Remember when Elvis and John F. Kennedy fought against a Killer Mummy? In Bubba Ho-Tep (2002), Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead) stars as an elderly Elvis Presley, alongside Ossie Davis (Do The Right Thing) as former U.S. president John F. Kennedy. Together, they battle against an evil, soul-sucking Ancient Egyptian Mummy that is terrorizing their Texas Retirement Home.
When Bubba Ho-Tep came out, with a limited release, twenty years ago, many filmgoers were unsure that they had read the film’s description correctly. ‘So, Elvis didn’t die on the toilet? He’s in a retirement home being played by the guy from Evil Dead?’ ‘Also, isn’t Ossie Davis a black guy?’ All of these were worthy questions.
Those curious audience members who would buy their tickets or those who came across the film on DVD or Blu-Ray would be richly rewarded by a film rich in humor, characterization, humanity, and fun horror. It also features a top-tier Bruce Campbell performance. Cinema Scholars celebrates the 20th anniversary of director Don Coscarelli’s cult classic, Bubba Ho-Tep.
Bruce Campbell as Elvis Presley in “Bubba Ho-Tep” (2002)
Beginnings
In a broad sense, Bubba Ho-Tep can be described as a horror/comedy film. The original concept came from the pages of prolific genre writer, Joe R. Lansdale’s 30-page short story. After the cover of the novella caught the eye of director/screenwriter Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) in a bookstore, he secured the rights and began to plan the film.
Via a prank phone call made to Coscarelli, he and director Sam Raimi (Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness) got around to talking about the film. Raimi suggested his fellow Evil Dead icon Bruce Campbell would be perfect for the part of Elvis Presley. Coscarelli agreed it was a great idea, made the call to Campbell, and sent him the script. Upon reading the Bubba Ho-Tep screenplay, Campbell congratulated Coscarelli on writing the “…weirdest script ever written…” The wheels were soon in motion. Groovy.
The original story of Bubba Ho-Tep comes from a 1994 novella of the same name. It was released as part of the ‘alternative history of Elvis’-themed anthology entitled The King is Dead, written by Joe R. Landsdale. Coscarelli stated that short stories/novellas take less time to adapt into screenplays than full novels. This was due to the amount of editing that must take place along with parts of the wider narrative having to be removed.
Bob Ivey as the titular character in a scene from “Bubba Ho-Tep” (2002)
With a short story, all the material is present and may just need to be supplemented here and there. As such, Coscarelli was able to remain faithful to the original book. The additions he made include the scene where Elvis visits a professional impersonator, named Sebastian Haff, and they secretly switch identities.
Synopsis
Sad and lonely in Texas in the Shady Rest Retirement Home, lies a man named Sebastian Haff. A man who was once named Elvis Aaron Presley. Presley had grown tired of fame, the hangers-on, and being exploited by Colonel Tom Parker. The King had the idea of switching places with the best Elvis impersonator so he could disappear. The real Sebastian Haff went on to die in Graceland in 1977, while Elvis lived on in anonymity as his own impersonator before falling into a coma after damaging his hip while ‘Taking Care of Business’ onstage.
As two of the sharper residents of the retirement home, Elvis and his friend Jack, who claims to have been dyed black and dumped in the home by Lyndon Johnson, come to realize there are dark forces at work. This is after a number of their fellow residents die in extremely suspicious circumstances. They soon discover the newest resident of the care home is a re-animated mummy who is devouring the souls of the ‘almost-dead.’ Elvis and Jack come up with a plan to destroy this ‘Bubba Ho-Tep’ once and for all.
Ossie Davis and Bruce Campbell in a scene from “Bubba Ho-Tep” (2002).
Themes and Humor
Coscarelli also needed to include more scenes in the film where the mummy was a threat. Subsequently, during reshoots, he included one scene where the Mummy attacks a retirement home resident, just out of view of the staff. It’s also worth noting that Coscarelli included more additions pertaining to the themes of aging and regret.
Most of the film’s first act, in fact, shows Elvis as bedridden, with little need or motivation to get out. We hear his inner thoughts on how he wasted his life on drugs and cheap women. How the title of ‘King of Rock and Roll’ meant nothing. He also expresses regrets about not calling his wife and daughter. These deep and unexpectedly touching scenes are undercut and supplemented with humor.
Mr. Presley regularly updates us on the growth that’s on the tip of his male anatomy. The film also covers societal criticisms, such as the mistreatment and neglect of the elderly and our aged loved ones. The rich mix of humor and social commentary is handled perfectly by the lead actors who make the decision to play their roles completely straight.
We are on Elvis’ side from the beginning and agree with his castigation of the daughter of his recently deceased roommate. Bubba Ho-Tep turns up a notch when Ossie Davis hits the screen. His explanation to Elvis of how and why he is JFK and an African-American gentleman is priceless. He states:
“…They dyed me this color, that’s how clever they are…”
Bruce Campbell and his ‘Memphis Mafia’ in a scene from Bubba Ho-Tep (2002).
His subsequent look around to make sure no one is listening is comedy gold. He offers no impersonation of any kind of the ‘real’ JFK. Nevertheless, Davis’ innate gravitas, charm, and wisdom make his character an absolute joy. You quickly forget he isn’t JFK. He and Campbell bounce off one other so well, we could have just had a movie about a day in their life in their care home.
We must talk about the star of the film, Bruce Campbell. He serves up a fantastic, ego-less performance, as he’s aged up and almost unrecognizable. Under a wig, prosthetics (to reduce his famous chin), and liver spots, he convinces the viewer that he’s a man in the winter of his life. Full of regrets and seeking redemption before it’s too late. We must also take into account that he’s playing Elvis. This isn’t a showy performance. Rather, it’s subtle and nuanced. We believe him.
Feel of the Film
While Campbell and Davis deliver the comedy, the Mummy delivers the horror. This is mainly due to the fully practical effects used in the film, as well as stuntman Bob Ivy’s performance as the titular Bubba Ho-Tep. A big Boris Karloff fan, Ivy went on a diet as soon as he won the role. A fantastic suit was laid over Ivy’s slim frame to make the mummy as emaciated as possible. The company behind the effects, KNB EFX Group, even agreed to create the makeup and costume for only the price of the materials, as a favor to Coscarelli.
Composer Brian Tyler’s rustic, guitar-heavy score is a highlight of Bubba Ho-Tep. We are given soul rock, which perfectly complements the more tender moments, while we are also treated to perfect accompaniments to funny, action, or frightening scenes. Tyler is adept at composing music ‘like’ Elvis’s, though not quite. Coscarelli noted that the licensing of just one Elvis song for the film would have equaled half the budget. Tyler would go on to score more big-budgeted Hollywood films, including, coincidentally, Tom Cruise’s The Mummy (2017).
Adam Janeiro’s fantastic cinematography also complements Bubba Ho-Tep extremely well. His use of ambient lighting during the scenes that involve the long, rotting corridors of the retirement home, provides a creepy, nightmarish atmosphere. It’s also used to great effect in reminding the viewer that we are watching a horror film.
Reception
Receiving relatively high scores from audiences and critics alike, and a welcome presence on the festival circuit, Bubba Ho-Tep became a fan favorite following the DVD release. Bruce Campbell worked hard to publicize the film on book tours and at conventions. One of the many highlights on the impressive extras package is a hilarious film commentary by Campbell as Elvis, munching popcorn while watching “this here terror picture.” Positive word of mouth amassed over the years as well as questions over the supposed sequel. This is because of a gag at the end of the credits. Coscarelli placed the title card: Sebastian Haff will return in Bubba Nosferatu: Curse of the She-Vampires.
What started as a joke became close to being a reality when Coscarelli wanted to make the film by returning Campbell as Elvis and Paul Giamatti, with whom Coscarelli had just worked on Joe Dies at the End (2012). Fans were hopeful, but Campbell withdrew his involvement from any sequels, stating in 2017:
“…I feel that the first one was a nice little gem and you don’t have to make a sequel for everything…”
After twenty years, it seems Campbel may have a valid point. Leave a gem to shine. Additionally, there are other media forms available to fans who want to scratch their Bubba itch. This includes a well-received Army of Darkness/Bubba Ho-Tep crossover comic.
The cover of the Bubba Ho-Tep/Army of Darkness crossover comic, written by Scott Duvall and illustrated by Vincenzo Federici.
On Reflection
‘Weird’ is a word associated heavily with Bubba Ho-Tep, but rarely in a negative way. It’s an incredibly creative concept that is often as much fun explaining to people and seeing their reactions – as it is to sit and watch the film. The film itself has many timeless themes – growing old, friendship, facing regret, as well as realizing it’s never too late to make a difference. It has its chucklesome and laugh-out-loud moments delivered by a cast who cares.
Twenty years later, Bubba Ho-Tep still finds new audiences through social media reviews and reactions, and via online movie websites, such as this one. As such, we can rest assured that this cult-classic film will remain a beloved gem in the horror comedy genre for many years to come. To Don Coscarelli, Bruce Campbell, and Ossie Davis, we say Thank You, Thank You Very Much.
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