The first time I watched this movie I was lost, because I got in on the middle of it. This time I caught it on TCM, and for a B horror/ comedy, it delivers. The movie takes place in the country, were this brother/sister run this roadside motel. It begins with the creep feel, just like Psycho does. Vincent Smith ( Rory Calhoun) is famous for his smoked meats, he runs the hotel with Ida Smith( Nancy Parsons). She is known for playing Miss Ballbricker in Porky's. The movie starts out at night, when Vincent is sitting on the porch. When he gets up he turns on the no vacancy sign. He grabs some traps, and it appears he is going hunting. He places traps on the road, to catch innocent people. There is a secret to Vincent Smith's meats, he preys on unsuspecting people so he can use them for meat. One night he gets, a couple on a motorcycle, but there is a survivor. He takes her back to the hotel, her name is Terry( Nina Axelrod). When she is awake she wonders where he boyfriend is, and Vincent tells her about their accident. He befriends her, but has something more sinister in store for her later. When Vince's nephew, Bruce Smith( Paul Linke-CHIP's) comes in he wonder's why it wasn't reported. Bruce is the county sheriff , and he falls for Terry at first sight. What Vincent does is create accidents so he can take them back to the motel and place them in the secret garden. Here the victims are planted, and their vocal chords severed. Once Vincent thinks they are ready he pulls them up and takes them to the smokehouse.The family is really screwed up except for Bruce. Vincent and Ida were brought up were their mom was a cannibal. When Vince, Ida, and Terry go on a picnic he tells Terry about a story. One time his mother cooked a dog and ate it. She would always tell them it takes all kinds of critters to make fritters. She would also specify that meat is meat; and man has got to eat. Vincent and Ida don't want to tell Terry everything because they have something in store for her later. Bruce grew up on Vince's meat, but he had no idea what his uncle was doing. In the end Ida gets what is coming to her, and a showdown between Vince and Bruce takes place. Look out for some other actors in this film, John Ratzenberger, and Wolf man Jack. A bizarre movie, that gives roadside motels a bad name. This movie makes you want to be a vegan once you see it, but it has comedy with very little gore.
Review of Motel Hell
