Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Manos: The Debbie Chronicles Webseries




This horror series is based off of the 1966 cult-classic Manos: The Hands of Fate, considered by many to be the worst movie ever made (scoring even lower on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes than The Room).
The coolest part? One of the last surviving actors, Jackey Neyman Jones, who plays Debbie in the original film, is the star of the new series. Despite its epically low ratings, the movie has a huge cult following because to put it simply––it’s fascinating! If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch the full film on YouTube, and Mystery Science Theater has a must-watch wet-your-pants funny episode on it.

WHEN BAD BECOMES GOOD
The series creator, Willow Polson, is doing something even more unexpected; she's taking the worst movie ever made and turning it into a force for good! This dark reimagining focuses on what happened after Debbie escaped the evil clutches of The Master and the primordial god Manos. But Debbie won't have to do it all alone -- she now has a very unique and unusual team that helps her take down evil, whatever form it may take. 
"I am always thinking about how to make this world a better place in everything I do," Willow, who is an award-winning producer with over 25 years experience, told us, "Each character in the show has traits that are not normally seen in leading characters on a show, or at all. "
The diverse female cast includes characters that are all fully-realized complex co-stars, not just a  girlfriend or one-dimensional bait to make a main character feel things.
The series co-writer, R. D. Hall is a multimedia writer and creator for films, comics, and music videos.
WHERE HAS DEBBIE BEEN?
In the 51 years since Manos, Jackey has been an artist, actress and producer.  She lovingly tends to Manos with her book Growing Up With Manos The Hands Of Fate, new film Manos Returns and personal appearances.
"I'm really looking forward to this new venture!"  says Jackey. 

THE LUCKIEST THING YOU CAN DO IS HELP CANDIVAN LAUNCH
Manos: The Debbie Chronicles and many other great series, will only exist if Candivan successfully launches. You can help make this happen! Please subscribe to the Candivan mailing list here, and stay tuned for more trailers and the Candivan Kickstarter campaign, coming very soon!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram too!

HERE IT IS: THE TRAILER! CHECK IT OUT, LIKE IT, SHARE IT, LOVE IT, TELL YOUR FRIENDS

Hey all.  Jackey here.  This week I shared the blog post from Candivan because they said it best.  I do hope you will support Candivan so this webseries can be done.  As you all know.  It Is The Will Of Manos!  Thanks!...and see you here next week.  Lots of other new things coming along too.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Debbie Does Cinema Wasteland


Torgo Tuesday is Debbies Manos blog day,  but for this week we'll call it Wobbly Wednesday.  I'm off kilter only because all the things I've worked so hard to bring to fruition are coming about at pretty much the same time and it's a challange to keep up.

This week is about a fantastic trip where I was a guest at  Cinema Wasteland  in Strongville, Ohio just outside of Cleveland.  It's a small but very mighty family run show that's been going on for about 12 years. The organizer, Ken, and his crew were so gracious and attentive, that I really felt spoiled and kept teasing that they were ruining me for other events.  I imagine myself walking into another event with my chin up and saying "Do you know who I think I am?"

My sense of humor runs to the bizarre and odd, so my experience upon arrival in Cleveland cracked me up.  As the plane was landing, a conversation began with the man sitting next to me and we realized we were going to the same event.  I told him that I was to call the organizers upon arrival to be sure a shuttle from the hotel would be there to pick us up and if he waited at baggage for me we could find the bus together.  I made my way there and while watching the bags go around, thought I spotted the guy so walked up, leaned over and said "The shuttle is on it's way".  His head whipped around, he looked at me and said "What?"  So, while still watching the bags go around, I said again in a conspirital way, "The shuttle is on it's way" and without another glance, I slowly moved away.  As I looked toward the crowd in a different direction, I saw the actual guy I had been sitting next to.
Now it dawns on me that the one I spoke to is completely puzzled and probably thinking that I am either a spy talking code or maybe I am completely nuts and saying the shuttle from space will be here soon to take us away.  I do hope he came up with a good story to tell and that maybe it made his trip to Ohio a little more interesting.

I was especially thrilled for Michael Berryman to be there as a guest as well.  I had met him when he was at Crypticon Seattle a couple years ago and where he took time to advise me and talk about guesting at conventions.  Now, two years later, I have been taking his advice.  Was really great to have an opportunity to let him know how helpful he had been and how much I appreciated that.  He also has agreed to interview soon, for my Jackey's Hand of Horror Podcast .  He is one of the most genuine celebrities I have met so far and so interesting to talk with.  Can't wait for our interview.




I also met Dee Wallace and got her to agree to an interview as well.  Another very sweet and gracious person that I feel so honored to be able to connect with.  She has written a few inspirational books and I just ordered this one on Kindle.  Bright Light: Spiritual Lessons from a Life in Acting




The show ran Friday afternoon/evening, Saturday and Sunday. Although the event was small, it was really well attended by fans of film, and especially more obscure type film so I fit right in. Seems most who came were aware of Manos The Hands of Fate and the ones who weren't familiar were interested in learning more. I literally drank a gallon of water on Friday because of talking to fans so much. It was a blast.

On Friday evening, I headed to the hotel elevator to go to my room. The was a group of young men having an enthusiastic conversation while waiting for the doors to open and they were clearly having a great time. A couple of them had on some costuming including one with a wig and bloody lab coat. When the doors opened, they crowded on and then scrunched together to make more space while waving me on. 3rd floor for them. 6th for me. Somehow, the 3rd floor button didn't get pushed so the ancient slow elevator made it's way all the way to the 6th floor. When the doors opened, one of them said "Would you like us to walk you to your room?" Hahaha. They were adorable.


On Saturday, a friend I had never met but known for seven years drove several hours to come meet me in person. Joey Basford Founder of Manos The Hands of Fate fan Club of Facebook. I have met facebook friends a few times at various happenings and it's so interesting to me how when we finally meet, it's not so very different. It is that you already know them. Loved seeing him and and having a little time to visit.

Derrick Carey, editor of our new film, Manos Returns also came to meet me in person and to bring some friends with him. He did an incredible job on the film and was wonderful to get to meet him in person finally.

This was the first Con I've been invited to where it was farther than I could drive and I wasn't sure how much stuff to take with me for the table and to sell. The books were the bulky thing and I didn't want to carry a bunch home if they didn't sell but apparently I miscalculatred because I sold most of them on Friday and the Manos screening wasn't until Saturday afternoon. Fortunately I had a stack of large envelopes with me, so had the buyer write their address, and mailed them when I got home Monday. Now I know to ship the books to the hotel in advance so I'm not carrying them. Learning!

So many great experiences. Met a whole lot of appreciative fans, made connections for screenings of Manos Returns in some independent theaters, was invited to participate in some upcoming independent film projects, got to do Q and A with the audience of a Manos: The Hands of Fate screening sans robots and Joel and had some professional studio shots done with a beautiful Doberman named Zelda. Cannot wait to see those and share them.


It is these experiences that keep me feeling so deeply Blessed for the collaborations and friendships created along this unusual path my life follows. Thank you for coming along on this journey.

The next phase begins...






Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Debbie and the Dentist

Most people I know and meet have no idea who I am in the pop culture or Mystery Science Theater world because it's not relevant to those relationships. I am not recognizable in public and don't carry a sign identifying myself as the little kid from Manos The Hands of Fate.

A couple years ago when I was a special guest at Crypticon Seattle, a woman came to my table and kept looking at the banner on the wall above me with a photo of me as 6 year old Debbie.  She would study the photo and then look at me curiously.  After the third time of her looking back and forth from the banner to me, I said casually with a shrug, "It's an old photo".

On occasion, the Manos subject works into a conversation in the real world as it did last week at my dental cleaning appointment.

The dental hygenist and I were discussing her move to Oregon from New York and me telling her I had never been East but was traveling to Cleveland soon for the first time.  She asked if it was for business and I playfully said, "I'm a pop culture icon in a limited world".  She gave a clear "Go on" look so I continued by saying that as a kid, I was in a movie that many describe as the worst movie ever made.  Next was another questioning but now slightly skeptical look. "What's it Called?"  I replied, "Manos: The Hands of Fate"  (Normally, I would ask if the person has heard of Mystery Science Theater first, but we had a dental cleaning to get to.)  Her eyes flew wide open. "Wha!?  I know that movie!"  All in all, an enjoyable experience for me, which is more than many can say about a dental cleaning.  She wants to see me again in four months to check on a couple things and we'll have a few Manos happenings to catch up on too.

I am headed to Cleveland and Cinema Wasteland on Thursday
Cinema Wasteland

Then to Crypticon Seattle for the World Premiere of our new film, Manos Returns
Crypticon Seattle

The weekend after that will be Meadowlark Comic Con in Medford Oregon
Meadowlark Comic Con

San Diego Comic Con to promote the upcoming comic book that we will be talking about very soon.
San Diego Comic Con