MOTEL HELL (1980) d. Kevin Connor (USA) “It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent’s Fritters.” So runs the tagline for 1980’s Motel Hell, an endearing oddball combo of black humor and horror, featuring veteran character actor Rory Calhoun as Vincent, the proprietor of the Motel Hello, where the O on the neon sign keeps going on the blink. Vincent and his equally wacky sister Ida (a pre-Porky’s Nancy Parsons) make their living by ensnaring unsuspecting motorists to fill up the skins of their famous Farmer Smith sausages. For his first American feature, Kevin Connor took a break from directing Amicus’ fantasy epics (such as The Land that Time Forgot, At The Earth’s Core, and Warlords of Atlantis) to helm the madness provided by the sibling screenwriting/producing team of Robert and Steven-Charles Jaffee, and does a smashing job balancing the chainsaws and chuckles. Calhoun and Parsons are terrific in their respective roles, and the spirited set-up and multitude of off-the-wall vignettes have earned Motel Hell a lasting cult reputation, distinguishing it from the glut of slashers emerging around the same time. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Jessalyn Abbott, S.A. Bradley, Eric Fritzius, Jen Olson, John Pata) as we head on down to the farm and celebrate 45 years of Motel Hell! -------------------------------------------------------- JESSALYN ABBOTT is a writer, producer and editor. She produced and edited LIKE ME which premiered at the 2017 SXSW Film Festival and was nominated for a grand jury award. Her most recent effort, PuLL: A Dark Comedy, is currently in pre-production. S.A. BRADLEY hosts the “Hellbent for Horror” podcast, is the author of “Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy,” and lectured at Webster University and The College of Idaho. His show, “My Horror Manifesto,” played in NYC. ERIC FRITZIUS writes things, acts in others and records mouth noises sold in the form of audiobooks. You can find his stuff at MisterHerman.com JENNIFER OLSON is a lifelong horror fan and mother of three monster kids. She is a former member of The Flint Horror Con, and currently part of the Synapse Films street team! JOHN PATA lives in Wisconsin. He’s made some horror films, he’s hosted some horror stuff, and he’s read some horror books. ------------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!