Flesh Feast (1970; dir-Brad Grinter, Veronica Lake, Phil Philbin)

[ChristineBCW]

(We're in the middle of a big move, and we opened up some long received boxes of DVDs and discovered this rarity among them.  Wow.  "We just gotta watch this!"  Ugh... famous last words...)

[ChristineBCW]

FLESH FEAST (1970 w/Veronica Lake, dir-Brad F. Grinter; 72 minutes)

I don't think subjective opinion is too important because I doubt anyone's opinion of this film can be low enough, or so influentially negative to overcome the film's focal point: "It's Veronica Lake's last film."

That said, no warnings, threats or promises could have stopped me from watching this film. Or my near constant use of the fast-forward button... across every scene, and across most lines of dialog. 

In fact, I did donate 3 whole minutes of continuous film watching from Minute 70 to the final Minute 72, and I couldn't help but think "This must be what root-canals are like, at their worst."

However, in this commitment of my precious time, I was able to see Veronica's one lasting scene: her head back, mouth open, laughing hysterically as she has completed her cloning-directed maggots' revenge.

[ChristineBCW]

VIDEO QUALITY:

I believe this film version is identical to the one on YouTube.  Watery, jagged VHS-conversion off of a late-night TV broadcast, almost the worst recording effort possible, and despite the horrid video quality, I can't really complain about it compared to the film itself.

[ChristineBCW]

HOW TO PREPARE ONE'S SELF FOR WATCHING THIS:

I have been preparing a new mantra to preach to those who might watch FLESH FEAST: "First, it would help if you'd believe that maggots can be genetically engineered to devour, digest and defecate flesh into a cloneable mass."

The filmmakers would love it if you believed that.

Second, it would help if the 1970s version of the National Socialist leader with dyed hair was accepted to be alive and writhingly well, so that a younger clone version could be sh*t out of the li'l maggots.

IF the audience can make those leaps, then an almost universally bad-at-acting set of performances might be less objectionable.

This film certainly will be one of my nominees for worst-ever filming efforts.  There's a explosive gaseous sheep in GOD MONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS - THAT often gets my nod for worst, but I've managed to expunge memories of Ray Dennis Steckler, Hershell Gordon Lewis and Doris Wishman works.  I think the world is lucky Brad/Frank Grinter didn't make more than 5.

[ChristineBCW]

FINALLY, A WORD ABOUT VERONICA:

She has kept herself 'up' at this point in her life but obviously did not recall a single shred of Good Acting technique.  She is as lousy as everyone else is, on-screen. 

There are so many stinker films that close out careers (Basil Rathbone's HILLBILLYS; maybe Karloff's final roles; Peter Lorre, etc.) but however desperate Veronica was for money, this film thudded like cement lids in an earthquake. 

[ChristineBCW]

(I choose "non monster film" subforum because some of these TROMA mentionings are here.  I haven't enjoyed any of those yet the ones I've endured seem heavenly in comparison to FLESH FEAST.  Well... I am glad I've seen this - er, fast-forwarded thru most of it - and that we have it in our collection 'just in case' some poor soul wants to know what happened to Veronica Lake.)

[Mike Scott]

You've convinced me. I'm not going to watch it.

Didn't know Veronica was one of the "Horror Hags"!