Rob Zombie

Tagline: The most shocking tale of carnage ever seen.

Robert Bartleh Cummings AKA Rob Zombie driven by his passion for horror films made his directorial debut in 2003, under controversial hype and a mixed reception by filmgoer and critic alike, House of 1000 Corpses. Which he had actually completed in 2000, but Universal refused to release it because the studio suites thought the film would garner a "NC-17" rating from the MPAA and after a couple of years of shopping the film Lionsgate picked it up.

His film was inspired mainly by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). But also his fascination with Manson and the Manson family helped shape some of the character archtypes in the film and his love for The Marx Brothers inspired many of the character's quirky names.

The plot is simple enough, two teenage couples traveling across the backwoods of Texas searching for urban legends and bizarre road side stops when they happen upon the legend of Dr. Satan that leads them to being abducted by a bizarre and sadistic backwater family of serial killers, the Fireflys.

Starring Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon, and Karen Black.

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EDIT: One post in broken down in four posts!

 

Rob Zombie has described two of his adoring creations, Otis as a cross between Charles Manson and musician Johnny Winter. And Captain Spaulding as a cross between a likable ***hole, Don Rickles, and a serial killer. (Actor Bill Moseley "Otis" reappears as Ed Gein and the newscaster Lance Brockwell.)

The film was dedicated to Dennis Fimple (Grandpa Hugo Firefly) whom passed away before the film's screening. This sad circumstance will have had struck again in the director's next feature, a sequel The Devil's Rejects.

Honestly, House of 1000 Corpses is destined to enjoy a revival. Something about the elements and the people involved will give it another look and reconsideration. The planets were aligned right for this mindlessly chaotic but highly entertaining flawed horror film.
My favorite quality in House of 1000 Corpses is the fact that it serves as an ode to Z-budget midnite Drive-in matinees so prevalent in the 70s. Popular standbys or terribly obscure titles (for good reason) such as "The House of Seven Corpses"; "The Zombie Child"; "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things"; "House of Missing Girls"; "House of the Damned"; "The House that Vanished"; "Mansion of the Doomed"; "Don't Look in the Basement"; "Asylum of Satan"; "Three on a Meathook"; "Dr Tarr's Torture Dungeon"; "The Murder Clinic"; etc which Rob Zombie revamped with a cool soundtrack and MTV visuals, in particular the Denis' nightmares and the Firefly flashbacks.

Today's cinema has grown too sophisticated for such cheapies. Today it is about Multiplexes and IMAX not Grindhouse and cheap auction lot Drive-ins. Zombie's B-budget vision is simply a nostalgic journey.

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Several character names in House of 1000 Corpses were taken directly from five Marx Brothers films: Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding from Animal Crackers (1930), Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff from Horse Feathers (1932), Rufus T. Firefly from Duck Soup (1933), Otis B. Driftwood from A Night at the Opera (1935), and Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush from A Day at the Races (1937) (all portrayed by Groucho Marx); and, Signor Emanuel Ravelli from Animal Crackers (1930) (portrayed by Chico Marx).

Baby's real name, Vera-Ellen may also have a Marx Brothers connection, as actress Vera-Ellen portrayed character Maggie Phillips in their film Love Happy (1949).

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Trivia:

The exterior shots of the Firefly home is the same home used in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and filmed at Universal Studios.

When Denise is lowered in Dr Satan's lair, a tape player is also sent down and it keeps repeating a slowed down version of Aleister Crowley's poem "The Poet", read by himself (found on CD called The Great Beast Speaks which is the only known recording of Crowley). The line from the poem that gets repeated over and over is: "Bury me in a nameless grave".

Rob Zombie had originally written the script for The Crow: Salvation (2000), and was also supposed to direct and supervise the music for the movie. Continual clashes with the producers led to his being fired from the movie. The script he had written is now the script for Legend of the 13 Graves.

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I saw it when it came out. I liked it, but it seemed like they were holding back or something. Was anything cut from the film that you are aware of? If so, i'd love to see a director's cut. It would also be cool to see what became of Dr. Satan and his experiments.

 

I personally think Rob Zombie is a genius. He just gets it when it comes to horror movies which for all intensive purposes is exactly the same as heavy metal. Shocking, showmanship, smart - in that order. Never gonna die as genres either because they are both the answer to the norm. Its not a coincidence that heavy metal fans and muscians are almost to a man and woman horror film fans.

 

I have to admit that I haven't seen a Zombie film.

 

Zombie had reshot pieces but the character of Denis went through alot more in Dr. Satan's lair (I know that for sure) and the film had a subplot involving the cryptozoological creature -- a Skunk Ape which Zombie cut because he felt it was too crazy and unneccessary. But there is a passing mention of it by some loonies and an brief appearance, both references in one of Denis' nightmares.

You said it. I feel he is brilliant genuis both musically and cinematically. Foremost House of 1000 Corpses is for horror buffs, especially those whom can recollect or have prior knowledge of the midnite movies scene during the 70s. But he provided better writing, directing, and maintained higher production value also the film is not nearly as trashy as the films it paid homage to. But any audience can enjoy House of 1000 Corpses.

This film is one you don't think and sit back and enjoy the mayhem. The Fireflys are really anti-heroes in the film. But there is gore and violence.

I have a friend whom can quote all or great portions of this film. He loves it.

Here's some great quotes from the film:

"Boy, I bet you'd stick your head in fire if I told ya you could see Hell. Meanwhile, you're too stupid to realize you got a demon stickin' out your *** singing, "Holy Miss Moley, got me a live one."

"I'm the one who brings the Christmas candy. Now tell me, who's your daddy?"

"I'm the one who brings the devil's brandy."

"Who's your daddy?"

"I'm the one who beats you when you're bad."

"Who's your daddy?"

"Who's your daddy?"

"What are you, Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter for the Daily ***hole?"


"Why", you ask? "Why" is not the question. How? Now, that is a question worth examining. How could I, being born of such, uh... conventional stock, arrive a leader of the rebellion? An escapist from a conformist world, destined to find happiness only in that which cannot be explained? I brought you here for a reason, but unfortunately you and your sentimental minds are doing me no good! My brain is frozen. Locked! I have to break free from this culture of mechanical reproductions and the thick encrustations dying on the surface!"

 

My friend Darien raves about this film, but I've yet to see it. perhaps i'll rent it soon.

 

I'd give the same amount of rave. A popular cult classic and I feel it's only going to grow bigger and bigger as it ages. Not for being pivotal or groundbreaking but for being such a entertaining film and the work of a genius.

 

Aargh. Rule #1: never cut the Skunk Ape out of a movie.

 

The Devil's Rejects certainly has more depth and an entirely different film really.

Back to HO1KC, oh no, consider the source inspirations. They were full of weird twists and WT* moments right out of the blue. Rob Zombie, a first time filmmaker, displayed great ingenuity and talent that this film didn't snowball on him and make him look like a talentless jerk (emphasis on a stronger description). A more difficult endeavor than playing straight with a straight horror film.

The core ensemble performed excellently, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, and Karen Black (underrated actors I might add) really played their roles to the hilt. There were no flat notes from their performances neither the rest of the cast.

The thing gelled and held. HO1KC had one important purpose in mind, be fun and shocking without following the PG-13 formula of the day.

 

Here is a prime example of a midnite movie, just released from Criterion, Equinox (1970).

Review courtesy of DVD Drive-In, a premiere site for the films that inspired that Zombie 70s vibe and setting. Reviews are on the left side of their main page

 

I agree with 2Q. Ho1KC seemed like a learning experience for Zombie. He had great vision, but he was still learning how to handle the technical side of making a film.

 

And I wholeheartedly love the film, it worked for me. I ate up the nasty, cartoony nature of the material. People griped most about the music video editing and gawdy visuals. But once the viewer realizes these all represent Firefly home videos, Firefly flashbacks, and Denis' nightmares. That there was purpose behind that bedlam.

Of course Zombie wisely dropped all the psychedelic cartooniness in his next film which discussion I'll be hosting in a few days.

 

Tagline: A Tale of Murder, Mayhem, and Revenge.

More Drive-in horror written and directed by Zombie, The Devil's Rejects (2005) reunites the homicidal members of the Firefly family, tracing their bloody flight from an outlaw sheriff hell-bent on revenge...

House of 1000 Corpses began on October 30 1977, this film is set on May 18 1978, nearly seven months later after the event. Ambushed at their isolated home by Sheriff Wydell (William Forsythe) and a squad of armed men, the Firefly family wakes up one morning with guns blazing. A sequence director Zombie intentionally lent a Waco-like newsreel hand-held cinematography, switching between Wydell and his men and the Fireflys. It also required an astronomical amount of squibs, literally hundreds that required precision timing, to give the scene crunch-time gunfight realism. Once the confrontation moves inside the rundown home, Zombie utilized surreal slow motion shots, as the authorities scramble into the tear gas fogged living chambers with tear gas masks and enter the insane world of the Fireflys. A cue taken from Ridley Scott and James Cameron, the interior resembles an alien landscape in which the Fireflys emerge from cover in creepy bizarre armor recalling Australian outlaw Ned Kelly.

Only Otis (Bill Moseley) and his sister, Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), manage to escape the barrage of bullets unharmed. Hiding out in a backwater motel, the wanted siblings wait to rendezvous with their errant father, Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), killing whoever happens to stand in their way. Whom leads them to his half brother Charlie Altamont (Ken Foree) a pimp running "Charlie's Frontier Fun Town" bordello. But as the body count mounts higher, Sheriff Wydell decides to take the law into his own hands, hiring two ruthless bounty hunters, Rondo (Danny Trejo) and Billy Ray (Diamond Dallas Page) to bring these bad guys down paving the way for one of the most depraved and terrifying showdowns in cinematic history with the real heroes a subject of serious debate between the band of amoral serial killers and the sadistic vigilante sheriff.

Starring Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, William Forsythe, Ken Foree, Leslie Easterbrook, Matthew McGrory.

And featuring a who's who mainly consisting of cult and horror personalities, Michael Berryman, Geoffry Sullivan, Priscilla Barnes (Terry from "Three's Company), EG Daily, Ginger Lynn Allen, PJ Soles, Steve Railsback, Daniel Roebuck, Danny Trejo, and wrestler Diamond Dallas Page. Zombie's direction diligently included these familiar faces into the story carefully avoiding any distracting cameo moments.

Rob Zombie departed from the wacky visuals and fantasy-like elements of his first feature. And even deleted the Dr. Satan scene that featured the mad doctor in a hospital, apprehended after the opening siege. Rosario Dawson (Sin City) had a small appearance as the nurse who has her throat ripped out by Dr. Satan. Beloved by fans, Zombie however found the Dr. Satan scene too stretched and hokey. I have seen this deleted scene and am actually quite fond of it honestly. Oh well.

Bill Moseley summed the film up perfectly when stated The Devil's Rejects is a darker, edgier, and grittier sequel yet features shocking moments of humanity too.

And plenty of hilarious self-depreciating moments such as the Banjo and Sullivan roadie, Jimmy.

Captain Spaulding's wet dream, a scene that disturbed the producers visiting the set the day it was filmed. Also ends on a reference to the first film, specifically a reference to a comment Spaulding made about his taste in women.

The "Unholy Two", bounty hunters Rondo and Billy Ray, comments that they're the best money can buy. The subtle set-up to this piece of dialogue is amusing.

Rob Zombie has shown a love for 1970s not solely because of his music and movie influences but also the low-tech primitiveness of the period, no affordable contrivances such as cell phones or AAA to get people out of a bad fix in these films.

The new directo

 

Wanted to add some tidbits, negotiations to recast Karen Black as Mother Firefly fell through but fortunately she was replaced by Leslie Easterbrook who IMO takes the character to a level that is equally sensual if not more deeply disturbing.

See the interrogation scenes between Sheriff John Q Wydell and Mother Firefly.

Further continuity issues, Otis B Driftwood appears to miraclously recover from his albinism. Like Zombie, I share his idea this piece had to be exorcised in order to flesh out the character more realistically. Too campy otherwise in light of the character's traits.

A re-occuring theme has grown into a trademark from both films that one wonders might turn up in the ninth Halloween film. A character telling a story that grows increasingly contradictory to it's initial first account.

Deputy Steve Naish (Walter Goggins), George Wydell's green partner, recounting his story about being bitten by a dog after jumping out of his boots in House of 1000 Corpses. At the motel, Roy Sullivan's (Geoffry Lewis) tales about Johnny Cash in The Devil's Rejects.

 

A re-occuring theme has grown into a trademark from both films that one wonders might turn up in the ninth Halloween film. A character telling a story that grows increasingly contradictory to it's initial first account.





That would be an interesting way to approach the Halloween remake.

 

Tarantino has his infamous 'Trunk Shot' amongst other trademarks, I think it would be quite humorous if Zombie's BSer once again raises it's hilarious head in the form of a intern or patient whatever in the next one.

Or maybe that would be too predictable.

But Zombie has said this, (not to switch the discussion to Halloween this soon), courtesy of the latest issue of Rue Morgue magazine.

"The second Halloween movie took the story and the characters about as far as they could go," Zombie tells Rue Morgue. "So I decided to do a kind of prequel because there's so much in the original story that is just hinted at. We know what Michael Myers did and that he was locked away for a long time, but we never get any real insight into who he is - he's just a big mystery. I want to see all the details of Michael's life so that when he's a grown man you'll say, 'Oh my god, now I know why the boogeyman is the boogeyman.'"

About two-thirds of the movie will consist of all-new material that builds on the tantalizing hints about Michael's true nature that were previously offered by Dr. Loomis (the late Donald Pleasance), as well as a re-imagining of the key events in the original story, including the night Michael comes home to Haddonfield, Illinois.

Zombie understands the skepticism of hardcore horror fans who've been stung by one too many flabby remakes of their beloved classics, but insists there's nothing to fear.

"People who are worried about my take on Halloween have to remember that John Carpenter is a very different person than me," he says. "I'm not going to try to recreate a John Carpenter movie. Carpenter's The Thing does not look like it was directed by Howard Hawks. That's why you can say, 'Both movies are ****ing awesome.'" What Zombie does intend to mine from the original is Carpenter's gritty realism.

"What I liked about the first Halloween is that it was very realistic. It isn't until the end, when Michael disappears, that anything happens that couldn't be real. Until then, it's real - that's what's so scary."

He will bring back the two touchstones, the original theme song and Michael's blank white mask.

And although the film has yet to be cast, Zombie is adamant that there will be no cameos from original cast members.

"I don't want there to be any, 'Oh look, wink wink, nudge nudge, we're doing the Halloween thing again.' This has to be a unique experience unto itself or it won't work."

-finish!



The discussion is not ready to move onto this film yet but by all means I encourage full news and facts gathering participation throughout the thread. And reading material like this article is quickly turning into ecstatic schoolboy-like enthusiasm personally.

 

He's hosting underground films late Friday nights on TCM...

 

I've watched him, he is a fabulous host. Count on a class act like TCM bolster a direly needed entertainment program such as this.

 

Tonight on Rob Zombie's TCM "Underground Movie" film festival: "Sisters" (dir. Da Palma)

 

Oh good, I am in such a great mood for classic De Palma tonight, the afterglow of the Halloween holiday hasn't diminished much.

 

Zombie is certainly an interesting guy and filmmaker. I wasn't too crazy about House of a 1000 Corpses. (It was especially weird seeing Dwight from the Office in the movie) But I thought Devils Rejects was a very interesting and good movie.