Manos/Route 66 TV Show Connection?

One of the Manos: The Hands of Fate stories that has always intrigued me is the one that tells of Hal Warren making a bet with Route 66 TV show writer/producer Stirling Silliphant while in a bar.  Hal bet that anyone could make a movie and he would prove it by making one himself.  The story goes on to say this encounter occurred when Stirling was in El Paso scouting locations for his television program.

 I decided to see if I could learn any more.   Route 66 was on television from October 1960 to March 1964 and was known for it's cinematography and locations.  The entire cast and crew were transported to locations around the United States for filming as every episode was in a different place.  Stirling and his production manager Sam Manners traveled the country scouting locations several months before filming.  An interesting side story... " His famous production manager, Sam Manners, called him from the road unit of Route 66 from El Paso, Texas. He told Stirling they could save perhaps a hundred thousand dollars if Stirling could write an extra story for the show that could be shot in El Paso while all the production trucks and crew were there  Silliphant obliged and had the script ready to shoot in a couple of days. The guest star was a famous character actor, Albert Dekker, who was flown to do the part over the weekend."  The interesting thing is that that episode "The Newborn" was filmed in New  Mexico and aired in May 1961.  The only other episodes I could find that were filmed in the El Paso area were the following:
    "A Fury Slinging Flame"                 December 30, 1960         Stirling Silliphant

Based on perceived clues from a mysterious stranger, an atomic physicist (Leslie Nielsen) and his handpicked followers take cover in Carlsbad Caverns fearing a possible nuclear attack at sunset on New Year's Day.

  "Sheba"               January 6, 1961                 Stirling Silliphant

Tod Stiles (Martin Milner) and Buz Mudock (George Maharis) search for the truth behind a "David and Bathsheba" situation in El Paso, Texas between a paroled widow (Whitney Blake) and a manipulative cowboy (Lee Marvin) who had framed her for embezzlement.

So now, the speculation.  When and how did this monumental Hal/Stirling meeting take place?  Possibly through Hal's insurance business?  "Hey!  I see you doing some filming here.  You need insurance?  I got insurance. Why don't we discuss it over a coupla drinks?" 

Most likely, we will never know for sure since both parties are beyond an interview but we can see that the time they met would have probably been fully five years before Manos began filming.  Was the idea percolating in Hal's head that whole time?  Was it a dream that finally found life when Hal became involved in Community Theater?  Was he accessing and gathering his key people until he was ready to make a move?  I obviously have more questions than answers but find it all fun to think about.

I'll leave you with this final mind bender.  Watch this clip of the Route 66 Pilot Episode.  Maybe it's just me, but I would swear that Hal Warren found more than a touch of inspiration from it.
 Route 66 Pilot Episode

If you haven't yet, be sure to read last weeks post about Manos coming to the stage in Portland, Oregon next month.  I'm in it!  Whoo Hooo!  Get your tickets.

Manos on Stage in Portland April-May 2013

Hello again,  Today I have the honor of introducing a guest writer and an amazing new friend.

 I cannot tell you how excited I am that he has invited me to be part of his upcoming project.
If you are in the Portland, Oregon area mid April through early May, be sure to get tickets to
 the show and come see me.

------------------------------
Brian :  My name is Brian Adrian Koch, Artistic Director of Capital I Productions and I'm addicted to "Manos": The Hands of Fate. 
Everyone:  Hi Brian! 

Like most people, I first saw Manos in 1993 when MST3k unveiled it's hidden magic to the world and riffed away in one of their greatest riff jams ever.  It all worked in their favor, the movie was horrible on so many levels (sound, lighting, editing, story, plot, pacing, rhythm, dialogue, acting, cinematography) that it provided them a unique and spacious platform to riff.  It quickly became my favorite at the top of a list of their amazing movie enhancing experiences (Daddy 0, Time of The Apes, Teenage Strangler, Pod People, Fugitive Alien and Santa Claus just to name a few).  I repeatedly returned to Manos over the years and at some point along the way thought it would be a blast to adapt it to the stage.  I graduated from Portland State University's Theater Arts program in mid 2004 and immediately fell back into the depressing world of restaurant customer service that had been my main means of earning a living.  After a soul sucking year at an evil, greedy NW Portland Deli Chain I realized now was the time to do Manos.  So I started a theater company of my own, Last Rites Productions, with co-worker Ryan Cloutier who liked my ideas and agreed to produce the show. 
   The show ran for three weeks in January at Theater! Theatre! in SE Portland and was, by my standards, a smash.  I had hoped and expected that my friends would come see this theatrical oddity but never expected to sell out the bulk of the shows.  By closing weekend we were way oversold and still turning away a hundred people a night.  It seemed audiences were having as much fun as we were.  Since then I've wanted to re-mount the show but the timing has never really been quite right.  I continued doing some more theater and in 2007 my band, Blitzen Trapper, was signed to Sub Pop Records (our high school fantasy label) and started touring all over the USA and Europe, making theater a difficult if not impossible time commitment to manage.  So the dream to re-mount went on the back burner but was never forgotten. 
   Fast forward to 2013.  I've long since parted ways with Last Rites, the band is taking it's longest break in years to make it's seventh record and I am ready...It's time to re-mount Manos.  In order to do it right, my partner, producer/designer Jen LaMastra and I have started a new company Capital I Productions.  We're so excited to have an amazing and talented cast of actors and technicians as well as an all star band to play the live score (members of Blitzen Trapper, Viva Voce and The Parson Red Heads). 
   While in pre-production, I remembered that I had heard that Jackey Raye Neyman-Jones (little Debbie!) lived nearby so I decided I would try and reach out to her.  I am delighted to say that I found her (thank you Internet) and we hit it off immediately and have been having some really fun and enlightening conversations on all things life, art and Manos related.  Not only is she a sweet and gracious person as well as an accomplished artist in her own right, but she is also as excited as I am about being the voice of Debbie in our play!   That's right, after 47 years, Jackey will get the opportunity she never had, to be the voice of her own character Debbie.  We here at Capital I Productions are so excited to have Jackey on-board and hope that if you're in the Pacific Northwest you'll try to come see this once in a lifetime show.  It's gonna be magical.  Here's the info and more is sure to come: 

"Manos": The Hands of Fate, Live Onstage. 
April 11th - May 5th
@ IFCC (Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center)
5340 N. Interstate Ave.
Tickets:  ay http://manoshandsoffate.brownpapertickets.com/

Capital I Productions 

 

 

The Masters Transformation

 

 

 

Great Article in my local paper

Just a quick post to share a newspaper article that came out this Wednesday in our local Salem, Oregon newspaper, The Statesman Journal.. Thanks to journalist, Geoff Parks for the great story and thanks to the paper for such a nice big color photo!

The Best of the Worst

Howdy Sheriff

This week I interviewed Bryan Jennings, son of William Bryan Jennings who played the part of the Sheriff in Manos: The Hands of Fate.  "Whatever it is you're not doing, go don't do it somewhere else."  I love that line.  I find it really interesting that both Bryan and Diane Mahree (Margaret) who I spoke with last week start off by saying, I don't have many stories or memories and then they go on to give me great stories and gold nuggets of information that no one knows yet.  This is fun.   Guess I'm becoming an investigative journalist, in a manner of speaking.  No offense to the real deal of course.

William Bryan Jennings loved theater and the church choir and was a good singer. I've asked his son Bryan to look for any video of his dad's other performances to share with you.  I do hope we can make that happen.  Bryan talked about his dad's many talents and his way of being.  He said that the character of the Sheriff was totally William Bryan Jennings and his dad probably ad libbed that classic line.  William was someone who was very valuable in working with Hal Warren to get Manos off the ground through his behind the scenes connections and experience.  He was an attorney at the time, sold life insurance as a side business and had worked in the DA's office.  He probably met Hal Warren through the life insurance business and also from their mutual involvement in community theater at the Festival Theater in El Paso.  William knew Judge Coldwell who loaned the use of his ranch back property for the filming of Manos.  He also knew Mike Sullivan who was El Paso Sheriff at the time and who loaned the guns and police car.  As an attorney, he handled the legal aspects of the project and is listed as a producer on the original contracts.

Bryan had been away at college and  was working through the summer of 1966 during the filming so he was not highly aware of what his dad was up to in El Paso at that time but over the years Manos tales would arise at the dinner table and family gatherings from time to time.  One Saturday afternoon in 1993, Bryan checked into a motel room on the Oregon Coast in Bandon and turned on the TV.  Until that time, Manos was no more than a family story that no one had seen since the premire in 1966.  Bryan was away at school and missed the premire so when he turned on the TV, saw the MST guys cracking jokes and then saw he dad step out of a police car to harrass some horny teens, he was stunned.  He said he just sat down and watched in amazement.  At the same time on the same day, my dad, The Master, Tom Neyman was up the coast a couple hour drive away, napping in his easy chair with the television on when he heard a hauntingly familiar tune, opened his eyes to see himself on the screen.  From that moment on, Manos became part of the bigger world and had gone beyond the family tales.

Stick with me while we continue to explore the making of Manos: The Hands of Fate.  Next up.  The convergence of Stirling Silliphant, Route 66, Hal Warren and Manos... and no worries, more on Diane Mahree as well.

How Diane met Hal

Diane Mahree was only 19 years old and just passing through Old El Paso when she met Hal in 1966.  She and her best friend were living in Aspen, Colorado, and, being adventurous young women living in adventurous times, they decided to take a road trip to Mexico.  So they loaded up Diane's VW van with clothes, camping gear, her dad's Phillips 66 fuel card, $12.00 dollars and set out.

Somewhere near  El Paso the engine just sort of blew up and they managed to limp into El Paso and to the shelter of Diane's parents home.  After taking the van to a garage, she learned the van needed a new engine, would cost a bundle and take a couple weeks for repair.  Stuck and broke, the girls set out to find jobs in the interim.  Diane's friend landed a job in a bank and Diane stopped in to talk to Fran Simon, the owner of Mannequin Manor Modeling School.  Diane had previously done modeling and hoped to find a couple paying gigs.  Fran had just been approached by Hal Warren who was looking for some girls to play extras in a new film he was doing in El Paso.  Although Diane had no acting experience she thought it sounded like an interesting prospect so made an appointment and went to see Hal.  She met him at his office where he asked her to do some script reading.  He kept her there for several hours reading and reading.  She began to wonder why things were taking so long and why he was spending so much time to decide whether to cast her for a simple part as an extra.  Then came the surprise.  "How would you like the lead?" Hal asked her.  To which she responded, "I've never acting in my life."  "That's OK.  If you do something wrong, I'll tell you."  She then agreed to the "job" which she learned would be shot at night and week ends to accommodate the other actors and crews daytime jobs. 

When Hal met Diane, he was scrambling to find a lead actress for the role of Margaret because he had just lost his first choice, a professional actress from Los Angeles.  This other actress had agreed to the part and traveled to El Paso to do the work.  Upon arrival, she quickly discovered she wasn't dealing with experienced movie makers, then had some disagreement and blow up with Hal before leaving in a huff.  She probably also discovered that the pay wasn't exactly guaranteed.  Diane then took the part of Margaret and soon discovered for herself that she would not be getting paid any time soon.  The filming of Manos: The Hands of Fate took about eight days to shoot and at the end, her van was repaired and the girls were ready to move on.  The good news for Diane was that her van ended up costing nothing and she got a new engine under warranty. 

Next Diane Mahree story.  How Hal signed her up for the Miss America Pageant in the hopes of promoting his film.

Diane Mahree is with us. She is with us always.

I had a wonderful chat with my friend, Diane Mahree this week.  As any self respecting Manos The Hands of Fate fan knows, Diane played the part of little  Debbie's mother and wife to Michael.  Interesting thing I had never really considered before now...We all know what happened to Michael.  He replaced Torgo as the Valley Lodge caretaker and we know what happened to poor little six year old Debbie.  She had the dubious distinction of becoming one of, if not the youngest bride in film history (This is where I count on fans of film to either confirm or rebuke my last statement).  So what happened to beautiful Margaret?  Perhaps Hal had further plans for her character in another film.  Lest we forget the very end of the film where it says "The End?".  I suppose we'll never really know, but we do know that actress and model Diane Mahree did not die in a fiery car crash as Manos mythology once claimed.  She's actually healthy and doing just fine in Colorado.  She and I had the opportunity to meet again in December 2011 back in El Paso where it all began more than 45 years before.  We were there working on the sequel to Manos.  Manos; Search for Valley Lodge.  Don't ask.  I don't know what's going on with that and can't talk about it anyway.  We spent a week together, had a great time and were amazed at our instant connection to each other.  She is still so very beautiful and has a wonderful voice which sounds nothing like the dubbed voice that emitted from her mouth in the film.  She is also a fabulous story teller and had so many great stories of her life adventures and  incredible experiences as a highly sought after model in New York and then Europe.  While talking this week, I asked if she would re tell some of her Manos related stories for me to share with you and happily, she agreed.  My  next post will be how Diane became involved in the first place.  So stay tuned and thanks so much for reading.

Debbie's Back in the World.

I'm back after more than two weeks of not posting.  Life's certainly been interesting and challenging lately, beginning with a case of empty nest syndrome when my youngest son left for California.  A few days later, an electrical fire nearly caused my house to burn just as my little dog Shanka and I were waking up in the morning. The very next day my neck and back went out accompanied by a pinched nerve For The Second Time In Six Weeks!  OMG!  The pain was second only to giving birth to both my children...simultaneously.  O.K.  Not that bad, but close.   So...after being trapped in bed for a week (Shanka loved it.  Captive owner), I'm up, gingerly moving around and ready to manifest the plans I developed while horizontal.

The reasons I'm sharing all this, besides explaining why I hadn't posted in two weeks is to say that many of these plans include Manos, The Hands of Fate.  I love Manos.  I love the creativity it inspires.  I love the fans and what a vibrant, varied and engaging community they are.  I love being a part of Pop Culture and exploring a world that is new to me.  I love what all this has done to bring my dad "The Master" and I closer together again.  There seem to be new things coming up every week about Manos.  New fan art.   Youtube videos.  The game.  The Restoration.  People in costume.  Comic Strips (Sally Worth), A mention in "How I met your Mother".  Podcasts... and of course the ones who brought it back from the dead in the first place.  MST3000.  Manos became so popular that Rifftrax did a live Manos show in Nashville on Aug 16th 2011 with all new jokes.  They simulcast it to 500 hundred theaters around the country.   Tonight, they are bringing it back to the theaters once more for a "Best of Rifftrax Live" with "Manos".  To find out more or to order tickets, follow the link Best of Rifftrax Live

On a last note for today.  Check out this great t shirt.  I always loved the artwork from the Richard Brandt article titled "Growing up Manos"  (You can read it on my press page) and thought it would look awesome on a tshirt so I contacted the artist Brad W. Foster to ask permission and guess what?  Check it out!  Available on ebay.  Manos T Shirt

Hope you can make it to the Rifftrax show tonight.  I'll be watching from Salem, Oregon.  Maybe Rifftrax will release it on DVD so everyone can see it.