Thursday, March 12

watching the 5000 fingers of Dr. T again...

I have been watching The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T over and over again. I found this cool rundown of the plot and gerneral review here. The thing that most amazes me about the 5000 fingers is that before this year I had never heard of it. It is Dr. Seuss come to life and besides some of the musical numbers, it is perfect. I say that because each time I watch it, there are a few songs that I have to FF through...but it is worth it just the same. If only to see the piano...a huge room sized circular instermentment made for 5000 little kid fingers to play. The conjoined bearded twins or the silly hats the inmate/puples have to wear on their heads, that has a yellow hand sticking out of the top are must sees. This is a movie that needs to be acknowledged. Needs to be on the list of creepy-weirdness-fantasy-childhood education-not for kids movies, along with Forbidden Zone, The Wizard of Oz and every one of John Waters films. It is dark and visually surreal and I can't stop watching it. It is waking an inner voice, a dream/nightmare or place I can't quite remember but know very well. I predict I will be watching it again...

4 comments:

Ivan said...

Yowzah! The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T is required viewing in Ivanlandia! It's one of my faves (even with some of the less-than-awesome songs; although the bad songs are outweighed by the incredible elevator song and Dr.T's getting dressed song).

I think I may need to see it again!
--Ivan

Anonymous said...

Hail Ivanlandia! The getting dressed song is crazy! Undulating undies with Maribou frills!...love it!...Somehow I knew you would know The 5000 Fingers too...and that makes my day!
Cheers!

Jack said...

Just an FYI, you can watch the full 5,000 fingers up on the Crackle website right now:

http://crackle.com/c/5000_Fingers_of_Dr._T.,_The

Does anyone know if this directly influenced Forbidden Zone?

t said...

Thanks!
I don't know that there is a link, I think Forbidden Zone was based mostly on Danny Elfman's musical interests (old jazz and cartoons from the 20's and the general zeitgeist of the early 80's). But there is certainly a cool underground weirdness connection..