JEN-GAL 2: RETURN OF THE BEAST

Written, Directed, and Produced by Conrad Brooks.
Director's of Photography - Garland Hewlett, Edward Hopf, Marvin Kennedy, David Powers, and Elsworth Hall
Edited by Marvin Kennedy

Conrad - Conrad Brooks
Madam Mitzi - Mitzi Reid
Dr. Rockula - Joseph Miller
Det. Perez - Gustavo Perez
Probation Officer - Joel Wynkoop

My week started off by learning how to play the ponies with Conrad Brooks. Afterwards, he taught me how to play dice. Other than Friday night poker in college, gambling was just something I've never done. The experience was a true eye-opener.

As Conrad and I waited between races, he filled me in on the history of JEN-GAL 1 and 2. The first film took over 2 years to put together, the second over four. If Conrad hadn't told me, I would have been able to guess by the way his hair goes from his usual gray to jet black from scene to scene.

As it stands, JEN-GAL 2: RETURN OF THE BEAST is lightyears ahead of the first feature in terms of production value. It's professionally edited and possesses a strong sense of camera placement. These aspects have more to do with those who surround Conrad rather than hisown ability as a filmmaker.

Of the first JEN-GAL, I wrote that it was a fitting tribute Conrad's friend and mentor, Ed Wood. Now I see that this is the only style of filmmaking Conrad knows. You get in, get your shot, and move on to the next setup. Qualities such as good acting and storytelling are sacrificed in order to simply complete the project. The ends justify the means and here you have a new product to sell at conventions. The fact that his friends are in the projects means Conrad will be guaranteed a few sales.

The story this time picks up with Conrad (the character) hot on the trail of Jen-Gal. At the end of the first feature, Jen-Gal was shot as killed, or so we were left to believe. It turns out he was only wounded and able to be revived by a band of gypsies led by Madam Mitzi. It turns out the gypsies are using Jen-Gal as cover while they go from town to town robbing the locals.

Not able to bring back the original beast, Conrad (the director) has a number of people fill in. The explanation to how he does that is something I'll have to keep under wraps. But I will say this, Conrad keeps it true to classic B-Movie form.

The downside to not having the original beast around is that...well...the original beast isn't around. The big guy who played the creature the first time around was a real sight, all big, dumb, and neanderthal-like. If it weren't for him, the original film might not have been anywhere near as fun. The actor always seemed like he would have rather been off somewhere else doing anything else. That grumpy demeanor perfectly suited a creature 100,000 years out of place, stuck in West Virginia.

JEN-GAL 2: RETURN OF THE BEAST is a movie that I'm sure all fans of Conrad Brooks will buy at some point. If you found the first feature enjoyable, you'll have fun with number 2. For those who have wondered what modern Ed Wood-style filmmaking would be like, here's your chance to find out. To the rest of you I suggest you spend some time with Conrad at a convention just to see what it means to be a friend of the man.

You can purchase copies directly from Conrad himself. Send $20 to:

Conrad Brooks
P.O. Box 1192
Falling Waters, WV 25419

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