Film Alchemy

American filmmaker Ted V. Mikels holds a unique position as one of the most unconventional directors of exploitation cinema. Famous for his eccentric home life (he once lived with a harem in a castle with secret passage-ways) and promotional gimmicks (he was known for having nurses and ambulances on hand to assist “scared-to-death” movie-goers), Mikels is considered a pioneering master of low-budget movie making. This unique work examines each of Mikels’ 19 major film or video productions, beginning with his first feature Strike Me Deadly (1959). Each entry includes a full list of cast and crew credits, along with a plot synopsis and, frequently, behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Also included are a complete filmography, an overview of Ted V. Mikels memorabilia, and a transcript of the author’s personal interview with Mikels.

Freelance writer and musician Christopher Wayne Curry lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Christopher Wayne Curry

Foreword by John W. Curry

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 220
Bibliographic Info: 143 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013 [2008]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7507-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0301-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v
Foreword by John W. Curry      1
Preface      5
Introduction      7

Part One: The Films of Ted V. Mikels      11
1. Strike Me Deadly      11
2. Dr. Sex      16
3. One Shocking Moment      22
4. The Black Klansman      27
5. Astro Zombies      37
6. Girl in Gold Boots      53
7. The Corpse Grinders      61
8. Blood Orgy of the She Devils      72
9. The Doll Squad      80
10. Alex Joseph and His Wives      90
11. 10 Violent Women      97
12. War Cat      107
13. Mission: Killfast      114

Part Two: The Videos of Ted V. Mikels      125
Introduction      125
14. Dimension in Fear      126
15. Female Slave’s Revenge      131
16. The Corpse Grinders 2      134
17. Mark of the Astro Zombies      139
18. The Cauldron: Baptism of Blood      150
19. Heart of a Boy      158

Part Three: Cinematic Timeline, Homage, Memorabilia      163
20. A Comprehensive Ted V. Mikels Cinematic Timeline      163
21. Homage: Reverence and Respect for Mikels      176
22. Collect ’Em All! An Overview of the Memorabilia      179

Part Four: The Interview      185

Closing      205
Bibliography      207
Index      209

• “exhausting research…amazingly stocked with photos from the authors own collection as well as some provided by Mikels…definitive…utterly fascinating”—MK-Magazine
• “highly recommend”—Bookgasm