Torgo

<spoiler> Torgo is one of the main characters in the 1966 movie "Manos" The Hands of Fate, played by John Reynolds. Torgo, though he appeared human, was actually meant to be a satyr – half goat and half human. He was the servant of "The Master," apparently charged with looking after the lodge while the Master was away.

Torgo had wild, unkept hair and a beard. He wore an old tattered Confederate uniform. Torgo had huge misshapen knees, and goat's feet. The goat's feet are not easily visible, especially in the MST3K version of the movie. He used a large staff with a hand on the end of the staff to help him walk. Because of his feet and his knees, he had an unusual awkward gait. When Torgo was seen walking in the film, a strange music piece played, which has since been referred to by Crow and many fans as the "Haunting Torgo Theme."

When Michael, Margaret, and Debbie arrived, Torgo put them up in the lodge because it would soon be dark, despite his misgivings that the Master would not approve. When the family saw the painting of the Master, Torgo told them that he was away, but he was not dead in the way they understood. Torgo soon made a pass at Margaret. When the family dog was killed by that Master's dog, they tried to leave but were unable to do so. Torgo went in back to talk to the Master and his undead wives. Torgo fondled and spoke to the wives. When the Master woke up, he was angry with Torgo for allowing the family to stay, and for his behavior towards his wives. The Master took Torgo in back to sacrifice him to his wives. Torgo then decided to rebel against the Master. This led the Master to command his wives to kill Torgo. What followed was an odd sequence which one El Paso reviewer described as "Torgo being massaged to death" by the wives. Finally, the Master then burned his hand off. Torgo was last seen running into the darkness, with his arm on fire.

The role of Torgo would be John Reynolds' only movie role. Reynolds committed suicide the year of the film's release because of emotional problems and drug use (not in shame over the reception the movie received, as is often incorrectly rumored). Because all the voices in the movie were dubbed in by Hal Warren and two others, it is not Reynolds' voice that is heard when Torgo speaks. Reynolds developed the prosthetics and the odd gait that became Torgo's trademarks.

Because Manos turned out to be a flop, Torgo faded into obscurity until the early 1990's, when Manos: The Hands of Fate was showcased on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Due to the popularity of this MST3K episode, Torgo developed a large cult following. In the episode in which Manos was featured, "Torgo" (played by Michael J. Nelson) appeared at the end of the last host segment as a pizza delivery man. In subsequent episodes, "Torgo" returned to complete the Mad Scientists' pizza order. In a later episode he became "Torgo the White" and escorted TV's Frank to the next life.

Homages

• Torg, one of the main characters in Sluggy Freelance, is named in honor of Torgo.
• In Wing Commander, a star system is named Torgo. The system thus named is a regional headquarters for the Confederation military.
• In Escape Velocity, a planet called "Torgo Prime" has a description which alludes to the character's slurred speach and prosthetic knee joints.

Quotes

• "I am Torgo. I take care of the place while the Master is away."
• "Very well. The Master will be greatly disturbed."
• "There is no way out of here. It'll be dark soon. There is no way out of here!"
• "That'll be twenty dollars." (Michael J. Nelson as Torgo)