Exploring The Incredible Melting Man - The Greatest Movie Ever about a Melting Monster Named Steve

[@zerocool5395]

If you watch "The Incredible Melting Man" backwards, it's about a questionable pile of leftovers behind a Chili's that slowly materializes into a human male and after getting into a hiking accident involving a nurse, he inspiringly becomes an astronaut and goes into space. Also, Ted Nelson.

[@burningmisery]

Inspiring story ❤👍

[@martijn_yt]

So basically it’s Hellraiser backwards 😁

[@JnEricsonx]

Met Rick Baker a few years ago. Very nice guy. At one point I was singing the praises of him and the other OG makeup legends and he joked, "You're thanking me for traumatizing you and other kids in the 80s?" My response-YES!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

The correct response

[@JnEricsonx]

@@GoodBadFlicks And in a about a week and a half I'm gonna be ideally thanking Nick Castle for making TheLast Starfighter-then thank him for being Michael Myers.

[@bigsarge2085]

What a cool experience!

[@JnEricsonx]

@@bigsarge2085 Lotta of conventions in my area. Ideally, I'll be meeting Nick Castle in about a week and a half.

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

@@JnEricsonx Alexander John Rebar 1940-2021 (the actor who played the incredible melting man) R.I.P.

[@chonchjohnch]

Crazy timing, RLM just did a vid on this! One of my favorite b movies, I wish they’d had all the effects baker planned. It’s interesting how much it has in common with the quatermass xperiment I’m a sucker for good body horror.

[@Noki0100]

I've said before GBF needs to be on the panel for BOTW one day!

[@alienboy1322]

@@Noki0100 I think GBF is better than RLM. AT least Cecil isn't obnoxiously cynical nor thinks it's appealing to talk about movies on KZbin. But that's just how I feel.

[@markula_4040]

@@alienboy1322 Both channels are quite different from each other to the point where there isn't any real need to declare one better or at least be obnoxiously judgmental about it. But that's just how I feel.

[@klinischbrot]

This comment escalated quickly, huh!?

[@klinischbrot]

​@@alienboy1322 huh? I did not say that. Nor do I care what you did/didn't do. Have a good one.

[@systemmonitor5295]

Good timing - I'm literally watching the RedLetterMedia Best of the Worst on this!

[@jbw1972]

So did i

[@Two_Ravens]

Same

[@moerockha625]

So am I! ….. it’s like the walls of KZbin are, shall I say it? Melting….. hmmmmmmm

[@thestarwarskid123]

Same, I love how we all watch the same movie review youtubers

[@Sam1787]

I noticed this too!

[@willmistretta]

I remember when they did this on Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was so strange to see something this gory in that context. Maybe the most out-of-place episode of the show's entire run.

[@UberNeuman]

Did you get any crackers?

[@54GodzillaFan]

I think that Sidehacker is actually the most out-of-place episode due to how dark the movie itself is.

[@fisheyenomiko]

@@54GodzillaFan True. Though in that case, they'd only watch a few minutes of the film, and hadn't gotten to the really icky parts. By the time of IMM, they were watching the whole movie before they decided to use it.

[@sbeers88]

@@UberNeuman Hotchka!!

[@jeffumbach]

"Sidehackers" was why they started watching the entire film ahead of time so as to avoid such a situation again where they had to skip a whole portion of the movie in the middle of an episode. However they don't hide it as well in the newer series as a lot of riffs made it obvious that they have foreknowledge of the plot.

[@joequintana5546]

I have never forgotten this movie. I saw it in the theater as a kid. Seeing these clips reminds me of how much I miss and appreciate practical effects. Not a bad idea either. I miss monster movies.

[@sushigimme]

I have to say, it's amazing how you're able to fit in much of the plot summary, thorough research into the production and interesting cast information within the length of your videos. Over the years, your quality has only increased even more. Keep up the awesome work, Cecil! I used to regard Niyat from FilmComicsExplained in the same manner too...but I feel that his most recent content feels much much shorter and as tricky as it is to explain, I feel that something about his quality changed and not in a good way. I noticed that he started to recycle his old content and label it as a new video with most of the previous footage shuffled around.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thank you! I'm working really hard to try to be better and better.

[@Concreto1984]

I believe there is no movie that Cecil couldn't make interesting, at least when it comes to "exploring". It's such an enjoyment to watch them; an incredible, natural born documentarian.

[@cehaver]

I’ve watched truly terrible, and not always fun terrible, movies thanks to him and Joe Bob Briggs - I’m a dork and will give the unwatchable watchability points based on their storytelling and amusing history!!

[@mitchelltheawesome1]

I always hate it when people working on a film production half ass it because they don't like the premise of a film. Like dude, you're making a movie; that's my dream job! I'd do your work unpaid with no complaints at all.

[@MikeDavison]

I saw this at the drive in when I was 8 (1978) - along with Squirm. Went with my dad and 2 older brothers. Great parenting. : )

[@chainlink2459]

I love your Good Bad Flicks episode on this. "Judy's pregnant again." "Hey, that's great! So, who's the father?"

[@GoodBadFlicks]

hehehehe I'm sometimes funny

[@lukeskypestalker2622]

As a child I ordered the Incredible Melting Man make up kit from an ad in Famous Monsters Magazine . I applied it for Halloween that year and looked very gross . The make up was cotton balls soaked in make up/dye that you glued to your face. Good times .

[@garyhall7867]

Love it when we get an exploring episode to go along with a regular episode

[@GoodBadFlicks]

I like to be able to tell more of the story when able :)

[@eggsalad007]

RedLetterMedia reviewed this their video released yesterday. Recently released on Blu Ray. What a coincidence!

[@TheStrykerProject]

I sure wish producers would understand that, just because they have "the money", doesn't mean they have "the talent" to make a movie.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Bingo.

[@RavynAngelDarck]

I watched a lot of these old movies as a kid with my dad too and developed a real love for them!! Long live practical effects!!!!

[@bigsarge2085]

For me, the history enhances my appreciation of the art. Thanks!

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

Alexander John Rebar 1940-2021 (the actor who played the incredible melting man) R.I.P.

[@fredlandry6170]

This movie scared the hell out of me when I was 8 years old.

[@michaellaverty7349]

Good timing! I'd just seen the RLM video with it and looked into the movie a bit to find out what Sach's originally intended, so was glad to see this pop up to learn more about it. It's quite ahead of it's time before the 80's had a lot of tongue in cheek horror/comedies that homaged the classics.

[@bluesman9832]

I love this movie! The early Rick Baker effects are outstanding. I found this one through MST3K back in the day and is one of the best movies I discovered in the series. I was just thinking about this movie last night. It might be time to watch it again.

[@chainlink2459]

"Did you get some crackers? I told you yesterday that we needed some crackers." "Ted, what about Steve?" "Steve?! He doesn't have any crackers!"

[@GoodBadFlicks]

With the OG reference

[@TheCreatureCorner]

I worked on a short film and the effects guy needed melted people goo, the director cited this movie as the look he wanted. The stuff smelled real bad, like rubber and sterile bandages. Thankfully the lights were all LED, I can't imagine what it would smell like after a long shoot baking under hot lamps.

[@jamesfitzgerald5149]

Always appreciate the content and all the wonderful things you find to show us!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

I appreciate you watching!

[@Randomwookie4200]

Red Letter a media just did a botw with this movie. The timing is perfect and great video

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@aikisteven0616]

As a fellow Steve, I can feel Melty Steve's pain. I can feel his struggle. I can feel - dare I say it? Yes, I MUST say it! I can feel his Triumph!! You go, Melty Steve! The Counsel of Steves Believes in You!

[@thegood9]

This was one of my favorite movies growing up, I first learned about it from the cover of my "Starlog" magazine---that cover, with the melting man on it---it was fantastic, and it haunted my nightmares back then!

[@cjc363636]

Speaking of magazines....Fangoria loved the 'goopy' monster covers back in the 80s/early 90s, IIRC. I would see those disgustingly cool covers while getting a CFQ or Starlog magazine at Borders. (I was too timid to buy the Fangoria!).

[@thegood9]

@@cjc363636 YES! Loved Fangoria! Cracked, Mad...National Lampoon. Seeing all those at the local convenience store and occasionally being able to buy one and actually drool over it was part of growing up!

[@billgreen6144]

Great video as usual; I'm continually impressed at all the detail you are able to squeeze into each video. I've always enjoyed this film. Somehow the film's multiple personalities add to my appreciation of it for some reason.

[@chainlink2459]

There's a melting man character in Nightmare Before Christmas as one of the residents of Halloween Town. Maybe that was a reference to this movie?

[@kylecurry577]

Another guilty pleasure of mine..over the top & wacky but I actually kinda liked it. Great FX from Rick Baker… not a surprise, especially for the limited budget. That goo was nasty 🤢. That nurse that ran thru the glass door is classic funny 😄 nobody was stopping her! Under the circumstances of a troubled shoot it is watchable for horror/ sci-fi fans. The MST3K is hilarious. Galaxina…can’t wait!

[@leoncaruthers]

Saw this semi-regularly on Svengoolie as a kid on WGN on Sunday afternoons.

[@slipknotboy555]

Gotta love producers fucking up a director's vision like that

[@brandonpage7087]

Saw your original video on this, & this version had alot more info & interesting tidbits, so it was like a whole new video. Good job, man!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@grantbacon4471]

Saturday night dead was one of my favorite shows as a kid! Same deal. My mom would let us stay up to watch Saturday Night Live with her, and then we’d watch Saturday Night Dead. She was a big horror fan and raised us on camp horror movies. Great reference!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

I'm sad there are only a few clips of SND out there. I would love to see more episodes of the show but they've most likely been lost.

[@sski]

AH! I remember Saturday Night Dead! I lived in South Jersey for most of my young life and watched that all the time when I became aware of it. Good times! Thanks for reminding me, Brother!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

You are welcome! Saturday Night DEEEEEEAAAAAAAADDDDDDD

[@sski]

@@GoodBadFlicks LOLOLOL!!!

[@Ray30]

I liked the movie and was shocked when I found out that Rick Baker did the special effects. No wonder the special effects looked great.

[@Sandvink]

Every time i am still amazed on how good the information and showing it really is. This is one of the best youtube-channels or maybe even the best.

[@wpierry]

Awesome work on the video! One of the things I love about your video how much you care about the actors or crew when you talk about injuries on set. Thank you for caring.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@amstel5468]

I honestly ❤ GoodBadFlicks

[@GoodBadFlicks]

awwww :)

[@feck2594]

I just have to say always have and always will love this movie . I watched it a ton as a kid .

[@7Jstamper]

“I’ve never heard of you, and you’re playing the fucking ‘Incredible Melting Man’ so cut the crap!” I’m dying!! Haha!

[@jacotromp59581]

This video is ........... well....... INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you for all the knowledge and fun you bring us

[@theautisticfilmmaker1944]

I love The Incredible Melting Man. Along with Forbidden World.

[@bilwisss]

did not a lot of people also see this film on "movie macabre" in 1982? a little late from 1977, but a ton of folks still love this film.

[@NathanTarantlawriter]

I was captured with the nurse scene, running and screaming. What a masterpiece!

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

I'd like to see an exploring on "The Pod People," a French Canadian mess due, again, to producers interfering. And one of the best episodes of MST3K.

[@Fedorevsky]

Yeah, I'd love to see that too!

[@simplegarak]

SECONDED! @GoodBadFlicks! That movie is so confusing I'm dying to know what the original plans for it were.

[@jeffumbach]

Ah the infamous movie where the intro and end credits are scenes from a totally different movie featuring a very different creature and characters (I think it was called "Galaxy Invader".)

[@matthewferguson6524]

It's called evil, kid.

[@GrunkleMary]

This is one of my all time favorite episodes of MST3K and I'm a little bummed that it's hard to find now. I had no idea that this movie was such a struggle to make. Great essay!

[@sam21462]

I remember seeing this at a drive-in with my mom oh so many years ago. Thanks for the great memories!

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks for watching!

[@weslittlereptilefamily3418]

You are the best, Cecil. I love every video you do. Makes me happy.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

You are too kind, thank you :)

[@gmorgan7603]

I watched this when I was 5. It is one of my favorite movies

[@nathan_the_barbarian7974]

I would love to see a re-edit of this into the more comical movie they were aiming for.

[@dr.billcortner3433]

Incredibly insightful. This was a childhood movie for me, the info was awesome!

[@123sui]

Always loved the original video of this movie

[@SteveBueche1027]

I knew you had done this movie before! Nice to see the detailed background.

[@JettBlast]

Just love your intro music so haunting, I really enjoy your content and your voice is works so well as a narrator you have found a great venue here I am a big fan.

[@Rattslinger]

You and the RLM are doing an awesome unintentional tag team, it's pretty cool.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodUnclePete]

This movie still is scary. Thank you so much for Exploring this, I've watched your earlier video on this movie many times. It made me go find this movie again to watch it. Like you I found it on late night cable many many years ago. Gave me f-ed nightmares, but I was 8 or 9. Love the channel, Cecil. I hope we get to see you on In Search of Tomorrow. I pre-ordered mine years ago.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks! I think I'm in ISOT but I'm not sure. We recorded stuff back early last year but I'm not sure if I made the cut.

[@judsongaiden9878]

This was the best "melt movie" before Street Trash. It'll be tough to top Street Trash. Does anyone even make "melt movies" anymore?

[@shaolin1derpalm]

STRAANGE!! This was just on yesterday's Best of The Worst from RLM

[@jin1063]

I loved this movie. Scared me as a kid. Have not seen it in many, many year. Funny, I actually worked at this power plant for quite a few years! I had no idea this was filmed there! It is decommisioned now but it was L.A.D.W.P.'s Valley Steam Plant in Sun Valley, CA; adjancent to the much newer Valley Generating Station.

[@dsandoval9396]

I first learned about this movie from that earlier video you did, then I saw it on MST3k, _then_ because I really liked the source material I saw the actual movie (sans quips). I really do love this film as a movie on its own. Although, I still say the main actor when he says the line "There's nothing like viewing the rings of Saturn..." In the beginning of the movie reminds me of that "Weird Arby's Guy" video on KZbin where he talks about a lady crashing into his Arby's. Something about the way he talks, it's like I'm seein double I tells ya!

[@zombiejlt1]

Great video! I remember reading a lot about this and many other films like it in my various film and monster books and never got a chance to see it until I saw the MST3K episode. I enjoyed the episode but was still having trouble finding the film on its own. I eventually saw it and thought its a special effects masterpiece. Since I like Cronenberg body horror I started recommending this film if not for the story at least the special effects. I gotta say that with all the behind the scenes issues that plagued this movie it turned well but it would be nice to see the original view the director had. Lots of films that suffered due to interference I have gained a lot of respect for especially when you learn the truth about them such as ALIEN 3 and PROMETHEUS. Great job with this video, now I want to watch it again.

[@rjspires]

Loved your first video about this film. I’m glad your revisited.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@dericjames2018]

This was a great explored video. It makes sense why these take time.

[@Eisenwulf666]

i LOVE the MST3k episode where they riffed this and i love your GBF episode on this movie. Can't wait to watch this episode!

[@kimberry2010]

OMG "Saturday Night Dead!" Philly!! I used to watch that in the 80s and early 90s. Loved Stella and Duke Ellington's "The Mooch" as the theme.

[@iaincowell9747]

The effects in this movie are the best thing about it.

[@shawkorror]

Saw this for the first time back in the '90's on our weekly bad movie nights. He walks up hill, he walks down dale, he..well, he walks a lot. Also slow-mo nurse scene is a standout.

[@simplesimon755]

What coincidental timing. As others have said, RLM just did their take on it. It's interesting to hear RLM speculate as to what was happening during the production of the film, where it was shot, and other things and then to come here to hear all of the facts. It's really a shame that the director didn't get to make the movie he intended. It sounds like it could have been and should have been much better. I wonder if director's ever get a second chance to make their movie the way they intended after producers have screwed it up, under a different movie title more than likely. Thanks, yet again, for another great GBF Exploring episode.

[@Tuhajuhan]

Indeed. I actually felt I had seen it before on this channel when I saw RLM yesterday, but... GBF does have a 2012 video on this movie :)

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks! I hope after people see the RLM video they come here to find out why the movie turned out the way it did

[@SilverSurfer166]

@@GoodBadFlicks consistently great content from you, always enjoy your reviews

[@JamesW6179]

Oh Jesus, I haven't thought about Saturday Night Dead in 20 years. Thanks for that blast from the past.

[@AubreyTheKing]

Your exploring videos is one of the BEST on the platform! I love it so much!! Keep it up man!!

[@davee164]

It's perfect just the way it is!

[@mickeymackenna1090]

Excellent! One of my Top Favorite 'B' Sci-Fi Horror Films from 1977 Amazing Make-up Effects from Rick Baker.

[@SewerTapes]

Another wonderful episode. Thanks.

[@flenz4574]

So cool! The TV ads for this movie freaked me out as a little kid! Thanks for the exploration of this old guy’s childhood nightmare fuel! Lol

[@GoodBadFlicks]

You are welcome!

[@cjc363636]

Same here! I'm a '67 kid, and the ads for this would nearly send me out of the TV room!

[@BaronOfHell666]

One of the funniest movies ever made. A laugh a minute. This movie will have you melting in your seat.

[@JoeDredd2012]

Another fantastic episode Cecil!

[@mattchew6426]

I've only caught parts of this movie before, but now I'm going to have to sit down and watch the entire movie...

[@187mrsmith]

1 of the more underrated horror movies! For some reason I thought cecil aka good bad flicks covered this movie before!

[@kevinpeterson1398]

No mention of the Rick Baker make-up kit for IMM? This movie is one of my guilty pleasures and I saw it way back in '77. When I was 7 years old I went to a church halloween carnival covered head to toe with Rick Baker's Incredible Melting Man gorefest make-up complete with plastic eyeball halfway down my face. Needless to say I won best contest. This movie will always hold a special place in my heart 😁

[@roddmatsui3554]

Oh, I remember that thing. From the Pressman company, those things were available at Toys R Us.

[@starkparker16]

This is the greatest video ever made about a movie about a melting man.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

:)

[@vasilypugh696]

Another incredible (pardon the pun) video. So entertaining and informative. Absolutely love your stuff.

[@camerondodge2070]

I first saw this film on Svengoolie a while ago, and I instantly fell in love with it. It was funny and creepy at the same time, and the campiness gelled perfectly with a horror host setting. I just wish more people would give it a chance, or that when critics review it they would stop treating it too seriously. You're absolutely right about that, I really don't know how one can take this as a serious horror film.

[@hankw69]

I first saw this, Laserblast and Godzilla vs. Megalon on MST3K. These were all movies(among several others) I had read articles on in the old Famous Monsters magazine and would years later view on a Sunday Morning with Joel(or Mike) and the Bots. Great show, as per usual.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@dreamersdisease2481]

Glad we revisited this Cecil. 😆

[@GoodBadFlicks]

:)

[@Dlj71]

I remember seeing this way back in 1982 when it was premiered on British television on ITV the only time it was shown as far as I recall...must admit the effects freaked me out at the time & I remember going to school the next day talking about it to a couple of classmates. I had no idea at the time that the legendary Rick Baker was the man behind this effects extravaganza.

[@frankbachmann6405]

Saw this movie when it was released in the 70's. I was probably 12 when I saw it. I thought it was the worst movie I ever saw and nearly 50 years later I still think it was the worst movie I ever saw. I recall thinking how there was no real story line. Just a movie about a guy who gradually melts away. Vaguely recall that there was 1 scene that made me think a story was developing (Steve could be cured) but then 2 seconds later that was squashed. This YT video really explains a lot and makes me realize that as a 12 year old I did not understand that this was not a true horror movie but rather an homage to horror films of the past. I guess after movies like JAWS and Star Wars, Close Encounters... even a 12 year old expected more out of a movie.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

3:50 wow... the more you know! Now I would love to see a video on locations, like the lighthouse from *The Fog* 5:14 it's a shame we never got a good look at Bottin's work. Wait a minute.. Rob Bottin worked on *TIMM?!* 6:41 it seems that the producer made the right call, as when RLM reviewed it, it seems they all came to the conclusion that the _movie_ may not have been the "Best of the Worst", but _that scene_ definitely was! 10:00 the thing is... if the "editor" just worked with the director and edited it with him, he probably would have developed a long career in Hollywood. I wish it had a more EC Comics feel and look (like that graveyard scene) and I agree that the reveal of his identity would have served the film well. I also agree with Rich and Mike about having an actual story where Steve (aka Melty) tried to get to a lab to find a cure, realize that he's screwed and makes his mission to simply say goodbye to his wife and 1 to 2 year old (born when he first took off). As he progressively melts, he gets more feral, with the finale being in his house as he's fighting the urge to eat his wife and kid.

[@ianrotten4453]

I saw this in the theater as a kid, it scared me to death, but I still loved it!

[@shainewhite2781]

I watched this film like 10 times on the MGM HD movie channel. It's the ultimate in Body Horror.

[@gabrielboorom2683]

I thought this movie was weird when I first saw it, but now it makes a lot more sense. Not gonna lie, I did laugh pretty good when the janitor scooped up the Melting Man.

[@WTF_WHAT_THE_FLICK]

I love this movie. I have a incredible melting man tattoo.

[@nick_4972]

Just saw this on RLM. Such good timing lol

[@Beedy112]

I love GBF and I love RLM, Both are fun and entertaining to watch. - I will continue to watch both. Great work GBF.

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks!

[@Soledata]

Crazy that I saw this so long ago and you and RLM do a vid on it in the same week!

[@jaygrinder7694]

Thanks for mentioning Saturday Night Dead, you just brought back a bunch of memories 😊...

[@GoodBadFlicks]

You are welcome! Stella was awesome.

[@54GodzillaFan]

Your review of this movie from years back was actually the first video I saw of yours! Glad to see it's come full circle! Though I did get annoyed at how many times you said "Saturn" in the video lol

[@GoodBadFlicks]

Thanks! ...is there another way to say Saturn that I'm not aware of?

[@martok2112]

I remember seeing cardboard promo stands and a trailer for this movie as a kid in '77/'78. It looked pretty intense. Update: I just watched the trailer for this movie, and it was different than I remembered. I must have seen a teaser trailer in the theater when I was a kid, because I remembered that trailer showing the astronaut in a transition series of photos from normal to melting state. I finally got to see it for the first time as a young adult in the mid 80s on a late night movie show on TV. I remembered thinking: Wow, this movie was really corny. BTW, I could swear that one of the vocal sound effects we hear as Steve fully melts away at the end of the movie was taken directly from The Exorcist. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@pumkinplays8328]

Great video. As always

[@JenMistress]

My introduction to this movie was due to Cheryl Rainbeaux Smith. I saw Revenge of the Cheerleaders, and that Cinderella movie she did. It lead me curious to do a deeper dive into her filmography, thus this movie came up. Funny enough, even with how much I like MST3K, I didn't even know they Riffed this movie until a couple weeks ago when I put together a MST3K playlist on KZbin. But yeah, even though Cheryl's part was small, she was the reason I saw it when I did, so was glad to see you mention her as well.