Filmed as a promo reel to get investors to supply money for a possible feature length movie, this remarkable short stars the one and only Joe Spinell as Mr. Robbie, a troubled children's show host who kills the abusive parents of kids who watch his television program (Mr. Robbie receives letters from the kids informing them about their parents' grave misdeeds). Of course, Mr. Robbie was himself severely mistreated by his father as a kid. Mr. Robbie tracks down a cook who beat up his son and wife and murders the guy. Directed by Buddy Giovinazzo of "Combat Shock" fame, this film has a raw and gritty quality which makes it genuinely creepy and unsettling. Spinell brings his usual intense and arresting presence to his role as Mr. Robbie; despite looking weary and worn-out, Big Joe still comes across as very creepy and threatening. The voice actors who read out loud the kids' disturbing letters talk in uneasy high-pitched tones that are truly painful to hear. The rough, grainy cinematography and skin-crawling repetitive synthesizer score further enhance the overall grimy and uncomfortable mood. Plus we even get a nifty gore gag when Mr. Robbie dispatches the cook by thrusting a knife through his eye (choice line: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen cookie"). The perversity of the premise alone makes this supremely bent baby a winner. An eight minute version of this twisted doozy is featured as an extra on the Troma DVD for the Spinell psycho horror vehicle "The Last Horror Film." Essential viewing for Joe Spinell fans.
Review of Maniac 2: Mr. Robbie
