THE MADS VIRTUALLY RIFF “NIGHT OF THE GHOULS”!
Mystery Science Theater 3000‘s Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu are “taking movie riffing back onstage” once again in a livestreamed event – this time 6:00 pm MT Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
The two, who starred as Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV’s Frank on MST3K, are riffing on Night of the Ghouls – a 1959 horror film from Ed Wood Jr! This show will mark their 33rd time performing together virtually during the 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic. Stick around for a post-show Q&A with Frank & Trace and very special guest Cat Popper, bassist.
Past guests have included Mike Nelson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax), Bridget Nelson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax), Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show), Victoria Price (daughter of horror legend Vincent Price), Jonah Ray (Mystery Science Theater 3000), Kevin Murphy (Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax), Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Stan Against Evil), Marcus Parks (Last Podcast on the Left), Carolina Hidalgo (Movie Sign with the Mads), Andy Kindler (Maron, Bob’s Burgers), J. Elvis Weinstein (Mystery Science Theater 3000), Bill Corbett (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax), Mary Jo Pehl (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax), Jackey Neyman Jones (Manos: The Hands of Fate), Rich Koz (host of MeTV’s Svengoolie), Blaine Capatach (Comedy Central’s Beat The Geeks), John Erler (Master Pancake Theater), Beez McKeever (MST3K‘s “Prop Diva”), Dave Hill (Girls5Eva, Drunk Bus, The Dave Hill Goodtime Hour), Martha Kelly (Baskets, Euphoria), and Rachel Lichtman (Network 77).
Background: Written and directed by Ed Wood Jr, the film was shot between April and May 1958. Cast member Paul Marco recalled that the film had a preview screening in 1959 at the Vista Theatre in Hollywood, after which it disappeared from sight until 1984, when it was finally released on home video by entrepreneur Wade Williams.
The film features some reoccurring cast members and characters from Wood’s 1955 Bride of the Monster, including Tor Johnson reprising his role of Lobo and Paul Marco again playing the character of Kelton the cop, while the Amazing Criswell plays himself in the frame story of the film. Another returning character is Police Captain Robbins of Homicide, although the character was played by Harvey B. Dunn in Bride, and by Johnny Carpenter in Night.
Plot: At the beginning, Criswell rises from a coffin and narrates the events of the film. Then a montage starts showing juvenile delinquency, street fighting, and driving under the influence. The sequence ends with the bloody corpse of the drunk driver staring blankly at the camera. According to Criswell’s narration, this is a rather typical end to “a drunken holiday weekend”.
The film then cuts to a teenage couple kissing in a convertible. When the boy gets too aggressive, the girl slaps him and exits the car. The Black Ghost, an undead creature that lurks in the woods near them, later kills the young couple. The murders receive press attention but are thought to be the work of a maniac.
In a police station of East Los Angeles, California, Inspector Robbins waits for Detective Bradford at his office. Bradford soon arrives, dressed in a formal evening wear. He was called to work while on his way to the opera, and he protests the idea of working an unexpected assignment. But Robbins informs him that the case involves the “old house on Willows lake”, which played a part in an earlier case investigated by Bradford. The house was destroyed by lightning, but someone rebuilt it. A flashback scene establishes that the elderly Edwards couple had a terrifying encounter with the White Ghost by this house. Having heard the story, Bradford accepts the assignment to investigate the old house. Robbins assigns Kelton to escort the Detective. Kelton has previously dealt with the supernatural in the events depicted in Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Be sure to join live for a chance to win a 12″x18″ poster print commemorating this event! This poster will go on sale the night of the event! Poster prints are available to purchase at Dumb Industries.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Friends In Need Food Shelf in Minneapolis.
Viewers will be able to tune in from anywhere in the world. Anyone who purchases a ticket will gain access to re-watch the livestream and download it for personal viewing.
Tickets for the March 14 livestreamed event are $10.00 + a service fee. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mads-are-back-night-of-the-ghouls.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Can I watch this anywhere in the world?
A: Yes. As long as you have internet access you will be able to watch and/or download the show.
Q: What is the format of the show like? Will there be silhouettes like on MST3K?
A: While the film plays, only the voices of The Mads will be heard riffing. Trace & Frank will only be on screen during the very beginning for a quick intro and again at the end of the show for a Q&A.
Q: Where will the livestream be broadcast?
A: Most likely on YouTube, but we cannot guarantee this. Unfortunately, sometimes YouTube will flag content in the public domain without reason or warning. We run multiple tests to ensure the movies we select will livestream over YouTube without getting pulled due to their strict copyright restrictions. If this happens during one of our tests, we will find an alternate platform (most likely Twitch) and notify all ticket holders with enough time to prepare their setup.
Q: Is the show appropriate for children?
A: That depends on what kind of parent you are. Strong language is used, but that’s it. Think of it as being rated a “hard PG-13.”
Q: Where will the livestream be broadcast?
A: The show will broadcast via a private Twitch link which will be sent to ticket holders an hour prior to showtime.
Q: Can I watch the show on my TV?
A: Probably! If you have a smartphone and a streaming device (like Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, etc.) you should be able to “cast” from the Twitch app on your phone to the Twitch app on your streaming device. Availability of this feature depends on your own personal setup. Visit here for instructions.
Q: Can I still watch the event even if I can’t tune in live?
A: Yes! Anyone who purchases a ticket prior to showtime will receive a link to download the show within 24 hours of the broadcast ending. If you don’t receive an email with instructions on how to access your download after 24 hours, please email chris@dumb-industries.com.
Q: Where can I buy official Mads merchandise?
A: Tim Holly designs The Mads’ t-shirts and posters and can be purchased on his website.
Q: Can I gift a ticket to a friend?
A: Yes! If you are doing this, make sure to enter their name and email address on the attendee’s info at checkout. This way they’ll receive all the emails on how to access the livestream and download the show afterwards. If you forgot to enter their info, just email chris@dumb-industries.com to update it.
Q: I never got an email confirmation or instructions on how to access the livestream and/or download. Help!
A: Email chris@dumb-industries.com for any issues regarding not receiving emails.