Ballyhoo: The Hollywood Sideshow!

movie

This documentary celebrates the ridiculous stunts used by Hollywood over the years to market its worst movies. These include the ’50s drive-in where moviegoers could drop off their dirty laundry and pick it up after the show, horror filmmaker William Castle’s vibrating seats and producer Sam Arkoff’s offer to pay for the funeral of anyone scared to death by his film. Amusing interviews with critic Roger Ebert and director John Waters, creator of Smell-O-Vision, enliven a program that has one central failing: host Frankie Avalon, who remains as schlocky as ever.

Cast & crew

Dave Friedman · Frankie Avalon · John Waters · Mamie Van Doren · Nick Clooney · Peter Bogdanovich · Roger Ebert · Tab Hunter · Peter Jones

Studios & networks

Beehive Productions · Peter Jones Productions · Tele Cinema · Video-Pack Systems