The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark (2007)

Working Riffs

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark on DVD

Three of the masterminds behind the cult TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000, Bill Corbett, Michael J. Nelson and Kevin Murphy, return with a new series of DVDs, where audio-only commentary tracks replace the old, familiar silhouettes of movie seats and robot heads. The three guys insist on doing unfunny, live-action introductions and interludes during the movie, but their comments for the movie itself are as gut-bustingly funny as ever. It's a bit odd to hear the voices of Crow and Tom Servo but to see two white guys instead. Their first release is John Hayes' Hollywood After Dark (1968), which is depressing as well as awful. Rue McClanahan -- get ready for lots of "Golden Girls" jokes -- stars in a grungy, talky film about hustlers, losers and strippers. This series could be a hit, but it will take better (or at least more interesting) movies than this. The DVD comes with one "extra," sadly another live-action performance bit, "Ode to Lunch."

Note: Bill Corbett, Michael J. Nelson and Kevin Murphy are also recording commentary tracks for a website called rifftrax.com; viewers can download the audio track and then play it alongside DVDs they already own.

Starring: Jack Vorno, Rue McClanahan, Bill Corbett, Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy
Written by: John Hayes, Bill Corbett, Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy
Directed by: John Hayes
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 90 minutes
Date: August 27, 2007