Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Unpleasant Dreams with Super-Monster-Rama

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The deviants are back to give you nightmares, with back-to-back midnight screenings at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago! On Friday, May 30th, at 11:45pm, they will be hosting a screening of Dream Demon (1988), an underrated horror film that never got the attention it deserves. Directed by Harley Cokeliss, who had previously given us Battletruck (1982) and Black Moon Rising (1986) and starring Jemma Redgrave (who would later go on to appear in a bunch of Dr. Who episodes), Kathleen Wilhoite, and Timothy Spall.

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Damien Thomas – Rest in Peace

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One of my all-time favorite Hammer Films is Twins of Evil (1971), and one of those reasons was the highly memorable villain Count Karnstein, played wonderfully by Damien Thomas. He seemed to just revel is playing this character and just makes the film so much more enjoyable. Sadly, we have heard the news that he has recently passed away.

He didn’t appear too much in the horror genre over the years, but was always a treat to see no matter what he was in. He is one of the many reasons that Hammer Films still are remembered and cherished today.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. Gone, but never forgotten.

Hammer Unleashes Quatermass!

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Being a huge fan of Hammer Studios, I’m so thrilled that they are finally doing what they can to keep the name alive. I’ve heard several times over the last couple of decades that they have new owners, and they are going to start new productions and do all this merchandising . . . and then nothing. But it sure seems with this new one, John Gore, is really doing it. They have already released special editions for the films Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974) and The Four-Sided Triangle (1953) and now are set to release the film that really put them on the map, The Quatermass Xperiment (1955).

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Mystery Photo 4-21

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I have to say I’m pretty proud for those of you that sent in the correct answer to last week’s photo. Sure, while the main villain is right there in the pic, the film itself, Chamber of Horrors (1966), isn’t one that seems to be more well known! Patrick O’Neal really does chew on the scenery here, but in the most entertaining way! I will say that my favorite part of this film, the “Horror Horn” and the “Fear Flasher” is the best part, even though I’ve seen more gore in a PG-13 movie that what we see here! But got to give them credit for pimping that ballyhoo! Congrats to all of the following that sent in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Steve Archacki, Maureen Connelly, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Ken Johnson, Erik Martin, Charles Miller, Lee Nattrass, Jeff Owens, and Todd Warren! Well done!

These week’s photo is a film that most should know, but the question is if you can recognize it from the below photo. That’s the tricky bit, isn’t it? Just remember to send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And most of all, Good Luck!

The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan

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Growing up in the age of video stores, I was aware of some of the films of Andy Milligan, such as The Rats Are Coming! The Werewolves Are Here! and Tortue Dungeon, just from seeing them on the shelves. But I never was that familiar with him, other than knowing he made some schlocky low budget films. But thanks to Severin Films, when they released their incredible Milligan box set, The Dungeon of Andy Milligan collection, which featured 14 different film titles and a plethora of extras. This amazing set allowed long-time fans, as well as beginners of Milligan’s work to really dig into his films and have the chance to see them looking better than they probably ever have. I know I have watched about a half dozen of the titles so far and have not been disappointed. Yeah, they are low budget, and often like watching a school play being filmed, but I was always entertained by the passion they had.

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New Invisible Man Book

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I know that collecting books can be a slightly obsessive, especially when you are an equally obsessive horror movie fan. For me, there is always that never-ending quest for knowledge about the films we love. Whether they are the old classics to even newer films. I strongly believe that the more you know about a film, you will see it in a different light, no matter the quality of the actual finished product.

Of course, the Universal horror films of the ’30s that were really the start of the film genre, and while they are all around the hundred-year anniversary mark, we seem to continue to get more books on the subject. And while my wallet and my bookshelves might complain, I do not!

The latest edition that I just saw was the new book by Christopher Lock, called The Invisible Man: The Complete History of the 1933 Horror Classic, which just came out. I had recently read Lock’s book on The Bride of Frankenstein, and thoroughly enjoyed it, finding a lot of interesting information in there. So, when I saw this one, I knew I would be adding it to my library. Plus, this might be the first book to cover James Whale’s 1933 adaption of the H.G. Wells novel. I have several books on the Universal Classics, but not on only this particular film. I know there is one by Philip J. Riley, but that is just on an early version of the script when Boris Karloff was attached to the project. According the blub on this new volume by Lock, it is the “only in-depth book in publication solely dedicated to this iconic film; from conception, to production, and beyond.”

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Columbus Moving Picture Show!

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The next stop on this year’s World Tour is at the Columbus Movie Picture Show. Formally known as Cinevent, which was one of the longest running movie memorabilia show around, it changed ownership and name a few years ago. We started vending at them back in 2016 and have always really enjoyed ourselves there. It’s nice to see a show like the ones I used to attend back in the 90s, when it was more about the memorabilia than overpriced autographs. We couldn’t make it to last year’s show but are back this year to have a blast like we usually do!

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Halfway to Halloween at Sulzers!

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Aaron Christensen and I will be back at the Sulzer Region Library next Tuesday with a one lecture on Family Fun Frights! This is for those family and friends that kind of like horror but might get a little too scared to watch any “serious” frightening flicks? Well, we’re going to cover a bunch of films, in a range of “scariness”, starting with some for all ages and then move up in the fear factor, but never going too extreme. Whether it’s for your own kids, or even yourself, we discuss a wide range of titles that are perfect for all year round, but especially during that Halloween season. While we will be covering some titles for a younger audience in the beginning, it will move into some more scarier titles, so the event is listed as 18 years and over.

The event is located at 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL, 60625, going from 6:30pm to 8pm. For all the info, just click HERE to get to the library’s event calendar. Hope to see you there!

DtH Episode 94 – Horror at Home

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As a horror fan, it’s tough enough to try and keep up with all the movies, not to mention all the memorabilia and other collectibles, but just imagine having to live with one! In this episode, we have invited our wives on the show, to give their insights to not just living with a slightly obsessive fan, but how they have embraced the genre as well. You’ll hear how they became fans themselves, to what kind of film gives them the shivers! As you’ll learn, being a horror fan has become a shared experience, a passion and love for all of us. While we might not all love the same titles, we can all agree on the genre as a whole. We welcome Kat AuBuchon, Jenn Glonek, and Dawn Kitley, to what help them Discover the Horror!

Films Mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 4-14

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Almost halfway through April. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not. But I guess we still need to focus on the good out there, no matter what. It just seems to be getting harder to do that. So hopefully this little pictorial puzzle will give you a few seconds of a break from reality! But first, let’s review last week. It was from the 1981 film Evilspeak, back when you could contact the evil forces from your computer! Boy . . . if they only knew how true that would be. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer, and there was a lot of you: Hoby Abernathy, Todd Barwick, Mike Benedict, Chris Dyer, Dave Friedman, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Christopher Highland, Ken Johnson, Steven Kennedy, Joel Kolsrud, Erik Martin, Jeff Owens, Michael Pniewski, and Brandon Trokey. Nice to know that movie still is remembered fondly!

Here’s this week’s photo. Take a look and see if you can pick where this shot is from! Just remember to send you answer to me, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And most of all, keep those positive thoughts going and good luck!