PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1958)

• Director: Edward D. Wood Jr.
• Cast: Gregory Walcott, Tom Keene, Mona McKinnon, Vampira, Bela Lugosi
• Film: 79mins | USA | No Subtitles | Intermission
• Event: 20:45 – 23:15 [18+]

GIRL TRASH: CELEBRATING THE GODDESSES OF EXPLOITATION CINEMA

Are you brave enough for an encounter with aliens from another planet? And what is this deadly Plan 9 they speak of? Something about reanimating the world’s dead to build a zombie army and prevent humanity from destroying the Universe?!?

To celebrate our 200th BAR TRASH show, Token Homo and Zodiac Film Club are stupidly proud to present Edward D. Wood Jr’s infamously otherworldly PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1958) with added 4D special effects for a spectacular DIY celebration of alternative screen culture.

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE is perhaps the quintessential BAR TRASH title. We first screened it back in Season 3: TRASH OR TREASURE?, our radical reclaiming of ‘The Golden Turkey Awards’ that rescued Edward D. Wood Jr. from history but crowned him ‘The Worst Director of All Time’. For many, Ed Wood’s films have become a benchmark for filmmaking ineptness with their supposedly ‘terrible’ acting, no-budget FX, and plot incredulity. But are they really that bad? As Jim Knipfel explains in his passionate defence of PLAN 9:

“It was a singular, fast-paced, (intentionally) funny, crazy-assed sci fi / horror / conspiracy film driven by an eccentric and visionary man who wasn’t in it for the money, but simply because he loved making films”.

(Jim Knipfel, Den Of Geek, 2013)

Which sounds like a perfect way to celebrate 200 shows with our amazing BAR TRASH community!

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE gives us two GIRL TRASH GODDESSES, Angora-addicted and avowed cross-dresser Edward D. Wood Jr. who would go out in public dressed as ‘Shirley’, his female alter ego, and the sublime Vampira aka Maila Nurmi, actor and TV horror host, who wafts her way through the cardboard tombstones of PLAN 9 with unrivalled eeriness and panache.

Polite Warning: We will be showing PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE without subtitles from the best available digital source. Be prepared for unexpected sounds, lighting, and atmospheric effects.

/// GIRL TRASH celebrates the femme filmmakers of trash and exploitation cinema, hosted by Zodiac Film Club and Token Homo. All films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50 + fees. Adults 18+ only. Follow @zodiacfilmclub and @tokenhomo on Instagram for info and updates. Please contact the venue for access information. ///

Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london