Death Bed: The Bed That Eats
I’m not sure how to explain what makes Death Bed: The Bed That Eats so special, or if I should even try. I certainly didn’t know anything about the film when it was first recommended to me (by some hairy-palmed weirdo lurking near the Jess Rollin section of Kim’s in NYC a few years back). Completed in 1977, this “forgotten horror classic” was never officially released. Legend has it that director George Barry had no idea anyone had even seen the picture until he Googled himself and found a bunch of websites raving about it. After 25 years, Cult Epics finally put it out on DVD.
Death Bed is definitely rave-worthy, but again, I’m at a loss to explain why without taking away some of the mystique. Here’s the overview from Cult Epics:
“At the edge of a grand estate, near a crumbling old mansion lies a strange stone building with just a single room. In the room, a four-poster bed waits to absorb the flesh, blood and life essence of unwary travelers…”
Another blurb from the always entertaining Horror-Wood Webzine:
“Death Bed starts off in blackness, with 30 seconds of munching sounds. We find out later that it’s actually the bed eating some pitiful victim (or his belongings, as this bed is omnivorous, devouring valises, picnic baskets and even bottles of Pepto-Bismol). “
So it would seem the title is fairly self-explanatory. And yet there’s more to this story than just OM NOM NOM. Demonic elemental spirits for instance, and Timotei-haired beauties writhing in toxic yellow foam. Also, Aubrey Beardsley’s ghost is trapped in the wall and he won’t shut up.
See, now, I’ve already said too much! At this point, you’re either raring to rent it or you’ve grown bored and are scrolling back to the Preternatural Bee Yoo Tee column. Either way, I commend you.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:34 am
best…date…movie…EVAR :)
December 5th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Haha…has anyone on here seen the Cult Epics DVD? How’s the music score? I heard Cyclobe was going to get rid of the original and write a new one. I haven’t seen Death Bed at all, but Cyclobe is rad and I can only imagine that they would bug this film out even more.
December 5th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Skerror, I have the Cult Epics DVD, and the Cyclobe score is admirably whacked out. :) There’s a great introduction from George Barry as well.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:56 am
Patton did a whole riff about this on WEREWOLVES & LOLLIPOPS.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:42 am
finally, the staff of coilhouse decides to dedicate their collective brain power towards good, wholesome entertainment. i whole heartedly give you my seal of approval…!
-joshua…
December 5th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBhsPP06-mA&feature=related
December 5th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Thx…yep, prolly gonna have to pick this up. Death Bead sounds like it broke some really weird mold :)
December 5th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
The bed that eats eh? Well I’m sold…kinda wondering though if anyone has compiled a list of Furniture Horror Films. If not someone really should…nothing is scarier than your more pleasant of comfort zones.
That said I start filming Killer Lamps II: “Don’t Turn On The Lights!” this Friday. The score will be by me using one of those old skoll casio toy keyboards and a recorder from grade school.
December 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Tequila, are you serious?! If so, PLEASE keep us posted on Killer Lamps.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
This isn’t funny, guys. I have a bed phobia. Seriously.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
OM NOM NOM.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Just goes to show if you don’t regularly feed your demon bed it takes matters into its own hands…err..sheets.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Saw Warren already brought up Patton’s take on this film. I’ll just add that before Werewolves & Lollipops, he’d been doing the “Death Bed” riff for at least 2 and a half years. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Oswalt perform live and not do that bit. If you’re a “Death Bed Completest” you owe it to yourself to check it out.
December 6th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Patton Oswalt is indeed a very funny man. (And there’s a link to his Death Bed rant at the bottom of this post.)
November 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I like
Sex Lock: The lock that make you come inside.
April 28th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
What an empty life I have led not knowing of this film!
April 28th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
HI AL!!!