This documentary celebrates the ridiculous stunts used by Hollywood over the years to market its worst movies. These include the ’50s drive-in where moviegoers could drop off their dirty laundry and pick it up after the show, horror filmmaker William Castle’s vibrating seats and producer Sam Arkoff’s offer to pay for the funeral of anyone scared to death by his film. Amusing interviews with critic Roger Ebert and director John Waters, creator of Smell-O-Vision, enliven a program that has one central failing: host Frankie Avalon, who remains as schlocky as ever.
Community
Vote on scenes, quotes, and characters for Ballyhoo: The Hollywood Sideshow! (1996).
The moment that still lives in your head.
Starters for Ballyhoo: The Hollywood Sideshow!
Your take
Rate this title
Tap half or full stars · 0.5–10 scale
Be the first Cinemoood rating
Open communitySign in to save your rating.
None yet
See all
Peter Bogdanovich
