# All MST3K and Manos fans: **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004 "2005-06-05T15:45:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/21 "2005-06-06T18:14:47Z")
> [@photopat](#): > > Hey! Let’s not put **Batwoman** in the same league as **Manos**. I mean, granted it was abominable, but it did feature bikini dance scenes. And **Manos** featured girls in shifts wrestling on the floor … hmm, decisions decisions … ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/22 "2005-06-06T18:24:40Z")
> [@photopat](#): > > Hey! Let’s not put **Batwoman** in the same league as **Manos**. I mean, granted it was abominable, but it did feature bikini dance scenes. \*\*Batwoman \*\* was a completely tame fetish film trying to pass as a superhero/crimefighter flick. Everything from the hero and villains costumes to the lightweight bondage screamed B&D fantasy scenario. Great MST material, though. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/23 "2005-06-06T18:37:17Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > What is touching is the photograph of the audience at the movie’s premiere in El Paso, Texas. The women are wearing evening gowns and look like they just had their hair done at the beauty parlor. The men are in tuxedos. The mayor of El Paso is there. Their faces are all so excited and hopeful. _Never_ in the history of Cinema have _so many_ people had their hopes dashed _so badly_, _so quickly_, and _so thoroughly_. 😉😃 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/24 "2005-06-06T19:06:53Z")
“Oh, no! Liturgical dancing!” ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/25 "2005-06-06T19:39:31Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > The _Entertainment Weekly_ article says that _Manos_ also played drive-ins in Western Texas. Having lived in Odessa I can confidently assert that _Manos_ and west Texas drive-ins go together like peas and carrots. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/26 "2005-06-06T20:00:25Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > I think I mentioned it first on the SDMB, when I noted it in my MST3K thread… Well then consider your eyes damned too, ya punk. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/27 "2005-06-06T22:50:42Z")
Resident El Pasoan here. About a year ago I was discussing the movie with one of my friends, who said he had never seen it before. As I decribed the ongoing horror that is _Manos_, his eye took on something of a merry gleam. He told me that he had vague memories of his parents having a bunch of friends over at their ranch, and that they were filming a movie at the time with a hand-held camera. He especially remembered a bunch of women walking around in their underwear (well, who wouldn’t?). Thinking that he might have been yanking my chain, I did a bit of research. Turns out he wasn’t kidding. _Manos_ was filmed at his parents’ ranch. And would have been around six at the time. So envy me friends. I’m _this_ close to touching cinematic history. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/28 "2005-06-06T23:21:06Z")
> [@Kizarvexius](#): > > So envy me friends. I’m _this_ close to touching cinematic history. Consider yourself lucky you didn’t get any closer. Touching this kind of cinematic history turns you into a hermit crab. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/29 "2005-06-07T00:48:44Z")
I actually own this movie on DVD. The movie, not the MST3K send up. Yes I have poor taste in movies. Why do you ask? Actually it is my aim to own all of the worst horror movies. Bad horror movies are good. Bad dramas and comedies suck. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/30 "2005-06-07T02:58:37Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > It’s a nice sign that people are finally getting over the old canard that **Plan 9 From Outer Space** is “the worst movie of all time.” Any MSTie knows that **Plan 9** is positively radiant next to the likes of **Manos** or **The Wild World of Batwoman**. And those are solid pieces of cinematic craftsmanship when compared with **Red Zone Cuba** and **Monster a Go-Go**. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/31 "2005-06-07T11:04:35Z")
“Flag on the moon. How did it get there?” I defy anybody to write better dialogue, even George Lucas. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/32 "2005-06-07T14:00:25Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > And those are solid pieces of cinematic craftsmanship when compared with **Red Zone Cuba** and **Monster a Go-Go**. Even those are sparkling jewels when compared to the horror that is **Invasion of the Neptune Men**. After watching that one I have to apply the balm that is **Soultaker**. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/33 "2005-06-07T14:39:44Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > After watching that one I have to apply the balm that is **Soultaker**. Does anything really “star” Joe Estevez? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/34 "2005-06-07T15:05:41Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > It’s a nice sign that people are finally getting over the old canard that **Plan 9 From Outer Space** is “the worst movie of all time.” Any MSTie knows that **Plan 9** is positively radiant next to the likes of **Manos** or **The Wild World of Batwoman**. It’s because there are different kinds of bad movies. ‘Good’ bad movies are entertainingly inept and lots of fun to watch and/or make fun of. _Plan 9_ is the apotheosis of this kind of bad movie. So it’s possibly the worst bad movie you can watch and actually enjoy. _Manos_ is a ‘bad’ bad movie. This kind of movie, which isn’t even fun, produces a Lovecraftian, soul-crushing kind of horror. They’re usually pretentious and boring and, even if they’re not very long, they always feel like they are. I’ve never seen it _Manos_ without the MST3K treatment, but maybe it’s the worst of that kind. I have trouble imagining anything worse than _The Swarm_ and _Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?_ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/35 "2005-06-07T15:17:58Z")
I should’ve added this: I saw an earlyish MST3K episode guide years ago and I think their feelings are in line with mine. They said it was the worst film they’d ever done, but they didn’t think the _Manos_ episode was very good. While trying to make fun of it, they’d just get sucked in and not be able to come up with anything funny. And I think there are some pretty long silent stretches during the episode which reflect that. A ‘good’ bad movie gives you something to work with and you want to keep watching it; a bad one doesn’t. You just want it to go away and stop hurting you. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/36 "2005-06-07T15:27:33Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Does anything really “star” Joe Estevez? Isn’t it more accurate to say most of the time the camera is pointed at Joe Estevez? ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/37 "2005-06-07T16:32:09Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I saw an earlyish MST3K episode guide years ago and I think their feelings are in line with mine. They said it was the worst film they’d ever done, but they didn’t think the _Manos_ episode was very good. While trying to make fun of it, they’d just get sucked in and not be able to come up with anything funny. And I think there are some pretty long silent stretches during the episode which reflect that. A ‘good’ bad movie gives you something to work with and you want to keep watching it; a bad one doesn’t. You just want it to go away and stop hurting you. I agree actually, and I think the **Manos** MST is overrated for that reason. Movies like **Mitchell** and **Giant Spider Invasion** are much better suited for MSTing than the likes of **Red Zone Cuba** or **The Blood Waters of Dr. Z**. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/38 "2005-06-07T18:38:48Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > I agree actually, and I think the **Manos** MST is overrated for that reason. Same here. I finally got to see the _Manos_ episode for the first time, and I honestly didn’t think it was that hot. Yes, the movie is terrifyingly bad, and I’m pretty sure it was sucking the crew’s will to live while they were making the episode. I was howling with laughter over _Santa Claus Conquers the Martians_, which is a great movie to make fun of, but _Manos_ didn’t really bring more than a chuckle. The snuff film comments were probably the funniest in the ep. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/39 "2005-06-07T18:48:45Z")
Manos is responsible for inspiring Mike’s performance of Torgo, which is one of the funniest things ever. ---
**Author:** ![malkabat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@malkabat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkabat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004/40 "2005-06-07T18:55:25Z")
> [@aankh](#): > > Note to self: Don’t ever look up the words in a doctor’s invective again. > > :eek: Dammit, **aankh** I was trying to resist, and then you tempted me. So I Googled… MUST…RINSE…BRAIN!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-mst3k-and-manos-fans/307004.md?page=3)