Rat Pfink a Boo Boo
| Rat Pfink a Boo Boo | |
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Lobby card for the Mexican film release
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| Directed by | Ray Dennis Steckler |
| Produced by | Ray Dennis Steckler |
| Written by | Ray Dennis Steckler (story) Ron Haydock (screenplay) |
| Starring | Carolyn Brandt Ron Haydock Titus Moede George Caldwell Mike Kannon James Bowie |
| Music by | André Brummer |
| Cinematography | Ray Dennis Steckler |
| Edited by | Keith A. Wester |
| Distributed by | Craddock Films |
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Release dates
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Running time
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72 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Unknown |
| Box office | Unknown |
Rat Pfink a Boo Boo is a 1966 film directed by Ray Dennis Steckler. It stars Ron Haydock and Carolyn Brandt.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the film — besides its low production values — is a sudden switch in tone and plot that comes roughly forty minutes into the movie. As originally planned, the film was a straight crime drama titled The Depraved, inspired by Steckler's ex-wife Carolyn who had been the victim of a series of obscene phone calls. However, during shooting Steckler suddenly decided to make a parody of the campy Batman television series instead. As a result, in the middle of a crime drama, the star of the movie steps into the closet with a previously minor character and they emerge costumed as "Rat Pfink" and "Boo Boo", parodies of Batman and Robin.[1]
Contents
Title
Why the title is Rat Pfink a Boo Boo and not the more logical Rat Pfink and Boo Boo is the subject of speculation. According to legend, Rat Pfink and Boo Boo was indeed the intended title, but when the artist creating the titles made an error and rendered the "and" as "a", Steckler's budget would not stretch to the $50 needed to fix the mistake. According to Steckler, however, the choice of title was deliberate: "The real story is that my little girl, when we were shooting this one fight scene, kept chanting, 'Rat pfink a boo boo, rat pfink a boo boo ....' And that sounded great! But when I tell people the real story, they don't wanna hear it, so you better print the legend." [1]
The film is also known as:
- Rat Fink a Boo Boo - USA (alternative spelling)
- Rat Pfink and Boo Boo - USA (working title)
- The Adventures of Rat Phink and Boo Boo - USA (DVD title)
Plot summary
After murdering an unnamed woman, the villainous "Chain Gang" target Cee Bee Beaumont, the girlfriend of rock-and-roll star Lonnie Lord. The Chain Gang harasses, stalks, and eventually abducts Beaumont.
In order to save his girlfriend, Lord takes on the identity of "Rat Pfink," and his friend, Titus Twimbly, assumes the role of Rat Pfink's sidekick, "Boo Boo." On their Ratcycle, the duo eventually manages to track down the Chain Gang. After a long chase and the resulting confrontation with the gang, Rat Pfink and Boo Boo rescue Beaumont. However, Beaumont is abducted again, this time by "Kogar the Ape," a gorilla that has escaped from a local zoo. Kogar easily knocks out Rat Pfink, but his keeper soon comes and collects the ape. At the end of the film, Lord performs for everyone at a parade held to honor the heroes.
Music
Ron Haydock performs four songs for the film: "I Stand Alone," "You Is A Rat Pfink," "Runnin' Wild," and "Go Go Party."
Production notes
The movie was filmed in Griffith Park and Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Critical response
Jerry Saravia gave the film one star, saying, "It isn't that the film is bad as much as it has nothing to offer. At least Steckler's first film, 'The Incredible Strange Creatures, etc.' had a nervous energy and real style. This film looks to have been made by eight-year-olds in their own backyard! Maybe that was the point but there are funnier bad movies than this one."[2] A printed media review is located in Robert Freese's Psychoholics Unanimous.[3]
Cast
- Carolyn Brandt - Cee Bee Beaumont
- Ron Haydock - Rat Pfink / Lonnie Lord (as Vin Saxon)
- Titus Moede - Boo Boo / Titus Twimbly
- George Caldwell - Linc
- Mike Kannon - Hammer
- James Bowie - Benjie
- Mary Jo Curtis - Irma La Streetwalker
- Keith A. Wester - Cowboy (as Dean Danger)
- Romeo Barrymore - Ape trainer
- Berri Lee - Boy #1 on beach
- Rox Anne - Girl on beach
- Alan Neal - Boy #2 on beach
- Bob Burns - Kogar (as Kogar)
- Larry M. Byrd - Commander Byrdman (uncredited)
