Review by: Root Rot
Monsters Crash the Pajama Party (1965)
Directed by: David L. Hewitt
If only it were still possible to attend a vintage spook show comparable to those that were all the craze during the 50′s and 60′s. In 2010, the closest spook relatd experience you may find is a haunter attraction during the Halloween season; no movie included. One element of the spook show experience was the viewing of a film; of these many films my favorite has to be the 1965 Monsters Crash the Pajama Party…..if you’ve seen this film, please wait until you hear my explanation to pass judgment.
Plot: A group of college kids spend the night in a semi-haunted castle inhabited by a mad scientist and his hunched back lackey. The kids soon discover the hard way that the mad scientist is turning people into gorillas…End..
As typical of 60’s spook shows, Monsters Crash the Pajama Party is accompanied by an interactive piece. The film includes a scene in which a gorilla appears to be jumping out into the audience. When shown at the spook show, this scene would be enhanced by a man dressed in a gorilla suit running through the theater, in an attempt to “spook” the spectators.
Please don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that Monsters Crash the Pajama Party is a good film; however, watching this film seduces me with a state of nostalgia as I imagine the experience offered to the audience while viewing the film at a 1960 spook show.
On the Root Rot Scale of (A+) being the best and (E) being the worst, as a film alone Monsters Crash the Pajama Party (1965) gets a (C+) based on pure schlock. While the film itself was cheap, with a viewing time of 45 minutes, I say if it gives you a glimpse into the spook show experience then it’s time well spent. If you can sit through…… I mean if you appreciate The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari for it’s artistic value, then surely you can appreciate this film based on its nostalgic value.
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you had me at nostalgia! never did see this one, i may have to seek it out. however a D rating? hmmm maybe if my cable goes down, after all i trust your judgement. great review bro!
Oops, I meant C+.. Thanks.. PS Thats what happens when you copy and paste
This was my very first Something Weird Video purchase (and I have gone on to purchase dozens of these awesome discs), so it holds a special place for me. I with you in my desire to be able to go back to the days of the “spookshow” and these types of DVDs are the only way to get a taste of what that was like. Good review, bro! Hope to see you on the 30th next month!
Thanks.. I’m trying my damnedest