Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume I

Shout! Factory's release of Volume I of MST3K after Volume XXXIII does NOT reflect a flashback to the beginning of the classic cult-TV show (1984-2000) about a man and his robot sidekicks stuck on a space station, who are forced to watch B-movies that generate copious wisecracks. Instead, this is a reissue of MST3K episodes in the order that they appeared on VHS (on the Rhino label). In fact, three out of the four compiled here are hosted by show writer and later host Mike Nelson, as opposed to show creator Joel Hodgson. Another fun fact: all of the features hail from down-market movie producer-distributor Crown International Pictures. The Crown-ing non-glories here include 1967's Catalina Caper, a Crown clone of the popular beach-party comedies from rival AIP, highlighted by a brief appearance from Little Richard. Bloodlust (1961) was a quickie copy of The Most Dangerous Game, with an obscure screen credit for later Brady Bunch dad Robert Reed as a rugged hero. Nelson and the robots have the most fun with The Skydivers (1963) a low-altitude melodrama centered on adultery and revenge at a parachuting school. Finally, The Creeping Terror (1964), about a pair of shambling space monsters (literally looking like stitched-together rug remnants) who devour small-town folks, earns its rep as one of the worst films ever. Extras include a featurette on Crown, as well as an extended trailer and Q&A for the new documentary The Creep Behind the Camera, on the making of The Creeping Terror. Highly recommended. (C. Cassady)