MST3K - Favorite Moments - "Manos" The Hands of Fate

In episode 424 the poor crew on the Satellite of Love are subjected to what is probably one of the worst atrocities in movie history -- "Manos" The Hands of Fate.
After seeing this "movie" about 25 times I still can't honestly claim to know what the hell is going on or why.
A small family (plus stunt poodle Pepë) is apparently vacationing when they accidentally stumble upon a shack belonging to THE MASTER.
Now, who this master is and what he does and why he's doing it in the first place, is pretty much left up to the audiences' imagination -- the movie sure seems less than inclined to tell us.
What we can say is that the master seems hell-bent (or rather "Manos"-bent) on marrying the woman.
Why?
Maybe he had a pole left over for tying up yet another wife...
Maybe he needed another woman to share the stone slab posing as an altar he seems to enjoy sleeping on...
Maybe he needed someone to take the "hell-hound" walkies...
Bottom line: WHO KNOWS!?
Furthermore, after watching this "movie": WHO CARES!?
Anyway, after a long, dull, meaningless discussion between the master's wives (followed by a girl-fight), the movie finally concludes that a 6 year old female child grows up to be a woman and so cannot be killed but should instead be... married...?
Yes, the family is reluctantly adopted into the somewhat dysfunctional "Manos"-cult.
THE END!
The only "redeeming" thing to be said about this "movie", besides from it ending, is the caretaker, Torgo.
We all know that all evil villains need a sidekick, assistant or the like with a physical defect. This could be a hump, a disfigured face or the like. What in the name of everything remotely sane made the "director" give Torgo humongous knees, causing the poor fellow to stagger helplessly around while giving one of the weirdest performances in history, is, like everything else in this home video from hell, completely inexplicable -- but it is incredibly funny!
"Manos" is preceded by the short Hired! Part two, which concludes teaching us how to be good car salesmen and good leaders by listening to our obviously demented and probably rather insane elders.
Look out for Torgo, the scariness of sobering up, carnies flirting, Jimmy Hoffa, everyone's last known photo, the haunting Torgo theme, a car with a humpback whale under the hood, Bill Buckner, oily and sleazy talk, the tender peeping Torgo scene, Smoke on the Weirdo, a planted man, officer interruptus, the Russian Parliament, the handling of prostate, the greasy guy, Dr. Giggles, the blue Kentucky hills of Tennessee, a poke in the store, the amazing technicolour poncho, and Charred Finger,
Enjoy!

[@christopherchaffin8184]

Every frame of this film looks like someone's last known photograph

[@alexdionisos]

Theres a restored version of Manos and it still looks like someone's last known photo

[@faithfulgrl]

@@alexdionisos Please Alex, say it ain't so! No one could play Torgo like John ahh... Umm.. ya

[@ajerqureshi6411]

Probably my favorite part of Manos is sadly not in this video. It's where there's like a good solid 2 minutes of the Master and Torgo staring at each other with nothing happening. Me and Joel ended up screaming at the exact same time: DO SOMETHING!!!!

[@jbelafonte]

Exactly!! I was thinking the same thing.

[@claudiadarling9441]

@@jbelafonteJoel is usually so chill, so for him to be so emotional is what really makes his outburst so funny.

[@bigdrew565]

​@@claudiadarling9441they were definitely breaking by that point of the film.

[@fleagle66]

"One of the first things Harry drilled into me....was Harry." You are dead inside if that doesn't give you the chuckles.

[@SNESdrunk]

The timing of "Boy I'm torn... Torgo? My wife? Hmmmm..." kills me every time

[@timothymarra6572]

In the RiffTrax Live version, Kevin goes, "Huh? Huh?? Hmmmm...huh?"

[@punklover99]

Love your work

[@daveroche6522]

4 years later and I still totally agree - hilarious!

[@mettatonneo1147]

You missed this one. “We hope you’ll buy your next 10 cars from us. *10 CARS?!* “

[@stevelloyd1475]

"Mike, I'm SCARED..." Joel: "Of WHAT!?" lol

[@TMX1138]

Steve Lloyd In the RiffTrax Live version, Mike Nelson says as the wife, "What if Torgo doesn't like us?".

[@SpikeJet2736]

Hands: The Hands Of Fate I'm not kidding. That's what Manos means. If you needed another reason to hate this movie, there you go

[@Buradori0]

Or, or, or.... Hands: Los manos de destino

[@DarkMageLiam]

Welcome to the Department of Redundancy Department

[@joeyvader]

Liam Kinch ...feel free to take a sit down chair seat.....

[@willcooke5308]

SpikeJet2736 "There is no way out of here. It will be dark soon. There is no way out of here."

[@kaymuldoon3575]

It will be dark soon.

[@Krendall2]

Aw, you left off my favorite riff from Hired. Warren: "Sales are the most important thing in this business." Servo: "Seeing as how we're salesmen and all."

[@mcburcke]

"Been hittin' the Thigh Master, Torgo?"

[@stephanierodriq]

"Crew?!? This movie had a crew?!?"

[@kentonclarkson1449]

If you define "crew" as drunken hippie/theater types who worked all night for free for a fertilizer salesman who had not the first clue on how to write, shoot and edit a movie...then yes

[@mikesilva3868]

Can you stir the tanks without killing us this time?"mst3k joke 🤣

[@CharlemagnePalace]

"No employees were killed during the making of this film" Why weren't they?

[@zak22wolftheultramanzenith35]

CharlemagnePalace Oddly enough, the guy who plays Torgo did actually die shortly after filming ended.

[@mikesilva3868]

Can you stir the tanks without killing us this time?"mst3k joke 🤣

[@OdaSwifteye]

@Max William Lauf Which is fucked by the way. Imagine losing your life because some terrible film your in fucked up your legs.

[@ripelivejam]

Needed the DO SOMETHING!!! moment.

[@mikesilva3868]

You know what they call a Royale with cheese in America?"Wow, this is like a Pixar film! In that it exists, and has a title!Tom Servo: Wow, you hardly ever get to see Jawas in the nude. Tom Servo: [as Mac blows a bubble gum bubble] Wanna see my spleen? It's pretty cool. [Eric pops the bubble] Tom Servo: Ahh! I need that to live! [a garbage can begins to shake] Crow T. Robot: Remember: When you throw away your Tickle-Me Elmo, you've got to remove the batteries. [Mac makes Eric's hands into an V-shape] Crow T. Robot: That's neither the church nor the steeple. Crow T. Robot: I think we landed too far from the movie. Jonah Heston: This reminds me of the summer my dad hit a deer. Tom Servo: [imitating Mr. Bill] Oh, no! [Mac's pale, skinny hand reaches for a Coca-Cola] Crow T. Robot: My precious. Crow T. Robot: Yeah, keep trying, music. This isn't that interesting. Crow T. Robot: That is some next-level beekeeping. Jonah Heston: It's a smart move. Distract the dogs with some Peter Cetera music. Tom Servo: Alright, this 80's movie has fulfilled its sweatbands-and-a-montage quota. Very nice job. Mst3k jokes 🤣

[@Satellite_Of_Love]

Right?! You know a movie is bad if it breaks JOEL!

[@mrsuns10]

God!

[@MrJohndoakes]

"Manos" is one of those truly "hand made" movies, it's just amazing they had a finished product at the end. They shot it on a 16mm home movie camera, dubbed all the dialogue with three people, used existing buildings and made their own set artwork. It's full of anti-acting and you could easily trim it down to a 25 minute short. It is a wonderful document of what living in El Paso, Texas in the mid-'60s could be turned into, but it is not a horror film.

[@ju6340]

I never thought it was a horror film. It's a comedy.

[@MrJohndoakes]

@@ju6340 If you mean "un-interntional comedy", you would be correct.

[@gabrielesolletico6542]

So, there were plenty of cults like that in the movie, and a lot of Masters out there, in mid-'60s in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas?

[@purplebec9112]

Yeah the place they made this is now torn down. 😢 The house I mean. Apparently it had a pool too. I love movies that don't go anywhere and I can do other things while listening to these movies. Really tests out your patience

[@fivebearrugs]

"Oh look, honey, Torgo has a little altar to Baal." Gets me every time...lmao

[@MinscFromBaldursGate92]

Bhaal from Forgotten Realms?

[@ianbrennan9635]

So, we have a film that's got one of the most redundant titles ever, horrible camera work and soundtrack, sub-par acting, and since then, it's become one of the most popular films to laugh at and make fun of. Congratulations, MST3K. You started something.

[@FrenchPaul1988]

TBH, I think it's not entirely that bad. Sure the title makes no sense, the leads (especially the man of the family) are unlikeable pricks, the plot makes no sense (the Manos cult in and of itself is a giant riddle that raises so many questions the second half of the movie is loaded with plotholes), the soundtrack is weird and sometimes misplaced (but pretty good - it's IMO one of the strengths of the movie along with the unforgettable character that is Torgo), the acting is really poor... But it's still not as bad as stuff you'd get today.

[@mikesilva3868]

@@FrenchPaul1988 its watchable uncut but the mst3k episode is the funniest though📼

[@purplebec9112]

People who havnt heard of Mst3k still watch these terrible films and it kind of became pop culture. Apparently people like weird, assured, boring movies and I'm one of them.

[@lastxwriter]

Every time Crow does the "oh my God, my pants are on fire" bit, I laugh my head off. Favorite episode of MST3K, hands down.

[@vonzigle]

Alternatively, it could be Manos, the manos of fate.

[@LchanOtakudom]

Robert Jindra Fate: The Manos of Hand?

[@kriscarter1389]

Favorite riff not on this list: "I...like your dress, I could introduce you...to the master, my name actually...is Roger."

[@vonzigle]

The idea that car salesmen would actually go door to door is frightening, especially if they wore handkerchiefs!

[@lavalampluva55401]

I think it's weird that car salesmen went door to door.

[@Thanquol180]

Just in case you forgot...Manos...The Hands of Fate.

[@Habegger23]

Thanks

[@metalmugen]

Thanquol180 yes

[@crappyaccount]

hands, the hands of fate

[@cavalierfan1995]

HEY THANQUOL SLUG-BUG (WHAM)

[@purplebec9112]

"Mike: You know... Manos... Hands of Fate Crow:Right just not in so many words. I don't know why that lines makes me laugh.

[@skrag2112]

Happy 50th anniversary, Manos! Premiered November 15, 1966.

[@ahoneanatwo]

Four people didn't take care of the place while the Master is away.

[@FrenchPaul1988]

Seems like now 8 viewers tried to find a way out of here, but they were too late for it would be dark soon.

[@teedup8995]

Haha ha!

[@blkdraco2]

My God this was a tough movie to sit through, even with the MST3K crew's commentary.

[@zak22wolftheultramanzenith35]

If I remember correctly, the hellhound is the actual dog owned by the actor who played the Master and the actress who played Debbie.

[@gabrielesolletico6542]

Yes.

[@coolperson962]

Every frame of this move looks like someone's last known photograph...brilliant!

[@mettatonneo1147]

I remember one of the first things Harry drilled into me “was Harry!”

[@VTPPGLVR]

"Get the cat off the piano!" X-D

[@bradhoward2410]

10:55. Crow’s reaction to the waking wives caused a spit take. Such a classic episode!

[@would26]

Just read that the actor who played Torgo (John Reynolds) killed himself a month before this was released, Bummer.

[@filidorable]

***** Way to spoil the mood, bro. That is bad karma actually. He was a star.

[@metalmugen]

Imagine the Torgo theme being played as they slowly lowered the casket.

[@MrKmanthie]

+would26 - AWww...shit, I was just going to put that info up there too!! John Reynolds ("Torgo"), RIP.

[@PhilBagels]

+would26 Better if he had done it before the movie was made. Sorry.

[@MrKmanthie]

PhilBagels RU kidding? Torgo (Reynolds) gave was who we all watched Manos to see! That limp, those big-ass legs, his sp-sp-sp-speech & he had his own, bitchin' theme music to boot!! This wouldn't have been as fun to watch w/o Torgo - with or without the MST guys!

[@victorhernandez8723]

I felt bad for the MST3K crew having to endure this crime against humanity.

[@teresapflaumer5717]

But showing "Manos" turned this lost local film into a cult classic. Basically, MST3K sacrificed their dignity to save "Manos".

[@bigdrew565]

​@@teresapflaumer5717dignity and their sanity.

[@RaidenTatsu]

Since "manos" is Spanish for "hands", this movie is technically called "Hands" The Hands of Fate. xDD And yes, Torgo is absolutely amazing~

[@coralroper6876]

You know this is good when several moments have you incapacitated with helpless laughter. Either that or I just have an extremely funky sense of humor. Or maybe both.

[@SteevDragon67]

It's great how the guys took the worst film EVER and made it hysterically funny!

[@Vincek88]

Sounds like Crow was channeling John Cleese here and in other parts..."YES, dear, I'm doing it NOW, dear!"

[@bowlingstoned2113]

"Mike, I'm scared..." "Of WHAT!?" 😂

[@ZeranZeran]

Who could've done it!? "Ozzy Osbourne?" That made me bust up laughing.

[@ladycplum]

Guy who played Torgo killed himself not too long after he did this. And we still use "G'night, stay pink, soft and oily" as our computer shutdown sound.

[@davidlawrence5]

It happened in Los Angeles, late one Saturday night in the summer of 1969. I'm madly waving the TV Guide around and yelling "C'mon guys! "Manos"Hands of Fate is on man! How can we not watch a movie with a title like that! We have all night to jam. Look man, go over and put it on Channel 13 willya! I'll roll a fatty and let's take a break. Maybe we'll write a toon called Manos! This is gonna be be so bitchin!". The four of us settled in having no clue what was in store. Manos might as well have been named Yoko. By the time the movie ended, I was alone. The band had broken up during the film. I cannot believe I'm posting this but my doctor's tell me it's good therapy. After almost 37 years, I remain an empty vessel. Screw you Manos.

[@drsilaslang]

This is one of my favorite posts ever

[@kentonclarkson1449]

I suggest you put a hankie on your head and swat at imaginary flies or elves or gremlins and chew out some guy for not selling enough Chevrolets

[@victorhernandez8723]

"The Amazing Technicolor Poncho" Brilliant!

[@anniebananie3421]

My favorite riff is when the parents are looking for the daughter, and the Mom opens the door a tiny little bit, peeks through and then closes it... "After a thorough search of the first room"...

[@TheFunkywhiteboy63]

"Are you now or have you ever been a Ford owner?"

[@TheFunkywhiteboy63]

"Guess they picked up Shirley Bassey hitch-hiking..."

[@ianchristopher9422]

They really have guts..to riffing this movie till the end.What a traumatising experience.

[@teresapflaumer5717]

"Manos" is better than the average modern film.

[@ianchristopher9422]

@@teresapflaumer5717 By the way you can have a look at an new edited version of Manos that I did it on my own, in my youtube channel. The "Proper Edit" that I like to call as how I think it would've looked if it was...you know well made. Take a look if you like.

[@TMX1138]

14:00 Bill Corbett: Bullets don't hurt him, they just put him way out of focus. From the RiffTrax Live of Manos

[@Aelkassed]

One of my favorite bits isn't in this video. It's the scene where Joel shouts "Do something!" when The Master and Torgo are awkwardly shuffling around while the camera's running.

[@gwen10000]

Favourite episode simply because Joel flips his shit. Torgo = best character ever created

[@dclefevre]

FLYING ELVES ARE BACK!!

[@robertcornhole5197]

I'm really craving some Torgo's Pizza right about now.

[@eromitlabhitw]

I'lL bE rIgHt OvEr WiTh ThE pIzZa *Torgo theme*

[@Xondar11223344]

The Haunting Torgo Theme!

[@maggiekoch9348]

So amazingly bad, it should be a form of torture. I could hardly stay awake during this slice of horror

[@B0Nnaaay]

Next, on ESPN, full-contact nightgown wrestling!

[@JamaicanCastle]

I'd watch it.

[@coralroper6876]

During that part, I couldn't help thinking that they should have said something like, "We're having some fun now."

[@theycallmetundraboy914]

"Oh my God, my pants are on fire." I died.

[@victorhernandez8723]

"It's a Frank Franzetta of Frank Zappa." Another zinger!

[@amileecopeland]

"Oh, Joel, there's a buffet of loathsomeness in this film."

[@DRChupacabrah]

tHerE's sOme pOOdle MEat iN thE FrEezeR...

[@cellytron]

Aaaallright, little Manos takin' us up to news time here, Manos...

[@MerkinMuffly]

Joe Cocker as bellhop, hillarious

[@kaymuldoon3575]

Especially Joe Cocker who's been using the thighmaster.

[@RavnerRavner]

I wonder what Joel, Trace & Kevin actually said when they themselves first watched Manos.

[@Jcolinsol]

I'm so excited for the remastered high definition release of Manos. It's a miracle!

[@vonzigle]

He's having an episose! The kicker was when the old fellow put a handkerchief over his head LOL!

[@pokerface7840]

"...Smoooooke on the Weirdo..." 😂

[@dannybramlet]

"You know what this movie really needs? Marc Singer."

[@cellytron]

Alright, a little "Manos" taking us up to news time here, "Manos"

[@skyofthelivingdead]

“You can’t kill me, I quit!”

[@returned4good]

Love the Monty Python reference at 11:33.

[@perplacymp]

Basil Fawlty goes west. "Sounds like Gene Croupa out here!"

[@monkeymouse]

"Go, Speed Racer!" Love that!

[@threepeater]

You're Hired! The best of the worst! "I'm sobering up and you're scaring me" 🤣🤣

[@soralapio]

NO! Now they're going back the other way!

[@TheEleventhWheatley]

"WaytogoSteeeeeeeve!"

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

Ambiguity is scary!

[@xmiller7691]

One of the best MST3K quips of all time is in this movie. Right after Manos delivers the incantation to bring all the women on the slabs back to life, the very next shot shows the ladies engaging in loud, animated female type conversation sounding very much like a Tupperware party. Manos is just sitting there staring off into space with a regretful look on his face, and the quip is " What was I thinking?".

[@flintironstag2381]

IKR? The master looked like he was thinking that.

[@gabrielesolletico6542]

An important thing: the Master is not Manos himself. Manos is a powerfull, invisble Goddess. We never see her in all the movie.

[@laurallewien2165]

Oh man love the Tom Cruise as Dr. John riff...pure gold that is!

[@asakienitzkincade4613]

Joel, I think they sent us a snuff film!

[@KYPopskull]

The flying elves are back!

[@ColAbernathy]

Oh I just remembered, Family Circus was really funny today.

[@chrispyswan8045]

I don't know whether to be honored, or disgruntled that this was filmed in my hometown..Heck, they didn't even film the Bride getting shot in Kill Bill out here in El Paso!

[@Riqstone]

I'm also from El Paso and I feel both honored and ashamed by this movie lol.

[@brycemcneil4404]

13:54 Best actor in the whole picture.

[@greymajickjedi]

That "Why don't you guys leave us alooone??!" chick is a certified *Goddess* *

[@CrookedIproductions]

I think I read somewhere that she was to be either the lead or one of the wives but she broke her leg before filming started. That's why she's in a car, so you don't see her broken leg.

[@MrJohndoakes]

Look up "Manos in HD"; a guy found the workprint in San Diego in 2011, restored it, and now it will be a Blu-Ray from Synapse Films. I've seen bits of the restored film and the original 16mm Ektachrome footage is stunning compared to the muddy VHS dupe of the 35mm theatrical version they used on MST3K. It will never be a great movie, but now it is easier to watch.

[@only257]

MrJohndoakes seen that version on the archive website 🎬

[@MDK2_Radio]

I think that was the print Rifftrax used when they revisited Manos.

[@christieperry4361]

if you lived here, you'd be home by now

[@KWCline91]

You missed one on the short. BUT HE BOUGHT THE CAR!

[@SanityTheorist5]

My favorite part is "these clearance sales are brutal" hahaha....been a long time since I laughed this hard.

[@jorgezarco9269]

Dr. Giggles was a 1992 horror-comedy about a sociopath doctor.

[@LetsGo6009]

"What was I thinking?!"

[@ottagol1985]

Debbie: I'm scared; where's my puppy? Mike: Debbie, not now! Crow: Your dog's compost, kid!

[@Grayman2003]

"Live at home till you're 40"

[@Bantoo00]

"When carneys flirt"

[@TMX1138]

Jokes from the RiffTrax Live version: 3:10 Kevin: Ah, yes, "Manos", the most famous quote by the guy named The Hands of Fate. 3:31 Kevin: Wait, "FIRST vacation"?! You're like 50 years old! What, were you a slave in a diamond mine, or something? 4:12 Kevin (as the male guy of the make out couple): Eh, tastes like you're coming down with something there. Here, have some Vicks Formula 44. 4:54 Mike: 'Kay, now I'm in Northern England. How'd that happen? 5:18 Kevin (as Mike's wife): Well, hello, Torgo... 5:27 Mike Nelson: What if Torgo doesn't like us? 5:39 Kevin: Huh? Huh? Hmmm... huh? 7:13 Mike (as Torgo): (singing) You make me feel like dancing- (noticing Michael) Oh hi! I didn't see you there. 7:16 Bill: Yep, when you want a job done fast, Torgo's your guy! 7:53 Bill: (in response to wife demanding to be let out of the room) Word for word, my Yelp review of Arby's. 8:36 Bill (as Debby): Understand this, I'm gonna grab a smoke. 10:21 Mike: Mondays, huh? 11:21 Mike: (as The Master as he says "Silence!" In response to an earlier line) Turn in your inexplicable negligée and get out! 12:13 Bill (as Torgo): (stammering) Maybe... you're the one that must die, ya know? Mike (as The Master): What was that? Bill (as Torgo): Nothing! 13:16 Bill: Tada! Out flies a dove-- Oops, sorry, Torgo.

[@DocLantern85]

7:25: "I should've never bought that damn Chevrolet from that chunky sales manager!"

[@sertorrhenclegane]

Manos...with Ben Stiller as The Master.

[@IntheeyesofMorbo]

Every frame looks like someone's last known photograph

[@williamhowe1]

Crew!? I don't believe they had a crew!

[@vincentlevesay9246]

Torgo is the only reason to keep watching this horrible nightmare spiral. Whats with the legs..lol

[@danieldolf3844]

Hands: the Manos of Fate

[@filidorable]

Torgo for Prez, PM, Fearless Leader.......you choose, because he has the moves.

[@jimihendrix1575]

"A little "Manos" takin' us up to news time"

[@MrKmanthie]

I heard from the little girl who plays the daughter...whatever the character name is...anyway, she wrote me & said she was actor Tom "The Master" Neyman's daughter, Jackey - when she wrote me, she signed off as "Jackie Jones" or something like that - so I guess she's either married, divorced or just changed her name- because, in the credits for Manos: The Hands of Fate, she's listed as "Jackie" (Jackey-sorry, I forgot) Neyman. And, of course, the guy who played her father, Michael was, the "visionary" director, Hal Warren (ok, "Harold Warren", if you prefer) - this guy I have respect for: he had a story and an iron will to get it filmed. He did it. He had a father-daughter team there, Mr. John Reynolds, who, as "Torgo" (again, RIP) -who was something of a character himself. I heard from someone, somewhere, forgot who, but they were saying, if I remember correctly, that Reynolds was a typical 60s guy - someone said that he'd show up on set stoned all the time, which obviously didn't impair his performance. Also, whatever prosthetic things they used for those pronounced knees, the rubbery thighs, etc, was particularly uncomfortable -so, I also wouldn't be surprised if John would get his hands on stuff to kill the pain- demerol, morphine, heroin, laudanum (if one could even find that stuff that late in the century), etc.- being in pain really sucks! and i wouldn't blame anyone for trying to ease themselves!

[@UberMan5000]

Hey come on, where was Joel yelling "DO SOMETHING!!!" or the guys booing when they saw the little girl tied to the stake?

[@64dethray]

Oh l'm beat, l'm hittin' the stain.