Rau as Steve Don Alexander as Detective Kramer John Elliot as Detective Harlan Production Principal photography took place in 1969 and lasted two weeks. According to Lewis, the initial actor cast as Montag the Magnificent walked off the set following a confrontation with Lewis collaborator Fred Sandy. Crew member Ray Sager assumed the starring role. A. Louise Downe aided Lewis in special effects design as she had on Blood Feast. Lewis' son Robert assisted in the execution of the gore effects because of his willingness to handle animal viscera. In The Amazing Herschell Gordon Lewis, Daniel Krogh notes that the film's graphic gore effects were accomplished with two sheep carcasses. The carcasses, which had to be carried around for more than two weeks while the film was being shot, were soaked in Pine-Sol. Krogh also describes how the chainsaw sequence was filmed: two women, one whose upper body was exposed and another whose legs were exposed, played the single victim. A fake midsection filled with animal organs, mortician's wax and condoms full of stage blood was placed between the two women. According to Allmovie, the film's special effects were compromised "due to rushed schedules, budgetary limitations, and unforeseen accidents on the set", and Lewis claimed to be unhappy with the final product. Critical reception Allmovie called the film "arguably the most interesting product from cinematic gorehound Herschell Gordon Lewis", though a "standard Lewis collection of non-actors and clumsy cinematography, and it isn't unlikely that the script's elliptical qualities are due more to the hasty plugging of plot holes than any grand design." TV Guide criticized the acting (particularly Sager) and cinematography, though concluded “Lewis fans will no doubt love it”. Remake The film was remade in 2007, starring Crispin Glover as Montag the Magnificent. In popular culture The film was notably referenced and a scene is shown in the 2007 film Juno. See also List of American films of 1970 References External links 1970 films 1970 horror films Films directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis Films about magic and magicians Films shot in Chicago Films shot in Illinois American independent films American splatter films Something Weird Video 1970s English-language films 1970s American films