MST3K
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
MST3K
MST3K
3,063
pages
in: MST3K Episodes, Season 8, Foreign Film,
and 4 more

Changes: MST3K 819 - Invasion of the Neptune Men

Back to page
Sign in to edit
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
m (→‎Video releases: clean up, replaced: Shout Factory → Shout! Factory)
(40 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 19: Line 19:
 
| s2director =
  
| s2director =
 
| s2year =
  
| s2year =
−
| preceded_by =818 - [[Devil Doll]]
 +
| preceded_by =818 - [[MST3K 818 - Devil Doll|Devil Doll]]
−
| followed_by =820 - [[Space Mutiny]]
 +
| followed_by =820 - [[MST3K 820 - Space Mutiny|Space Mutiny]]
  +
}}
⚫
}} {{Quote|I know a song about stock footage, it goes like this. Dundundundun EAT IT MOVIE! Take this stupid little cockroach of a film, roll it up SO tight, and ram it up your--"|Tom}}
  
  +
  ⚫
{{Quote|I know a song about stock footage, it goes like this. ''Da da da DA da DA!'' EAT IT MOVIE! Take this stupid little cockroach of a film, roll it up SO tight, and ram it up your--''(sobs)''"|Tom}}
   
 
==The Movie==
  
==The Movie==
Line 27: Line 29:
 
===Synopsis===
  
===Synopsis===
 
[[File:Neptunemen3.PNG|thumb|204x204px|left|'''''Invasion of the Neptune Men''''']]
  
[[File:Neptunemen3.PNG|thumb|204x204px|left|'''''Invasion of the Neptune Men''''']]
−
Slow-moving aliens from the planet Neptune, wearing nosecone-shaped space helmets, attempt to invade Earth in a winged rocketship. But they are thwarted by a mysterious superhero called "Space Chief," who flies around in a rocket-propelled car. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055562/plotsummary] No relation to [[Prince of Space]]. We swear.
 +
Slow-moving aliens from the planet Neptune, wearing nosecone-shaped space helmets, attempt to invade Earth in a winged rocketship. But they are thwarted by a mysterious superhero called "Space Chief," who flies around in a rocket-propelled car. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055562/plotsummary] No relation to [[Prince of Space|''Prince of Space'']].
 
[[Image:HitlerBuilding.jpg|thumb|'''The infamous billboard dubbed "The Hitler Building"'''|232x232px]]
  
[[Image:HitlerBuilding.jpg|thumb|'''The infamous billboard dubbed "The Hitler Building"'''|232x232px]]
−
As with the Gamera movies and [[Time of the Apes]], very young and apparently orphaned Japanese children have unfettered access to all sorts of things that would be completely off limits in America and which, hopefully, are off-limits in real world Japan.
  
   
 
===Information===
  
===Information===
  +
*Many of the invasion scenes in Tokyo were edited from ''World War III Breaks Out'' (1960). The appearance of a giant billboard of Adolf Hitler has led some viewers to believe that the stock footage is taken from documentary footage of World War II Japan. However, according to August Ragone on the special features of the DVD for the episode, only one shot of the Diet building as stock footage, and the rest all purpose-built for the Neptune Men series<ref>"August on Neptune", Ballyhoo Pictures. MST3K XXXVII.</ref> (see "Trivia" below).
−
*Many of the invasion scenes in Tokyo featured stock footage of bombings and explosions from World War II Japan (as evidenced by the giant billboard of Adolf Hitler).<br />
  
−
*One of the boys owns a toy Robbie the Robot from ''Forbidden Planet'' 1956). [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055562/trivia]
 +
*One of the boys owns a toy Robbie the Robot from ''Forbidden Planet'' (1956). [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055562/trivia]
   
 
==The Episode==
  
==The Episode==
   
  ⚫
=== '''Host Segments''' ===
−
=== <br>
  
  +
[[File:BoboNeptuneMen.jpg|thumb|230x230px|'''The Mad Goth, AKA [[Professor Bobo|Bobo]], arrives in Roman Times''']]
⚫
Host Segments ===
  
⚫
[[File:Neptunemen.PNG|thumb|245x245px|left|'''The Bots attempt Noh theater''']]
  
 
'''Prologue''': [[Tom Servo|Tom]] and [[Crow T. Robot|Crow]] are disgusted to learn about eyelash mites and decide to get rid of the ones [[Mike Nelson|Mike]] has.
  
'''Prologue''': [[Tom Servo|Tom]] and [[Crow T. Robot|Crow]] are disgusted to learn about eyelash mites and decide to get rid of the ones [[Mike Nelson|Mike]] has.
   
 
'''Segment One:''' The Bots send the nanites to destroy the mites, scorning Mike like it was his idea when things go south. Meanwhile, The Mad Goth, AKA [[Professor Bobo|Bobo]] arrives, making [[Pearl Forrester|Pearl]] and [[Brain Guy]] want to commit suicide, until Brain Guy convinces Pearl to save Bobo by telling her that Bobo ruining time and space would mean the end of [[wikipedia: Chicken_in_a_Biskit|Chicken in a Biskit]].
  
'''Segment One:''' The Bots send the nanites to destroy the mites, scorning Mike like it was his idea when things go south. Meanwhile, The Mad Goth, AKA [[Professor Bobo|Bobo]] arrives, making [[Pearl Forrester|Pearl]] and [[Brain Guy]] want to commit suicide, until Brain Guy convinces Pearl to save Bobo by telling her that Bobo ruining time and space would mean the end of [[wikipedia: Chicken_in_a_Biskit|Chicken in a Biskit]].
   
  ⚫
[[File:Neptunemen.PNG|thumb|230x230px|'''The Bots attempt Noh theater''']]
⚫
'''Segment Two:''' Mike confuses the bots by telling them about Noh Theater.[[File:Neptunemen2.PNG|thumb|241x241px|[[Phantom of Krankor|'''Krankor''']]''' visits the SOL''']]'''Segment Three:''' Tom comes down with a bad case of Roji Panty complex. Meanwhile, Pearl and Brain Guy unsuccessfully make Bobo remember who he really is.
  
  +
⚫
'''Segment Four:''' Mike and the Bots are going to lose their sanity when they get a visitor - [[Phantom of Krankor|Krankor]]!
  
  +
'''Segment Two:''' Mike confuses the bots by telling them about Noh Theater. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_and_Costello Abbott and Costello] hijinks ensue.
  +
  ⚫
'''Segment Three:''' Tom comes down with a bad case of Roji Panty complex. Meanwhile, Pearl and Brain Guy unsuccessfully make Bobo remember who he really is.
  +
  ⚫
'''Segment Four:''' Mike and the Bots are about to lose their sanity when they get a visitor - [[Phantom of Krankor|Krankor]]![[File:Neptunemen2.PNG|thumb|230x230px|[[Phantom of Krankor|'''Krankor''']]''' visits the SOL''']]
   
 
'''Closing (Segment Five):''' Mike and the Bots read suggestions from the suggestion box, all insulting Japan. Meanwhile, Pearl and Brain Guy hit Bobo with a giant slate of rock, making him remember who he is, resulting in him, Pearl, and Brain Guy getting thrown into the dungeon.
  
'''Closing (Segment Five):''' Mike and the Bots read suggestions from the suggestion box, all insulting Japan. Meanwhile, Pearl and Brain Guy hit Bobo with a giant slate of rock, making him remember who he is, resulting in him, Pearl, and Brain Guy getting thrown into the dungeon.
   
 
'''Stinger:''' "Aaaah! What's that?"
  
'''Stinger:''' "Aaaah! What's that?"
  +
  +
=== Guest Stars ===
  +
* ''Roman Day Players'': [[Beez McKeever]], [[Patrick Brantseg]], [[Paul Chaplin]]
  +
* [[Krankor|''Krankor'']]: [[Bill Corbett]]
  +
  +
=== Trivia ===
  ⚫
* The "Noh Theater" segment is referenced in ''[[Wikipedia:The Grudge|The Grudge]]'' [[RiffTrax]] episode.
  +
* This was [[Jill Roozenboom]]’s last episode as Production Manager. It was also intern Meshach Weber’s last episode.
  +
* The production staff and cast was extremely disapproving of what appeared to be genuine WWII bombing footage being incorporated into what was essentially a sci-fi film, an attitude that was given free rein in the more-merciless-than-usual riffing. [[Kevin Murphy]] specifically cited this as one of the worst movies ever shown on the series, calling the film's director "reprehensible" for using actual WWII footage in what was basically a children's film.
  +
*This episode was ranked #95 among backers of the [[Bring Back MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Kickstarter|Bring Back MST3K Kickstarter]] in the [[Top 100 Episodes of MST3K|Top 100 Poll]].
  +
  +
=== Callbacks ===
  +
* A lot of riffs make references to ''[[MST3K 816 - Prince of Space|Prince of Space]]''.
   
 
== Quotes & References ==
  
== Quotes & References ==
 
*''"Starring [[wikipedia:Santa Claus|Santa!]] [[wikipedia:Speed Racer|Speed Racer!]] [[wikipedia:Shonen Knife|Shonen Knife!]] [[wikipedia:Sailor Moon|Sailor Moon!]]"''
  
*''"Starring [[wikipedia:Santa Claus|Santa!]] [[wikipedia:Speed Racer|Speed Racer!]] [[wikipedia:Shonen Knife|Shonen Knife!]] [[wikipedia:Sailor Moon|Sailor Moon!]]"''
−
''Speed Racer'' is a 60's anime series about a crime-fighting auto racer (which was a modest success in its native Japan and is actually a much bigger staple of ''American'' pop culture); Shonen Knife is an all-female Japanese rock band; Sailor Moon is an anime about a team of teenage heroines who wear sailor suit-esque costumes (which was a really big deal in both Japan and America, having received two revivals, one animated and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqP-CE4uUxk one live action]).
 +
:''Speed Racer'' is a 60's anime series about a crime-fighting auto racer (which, despite the prominence Mike seems to be assigning it, was a modest success in its native country and is more famous as one of the first anime to be given wide release in the United States); Shonen Knife is an all-female Japanese rock band; ''Sailor Moon'' is an anime about a team of teenage heroines who wear [[Wikipedia:Japanese school uniform#Sailor fuku|sailor suit-like costumes]] which has seen a pair of revival shows since this episode aired, one live-action (''Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon'') and one animated (''Sailor Moon Crystal''). Contrary to what Crow and Mike say later in the episode, Sailor Moon isn't gun-toting or pre-pubescent.
  +
* ''"It's the Neptunian [[Wikipedia:Bay of Pigs Invasion|Bay of Pigs]]."''
  +
:A reference to the disastrous failed attempt to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro on April 17, 1961, as shown in Coleman Francis' magnum opus, ''[[Red Zone Cuba|Red Zone Cuba.]]''
 
* ''"He was trained in karate by Bruce Lei...bowitz".''
  
* ''"He was trained in karate by Bruce Lei...bowitz".''
−
An implication that Space Chief's karate moves aren't quite as impressive as those of kung-fu movie legend [[wikipedia:Bruce_Lee|Bruce Lee]].
 +
:An implication that Space Chief's karate moves aren't quite as impressive as those of kung-fu movie legend [[wikipedia:Bruce_Lee|Bruce Lee]].
 
*''"Paul is a dead man!  Miss him, miss him!"''
  
*''"Paul is a dead man!  Miss him, miss him!"''
−
A reference to the bizarre conspiracy theory that emerged in the late 1960s that musician and member of The Beatles, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_mccartney Paul McCartney], had in fact died and been replaced with a double.  The Beatles supposedly "told" their fans this using hidden messages and backwards masking on their later albums.  ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McCartney_death_hoax Paul is Dead])  (This specific reference is to the message you can supposedly hear if you play the end of "I'm So Tired" from the White Album backwards.)
 +
:A reference to the bizarre conspiracy theory that emerged in the late 1960s that musician and member of The Beatles, [[Wikipedia:Paul McCartney|Paul McCartney]], had died and been replaced with a double.  The Beatles supposedly "told" their fans this using hidden messages and backwards masking on their later albums.  (This specific reference is to the message you can supposedly hear if you play the end of "I'm So Tired" from the White Album backwards.)
 
*''"Thomas the Tank Engine was very cross with Japan and felt he must resort to carpet bombing."''
  
*''"Thomas the Tank Engine was very cross with Japan and felt he must resort to carpet bombing."''
−
Based on the children's TV series of ''[[Wikipedia: Thomas the Tank Engine|Thomas the Tank Engine]], ''and another trademark MST3K instance of basing a whole bit around something's vague resemblance to something else. In this case the Neptunians' ship.
 +
:Based on the children's TV series ''[[Wikipedia: Thomas the Tank Engine|Thomas the Tank Engine]]''. The Neptunians' ship resembles the titular tank engine.
 
*''"Enjoy music from "Triumph of the Will."''
  
*''"Enjoy music from "Triumph of the Will."''
−
''[[Wikipedia: Triumph of the Will|Triumph of the Will]]''was an infamous Nazi propaganda film from 1935.
+
:''[[Wikipedia: Triumph of the Will|Triumph of the Will]]'' is an infamous Nazi propaganda film from 1935.
 
*Servo:''"They took out the Hitler Building! Where's everybody gonna go to see Hitler memorabilia?"''
  
*Servo:''"They took out the Hitler Building! Where's everybody gonna go to see Hitler memorabilia?"''
 
*Crow:''"All the Hitler rides and games! The Hitler salt and pepper shakers..."''
  
*Crow:''"All the Hitler rides and games! The Hitler salt and pepper shakers..."''
Line 67: Line 87:
 
*Crow:''"What's next? The [[Wikipedia:Benito Mussolini|Mussolini Mall]]?"''
  
*Crow:''"What's next? The [[Wikipedia:Benito Mussolini|Mussolini Mall]]?"''
 
*Servo:''"Followed by the [[Wikipedia: Augusto Pinochet|Pinochet Petting Zoo]]?" ''
  
*Servo:''"Followed by the [[Wikipedia: Augusto Pinochet|Pinochet Petting Zoo]]?" ''
  +
:These are all in reference to the footage of "The [[Wikipedia:Adolph Hitler|Hitler]] Building" that was lifted from the 1960 film ''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127496/ World War III Breaks Out]''.
−  
 
*''"Hey, guys, it's turning into The Magnificent Ambersons!"''
  
*''"Hey, guys, it's turning into The Magnificent Ambersons!"''
−
''[[Wikipedia: The Magnificent Ambersons|The Magnificent Ambersons]]'' was a 1942 film by Orson Welles, starring Joseph Cotten.
 +
:''[[Wikipedia: The Magnificent Ambersons|The Magnificent Ambersons]]'' is a 1942 film by Orson Welles, starring Joseph Cotten.
 
*''"It's been a hard day's night..."''
  
*''"It's been a hard day's night..."''
−
Shots of the Japanese boys running down a flight of stairs inspire this reference to the [[wikipedia: The Beatles|Beatles]]' ''[[wikipedia: A Hard Day's Night|A Hard Day's Night]]''. A similar scene appears in the group's film of the same name.
 +
:Shots of the Japanese boys running down a flight of stairs inspire this reference to the [[wikipedia: The Beatles|Beatles]]' ''[[wikipedia: A Hard Day's Night|A Hard Day's Night]]''. A similar scene appears in the group's film of the same name.
−  
 
*Kid - ''"I want to show you something really big."'' Mike - ''"It's Crystal Gayle's curling iron."''
  
*Kid - ''"I want to show you something really big."'' Mike - ''"It's Crystal Gayle's curling iron."''
−
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Gayle Crystal Gayle] is a singer known for her extremely long hair.
 +
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Gayle Crystal Gayle] is a singer known for her extremely long hair.
 
* ''"Space Chief is actually Racer X, Speed's brother!"''
  
* ''"Space Chief is actually Racer X, Speed's brother!"''
−
Another ''Speed Racer'' reference. The mysterious Racer X was indeed secretly Speed's older brother. Not so secret to the audience, as the narrator would point his true identity out in every single episode (as Mike does here).
 +
:Another ''Speed Racer'' reference. The mysterious Racer X was indeed secretly Speed's older brother. Not so secret to the audience, as the narrator would point his true identity out in every episode (as Mike does here).
  +
  +
== Memorable Quotes ==
  +
: ''[Dr. Tibana examines a sample under a microscope]''
  +
: '''Tibana''': So, then—the Rogi-Pani Complex.
  +
: '''Mike''': The "Roji-Panty Complex"?
  +
  +
: '''Servo & Crow [as the Neptune Men]''': HA. HA. HA. HA. Your costume is ridiculous.
  +
  +
: ''[In an extremely poorly staged fight scene, Space Chief goes through an elaborate display of martial arts as the Neptune Men stagger around awkwardly and tumble to the ground.]''
  +
: '''Servo''': That guy just fell down, for cryin' out loud!
  +
: . . .
  +
: '''Crow''': They're being defeated by a wispy bachelor.
  +
: . . .
  +
: ''[The Neptune Men retreat into their ship.]''
  +
: '''Crow [as Space Chief]''': Aw c'mon, I wanna jump around while you fall down more!
  +
  +
: ''[The Neptune Men approach Earth]''
  +
: '''Mike''': Shoot at Earth all you want, just ''get Bill Maher''.
  +
  +
: ''[As the Neptune Men demolish Tokyo]''
  +
: '''Servo [as the Japanese]''': Oh, let's call our friends the Koreans! Oh, oh no — the Russians! Well, no. The Chinese! Oh, well, I guess not.
  +
  +
: ''[The Neptune Men endlessly strafe Tokyo]''
  +
: '''Mike''': I never thought I'd say it, but suddenly ''Independence Day'' seems a richly-nuanced movie.
  +
  +
: ''[After about 20 minutes of scenes depicting the kids running around a military base]''
  +
: '''Crow''': So whatever happened to Space Chef?
  +
: '''Mike''': That's "Chief."
  +
: '''Crow''': ''Chief'' Chef?
  +
  +
: '''Crow''': Y'know, Space Chief should try going into ''space'' sometime!
  +
: '''Servo''': Yeah, he's more like Lower-Atmosphere Chief.
  +
: '''Mike''': Barely-Off-The-Stupid-Ground Chief.
  +
  +
: ''[The attack on the city includes stock footage of a building with a giant picture of Hitler being blown up]''
  +
: '''Crow''': ''[royally confused]'' What the...?
  +
: '''Servo''': They took out the Hitler Building!!! Where is everyone going to see Hitler memorabilia?
  +
: '''Crow''': All the Hitler rides and games! The Hitler salt and pepper shakers!
  +
: '''Mike''': The great restaurant "The Bunker"! It's gone! You sons of...
  +
: '''Crow''': They blew it up!
  +
: . . .
  +
: '''Crow''': Say, Mike—was there a Hitler Building where ''you'' grew up?
  +
: '''Mike''': Not, uh...no. No.
  +
: '''Crow''': Sure?
  +
: '''Mike''': ...Yeah.
  +
: . . .
  +
: ''[Another spaceship begins to dive]''
  +
: '''Crow''': What next? The Mussolini Mall?
  +
: '''Servo''': Yeah! Followed by the Pinochet Petting Zoo!
  +
  +
: ''[Nearly a full 8 minutes after "Space Chief" joins the battle, the "spaceships" are still diving and firing at each other]''
  +
: '''Crow''': So, d-do either of you guys know any songs about stock footage that would get us through this?
  +
: '''Servo''': Oh, I know a song about stock footage! It goes like this: Dih-dih dih dih dih dih... ''[thundering]'' '''''EAT IT, MOVIE!'''''
  +
: '''Crow''': Whoa! Whoa!
  +
: '''Servo''': ''[still ranting]'' '''TAKE THIS ''STUPID'' LITTLE ''COCKROACH'' OF A FILM, ROLL IT UP ''SOOOOO'' TIGHT, AND THEN ''RAM IT RIGHT UP YOUR''—''' ''[begins sobbing]''
  +
  +
: ''[Shot of a radar screen, as the scientists count down]''
  +
: '''Scientist''': Ten, nine, eight...
  +
: '''Crow''': Yeah, yeah, right—one.
  +
: '''Scientist''': Seven, six...
  +
: '''Crow''': One!
  +
: '''Scientist''': Five, four...
  +
: '''Crow''': ONE!!!
  +
  +
: ''[The Neptune Men's fighter ships strafe the children's car]''
  +
: '''Servo''': Space Chief's off having a couple Sapporos with [[Godzilla vs. Megalon|Jet Jaguar]] and [[Prince of Space]].
  +
  +
==Video releases==
  +
*Commercially released on DVD by [[Shout! Factory]] in November 2016 as part of [[Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXVII|Volume XXXVII]], a 4-disc set along with ''[[MST3K 420 - The Human Duplicators|The Human Duplicators]]'', ''[[MST3K 705 - Escape 2000|Escape 2000]]'', and ''[[MST3K 817 - The Horror of Party Beach|The Horror of Party Beach]]''.
  +
**The DVD includes an introduction by [[Mary Jo Pehl]], the [[Ballyhoo Motion Pictures]] feature ''August on Neptune'', and a theatrical trailer.
   
−
==Trivia==
 +
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
⚫
*The "Noh Theater" segment is referenced in ''[[The Grudge]]'' [[Rifftrax]] episode.
  
   
 
{{Season8}}
  
{{Season8}}
Line 86: Line 175:
 
[[Category:Season 8]]
  
[[Category:Season 8]]
 
[[Category:Foreign Film]]
  
[[Category:Foreign Film]]
⚫
[[Category:Unreleased Episodes]]
  
 
[[Category:Unrated movies]]
  
[[Category:Unrated movies]]
 
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael J. Nelson]]
  
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael J. Nelson]]
  +
[[Category:Movies edited for violent content]]
  ⚫
[[Category:Superhero movies]]

Revision as of 19:40, 22 April 2019


“ I know a song about stock footage, it goes like this. Da da da DA da DA! EAT IT MOVIE! Take this stupid little cockroach of a film, roll it up SO tight, and ram it up your--(sobs)" ”
- Tom


The Movie

Synopsis

File:Neptunemen3.PNG

Invasion of the Neptune Men

Slow-moving aliens from the planet Neptune, wearing nosecone-shaped space helmets, attempt to invade Earth in a winged rocketship. But they are thwarted by a mysterious superhero called "Space Chief," who flies around in a rocket-propelled car. [1] No relation to Prince of Space.

HitlerBuilding

The infamous billboard dubbed "The Hitler Building"

Information

  • Many of the invasion scenes in Tokyo were edited from World War III Breaks Out (1960). The appearance of a giant billboard of Adolf Hitler has led some viewers to believe that the stock footage is taken from documentary footage of World War II Japan. However, according to August Ragone on the special features of the DVD for the episode, only one shot of the Diet building as stock footage, and the rest all purpose-built for the Neptune Men series[1] (see "Trivia" below).
  • One of the boys owns a toy Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet (1956). [2]

The Episode

Host Segments

BoboNeptuneMen

The Mad Goth, AKA Bobo, arrives in Roman Times

Prologue: Tom and Crow are disgusted to learn about eyelash mites and decide to get rid of the ones Mike has.

Segment One: The Bots send the nanites to destroy the mites, scorning Mike like it was his idea when things go south. Meanwhile, The Mad Goth, AKA Bobo arrives, making Pearl and Brain Guy want to commit suicide, until Brain Guy convinces Pearl to save Bobo by telling her that Bobo ruining time and space would mean the end of Chicken in a Biskit.

Neptunemen

The Bots attempt Noh theater

Segment Two: Mike confuses the bots by telling them about Noh Theater. Abbott and Costello hijinks ensue.

Segment Three: Tom comes down with a bad case of Roji Panty complex. Meanwhile, Pearl and Brain Guy unsuccessfully make Bobo remember who he really is.

Segment Four: Mike and the Bots are about to lose their sanity when they get a visitor - Krankor!

Neptunemen2

Krankor visits the SOL

Closing (Segment Five): Mike and the Bots read suggestions from the suggestion box, all insulting Japan. Meanwhile, Pearl and Brain Guy hit Bobo with a giant slate of rock, making him remember who he is, resulting in him, Pearl, and Brain Guy getting thrown into the dungeon.

Stinger: "Aaaah! What's that?"

Guest Stars

Trivia

  • The "Noh Theater" segment is referenced in The Grudge RiffTrax episode.
  • This was Jill Roozenboom’s last episode as Production Manager. It was also intern Meshach Weber’s last episode.
  • The production staff and cast was extremely disapproving of what appeared to be genuine WWII bombing footage being incorporated into what was essentially a sci-fi film, an attitude that was given free rein in the more-merciless-than-usual riffing. Kevin Murphy specifically cited this as one of the worst movies ever shown on the series, calling the film's director "reprehensible" for using actual WWII footage in what was basically a children's film.
  • This episode was ranked #95 among backers of the Bring Back MST3K Kickstarter in the Top 100 Poll.

Callbacks

Quotes & References

Speed Racer is a 60's anime series about a crime-fighting auto racer (which, despite the prominence Mike seems to be assigning it, was a modest success in its native country and is more famous as one of the first anime to be given wide release in the United States); Shonen Knife is an all-female Japanese rock band; Sailor Moon is an anime about a team of teenage heroines who wear sailor suit-like costumes which has seen a pair of revival shows since this episode aired, one live-action (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon) and one animated (Sailor Moon Crystal). Contrary to what Crow and Mike say later in the episode, Sailor Moon isn't gun-toting or pre-pubescent.
A reference to the disastrous failed attempt to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro on April 17, 1961, as shown in Coleman Francis' magnum opus, Red Zone Cuba.
  • "He was trained in karate by Bruce Lei...bowitz".
An implication that Space Chief's karate moves aren't quite as impressive as those of kung-fu movie legend Bruce Lee.
  • "Paul is a dead man!  Miss him, miss him!"
A reference to the bizarre conspiracy theory that emerged in the late 1960s that musician and member of The Beatles, Paul McCartney, had died and been replaced with a double.  The Beatles supposedly "told" their fans this using hidden messages and backwards masking on their later albums.  (This specific reference is to the message you can supposedly hear if you play the end of "I'm So Tired" from the White Album backwards.)
  • "Thomas the Tank Engine was very cross with Japan and felt he must resort to carpet bombing."
Based on the children's TV series Thomas the Tank Engine. The Neptunians' ship resembles the titular tank engine.
  • "Enjoy music from "Triumph of the Will."
Triumph of the Will is an infamous Nazi propaganda film from 1935.
  • Servo:"They took out the Hitler Building! Where's everybody gonna go to see Hitler memorabilia?"
  • Crow:"All the Hitler rides and games! The Hitler salt and pepper shakers..."
  • Mike:"That great restaurant, The Bunker, it's gone, you sons of a...!"
  • Crow:"What's next? The Mussolini Mall?"
  • Servo:"Followed by the Pinochet Petting Zoo?"
These are all in reference to the footage of "The Hitler Building" that was lifted from the 1960 film World War III Breaks Out.
  • "Hey, guys, it's turning into The Magnificent Ambersons!"
The Magnificent Ambersons is a 1942 film by Orson Welles, starring Joseph Cotten.
  • "It's been a hard day's night..."
Shots of the Japanese boys running down a flight of stairs inspire this reference to the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night. A similar scene appears in the group's film of the same name.
  • Kid - "I want to show you something really big." Mike - "It's Crystal Gayle's curling iron."
Crystal Gayle is a singer known for her extremely long hair.
  • "Space Chief is actually Racer X, Speed's brother!"
Another Speed Racer reference. The mysterious Racer X was indeed secretly Speed's older brother. Not so secret to the audience, as the narrator would point his true identity out in every episode (as Mike does here).

Memorable Quotes

[Dr. Tibana examines a sample under a microscope]
Tibana: So, then—the Rogi-Pani Complex.
Mike: The "Roji-Panty Complex"?
Servo & Crow [as the Neptune Men]: HA. HA. HA. HA. Your costume is ridiculous.
[In an extremely poorly staged fight scene, Space Chief goes through an elaborate display of martial arts as the Neptune Men stagger around awkwardly and tumble to the ground.]
Servo: That guy just fell down, for cryin' out loud!
. . .
Crow: They're being defeated by a wispy bachelor.
. . .
[The Neptune Men retreat into their ship.]
Crow [as Space Chief]: Aw c'mon, I wanna jump around while you fall down more!
[The Neptune Men approach Earth]
Mike: Shoot at Earth all you want, just get Bill Maher.
[As the Neptune Men demolish Tokyo]
Servo [as the Japanese]: Oh, let's call our friends the Koreans! Oh, oh no — the Russians! Well, no. The Chinese! Oh, well, I guess not.
[The Neptune Men endlessly strafe Tokyo]
Mike: I never thought I'd say it, but suddenly Independence Day seems a richly-nuanced movie.
[After about 20 minutes of scenes depicting the kids running around a military base]
Crow: So whatever happened to Space Chef?
Mike: That's "Chief."
Crow: Chief Chef?
Crow: Y'know, Space Chief should try going into space sometime!
Servo: Yeah, he's more like Lower-Atmosphere Chief.
Mike: Barely-Off-The-Stupid-Ground Chief.
[The attack on the city includes stock footage of a building with a giant picture of Hitler being blown up]
Crow: [royally confused] What the...?
Servo: They took out the Hitler Building!!! Where is everyone going to see Hitler memorabilia?
Crow: All the Hitler rides and games! The Hitler salt and pepper shakers!
Mike: The great restaurant "The Bunker"! It's gone! You sons of...
Crow: They blew it up!
. . .
Crow: Say, Mike—was there a Hitler Building where you grew up?
Mike: Not, uh...no. No.
Crow: Sure?
Mike: ...Yeah.
. . .
[Another spaceship begins to dive]
Crow: What next? The Mussolini Mall?
Servo: Yeah! Followed by the Pinochet Petting Zoo!
[Nearly a full 8 minutes after "Space Chief" joins the battle, the "spaceships" are still diving and firing at each other]
Crow: So, d-do either of you guys know any songs about stock footage that would get us through this?
Servo: Oh, I know a song about stock footage! It goes like this: Dih-dih dih dih dih dih... [thundering] EAT IT, MOVIE!
Crow: Whoa! Whoa!
Servo: [still ranting] TAKE THIS STUPID LITTLE COCKROACH OF A FILM, ROLL IT UP SOOOOO TIGHT, AND THEN RAM IT RIGHT UP YOUR— [begins sobbing]
[Shot of a radar screen, as the scientists count down]
Scientist: Ten, nine, eight...
Crow: Yeah, yeah, right—one.
Scientist: Seven, six...
Crow: One!
Scientist: Five, four...
Crow: ONE!!!
[The Neptune Men's fighter ships strafe the children's car]
Servo: Space Chief's off having a couple Sapporos with Jet Jaguar and Prince of Space.

Video releases

References

  1. ↑ "August on Neptune", Ballyhoo Pictures. MST3K XXXVII.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms