13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About ROB ZOMBIE'S 'HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES'
Just yesterday (April 11th) was the 20th anniversary for Rob Zombie’s directorial debut, ‘HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES’ which was released in theaters here in the states back in 2003. 20yrs of Captain Spaulding, Baby, and Otis, living in the lexicon that is horror and what have we got to show for it? An amazing film that after a few years, grew on us like a fungus.
Admittedly, we thought the film was too “MTV music video” when it was released and we didn’t pay much attention to it after the first initial watch in the theaters. Years went by and we developed a taste for 60s and 70s horror more and more (Amityville Horror, The Exorcist, The Devil Rides Out etc.) and Zombie’s film fit those molds perfectly. Sure the film was a bit more wacky but it had some character we just couldn’t ignore.
In celebration of the films 20th anniversary, Lionsgate released a brand new edition of the film in a glorious boxed set and steelbook which we were able to get our mitts on.
After re-watching the film, yet again in this new blu-ray set, we decided to spill some knowledge about the flick for ya’ll.
13 FACTS ABOUT HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES
Rob Zombie Makes A Cameo In The Film
There is more than one instance where you see a poster for two missing young boys. Those boys were actually pictures of Rob Zombie and his brother (the lead singer of Powerman 5000) as children.
The film was even more violent than originally thought
Rob Zombie said how amongst the footage that was in his infamous lost rough cut of the film and which he had to cut for R rating there were a lot more violent and disturbing scenes with Baby Firefly, like ones which showed more of her necrophilia tendencies. The scene in the film where she is kissing a skeleton and touching her breasts with its hand was one such scene and was much more graphic and longer, even ending with her climaxing, but since MPAA had issues with moments like these, it was cut.
Rob Zombie Filmed A Lot Of Footage At His Own Home
Most of the cutaway scenes (Otis torturing cheerleaders, Baby masturbating with the skeleton, etc.) were filmed in Rob Zombie's basement after filming wrapped. He would invite cast members over to his house on the weekends and shoot the footage himself with a 16mm hand-held camera. With the exception of the shot of a setting sun, he created the opening credits the same way.
The Firefly House Shares A History With Dolly Parton
The actual house is the same used in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), which can be viewed during Universal Studios' tram ride. However, during filming Universal refused to stop the tram tours, which delayed filming during many scenes.
The Film Was Delayed Due To Its Content By Universal
Universal Pictures refused to release the film, believing it would be given an "NC-17" rating by the MPAA. The film was finished in 2000 but would not be released until 2003 by Lionsgate.
Aleister Crowley’s voice makes a cameo in the film
In the burial scene towards the end of the movie where the caskets are lowered into the ground with a tape recorder, the recording is a slowed down clip of Aleister Crowley repeating "bury me in a nameless grave" which is the opening line from his poem "The Poet" recorded in 1920.
Sid Haig was the first and ONLY choice for Capt. Spaulding.
Sid Haig was the only choice for the charcter of Captain Spaulding. Rob Zombie confirmed this to MacabreDaily in an Instagram post.
The film is set in the late 1970’s
The film starts on October 30th, 1977.
Most of the main cast are now dead.
As of 2021, many of the film's stars have passed away, including Karen Black, Sid Haig, Tom Towles, Dennis Fimple, Irwin Keyes, Matthew McCrory and Michael J. Pollard.
The film mirrors The Texas Chainsaw Massacre More Than You May Realize.
Captain Spaulding tells Jerry when he asks about the house (of 1000 corpses): 'Do yourself a favour, son, just forget about it.', but he pushes. The film is very similar to Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and in that film, as the cast ask the gas station worker about the house they are interested in, and he also tries to talk them out of it (saying they are liable to get hurt).
The disappearing cocked gun
When the robber with the ski mask points his revolver at Captain Spaulding for the last time you hear the sound of the hammer being cocked, yet in subsequent shots the hammer is uncocked.
Rob Zombie was not satisfied by the film
In 2014, Rob Zombie acknowledged the movie's cult following but admitted that he himself is not fond of it. Zombie called the film "a calamitous mess [...] All I see is flaw, upon flaw, upon flaw...upon flaw".
Universal Later Fell In Love With The Film
Thanks to fans clamoring for it, John Murdy (creative director of Halloween Horror Nights) was able to get the rights for the film and it was made into a 3D maze in 2010 and again in 2019 (the 2019 version would not be in 3D)
We highly recommend you check out the new releases from Lionsgate if you can find them and if you download the film digitally, there is a brand new commentary track by Rob Zombie that reveals even more amazing behind the scenes details for House Of 1000 Corpses.
We’d like to thank Lionsgate for sending us a review copy of the film.
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