(1969)
Directed by Ted V. Mikels
Screenplay by Ted V. Mikels and Wayne Rodgers
Starring John Carradine, Wendell Corey, Tom Pace, Tura Satana, Joan Patrick,
Rafael Campos, Vince Barbi, Joe Hoover, Victor Izay

I first met Ted V. Mikels at the very first Cinema Wasteland, back in Sept. of 2000, where he was set up next to us in the vendor room. I knew of his work, from seeing trailers, some other clips, and seeing him in some documentaries, but my appreciation of his really developed after that first meeting, since he was so honored to be there to meet his fans. Every time someone came up, he would stand up and greet them with a handshake and honest hello. I mention this only because to really appreciate his work, you need to know and understand the man. Always on the low budget side of filmmaking, Mikels had that passion for the industry. He knew how to do just about everything in the business, from writing to directing to editing and more. Sure, some may say that he wasn’t that great in any of those duties, but I still say for any filmmaker to create just one film that has lasted the test of time, let alone many of them, that is a true filmmaker. And Mikels is definitely one of them.

Astro Zombies is tale of a mad scientist creating a synthetic man to be used in the space program, but was thrown out due to him using un-ethical methods. Isn’t that always the case? As he continues his experiments, he has attracted the attention of some foreign countries that are interested in his secrets. Enough to kill anyone who gets in their way. John Carradine plays the scientist who once again gives his performance 110%. Some say Carradine just walked through these low budget roles for a quick buck, but I still think he gives an entertaining character and really seems to be into the character he’s playing. With each line of dialogue, he explains exactly what he’s doing, using a lot of long, technical jargon, with each of the machines he’s using to his mute, hunchback assistant, who looks like he’d have trouble tying his shoes! Leading the spies to get his discovery is Tura Satana, in probably one of her best roles since Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! for Russ Meyer. Wendell Corey, who worked with Alfred Hitchcock, takes on the role of Holman, the one investigating the strange murders happening as of late, and the connection to Carradine’s Dr. DeMarco. While Mikels always claimed there was no drinking on his set, Corey seems to be having a few drinks before each take his in. This would be Corey’s last film before he passed away.

The budget for this picture is reported to be around $37,000. According to Mikels, he was co-writer, director, editor, producer, amongst many other roles, and never got paid a dime. Mikels had tried to release it through his own company but it just wasn’t making the money. So Wayne Rodgers and the other producer told Mikels they were going to sell it to another distributor. Yes, the very same Wayne Rodgers from M.A.S.H. fame, was the other co-writer and producer. In fact, a good friend of Rodgers was supposed to have a small role in the film, but Mikels cut it out because he felt it was too humorous for the context of the film. That actor was Peter Falk.

So yes, this is a very cheesy and low budget picture. Very low budget. I’m pretty sure the “cryogenic” tank was once one of those freezer used to display meats at a supermarket, but I could be wrong. Some of the reasoning why things happens might make you question how much time and thought went into the scrip. Such as why make these state-of-the-art creatures run on solar power. So when their battery starts to run low, they just hold a flashlight up to their forehead to keep them charged! Can’t make this stuff up, people. It is sequences like that, all the science mumbo-jumbo we hear from Carradine, the leering hunchback, the luscious Tura Satana, thrown into a strange tale of science fiction and horror, with a little action, makes his one highly entertaining film. Yes, entertaining, because no matter the quality of what you’re seeing, it is a lot of fun. At the end of those 90 minutes, that is the most important aspect of it after all.

If you’re a fan of these kind of films, then maybe you’re already “experienced” Ted V. Mikels. If you haven’t, then I strongly suggest you start with this title, since it is my personal favorite of his films, and is just a lot of fun.