Death Bed: The Bed that Eats (1977)

[brainbug]

Obscure little film that would easily qualify as one of the weirdest I’ve ever seen. A demon’s spirit is living in a grandiose bed with purple sheets and it enjoys eating anybody who dares lie on it. It does so by bubbling at the surface, then swallowing its prey and dissolving it with his yellow “stomach” acid. There’s also some poor artist who’s stuck in another dimension behind a painting on the wall (!?). The movie is divided into four parts: breakfast, lunch, diner and the just dessert. Each one with different victims falling pray to the hungry mattress. One couple sets their picnic lunch on the bed and we then see the bed eat it: biting in the apples, drinking the wine and eating the KFC chicken (what kind of picnic was that?). The bed also gets horny at times, making heaving breathing sounds when it’s turned on by a girl changing in the room. I also liked the scene where the bed drinks Pepto Bismol (!), the shot of a girl dragging herself out of the bed with her jeans covered in fake blood and the wicked shot of red demon eyes that shatter. But the absolute highlight is when a guy gets the flesh eaten off both his hands and spends the rest of the movie with skeletal hands! The whole movie is completely disjointed and downright silly. It was probably dreamed up during a bad drug trip. It’s offbeat, it’s weird and yet strangely watchable. Not something I’d outright recommend to anybody, but those wanting to see something truly bizarre and unique should at least give it a rental.

[Jo Satana]

Man, I've seen this one sitting on the shelf at my video rental place for years, no one has ever rented it! I used to tell myself: "Next time, I'll rent Death bed.....maybe next time.... probably next time....ah forget it"....

Bb, Looks like you just motivated me to give the dusty fucker a shot.

[brainbug]

Originally Posted by Jo Satana

Bb, Looks like you just motivated me to give the dusty fucker a shot.

It's a film that was lost for many years and only recently unearthed for DVD. At least watch it to be able to say that you viewed a film where a bed eats a bucked of fried chicken.

[Mr. Monster]

Originally Posted by brainbug

At least watch it to be able to say that you viewed a film where a bed eats a bucked of fried chicken.

You just sold me!

[Marquis_de_Sass]

Any word on "Water Bed: The Bed that wets itself"?

[Brain o' Blood]

This one has been on my "too see" list for a while now. Deepdiscountdvd has it for around ten bucks right now so I might have to make it my next purchase.

On a somewhat related note, anyone else remember the episode of Monsters with the man-eating bed?

[scottstandridge]

I saw this one, borrowed from a friend who blind-bought on synopsis alone. It is indeed one of the weirder premises ever put to celluloid, mainly because the overall weirdness is made up of so many smaller weirdnesses. I mean, you have the carnivorous bed--that's weird. Then you have the dude trapped in the painting narrating the adventures of the carnivorous bed while collecting the inedibles the bed leaves behind--that's weird. The demon lover angle of the bed's origin--weird. Then you have all the 70s fashions, weird unto themselves, the psychadelic eating sequences, the black comedy, and iirc some nastiness involving one of the girls who gets raped or something (or is she just in shock from seeing what the bed did? I think I might be mixing this up with another movie), all done in art-film style that's not so much pretentious as just very serious about what it's trying to do--more serious than you'd think possible given the premise(s). I don't know if I'd say it's a "good" movie, but it's definitely worth watching, as there is quite literally no other movie like it. A tapestry of weirdness, an acid trip of art, a joke that's its own punchline, and a unique viewing experience.

Recommended, but only to those with a taste for the bizarre and a forgiveness of low-budget limitations.

[Plasma]

Originally Posted by brainbug

But the absolute highlight is when a guy gets the flesh eaten off both his hands and spends the rest of the movie with skeletal hands!

That was hilarious. Not even blood dripping or any flesh remnants; just good clean bone. No signs of pain or discomfort if I recall. Bloody hell it is a one of a kind film.

You guys pointed out the majority of the strange goings-on in the film, but in addition to what's been mentioned, what's the deal with that paranoia trip that girl's having in the car ride up to the house/bed location? She's sitting in the back seat with the other two in the front and she's tripping in her own head. They finally get to the damn place and she decides to go to sleep in midafternoon as well! Just more oddities I recall from watching.

The caustic digestion of the chicken leg and washing it down with the red wine was wonderful as BB mentioned.

Also the flashback to the orgy sequence and the mass killing of the participants was something too.

I scored this one used on dvd (in excellent condition) for just over $5.00 - a deal and a half!

[georgeb]

Dear Brainbug, Scottstandridge & Plasma,
Thanks for the kind words in your comments about my film, Death Bed. "A joke that's its own punchline", wow, I wish that was quoted on the DVD case. I have a request and I realize it's a real long shot: If anyone comes across a Spanish dubbed version of Death Bed, could you please contact me? I've been looking for it for some time and have posted this request at other film boards. It's a pirate of the English pirate and may have come out on tape in Spain in the late 80s. Many Thanks & Best Wishes, George
PS: (As a disclaimer to the above drug references) No drugs were harmed or endangered during the making of this film. At least, not by me or at least, not in any great quantity.

[Plasma]

Originally Posted by georgeb

No drugs were harmed or endangered during the making of this film. At least, not by me or at least, not in any great quantity.

Oh thank goodness!

Make more movies for us freaks George - not enough guys like you around these days.

[scottstandridge]

Great of you to drop by, George! I'm glad you enjoy the blurb--if there's a re-release, feel free to use it.

And thanks for Death Bed--in a world of carbon-copy movies of all genres, it's nice to know that something truly one-of-a-kind is out there.

[georgeb]

Thanks again for the kind words, Kids. In addition to my drug disclaimer, I should also post a caution for people who have not seen the film, to go along with the very credible warnings in the comments above. There are perfectly fine individuals who do not care for Death Bed at all. Some find it too slow moving or too tame. The humor doesn't play for some. Others may be expecting an out & out comedy and it's not. I am pleased, however, that after all these years the film has found an audience and delighted there are those who do find a degree of enjoyment in watching it.

[Plasma]

Originally Posted by georgeb

I am pleased, however, that after all these years the film has found an audience and delighted there are those who do find a degree of enjoyment in watching it.

In my case and probably the other guys here who commented on the film, I'd venture to say that it's a pretty considerable degree of enjoyment I/we derived from your film.

Show this film though to todays youthful multiplex crowd and they'd be left scratching their heads likely asking "What is this shit?" --- shameful but true sign of the times I think.

Cheers George.

[ROBERT BLACK]

Originally Posted by georgeb

Thanks again for the kind words, Kids. In addition to my drug disclaimer, I should also post a caution for people who have not seen the film, to go along with the very credible warnings in the comments above. There are perfectly fine individuals who do not care for Death Bed at all. Some find it too slow moving or too tame. The humor doesn't play for some. Others may be expecting an out & out comedy and it's not. I am pleased, however, that after all these years the film has found an audience and delighted there are those who do find a degree of enjoyment in watching it.

Very unique film. I found the ending a little rushed, but I can only surmise you probably had budget and time constraints. It was very lyrical and dreamlike in it's narrative. The shot of the demon's blood filled eyes while in human form, and the woman's brother sitting and staring at his bony hands were particular highlights. Highly recommended to people who like experimental euroccentric sensibilities in their horror. It very much reminded me of the works of Jean Rollin, but with a wicked streak of black humour. I can only imagine what sort of reception you may have received in 1977.

[Justin Victor]

I was thinking of Rollin while watching too. Everyone has already mentioned the highlights - the skeleton hands, the ghost behind the painting, the montage of the bed's past victims, the blood spattered girl trying to crawl away, etc. Visually, my favorite moments were the eating/digestion scenes, wherein objects and people slip under the covers and float in some sort of orange liquid. This was a neat device and made for some really cool images. Even though it was used repeatedly I never tired of it. How was this done?

I really have nothing else to add except to echo the sentiments of the other posters, Death Bed is unique, funny, and really, really weird.

[Marquis_de_Sass]

Wouldn't it be fantastic to make a porno version of this film?

Just...just let that permiate your brain for a bit.

[Jo Satana]

"Suck on these Pillows"...and so on.

[Marquis_de_Sass]

Originally Posted by Jo Satana

"Suck on these Pillows"...and so on.

No, that's too far.

[georgeb]

Dear Justin,
Jock Brandis, who was also the gaffer, was in charge of the effects. All were pretty simple, they had to be, money was always tight. We assembled a large tank for the people and used a home sized aquarium for the various objects. I don't know if Jock watched Mr Wizard on TV when he was a kid, but he is very adept in handling chemicals, dyes, gaging chemical reactions, fashioning much needed items at a moment's notice from flour, spit & old toaster parts. On a serious note, Jock is the chief designer of the Malian Peanut Sheller a very useful device. It's an interesting story, look it up online at www.fullbellyproject.org.

[Mr. Monster]

Originally Posted by scottstandridge

all done in art-film style that's not so much pretentious as just very serious about what it's trying to do--more serious than you'd think possible given the premise(s)

I think that about sums it up. This really is one of the most bizarre films I've ever seen, but it works, because George & Co. took this completely insane premise of a bed eating people, and treated it completely seriously. I fully expected a Muppet Show type moment where the bed has the bucket of chicken in one pillowed arm, and a drumstick in the other, eating and speaking out of some sort of folded matress mouth. Instead, you get this bizarre movie that isn't so much narrated as it is just driven by one-sided dialogue and internal monologues and that exhibits a distinctively European feel. That's not to say it isn't funny. It is, just in an offbeat manner.

As someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy odd or trippy films, I'd recommend this one. It's very very bizarre, yet accessible enough for most to enjoy. And while today's cineplex crowd would probably suffer brain hemorrhages just watching this, I can't imagine the average audience 30 years ago would have faired much better.

[kyouki]

Woah!!! I just got done watching this movie on the recommendations of this thread. Awesome! It was so bizarre... every line of dialog, every scene, every effect! I loved it, and the story made sense. There is definitely a seriousness to it that I appreciated but didn't expect.

The girl dragging her partially digested body across the floor was pretty disturbing, actually, and the scene where the brother's hands are digested and then broken off was also a bit upsetting... but it was hilarious how he didn't seem too bothered by it when all was said and done.

[dead soul]

Just watched the movie, courtesy of Netflix, & can only echo everything said above ... & more!

Just checked IMDB & was quite surprised to see that the artist was played by the noted rock critic Dave Marsh, who even looked somewhat like (though this could've been more thanks to the makeup people than anything else) the obvious real-life model for the character, the great decadent Aubrey Beardsley (with whom I made that connection a split-second before the camera showed us several Beardsley prints).

And George, how on earth did this end up being your only film? In fact, your only credit, period? That's really, really too bad.

[slayerfan1975]

purple sheets?

That's enough for me to want and check out this film

Off to netflix I go.....

[ROBERT BLACK]

Originally Posted by slayerfan1975

purple sheets?

That's enough for me to want and check out this film

Off to netflix I go.....

Based on postive comments you've made on other strange films, I think you'll like this one.

[slayerfan1975]

Originally Posted by ROBERT BLACK

Based on postive comments you've made on other strange films, I think you'll like this one.

Very cool, thanks for the heads up. It's been added to my queue.

And look, someone who pays attention to what I say around here hehehehe

[northerain]

I watched this movie sometime ago with my gf and I must admit I was very impressed. It was genuinely interesting(not just trying to be) and messed up(to my then young mind). Very fun to watch, really, everyone should watch this movie at least once.

[peterpunkinhed]

Netflix has sent me Stuart Gordon's Deathbed in a sleeve that says Death Bed: The Bed That Eats twice. I'm giving it one last shot... sounds like it's worth the aggravation.

[dead soul]

Originally Posted by peterpunkinhed

Death Bed: The Bed That Eats twice.

Wow -- a sequel!

[georgeb]

(Again) Many Thanks to All Above for your very kind words.
Dear Slayerfan1975, (Be warned) You may want to remove the film from your Netflix queue. The Bed's cover is really brown, though at times it may appear purple. (Mentioning Netflix) Sorry about the hassle, Peterpunkinhed, I've heard about the mix up between the two films at a number of retail/rental locations. Dear Dead Soul, while Death Bed is my only feature, I really am more than happy the film finally did receive a general release, enabling people to make of it what they may.

[dead soul]

Originally Posted by peterpunkinhed

Netflix has sent me Stuart Gordon's Deathbed in a sleeve that says Death Bed: The Bed That Eats twice. I'm giving it one last shot... sounds like it's worth the aggravation.

I guess I lucked out, because I got George's Death Bed on the first try. Only time I've ever experienced this sort of mixup from Netflix was, I think, early last year, when I wanted an early '70s flick called The Appointment but got a very recent (& actually pretty cool, but I'd rented it from my local Hollywood Video just a few weeks earlier) called Appointment (no "The") instead.

[DrSatan]

Hmm. Sounds like a lot of drugs were involved in the making of this film. Will have to track it down.

[Mr. Monster]

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the Funny Video Thread or here, so I chose here for no particular reason.

Patton Oswalt's routine on Death Bed

It's funny, even if he didn't seem to particularly like the film.

[scottstandridge]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monster

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the Funny Video Thread or here, so I chose here for no particular reason.

Patton Oswalt's routine on Death Bed

It's funny, even if he didn't seem to particularly like the film.

I dunno, he seems kind of inspired by it in a weird way.

[Rovin]

Original theatrical trailer for Death Bed, including the Pepto Bismol shot.

[{RITEAN} MONK T.C.]

That is quite possibly one the best trailers I have ever seen.

I too need to track this baby down.

Wow.

[Spook E. Bangs]

I'm not sure what to say about the film. It was crazy, perhaps one of the craziest films I've seen. That's saying a lot. I pride myself on watching weird cinema and I was very pleased to watch Death Bed: The Bed That Eats. I throughly enjoyed it. I've not seen any other film like. It kind of reminded me of Phantasm, although it obviously came before that film. The grainy quality of the copy I watched really help to mess with me head while I watched it. Very cool film. I love it.

[Nallix]

Originally Posted by brainbug

At least watch it to be able to say that you viewed a film where a bed eats a bucked of fried chicken.

This should have been on the cover.



I sought out Death Bed on the name alone. Part of me was expecting/fearing a talking, snacking bed, a kind of Audry II with a comforter. What I got was a film that defies definition. As I first watched it, it almost lost me. It's slow and plodding at times and a humor is a bit off-key. Then, for some reason, I came around. Much like drinking strong coffee, the first few tastes were odd and almost unpleasant. Then, once I bought into the premise and adjusted I was quite pleased with the film. If you like weird, undefinable cinema, you need to watch this.

The only down side I found was almost sudden ending. The pacing kept steady, never building to towards a climax. I think it was mostly an effect of the steady (almost bland and dead-pan at times) narration. But even with the abrupt finish (like a night at Marquis_de_Sass's house), it's still a fun, enjoyable film.

[Pseudonymous]

I've put off watching this one, for fear that it couldn't possibly live up to its great name or its reputation for weirdness. I finally gave it a look last night as part of my 31+ Days of Halloween viewing, and, like others here, I really enjoyed it. Most surprising to me was that there is nothing campy about the tone. In a movie in which a man gets his hands skeletonized by a carnivorous bed, I would have expected some winking and scenery-chewing, but, with the possible exception of the aforementioned scene with the peptobismol, everything is played really straight. In fact, it's even kind of slow in places, largely due to the fact that the demon-bed cannot move to pursue its victims, and that it must lie in wait for unsuspecting visitors to enter its trap.

Others who have posted in this thread have mostly covered the highlights. I'd add that I was intrigued by what seems to be the strange patronage relationship between the artist and the bed. On the one hand, the artist seems like a stand-in for the film's director, in that like the director, he attempts to represent the death bed in his art. Trapped behind his painting of the bed though, he becomes a proxy instead for the viewer, forced to watch the bed do its thing. What's more, the fact that he receives gifts from the bed--the victims' jewelry, a pack of smokes--would seem to make him complicit in the gruesome spectacle. Is George Barry slyly indicting us for the pleasure we take in watching this kind of stuff? Probably not, but I found it interesting nevertheless.

The DVD comes with a cool intro from the director. It's a shame this guy didn't make more films.

[Rage of Heroes]

I actually wanted to see this based on the long comedy bit that Patton Oswalt did on it in his CD Werewolves and Lollipops.

The blood tears of a demon made this bed carnivorous centuries ago and the spirit of an artist who sketched a picture of the bed and is now trapped in limbo behind that picture berates and narrates the film. The matress of this bed seems to be filled with a digestive fluid and it makes sloppy eating sounds and other noises while it consumes people. Them some crazy mysticism enters the story and I wound up liking how surreal and bizarre it was.

[Luciferfell]

just watched this one for my 31 nights of halloween event. i love this movie. surreal and campy and disturbing at the same time! Any one who hasn't seen this and like low budget surreal 70's shockers give it a chance you wont be disappointed.