Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam

1985
PG
1h 37m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Jim Varney in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985)

Dr. Otto grows a hand out of the top of his head and tries to destroy the world.Dr. Otto grows a hand out of the top of his head and tries to destroy the world.Dr. Otto grows a hand out of the top of his head and tries to destroy the world.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

4.9/10

798

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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User reviews21

4.9798

Featured reviews

Canto

Don't Waste Your Time

This is the stupidest movie you will ever see. There is no plot, and the scenes change constantly, with none of the scenes connected to the last. This is the kind of movie you hate to have to watch. Though there are a few funny parts, it is not worth watching at all.

spiff42

A Very Funny Movie

A dark comedy, a twist that is somewhere between Ernest and Tim Burton, very cheaply made but well done, surrealistic plot with very cool characters made especially by the man Jim Varney. This movie is like watching a dream and then waking up not having any idea what to think, what a great flick.

Cambot

The first Ernest movie

You can't describe this as the first Ernest movie because it's not part of the Ernest-movie genre. It's a wickedly weird comic masterpiece that will have you laughing out loud.

4Agent10

Clearly a lesson in weirdness

Jim Varney's first real movie is quite a delight, but don't come in expecting to see Ernest P. Worrel any time soon. I felt the wide array of characters Varney depicted were great, but without being said, the rest of the movie should be put into a mulcher or something. A rather odd beginning for a movie icon.

TKTuttle

Two thumbs up!

This movie is strangely surreal, and if you're an Ernest/Jim Varney fan in the least, you'll really enjoy it. The film starts a bit slow, but really starts to come together when we learn the connection between bumbling hero Lance Sterling (great name!) and pussy-willow-adorned, third-hand-on-his-head villain Dr. Otto. Willie the Robot is also a hoot, what with his changing smiley-face expressions, and Lance's assistant Doris is the brains behind the hero. Auntie Nelda is fall-down funny, especially when she's discussing her "dear, departed nephew Hymie" or clubbing creatures on the floor with a toxin-laden ladle.

There are a lot of little clever bits and dialog that make the movie enjoyable. It may be hard to find, so good luck!

Storyline

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Trivia
At one point, the producers were contemplating making a sequel called "Dr Otto and the Song of the Tarantula Women", which would've featured an exploitation director who was attempting to make his latest film in a small town which would've had the mentioned females, who were scantily dressed women with a spider motif to their costumes. Dr. Otto also would've been involved somehow, as would an overweight biker gang that sang gospel music.

Quotes
Dr. Otto: [the Riddle] When the money is scrambled to the very last cent,riots and hatred soon will commence.When all the world's commerce will be put in a bind,from the evil that lurks where the sun never shines.It is I,Dr.Otto von Schnick -ick-ick-ick,who has played on you this trick-ick-ick-ick. "But who's Dr.Otto?" you may well ponder,while all your magnetic cash is squandered.It's he who had an eye,and yet couldn't see.It's he who served bouillabaisse,when he was a she.It's he who gambled with brains,and a gun.It's he who had all,and yet had none.And to stop this horrible twisted trick,just exchange the poles of old Saint Nick.And if that doesn't do to save the day,put another quarter in and try another play.