The Bootleg Files: Mondo Trasho

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 831: “Mondo Trasho” (1969 underground comedy directed by John Waters).

LAST SEEN: On Archive.org.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: As a VHS title.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Music rights clearance costs are too high.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.

It is difficult to appreciate “Mondo Trasho” today because the 1969 work was the first attempt at feature-length filmmaking and it pales in comparison to the classic works that he would be churning out during the 1970s. Even Waters has been harsh on his film, claiming in interviews that it was overlong – “It’s got 20 minutes of good footage in it” he said about the 90-minute work – and complaining that his black-and-white cinematography was overexposed.

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Carmine Capobianco (1958 – 2021)

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Phil Hall

Carmine Capobianco, the underground film actor who starred in the memorable flicks “Psychos in Love,” “Galactic Gigolo” and “The Land of College Prophets,” passed away on January 9 at the age of 62 following a long fight against cancer.

Carmine was Phil Hall’s guest on this episode of “The Online Movie Show,” where he discussed his colorful career.

The Bootleg Files: The Divine Mr. J

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 749: “The Divine Mr. J” (1971 religious satire starring Bette Midler as the Virgin Mary).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: On a VHS label in 1984.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Legal threats by Bette Midler have kept this out of circulation.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Unlikely.

In May 1974, newspapers in New York City began to carry advertisements for a film opening at the Festival Theater called “The Divine Mr. J.” The advertisements alerted moviegoers this was the film debut of Bette Midler, who achieved her career breakthrough two years earlier with the album “The Divine Miss M,” and the caricature of Midler used on her eponymous second album was the featured image of the film’s promotion.
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Michael Legge: Ghoul’s Night Out

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Phil Hall

Underground film icon Michael Legge is celebrated for his distinctive horror-comedy films that mix the macabre with wonderfully droll silliness. On this episode on “The Online Movie Show,” the Massachusetts-baed creator of such brilliantly batty films as “Working Stiffs,” “Honey Glaze,” “Brain Drainer,” “My Mouth Lies Screaming” and “Monochromia” – as well as his foray into serious horror, “Evan Straw” – discusses his remarkable career and previews his upcoming film “Crawlers.”

The episode can be heard here.

“The Online Movie Show” is produced at Platinum Wolfe Studios.

Carmine Capobianco: Underground Film Icon

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Phil Hall

Carmine Capiobianco is the beloved star of such below-the-radar/over-the-top classics as “Psychos in Love,” “Galactic Gigolo,” “Land of College Prophets,” “Bikini Bloodbath” and “The Sins of Dracula.” Most recently, he starred in Debbie Rochon’s “Model Hunger” and the documentary “VHS Massacre.” On today’s show, Carmine discusses his illustrious career in underground cinema with host Phil Hall.

“The Online Movie Show” is produced at the Platinum Wolfe Studios.

The episode can be heard at this link.

Out of the Woods (2016)

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Phil Hall

The new film from underground film icon Antero Alli offers a challenging consideration of identity. It is a provocative endeavor that mixes mysticism with sharp satire and rueful emotional drama, and the result is a profound statement on how we see ourselves and how we want to be perceived by others.

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