Space-Thing (1968)

Director:

Byron Mabe

Writer:

Cosmo Politan (writer)

Release Date:

20 September 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Filmed in a galaxy of colors

Plot:

A man is in bed reading Sci-Fi mags, and his wife seduces him. He then falls asleep, and the rest is his dream...

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Sex | Whip | Lesbian | Breasts

Cast

Cara Peters	...	Captain Mother (as April Playmate)
Merci Montello	...	Portia/Opening Credits Model (as Mercy Mee)
Dan Martin	...	Cadet (as Ronnie Runningboard)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Legs Benedict
Karla Conway	...	Connie
Paula Pleasure	...	Paula Pleasure
Steve Vincent	...	James Granilla/Col. James Granilla (2) (as Steve Stunning)

Also Known As:

Erotic Space Thing (Canada: English title) (reissue title)
Erotic Space Women (Canada: English title) (video title)
Space Thing (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:R (Ontario/Manitoba) (cut) | USA:Unrated | Australia:R

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

F.P.S. Ventures

Trivia:

Producer David F. Friedman didn't want the actresses to become known by name, because if they became known they would charge him more to appear in his films. Therefore, all the actresses' credited names are false.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the ship explodes at the end, we see the remains and smoke of the explosion before it happens.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Extra Weird (2003) (V)

One of David Friedman's most enjoyable productions

Yes, this is a bad movie. Its cheaper than "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and "Teenagers From Outer Space" combined, features horrible acting, a screenplay which makes you wonder if the writers were in a right state of mind, and an overall feeling of tawdriness. Fortunately, its a good bad movie. Besides, unlike Ed Wood who had a lot of enthusiasm for his projects, the makers of this will readily admit that its a piece of crap that exists for the sole purpose of getting nudity on-screen. And when the final product is this entertaining and bizarre, I really don't care.

Like I said above, this is a cheap movie. The interiors of the rocket consist of about three in studio sets, the planet they land on at the end is clearly just some desert in California, and the explosions in particular are obviously pasted in later. The dialog and situations are all stereotypical softcore porn scenarios, and they're absolutely riotous. Anyone whose truly politically incorrect at heart will be in hysterics at the incredibly outdated sexism. The characters are all stock types, my favorite being the male cadet who brings to mind a young Bobcat Goldwaith.

Most of all though, these nudie films are unique, which is the main appeal to me. Its a cliché to say they don't make them like they used to, but thats entirely the case here. The color schemes are eye catching and almost pop art (even though thats a more pretentious label than Friedman would ever want), and bring to mind some of John Waters' early classics (the melodramatic dialog is great as well). Past the rather innocent sexual situations, the theme of the space race dates this incredibly. Its kind of like "Flesh Gordan", except even dumber and since the actors never wink at the camera, its a lot more fun than that famous midnight movie. How much you enjoy this film all depends on how intrigued or turned off you are by the plot description. (6/10)