The Worst Films of 1986

Gene Siskel - Host: Our next movie of 1986 is "King Kong Lives", and this movie was so bad, and the studio knew it, that they did something unprecedented with Roger and me. Now occasionally, a film company won't give us a clip to review. But usually, it's a low budget shlock film or a sleazy company. But the sequel to the entertaining 1976 "King Kong" should've been a classy production. That earlier film was a lot of fun, remember Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, and the big ape. But this new one is SO bad that the film company actually sent Roger and me letters saying they would let us show snippets of the film on our local TV shows in Chicago ONLY if we promised in writing not to show you the same clips on this, our national show. Obviously, they were scared, and obviously, neither one of us would sign such a letter. So, no scenes from "King Kong Lives". That's almost a public service. Instead, just this warning: If you don't believe me, or Roger, believe the film company that, think about it, couldn't find a single scene that they wanted you to see.

Roger Ebert - Host: This is really great, right? Loyalty oaths. We have to sign a, no, I'm gonna sign a piece of paper saying, "No, I won't be a critic, and no, I won't tell the truth about this film, because I'm so eager to show this ape on television." Well, uh...

Gene Siskel - Host: They won't get it from me.

Roger Ebert - Host: The movie was a real bomb, and I have an experience I want to tell you. I saw this movie in a movie theater.

Gene Siskel - Host: Me too.

[chuckles]

Roger Ebert - Host: And I sat in the back row. And behind the back row was a door, swinging like this. And it became the play thing for all the children in the theater. Little kids that never met each other before all became friends and had fun swinging back and forth on the door, because there was NOTHING on the screen that was even slightly entertaining to them! And so, if they could've sold tickets to the DOOR, they could've saved all the expense of shipping that print to Chicago.

Gene Siskel - Host: "Inside: A swinging door! Come visit!" Just like, "cool inside, refrigeration", like in the old days. I'm sure the candy counter did a big business.

Roger Ebert - Host: Maybe it's gonna be picked as the best film of the year by the popcorn growers of America.