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December 26th, 2002

"Country Bears" on DVD!:

I've been terrible as far as promoting this movie -- which couldn't have helped its meager box office returns, though I doubt I much could have, anyway -- but "The Country Bears" is out on VHS/DVD! I know, I know, I'm a day late for it to be a Christmas present. But... Well <=}

"The Country Bears," you'll remember, is the film Paul was rumored to be working on more than a year-and-a-half before its release -- a rumor later confirmed by early movie posters, an early version of the official website, and in a rather lengthy press release given to Paul J. Barrie, Jr. of "The Country Bear Playhouse". This credit was ultimately removed from all official materials -- including the movie's credits -- but Paul does make a cameo appearance as the "Bus Watch!" TV Reporter (yup -- in live action!).

Consequently...

I've updated "The Paul Rugg Photo Gallery" with eight stills from the movie! I was going to create a wave file, too (now that I've finally got a functional sound card again), but, considering that Paul was reported to be working on a sequel script a full year before the picture premiered, and considering that I'd really like to see Paul's work hit the screen, I'd rather force folks to rent or buy the DVD to see/hear the scene. Sorry =}

May 3rd, 2002

Tee hee!:

I hope Paul wouldn't mind my dredging this up, but I've finally managed to obtain a copy of "I.F.O (Identified Flying Object)", a B-Movie from 1985, shot in Tehachapi, California, released only overseas (in PAL format), and deemed "unwatchable" by its director, Ulli Lommel, who "deep down...wanted it to be an awful movie"^†.

It also just happens to feature our very own Paul Rugg as "John Ferguson", one of three scientists who create the "IFO" (a talking, radio-controlled miniature helicopter, dubbed "Rembrandt", or "Rem" for short) with the intention of using it a weapon, and seemingly head of the project. Paul's not the star, but he does get third billing (behind the teenage lead and his love interest), and I find it fun (though a bit bizarre) to see Paul in live action 12 years before "Manny", and in a relatively straightforward (even dull, at times) role, no less.

I've only watched a couple of scenes so far (I couldn't even quite tell you the plot), but I've converted one into an AVI, with Paul pinned to the side of a building as "Rem" zaps his brain (and forces him recite -- what else? -- Gilbert and Sullivan; I'd assume Paul improvised these "lines"). I've also made a few quick screen caps of an earlier (and much dryer) scene. (For an idea of what the latter sounded like, click here).

I'll likely add more when I've actually watched the film =)

Updated:

The "Gallery" and "Character List" to include this role.

May 1st, 2002

An "Oldie", but...:

Am I the only one who finds this really cool? Probably. Check out page 6 of the "NOAA Report" for November of '98. The photo's greyscale, but it's the only shot I've ever seen of the "Manny the Uncanny" cameraman (and the equipment used to film the shorts). Just a nifty little glimse behind the scenes... Thank Google for this one, BTW.

April 21st, 2002

Huggbees!:

Peter Hastings has finally confirmed what I've been hoping since February, 2001 -- Paul does indeed make a cameo appearance in "The Country Bears" (which opens July 26th)! Hastings says Paul plays a TV newscaster, "wearing a jet black wig."

S'much, s'much thanks -- yet again -- to Craig "Voiceroy" Crumpton!

Nutbunnies?:

The IMDb's "Country Bears" page (recently updated with WGA-approved writing credits) no longer lists Paul as a writer for the film, and "the IMDb will not accept uncredited writers for titles with WGA-determined credits". What's all that about?

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