Original subtitles

- I'm Roger Corman and I'd like

- I'm Roger Corman and I'd like

to share with you some great moments

and memories of many of my films.

and memories of many of my films.

(funky music)

(funky music)

- Before I made any films

that might be called pure fantasy,

that might be called pure fantasy,

I touched on fantasy a little bit,

I touched on fantasy a little bit,

sometimes with science fiction,

sometimes with horror, sometimes

sometimes with horror, sometimes

with a certain period action, but I felt

with a certain period action, but I felt

that fantasy was an expression

that fantasy was an expression

of the unconscious mind.

The feelings that are in the unconscious mind

The feelings that are in the unconscious mind

are, to a certain extent, censored

are, to a certain extent, censored

by the conscious mind, so what comes up

by the conscious mind, so what comes up

for the conscious mind are symbols,

for the conscious mind are symbols,

and they could be called fantasies,

and they could be called fantasies,

so I think we're dealing, once more,

with Freudian concepts.

with Freudian concepts.

Following that concept, and this might have been

Following that concept, and this might have been

half a creative decision

half a creative decision

and half a commercial decision,

and half a commercial decision,

I felt that within the unconscious mind

I felt that within the unconscious mind

there's a lot of sex going on there

that the conscious mind does not

that the conscious mind does not

particularly accept, so I should

particularly accept, so I should

have a certain amount of sex within this,

have a certain amount of sex within this,

and that's why I went for an R-rating on all of these.

and that's why I went for an R-rating on all of these.

There was not a great deal of sex,

There was not a great deal of sex,

but I felt that would be an important component.

but I felt that would be an important component.

(funky music)

(funky music)

- There was a time when sword and sorcery

was just beginning to become important.

was just beginning to become important.

Conan the Barbarian was the great success,

Conan the Barbarian was the great success,

Conan the Barbarian was the great success,

but, as usual, Rome was turning out

a number of these things in the Italian studios,

a number of these things in the Italian studios,

a number of these things in the Italian studios,

and I thought, this is something I've come close to,

and I thought, this is something I've come close to,

but never really been in.

I think I should plunge in

I think I should plunge in

and do a full-fledged sword and sorcery film.

and do a full-fledged sword and sorcery film.

There was one problem, which was that the

sword and sorcery type picture needed bigger sets,

sword and sorcery type picture needed bigger sets,

sword and sorcery type picture needed bigger sets,

more extras, more production value

than I could afford in the United States.

than I could afford in the United States.

than I could afford in the United States.

(rousing music)

(rousing music)

So I looked around to try to find a place

So I looked around to try to find a place

that I could shoot to get the same

that I could shoot to get the same

production value, but for less money.

I chose Mexico, and we shot Sorceress

I chose Mexico, and we shot Sorceress

I chose Mexico, and we shot Sorceress

at Churubusco Studios, in Mexico.

- [Baldar] Ho there, lads, I salute you.

- [Baldar] Ho there, lads, I salute you.

That was a bit of fighting worthy of the Gods.

I am Baldar of Amarc.

Never in all my 56 battles have I seen such skill.

Never in all my 56 battles have I seen such skill.

You must have learned from a master.

You must have learned from a master.

Your family, were they?

Your family, were they?

- They were our father and mother and sister.

- They were our father and mother and sister.

- I'm sorry lads, but that Shotria dog

- I'm sorry lads, but that Shotria dog

was looking for two-are-one.

was looking for two-are-one.

I think he found them, did he not?

- Yes, we are as one.

- Yes, we are as one.

- I made a flat deal with Churubusco.

- I made a flat deal with Churubusco.

We worked out a budget, and it was a flat budget.

We worked out a budget, and it was a flat budget.

I said I will give you this much money

and you will provide the production.

and you will provide the production.

There was a potential problem,

There was a potential problem,

which is that if I went over schedule,

which is that if I went over schedule,

it would void the flat budget,

it would void the flat budget,

so Churubusco asked me to post a $100,000.00 bond,

so Churubusco asked me to post a $100,000.00 bond,

so Churubusco asked me to post a $100,000.00 bond,

which, in those days, was big money to me,

which, in those days, was big money to me,

and I really had to stretch to put up the $100,000.00.

and I really had to stretch to put up the $100,000.00.

I chose Jack Hill to direct.

I chose Jack Hill to direct.

First, he was a very good director,

First, he was a very good director,

and I knew he was very reliable,

and he would bring that picture in on schedule.

and he would bring that picture in on schedule.

and he would bring that picture in on schedule.

There were a number of problems during shooting,

There were a number of problems during shooting,

but it seemed to be going all right,

and I then went back, talked with Jack,

and I then went back, talked with Jack,

and I then went back, talked with Jack,

and Jack said, "I need two days",

I said, "Jack, you've got one day;

I said, "Jack, you've got one day;

figure it out, I'll leave it to you".

figure it out, I'll leave it to you".

So we finished the picture one day over schedule.

So we finished the picture one day over schedule.

The film was surprisingly successful,

The film was surprisingly successful,

much more than I expected.

much more than I expected.

I think it was because of the fact

that we had a bigger production look to it

that we had a bigger production look to it

and that the formula I'd worked out,

and that the formula I'd worked out,

the action, the sword and sorcery, the magic,

the action, the sword and sorcery, the magic,

a little bit of nudity for the R-rating,

a little bit of nudity for the R-rating,

all came together.

- Well, my lad, isn't one enough for you?

- Well, my lad, isn't one enough for you?

- Well, my lad, isn't one enough for you?

- You forget, Baldar, these two are one.

- You forget, Baldar, these two are one.

(all laughing)

(all laughing)

- Jack Hill was, and is, a very good director.

- Jack Hill was, and is, a very good director.

- Jack Hill was, and is, a very good director.

He's never quite broken into the bigger budget films,

He's never quite broken into the bigger budget films,

but in medium and low-budget films

he's been very successful and we worked,

he's been very successful and we worked,

I don't know how many pictures together,

I don't know how many pictures together,

our last was Sorceress because he was a little upset

our last was Sorceress because he was a little upset

our last was Sorceress because he was a little upset

that I only gave him one day extra

and I was a little upset because I hadn't planned

and I was a little upset because I hadn't planned

to give him any days extra.

to give him any days extra.

One of the reasons for the success

One of the reasons for the success

was the picture itself, but also the artwork,

the poster, which is very important

the poster, which is very important

when you're in theaters, not so much today

when you're in theaters, not so much today

when you're not in theaters.

when you're not in theaters.

I had seen the work of an artist named Boris Vallejo

I had seen the work of an artist named Boris Vallejo

who drew beautiful women, scantily clad,

who drew beautiful women, scantily clad,

and very sexy poses, but his painting was beautiful.

and very sexy poses, but his painting was beautiful.

They really were superior to anything

They really were superior to anything

I'd ever seen anywhere else on that subject.

I'd ever seen anywhere else on that subject.

So on the very first one, I contacted Boris

So on the very first one, I contacted Boris

and asked him if he would like to do the painting,

and asked him if he would like to do the painting,

and he said, "Yes, nobody's ever asked me

and he said, "Yes, nobody's ever asked me

for a motion picture."

So Boris did all of our sword and sorcery covers,

So Boris did all of our sword and sorcery covers,

So Boris did all of our sword and sorcery covers,

as it were, and I think they definitely did help the film.

as it were, and I think they definitely did help the film.

(funky music)

(majestic music)

(majestic music)

- A friend of mine, who was in foreign distribution,

- A friend of mine, who was in foreign distribution,

said he knew a studio in Argentina run by

said he knew a studio in Argentina run by

Hector Olivera and Alejandro Sessa

Hector Olivera and Alejandro Sessa

that was making some medium budget films

that was making some medium budget films

in Spanish, that had a little similarity

in Spanish, that had a little similarity

to what I was doing, so I flew to Buenos Aires,

to what I was doing, so I flew to Buenos Aires,

met with them and their studio fitted just what I wanted.

met with them and their studio fitted just what I wanted.

met with them and their studio fitted just what I wanted.

They had two sound stages for the interiors

They had two sound stages for the interiors

and they had enough of a open back lot

and they had enough of a open back lot

so that I could build the exterior sets I wanted.

so that I could build the exterior sets I wanted.

So I made a deal to move to Argentina

So I made a deal to move to Argentina

and we shot, I think, all of the other

and we shot, I think, all of the other

sword and sorcery pictures in Argentina.

sword and sorcery pictures in Argentina.

I came up with most of the titles,

but Howard Cohen, who wrote Deathstalker,

but Howard Cohen, who wrote Deathstalker,

came up with the title Deathstalker.

came up with the title Deathstalker.

I thought that's a great name

I thought that's a great name

for the lead, we'll go for that.

(majestic music)

(majestic music)

- I chose Jim Sbardellati, who had been

an assistant director and second unit director

an assistant director and second unit director

on another film for me because

on another film for me because

he handled action very well, and of course

he handled action very well, and of course

there was going to be a great deal of action in this film.

there was going to be a great deal of action in this film.

The film starred Rick Hill and Barbi Benton.

The film starred Rick Hill and Barbi Benton.

Barbi was the Playboy Playmate of the Year that year.

Barbi was the Playboy Playmate of the Year that year.

(horn fanfare)

(horn fanfare)

(swords clashing)

(crowd cheering)

(crowd cheering)

(swords clashing)

(crowd cheering)

(crowd cheering)

(swords clashing)

(swords clashing)

- And co-starring was Lana Clarkson,

- And co-starring was Lana Clarkson,

who was a tall, very beautiful girl.

Now on this type of film you don't normally get fan mail,

Now on this type of film you don't normally get fan mail,

Now on this type of film you don't normally get fan mail,

but we got a surprising amount of fan mail,

but we got a surprising amount of fan mail,

and it was all about Lana Clarkson,

so I said, "Well, this is easy,

so I said, "Well, this is easy,

we will star Lana Clarkson", so we did

we will star Lana Clarkson", so we did

Barbarian Queen, starring Lana.

Barbarian Queen, starring Lana.

Barbarian Queen, starring Lana.

(funky music)

(funky music)

- Again, I wanted to do sword and sorcery,

- Again, I wanted to do sword and sorcery,

but again, I wanted to vary it, and I remembered

but again, I wanted to vary it, and I remembered

how successful Kurosawa's picture Yojimbo had been,

how successful Kurosawa's picture Yojimbo had been,

how successful Kurosawa's picture Yojimbo had been,

and then out came A Fistful of Dollars,

and then out came A Fistful of Dollars,

which was essentially the same story as Yojimbo,

which was essentially the same story as Yojimbo,

and people never give Kurosawa credit for starting this.

and people never give Kurosawa credit for starting this.

The fact of the matter, Yojimbo was based on a

The fact of the matter, Yojimbo was based on a

Dashiell Hammett story, Red Harvest,

Dashiell Hammett story, Red Harvest,

and I thought, "Well, this plotline

and I thought, "Well, this plotline

has worked as a private eye for Dashiell Hammett,

has worked as a private eye for Dashiell Hammett,

it's worked with a Samurai for Kurosawa,

it's worked with a Samurai for Kurosawa,

it's worked as a Western for A Fistful of Dollars,

it's worked as a Western for A Fistful of Dollars,

surely it can work in sword and sorcery.

surely it can work in sword and sorcery.

As happens on most of our films,

I will write a two or three page outline

I will write a two or three page outline

just to set the basic storyline,

just to set the basic storyline,

then I bring in the writer,

then I bring in the writer,

and the writer develops the screenplay.

- I won't fight for anyone that plots against my life.

- I won't fight for anyone that plots against my life.

(soldier laughs)

(soldier laughs)

- The Warrior and the Sorceress

- The Warrior and the Sorceress

was actually one of our biggest successes.

was actually one of our biggest successes.

I think it was primarily the fact

I think it was primarily the fact

that we had such a complicated and good plot to work from.

that we had such a complicated and good plot to work from.

- It's too light.

- [Naja] Strike the anvil.

- [Naja] Strike the anvil.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

Strike it.

(sword clangs)

(sword clangs)

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

- In your hand is the Sword of Ura.

- In your hand is the Sword of Ura.

Let them see it.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(all cheering)

(all cheering)

- There's always a problem somewhere in every film.

- There's always a problem somewhere in every film.

The Warrior and the Sorceress is unique

The Warrior and the Sorceress is unique

in the fact that the problem occurred before the film.

in the fact that the problem occurred before the film.

David Carradine playing the lead

David Carradine playing the lead

got into, possibly, an argument with his wife

got into, possibly, an argument with his wife

got into, possibly, an argument with his wife

and punched the wall and broke the wall

and punched the wall and broke the wall

and broke his fist, broke his hand,

and broke his fist, broke his hand,

and they had to put the hand in a big cast,

and they had to put the hand in a big cast,

and they called me from Buenos Aires

and they called me from Buenos Aires

and said, "David's got this big cast,

and said, "David's got this big cast,

what are we going to do?"

what are we going to do?"

I said, "Use the cast as a weapon; we'll put

I said, "Use the cast as a weapon; we'll put

a black glove or something like that

a black glove or something like that

over it and pretend that this is part

over it and pretend that this is part

of the way he fights, and we'll set up the fights

of the way he fights, and we'll set up the fights

that he's smashing people with this big fist".

that he's smashing people with this big fist".

(grunting)

(grunting)

- There's something on the internet somewhere

where they give the grosses of the different films

where they give the grosses of the different films

and I think they gave the gross of

and I think they gave the gross of

The Warrior and the Sorceress at $2.9 million.

The Warrior and the Sorceress at $2.9 million.

That was about right, that was a little bit higher

That was about right, that was a little bit higher

than normal, but remember, that's just the

than normal, but remember, that's just the

theatrical gross in the United States.

theatrical gross in the United States.

We had foreign, and foreign, at that time,

We had foreign, and foreign, at that time,

was about equal to domestic.

was about equal to domestic.

Today foreign is greater than domestic.

Today foreign is greater than domestic.

(funky music)

(funky music)

(grunting)

(grunting)

(horse whinnies)

- Come on, come on!

- Come on, come on!

- I'll have my revenge and Deathstalker, too.

- I'll have my revenge and Deathstalker, too.

(intense music)

(intense music)

(hoofbeats)

(hoofbeats)

- You're good.

- It helps in my line of work.

- It helps in my line of work.

- What line of work is that?

- Oh, I like to call it the wealth redistribution business.

- Oh, I like to call it the wealth redistribution business.

- Oh, so you rob from the rich and give to the poor.

- No, I rob from the rich and pretty much keep it.

- No, I rob from the rich and pretty much keep it.

- I thought it was now time to do Deathstalker II.

- I thought it was now time to do Deathstalker II.

- I chose Jim Wynorski to write and direct

- I chose Jim Wynorski to write and direct

and I wanted to vary it a little bit,

and I wanted to vary it a little bit,

as I said, you can't keep repeating yourself,

as I said, you can't keep repeating yourself,

you have to take the elements that you think

you have to take the elements that you think

are successful and then change it in some way,

are successful and then change it in some way,

and I said to Jim, because Jim is very good at comedy,

and I said to Jim, because Jim is very good at comedy,

let us bring more comedy into the picture,

let us bring more comedy into the picture,

still maintaining the elements that I think are necessary,

still maintaining the elements that I think are necessary,

but deliberately going for more humor.

but deliberately going for more humor.

- Your legend proceeds you.

- Your legend proceeds you.

Your exploits as a womanizer

are well known in these parts.

are well known in these parts.

- Well, I am more of a lover than a fighter.

- Well, I am more of a lover than a fighter.

- I hope not.

- I hope not.

- Huh?

- You'll be put on trial

- You'll be put on trial

for your crimes against womanhood.

for your crimes against womanhood.

- Trial?

- Trial!

- Trial!

- We must settle all serious disputes in a trial by combat.

- We must settle all serious disputes in a trial by combat.

Your opponent, in this contest,

Your opponent, in this contest,

shall be none other than Gorgo, our fiercest warrior,

shall be none other than Gorgo, our fiercest warrior,

and my champion!

and my champion!

(crowd chanting Gorgo's name)

(crowd chanting Gorgo's name)

- I could beat her with my eyes closed.

- I could beat her with my eyes closed.

(scoffing laugh)

- Gorgo, come on down!

- Gorgo, come on down!

- [Audience Member] Like taking candy from a baby.

- [Audience Member] Like taking candy from a baby.

- Did you see her?

- Stalker--

- Stalker--

- Shut up, will you?

- Stalker! - Shut up!

- Stalker! - Shut up!

- I could beat her with my eyes closed.

- I think you should keep at least one eye open.

- I think you should keep at least one eye open.

- What are you talking about, what?

- What are you talking about, what?

(growling)

(crowd chanting Gorgo's name)

(crowd chanting Gorgo's name)

(growling)

- [Reena] This is, of course, a fight to the death.

- [Reena] This is, of course, a fight to the death.

- Naturally.

- Naturally.

- [Roger] There were some problems in production.

The Argentine producers felt that Jim

The Argentine producers felt that Jim

was asking for too much in the way of

was asking for too much in the way of

production value and costs, and Jim said

production value and costs, and Jim said

he wasn't getting enough, so I flew down

he wasn't getting enough, so I flew down

to Buenos Aires, looked at the dailies,

to Buenos Aires, looked at the dailies,

and said, "This is really very good.

We have no real problems here, other than the fact

We have no real problems here, other than the fact

that Jim is asking for a little bit more".

that Jim is asking for a little bit more".

So I put up a little bit more money,

So I put up a little bit more money,

and the Argentine producers were happy.

and the Argentine producers were happy.

Every one of these was successful, it was amazing,

Every one of these was successful, it was amazing,

Every one of these was successful, it was amazing,

that with this genre we never missed.

that with this genre we never missed.

- Come forward Deathstalker.

We've searched the kingdom's coffers

We've searched the kingdom's coffers

for some expression of our appreciation

for some expression of our appreciation

for your magnificent deeds.

- And that is?

- You're looking at it, bucko.

- You're looking at it, bucko.

- You sure you made the right choice?

- You sure you made the right choice?

- I don't know, let me consult my crystal ball.

- I don't know, let me consult my crystal ball.

- Uh, you won't be needing this anymore.

- Uh, you won't be needing this anymore.

(man yells)

(man yells)

- So you really think our story's

going to make it into the legends?

- Oh, more than that, a thousand years from now

- Oh, more than that, a thousand years from now

players will reenact all our exploits.

players will reenact all our exploits.

- Really, well, I sure hope they get

- Really, well, I sure hope they get

a good-looking guy to play me.

(triumphant music)

(triumphant music)

- We ended up making three Deathstalker films,

and possibly could have gone on for more,

and possibly could have gone on for more,

but I felt it was time to move on.

but I felt it was time to move on.

(funky music)

(funky music)

- A little bit later I did Wizards of the Lost Kingdom,

- A little bit later I did Wizards of the Lost Kingdom,

and again, in an attempt to vary it,

I moved it to a little bit of a family film.

I moved it to a little bit of a family film.

I moved it to a little bit of a family film.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

- Help!

- [Kor] Hold it!

- [Kor] Hold it!

I said hold it.

You seem awfully brave when you're just facing

You seem awfully brave when you're just facing

a mere boy and his furry whatchamacallit.

a mere boy and his furry whatchamacallit.

Hold it, are you sure you want to do this?

Hold it, are you sure you want to do this?

You sure you want to take me on?

Okay.

Okay.

Well, come and get it.

Well, come and get it.

- I also went on location, Iguazu Falls in Argentina

- I also went on location, Iguazu Falls in Argentina

are famous, beautiful falls, so we went on location

are famous, beautiful falls, so we went on location

to the falls to expand the picture.

to the falls to expand the picture.

- Greetings Kor, greetings Simon.

- Greetings Kor, greetings Simon.

- Who are you?

- I am Linnea, mistress of the falls.

- I am Linnea, mistress of the falls.

I have tested your manhood.

I have tested your manhood.

- Why?

- Why?

- To see if you are worthy of my help.

- To see if you are worthy of my help.

- Will you help us speak to the council in time?

- I will grant you a swift passage across the falls.

- I will grant you a swift passage across the falls.

- I will grant you a swift passage across the falls.

Follow your hearts to the rainbow's end.

Follow your hearts to the rainbow's end.

- [Roger] This is about the time

- [Roger] This is about the time

when theatrical distribution for low-budget films

when theatrical distribution for low-budget films

was beginning to fade.

It was still there, but you could see

It was still there, but you could see

the grosses were just dropping a little bit,

the grosses were just dropping a little bit,

as the major studios hit with the type of films

as the major studios hit with the type of films

we'd been making, science fiction, horror,

we'd been making, science fiction, horror,

sword and sorcery, and so forth,

sword and sorcery, and so forth,

and they were taking the market.

So I continued with the theatrical distribution,

So I continued with the theatrical distribution,

So I continued with the theatrical distribution,

but I was more interested in home video,

but I was more interested in home video,

which was growing, so on Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

which was growing, so on Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

I made the complete switch and just went

straight to home video.

(funky music)

(funky music)

- I don't even remember why, but somewhere

- I don't even remember why, but somewhere

in east Hollywood, at a very obscure theater,

in east Hollywood, at a very obscure theater,

they were showing a Russian science fiction film,

they were showing a Russian science fiction film,

and I thought I'd go and, nothing better to do,

and I thought I'd go and, nothing better to do,

go and see it.

go and see it.

To my surprise, it was a big, beautiful film

To my surprise, it was a big, beautiful film

and I realized the Russians were doing big-budget films.

and I realized the Russians were doing big-budget films.

To them, science fiction was a major genre,

To them, science fiction was a major genre,

whereas for here it was for low-budget

whereas for here it was for low-budget

and I thought, "I could take one of these Russian films

and I thought, "I could take one of these Russian films

and dub it into English and release it here".

and dub it into English and release it here".

So I arranged to meet with Mosfilm

So I arranged to meet with Mosfilm

and I went to meet with Mosfilm in Moscow,

and I went to meet with Mosfilm in Moscow,

and I bought two films, one a science fiction film

and I bought two films, one a science fiction film

and I bought two films, one a science fiction film

and then sort of a fantasy film.

The first science fiction film,

The first science fiction film,

I titled it Battle Beyond the Sun.

I titled it Battle Beyond the Sun.

I titled it Battle Beyond the Sun.

The second one was the fantasy

about a voyage of somebody,

about a voyage of somebody,

I've forgotten what the name was,

I've forgotten what the name was,

but I had to come up with a name in English

but I had to come up with a name in English

that would fit the syllables for the looping

that would fit the syllables for the looping

of the dialog, and I came up, simply out of nowhere, Sinbad,

of the dialog, and I came up, simply out of nowhere, Sinbad,

and that was called The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.

- Ah, you've lost your wager, merchant,

so now you must give your goods to Sinbad

so now you must give your goods to Sinbad

and I, for one, am glad!

(crowd cheering)

(crowd cheering)

(martial music)

(martial music)

- What are they going to do?

- Be strong.

- Use your magic bird to stop it.

- Use your magic bird to stop it.

- Sing your song, Phoenix, sing your song wise bird,

- Sing your song, Phoenix, sing your song wise bird,

- Sing your song, Phoenix, sing your song wise bird,

and put them to sleep at once.

- Go ahead, sing you vile bird.

- Go ahead, sing you vile bird.

- Sing!

- Sing!

Sing or I'll pull them all out!

Sing or I'll pull them all out!

- Prostrate yourselves, hear my voice,

- Prostrate yourselves, hear my voice,

- Prostrate yourselves, hear my voice,

forget all else, sleep deeply all men,

forget all else, sleep deeply all men,

for sleep is the only truth.

Sleep, and I, the Phoenix, will lull you

Sleep, and I, the Phoenix, will lull you

with my sweet song.

with my sweet song.

Peaceful bliss, silent, sleep, sleep,

Peaceful bliss, silent, sleep, sleep,

sleep the calm sleep, the blissful sleep,

sleep the calm sleep, the blissful sleep,

sleep there, sleep there, sleep.

sleep there, sleep there, sleep.

sleep there, sleep there, sleep.

- I've returned to you!

- I've returned to you!

- [Roger] And in each case I had films,

that if they were shot in America,

that if they were shot in America,

would look like multi-million dollar films.

would look like multi-million dollar films.

And they were moderately successful,

And they were moderately successful,

it was sort of fun doing it.

(joyful music)

(joyful music)

(crowd cheering)

(crowd cheering)

- Did you find the bird of happiness?

- There is no bird.

- There is no bird.

- Then where is happiness?

- Here, it's been here always.

- Here, it's been here always.

Our ships have been around the world,

we've seen amazing and marvelous things,

we've seen amazing and marvelous things,

yet nowhere did we find any place

to compare with our own home.

to compare with our own home.

Follow your hearts to happiness.

(trumpet fanfare)

(trumpet fanfare)

(funky music)

(funky music)

- The first of our family films was The Dirt Bike Kid,

- The first of our family films was The Dirt Bike Kid,

which my wife Julie produced.

It was from an original story, although no stories

It was from an original story, although no stories

It was from an original story, although no stories

are totally original, because she started

with the fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk,

with the fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk,

and adapted that to the present day.

and adapted that to the present day.

- I wrote a story about something that happened

with our children when they were young,

with our children when they were young,

and based it on Jack and the Beanstalk,

and based it on Jack and the Beanstalk,

about a boy with a magic bike

about a boy with a magic bike

who saves a local hotdog store

from becoming a bank.

from becoming a bank.

- [Race Announcer] It's checkered flag

and it's Freeman for the win, Davis in second,

and it's Freeman for the win, Davis in second,

Evers third, McCormick fourth place.

- Hey, look, Max has got a bike.

- Hey, look, Max has got a bike.

- [Announcer] While we've got just a second here

- [Announcer] While we've got just a second here

we need to call up the ADCC Juniors,

all ADCC Juniors to the starting line now.

all ADCC Juniors to the starting line now.

- Hey Max, get a horse!

- Hey Max, get a horse!

Check out this.

Check out this.

- What I'd give for a bike like that.

- What I'd give for a bike like that.

- Oh, that bike is special.

- Special?

- Oh yes, but it needs the right rider

- Oh yes, but it needs the right rider

to make it special.

That boy doesn't deserve it.

That boy doesn't deserve it.

I'm going to have to buy it back.

I'm going to have to buy it back.

(engine revs)

(engine revs)

- [Julie] But there are two particular areas

- [Julie] But there are two particular areas

I think that have spoken to me,

or I feel a kind of further interest in,

or I feel a kind of further interest in,

and one of them is family films

and one of them is family films

and that came out of my having children

and that came out of my having children

and thinking more about children

and thinking more about children

and parents and families and growing up,

and parents and families and growing up,

and as they got older, they got into their teen years,

and as they got older, they got into their teen years,

of coming of age, and so I did make some films

of coming of age, and so I did make some films

that had to do with young children.

that had to do with young children.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

- And Roger said, "Family films, I don't know.

- And Roger said, "Family films, I don't know.

It's not something I understand.

It's not something I understand.

I don't think we should finance it ourselves

I think you'd better look for outside financing."

I think you'd better look for outside financing."

So I did, and I found a fair amount of the financing.

So I did, and I found a fair amount of the financing.

(garage door squeals)

(garage door squeals)

(engine revs)

(woman screams)

(crashing)

(crashing)

- Mom, no!

- Mom, no!

Wait a minute Mom, Mom stop!

Mom, what are you doing?

Mom, what are you doing?

- I'm selling the bike.

With a little bit of luck I'll get my $50.00 back.

With a little bit of luck I'll get my $50.00 back.

- Mom you can't do this, this bike is special.

- Mom you can't do this, this bike is special.

- Look, Jack, I'm late, I don't have time for this.

- Look, Jack, I'm late, I don't have time for this.

- Okay Mom I will tell you the truth,

the reason you can't sell this bike

the reason you can't sell this bike

is because it's got these amazing powers.

- Will you give me a break.

- Will you give me a break.

- But Mom, it's the truth, last night it took me

on this incredible ride, and we rode up a fire escape,

on this incredible ride, and we rode up a fire escape,

and then we jumped across rooftops

and then we jumped across rooftops

and then we raced away from a motorcycle gang!

and then we raced away from a motorcycle gang!

- Are you on dope?

- Wow, let's go downtown.

- Wow, let's go downtown.

Woo!

All right!

All right!

Wow!

I'm going right over Hodgkins' Bank.

Oh man, whoa, this is great!

Oh man, whoa, this is great!

Uh-oh, where are we going to land?

Uh-oh, where are we going to land?

Woo-hoo-hoo!

Woo-hoo-hoo!

(engine revs)

- For a while there it seemed that every time

- For a while there it seemed that every time

we lost one market a new market would come in.

we lost one market a new market would come in.

We lost theatrical, we went to home video.

We lost theatrical, we went to home video.

Home video started to fade a little bit,

Home video started to fade a little bit,

we went to cable.

we went to cable.

Cable is changed from what we were doing at that time

Cable is changed from what we were doing at that time

and home video has slipped, which brings us up

and home video has slipped, which brings us up

to today, which is not what we're really talking about,

to today, which is not what we're really talking about,

which is the most difficult time I've ever seen

which is the most difficult time I've ever seen

for distribution of low-budget films.

for distribution of low-budget films.

But The Dirt Bike Kid was an attempt to

But The Dirt Bike Kid was an attempt to

move with the times.

move with the times.

- All right, all right!

- All right, all right!

- [Julie] We had been out of distribution at that point

because of having sold the name and the going concern,

because of having sold the name and the going concern,

new world, and the picture went into theaters

new world, and the picture went into theaters

new world, and the picture went into theaters

and lost money.

And I was like, "Roger was right.

And I was like, "Roger was right.

Family films just aren't going to cut it".

I was so deflated, but there was something

I was so deflated, but there was something

on the rise, and it was home video,

on the rise, and it was home video,

and the picture did extremely well, so...

and the picture did extremely well, so...

(whimsical music)

(whimsical music)

- There you go Mr. Hodgkins, safe and sound.

- There you go Mr. Hodgkins, safe and sound.

- Thank God.

- Thank God.

(whooshing)

(Hodgkins yelling)

(Hodgkins yelling)

(splash)

- What's wrong?

- What's wrong?

- It's my bike, Mom, all the magic's gone.

- It's my bike, Mom, all the magic's gone.

- Well, honey, I know this bike is really special to you--

- Well, honey, I know this bike is really special to you--

- It sure is.

But, Mom, I was just thinking, if it is gone

But, Mom, I was just thinking, if it is gone

then I guess it's because I have my own magic

then I guess it's because I have my own magic

that's working for me now.

- Well, your dad used to say that we all

- Well, your dad used to say that we all

have a little bit of magic hidden inside of us,

have a little bit of magic hidden inside of us,

it's just that sometimes it takes someone special

it's just that sometimes it takes someone special

to help us find it.

- And that's what my bike did for me, right?

- And that's what my bike did for me, right?

- And that's what you do for me.

- And that's what you do for me.

- Aw, thanks Mom.

- You know what the best part of it is?

- You know what the best part of it is?

Once you find that magic, no--

Once you find that magic, no--

- I know, nobody else can take it away from you.

- That's right.

- That's right.

(bicycle bell ringing)

(bicycle bell ringing)

(funky music)

- A Very Unlucky Leprechaun was one of our later films.

- A Very Unlucky Leprechaun was one of our later films.

Again, we were varying from what we'd done before,

Again, we were varying from what we'd done before,

Again, we were varying from what we'd done before,

and we were suddenly making a number of family films.

and we were suddenly making a number of family films.

- A leprechaun.

- A leprechaun.

- Did you ever say it wasn't a joke?

- No, he's just kidding Molly,

- No, he's just kidding Molly,

aren't you Mr. Mulligan?

- I'm afraid not sir, the little monster's gobbling

- I'm afraid not sir, the little monster's gobbling

up me garden like it was a chef salad.

up me garden like it was a chef salad.

Will you look?

- He sure seems to like roses.

- He sure seems to like roses.

- Oh, that he does, but what he really craves

- Oh, that he does, but what he really craves

are four leaf clovers.

- Why?

- Why?

- They're magical, and even just one

would make a leprechaun lucky for a hundred years.

would make a leprechaun lucky for a hundred years.

He lives in the wishing well in the courtyard.

He lives in the wishing well in the courtyard.

He lives in the wishing well in the courtyard.

- Thanks.

- Coming?

- Coming?

- I'll be there in a minute dad.

- Okay.

The garden is in very sorry shape,

The garden is in very sorry shape,

but not because of a leprechaun.

but not because of a leprechaun.

- I wish I was home.

(coin clinking)

(coin clinking)

(echoing laughter)

(echoing laughter)

(coin clinking)

- Huh?

- Huh?

(coin clinking)

(coin clinking)

(whistle and whoosh)

- [Lucky] Wishes cost more than that.

- [Lucky] Wishes cost more than that.

- Dad, dad!

- My studio in Ireland came about because

- My studio in Ireland came about because

the European Union passed a rule limiting the number

the European Union passed a rule limiting the number

of non-European films that could be shown in theaters.

of non-European films that could be shown in theaters.

It turned out they never enforced the rule,

but I had no way of knowing that.

but I had no way of knowing that.

When I heard about that I thought,

When I heard about that I thought,

"Well this is going to hurt me because

if they're limiting the number,

if they're limiting the number,

they're going to let the major studios come in

they're going to let the major studios come in

and the little guys are the ones

and the little guys are the ones

that are going to be frozen out."

So the only solution was to become a European producer.

So the only solution was to become a European producer.

So the only solution was to become a European producer.

And I chose Ireland because I knew that they had

And I chose Ireland because I knew that they had

a very good subsidy for films,

a very good subsidy for films,

and my wife is of Irish descent,

and my wife is of Irish descent,

and has talked at various times

of getting a vacation home back, as she says,

of getting a vacation home back, as she says,

of getting a vacation home back, as she says,

in the old country.

(jaunty flute)

(jaunty flute)

- Looking for me?

- Looking for me?

(screams)

- Wait a minute, you're supposed to be chasing me.

- Wait a minute, you're supposed to be chasing me.

- I am supposed to be chasing you.

- Whoa-ho-ho!

- Whoa-ho-ho!

(laughing)

- The Irish were surprisingly efficient,

- The Irish were surprisingly efficient,

they moved very fast and the papers just

they moved very fast and the papers just

went through quickly.

I built a studio outside of Galway

I built a studio outside of Galway

because they said they were trying to develop

because they said they were trying to develop

the west coast of Ireland and they would give me

the west coast of Ireland and they would give me

a bigger subsidy if I was in the west coast.

a bigger subsidy if I was in the west coast.

Now then they said they wanted to develop

Now then they said they wanted to develop

the Gaeltacht, which is a little area

the Gaeltacht, which is a little area

where people still speak Gaelic,

where people still speak Gaelic,

so I said, "Okay, I'll put my studio in the Gaeltacht,

so I said, "Okay, I'll put my studio in the Gaeltacht,

which was just north of Galway, so I got,

I don't know, three or four different subsidies

I don't know, three or four different subsidies

I don't know, three or four different subsidies

for the studio, and it worked out very well.

for the studio, and it worked out very well.

- Speaking of wishes, I brought you something.

- A star?

- A star?

- Just hold it up in front of your face.

- Just hold it up in front of your face.

- Now what?

- Watch.

(whooshing)

(whooshing)

- I think I made a mistake!

- A mistake?

- That's no lucky star.

- That's no lucky star.

(whooshing)

- Then what is it?

- Then what is it?

- It's a shooting star!

- Come on, it's going to mess everything up!

- Come on, it's going to mess everything up!

- Do something Molly!

- Do something Molly!

- We have to let it out.

Oh no!

- No!

- Quick!

- Quick!

- Nice catch, Molly!

- That was close.

- That was close.

- Oh, oh dear!

The window!

- Oh no!

- Oh no!

(glass breaking)

- I need more power!

- I need more power!

- How about some leprechaun power?

- How about some leprechaun power?

- Lucky, your magic doesn't work.

- Lucky, your magic doesn't work.

- Oh, come on, let me use me magic, please.

- Oh, come on, let me use me magic, please.

Well, what do you want me to do?

Well, what do you want me to do?

- Take off!

- Take off!

- Your wish is my command.

- [Roger] The decision to use twins to play

- [Roger] The decision to use twins to play

this one little girl was simply a solution

this one little girl was simply a solution

to the child labor laws.

to the child labor laws.

A child could not work more than certain hours

A child could not work more than certain hours

out of the day and it occurred to me

out of the day and it occurred to me

if I use twins, I can use one of them

if I use twins, I can use one of them

in the morning and one of them in the afternoon.

in the morning and one of them in the afternoon.

- Lucky, the McGreedy brothers!

- Over there, keep going Molly, you can catch them.

- Over there, keep going Molly, you can catch them.

- [Roger] The film was successful, we made a sequel,

- [Roger] The film was successful, we made a sequel,

everything was going reasonably well.

everything was going reasonably well.

The specter of the diminishing returns at the box office

The specter of the diminishing returns at the box office

The specter of the diminishing returns at the box office

were being balanced by what we were getting

were being balanced by what we were getting

out of the video.

- How about a rainbow?

- How about a rainbow?

- Rainbow.

- Rainbow.

- Yeah.

- [Lucky] Look, over the house.

- A great big one, just like that.

- A great big one, just like that.

(jaunty flute)

(jaunty flute)

(funky music)

(funky music)

(funky music)

- [Roger] Once more, the problem was

- [Roger] Once more, the problem was

the lack of theatrical distribution by,

the lack of theatrical distribution by,

I think around 2001, when I did Black Scorpion,

I think around 2001, when I did Black Scorpion,

there was no theatrical distribution

there was no theatrical distribution

for low-budget films, except every now and then

for low-budget films, except every now and then

maybe a horror film or something would break through.

maybe a horror film or something would break through.

So I made a deal with Showtime,

So I made a deal with Showtime,

I made actually 33 pictures in three years for Showtime,

I made actually 33 pictures in three years for Showtime,

and I was partnered with Haim Saban, who put up

half the money and he got the foreign,

half the money and he got the foreign,

it was an incredibly profitable thing

it was an incredibly profitable thing

because I was in profit on every film

because I was in profit on every film

before I made it because the accommodation

before I made it because the accommodation

of what Haim was giving me and what Showtime

of what Haim was giving me and what Showtime

was giving me was greater than the cost of the film.

- Computer, activate auto-transform.

- Computer, activate auto-transform.

- [Roger] Black Scorpion, which was a woman

- [Roger] Black Scorpion, which was a woman

police detective by day, Black Scorpion by night,

police detective by day, Black Scorpion by night,

was a huge success.

was a huge success.

- Black Scorpion!

- Black Scorpion!

- Magnetic field up.

- Magnetic field up.

(whooshing)

(whooshing)

(grunting)

(grunting)

- Playing on television in France and Germany

- Playing on television in France and Germany

it had gotten the highest rating for its time period

it had gotten the highest rating for its time period

of the whole year, so we made another Black Scorpion,

of the whole year, so we made another Black Scorpion,

of the whole year, so we made another Black Scorpion,

and again it was a big success.

- You want firearms off the street, don't you?

- You want firearms off the street, don't you?

Jack?

Jack?

- See, this is taking a bit longer than I expected.

- See, this is taking a bit longer than I expected.

I am actually relieved that you know who I am.

I am actually relieved that you know who I am.

- And I know what it's like to hunger for revenge,

but this won't solve anything.

but this won't solve anything.

- Take off your mask.

- Take off your mask.

- What?

- Well, since we're getting to know each other

- Well, since we're getting to know each other

by our first names I thought it would be nice

by our first names I thought it would be nice

if you took your mask off, or I'm going to blow it off.

if you took your mask off, or I'm going to blow it off.

Ah, Detective Walker, I should have known.

Ah, Detective Walker, I should have known.

Oh-ho, you truly are your father's daughter.

Oh-ho, you truly are your father's daughter.

He never would hesitate to take the law

into his own hands either.

- And that's exactly what got him killed.

- And that's exactly what got him killed.

He was shot by a gunman seeking revenge.

He was shot by a gunman seeking revenge.

- But he didn't have to spend the rest of his life

- But he didn't have to spend the rest of his life

as a useless cripple.

I would have given anything to die in action, anything.

I would have given anything to die in action, anything.

- I can arrange that!

- Striker!

- Striker!

- Bang, bang, you're dead.

- Bang, bang, you're dead.

(alarm rings)

(alarm rings)

- [Police Dispatcher] Attention any unit

in the vicinity of the Phoenix Institute;

in the vicinity of the Phoenix Institute;

respond to the burglar alarm.

respond to the burglar alarm.

- That's one alarm I can't hit the snooze button on.

Access lair.

Access lair.

- [Roger] And this time Haim told me that the

- [Roger] And this time Haim told me that the

German distributor wanted to license Black Scorpion

German distributor wanted to license Black Scorpion

to make a German t.v. series called Black Scorpion,

to make a German t.v. series called Black Scorpion,

and I thought, well, if he thinks there's money

and I thought, well, if he thinks there's money

to be made in a t.v. series, I might as well

to be made in a t.v. series, I might as well

make it myself.

make it myself.

The t.v. series wasn't quite as successful.

The t.v. series wasn't quite as successful.

I was doing a lot of things and maybe I wasn't

I was doing a lot of things and maybe I wasn't

as heavily involved as I might have been.

as heavily involved as I might have been.

I think it was a good series.

It played on the SyFy channel.

It played on the SyFy channel.

The whole Black Scorpion series started me

The whole Black Scorpion series started me

with an idea of mine, as I usually did,

with an idea of mine, as I usually did,

I wrote about a 3 page synopsis

I wrote about a 3 page synopsis

for the first Black Scorpion and then wrote

a variation of it for the second Black Scorpion.

a variation of it for the second Black Scorpion.

a variation of it for the second Black Scorpion.

Craig Nevius wrote the screenplays

Craig Nevius wrote the screenplays

and became the showrunner for the t.v. series,

and became the showrunner for the t.v. series,

and Craig did I think as good a job

and Craig did I think as good a job

as you could do under the circumstances.

- Hey, Walker, why the long face?

- Hey, Walker, why the long face?

Something wrong?

- Well, I don't know, this whole thing

- Well, I don't know, this whole thing

has just got me thinking about getting older.

has just got me thinking about getting older.

- Are you still worried about being alone?

- Are you still worried about being alone?

- Well, yeah, I mean, I don't know.

- Well, yeah, I mean, I don't know.

It would be nice to have somebody.

It would be nice to have somebody.

- Oh, come on, I told you, we will have each other.

- Oh, come on, I told you, we will have each other.

- As partners?

- As partners?

- Um, I think I know how Clockwise would answer that.

- Um, I think I know how Clockwise would answer that.

- Um, I think I know how Clockwise would answer that.

- How?

- Only time will tell.

(eerie music)

(funky music)

(funky music)

[END CREDITS]

[END CREDITS]