Reviews (9)

Hilarious
I remember watching this on HBO when I was a teen. At the time it seemed pretty scary. When I saw it again years later, I found it absolutely hilarious. Especially hearing Tony Curtis pronounce those spirit names. I think the movie is pure fun. It should come out on DVD.

Somebody please release this on DVD!!
I saw this when I was about 9 or 10 years old, and it scared (...) me. It was the only movie I can ever remember watching that made me move down the couch closer to my dad. And that's saying something.

Pana Witchi Salatu!
Normally I wait for three risings of the sun before writing a review like this...

I was about eight years old when I saw this... My mom had no problem taking me to horror films since she loved 'em too... We saw this one on a double-bill with "The Swarm."

"The Manitou" should be released on DVD, no doubt about it, but then most of William Girdler's films should be, if nothing more than for the funtime feeling of pure camp they give off. Sometimes nothing beats a good bad film, and "The Manitou" succeeds on almost every level! San Francisco new age liberalism is parodied here (well, maybe on consciously) as is disco culture, and the cast features wonderfully rich acting by Tony Curtis and Susan Strasberg (all Method here). The rest of the cast Stella Stevens and Burgess Meredith all ham it up spectacularly, and Michael Ansara gives the film a wonderful turn as John Singing Rock, who normally waits three risings of the sun before taking on ANY job. The effects are pretty cool for what is considered a B-movie, and the demon spirit, Misquamacus (who's Manitou-spirit is growing like a fetus on Strasberg's neck) is amazingly revolting. Just when you think the movie cannot go far enough in dazzling set pieces (the old lady who floats to the staircase while chanting "mana witchi salatu," the ebony Indian (not Native American in 1978) head rising from the seance table, the growing tumor, the ice storm in the hospital (complete with a fridgid beheading) the movie ends with a psychic war (with cheesy laser beams ripping from fingertips) between good and evil in the nude!

Classic cinema, not to be passed up! Makes a great rainy Saturday movie, and someone (Anchor Bay, or hey! Even Criterion (ha ha)) really oughta release it on DVD with plenty of extras.

Beads and Rattles In San Francisco
Everyone criticizes this movie to its face, but they secretly like it on the late-late show in the privacy of their homes. It's a "guilty pleasure" piece, awaiting rediscovery in a less judgmental and more fun-loving age.

Susan Strasberg has a tumor growing on her neck, that turns out to be a fetus. The doctors can't remove it, and it's killing her. Her old faux fortuneteller boyfriend Tony Curtis finds bizarre supernatural phenomena occurring around him, and does some homework with a few of his old occult friends, discovering that the fetus is the reincarnation of a powerful Indian medicine man named Misquamacus, who is out for some old-fashioned magic revenge against the White Man. How to get rid of Misquamacus, before Strasberg dies giving him new life? Why, fight fire with fire, of course - get another medicine man.

The only thing killing this movie is some really bad special effects work - though some of the effects are actually quite good - and uneven direction and script. It has an all-star cast of surprising names, though Curtis and hired medicine man Michael Ansara really steal the show.

The movie's greatest strength is the dialogue and the characters. The faithfully adapted script comes from Graham Masterton's generally better-accepted novel, and Masterton has an absolute gift for making the absurd credible.

No, this movie is hardly anyone's idea of a masterpiece, but it's a great late Friday night popcorn watcher. Give it a chance. Enjoy it in the spirit in which it was made, and you'll have a good time.

Put my vote in to re-release this movie!
I saw this movie on tv when I was a teenager and it was great! it's one of those believable movies cause it was done right. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pam Grier combines big guns and fantastic '70s outfits in Sheba, Baby. After roughly 4,000 establishing shots of Chicago in the opening credits, private eye Sheba Shayne (Grier) immediately heads to Louisville, where thugs are leaning on her father's business, trying to get him to sell out. The police, alas, are no help, but never fear--Sheba is the kind of private dick who doesn't shy away from dunking a man's face in toxic chemicals to get the information she needs. She soon finds herself going head-to-head with a crime lord named Pilot, and the butt kicking begins. Sheba, Baby offers giant ties, big guns, and a firefight on speedboats, and yes, of course there's a catfight. Mandatory viewing. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Also Bad TandA
If you're looking for sexy scenes, and why else would you watch these movies, don't waste your time.

Pam Grier on River? Standard Blaxploitation Action Film
The film is essentially suffers from a too ordinary story and set-pieces such as car bomb and shoot-out, but "Sheba Baby" will surely entertain Pam Grier fans.

Sheba Shayne, a PI in Chicago, has to fly back to her hometown after hearing that her father was threatened by the local mob. Naturally, before she knows it, Sheba is involved in a fight against the cruel syndicate. The rest is almost the same as her movies prior to "Sheba," only difference being some twists in a rather trite story. The most attractive part is the last chase scene on a river, and there Pam herself operates a motor boat. It is enjoyable, but has no cutting-edge of "Coffy." At least "Sheba Baby" is not awfully banal or impossible like "Drum," in which Pam is to appear the following year. "Sheba"s soundtrack by Barbara Mason. Strictly for fans of genre.

Sheba, Baby
Pam Grier being my favorite actress makes it hard for me to rate this video anything lower than a 4. But, in all sincerity, it's a fun, fast-paced movie of revenge and adventure on the high seas. Pam's sexy presence makes it hard to divert your attention from the video, even if it's to pause the tape to take a bathroom break! Pam Grier in one of her more tame roles is sure to please.

Don't Let the pic fool ya
Man I love any blaxplotation but this movie [is bad]. No action no T&A the plot is asinine the sets look like the movie was shot on someones back yard. Good for a rainy Saturday when you don't care if you fall asleep before the movie ends.

Not bad, but it's not Coffey
Let's face it, nothing much comes close to Coffey, but if you like Pam Grier, chances are you'll enjoy this one. It's a good old funky shoot out flick that we love Pam for. There's NO nudity, but she looks great in that blue wetsuit. She's a private eye out for revenge after gangsters shootup her dad and his business. Pam hits the streets 'Sheba style' getting information from low life street scum, one who runs a travelling pawn shop out of the back of his car.

The 'catfight' on the yacht is too short and frankly uninteresting. The big gun fight at the end on yachts and power boats is cool, but has one case of bad editing. Watch for a white guy with long brown hair and a mustasche wearing white pants and a blue shirt. First he gets shot in the chest and falls overboard. Thirty seconds later the same guy (uninjured and dry) is back on the boat and gets shot in the leg. Pam finishes of 'Shark' with a spear gun to the back. Pam looks great as always, but the big fro and shotgun are missing. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is where irony comes in ...
This horror cult favorite by camp master William Girdler should be avoided by anyone incapable of appreciating a film ironically. Yes, rubber snakes attack a blind woman. Yes, that is not scary. But it is funny. Actually, it's hi-freakin-larious.

Lucina, a virginal -- or is she? -- concert pianist is forcibly committed to a "hospital" run by a cross dressing Satan worshipper whose patients range from a naive blind woman to despondent wheelchair-bound druids. Lucina's mutton-chopped, plaid-pantsed boyfriend, Chris, tries to save her as a bam-chicka-bamp-bamp porn soundtrack plays in the background. I won't ruin the ending. Let's just say that the Dark Prince makes an appearance and he's looking for some hot hot Satan-on-virgin action. Awww yeaaah!

Summary: If you heart irony and laughing at others, you will like this movie. If you think that a low-budget movie with poster art resembling a Spinal Tap album cover could possibly be scary, you will be angry. The Exorcist is scary. Asylum of Satan is not.

This Movie is one of the worst Horror Movies ever made.
Out of all the horror movies I have Seen and I've seen many Horror movies this has to be the worst I have ever seen.

The special effects in it are so bad that it is sickning. At one part in the movie this doctor puts a blind person in a swiming pool and these rubber snakes come over with plastic teeth and kill her, you can see the strings pulling the snakes over to the girl.

At another point in the movie this one girl who is on a wheelchair gets pushed in a room and gets locked in their and then you see all of these little plastic spiders and other things that are attached to a string get pulled over her and then she dies.

So what I am basically saying is that this movie has horrible special effects and really bad acting, so whatever you do, don't bother watching this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

You have to be kidding me...
And I thought that William Girdler couldn't get any worse than ASYLUM OF SATAN. Boy,was I wrong! This movie is truly idiotic, has no direction, and includes some of the worst acting that I've ever seen. And, you know what? It's a hoot and a half to watch. As teh back cover says, "based on the crimes of Ed Gein," more like based on Casablanca. The movie, no lie, switches from horror/exploitation into romance half way through. I've watched this movie 3 times ever since purchasing it and I still can't figure one thing out: is this a spoof or is it dead serious? Anyways, watch for a "spooky" old man in a robe at the top of the stairs, Pa's speacial meat, random lines (ad libs?) such as "spider man," "Billy," and "i'll go sleep in the shed." Billy is the most lovable Pa's lil young'n in the history of all horror movies. Girder directed a very good movie once. I think it's called "Boogie Man." "Boogie Man." What a horrid name.

THREE ON A MEATHOOK
Three on a Meathook is supposed to be based on the famous killer Ed Gein which also inspired films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pyscho, and The Silence of the Lambs. However, it has virtually nothing to do with him. The killer lives on a farm and likes his dead mom, that's the only thing they have in common. The story, however, is a brutal, gory film packed with nudity and at times, some quite creative methods of death. The movie never truly seemed to have any direction, and constantly waves into new ones. The killer is obvious from the start, although the creators thought they were fooling us. Still, a true horror fan should see this just because hardcore horror fans should see alot of them, as well as these rare little numbers. Anyway, nothing special or new here, just a sometimes enjoyble sort of slasher flick. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Hilarious
I remember watching this on HBO when I was a teen. At the time it seemed pretty scary. When I saw it again years later, I found it absolutely hilarious. Especially hearing Tony Curtis pronounce those spirit names. I think the movie is pure fun. It should come out on DVD.

Somebody please release this on DVD!!
I saw this when I was about 9 or 10 years old, and it scared (...) me. It was the only movie I can ever remember watching that made me move down the couch closer to my dad. And that's saying something.

Pana Witchi Salatu!
Normally I wait for three risings of the sun before writing a review like this...

I was about eight years old when I saw this... My mom had no problem taking me to horror films since she loved 'em too... We saw this one on a double-bill with "The Swarm."

"The Manitou" should be released on DVD, no doubt about it, but then most of William Girdler's films should be, if nothing more than for the funtime feeling of pure camp they give off. Sometimes nothing beats a good bad film, and "The Manitou" succeeds on almost every level! San Francisco new age liberalism is parodied here (well, maybe on consciously) as is disco culture, and the cast features wonderfully rich acting by Tony Curtis and Susan Strasberg (all Method here). The rest of the cast Stella Stevens and Burgess Meredith all ham it up spectacularly, and Michael Ansara gives the film a wonderful turn as John Singing Rock, who normally waits three risings of the sun before taking on ANY job. The effects are pretty cool for what is considered a B-movie, and the demon spirit, Misquamacus (who's Manitou-spirit is growing like a fetus on Strasberg's neck) is amazingly revolting. Just when you think the movie cannot go far enough in dazzling set pieces (the old lady who floats to the staircase while chanting "mana witchi salatu," the ebony Indian (not Native American in 1978) head rising from the seance table, the growing tumor, the ice storm in the hospital (complete with a fridgid beheading) the movie ends with a psychic war (with cheesy laser beams ripping from fingertips) between good and evil in the nude!

Classic cinema, not to be passed up! Makes a great rainy Saturday movie, and someone (Anchor Bay, or hey! Even Criterion (ha ha)) really oughta release it on DVD with plenty of extras.

Beads and Rattles In San Francisco
Everyone criticizes this movie to its face, but they secretly like it on the late-late show in the privacy of their homes. It's a "guilty pleasure" piece, awaiting rediscovery in a less judgmental and more fun-loving age.

Susan Strasberg has a tumor growing on her neck, that turns out to be a fetus. The doctors can't remove it, and it's killing her. Her old faux fortuneteller boyfriend Tony Curtis finds bizarre supernatural phenomena occurring around him, and does some homework with a few of his old occult friends, discovering that the fetus is the reincarnation of a powerful Indian medicine man named Misquamacus, who is out for some old-fashioned magic revenge against the White Man. How to get rid of Misquamacus, before Strasberg dies giving him new life? Why, fight fire with fire, of course - get another medicine man.

The only thing killing this movie is some really bad special effects work - though some of the effects are actually quite good - and uneven direction and script. It has an all-star cast of surprising names, though Curtis and hired medicine man Michael Ansara really steal the show.

The movie's greatest strength is the dialogue and the characters. The faithfully adapted script comes from Graham Masterton's generally better-accepted novel, and Masterton has an absolute gift for making the absurd credible.

No, this movie is hardly anyone's idea of a masterpiece, but it's a great late Friday night popcorn watcher. Give it a chance. Enjoy it in the spirit in which it was made, and you'll have a good time.

Put my vote in to re-release this movie!
I saw this movie on tv when I was a teenager and it was great! it's one of those believable movies cause it was done right. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Also Bad TandA
If you're looking for sexy scenes, and why else would you watch these movies, don't waste your time.

Pam Grier on River? Standard Blaxploitation Action Film
The film is essentially suffers from a too ordinary story and set-pieces such as car bomb and shoot-out, but "Sheba Baby" will surely entertain Pam Grier fans.

Sheba Shayne, a PI in Chicago, has to fly back to her hometown after hearing that her father was threatened by the local mob. Naturally, before she knows it, Sheba is involved in a fight against the cruel syndicate. The rest is almost the same as her movies prior to "Sheba," only difference being some twists in a rather trite story. The most attractive part is the last chase scene on a river, and there Pam herself operates a motor boat. It is enjoyable, but has no cutting-edge of "Coffy." At least "Sheba Baby" is not awfully banal or impossible like "Drum," in which Pam is to appear the following year. "Sheba"s soundtrack by Barbara Mason. Strictly for fans of genre.

Sheba, Baby
Pam Grier being my favorite actress makes it hard for me to rate this video anything lower than a 4. But, in all sincerity, it's a fun, fast-paced movie of revenge and adventure on the high seas. Pam's sexy presence makes it hard to divert your attention from the video, even if it's to pause the tape to take a bathroom break! Pam Grier in one of her more tame roles is sure to please.

Don't Let the pic fool ya
Man I love any blaxplotation but this movie [is bad]. No action no T&A the plot is asinine the sets look like the movie was shot on someones back yard. Good for a rainy Saturday when you don't care if you fall asleep before the movie ends.

Not bad, but it's not Coffey
Let's face it, nothing much comes close to Coffey, but if you like Pam Grier, chances are you'll enjoy this one. It's a good old funky shoot out flick that we love Pam for. There's NO nudity, but she looks great in that blue wetsuit. She's a private eye out for revenge after gangsters shootup her dad and his business. Pam hits the streets 'Sheba style' getting information from low life street scum, one who runs a travelling pawn shop out of the back of his car.

The 'catfight' on the yacht is too short and frankly uninteresting. The big gun fight at the end on yachts and power boats is cool, but has one case of bad editing. Watch for a white guy with long brown hair and a mustasche wearing white pants and a blue shirt. First he gets shot in the chest and falls overboard. Thirty seconds later the same guy (uninjured and dry) is back on the boat and gets shot in the leg. Pam finishes of 'Shark' with a spear gun to the back. Pam looks great as always, but the big fro and shotgun are missing. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

You have to be kidding me...
And I thought that William Girdler couldn't get any worse than ASYLUM OF SATAN. Boy,was I wrong! This movie is truly idiotic, has no direction, and includes some of the worst acting that I've ever seen. And, you know what? It's a hoot and a half to watch. As teh back cover says, "based on the crimes of Ed Gein," more like based on Casablanca. The movie, no lie, switches from horror/exploitation into romance half way through. I've watched this movie 3 times ever since purchasing it and I still can't figure one thing out: is this a spoof or is it dead serious? Anyways, watch for a "spooky" old man in a robe at the top of the stairs, Pa's speacial meat, random lines (ad libs?) such as "spider man," "Billy," and "i'll go sleep in the shed." Billy is the most lovable Pa's lil young'n in the history of all horror movies. Girder directed a very good movie once. I think it's called "Boogie Man." "Boogie Man." What a horrid name.

THREE ON A MEATHOOK
Three on a Meathook is supposed to be based on the famous killer Ed Gein which also inspired films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pyscho, and The Silence of the Lambs. However, it has virtually nothing to do with him. The killer lives on a farm and likes his dead mom, that's the only thing they have in common. The story, however, is a brutal, gory film packed with nudity and at times, some quite creative methods of death. The movie never truly seemed to have any direction, and constantly waves into new ones. The killer is obvious from the start, although the creators thought they were fooling us. Still, a true horror fan should see this just because hardcore horror fans should see alot of them, as well as these rare little numbers. Anyway, nothing special or new here, just a sometimes enjoyble sort of slasher flick. ... Read more