Geek Maggot Bingo (aka. Geek Maggot Bingo or The Freak from Suckweasel Mountain) is an American independent Comedy Horror movie from filmmaker Nick Zedd. Who did just about everything from writing and directing, to producing the film. It stars Richard Hell, Brenda Bergman, and Robert Andrews. On April 1st, 1983 Nick Zedd took the film on tour and it played on a double bill with his other feature, They Eat Scum. It’s reported that screenings of this film would sometimes include live theatrics like the filmmaker “shooting” some of the audience members.
Dr. Frankenberry and his assistant, Geeko, attempt to resurrect the dead through various experiments. However, their plans are thwarted when blood-sucking vampires and killer hookers create havoc. They have to call on The Rawhide Kid to come in and clean up the streets.
The film opens with a quote from Yamamoto Tsunetomo from Hagakure. "If you cut a face lengthwise, urinate on it, and trample on it with straw sandals, it is said that the skin will come off. This was heard by the priest Gyojaku when he was in Kyoto. It is information to be treasured." I have no idea what that means or how it ties into this movie but there you are. This film is juvenile. Crass scenes of debauchery and sleaze. The DIY feel and style reminded me a lot of Forbidden Zone from 1980, and the works of John Waters. It’s so independent that at times this feels like a student picture. There isn’t any real suspense. Instead it’s high-camp with cartoonish effects and over-exaggerated deliveries. The shoestring budget and creative solutions are interesting. I loved the paper cut-outs of props and the terribly painted backdrops that serve as locations and transitions between scenes. It’s punk rock all the way. I was rolling on the ground laughing when the Formaldehyde Man made his on-screen debut. And I liked Richard Hell’s punk rock cowboy quite a bit. I can’t get over how fun this was. There is a bit of body melt in this movie and that’s always welcome. The salesman decapitation scene is comedy gold. But the best scene in the movie would be the facial rearranging death. You can tell they had that idea flushed out for a while and the effect is one of the best looking things in the movie. This is a generally fun movie to watch if you are enjoying some brews and have some friends to watch it with. Everything will have you laughing. Check this out if you want something REALLY different. It’s not for everyone and is guaranteed to offend. So keep that in mind. But check it out and have fun with it.
