Deranged projectionist Mad Ron shows a movie theater full of rowdy zombies a diverse assortment of horror and exploitation film trailers from his private collection while ventriloquist Nick Pawlow and his foul-mouthed zombie dummy Happy Goldsplatt provide lowbrow comic relief.
One example of many magnificent Rothbard & Wright collaborations of the eighties and nineties, this offbeat 16mm short birthed the character of Charlie Putz and was soon followed by Rothbard’s surreal independent 16mm feature, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHARLIE PUTZ, starring Townsend Wright as an elevator operator with his head in the clouds, premiering at Anthology Film Archives in 1994.
After a brief flash-forward to Frank Sinatra as an old man, saying "I miss my guys," the movie's main narrative begins during high points in the solo careers of the Rat Pack: Dean Martin has become a big success despite the breakup of his partnership with Jerry Lewis; Sinatra's career is at its peak; Sammy Davis, Jr., is making a comeback after a near fatal car crash, and standup comic Joey Bishop is gaining exposure as an opening act for the other three. The Pack becomes complete when Sinatra reconciles with actor Peter Lawford, who has been ostracized since being seen out publicly with Sinatra's ex-wife, Ava Gardner.
