Chuck Toedan hosts the most controversial show on TV: Live or Die, where deathrow inmates compete against each other for a chance to beat the executioner. However, when he accidentally kills a mob boss of the most feared mafia in the city, a hit man tries to put an end to him and his show once and for all. As a battle of wits and survival ensues, Chuck is forced to engage in the very tactics he uses on his contestants, or die trying.From acclaimed independent filmmaker Mark Pirro, DEATHROW GAMESHOW is a playful assault against good taste, featuring outrageous kills and non-stop screwball comedy. Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present this under seen piece of late 80's camp newly restored in 2K and on Blu-ray for the first time.Bonus Features:1. Scanned, restored & preserved in 2k from 35mm original camera negative2. Commentary track with director Mark Pirro, John McCafferty (actor) & Robyn Blythe (actress)3. "Revisiting Deathrow Gameshow" - 32 minute making-of documentary4. 2015 director's cut of DEATHROW GAMESHOW5. Multiple director introductions6. "Buns" 1978 (short film directed by Mark Pirro)7. "The Spy Who Did it Better" 1979 (short film directed by Mark Pirro)8. Original theatrical trailer9. TV spot10. Image gallery11. Director bio12. Reversible cover artwork13. English SDH Subtitles
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I HAVE A GOOD MIND TO CALL OFF THE WEDDING
Chuck Toedan (John McCafferty) is the charismatic host on KSIK's hit show "Live or Die." Here death row inmates can win a chance for a reprieve or die on air. The show is controversial. There are those who protest it while others would kill to get on it. When Chuck kills a mafia boss in a humiliating fashion, this puts a price on his head leading to a comedy of errors that make things worse.I really loved this film when it first came out nearly 30 years ago. It is indeed dated. Some of the humor involves the TV commercials of the era, such as American Express. These lose their humor. The show illustrates our compulsion with watching things in poor taste. However, now that the world is compelled to watch horribly scripted reality TV shows, how can we spoof this? The innovation of the film has been lost to other films that have created better satires of society. As such my 1987 5 star rating was depreciated to 3 1/2 stars.Available on 50 "B" movie multi-pack.F-word. Implied sex. Nudity (Robyn Blythe- plays same character Gloria Sternvirgin in 2003 "Rectuma", Debra Lamb, and Chainsaw Hooker Esther Elsie)
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