely based on Ed Gein, in this one a middle-aged Mama's boy goes off the deep end after the old lady dies. He digs up her corpse and eventually embarks on a killing spree to keep bringing companions home for mother. A delayed sexual awakening complicates things and has him kidnapping a cocktail waitress and the teenage hardware store clerk. (Canadian viewers: Look for the cigarette display behind her; I clearly spotted Craven A's and a few other brands that clued me in that this thing was shot in Toronto).

The lead actor Roberts Blossom is creepy and looks disturbed, so the casting was perfect. Micki Moore was very beautiful and likeable as the ill-fated waitress. There's a bit of humour to break up the bleak story when an elderly patron of the bar bemoans the fact his virility isn't what it used to be ("It just hangs there like a turkey neck").

The print quality of "Deranged" is fantastic. I'd never heard of it before, but any fans of the film will be thrilled with the brightness, sharpness and clarity. The gore is minimal considering the subject matter. There's only a bludgeoning and a naked body slicing to speak of. For being made in 1974, "Deranged" hardly looks dated at all. The technique seems very contemporary, except for when the narrator actually steps into the frame at several points. "Deranged" is a precursor to the gorier, sleazier serial killer movies of the '80s like "Maniac" and "Henry".

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5.0 out of 5 stars Scary
Deranged - as you probably know by now is based upon the most cruelest and the most sick serial killer Ed Gein. Read more

Published on May 21 2004 by Kosovar

3.0 out of 5 stars "Meat's meat, and a man's gotta eat."
Cannibals, necrophiles, and murderers, oh my! I own many of the MGM Midnight Movie releases, and I have to say, these two films together certainly combine to make the most... Read more

Published on April 21 2004 by cookieman108

3.0 out of 5 stars Deranged
When I was a kid, we saw Deranged at the midnight movie in Houston, TX. I never forgot it! I was amazed to see it's available! Read more

Published on Jan 3 2004 by trillian63

5.0 out of 5 stars okay
i loved motel hell. i never saw the kmovie deranged but now i plan on it. excellent.

Published on Dec 11 2003 by jj

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great addition to the Midnite Movies dvd series.
The MGM Midnite Movies is a great addition to any horror collector's collection. This one is Deranged/Motel Hell.

DERANGED is a story about Ezra Cobb. Read more

Published on Nov 24 2003 by Ryan

4.0 out of 5 stars Sink Your Teeth into a Delicious Double Feature
Another delectable double-feature tidbit from MGM, this DVD features two horror movies with cannibalistic themes: DERANGED (1974) and the cult classic MOTEL HELL... Read more

Published on Nov 24 2003 by Michael R Gates

3.0 out of 5 stars motel hell
I liked it. It wasn't as good as my Boss made it sound but it
was worthy of a bag of popcorn. I will never look at cabbage
the same way again. Read more

Published on Oct 17 2003 by J. wheeler

5.0 out of 5 stars NO ONE BEATS FARMER VINCENTS MEATS!!!
MOTEL HELL is the most hilarious of the 80's B movies. You have got to love this one, as Farmer Vincent routinely preys upon passers buy... Read more

Published on July 8 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Deranged is one of the best!
Deranged is one of the best films I have ever seen. It will stay in your mind and make you want to learn more about the real man the film is based on. Read more

Published on Jun 24 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars deranged/motel hell an inviting combination
Deranged is a well filmed and well articulated classic. It shows great insight to a murderers mind. The acting is phenomenal. Read more

Published on Jun 19 2003 by bliss morgan

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