Disc 1: The Human Duplicators
In this Joel episode from 1992, Gypsy would like another
eye and a fin, while Tom Servo desires other, more complex improvements. And
the robots are disappointed by Joel’s invention during the invention exchange.
But soon they have something else to worry about: getting through The Human
Duplicators. As always, they manage to do so by poking fun at everything
they’re shown. As a blind girl leads the alien to her uncle’s laboratory, Crow
comments, “It’s the blind leading the bland.” Later, when the screen inexplicably
goes black for a moment, Crow says, “Oh, that must have been her point of
view.” Another female character in the film has a voice more annoying than
Fran Drescher’s, leading Tom Servo to ask, “Could you not talk?” When
that character asks another what an android is, the answer is: “An android,
dear, is a robot. Like a mechanical man.” Joel adds, “Like my acting.”
When an android says, “We have no feelings,” Crow adds, “We’re
Republicans.” This episode contains references to The Brady Bunch, Gilligan’s
Island, Mork & Mindy, The Godfather, Beverly Hills Cop,
Bullitt, The Wizard Of Oz and The World According To Garp.
As for bonus material, the first disc includes The
Mystery Science Theater Hour introductions and signings off for this
episode.
Disc 2: Escape 2000
In this Mike episode from 1996, Dr. Clayton Forrester
puts his mother in a home while Crow sets fire to the Satellite of Love. And
the movie the gang is forced to watch is one actually directed by Enzo
Castellari, who has made some really good films. This one, however, is… well,
it’s perfect for Mike and the robots to tear apart. Near the beginning Mike
says, “See, this is the danger of expanding rock videos to full-length
features.” And Tom Servo says about the film, “I think it was originally
conceived as a still photograph.” Later, when there is an annoying beeping
sound, the gang quips, “The movie’s backing up.” As one character rides
his motorcycle into a building and down a flight of stairs, Crow comments, “He’s
got kind of an inconvenient parking spot.” The gang jokes often about one
woman’s resemblance to Nosferatu. Mike pokes fun at Enzo Castellari: “The
director had a vision: make guys jump in slow motion.” This episode
contains a lot of music references: Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Prince, Blondie,
Dead Or Alive, Pink Floyd, and so on.
The bonus material contains an introduction by Mary Jo
Pehl, in which she talks about why the movie was chosen for Mystery Science
Theater 3000, and about her character on the show. Leave The Bronx: Making
Escape 2000 is a look at the film and at the movies that influenced it. The
theatrical trailer is also included, with the film’s original title, Escape
From The Bronx.
Disc 3: The Horror Of Party Beach
This is a Mike episode from 1997, when Pearl is the one
sending him and the robots the movies. The opening bit isn’t great, but once
the movie starts, the gang jumps into gear. During the opening credits of the
film, Crow comments: “Original soundtrack not available. You’ll thank us.”
When a girl says to her boyfriend, “I never needed you, and I never will,”
Tom Servo says, “They wrote their own vows.” As a character dumps
radioactive waste into the ocean, the gang quips, “Oh, it’s an Exxon
training film.” The Horror Of Party Beach is a particularly bad film
(and a particularly good episode), and partway through a long scene of people
dancing on a beach, Crow asks, “Mike, are we being punished for something?”
And at another dull dance scene, Crow says, “There must be five car lengths
between couples.” When a child shouts “Extra, extra, read all about it,”
Crow adds, “Fifties extended indefinitely.” The headline on the paper is
“Monsters Strike Again,” leading the gang to add, “President orders monsters
back to work.” At the end of the episode the gang sings an original number
about sodium. And remember, look Polish, everyone!
The third disc contains an introduction by Mary Jo Pehl,
in which she talks about how at that time in the MST3K series, they were
told which types of movies they had to do, and about the narrative arc in the
other segments. Return To Party Beach is a look at the film and its
director, Del Tenney. It features an interview with Tenney’s widow, Margot
Hartman, who provides some really interesting anecdotes, like about the
motorcycle gang used in the film. The film’s trailer is also included.
Disc 4: Invasion Of The Neptune Men
This is another Mike episode from 1997, where a war is
waged in Mike Nelson’s eyelashes, while Pearl has troubles of her own in
ancient Rome. The biggest problem, however, is Invasion Of The Neptune Men,
clearly one of the worst movies of all time, and one that even our seasoned
heroes have trouble dealing with. It’s a Japanese film, so the episode contains
references to Mothra and Gamera. As the aliens retreat to their
ship after the lamest fight sequence ever shown on screen, Crow says, “Come
on, I want to jump around while you fall down more.” One character points
out, “The clock’s running backwards.” Tom Servo adds, “That means
that lunch won’t be until yesterday.” And when a record spins backwards,
the gang adds, “Paul is a dead man.” This terrible film features a group
of annoying children who keep showing up everywhere, leading Mike to comment, “Apparently
the kids have level five security clearance.” As several characters get
into a car, the gang jokes: “Let’s get out of this movie. Step on it!”
Later, as people pile out of an old bus, Mike warns, “Ken Kesey’s got a gun!”
The movie is incredibly dull, so when one character says “Hold it,
something’s happened,” Mike responds, “Yeah, right.” But then
shockingly this Japanese movie has a shot of a statue of Adolf Hitler. Oh my!
This episode contains references to Lord Of The Flies, Lost In Space,
M.A.S.H. and The Banana Splits Show.
The bonus material includes an introduction by Mary Jo
Pehl, in which she talks about the movie and about the obnoxious children, as
well as about the host segments. August On Neptune is a featurette on
the film and its studio, featuring an interview with August Ragone. The
original Japanese theatrical trailer is also included.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume XXXVII was released
on November 22, 2016 through Shout! Factory.
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