Manos Tidbits of Info

Funny little tidbits about the making of Manos…

The cast and crew brown bagged it and brought their own lunches (and dinners)to the set during filming of Manos, The Hands of Fate.  There was no money in the budget for food.

The movie was filmed in about 8 days.

All the voices were dubbed in a sound studio in Dallas, Tx..  Most of the men dubbed their own voices but all the women’s voices (including little Debbie’s) were one woman.

The credits were intended to be at the beginning of the film but were left out in the editing and then tacked on at the end.  Helps explain the long, agricultural driving tour as the opening.

The drinking, kissing teens in car scenes were primarily invented because the actress in the car broke her leg shortly before filming began.  She was slated to be one of the wives. The horny teenager parts were created to keep her working and also to give Bernie Rosenblum, her partner, a bit more to do.  He was the stuntman.  He doubled Hal/Mike tumbling down the hill.

The Sheriff, William Jennings, of the famous line, “Whatever it is you’re not doing, go don’t do it somewhere else”, was also Co-Producer and attorney for Manos.

The credits are inflated to seem as if more people are involved.  My dad is listed both as Tom Neyman and as Thomas Ivy.  I believe my mom is listed as Jaqueline Reace but her name was just Jackey, like mine.

The Master’s dog, the Doberman was our family dog.  His name was Shanka and he was very sweet and gentle.  When I watch Manos, I remember him as eager to please and somewhat confused.

People ask me how I can remember so much about the making of Manos, The Hands of Fate when I was so young and it was so long ago.  I recall bits and pieces of my childhood the way most people do.  Memories and huge gaps.  When you have a significant event that then becomes part of your family story, then it is preserved.  Manos was a significant event.  I adored my dad and I loved the Broadway music that thundered throughout our home.  I loved to watch him create his art in the studio and run his lines for a play.  Then he asked if I wanted to be the little girl in a movie, he was doing.  I was thrilled.  A summer to remember.