Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) is a frantic, satirical cult classic that serves as a spiritual successor to 1977’s The Kentucky Fried Movie. Eschewing a traditional linear plot, the film is presented as a late-night television broadcast on “Channel 8” that is constantly interrupted by technical difficulties, bizarre commercials, and hilariously low-budget movie clips.
The “Plot”
While there is no single narrative, the film is framed around a spoof of a fictional 1950s sci-fi B-movie (from which the film takes its title). As the “movie” constantly breaks down, the viewer is treated to over 20 disparate, irreverent sketches that parody everything from hospital dramas and funeral services to “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and home video technology.
Highlights include:
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A man being “attacked” by his own television.
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A frantic search for a “hidden” camera during a romantic encounter.
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A funeral service that turns into a celebrity roast.
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A deep-dive into the “dangers” of hair loss.
Cast & Crew
Because the film is an anthology, it features an ensemble of five different directors and a massive “who’s who” of 1980s character actors and comedians.
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Directors:
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Joe Dante
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John Landis
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Carl Gottlieb
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Peter Weiss
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Robert K. Weiss
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Featured Cast:
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Arsenio Hall as the Apartment Victim
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Michelle Pfeiffer as Brenda Landers
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Jeff Goldblum as Ed Haskell
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Rosanna Arquette as Karen
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Steve Guttenberg as Jerry
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Carrie Fisher as Mary Brown
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Sybil Danning as Queen Lara
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Ed Begley Jr. as Griffin (The Son of the Invisible Man)
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Vibe & Style
The film is a fast-paced “zany” comedy that relies on rapid-fire jokes and meta-humor. It is a love letter to the absurdity of American television and the charm of terrible cinema. Its frantic energy and cynical wit have made it a favorite for fans of sketch comedy and midnight movies.
