A Quick Look: THE INCREIDBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED-UP ZOMBIES (1964 - color)

   Sometimes I think you can learn a lot more about film production from a small film of limited means than you can from a major studio epic. This picture really isn't a great example of that premise, though it does have a few interesting touches sprinkled throughout the muddled tale of a man hypnotized into a killer zombie by a carnival fortune teller who disfigures men that spurn her attentions. What works in the favor of this film is that it reaches so far beyond itself. It's barely got the budget to justify color film stock, and yet it's not only in color but boasts numerous musical numbers as well! Director/star Ray Dennis Steckler made several drive-in standards (most better than they look), but this is the one he remains remembered for, if for nothing else than that wacky title: THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES! Steckler made quite a few low-budget thrillers in the 60's before assuming the name of a woman to direct a number of pornos in the 70's and 80's! Back at this point of his career, Steckler acted under the alias Cash Flagg. Films of his include the ahead-of-it's-time THE THRILL KILLERS and the bizarre crime/superhero comedy RAT PFINK A BOO BOO!