Save your money for something good and enjoyable

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Susan Strasberg plays a 28-year-old (!) with a big problem: she has a tumor on the back of her neck that has tripled in size in three days; even worse, she feels something moving around in it, as if it were a fetus (she's very relaxed about the whole thing...of course, the specialists at the hospital won't dare tell her they've never seen anything like it). Turns out the spirit of a 400-year-old Indian medicine man is using Strasberg as his conduit for a splashy reemergence--to seek vengeance for the slaughter of his people at the hands of the white man--leading phony psychic boyfriend Tony Curtis to enlist the aid of Native American shaman Michael Ansara to "fight fire with fire." Director William Girdler also co-wrote the script with Jon Cedar and Thomas Pope, an adaptation of Graham Masterton's novel (the type of book nobody would dare admit to reading); he approaches the ridiculous material with commendable seriousness--at least until the finale, which is pure camp. Good supporting performances from Stella Stevens as a medium and Burgess Meredith as a specialist in such matters, but Curtis and Ansara have to work hard to hide their embarrassment. *1/2 from ****

San Francisco psychic Tony Curtis (as Harry Erskine) receives startling news from his girlfriend Susan Strasberg (as Karen Tandy). She has a strange, fast-growing lump on her back. Comparing the bump to a fetus, doctor, writer and associate producer Jon Cedar (as Jack Hughes) is unable to operate. We suspect, from the opening credits, it's "The Manitou" (something to do with ancient Native Americans). Ms. Strasberg says strange things in her sleep and Mr. Curtis' wealthy tarot card clients start to freak out. Curtis goes to beautifully tanned Stella Stevens (as Amelia "Amy" Crusoe) for help. She taught him how to use his psychic powers and read the tarot cards (although he seems to be a phony, for the most part). The cast gets good help from hospitable anthropologist Burgess Meredith (as Ernest Snow). He leads them to modern-day "Indian" medicine man Michael Ansara (as John Singing Rock)...This is presented like a Native American Indian version of "The Exorcist" (1973), with some interesting differences. In a few ways, it's better. Producer-director William Girdler and his crew do a fine job coordinating the effects and characters, and the threat seems like it's going to be more realistic. However, the story is weak in that the "villain" results from some confusing hocus-pocus that really doesn't add up. It certainly must have made more sense in the original novel, by Graham Masterson. Here, the evil forces are impressive, but not frightening. And, the ending just looks like everyone decided to do "Star Wars" instead of "The Exorcist". With eyelash enhancement and extra-tight clothing, Curtis often appears befuddled. That's understandable. "The Manitou" was the last film from Mr. Girdler, who died in a helicopter crash at age 30, sadly. He undoubtedly had not reached his peak in filmmaking.***** The Manitou (4/15/78) William Girdler ~ Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Michael Ansara, Burgess Meredith

If you are a horror or sci-fi fan, if you love B grade cheese, then you MUST MUST MUST see this film! Saw this last night for the 1st time, couldn't sleep last night b/c I kept waking up laughing. Woke up early and created an IMDb profile just to write this review. I've probably seen 1,000+ horror films, specializing in B grade camp,and this takes the B grade cake of all cakes. About 20 minutes in I heard myself say, "Wow, this is going to be supremely entertaining on so many unintentional levels." Be warned! If you start watching, the compulsion/revulsion will get you, and you won't be able to stop. I can't stop thinking about it. The last 40 minutes are jaw dropping. Michael Ansara rocks!Plot flaws anyone? (Spoilers ahead) How about the oversized cannon Death Star laser in the operating room? Sorry , but if it can blast through solid concrete I don't think I want it cutting out my neck tumor. Or the doctors who repeatedly say "The Manitou can't be explained by any science. Bring in the shaman." Then 5 minutes later they can't buy into this "Injun magic bs", then they're back on w/ the Shaman's plan, then they're back out, for no reason. Which one is it pal? Do you or don't you believe in Manitou? How about, "I got an idea! Let's leave the terrifying Manitou, who can destroy our world w/ a thought, alone in the hospital room w/ the sleeping intern?" Uh, I'm sorry, but 1st off who could fall asleep w/ that thing in the room? And secondly, what kind of person would leave someone sleeping alone in the room with it? Or how about, "He's escaped the room!" "Who escaped?" WHO DO YOU THINK ESCAPED YOU MORON? PRINCE ALBERT? THE MANITOU!Throw in some midgets, ill timed 1 liners by Tony Curtis, and shaman exorcisms. Then, it's time to cash in on the new Star Wars craze by tossing in some lasers, asteroids, and supercomputers, and you got yourself the makings of a true classic. I wish they still made 'em like this. The best is that frenzied Angel-Dust-induced- grin on Strasbergs face when she starts firing off those power beams. I think it's the same shot looped over and over and over?I was crying w/ laughter the last 10 minutes. The film is avail in full on youtube and Netflix DVD. WATCH IT NOW! LONG LIVE THE MANITOU!!!!!

They don't come anymore peculiar than William Girdler's infamous (and final) large-scale supernatural horror "The Manitou", but I did come away expecting a little more from it then what eventuated. Its big name cast seems to come across as a distraction, as there are plenty of bit parts for actors like Jon Cedar, Stella Stevens, Ann Sothern, Paul Mantee and Burgess Meredith. Then you have Tony Curtis and Michael Ansara making their presences known. Two different styles, but they work together quite well. Curtis is a charismatic live-wire, while Ansara keeps it down-to-earth. Also caught in the middle of it all is the lovable Susan Strasberg.Karen Tandy has a lump on the back of her shoulder, which the doctors believe to be a tumour that has a striking resemblance to a fetus. It's growing at an abnormally fast rate and the doctors can't give her former lover and fraud tarot reader Harry Erskine an answer to what's happening. There he learns that she has been possessed by a 400-year old Native American medicine man, so he goes looking for help and finds it in modern-day medicine man John Singing Rock.The premise (adapted from Graham Masterton's novel) does kind of have "The Exorcist" feel to it, but definitely a lot more out-there and over-the-top. As science (modern technology) goes up against spirituality (Indian folklore), to see which medicine comes up on top. There's nothing particularly skin-crawling about it, as it seamlessly turns silly. Really silly. That it might have you laughing with its ridiculous developments and hokey effects (mainly in the latter end with the light-show). Despite the eccentric nature which unfolds and the surreal visual jolts (the birth scene!) that formulate, everyone manages to keep a straight-face. Hard, but it's true. Girdler does seem to struggle to balance out the tone, where it goes between seriously dark and colourfully camp (which also could be seen in Curtis' performance), but his handling is sure-footed and San Francisco made for a picturesque backdrop."The Manitou" is far from perfect, but quite a simple horror shocker curiosity."We have created a monster!"