Orgy of the Dead 1995 Horror Movie Review

Written, but not directed, by the one and only Edward D. Wood, Jr. (Adapted from his novel!), “Orgy Of The Dead” is a mind-numbing mating of “Plan 9 From Outer Space” and a grindhouse nudie flick. For something that has the pedigree of supplying tacky fun and cheap snickers, it’s a surprisingly dull and ultimately, sad ride through the world of Z-list cinema.


Things kick off promisingly as Hollywood psychic and Wood regular Criswell rises from the grave as the swishy Emperor of the Night, whose goal is to be entertained with a low-rent evening of depravity. By his side is the Black Ghoul (Fawn Silver), a Vampira-meets Elvira stand-in, right down to her low-cut cleavage and jet-black bouffant wig. Criswell’s hammy demeanor, cue card read lines and ridiculous dialogue are good for a few laughs.


But the laughs end there as young couple Bob (William Bates) and Shirley (Pat Barrington) wreck their car (maybe because the scenes veer between night and day) and wind up near Criswell’s cemetery lair. They’re eventually tied to posts and are forced to watch a parade of half-inspired G-stringed strippers, who cat around in theme-styled numbers. Meanwhile, Criswell’s henchmen The Mummy and the Wolfman (in possibly the most depressing costumes in the history of horror movies) can only look on at the spectacle, as the budget did not allow them dollar bills for lap dances (it seemed to all go to the fog machine, which occasionally obscures the action). They are more or less present as comic relief, but their groan-inducing humor is neither comic nor a relief.


The transfer quality is much better than this picture deserves. Extras include the original trailer and a bizarrely entertaining interview with Bulgarian-born director and Wood co-conspirator Stephen C. Apostolof (billed as A.C. Stephens). Plans are even revealed for “Orgy Of The Dead II”. We’ll see.


While this production has Ed Wood written (literally) all over it, this absurd oddity may be best suited for hardcore Wood heads only.