Mystery Science Theater 3000 Vol. 14 comes with two Joels and two Mikes:
1.3 “Mad Monster” (1942) is about a mad scientist turning men into living horrors by injecting them with the blood of wolves. A relic of the series’ earliest Comedy Channel days, when Josh Weinstein played Tom Servo, and the shadows of the commentators were a strange shade of grey. Servo tries to seduce a blender. Jedro the werewolf is discussed at length. The bots swap heads.
4.13 “Manhunt In Space” (1954) is actually four episodes of the “Rocky Jones, Space Ranger” TV show, edited together and released to cinemas for the poor saps unwilling or unable to pony up for their own “television sets.” Mike Nelson plays young, basement-dwelling sidekick Winkie. Joel employs Crow as a musical instrument. Clayton and Frank are captives of their own beanbag pants.
10.1 “Soultaker” (1990) is about a pair of teens on the run from the Angel of Death. Both Joel Hodgson and Frank Coniff returned for their first and last episode of the SciFi Channel era. Mike takes command of the malfunctioning Satellite of Love. Bobo meets TV’s Frank. Joel explains what he’s been up to.
10.8 “Final Justice” (1985) is about a Texas lawman charged with escorting a murderous Mafioso to the Italian authorities. Tom ponders the Yes hit “Owner of the Lonely Heart.” Crow and Tom hogpile Goosio. Crow disparages the Maltese. Half a season before the final episode, Mike fails to escape the series.
Extras include:
* A new interview with “Final Justice” writer-director Greydon Clark (4:11). Learn that it was the first of many films Clark would shoot overseas and received a favorable review in Variety.
* A new interview with “Soultaker” star Joe Estevez (5:16). Learn that the film was shot entirely in Mobile, Alabama. Learn that paychecks were often late, lunch often didn’t arrive on time and the production was often on the verge of being evicted from its motel. Learn that fans call out “Don’t take my soul!” when Estevez is nearby.
* A visit by Mike Nelson and the bots to ESPN’s “Cheap Seats” (3:08). It will make you wonder, not for the first time, why basic cable continues to employ the relentlessly talentless Sklar twins.