It has been a long time coming, but finally Naschy fans will be thrilled to hear that Carmelo Bernaola’s score for the 1973 film Horror Rises from the Tomb is getting a release on CD, thanks to the fine folks at Quartet Records. Being that this is my favorite of Naschy’s films, I am shocked to see it finally getting a release. The score is not even a half hour of music, but at this point, I’ll take whatever we can get.
It has been so long ago that I honestly don’t remember when exactly it was, but I remember talking to Synapse’s Don May and Jerry Chandler about their announcement for them getting the rights for this highly underrated 1987 film, The Kindred. When I worked at the theater, we had this and I just loved it. I remember reading about it in the pages of Fango, seeing some amazing photos of the creatures and effects that were in it. And seeing on the big screen, it didn’t disappoint.
Suspicious Death of a Minor (1975)
Directed by Sergio Martino
Starring Claudio Cassinelli, Mel Ferrer, Lia Tanzi, Barbara Magnolfi, Gianfranco Barra, Patrizia Castaldi, Adolfo Caruso, Roberto Posses
There were a few things that got my attention right away when this disc came in the mail. First and foremost, it is directed by Sergio Martino, who has made more than a few films that I have really enjoyed over the years. I mean, let’s face it…the man is a god when it comes to the giallo! Secondly, it would be the first of five times that Claudio Cassinelli would appear in one of Martino’s films, before dying in a tragic helicopter accident. My first introduction to Cassinelli’s work was in Martino’s Island of the Fishmen (1979), co-starring Richard Johnson and Barbara Bach. He always seemed to have fun playing the good guy and did it well. So he’s always a welcome site for me when he appears on screen.
Don’t Look Now
Released by Silva Screen Records
13 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 29 min.
Music by Pino Donaggio
This was one movie that I avoided for a long time only because not only did I know the twist, but I also knew how dark in tone the beginning of the film was. It was one emotional roller coaster ride I didn’t care to partake in at the time. But when I finally sat down and watched it, yes it definitely is a kick in the teeth, it is still an incredible film. And one of the reasons helping this is the beautiful music by Pino Donaggio.
One of the things that made Hammer Films stand out was their music. Yes, we had the boobs, blood, and beasts, not to mention an array of incredibly talented actors and technicians that worked on them, but the amazing soundtrack coming through the speakers made the impact even deeper. How can you not hear the blasting opening cues of James Bernard’s score for Horror of Dracula and not immediately get into the mood for some horror! Or even Harry Robinson’s march for the opening of Twins of Evil? Makes you want to grab your cross and stakes and go hunt some vampires! That is the beauty of the music that Hammer layered throughout their films. And now, thanks to the fine folks of Silva Screen Records, you can have a taste of themes from 18 different films, that range from 1957 to 1974.
Almost let the day go by without getting this posted. After surviving a 24-hour movie marathon over the weekend, where I developed a nice and nasty cold, I’m lucky I’m still able to function at all! But I came across this photo and it made me smile, so I knew I had to use it. Might not be hard, but if you know it, I’m sure it will make you smile as well. But first, let’s get to our photo from last week. It was from Roger Corman’s House of Usher (1960). I must say, a great flick for a chilly October night. Kudos out to the following for sending in the correct answer: Bill Harrison, Troy Howarth, and Kuba Haczek. Well done!
Now…on to the fun. See if this photo doesn’t grab hold of you! Yeah, I know…too easy! But good luck none the less. Remember…don’t post your guesses here, but send them to me in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com.
Our little trivia contest is over and Mother Superior has given us the 4 names from the people that sent in the correct answers. The correct answers were:
So thank you to everyone who did send in their guesses, most of which were correct. But there can only be the 4, so here they are:
This Saturday, the Music Box of Horrors returns, with a slew of devilish pleasures for the die-hard horror fans! They have a dozen titles on deck to give 24-hours of terror, with all but one of the features being screened from either 16mm or 35mm. The only one in a digital format is the first Midwest screening ever of Mariano Baino’s 1993 film Dark Waters, with the director appearing for a Q&A and signing (for FREE)! This is indeed a rare screening to get to see an incredibly atmospheric movie with some strange nuns hiding a terrible evil. Add in some amazing horror vendors, food trucks, and so much more fun, how could you want to pass this up!
Welcome to October! We survived our little trip to Ohio for the Cinema Wasteland show, which is why this is just getting posted now! But better late than never, right? So let us get to it. Our last photo was from the 1975 film from Tyburn Productions and directed by Freddie Francis, called The Ghoul. Not to be confused with the Karloff one from the ’30s, this one starred Peter Cushing, John Hurt, and Veronica Carlson. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answers: Hoby Abernathy, Bruce Crelin, Dave Fronto, Chris Kinniery, and Doug Lamoreux. I have a feeling I have missed a name or two, so if I did miss your’s, then I apologize now. Been a hectic week.
Now on to this week’s photo. This might be a challenging one…or not. But either way, good luck! As always, please remember not to post your answers here so others can have a chance at it!
Christine
Released by Varèse Sarabande
18 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 34 min.
Original Music by John Carpenter in Association with Alan Howarth
Another classic soundtrack from Carpenter and Howarth. I don’t know how Carpenter continued to do it all those years ago, coming up with a score that was so simple and never over-the-top or intricate, but almost made them damn effective. And the score for Christine is no different.
Using just a keyboard, they once again create such an eerie score, building tension and atmosphere that some couldn’t do with a full orchestra. Even on a track like #5 Discovery, it is slow with on a few notes but is still able to make in impact, not to mention what it adds to the actual film. When you get to tracks like Moochie’s Death, we get a lot of suspense through the beating pulse along with a little melody in the background, with a few stingers here and there. Highly effective.
At the end of this month, Varèse Sarabande is releasing this on vinyl, with brand new art from Gary Pullin.
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