SINS OF THE FLESHAPOIDS (1965)
Article #1729 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 12-8-2005
Posting Date: 5-7-2006
Directed by Mike Kuchar
Featuring Bob Cowan, Donna Kerness, George Kuchar

In the far future, humans are served by robots with fleshlike skin called fleshapoids. What they do not know is that during a long post-apocalyptic period when the fleshapoids were left on their own, they began to develop emotions.

I have yet to see a film by John Waters, but I have heard enough about him that when I discovered that he was heavily influenced by this film, I considered myself warned. Furthermore, the cover of the DVD made the movie look like something along the lines of a Kenneth Anger movie. Is it any wonder that I went into this movie expecting a barrage of trashy artiness?

Yet, to my amazement, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the movie. Sure, it’s arty, but it’s arty in the sense of being enormously creative and innovative on a miniscule budget; it’s the sort of thing I expect from people who are really enjoying the art of moviemaking. Furthermore, it’s not self-indulgent; it has a story to tell, and it tells it well and with a surprising amount of wit. It’s virtually a silent movie; when the onscreen characters speak, it’s through comic-book-style balloons, and the soundtrack is full of bizarre music and narration. Yes, it has acres of flesh (if no explicit nudity) and has a strong erotic edge to it, but it isn’t exploitation. Imagine, if you will, a humorous cross between DAUGHTER OF HORROR, INAUGURATION OF THE PLEASURE DOME and THE CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS, and you might get an idea of what this is like. If you’re allergic to underground cinema, you’ll probably have no use for it, but I found myself both intrigued and entertained.