THE PIT that makes people DISAPPEAR! 

Ian A. Stuart's initial script for this film (under its original title, _Teddy_ ) was much darker and more serious in tone, and both Teddy and the 'Troglodies' (not 'Tra-la-logs', as in the final product) were meant to be figments of Jamie's disturbed mind which he used as psychological coping mechanisms of a sort, rather than actual corporeal entities with independent physical agency. Also, Jamie himself was originally supposed to be much younger, about 8 or 9 years old. As Stuart points out, changing this in the filmed version so that he was several years older only serves to make his actions appear uncomfortably creepy (not to mention making it incredibly unlikely that he would sleep with a Teddy bear and need to be 'washed' in the first place), whereas if he were a younger child, there would be a haunting aspect of cuteness and innocence underlying his strange behaviour. Producer John Bassett gave a copy of Stuart's initial script to a child psychiatrist, who remarked that it was the best depiction he'd ever read of the mind of a psychotic child. When American director Lew Lehman was hired sight unseen, however, his attitude, according to Stuart, was, 'I'm here now, I'm in charge, I make the decisions; whatever has been done before this is the past and I'm taking charge of the project.' Hence, the film we ended up getting is essentially Lehman's vision, with only the bare bones of Stuart's concept showing through. Interestingly, a novelisation of the film was written by John Gault, under Stuart's original title, _Teddy._ The novel hews much more closely to Stuart's original vision than it does to the film, playing out as a dark, serious psychological horror story. Unfortunately, the novel has long been out of print, and has become something of a 'grail' item for cult horror collectors, with copies being extremely hard to find at all, and fetching exorbitant prices when they do turn up.

holy shit I really thought that "the definition of loser is you" scene was really in the movie. that was such a smooth add-in on mark's part lmaoo.

Somewhere, Neil is eating a plate of spinach, smiling at your reference.

The Pit is the most bizarre contemporary reimagining of Dennis the Menace i've ever seen. ~ Jay Bauman.

" I mean just judging on how jamie acts....that bear has seen some shit" LMAO

Putting a damaged book back into the library shelves without ordering a new one. ISN'T THAT CORRUPT! ISN'T THAT IMMORAL! ISN'T THAT BETRAYING THE PUBLICS TRUST!

This movie might have dropped in the 80's but you can tell the 70's were clinging to every frame of it. LOL! Thanks Mark!

The neil breen voice out of nowhere fucking killed me, beautiful.

"Oompa Loompas only kill children." The best description about Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

The "Isn't that corrupt?" killed me...

"Swinging around naked with a cape on" is the title of my autobiography thank you very much

Tommy Wiseau when he reads a book: "Oh, hi bookmark"

That loser = you in the dictionary was outstanding --- almost killed me! xD

Wait....he gets detention for having a erotic book, that the school library owns? How does that work

So he literally photo shopped a woman's head on a naked body and spies on her and yet his parents decided to get him a female babysitter??

You're not alone, Mark. I graduated 20 years ago and still get anxiety every fall lol.

The best part is the little girl taking such joy in him being punched in the face for no reason.

Thanks for making it easier to decide what to watch. I was gonna check my "watch later", but I saw u uploaded a vid.

I almost clicked out before the end bit and I am sure glad I didn't. That shit was hilarious.

The looser dictionary entry edit is pure gold!! Looks very much a part of the movie, extremely well done. I laughed out-loud, i usually don’t do that, with all the crippling depression and all

That dictionary joke had me crackin up.

This movie was destined to be on this funny person's show.

That loser dictionary part killed me

My man Mark...crankin out the videos like a champion of weird movies!!

Swinging from a tree naked with a cape on is the most alpha thing I've ever heard.

I'm distracted by the avocado green kitchen appliances that were also in our family kitchen in 1981.

Damn. That dictionary joke got me good. Excellent editing. I'm glad you are finally getting the viewers and recognition you deserve.

Having your enemies trip into a pit is super easy, Barely An Inconvenience.

Everyone needs a book Mark, am I right? Okay, I see myself out.

The Aunt librarian blaming Jaime for even playing with her niece actually reminds me of this stupid No-Tolerance policy for bullying in schools. It really is victim blaming by design.

Did every kid in the 80s had such a pit? What a wild time...

Great to see you again Mark!

"Isnt that corrupt" that had me laughing. Think i will get a haircut like Jamie

that kid played Tom Sawyer in the Huckleberry Finn series i watched as a kid, i will never forget his nose

Saw this back in the 80's on vhs when I was very young. Always though this was a fever dream I had and that it wasn't a movie. For years I asked people about this movie, and nobody knew what I was talking about. I didn't knew the name. About 5 years ago I saw it again and so many memmories came back to me. Such a bad, yet great movie!!

"If you pay more than 1 dollar for a bookmark then, you should probably just use the dollar."

Somebody's gotta make a prequel that reveals the origins of Teddy like a Blumhouse spooky movie. They gotta

I love that Mark made himself look like a sweaty greaseball for the bookmark skit.

Wow, that’s quite a story Mark. Never has that been more appropriate. Love this channel.

Am I the only person who has to say "TO the show" with Mark every time he starts a video?

I have a different character interpretation for the bicycle scene, the librarian knows her niece is a bully and is trying to warn the weird kid to stay away from her, and she isn't telling her to apologize because she knows it will just make her want to bully him more.

Holy shit that definition of "loser" scene was masterful! And the end bit was awesome.

Pits are hard to see , Mark. ThAts why pifall was so tough to win

Oh dear, I picked this to rent at the gas station before Blockbuster was a thing. Thanks for the childhood memories I shut away deep, Mark. 😁

Great job as always. I loved the dictionary gag. I'm still laughing now.

I think this might be your best video yet,fuck the algorithm give this man his subscribers

Well hot dang! It's always a good day when Mark posts a new video. I hope you're recovering from your surgery well.

I predicted the ending correctly, but that does not reduce in any way the sheer thrill of seeing that little creepy serial killer get what's coming to him.

That kid gave me such a queasy feeling. I'm still shuddering at him watching the woman sleep. I think his perverted behavior was scarier than the murders.

It's amazing how these movies are remastered for full HD.

My brothers and I had that same haircut in the mid 70's.. i am surprised it made it into 1981

Honestly one of the best channels on RU-vid been following you for years Mark you're a breath of fresh air and always make me laugh in your videos. Great work my dude!

It really feels that the character for Jamie was written with a younger kid in mind. This Jamie is a little grown up

Thank you for putting a "Demonstration Only" warning on the disapproving headshake. I was pretty worried until I read that.

Who else got that tra-la-la-la song/meme of that Russian dude just singing tra-la-la when Mark mentioned the "Tralalogs"

4:12 is the most ingenious joke you've ever done. My hat is thoroughly tipped, sir.

I’m loving your idea concerning how to get people interested in reading!

I saw the movie in 2002 on VHS with my buddies and it was the time when you just watch the shit, because you don't have other option. I am rolling on the floor! :D :D :D

Yeah there is a difference between those two books, one is just nudie photos and the other has an interview with Danny Trejo for gods sake.

"Isn't that corrupt" of Neil got me weezing😂

the trollalogs (?) were using the physical embodiment of Teddy to project their thoughts and desires on to it and communicate with Jamie

Mark, continually bringing us movies we didn't know existed nor we even wanted. . . . Edit: Bringing us*, not bringing is.

I really like this channel, a lot. The humor, the side monologues, facial expressions. I don't know how this channel doesn't have more subs.

Mrs Livingston undressing was a hoot had me rolling

Found a VHS copy either late 90's or early 2000's on ebay. Miss those days of hunting down rare movies before DVD.

While I love the bookmark emporium, the highlight of this episode for me is easily the Neil Breen voiceover cameo! Bravo, Mark! You just keep getting better!

15:28 I love the lady's arms flailing around

Lmao that skit at the end. Been watching for around 6 years, keep up the great work Mark!

Hope you've fully recovered! Been watching you for years and you've got one of the best channels on RU-vid!

The kid actor who played Jamie, Sammy Snyders did such a great job in this, shame he wasn't in much else.

I’ve come across your channel rather late (July ‘21) and have been enjoying it as an addition to the Red Letter Media set of movie review sites. Despite the fact that I’ve seen The Pit due to an earlier RLM BOTW video, your script and delivery on this one are hysterical and left me wanting for more. For you to be reviewing videos for so long and somehow to keep it not only fresh but honestly _improve_ with time is super impressive. Love your take on these older (late 60’s - 80’s) flicks. You’ve quickly climbed up on my anticipation list…a big thank you!

Shout outs to you mark! Thanks for keeping me sane while I battle covid😁

Ayyy! Always love seeing new videos from you. Glad to be patron after years of being a broke viewer.

Canadian movies can get really weird and dark, plus this was a "anything goes" era. I think this movie rivals AI! Funny review!

Wow. This is my favorite video you've ever done. Every single joke landed for me and the movie seemed like something you enjoyed covering. Its also an odd coincedence that *just last night* I asked my artist friend to make me a bookmark because I've been reading more, so the skit at the end killed me!

It is so nice to finally get a name put to these movies I watched on TV on Saturday afternoons. This one I have been trying to figure out for so long. Love your videos!

A 24min episode! I am gonna enjoy it so much 😭

4:14 Yes, Mr. Breen, it is.

That dictionary edit killed me.😂😂 It was so smooth.

You are seriously one of my top five sources for weird random movies. Thanks!

The only thing missing from this movie to make it a really well rounded 80s movie was a choice between bmx or roller-skating, and cameo by Linda Blair. When you look at the teddy's eyes and trolls eyes on the poster, I wonder if they were originally planning to make some direct connection between them both but just dropped that or edited it out.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A Weird Movies With Mark dropping on a Friday........a dozen hell yeses. Hope you're recovering well Mark.

You continue to bring the best entertainment. Your laughs are rubbing off on all of us. Keep rubbing it!

His parents never taught him that swinging naked with a Superman cape on is an indoor activity

Filmed at deaver damn Wisconsin hundred miles Southwest of me. The pit is still there, the production company never filled it back in. The owner of the property doesn't mind if you go look at it. They're used to be a tavern there that had movie memorabilia and t-shirts but that's gone now.

Mark you pushed me into a pit of love years ago and brother I don't ever want to climb out. Just let me bathe in your sweet troglodytic humor forever!

I appreciate all the extra skits you've been adding in lately. Very funny.

This movie deals with a very serious topic that so often gets ignored by parents, the influence of evil stuffed animals on young people, it's tragic.

How the girl and the guy fell into the pit, hahaha. "Lalalala - ", just so funny! Great video as always, Mark! Edit: I want a foot bookmark. Go on, judge me ;D

While I haven’t seen the film, this does look genuinely disturbing, not to mention of its time: The teddy bear that “communicates” is reminiscent of David Berkowitz and the dog that “told” him to kill. Clearly, the phenomenon of the serial-killer was on the filmmaker’s mind. Also, bullying, like depicted here, was quite common then, I remember well, unfortunately.

This was your funniest one yet! Kudos! Love you, man!

I found this gem years ago! It needs more fans. Nice and creepy kid packed.

I was 7 years old when this came out..I remember watching it with my older brother when I was about 11 and then we both tried to emulate the kid ..we started being mean and we also made a small pit out back of our place..thankfully we got our butt whooped by our dad and stepmom so we didn’t stay that way for long 😂

Alright that Neal Breen dub killed me.

This is one of your best videos. Comedy gold! Needs to go in the vault with the Hobgoblins.

“Isn’t That Corrupt ?” Good one Mark!

I’m from Hungary and you are, by far, my favorite content creator on RU-vid. You are awesome, always deliver, and step up your game with every video. Love your stuff.

a human boy in his early teens is actually the most perverted being among all the species even if he plays fool and doesn't admit

Awesome video! Right on queue to celebrate the 2 year anniversary of the start of the rebranded Weird Movies With Mark!

Been watching for a very long time dude, glad you are having fun and doing this more regular. I think we used to get one video every 17 months. And I was always there lol