Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Naschy News!

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When the first couple of Paul Naschy movie titles first hit Blu-ray, even the biggest fan out there couldn’t not have a clue of just how many of those titles were going to continue to come out in that format. Some titles even hitting the digital format for the very first time, while some never even officially released here in the states. So grainy multi-generation bootlegs is all that we had to deal with. But thanks to companies like Shout Factory, Scorpion Releasing, Mondo Macabro, and others, they continue to show the care that these movies deserve, and putting out some amazing releases, helping to save these from moving into obscurity.

Today, Mondo Macabro announced two more Naschy titles they will be releasing some time next year. The first one is El aullido del diablo, better known as Howl of the Devil (1988), co-starring Howard Vernon and Caroline Munro, who told me that Naschy was “a huge favorite of mine to work with.” In the film, Naschy appears as more than a few of the classic monsters, from Frankenstein’s creature to the wolf man, Quasimodo the Hunchback to the Devil himself. This was one that fans have been dealing with shabby looking bootlegs for years. But now, it will get an official release for the first time anywhere in the world, AND a 4K restoration from a recently discovered negative. Continue reading →

Horror History: Shane Briant

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Shane Briant
Born Aug. 17th, 1946

Briant had studied law at Trinity College Dublin, but felt the calling of another profession: that of the actor. He started acting at a young age, even nominated by the London Theatre Critics in 1973 for The Most Promising Newcomer from his performance in ‘Children of the Wolf’. He had signed a contract with Hammer Films and made 4 films for them back to back. They were Straight on Till Morning (1972), Demons of the Mind (1972), Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974), and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974). He also appeared as the title character in a TV movie remake of The Picture of Dorian Gray (1973).

In 1983, Briant moved to Australia and has worked in both film and television over there since. He also has become an accomplished writer, publishing 7 novels so far, as well as publishing his autobiography, entitled Always the Bad Guy, in 2011.

Granted, for me, Briant will always be known as one of of the actors that Hammer was trying to use as the next generation of Hammer stars, once held by Cushing and Lee (even though they both continued to work for the studio). Unfortunately, the end of the studio was already on the horizon so as good as Briant was in the few pictures he appeared in for Hammer, it was too late for the studio that once dripped blood.

Happy Birthday Boris

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I couldn’t let today go by without wishing a Happy Birthday to the one and only Boris Karloff. Out of all the favorites in the movie world, he is at the top for me. Partly because of his portrayal of the creature in Frankenstein (1931), but also the countless other roles he appeared in over the years. Not to mention being one of kindest movie monsters out there. He was gone from this world when I was only 3 1/2 years old, but his work made a huge and lasting impact on my own life.

So for that, I, like plenty of other horror fans, am eternally grateful for the work that he has left us to continue to enjoy, over and over.

Mystery Photo 11-23

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As we move closer to the end of November, and hopefully the end of all the negativity around the world (one can hope, can’t they), I keep trying to remind myself that escaping the real world for a few moments to enjoy our passions is one sure way to keep oneself sane. I know it helps me, and I know that is one of the reasons I keep at the Krypt, hoping to give others a moment’s break from the insanity. So now, here is your break, our latest Mystery Photo. But first, let’s go over last week’s photo. It was the last real entry into what is known as Hammer Horror, 1976 Satanic epic To the Devil a Daughter. This was hopefully going to keep Hammer afloat, but even though it did well at the box office, very little of that money went to Hammer and pretty much put the last nail in the coffin. Damn shame. But congrats go out to the following that recognized the wonderful and amazingly talented actor Denholm Elliott from the film: Hoby Abernathy, Aaron Christensen, Troy Howarth, Bryan Martinez, Gary McGuire, Doug Lamoreux, Michael Shields, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Well done, folks!

Now onto this week’s photo, one for fans of the classic horror era, but also one with a very memorable and entertaining actor. Take a look and see if you can identify the correct movie this shot is from. Remember to send your answer to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Turkey Day 2020

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While most call this coming Friday, the biggest commercial holiday called Black Friday, here at the Krypt, we call it Turkey Day, and have been since 2003. And this Friday will be no different. Well, maybe a little different. Because of the pandemic, we’re not able to host our usual event of screening some of the finest in cinematic shipwrecks here at the Krypt. BUT… that will not stop us from screening those movies, just this time it will be online. And everyone reading this is invited. Continue reading →

Book Review: Jaws Unmade

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Jaws Unmade
Published by Bicep Books, 2020. 341 pages
By John LeMay

One only needs to look at all the rip-offs and inspired titles from a particular film to really know how successful it was. Granted, for Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film Jaws, it might have some to do with the box office profits as well. As we all know, movie monsters only die at the box office, which means if it made money, there will be a sequel. Or two. Or more, until the cash cow, or shark as the case may be, is completely dead and resting at the bottom of the ocean. Now we have to remember that in the mid ’70s, sequel-itis hadn’t really spread in Hollywood, but the money Jaws made was just too much to leave well enough alone, so we got Jaws 2 in 1978. Now the story of that production is enough for a book on its own. In fact, there is! Jaws 2: The Making of the Hollywood Sequel, by Louis R. Pisano & Michael A. Smith, is essential for any fan of the Jaws series, not only because it’s on the sequel, but you get a real insight of how much the producers have control of what the final movie is going to be. And Pisano and Smith books gives plenty of info. Continue reading →

Friday Favorites: John Carpenter

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Since I just started reading Troy Howarth’s latest book, Assault on the System: The Nonconformist Cinema of John Carpenter, I thought it might be an interesting (though probably an easy one to call) question to see what your favorite John Carpenter film is. Now, as I said, I know there is going to be a lot of answers for the obvious choice, which would be Halloween (1978), which is fine because you can’t be wrong in what is your personal favorite. I’m sure The Thing (1982) is going to be up there as well. But I am curious to see if there will be any other titles named, such as The Fog (1980) or maybe even In the Mouth of Madness (1995). Continue reading →

Texas Schlock Book

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Some of you that have been following the Krypt for a while might have heard me speak of my love of Texas filmmaker Larry Buchanan, who made films with a budget that would make even Roger Corman shudder. So when I came across this new book entitled Texas Schlock: B-movie Sci-Fi and Horror from the Lone Star State. It even has a chapter on Mr. Buchanan, I knew I had to have a copy for the Kryptic Library. And once it comes and I get to it, you can bet there will be a review posted here.

In the meantime, this 274 page book is priced at $29.95, and was written by Bret McCormick, who directed The Abomination (1986) and enough other similar titles to completely understand what “schlock” is. According to the write up on Amazon, “McCormick perfectly captures the crackpot appeal of low-budget classics like ZONTAR the Thing from Venus and rounds up an amazing rogue’s gallery of schlockmeisters to tell their behind-the-scenes tales.” 
Continue reading →

Movie Review: Die, Monster, Die!

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(1965)
Directed by Daniel Haller
Starring Boris Karloff, Suzan Farmer, Nick Adams, Freda Jackson, Terence de Marney, Patrick Magee

It’s funny sometime as a movie lover, that you have such fondness for a particular film that you had first seen as a kid, always remembering how cool it was. As an adult though, does that cinematic pleasure still remain, even after you’ve become more “educated” in the film world? Even after reading some less than positive reviews about the film? Do you watch it now and wonder how could I have ever liked this? Or is it like a small part of your brain is stepping back in time to that first viewing? Continue reading →

Book Review: The Lost One – A Life of Peter Lorre

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The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre
Published by The University Press of Kentucky, 2005. 613 pages
By Stephen D. Youngkin.

I remember stumbling across this title at a Half Price Books and was so thrilled to have finally found a copy at a decent price. I had seen them on online at other places but the price was always a bit too high. I meant to dive into right away, but at over 600 pages, it is a pretty big dive. So I put it aside and figured I would get to it one of these days. That day finally came and I’m so glad too. It is always rewarding, if a bit sad at times, when you read the background of your favorite stars. You quickly realize that the life of a Hollywood star is not all the fame, fortune, and the glamour we tend to think it is. With this volume, author Youngkin shows us that, and so much more. Continue reading →