from Shout! Factory:
To further celebrate the laugh-fest that is Mystery Science Theater 3000, Shout! Factory, in association with Best Brains Inc., have announced the September 13 release of the 2-DVD set Mystery Science Theater 3000 “Manos” The Hands of Fate Special Edition.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sure, there’s math to back that up, but the far more compelling proof is in the treatment accorded “Manos” The Hands of Fate by those physicists of comedy at Mystery Science Theater 3000. Consider this legendary low point in film history, widely regarded as the worst film ever made, which depicts a family that gets lost en route to a vacation and stumbles into the lair of a cult. Since Satellite of Love captive Joel Robinson and his robot sidekicks Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot react to movies, it follows that this particular episode must be a glorious high point in Mystery Science Theater history. Glorious it is, as the film’s characters battle a half-man, half-goat and an evil man in a robe, and the members of the SoL battle terrible writing and acting.
Disc 1 of the set includes Mystery Science Theater 3000 “Manos” The Hands of Fate, and bonus features Group Therapy, wherein Joel, Trace, Frank & Mary Jo relive the horror; MST Hour wraps; and an exclusive mini-poster by artist Steve Vance. Disc 2 offers the original “Manos” The Hands of Fate feature film, and bonus features Hotel Torgo, a documentary on the making of “Manos” The Hands of Fate; Jam Handy to the Rescue!: a Ballyhoo production; Hired!, (featuring parts 1 and 2 together at last); and more!
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a true cult classic. Its high-camp rendition of B-movies from every genre to the small screen makes it one of the most memorable pop culture shows of our time.
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 series was created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Jim Mallon. After a year on KTMA TV in Minneapolis, its national broadcast life began in 1989 on the Comedy Channel (later to become Comedy Central), where it ran for seven seasons. The show’s final three seasons aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. The premise of the series features a hapless man who is trapped by mad scientists on a satellite in space and forced to watch old B-movies of questionable worth. To keep sane, he’s built two robot sidekicks, and together they do a running commentary on the films, affectionately mocking their flaws with inspired wisecracks and acting as a demented movie theater peanut gallery. Series creator Hodgson originally played the stranded man, Joel Robinson. When he left in 1993, series head writer Mike Nelson replaced him as the new B-movie victim Mike Nelson, and continued in the role for the rest of the show’s run. The format proved to be popular and remarkably durable. During its 11-year run and 198 episodes (including one feature film), MST3K attained a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The series won a Peabody Award in 1993, and was nominated for writing Emmys in 1994 and 1995.
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. With its fingers on the pulse of pop culture, Shout! Factory continues to impact the entertainment media landscape through acquisition of top quality programming for home entertainment releases. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.