Retro Puppet Master - Good Bad Flicks 

*Greg talked about his time on Retro Puppet Master in The Disaster Artist:* - The audition took place at 1645 vine street, a place where Ed Wood made a few of his films. - James Franco also auditioned for Retro Puppet Master, for the same role Greg was applying for. Ironically, James would adapt Greg's memoir years later. - During the audition, the casting director told him to play around with the puppets on the floor while doing his french accent. Greg compared it to playing with his Star Wars figures as a kid. - A large part of what contributed to Greg's casting was Iris Burton, a prestigious talent agent who previously acted in The Ten Commandments. The casting crew saw it as an ample opportunity to work with her. - Once Iris heard Greg got the part, she said: _"The kid can act?"_ - Before Greg left for Romania for filming, Iris gave him this advice: _"It's cold in Romania, so you'll want to wear this (A thick knitted hat). Also, don't shag your leading lady until the shoot is over. Remember to take your vitamins"_ . - While in Romania, Greg got a telegram from Tommy wishing him a Happy Christmas. To this day, Greg has no idea how Tommy found his address. - When he got back to America, Tommy (Whom he was staying with at the time) was going through Greg's stuff, leaving a mess behind and opening his paycheck from RPM. When Greg called him to ask him if he'd been in his apartment, Tommy said that Greg was "a messy guy", and claimed that he opened his letter by "mistake". - The crew gifted Greg a demo reel of his work on RPM. He used it for auditions for future films, with a key scene being him walking up a flight of stairs with white lit candles (Remember this scene for later). - Tommy asked Greg how to get SAG (Screen Actors Guild) membership. Greg told him that you have to: _"have 3 vouches as an extra, a certain amount of hours worked, or be a principal actor in a commercial"_ . Once Tommy heard this, he asked for Greg's demo reel. A few weeks later, Tommy got his SAG membership. He revealed to Greg how he got it, pulling out a videotape and playing it on the TV. It was an advertisement for Street Fashions USA (Tommy's clothes store in San Fransisco). It opened with Tommy dressed in Shakespearean garb, on a flight of stairs, with candles lit, saying _"to be or not to be"_ while classical music played in the background. The advert can be found here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cufePE5NaEM.html *Some bonus trivia to leave off on:* - What inspired Tommy to write The Room was The Talented Mr Ripley. On the day of the 2000 Golden Globes ceremony (Ripley was up for nominations), Tommy and Greg were at his place with Tommy being bored. Tommy wanted to see a film, so Greg obliged to come despite the heavy traffic and limos in LA. At the cinema, Greg noticed that Ripley was playing, but he didn't want to pick it because it would blow his cover (Greg had previously seen the film and noticed a lot of parallels between Tommy and Tom Ripley; a psychopath who murders those who hurt him emotionally and takes their identity). Conveniently, Tommy picked Ripley. After watching the film, Tommy was devastated with dried tears on his face. Both of them remained seated during the credits. Once they got home, something happened to Tommy. He had enough of the Hollywood elite, deciding to strike out on his own instead of doing countless auditions. Ripley had such an effect on him that he named the character "Mark" after Matt Damon (Tommy misheard Matt's name and thought he was called "Mark Damon").

In the Rifftrax version Bill Corbet says "there's our boy" when Greg Sestero shows up, so you're probably right that they only did it because he's in it

"Oh Hi Cecil!"

I got the Rifftrax for this. They actually cheered when Greg appeared.

"These are not the puppets youre looking for." *hand waves*

Fun Dyanne Thorne Fact: She was a Vegas minister who on occasion would perform weddings. According to the documentary Fascism on a Thread: The Strange History of Nazisploitation, sometimes fans would ask her to perform their wedding dressed as Ilsa...

I've got a copy of the DVD signed by Greg Sestero. I got him to sign it at a showing of "The Room" with Tommy Wiseau. Tommy sort of sneered "Oh, Puppet Master" in a dismissive way when I handed the DVD to Greg. It was many years later, but you could tell it still bothered him that Greg got that part.

Full Moon, to me as a kid, always seemed like they tried to accomplish a lot with very little with varying degrees but they always feel like they had heart. Full Moons recent stuff feels like they focused on the cheapness as if it was what made them great, shame... I still think this series has a ton of untapped potential

Greg Sestero could have had a grand career in straight to DVD horror, I know it's far from what he aimed for, but for some it's a comfortable life.

For me this movie is the bridge between what I used to love about Full Moon and what Full Moon eventually became. Sadly, it doesn’t get better from here…

Sounds like he got his wizarding powers from Teds Wizardry Emporium

We need a reboot of Puppet Master. This if done well could be really cool today!

I don't know why but I thought he was about to say he took the stock film train going anywhere.

Toulon is the kind of part that could have been played by John Carradine or Vincent Price.

2:22 When you hit the exact right spot.

There r SO many movies u should do, Cecil. The Baby (1973), Octoman (1972), The Sea Serpent (1984)

So glad you're still killing it on youtube man, you've always been one of my favourites. I love absorbing the information from your videos. You have a real insight and I appreciate your work. Keep it up.

This is my third favorite Puppet Master movie after the first and fourth one. Greg Sestero was hilarious in this movie.

Needed that shot to establish that yes, the moon exists in the Full Moon cinematic universe. I am comforted.

Just realized that i been subscribed to your channel for about 8 years, since that WTF happened to movie posters. I really enjoy how you break down lesser known movies and the history behind them. It takes a lot a passion to do what you do. Oh yeah and movie posters still suck.

Puppet Master is my guilty pleasure. I love the first two movies and the theme song.

I have been watching your channel since I was in middle school (now am nearing college graduation)! I love your content, and am so happy you’re still making videos :)

Must admit, this one is a personal favorite in the series. Though the lack of continuity is beyond frustrating.

I love the Jim Norton “Whizzzardtry” reference lol

Thanks, Cecil. Wish you would do “The Mad Bomber” aka “Police Connection”. It’s basically a Dirty Harry clone which obviously became a sub genre of crime movies.

The movie takes “Tou long” to start, if you ask me. I’ll see myself out.

Thank you for doing the puppet master movies. Very strong piece of my childhood back when video stores were still a thing. Thanks for the memories. Also thanks for the references to the Room. Love that movie.

A+ on the information , I love “The room” connection .

Wow! These movies were my childhood! We used to rent Betamax of these.

I love good bad flicks so much, it makes me so happy

Are you planning to do a video, on the greatest Chuck Norris movie of all time, Invasion USA in 2022?

You go so deep with Jim Norton/O&A references that i recognised that "Whizardry" as Ted Sheckler talking about harry potter lol

On another note, the mummies hired the men to beat Afzel down because Afzel can't sense them, but he can sense the mummies, "the lead one did explain that to the other two"

Interesting Greg Sistero trivia: He was up for the part of Anakin Skywalker for episode 2 and it came down to he and Hayder Christiansen...

Duval "the guy that says maybe Afzel will recover or maybe not" is the one that ends up becoming Dr. Death, so maybe that answer by him could be a hint that he would be their best chance of having a Doctor available but also hinting that he's the doctor amongst them, which I've been watching this movie since 2001 and I never really thought about until just now

When does Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys happen? 🤔

Greg Sestero seems like he made the absolute best of what he was given here.

I remember being sorta "hyped" for this movie when I was in elementary school because they released toys of Cyclops and Retro Blade that looked more in line with the modern designs instead of wooden puppets.

"Fruity Yummy Mummies" would be a great band name.

I wish i could like this twice

Cecil, "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich" is quite violent. It was written by S. Craig Zahler, so that shouldn't shock you. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you've already seen it, but if you haven't, I would highly recommend it. 😈👍

It just hit me...ive been watching you're puppet master videos for over 4 years now!

you know, it occurs to me that I've been watching your videos for years and years and years - kinda crazy (you rock btw)

Also we are having fun riffing this movie on the rifftrax channel. Thanks for covering it Cecil

I LOVE the Puppetmaster flicks! So cheesey they go from bad to great films!

“Die, Sorcerer!”, says the… sorcerer. (Sorcerers.)

This is the video I've been waiting for!

Always excited to see a video from you. Thank you.

Been waiting so long for you to come back to the franchise. The movie has problems, but I think it is better than 6 or 8 easy. Better than the last 3 as well. I liked the looks of the retro puppets. Tunnler has always been my fav and I thought he had a cool makeover.

A prequel? Ah, so it must take place about 10 years into the future!

Yes!!! So good to see you Cecil!

I really noticed it with Fright Night 2.... Dutch angles, cheap lighting and smoke machines, 2 people squeezed in a shot for 1. Not sure how the 90s got worse but they did.

Thank you for talking about this! I’ve been curious about it ever since I heard about it in The Disaster Artist. I remember watching the first couple in the series growing up, but still haven’t seen this one. Now I definitely will check it out.

I absolutely love your reviews and exploring videos, Cecil. You are easily the best channel on RU-vid for this. Nobody comes close. Your sense of humour is awesome too. Full Moon movies are always good fun. Great video as always.

1:32 Thats an obscure Jim Norton/ O&A reference I do believe.

I love the twinks

Great job on the episode, Cecil and all the laughs to go with it. I think I was going through Full Moon overload when this one hit the video shelves. There were so many Full Moon (and Moonbeam) titles, it was hard to remember which ones my friends and I had already rented.

Reminds me of "here come the mummies" Great funk band

Thank God he wrote the The Disaster Artist.

Please Do The Rest Of The Puppet Master Films Love Your Videos!!!

Yay! I knew you'd get back to Puppet Master eventually, this made my night. I re-watched all of them 2 weeks back at work it made for a fun hr or so of commentary. 6 ended like a cliffhanger and I wondered for ages how you'd cover this one; not too shabby. The Room references killed me lmao. Such an odd movie this is. Hope you do the later ones. Also maybe a new Trancers vid at some point?

Thanks to you I've been checking out (and buying) alot of movies you review and talk about. The puppet master series is next on the list. Keep up the great work

Full Moon is still one of my favorites when it comes to their films! You're right, Cecil! What a perfect way to start the year!! And with a Puppet Master movie none the less! Thanks man! Looking forward to more!!

Not sure which was more wooden.... That acting or the Pupp... The acting.

Hell yeah

Man thanks for continuing with the puppet master series it’s my favorite

They went PG-13 because at the time the Puppet Master toy line was hitting trendy stores. The line featured both classic puppets and these new Retro ones, along with other Full Moon staples. It's the same mistake that Ghostbusters 2 made in not understanding it was the R rating that made the property popular with kids in the first place. While the original puppets sold like gangbusters and are pretty pricey these days, you can still pick up most of the Retro line on the cheap on eBay.

Very cool Dark Delicacies shirt! One of my fave places ever! :)

Hey it’s the Puppet Master franchise... crazy, over the top, wacky fun , enjoy with friends & some beers 🍻.

Happy New Year Cecil. Hope all is good for You and loved ones. Be safe and be well.

Great as usual, Cecil, Thanx!!!

Best channel on the tubes

Another top notch video. Thank you for the unintentional birthday present.

You also mentioned “Dutch angles” in this film and oh boy… when Full Moon transitioned to digital film in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, sooooo many of their films had endless scenes using Dutch angles. I used to think it was just a Charlie preference, but even a ton of FM films from that era used this technique even if they weren’t directed by Band at all. His influence runs deep within that company.

1:19 I imagine Jack Warden from Used Cars 1980 saying "What are you a fucking parrot?"

No blood? No CUSSING? NO NUDITY? No thanks! 😆

I didn’t realize there were any more of these!

A Tommy Wiseau puppet ha ha ha brilliant 😂

"Get the poppet out of the ouse, Toiletpaper."

why dont you like tim allens the santa clause movies and the tree stooges movie?

It's amazing how I found your channel like a week after you uploaded your THE KISS video. It's crazy how long it's been brother.

You fng killed me with the room reference 🤣 😂

Never thought Tommy Wisseau would be mentioned.

Hey Good Bad Flicks! I discovered your channel a while ago now and absolutely love it. That's for all the reviews and editorials; great subjects, great humour and great editing. I also can't tell you how many times a day I think of you're intro song haha

awesome video cecil, love the idea of mr sestero as a young andre toulon

What a story Mark, er, I mean Cecil.

Ahhh classic gbf

I saw Full Moon had an app... with subscription fee, it was full of campy horror films and softcore porn. The Classiest

hey, if you haven't seen it you should check out a 1983 horror movie called the Keep something very much your style.

Extra thumbs up for "Wizshardry"

I laughed way too hard at "whizerdry"

Oh Hi Mark!

Do you think it’s possible if you can do an exploring video on Blast from the Past?

Finally, the movie that made Greg Sestero a star

They literally were subcontracting out Toulands murder

hoo yeah! early bird!

I can’t believe James Rolf’s Dad is in this 🤦🏻‍♂️ and I seen this movie when I was 48 and it scared the hell out of me 😟

That redhead Brigitta dau is the voice for ranma 1/2 anime

I think I counted four maybe 5 O&A references..... Suuuure

Are we going to comment on Mark’s sweet, gaudy leisure suit coat?