Welcome to “Free Film Friday”! Every Friday we will be sharing a short free film for you to enjoy. Tell us what you think, and what you’d like to see us present…
The Canadian Department of National Health and Welfare commissioned Ashes of Doom in the 70s as part of their anti-smoking campaign. It’s only two minutes long, and half of that is the credits. But it’s truly fantastic. They stole the set, costume and sound effects from an Ed Wood movie, drew massive raccoon eyes on the leading lady’s face, and got her to chain smoke maniacally for 40 seconds in her creepy chamber until — oh no! — Dracula shows up! But remember kids, smoking kills! Even the undead (sorry, total spoiler there…)
If you read the credits (and really, who doesn’t?) you’ll notice that Ashes of Doom is based on a book. That’s right, folks. This little gem was adapted from a novel by Dominic Arioli, who has not left a single trace of himself on the interweb. But one of the producers is named Don Arioli, so I can only assume that he stole the secret manuscript his brother kept hidden in the floorboards and used it to rocket his way to fame and fortune.
Those crazy cats in Hollywood are remaking everything these days. Clash of the Titans, Karate Kid, Dirty Dancing. All the classics. I say we get the Twilight version of Ashes of Doom, where Bella takes up the cancer sticks and Ed and the wolf guy start fighting over who gets her. “You take her!” “No, you!” “She smells!” “You smell!” “Take it back, you hairy dufus!” “I hate you!” And so on…
Dear Government,
Please make ads like this again. Pretty please? I promise to start smoking so I can be one of the multitude that quit because of your fantastic ad campaign.
Love, Sarah
oehttp://www.nfb.ca/film/ashes_of_doom
What do you think? Leave a comment with your film review.
Photo Credits
“Nosferatu Shadow” from the 1922 film Nosferatu. Public Domain.
coffeewithjulie says
Hilarious, indeed!! Especially the manic chain-smoking at the beginning! I can’t believe though that this was supposed to be an anti-smoking campaign? That chain-smoking at the beginning would trigger any smoker’s addictive desires, wouldn’t it?
I prefer my anti-smoking campaigns to be less entertaining and more hard-hitting. Try this one and see if it makes you want to pick up a pack of smokes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YjrkBYDDQM
Sarah Gignac says
Ug, I couldn’t even watch that after the mouth started talking! Much more effective — like when they brought the tumor-riddled black lung into my grade five science class.
caroline says
OMG that was awesome. Though I think it almost encourages people to take up smoking as protection against the undead….