Michael O'Donoghue's parody of A Dog's Life (1962) showcases curious performers, strange musicians, celebrity mutations and unusual short films, including Electrocuting an Elephant (1903).Michael O'Donoghue's parody of A Dog's Life (1962) showcases curious performers, strange musicians, celebrity mutations and unusual short films, including Electrocuting an Elephant (1903).Michael O'Donoghue's parody of A Dog's Life (1962) showcases curious performers, strange musicians, celebrity mutations and unusual short films, including Electrocuting an Elephant (1903).
Photos
Joan Hackett
- Self
- (voice)
Debbie Harry
- Self
- (as Deborah Harry)
Foster MacKenzie III
- Root Boy Slim
- (as Root Boy Slim)
- …
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe show was commissioned for a special late-night NBC viewing due to the success of Saturday Night Live, and in recognition of Michael O'Donoghue's contribution to it, but after reviewing the final product the network immediately told O'Dononghue that the show was too gross and racy for even a later showing and they would not approve one. NBC did let know him know right away, however, that he was free to shop the film to film studios (not other networks) and they would not block it from getting a theatrical release.
- Crazy credits(After the credits): If you enjoyed "Mr. Mike's Mondo Video" you'll love "Mr. Mike's Gandhi" soon to be a major motion picture directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Ben Kingsley.
- Alternate versionsThe home video version omits Sid Vicious' version of "My Way" We still see the footage, but there is no sound and we get a roller caption explaining that the publishing company refused to allow them to include the song on the tape.
- SoundtracksThe Haunting Theme from Mondo Video
Lyrics by Michael O'Donoghue and Emily Prager
Music by Joe Meek (from 'Telstar')
Sung by Julius LaRosa
Featured review
Not to be neglected by fans of black comedy
"Mr. Mike's Mondo Video" was created under the auspices of NBC-TV as a proposed network special. NBC's motivation for doing so was largely supported by O'Donoghue's strength as a writer and performer for Saturday Night Live, then one of NBC's few genuine hit shows. When NBC censors saw the finished product, they were horrified; much as they had been when Richard Pryor's earlier comedy specials were first reviewed. But unlike the situation had been with Pryor, NBC rejected "Mr. Mike", which sent O'Donoghue packing from the network, Saturday Night Live and all. 'Twas a pity; after all, his unpredictable, twisted sense of humor had helped to make SNL distinctive, and his departure was the first indicator of the gradual decline of SNL into the mediocrity it eventually became. Somehow M O'D retained the rights to the finished product, and it was released as a theatrical film in 1980; the author was one of perhaps a half dozen souls who braved it in first release at my particular theater. Few films have been such a poor draw, and it was pulled from distribution very quickly. NBC's main objection to the show was the inclusion of a clip of ex-Sex Pistol and suspected murderer Sid Vicious singing Paul Anka's song "My Way" and firing a pistol at the camera. It's arguably the weakest segment in the film, but for some reason M O'D refused to part with it. When "Mr. Mike's Mondo Video" was issued on VHS in 1985 the audiotrack to this segment was expunged from the release, as Anka's publishing company refused to grant a license for the song. Ironically, the same segment, in a somewhat different visual form, appears in Julien Temple's Sex Pistols film "The Great Rock and Roll Swindle", and no such censorship is imposed in the video release. I am commenting as I am surprised by the low viewer rating for this title on the imdb. Some of the segments here are quite honestly among the funniest, darkest, most irreverent comedy ever committed to film. Fans of offbeat humor really shouldn't miss this one; much of it is still cutting edge two decades on, and certain segments are even now enough to reduce me to helpless hysterics, tears rolling down my cheeks with laughter. Mr. Mike, your "Mondo Video" is so funny, it hurts.
- How long is Mr. Mike's Mondo Video?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
By what name was Mr. Mike's Mondo Video (1979) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer