| Something
Weird Video has always been known for releasing presumably
public domain titles and, quite obviously, "weird"
films. The version of the film included is the American
television release from 1965 (which is the same as
the current DVD version except for the title and opening
credits.) The front cover of the tape is very odd
with the title in yellow, outlined in black, against
a red background. Below is a picture of the middle-stage
"mushroom man" against an odd blue, green,
and yellow backdrop with a blood-red splatter partially
obscuring it. Below is a color-altered publicity photo
of Akira Kubo and Kumi
Mizuno. This whole front side is done in a surrealist
fashion, somewhat like the movie (though I truly believe
the connection is coincidental).
The spine features the title again in black outlined
in yellow along with the iconic VHS and Something
Weird Video logos. The back cover features a good,
albeit blurred, picture of most of the cast (again
with a blood splatter effect over the shot) and
an obscured photo of Kumi
Mizuno. Information about the film and a very
brief synopsis appear in yellow font set against
a black background, all framed in a blue border
with two diamonds. The synopsis is decent, at least
getting the plot correct. However, the information
included is blatantly incorrect. Eiji
Tsubaraya (here listed as a director alongside
Honda) is misspelled as "Giji" Tsubaraya.
It appears that Something Weird Video made up the
alternate titles as well.
However, to top it all off, the production company
of the film, perhaps as a way to "evade"
copyright laws, is said to be Daiei Studios! Go
figure... |
