Movie Description

Forbidden Zone is a 1980 American musical fantasy comedy film directed and produced by Richard Elfman, and co-written by Elfman and fellow Mystic Knights member Matthew Bright. Originally shot on black-and-white film, the film is based upon the stage performances of the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. and revolves around an alternate universe accessed through a door in the house of the Hercules family.

The composing debut of Richard Elfman's younger brother Danny, the film stars Herv? Villechaize, Susan Tyrrell and members of the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, and features appearances by Warhol Superstar Viva, Joe Spinell and The Kipper Kids. Villechaize kicked his cheque back into the production and even painted sets on weekends. The only actual paid actor was Phil Gordon, who played Flash; all the other SAG actors kicked their cheques back into the show.

The film was made as an attempt to capture the essence of The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo's live performances on film, and also as a means for both director Elfman to retire from music to work on film projects, and to serve as a transition between the group's former cabaret style and a new wave-based style. Amid negative reactions to content in the film that had been perceived as being offensive, the film was screened as a midnight movie, received positive notice, and developed a cult following.