Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published
Before the 1980s Flash Gordonthere was a 1974 sex comedy Meat Gordona classic 1930s serial comedy that was clearly written and directed by sci-fi fans as it captures many tropes that were old even at the time. Although it sounds like an X-rated joke, Meat Gordon it was released with an R rating after the 12-minute cut, leaving the final product a strange mix of sci-fi parody and 70s exploitation skin-flick.
This Can Only Be Done in the 70s
Meat Gordon it tells the truth Flash Gordon serial except that there is radiation reaching the Earth that causes a natural disaster, it is sexual radiation, with predictable results. There's still a plane crash, Flash and Dale find a genius inventor (instead of Zarkov, Jerkoff) with a plan to save the planet, except this time his spaceship is just inside that looks a bit like an old, retro sci-fi phallic design, which is exactly what you think it would be in a movie called. Meat Gordon.
When the heroes arrive on Emperor Wang's planet (instead of Ming, a change you can see coming a mile away), Meat is saved by Queen Amora, but here, he is killed by Wang's soldiers when his ship crashes. Instead of the original Aura, it is Prince Precious who continues to inherit the kingdom once Wang is defeated. Crushed under the giant idol of his Great God, he speaks happily in retrospect, voiced by the uncredited Craig T. Nelson.
Production Legal Problems Changed the Whole Plan
The first edition of the Meat Gordon it was changed significantly after producer and director Howard Ziehm learned that it was illegal to make that type of film in Los Angeles. As a result, all of the adult scenes were cut and handed over to the LAPD, leaving only a few obvious shots behind. Even an unscreened cut would be considered today worse than a regular R-rated film. It takes place on another coast, but it's HBO's hit series Deuce enters the dynamic rules that would significantly change the movies of the 70s. However, that was not the end of the film's legal troubles.
Universal, owners of Flash Gordon IP, sued for the opening of the film. Ziehm's response was to add an opening scroll explaining that it was a parody, and “not to be confused with Flash Gordon” added to all marketing.
Flash Gordon Finally Hits Theaters After Its Spoof
What was done Meat Gordon an unexpected critical hit was all the little touches added to the production from all the professionals working behind the scenes. From the set design to the props, the entire film lovingly mocks those old sci-fi serials, and even the costume design is lifted from the original. It was so well done, that the film was nominated for a Hugo Award, losing to Mel Brook. Young Frankenstein. Not bad for what was originally intended to be a cheap skifflick.
Years later, the actual conversion of Flash Gordon hit theaters after years of various producers, including George Lucas, trying to make it. It was a complete flop at the time, but over the years it has become a favorite for its retro sci-fi aesthetic and campy, pulpy plot. Meat Gordon he was the only one who got the sequel, Flesh Gordon Meets Cosmic Supportersbut it replaces the original sci-fi homage with toilet humor.
