Eclipse is a selection

of lost, forgotten, or

overshadowed classics

in simple, affordable

editions. Each series is

a brief cinematheque

retrospective for the

adventurous home viewer.

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THE FILMS OFCOLEMAN FRANCIS

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PARACHUTES, COFFEE AND CIGARETTES

THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATSTHE SKYDIVERSRED ZONE CUBA

THE FILMS OF COLEMAN FRANCISPARACHUTES, COFFEE AND CIGARETTES

ECLIPSE SERIES 39

Coleman C. Francis WAS perhaps best known for his film trilogyconsisting of The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961), The Skydivers (1963),Red Zone Cuba (1966), all three of which were filmed in the generalSanta Clarita, California area and used preoccupation with lightaircraft and parachuting, coffee or cigarettes serving as a prop or acenter of conversation, and a vigilante-style gunning down ofsuspects without a trial to conclude the film as frequent motifs.All three films have gained notoriety as a result of their appearanceson Mystery Science Theater 3000, and have been often criticizedfor their abysmal production values, repetitive plot devices, murkypicture quality, and stilted acting. Some critics have characterizedFrancis' films among the all-time worst, even suggesting that hemay surpass Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space in terms ofineptitude.

Design and Layout - Pineapples101 - pineapples101@gmail.com

ECLIPSE SERIES 39

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THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS

The Beast of Yucca Flats stars Swedish former wrestler Tor Johnsonand was both written and directed by Coleman Francis. Some criticshave characterized it as one of the worst science fiction horror filmsmade, and one of the all-time worst, even suggesting that it may beworse than Ed Wood's legendarily bad Plan 9 from Outer Space.

THE SKYDIVERS

The Skydivers stars actress Kevin Casey as Beth, Eric Tomlin as Joe,Anthony Cardoza as Harry, and Marcia Knight as Suzy. The filmcontains performances by influential Nashville guitarist JimmyBryant. After being forgotten for three decades it got a second lifein 1994, serving the basis for a Mystery Science Theater 3000episode. At one point, the film was the lowest-rated of all time onthe Internet Movie Database.

RED ZONE CUBA

Red Zone Cuba, also known as Night Train to Mundo Fine, is a 1966American drama film directed by Coleman Francis, who also wrote,produced, and played the starring role. It follows the meanderingadventures of an escaped convict and two ex-convicts he recruitsalong the way as they become involved in the 1961 Bay of PigsInvasion, and a quest to find a hidden treasure in a tungsten mine.

With notes on the films by Anthony Cardoza, star of TheBeast of Yucca Flats, The Skydivers and Red Zone Cuba

Under exclusive license fromCinema Associates ● CrownInternational Pictures ● HollywoodStar Pictures. The Beast of YuccaFlats © Cinema Associates 1961. TheSkydivers © Crown InternationalPictures 1963. Red Zone Cuba ©Hollywood Star Pictures 1966.The Criterion Collection. All rightsreserved. Cat. no. ECL061. ISBN978-1-60465-111-9. Warning:Unauthorized public performance,broadcasting, or copying is aviolation of applicable laws. Printedin USA. First printing 2008.

THE BEAST OF YUCCAFLATS1961 ● 54 MIN ● BLACK ANDWHITE ● MONO ● OPTIONALENGLISH SUBTITLES ● 1.85:1

THE SKYDIVERS1963 ● 75 MIN ● BLACK ANDWHITE ● MONO ● OPTIONALENGLISH SUBTITLES ● 1.85:1

RED ZONE CUBA1966 ● 89 MIN ● BLACK ANDWHITE ● MONO ● OPTIONALENGLISH SUBTITLES ● 1.85:1