Richard Elfman's: The Forbidden Zone
Remember back when I was talking about that guy who handed me an unlabeled copy of John Waters' Pink Flamingos back in 1988-ish? Okay well - the same guy also shared with me something else. I was saving this story. It's worth it. Cuz um...
In the wee small hours of the morning, he whispered to me and my friends, "Do y'all want to see something really weird? Really cool?" Who says No to that? Anyway - he tip-toed off to his (no, really) safe and pulled out a nondescript VHS cassette tape. I was thinking more than likely I was about to have to watch some really freaked-out porn ... but no. I had my life changed instantly.
As he got the tape ready to play, he told us the story of how he'd managed to get a copy of this film. It was a cult classic. A drive-in masterpiece. A midnight movie landmark ... and I'd never even heard of it! I was suspicious. He hyped it up so hard and heavy - I thought to myself, this old fool doesn't know anything about anything...and then the credits started to roll.
It sounds exaggerated to say this, but it's the truth - sixty seconds into this movie, I knew I'd fallen in love. I knew I had to always have this film close to me in my life ... and subsequently I knew one of us had to snatch this damn VHS and run. It was really smooth and classy of us - especially considering had we simply waited and investigated further, we'd have realized this movie was due for a VHS release just a month after this fated night. But whatever, I finally owned my own copy of The Forbidden Zone and I was ready to get married to every single frame of this movie. Still am. If you doubt the power of those opening moments - I dare you to succumb yourself to the experience. Go on, click it and you'll see ... oh, you'll see alright ...
First off - we need to talk about The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, the driving force behind this film. Back in the good old 1970's, there was a performance-art type band that went by that name. They were surreal, beautiful and led by brothers Richard and Danny Elfman. Toward the end of the decade, and as their stage shows became burdensome and complex - they decided to disband the group ... in a manner of speaking. Danny and some of the guys went off to form the band Oingo Boingo (insanely famous during the 1980's ... yeah, you know 'em) and then become an Academy Award winning composer. Richard - the older brother - wanted to capture the magic of the Knights of the Oingo Boingo as they were reflected in their stage shows before it was too late, so he grabbed a camera, some 16mm film and got busy.
Twelve musical numbers threaded together by Danny's score and an original script by the man who plays Squeezit in the movie - The Forbidden Zone was an instant cult classic. To prove the power of this film - I've actually forced it upon numerous (and I do mean numerous) people who typically abhor this type of thing. Each of them found something wonderfully engaging in this movie and have gone on to remember our time together fondly. I become "the guy who showed me that movie...the weird one...with the frog," which suits me just fine. I steadfastly believe this film is for everyone. NOT KIDS (because it has cursing and boobies), but pretty much everyone over the age of 16 will absolutely love this movie.
The appeal is so broad. Even within the musical selections you have jazz, blues, classical, blues, rock, R&B and even a smidge of gospel. The sets were designed (and painted) by Richard's wife (at the time) who plays the role of Frenchie in the movie. This was a 110% family affair - and those who aren't related to the Elfman's are either part of the Oingo Boingo knights or lifelong family friends. Not only that - the damn thing has animation as well...I know I just blurted that out at random, but so what? Deal with it. I'm talking about The Forbidden Zone up in here. At only 71 minutes in length, this movie is a one-of-a-kind testicle punch to the world of film. There had never been, and shall never again be - anything like The Forbidden Zone. It is a unique, spontaneously created product of two of the greatest imaginations of the 20th century ... and that is all you need to know. That's all anyone needs to know. This is art. It is not a film, it is not a musical, it is not animation, it is not high-quality stuff ... but what it is ... is genius.
Let's talk about the cast.
Susan Tyrell - shortly after her Academy Award nomination, she's responsible for the contribution of Herve Villachaize in the role of the king (prior to becoming a superstar on Fantasy Island, thank you very much). On the special features, epic bad-ass SuSu explained this decision happened organically. "Richard wanted a little person. I was living with Herve because a few months before we started filming, I discovered I really wanted to f*ck a midget." Thank God she did, too. SuSu as the Queen and Herve as King rule over the rest of this cast with sticky fists of greatness.
Matthew Bright as Squeezit and Rene Henderson. No ... that's all I have to say about Mr. Bright's performance. He's so damned incredible in these two roles, I don't even need to describe it. I have such a boy-crush on Squeezit. I can't even talk about it. Oh, great. See what you did? Now I've wet my britches...
Danny Elfman - as the Devil. One of the few times you catch this legendary performer on screen, former lead singer for Oingo Boingo rocks my face off as a Cab Calloway/Satan character during the climactic ending of the film.
Viva - yeah, the Andy Warhol superstar plays the ex-Queen and also does a pretty impressive job of trying to fend off wild, biker-crazy Susan Tyrell in one of the best cat fights ever put to film. Star of Warhol classics like "Blue Movie," "Bike Boy," and "Lonesome Cowboys," Viva also might be memorable from her roles in "Midnight Cowboy," or "Play It Again, Sam." She is the one who coined the term "Warhol Superstar," as she was the one who began it. It doesn't get anymore epic in terms of indie film. Viva Viva!
Marie-Pascale Elfman as Frenchie makes me cackle with delight. This movie wouldn't be the same without her goofiness parading through 90% of the scenes. I adore her.
This is one of several movies that will always have a home on my shelf. You will always find me willing, eager and happy to welcome you into my home if you want to view The Forbidden Zone. I've seen it thousands of times and it's not nearly enough.
Did you see that shit? Okay, if you haven't already purchased your copy here ... check this shit out:
That is all. That is all there needs to be. You'll own this soon.
First off - we need to talk about The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, the driving force behind this film. Back in the good old 1970's, there was a performance-art type band that went by that name. They were surreal, beautiful and led by brothers Richard and Danny Elfman. Toward the end of the decade, and as their stage shows became burdensome and complex - they decided to disband the group ... in a manner of speaking. Danny and some of the guys went off to form the band Oingo Boingo (insanely famous during the 1980's ... yeah, you know 'em) and then become an Academy Award winning composer. Richard - the older brother - wanted to capture the magic of the Knights of the Oingo Boingo as they were reflected in their stage shows before it was too late, so he grabbed a camera, some 16mm film and got busy. 
Twelve musical numbers threaded together by Danny's score and an original script by the man who plays Squeezit in the movie - The Forbidden Zone was an instant cult classic. To prove the power of this film - I've actually forced it upon numerous (and I do mean numerous) people who typically abhor this type of thing. Each of them found something wonderfully engaging in this movie and have gone on to remember our time together fondly. I become "the guy who showed me that movie...the weird one...with the frog," which suits me just fine. I steadfastly believe this film is for everyone. NOT KIDS (because it has cursing and boobies), but pretty much everyone over the age of 16 will absolutely love this movie. 
The appeal is so broad. Even within the musical selections you have jazz, blues, classical, blues, rock, R&B and even a smidge of gospel. The sets were designed (and painted) by Richard's wife (at the time) who plays the role of Frenchie in the movie. This was a 110% family affair - and those who aren't related to the Elfman's are either part of the Oingo Boingo knights or lifelong family friends. Not only that - the damn thing has animation as well...I know I just blurted that out at random, but so what? Deal with it. I'm talking about The Forbidden Zone up in here. At only 71 minutes in length, this movie is a one-of-a-kind testicle punch to the world of film. There had never been, and shall never again be - anything like The Forbidden Zone. It is a unique, spontaneously created product of two of the greatest imaginations of the 20th century ... and that is all you need to know. That's all anyone needs to know. This is art. It is not a film, it is not a musical, it is not animation, it is not high-quality stuff ... but what it is ... is genius.Let's talk about the cast.
Susan Tyrell - shortly after her Academy Award nomination, she's responsible for the contribution of Herve Villachaize in the role of the king (prior to becoming a superstar on Fantasy Island, thank you very much). On the special features, epic bad-ass SuSu explained this decision happened organically. "Richard wanted a little person. I was living with Herve because a few months before we started filming, I discovered I really wanted to f*ck a midget." Thank God she did, too. SuSu as the Queen and Herve as King rule over the rest of this cast with sticky fists of greatness.
Matthew Bright as Squeezit and Rene Henderson. No ... that's all I have to say about Mr. Bright's performance. He's so damned incredible in these two roles, I don't even need to describe it. I have such a boy-crush on Squeezit. I can't even talk about it. Oh, great. See what you did? Now I've wet my britches...
Danny Elfman - as the Devil. One of the few times you catch this legendary performer on screen, former lead singer for Oingo Boingo rocks my face off as a Cab Calloway/Satan character during the climactic ending of the film.
Viva - yeah, the Andy Warhol superstar plays the ex-Queen and also does a pretty impressive job of trying to fend off wild, biker-crazy Susan Tyrell in one of the best cat fights ever put to film. Star of Warhol classics like "Blue Movie," "Bike Boy," and "Lonesome Cowboys," Viva also might be memorable from her roles in "Midnight Cowboy," or "Play It Again, Sam." She is the one who coined the term "Warhol Superstar," as she was the one who began it. It doesn't get anymore epic in terms of indie film. Viva Viva!
Marie-Pascale Elfman as Frenchie makes me cackle with delight. This movie wouldn't be the same without her goofiness parading through 90% of the scenes. I adore her.
This is one of several movies that will always have a home on my shelf. You will always find me willing, eager and happy to welcome you into my home if you want to view The Forbidden Zone. I've seen it thousands of times and it's not nearly enough.
Did you see that shit? Okay, if you haven't already purchased your copy here ... check this shit out:
That is all. That is all there needs to be. You'll own this soon.
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