Scarlet Warning 666 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Scarlet Warning 666 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 18, 2026

Palmer Rockey had a dream. He wanted to be a filmmaker, attempting to make his own movies on his own terms, pulling together a schedule and inspiration whenever he could arrange it. 1974’s “Scarlet Warning 666” (a.k.a. “It Happened One Weekend,” “Love is Deep Inside”) represents at least part of Rockey’s vision, and he accepts most technical credits on the endeavor, along with a starring role for an offering he also wrote and directed. One could easily list the effort as a vanity project, as every frame is basically dedicated to reinforcing Rockey’s physical appearance and witty writing, but “Scarlet Warning 666” is more than that. It’s a presentation of genuine panic, with the mastermind attempting to forge a story out of a personal collection of footage shot over many years and many attempts. Rockey flails with the endeavor, but he’s not giving up on his one wish to make a cinematic adventure, presenting a study of storytelling madness that will either test the patience of even the most adventurous cult film explorer or make them dizzy with delight.

If there’s a plot to “Scarlet Warning 666,” it’s an extreme challenge to find it. There’s something here about Bruce (Palmer Rockey) and his entanglement with his sister, Frances, who’s wrestling with confusion over the loss of her dead twin, Jackie. There’s an evil cult in play, with masked assassins on the loose, forcing Bruce(?) to keep out of reach as he conducts something of an investigation, often reflecting on his “pre-med student days in college,” which provides an excuse for Rockey to use B&W student film footage created in the 1950s. There’s a hunt for truth (I think), and a quest for justice (perhaps), but most of “Scarlet Warning 666” is devoted to selling Rockey’s career as a singer, keeping the movie loaded with soundtrack offerings. And the star’s heterosexuality is also repeatedly reinforced, as Rockey enjoys creating scenes where he gets to paw his female co-stars, especially when clad in swimwear.

“Scarlet Warning 666” is difficult to follow. While most film productions begin with a story, Rockey has footage, attempting to create a tale with random bits of imagery. The experiment doesn’t work, and the helmer is asking quite a lot from viewers with a 107-minute-long run time, but there’s definitely oddity to embrace here. The feature is all over the place, stitched together with abrupt edits and music cues. Rockey uses narration to help glue together characterization and dramatic entanglements, even commenting on the shortcomings of the picture itself with help from his second personality, “Rockey High.” Dialogue is occasionally offered in rhyme, and there’s always time for random dance sequences. There’s just so much strangeness at play in “Scarlet Warning 666,” which often finds the characters running around locations and sets, with periodic stops to admire baby dolls and deal with rising antagonisms among people the movie can’t properly identify. Or chooses not to, who knows.

Scarlet Warning 666 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Scarlet Warning 666" is listed as "lovingly restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative." It's a movie made up of several different shooting periods, and some consistency issues are inherent, but the viewing experience is quite appealing, offering as much detail as possible with this type of production. Skin particulars are decently textured, along with fibrous costumes that range from swimwear to satin jackets. Interiors provide appealing depth, exploring strange sets and living spaces. Exteriors with park tours and street action is dimensional. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition, with a few brief displays of damage.

Scarlet Warning 666 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is listed as a "stereo remix," and is certainly the best "Scarlet Warning 666" is ever going to sound. The feature is a mix of footage and eras, and there's some volume fluctuations along the way. However, intelligibility is secure, finding dialogue exchanges and narration clear. Music is more pronounced, delivering a fresher presence with sharper instrumentation. Also included are a "cleaned-up mono soundtrack" and "Palmer's original mono soundtrack."

Scarlet Warning 666 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• CD Soundtrack, "Scarlet Love," is included.

• Bookletcollects essays by Chris Poggiali and Richard Parker.

Disc 1

• Commentary features The Reverend Ivan Stang.

• Image Galleries offer "Palmer and Cookie," "Screenings," "Vinyl," and "Dr. Ron."

• And a "Love is Deep Inside" Trailer (1:35, HD) is included.

Disc 2

• "Disco Lounge Lizard from Hell" (55:29, HD) is an examination of Palmer Rockey's record releases, featuring interviews with musicians Paul Major and Jello Biafra. The world of "private pressings" is explored, with the interviewees both drawn to the sheer oddity of Rockey's musical expression, requiring detective work to understand the source of the recordings and creative intent. They've learned quite a bit about Rockey, sharing bizarre stories of the man and his personal history. The duo are eventually joined by Trunk Records owner, Johnny Trunk, to better expand the story of Rockey's strange life.

• "The Life and Crimes of Palmer Rockey" (62:15, HD) is an interview with writer Ivan Stang, who's joined by Mary Ann Ashcraft (a.k.a. Cookie Rockey), who was previously married to Palmer Rockey. She provides her memories of Rockey, examining his strange and semi-predatory ways. Career experiences are analyzed, putting Ashcraft in the position to financially support her husband and endure his casting interests in young women. Production stories are also provided.

• "Rockey's Best Friend" (32:00, HD) is a 2020 interview with actor Ron DiSalvo, who recalls his early relationship with Palmer Rockey, sharing an interest in the performing arts. The men reconnected when Rockey launched the production of "The Dove" in the 1950s. Another reunion occurred for the "Scarlet Warning 666" shoot, pulled into Rockey's strange endeavor, trying to make sense of the project without seeing a full script. The interviewee also delivers recollections from his Rockey interactions and interpretation of the man's behavior, providing some personal insight into the filmmaker's unusual personality and artistic journey.

• "It Happened on Wednesday" (18:30, HD) is a video conference discussion featuring Mark James and Jean Yeager, who both originally saw "Scarlet Warning 666" during its initial theatrical engagement. Memories are shared about the event and thoughts on Palmer Rockey are offered, with the interviewees trying to understand the filmmaker's process. They also examine marketing changes, with the picture originally sold as something serious before being sold as something campy. James closes with candidness, labeling the endeavor as "probably the worst movie I've ever seen in my life."

• "Feelings of Love for Palmer Rockey" (12:47, HD) is a musical appreciation piece with Paul Major, Stefan Kery, Malcolm Tent, Carl Broemel, Eric Hopper, and Freek Kinkelaar. The interviewees share their introduction to the music of Palmer Rockey and list their favorite songs.

• "A Trip Through the Movie Album" (13:40, HD) is a musical appreciation piece with Jello Biafra, who plays selections from the "Scarlet Love" album.

• "Feel the Music" (23:48, HD) examines Paul Major's early efforts to produce "catalogs" of his musical interests, using these mailings to share word of his record store findings. The booklets were eventually turned into a book Major is happy to promote. The interviewee also provides examples of obscure albums from his collection. Jello Biafra joins the conversation, detailing the mysterious ways of the "private press" industry.

Scarlet Warning 666 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Scarlet Warning 666" eventually leads to a non-ending involving cult events and the "wheel of justice." Mostly, it just runs out of time, with Rockey ultimately giving up on his mission to fill the endeavor with as much confusion as possible. "Scarlet Warning 666" is not the misunderstood work of some lost genius, lacking a more pronounced sense of leadership and artfulness. However, if one can make it past the first ten minutes of the film, there's a chance for some fun to be had, with the movie gradually becoming an alt-universe "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" as Rockey attempts to mix vanity, inscrutability, and desperation into a single offering of cinematic puzzling.