Manos: The Hands of Fate
The enduring legacy of “the worst movie ever made.”
My name is Jackey Neyman Jones and I was in “The Worst Movie Ever Made”.
I am not only one of the last surviving actors of Manos: The Hands Of Fate, but the only one willing to talk about it, living in the belief that if I can’t be the best, I’ll make the best from the worst.
I played Debbie, the child star of Manos. My dad Tom Neyman played the lead role of The Master and was Creative Director, making all the props and artwork while mom designed and sewed the iconic Masters Robe along with the wrestling wives ethereal gauzy gowns. Our family pet, Shanka the Doberman was cast a role as The Master’s evil dog. Even Great Grandma’s handmade quilt made an appearance on the bed, making it truly a family film to me.
Manos: The Hands of Fate is a 1966 El Paso, Texas horror movie written directed and produced by Harold Warren and often taught in film classes as “Everything not to do in filmmaking”. From the camera work, editing, direction, script, acting and nearly everything else, it is one of the most notably inept films in existence and yet it has a certain charm which has not only captured, but held a fervent fan base since a public debut on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1993. Since then, Manos has inspired a wide range of talented projects including but certainly not limited to a Portland Oregon parody stage production, a Seattle Washington Puppet show “Manos The Hands of Felt,” video games, a remastered version of the original, several films. I’ve enjoyed interviewing with a number of publications including Playboy Magazine and Entertainment Weekly.
While November 15th 2025 marks the 59th anniversary of the disastrous 1966 premiere, 27 years from its creation, on November 23rd 1993, Manos was named the Fan Favorite Of All Time by MST3K host Joel Hodgson on the Annual Turkey Day Awards Marathon show, and continues to entertains a very loyal fan base.
I have lovingly tended to the flame of Manos for years through online connections to fans, public appearances at Comic and Horror Cons, Manos related creative projects and my book, Growing up with Manos The Hands of Fate with foreword written by Joel Hodgson creator of MST3K.
Growing Up with Manos: The Hands of Fate by Jackey Neyman Jones
For Jackey Neyman Jones, who played Debbie in Manos: The Hands of Fate, the “worst movie ever made” is, at its heart, a home movie that just happens to be shared with the world. Equal parts memoir/family saga/film book, Growing Up with Manos: The Hands of Fate shares the behind-the-scenes story of the making of Manos: from creator Hal Warren’s alleged bet with TV producer Stirling Silliphant that “anyone could make a movie,” to the tragic suicide of John Reynolds (Torgo), right up through the newest Manos-related projects that are carrying the film into the digital age. Jackey’s stories dispel much of the Manos mythology while crystallizing a unique time and place in America, where a crew of actors with a bad script and a rented camera set out to make a bad movie—and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. Jackey Neyman Jones is a professional artist living in the Great Northwest. Laura Mazzuca Toops is a writer/editor with more than 30 years’ experience in business and fiction writing. She is the author of three historical novels.
Mark Hill | Cracked.com
"I didn't know much about Manos before I interviewed Jackey and I wasn't sure what I was getting into, but I discovered a story that's funny, weird, sad, and unexpectedly heartwarming. And apparently the nearly 600,000 people who read the interview saw something fascinating about her story too."
Erin Severe | Crypticon Seattle Celebrity Handler at Crypticon Seattle
"Jackey is such an amazing guest! She has researched her family's legacy and has so much to offer fans who are followers of this cult-classic, be it her book or fun souvenirs. Our volunteers loved working with her. Any convention who hosts her would be lucky to have her present. She was a pleasure to meet."
Dalton Ross | Entertainment Weekly
“The Worst Movie Ever Made. The only truly scary thing in the film was during the final credits, when the words The End were followed by a big question mark, implying the possibility of a sequel.”
Jake Rossen | Playboy Magazine October 2015
“The Battle Over The Worst Movie Ever Made.” The film’s fandom may as well be a support group, inviting a level of fervent discussion that good movies rarely garner.”
Frank Conniff | “TV’s Frank” on Mystery Science Theater 3000
“It seemed like it was maybe a crime against humanity, but you couldn’t be sure”
Mary Jo Pehl | “Pearl Forrester” on Mystery Science Theater 3000
“This movie was like watching a train wreck – we couldn’t bear to watch it but we couldn’t look away.
Joel Hodgson | “Joel Robinson” and creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000