Review of Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) by James O — 24 May 2011

The Beverly Hillbillies Gone Psycho! That's right, psychotic Confederate townspeople lure six Yankees into their town for some good ole fashioned southern hospitality. If, by hospitality, you mean mass murder! The gleeful Southerners dispatch them in various, creative fashions.

This is a Herschell Gordon Lewis film, so it was fairly gory for its time. It's not his goriest work (that is definitely Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat), but its not completely tame, either. There are only four deaths, and this could have been mighty boring if not for the great performances by all the actors playing the Confederates.

They're just so gleeful and giddy in their roles, they basically made the film. I'm sure about fifty years ago, the theater patrons didn't see the humor in all this, as they were busy being disgusted by the "abundance" of gore.

I'm not sure about other horror fans, but I was highly entertained by this. I doubt H.G. Lewis will be around in 2065, but I hope someone with his same fun spirit makes a sequel to this. So check it out; it'll have you (barrel) rolling on the floor with laughter!