THE MADS VIRTUALLY RIFF “THE WIZARD OF MARS”!
Mystery Science Theater 3000‘s Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu are “taking movie riffing back onstage” once again in a livestreamed event – this time 6:00 pm MDT Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
The two, who starred as Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV’s Frank on MST3K, are livestream riffing on on an all-new B-Movie: 1965’s The Wizard of Mars (the worst they can find (la la la). This show will mark their 47th time performing together virtually during the 2020-2024 COVID-19 pandemic. Stick around for a post-show Q&A with Frank & Trace and very special guest Julie Klausner (creator of Hulu’s Difficult People, host of the Double Threat podcast).
Past guests have included Mike Nelson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax), Bridget Nelson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax), Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show), Victoria Price (daughter of horror legend Vincent Price), Jonah Ray (Mystery Science Theater 3000), Kevin Murphy (Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax), Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Stan Against Evil), Marcus Parks (Last Podcast on the Left), Carolina Hidalgo (Movie Sign with the Mads), Andy Kindler (Maron, Bob’s Burgers), J. Elvis Weinstein (Mystery Science Theater 3000), Bill Corbett (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax), Mary Jo Pehl (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax), Jackey Neyman Jones (Manos: The Hands of Fate), Rich Koz (host of MeTV’s Svengoolie), Blaine Capatach (Comedy Central’s Beat The Geeks), John Erler (Master Pancake Theater), Beez McKeever (MST3K‘s “Prop Diva”), Dave Hill (Girls5Eva, Drunk Bus, The Dave Hill Goodtime Hour), Martha Kelly (Baskets, Euphoria), Rachel Lichtman (Network 77), Cat Popper (bassist), Myka Fox (comedian, writer, radio personality), and Kim “Howard” Johnson (Monty Python historian).
THE STORYLINE: The Wizard of Mars is a 1965 American science fiction film directed and co-written by David L. Hewitt, based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The title character is portrayed by John Carradine, who gives a lengthy monologue as a projection near the end of the film. The film’s plot centers on four astronauts—Steve (Roger Gentry), “Doc” (Vic McGee), Charlie (Jerry Rannow), and Dorothy (Eve Bernhardt), shown aboard ship wearing Silver Shoes — who dream they are struck by a storm and encounter the Horrors of the Red Planet (one of the film’s video retitlings), and eventually follow a “Golden Road” to the Ancient City where they encounter the title character, who is the group mind of all Martians.
American General Pictures’ first full-length film, The Wizard of Mars, was made using an optical printer for special effects and was filmed for $33,000 in Great Basin National Park and Fallon, Nevada. The mask of the title character was made by Don Post and reused in Space Probe Taurus.
Be sure to join live for a chance to win a 12″x18″ poster print commemorating this event! This poster will go on sale the night of the event! Poster prints are available to purchase at Dumb Industries.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Friends In Need Food Shelf in Minneapolis.
Viewers will be able to tune in from anywhere in the world. Anyone who purchases a ticket will gain access to re-watch the livestream and download it for personal viewing.
Tickets for the May 14 livestreamed event are $10.00 + a service fee. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mads-are-back-the-wizard-of-mars.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Can I watch this anywhere in the world?
A: Yes. As long as you have internet access you will be able to watch and/or download the show.
Q: What is the format of the show like? Will there be silhouettes like on MST3K?
A: While the film plays, only the voices of The Mads will be heard riffing. Trace & Frank will only be on screen during the very beginning for a quick intro and again at the end of the show for a Q&A.
Q: Where will the livestream be broadcast?
A: Most likely on YouTube, but we cannot guarantee this. Unfortunately, sometimes YouTube will flag content in the public domain without reason or warning. We run multiple tests to ensure the movies we select will livestream over YouTube without getting pulled due to their strict copyright restrictions. If this happens during one of our tests, we will find an alternate platform (most likely Twitch) and notify all ticket holders with enough time to prepare their setup.
Q: Is the show appropriate for children?
A: That depends on what kind of parent you are. Strong language is used, but that’s it. Think of it as being rated a “hard PG-13.”
Q: Where will the livestream be broadcast?
A: The show will broadcast via a private Twitch link which will be sent to ticket holders an hour prior to showtime.
Q: Can I watch the show on my TV?
A: Probably! If you have a smartphone and a streaming device (like Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, etc.) you should be able to “cast” from the Twitch app on your phone to the Twitch app on your streaming device. Availability of this feature depends on your own personal setup. Visit here for instructions.
Q: Can I still watch the event even if I can’t tune in live?
A: Yes! Anyone who purchases a ticket prior to showtime will receive a link to download the show within 24 hours of the broadcast ending. If you don’t receive an email with instructions on how to access your download after 24 hours, please email chris@dumb-industries.com.
Q: Where can I buy official Mads merchandise?
A: Tim Holly designs The Mads’ t-shirts and posters and can be purchased on his website.
Q: Can I gift a ticket to a friend?
A: Yes! If you are doing this, make sure to enter their name and email address on the attendee’s info at checkout. This way they’ll receive all the emails on how to access the livestream and download the show afterwards. If you forgot to enter their info, just email chris@dumb-industries.com to update it.
Q: I never got an email confirmation or instructions on how to access the livestream and/or download. Help!
A: Email chris@dumb-industries.com for any issues regarding not receiving emails.