Evil Dead FAQ

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FAQ

1. The Evil Dead
2. The Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn

3.Army of Darkness
3.1 What are the different Army Of Darkness endings?
3.1.1 Why the two different endings for Army Of Darkness?
3.2 Where have I heard the words Ash utters when he takes the Necronomicon?

4. Sam Raimi
4.1 What is a "fake shemp"?
4.2 What are some of the films Raimi has been involved with?
4.3 What else do I need to know about Sam Raimi?

5. Bruce Campbell
5.1 What's with The Quick and the Dead credits?
5.2 Where can I get a complete list of Bruce Campbell's film roles?
5.3 What else do I need to know about Bruce Campbell?

7. Miscelaneous
7.1 Is there going to be an Evil Dead IV?
7.2 Credits.

3. Army of Darkness
3.1 What are the different AOD endings?

There are, in fact, two different endings for Army Of Darkness.

1. Ash returns to S-Mart and tells his tale of adventure to his colleagues. They don't believe him until he battles a she-demon in the store. Happy ending, no loose ends, just what joe-public likes.

2. Alternate (original) ending. Ash, in medieval times, must drink one drop of a magic potion for each century he needs to sleep through to make it back to his own time. In typical Ash style, he takes one drop too many and falls into a deep slumber for 100 years too long. When he awakens, the world has been devastated by nuclear holocaust. Ash has slept too long. Not such a happy ending!

3.1.1 Why the two different endings for AOD?

The futuristic holocaust ending was Raimi's original intended ending. Because of trouble with studios and production, the ending was changed to be more "audience friendly". The powers-that-be decided that the general public would not be happy with an ending that showed destruction and left things unfinished. Therefore, the happier ending was used for most cinematic releases.

3.2 Where have I heard the words Ash utters when he takes the Necronomicon?

In the film The Day the Earth Stood Still, the words Klaatu Barada Nikto are spoken by a character named Klaatu, an alien. In Army Of Darkness, when the Wise Man and Ash speak the words, the pronunciation has been slightly changed to Klaatu Varata Niktu, although in the Army Of Darkness shooting script the words are written as Klaatu Barada Nikto.

4. Sam Raimi
4.1 What is a "fake shemp"?

A fake shemp is basically a person who is an extra in any of Sam Raimi's films. Sometimes the "shemp" may be just a hand or a stand-in. The term "fake shemp" originates from Shemp Howard, who often worked in Three Stooges films (who Raimi is a huge fan of). Shemp died whilst the Stooges were in the middle of making a number of shorts, so he was replaced by "fake Shemps", meaning stand-ins were used to finish these incomplete films.

4.2 What are some of the films Raimi has been involved with?
Here's a complete list of films Sam has written, directed, produced, executive-produced, and starred in (not including early 8mm films):

[Title / Involvement or Character (if actor) / Year]

1.American Gothic (executive producer) (TV) 1995-1996
2.Army of Darkness (director/writer) 1993
a.k.a. Evil Dead III: Army of Darkness
3.Body Bags (actor: Bill the Dead Attendant) 1991
a.k.a. John Carpenter Presents Body Bags
4.Crimewave (director/writer) 1985
5.Darkman (director/writer) 1990
6.Darkman II: The Return Of Durant (executive producer) 1994
7.Easy Wheels (writer: NOTE: written uder a pseudonym) 1989
8.The Evil Dead (director/writer/executive producer) 1983
9.Evil Dead II (director/writer/actor) 1987
a.k.a. Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn
10.The Flintstones (actor: Cliff look-a-like) 1994
11.Galaxis (actor: Officer)1995
a.k.a. Galactic Force
12.Hard Target (co-producer) 1993
13.Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (producer) (TV) 1994-1996
14.Hercules and the Amazon Women (producer) (TV) 1994
15.The Hudsucker Proxy (writer/2nd unit director/actor: Brainstormer) 1994
16.Indian Summer (actor: Stick Coder) 1993
17.Innocent Blood (actor: Roma Meats Man) 1992
a.k.a. A French Vampire In America
18.Intruder (actor: Randy) 1988
19.Journey to the Center of the Earth (actor: Collins) (TV) 1993
20.Maniac Cop (actor: Parade Reporter) 1988
21.Maniac Cop 2 (actor: News Reporter) 1990
22.M.A.N.T.I.S. (writer/actor: ?) (TV) 1994
23.Millers Crossing (actor: Snickering Gunman) 1990
24.The Quick and the Dead (director) 1995
25.Spies Like Us (actor: Drive-In Security) 1985
26.The Stand (actor: Bobby Terry) 1994
27.Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except (actor: Cult Leader) 1987
28.Timecop (producer) 1994
29.Xena: Warrior Princess (producer) (TV) 1995-1996

4.3 What else do I need to know about Sam Raimi?

Sam was born in Michigan in 1959. He made a number of 8mm films in his youth, a hobby which turned into a career. Sam attended Michigan State University where he founded a film making society with his brother Ivan and friend Robert Tapert (who now produces Raimi's films). After graduating from M.S.U., Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell formed Renaissance Pictures. Sam Raimi is a huge fan of The Three Stooges and often uses Stooge-like sequences in his films. Sam has two brothers, Ivan--who is a doctor and writer--and Theodore (Ted)--an actor. Sam currently resides in Silverlake, California.

Sam also has a connection with the Coen brothers (Joel and Ethan) that goes back a long way. Joel was assistant editor on Evil Dead, and Ethan, Joel and Sam co-wrote Crimewave. Sam was also a second unit director for The Hudsucker Proxy (one of the Coens' films).

5. Bruce Campbell
5.1 What's with The Quick and the Dead credits?

In the credits for The Quick & The Dead, Bruce Campbell is listed as a "wedding shemp." There have been many reported sightings of Bruce in the film, but his scenes do not appear in any of the cinema or video-released versions. If you would like to see what Bruce would've looked like had he appeared in the film, check out The Quick and the Dead - The Unofficial Web Page at http://www.azstarnet.com/~bish/qad.html for some snapshots of him, and all the info on this movie.

5.2 Where can I get a complete list of Bruce Campbell's film roles?

Right here!

[Title / Involvement or Character (if actor) / Year]

1.The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr (actor: Brisco County Jr.) (TV) 1993
2.American Gothic (actor: Lt. Drey) (TV) 1995
3.Army Of Darkness (co-producer/actor: Ash) 1993
4.Congo (actor: Charles Travis) 1995
5.Crimewave (co-producer/actor: Renaldo) 1985
6.Darkman (actor: Final Shemp) 1990
7.The Dead Next Door (actor: NOTE--Voice Only) 1988
8.Escape from L.A. (actor: Surgeon General of Beverly Hills) 1996
9.The Evil Dead (producer/executive producer/actor: Ash) 1983
10.Evil Dead II (co-producer/actor: Ash) 1987
11.Going Back (actor: Bryce Chapman) 1983
12.Herbie, The Love Bug (actor: Hank Cooper) 1996 (TV)
13.Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (actor: Autolycus) (TV) 1995-1996
14.Homicide: Life On The Street (actor: Jake Rodzinski) (TV) 1996
15.The Hudsucker Proxy (actor: Smitty) 1994
16.Intruder (actor: Officer Howard) 1988
17.Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (actor: Bill Church Jr.) (TV) 1995
18.Lunatics: A Love Story (actor: Ray/Crazy Doctor) 1991
19.Maniac Cop (actor: Jack Forrest) 1988
20.Maniac Cop 2 (actor: Jack Forrest) 1990
21.Mind Warp (actor: Stover) 1992
22.Moontrap (actor: Ray Tanner) 1989
23.The Quick and The Dead (actor: Wedding Shemp) 1995
24.Sundown: The Vampire In Retreat (actor: Van Helsing) 1989
25.Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except (actor: NOTE--Voice Only) 1987
26.Tornado! (actor: Jake Thorne)(TV Movie) 1996
27.Waxwork II: Lost in Time (actor: John Loftmore) 1992
28.Xena: Warrior Princess (actor: Autolycus) (TV) 1996

5.3 What else do I need to know about Bruce Campbell?

BRUCE CAMPBELL
Biography

In 1979, with his Detroit friends, Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, Bruce raised $350,000 for a low-budget film, Evil Dead, in which he starred and Executive Produced. Completed piecemeal over four years, the film first gained notoriety in England where it became the best-selling video of 1983, beating out The Shining. After its appearance at Cannes, where Stephen King dubbed it "the most ferociously original horror film of the year," New Line Cinema stepped forward to release Evil Dead in the U.S.

After filming Crime Wave, a cross-genre picture, Co-Produced by Bruce and Written by Sam Raimi with his newfound partners Ethan and Joel Coen, Dino DeLaurentiis agreed to take on the sequel to Evil Dead. Blessed with a budget ten times the original, Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn was released in 1987 with Campbell again Starring in and Co-Producing this "less gory, more funny" sequel.
...

In 1992, Bruce rejoined his old Detroit colleagues and made the third of the popular Evil Dead trilogy, Army of Darkness, which Bruce Starred in and Co-Produced for Universal Studios. Immediately following that, Bruce's Coen Brothers friends invited him to join them for a featured role in their "big business comedy" The Hudsucker Proxy for Warner Bros.
...

This is just section of the biography sent to me by Bruce. You can read the bio in its entirety on this page: http://www.europa.com/~rew1977/dead/bcbio.htm

6. Related merchandise / videos
6.1 Where can I get a copy of Evil Dead I and II?

Evil Dead I and II are on moratorium, meaning they don't make them anymore. It is next to impossible finding new copies on video tape. It is possible to find them used, try searching your local area. If you want you can check out http://www.webcom.com/video They claim to have used copies of Evil Dead I and II for sale. I have never ordered from them, I have only seen the site.

6.2 Where can I get some Evil Dead merchandise?

For a listing of online resources of merchandise go to Robert's Evil Dead Merchandise Pagehttp://www.europa.com/~rew1977/dead/edstuff.htm

Some time back, Hollywood Merchandising sold Army Of Darkness posters, photos, T-shirts and sweatshirts. It is unknown at this present time if they still have these items available. You can write to them at:
PO Box 2727
Dept. F
Hollywood, CA 90078
U.S.A.

There is also an Ash vinyl model available. It is approximately 18" tall, and features Ash holding the shotgun and either the chainsaw or his 'glove'. The figure comes with a miniature Book of the Dead. It is manufactured by a company in the USA called Screamin'. Their phone number is 1-518-432-4582.

Also available were a set of three Army of Darkness comics. They were published in November 1992 (Issue #1), December 1992 (Issue #2) and October 1993 (Issue #3) by Dark Horse Comics. Their mailing address is:
Dark Horse Comics, Inc.
10956 S.E. Main Street
Milwaukie, OR 97222
U.S.A.
or
http://www.dhorse.com/

6.2.1 What are some other related items?

There is an Army Of Darkness board game made by Leading Edge games. The game consists of a board, with pictures of many Deadites taken during the "storming the castle" scene. The players assume the roles of Henry the Red, or Arthur, or Ash and try to defend the castle walls while the Deadites try to get in. There are spots on the board for the pit, and Evil Sheila roams about.

There are also gaming miniatures that Leading Edge put out for the game. There's an Ash, Evil Ash, Good/Bad Ash, Every featured Deadite including the band, the Oldsmobile, the Pit, the Books of the Dead and their cradle, Arthur, Henry, Sheila, Evil Sheila, and a ton of others.

They also produced sculpted pins with the film's logo, chainsaw and Shotgun earrings, and a large pewter Ash.

7. Miscelaneous

7.1 Is there going to be an Evil Dead IV?

As of right now, no. Both Sam and Bruce have expressed an interest in making a fourth installment in their Evil Dead series, but that is it. Bruce tells people not to hold their breath. We can wait and hope.

7.2 Credits

Most of this FAQ was adapted from the Sam Raimi / Bruce Campbell FAQ compiled by Tania Taylor. You can visit her links page at: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/1951/links.html and you can see her FAQ at: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/1951/faq.html Specifically, the parts in this FAQ that came from Tania are as follows:
3.1, 3.1.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2, 6.2.1 -- All others written by [email protected].

Taken from a site run by [email protected]