Episode 8: Dead Dudes in the House (1989)

I’m back and more needlessly verbose than ever before!

 

I claimed Bloody Birthday, “the lost episode,” as my triumphant return, but I was merely presenting a commentary track recorded almost 2 years ago. With Dead Dudes in the House, I’m back with something brand new! The track was recorded over this year’s Memorial Day weekend and believe it or not, there are no outside debauchery in the recording (although, that might’ve made for a more compelling episode).

 

 

 

This time around, I share the usual stories (my initial reaction to the film, how it’s managed to stay with me all these years, the litany of alternative titles, etc.). I also share a lot of inside information on the original  production provided by none other than James Riffel, writer/director. We’ve been Facebook buddies for a few years (although I’m sure if you asked, he’d probably say he’s never spoken to me in his life, just like everyone else) and one night I decided I’d just pick his brain (poor choice of words, especially after you’ve seen the film) about all things Dead Dudes.

 

 

James was about as cordial, kind, and humble as we all hope our heroes to be. He spent a large amount of time discussing filming locations, what the house is being used for these day, where the title came from, and some information on an early draft of the script.

 

 

Sadly, I’m not able to find the original correspondence, which is just as well, as I doubt he’d appreciate my reposting it here. This was some years back, before I’d even started the blog, and saw no reason to even jot down a few notes. I may have forgotten many of the specifics, but a number of anecdotes have stayed with me. Everything I could remember, I share during the commentary.

 

 

As always, it’s imperative that we’re in sync. Now, when I uploaded the DVD to my PC (using the edition included in Troma’s Triple B-Header as my source), the standard “Lloyd Kauffman and Michael Herz Present...” seen in every Troma release, was not included in the file. Why? I can only assume the intro was included as an isolated file when the disc was pressed.

 

 

Have no fear. If you’re watching the film on YouTube or through some other streaming service, you need only start the commentary immediately after Troma’s opening (which would be 14 seconds in) to remain in sync. If you’re watching the film on DVD, same thing. If you’re not watching the movie at all and listening to the commentary for the sole purpose of my wretched voice, then you have my deepest sympathies.