With its amateurish performances, dime store effects and absurdly quotable dialogue (Inspector Clays dead murdered - and somebodys responsible!), Plan 9 is the gold standard of cinematic ineptitude, the Citizen Kane of Bad movies etc. etc. Its also terrific fun when seen with a crowd. Like all great entertainment, this baffling tale of pompous aliens, zombie wrestlers and stock footage just wants to give you a fun time, but its even better when enjoyed with a receptive audience. In a cruel twist of irony, Ed Woods signature film was becoming a midnight favourite just as its creator was losing out to alcoholism and his creditors. Its popularity brought it to the attention of Harry and Michael Medved, whose book The Golden Turkey Awards named it The Worst Film Of All Time, beginning an interest in the filmmakers oeuvre that led to a string of books and documentaries as well as, eventually, a Tim Burton-helmed biopic. Wood saw none of it. He died on the morning of December 10, 1978, 3 days after being evicted from his tiny Hollywood apartment.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
