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in: MST3K Episodes, Season 8, 'As Seen on TV', 70s Movie

Changes: MST3K 814 - Riding with Death

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{{Ep infobox
  
{{Ep infobox
 
| name =814 - Riding with Death
 
| name =814 - Riding with Death
−
| image =0814-trucking.jpg
 +
| image =0814.jpg
 
| image_size =200px
  
| image_size =200px
 
| airdate =[[July 19]], [[1997]]
  
| airdate =[[July 19]], [[1997]]
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===Synopsis===
  
===Synopsis===
  +
[[File:0814-trucking.jpg|thumb|230px|Riding with Death]]
 
The ever-so mellow Agent Sam Casey (Murphy) is in a satellite explosion and the radiation turns him invisible. He gets a watch that keeps him visible, and he can use it to switch from visible to invisible. He is given two assignments: The first is to transport a chemical, Tripolydine, purported to be the most efficient fuel. After the cover is blown on that and Casey uncovers and stops the Tripolydine fraud, he must then stop elusive terrorist Robert Denby (Nelson) from blowing up race cars. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075142/plotsummary]
  
The ever-so mellow Agent Sam Casey (Murphy) is in a satellite explosion and the radiation turns him invisible. He gets a watch that keeps him visible, and he can use it to switch from visible to invisible. He is given two assignments: The first is to transport a chemical, Tripolydine, purported to be the most efficient fuel. After the cover is blown on that and Casey uncovers and stops the Tripolydine fraud, he must then stop elusive terrorist Robert Denby (Nelson) from blowing up race cars. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075142/plotsummary]
   
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* Ben Murphy wasn't adept enough to gear down his rig while doing 30mph on the runaway slope. Apparently, unlike welding, truck driving isn't taught at Harvard Law. Of course, there's no real reason why the rig needed to be on that slope in the first place. ****Correction**** Gearing down in a diesel truck will not slow the vehicle. Due to inherent differences in how diesel versus gasoline engines work, downshifting is pointless unless a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_brake compression release brake system] (a.k.a. 'Jake Brake') is installed. Jake brakes were (and still are, sorta) aftermarket equipment on trucks; their installation was not nearly as common in the mid-1970s as they are currently. These days, buying a semi without a Jake brake would be like buying a Cadillac without an automatic transmission: you'll have to go out of your way to get one. In 1976, though... Well, that's why [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runaway_truck_ramp runaway truck ramps] and brake inspection areas exist on each end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejon_Pass Grapevine] . (Why the hell Ben Murphy wasn't on a freeway to begin with is a whole different discussion.)
  
* Ben Murphy wasn't adept enough to gear down his rig while doing 30mph on the runaway slope. Apparently, unlike welding, truck driving isn't taught at Harvard Law. Of course, there's no real reason why the rig needed to be on that slope in the first place. ****Correction**** Gearing down in a diesel truck will not slow the vehicle. Due to inherent differences in how diesel versus gasoline engines work, downshifting is pointless unless a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_brake compression release brake system] (a.k.a. 'Jake Brake') is installed. Jake brakes were (and still are, sorta) aftermarket equipment on trucks; their installation was not nearly as common in the mid-1970s as they are currently. These days, buying a semi without a Jake brake would be like buying a Cadillac without an automatic transmission: you'll have to go out of your way to get one. In 1976, though... Well, that's why [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runaway_truck_ramp runaway truck ramps] and brake inspection areas exist on each end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejon_Pass Grapevine] . (Why the hell Ben Murphy wasn't on a freeway to begin with is a whole different discussion.)
 
* When "Carl" cuts Ben Murphy's brake lines, the only result would have been immobilizing the truck: Murphy would have been unable to move. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_brake_(road_vehicle)#Compressed_air_brake_system Air brakes] on trucks are designed to lock up if there is a compressor or hose failure.
  
* When "Carl" cuts Ben Murphy's brake lines, the only result would have been immobilizing the truck: Murphy would have been unable to move. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_brake_(road_vehicle)#Compressed_air_brake_system Air brakes] on trucks are designed to lock up if there is a compressor or hose failure.
−
* Along with Steven Bochco, another name under the "created for television" credits which should be noted is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harve_Bennett Harve Bennett] . Like Bochco, Bennett would move on to bigger and better things: in Bennett's case, producing the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_(film_series) ''Star Trek'' movies] in the 1980s.
 +
* Along with Steven Bochco, another name under the "created for television" credits which should be noted is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harve_Bennett Harve Bennett] . Like Bochco, Bennett would move on to bigger and better things: in Bennett's case, producing the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_(film_series) ''Star Trek'' movies] in the 1980s.
   
 
==The Episode==
  
==The Episode==
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=== Host Segments ===
  
=== Host Segments ===
 
[[File:814-2.jpg|thumb|Turkey Volume Guessing Man!]]
  
[[File:814-2.jpg|thumb|Turkey Volume Guessing Man!]]
−
* '''Prologue''' [[Mike Nelson|Mike]] was once a [[wikipedia:Teppanyaki|teppanyaki]] chef. He tries to make an ornate meal for the Bots, in the process cutting off [[Crow T. Robot|Crow]]'s own hand to serve to him.
 +
* '''Prologue''' [[Mike Nelson|Mike]] was once a [[wikipedia:Teppanyaki|teppanyaki]] chef. He tries to make an ornate meal for the Bots, in the process cutting off [[Crow T. Robot|Crow]]'s own hand to serve to him.
   
−
* '''Segment 1''' The [[Camping Planet]] is under fire! [[Pearl Forrester|Pearl]] calls the [[Satellite of Love|Satellite]] crew for air support, and Mike proceeds to make the biggest baking soda bomb possible. He not only takes out the enemy army, but planet #3. [[Brain Guy]] makes a disturbing nurse.
 +
* '''Segment 1''' The [[Camping Planet]] is under fire! [[Pearl Forrester|Pearl]] calls the [[Satellite of Love|Satellite]] crew for air support, and Mike proceeds to make the biggest baking soda bomb possible. He not only takes out the enemy army, but planet #3. [[Brain Guy]] makes a disturbing nurse.
   
−
* '''Segment 2''' Inspired by the movie, [[Tom Servo|Tom]] writes and performs a song, ''[[The Funky Seventies]]''. As usual, he completely misunderstands everything, but still tries to save the sketch with with an even more inappropriate song about the Fifties.
 +
* '''Segment 2''' Inspired by the movie, [[Tom Servo|Tom]] writes and performs a song, ''[[The Funky Seventies]]''. As usual, he completely misunderstands everything, but still tries to save the sketch with with an even more inappropriate song about the Fifties.
   
−
* '''Segment 3''' Tom somehow acquires another new body. This time, it is that of a truck driver. His butt is disturbingly flat, and he disturbingly loves it too much.
 +
* '''Segment 3''' Tom somehow acquires another new body. This time, it is that of a truck driver. His butt is disturbingly flat, and he disturbingly loves it too much.
   
−
* '''Segment 4''' Crow is now a new superhero...Turkey Volume Guessing Man! He can tell you how many turkeys it takes to fill up a space. Mike accidentally steals Crow's thunder.
 +
* '''Segment 4''' Crow is now a new superhero...Turkey Volume Guessing Man! He can tell you how many turkeys it takes to fill up a space. Mike accidentally steals Crow's thunder.
   
−
* '''Final Segment''' The SOL crew tries to figure out what the movie was actually about. Pearl calls in to alert them to her medal ceremony for her actions on the planet below. She ends up being unable to steer the [[Widowmaker]].
 +
* '''Final Segment''' The SOL crew tries to figure out what the movie was actually about. Pearl calls in to alert them to her medal ceremony for her actions on the planet below. She ends up being unable to steer the [[Widowmaker]].
   
 
* '''Stinger''' Buffalo Bill expresses enthusiasm.
  
* '''Stinger''' Buffalo Bill expresses enthusiasm.

Revision as of 11:38, 26 June 2012

“ Alright boys, Smokey's gunna put you in the pokey! ”



The Movie

Synopsis

File:0814-trucking.jpg

Riding with Death

The ever-so mellow Agent Sam Casey (Murphy) is in a satellite explosion and the radiation turns him invisible. He gets a watch that keeps him visible, and he can use it to switch from visible to invisible. He is given two assignments: The first is to transport a chemical, Tripolydine, purported to be the most efficient fuel. After the cover is blown on that and Casey uncovers and stops the Tripolydine fraud, he must then stop elusive terrorist Robert Denby (Nelson) from blowing up race cars. [1]

Information

  • This movie was pieced together primarily from two episodes of the short-lived 1976 television series Gemini Man, plus some footage and sound effects from the 1970 science fiction film Colossus: The Forbin Project used for establishing shots at the beginning. The episodes used were titled "Smithereens" and "Buffalo Bill Rides Again", with a common element between these two episodes being the guest appearance of country singer Jim Stafford as Buffalo Bill.
  • These two episodes were stitched together after the fact with dialog added in that refers to Dr. Hale, Robert Denby, Driscoll's moustache, and Buffalo Bill's change in career. The scenes where Abby appears to watch from a computer room were also added in from another episode in order to explain her absence during the latter half.
  • A scene from the pilot episode was also added during the first half of the film in order to explain the origin of Sam Casey's invisibility. In this flashback, Driscoll was played by Richard Dysart instead of William Sylvester like in the rest of the film.
  • Ben Murphy wasn't adept enough to gear down his rig while doing 30mph on the runaway slope. Apparently, unlike welding, truck driving isn't taught at Harvard Law. Of course, there's no real reason why the rig needed to be on that slope in the first place. ****Correction**** Gearing down in a diesel truck will not slow the vehicle. Due to inherent differences in how diesel versus gasoline engines work, downshifting is pointless unless a compression release brake system (a.k.a. 'Jake Brake') is installed. Jake brakes were (and still are, sorta) aftermarket equipment on trucks; their installation was not nearly as common in the mid-1970s as they are currently. These days, buying a semi without a Jake brake would be like buying a Cadillac without an automatic transmission: you'll have to go out of your way to get one. In 1976, though... Well, that's why runaway truck ramps and brake inspection areas exist on each end of the Grapevine . (Why the hell Ben Murphy wasn't on a freeway to begin with is a whole different discussion.)
  • When "Carl" cuts Ben Murphy's brake lines, the only result would have been immobilizing the truck: Murphy would have been unable to move. Air brakes on trucks are designed to lock up if there is a compressor or hose failure.
  • Along with Steven Bochco, another name under the "created for television" credits which should be noted is Harve Bennett . Like Bochco, Bennett would move on to bigger and better things: in Bennett's case, producing the Star Trek movies in the 1980s.

The Episode

Host Segments

File:814-2.jpg

Turkey Volume Guessing Man!

  • Prologue Mike was once a teppanyaki chef. He tries to make an ornate meal for the Bots, in the process cutting off Crow's own hand to serve to him.
  • Segment 1 The Camping Planet is under fire! Pearl calls the Satellite crew for air support, and Mike proceeds to make the biggest baking soda bomb possible. He not only takes out the enemy army, but planet #3. Brain Guy makes a disturbing nurse.
  • Segment 2 Inspired by the movie, Tom writes and performs a song, The Funky Seventies. As usual, he completely misunderstands everything, but still tries to save the sketch with with an even more inappropriate song about the Fifties.
  • Segment 3 Tom somehow acquires another new body. This time, it is that of a truck driver. His butt is disturbingly flat, and he disturbingly loves it too much.
  • Segment 4 Crow is now a new superhero...Turkey Volume Guessing Man! He can tell you how many turkeys it takes to fill up a space. Mike accidentally steals Crow's thunder.
  • Final Segment The SOL crew tries to figure out what the movie was actually about. Pearl calls in to alert them to her medal ceremony for her actions on the planet below. She ends up being unable to steer the Widowmaker.
  • Stinger Buffalo Bill expresses enthusiasm.

Other Notes

  • Camping Planet becomes the third and final planet Mike destroys, following Deep Ape and The Observers home planet.

Quotes & References

  • "I'll have a Poppa Burger with cheese... Fries..."

​A fairly standard order from an A&W burger stand. A Poppa Burger is a double-meat, double-cheese hamburger.

  • "And Mickey Mantle's new liver is transported across the country!"

​Baseball legend Mickey Mantle suffered from alcohol-induced cirrhosis of the liver and received a liver transplant in 1995; there were accusations of favoritism due to the speed in which he was matched with an organ donor.

  • "I'd like to dedicate this song to my friends in the Posse Comitatus!"

Posse Comitatus is an American white supremacist group.

  • "Not actually Murray, but an incredible simulation." "Oh, Murray."

Murray Slaughter was a character on a popular 1970s TV show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The phrase also reflects the ads for 70's musical Beatlemania with their catchphrase "Not the Beatles but an Incredible Simulation!"

  • "I'll be your candle on a pile of papers..."

Parody of the song "Candle on the Water" from the Disney film Pete's Dragon.

  • "It's Alan Smithee's number!"

Alan Smithee is a name used by directors who wish to distance themselves from a film. The fictional nature of the name matches the fictional phone number shown on screen (with the telltale 555 prefix).

  • "Goodbye Sister Driscoll

Parodies a line in "Sister Disco" from the Who's Who Are You album.

Notes


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