Forbidden Zone

Still on my bizarre oddities kick, I thought I would take a look back at one of the strangest films to ever grace the silver screen, 1980's Forbidden Zone.

The Hercules family has just bought a home that happens to have entry to the sixth dimension in their basement. The sixth dimension is an odd world inhabited by strange denizens. When Hercules daughter Frenchy, Maria Pascale Elfman, falls into this world, she attracts the attention of the King, Herve Villechaize. This meets with disapproval from the Queen, Susan Tyrell, who has Frenchy locked up. It's up to Frenchy's brother Flash, Phil Gordon, and friend Squeezit, Matthew Bright, to try and rescue her. They have many obsticles to face in their journey. A frogman, a topless princess, and Satan himself, Danny Elfman.

Meant as a vehicle for the new wave band Oingo Boingo, Forbidden Zone might just be one of the oddest films ever, and I love it. Writer/director Richard Elfman shot this in black and white and on a shoestring budget. Armed with cardboard sets and cheap looking costumes, Elfman has created a very odd alternate universe. It's like a live action, Tex Avery cartoon, with a lot of sex, nudity, and adult humor.

The soundtrack, composed by Danny Elfman and performed by his band Oingo Boingo, is a very cool, Cab Calloway inspired set of music.

This is a very surreal little film that isn't for everyone, but I definately enjoy it.

It's available on dvd and blu ray.