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Space Thing was just released by Something Weird Video/Image Entertainment on DVD. This is the latest in a project that will see 100 of SWV's most popular titles remastered on DVD, and is another fantastic job. Although, as the images show, this is a soft-core, it is an important one for several reasons.

This was the last low budget exploitation film produced by David F. Friedman. The Pussycat theaters were no longer his only outlet, as mainstream theaters and drive-ins started showing exploitation, which meant that he could afford a bigger budget. Shot in 4 days on a total budget of $18K, Friedman saw the final cut, and decided it needed more, so he shot a 10 minute opening scene in one evening. The rest of the film was shot in 4 days. I have included the credits ( 1, 2) not only because of the fact that they are written on a naked woman, but also because, as you will see, all of the names are fictitious. Friedman explained in the commentary that he didn't want the actresses to become known by name, because the fame would cause them to charge more for a film. All of the id's are based on the feature length commentary -- unfortunately, Friedman couldn't remember two of the names. The actress I called Mercy Montello eventually married Mickey Rooney Jr. IMDB calls her Mercy Rooney, although none of her modeling or this film was done under her married name.

The two space ships used in the film were Ravelle models, one of the Enterprise, and one of the flying saucer in the TV show "The Invaders." The Enterprise was used without the saucer, and upside-down. Friedman thinks of this as his worst film ever, but it has been popular with the public from its first release to the present day. It leads all Friedman films in sales at SWV. I think there are several reasons. In 1968, full frontal was still a novelty. The production values were up to usual Friedman standards. It was a sexy Sci Fi -- probably the first. All of the actresses were attractive. All of the cast had some acting ability. He had something for everyone -- hetero sex, lesbian sex, and B & D.

As to plot, a man is in bed reading Sci Fi mags, and his wife seduces him. (This is the added footage shot after the first edit). He then falls asleep, and the rest is his dream. He is from an alternate world, and disguises himself as an alien, then boards their ship, to keep them from attacking his planet. The captain is a woman, who has two lesbian encounters with her crew, and whips one of them for trying to have sex with our hero. All of the women are anxious to seduce our hero, as the other two men on the ship are not very exciting. Our hero forces a landing on an asetroid (actually the outskirts of Palmdale, California) and everyone runs around topless and has sex. He then blows up the alien ship in the worst special effects explosion I have ever seen.

If you are a fan of exploitation, buy this one, both because it is a worthy addition to your collection, and because SWV deserves the support.

Well, brand new caps from a 1998 movie, never seen before on the web to my knowledge. Sounds good, eh?

Sorry to say it isn't all that good. These are TomCat's caps from a 1998 Italian film. I don't know anything about the movie, IMDb doesn't have any info, TomCat didn't tell me anything.

I don't think the director's mother has even seen it.

Might be a masterpiece. Might be Plan 9 II - The Wrath of Criswell. I don't know. I do know that somebody named Monica Guerritore exposed some flesh at various times. No, I don't even know that. I know that TomCat labeled these "Monica Guerritore", but I don't actually know the lady.

I love the IMDb recommendations. They say if you like Femmina, you'll really like a whole bunch of other obscure Italian movies, on the theory that all obscure Italian movies appeal to the same target audience. Obscure Italian movies about the orgies of ancient Rome, or obscure Italian movies about kids and their puppies - you obscure Italian movie lovers have some far-ranging tastes.

If you look up the recommendations for Plan 9, it tells you that if you like Plan 9 you'll also like Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Maybe that's a planted ad by Spielberg. Maybe no matter what movie you look up, it says you'll like Close Encounters. It's a pretty safe recommendation, since most people do like Close Encounters, after all. Except a few loonies who like Plan 9. But I digress.

OK, not one of my better days, I admit it. I hope you liked Titus enough yesterday to forgive me for this one.

"Megumi"
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

If you've seen the first film you'll know what this film is about. Keiko inherits a TV station and Megumi wants it. The TV station is performing badly with low ratings. Keiko decides that the way to improve ratings is to lift her dress during the weather report. This is not entirely successful and the film ends up with Keiko and Megumi fighting a winner takes all duel. It's not a film that will strain the grey matter but it is enjoyable, and easy on the eye.