Movie Title: Motel Hell
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Writer: Robert Jaffe and Steven-Charles Jaffe
Starring: Rory Calhoun, Paul Linke, Nancy Parsons, Nina Axelrod, Wolfman Jack, Elaine Joyce, Dick Curtis, Monique St. Pierre, Rosanne Katon, E. Hampton Beagle, John Ratzenberger
Review: "It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent's fritters." That's the motto of seemingly friendly Farmer Vincent (Rory Calhoun) and his sister Ida (Nancy Parsons) the proprietor of the rustic "Motel Hello" and a smokehouse that produces some of the most delicious meats you'll ever taste. But once you figure out their secret recipe you might already be dead meat!
Motel Hell is an odd horror-comedy that'll have you busting a gut with its humor and its horrors. I have to give this one an "A" for its "go-for-broke" creativity and for keeping you giggling while you're reaching for a barf-bag.
What should be a standard rip-off of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a rather refreshing riff on the genre troupes with quirky characters, especially Vincent, Ida, and Reverend Billy (Wolfman Jack), silly scenarios (chainsaw fight while wearing a pig's head) and gore galore - so don't be surprised about the guests checking in and not checking out.
I've seen Motel Hell a time or two, and with every viewing I relish the thought, "How in the hell did this crazy movie get made?" It's definitely not for everyone, but it certainly needs to be seen to be believed. Trust me, if you're in the mood for a movie that's funny as it is frightening, then maybe it's time you booked a room at the Motel Hell!
Fun Fact: Tobe Hooper was originally going to direct this movie for Universal Studios, but when the studio balked at the bizarre project, Hooper also departed.