Recently I read a comment online on why someone would waste time talking about films they didn’t like over the last year, like a Worst of the Year list (kind of like the one below), when we should be talking about ones we did like. In other words, positive posts instead of negative. I’d like to answer that, if I may, or at least put in my two cents
Another year down in the history books. Filled with the usual…good things, bad things, lost things, and plenty of things to keep this horror fan busy and able to remain passionate about the genre as ever.
Near the beginning of 2015, we went through another computer crash. It had been a few years since the last crash, so I guess we were due. But in getting a new one, that of course meant the inevitable upgrade to Windows 8 (and now 10). While most might think that is a good thing, for someone using an outdated software, like Front Page 2003, these newer systems just don’t like working with old programs. In fact, they refuse to. So once I had to upgrade to the new Windows 8, I was forced to make that decision that I knew had been coming for a few years. That was taking the Krypt to a new location/format. So back in February, we moved the Krypt to its new home, on this WordPress blog site. It was a big transition, one that we’re still making, but I think I it was the right one. We have been going strong here at the new site, with more updates than we used to with the old site. Sure, they are smaller postings, but hopefully just as entertaining.
Since this will be our last Mystery Photo for 2015, I figured we’d make it a good one. You know…something to end the year on a bang! But before we get to the new one, lets review last week’s photo. It was of course, from the film Rare Exports, which is one of the best Christmas horror movies around. Congrats out to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Cate Cameron, Robert Slendorn, Wayne Teeter, Coye Vega, AJ Wager, Matt Wedge, Kristin Wicks, and Greg Wojick. Well done!
Okay…enough of the celebrating…let us get down to business. Take a good look at this week’s photo and see what you can come up with. Might be a bit tough….or not. Good luck, either way.
And please remember not to post your answers here but send us an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. We want to give everyone else a chance too.
The Television Horrors of Dan Curtis
By Jeff Thompson
Published by McFarland & Company, 2009. 200 pages.
Ash vs The Evil Dead
Released by Varèse Sarabande, 2015
22 Tracks with a total running time of 53 min.
Music by Joseph LoDuca
Robert Clarke To “B” or Not to “B” – A Film Actor’s Odyssey
By Robert Clarke & Tom Weaver
Published by Midnight Marquee, 1996, 247 pages
Evelyn Ankers
Born Aug. 17th, 1918 – Died Aug. 29th, 1985
Evelyn Ankers was the only actress to play opposite the main Universal monsters, Frankenstein’s creature, the Wolf Man, and Dracula (actually his Son). She appeared in a few films in England in the ’30s before coming to the US and working for Universal. Her first movie, even though a comedy, still hand its hands in the horror genre. It was Abbott & Costello’s Hold that Ghost in 1941. That same year, she appeared as the love interests for Lon Chaney Jr. in The Wolf Man. She would then appear in Ghost of Frankenstein in 1942 and then Son of Dracula in 1943, all opposite Chaney Jr. It’s been reported that even though they worked together quite often, they were not the best of friends.
She made over 50 movies in her short career of less than 15 years before she retired from the business. She came back to make a few appearances in television, but it wasn’t that many. In 1942, she had married actor Richard Denning, who also was well known making creature features. She spent the rest of her life as a happily married housewife to Denning until her death in 1985, from ovarian cancer.
The Final Girls
Released by Varèse Sarabande, 2015
28 Tracks with a total running time of 57 min.
Music Gregory James Jenkins
Also known to use the name Vic Winner, this Spanish actor is probably a very familiar face if you’ve watched more than a few Paul Naschy films. Alcázar usually played the good guy, or at least someone that was caught up with the nasty things going on. But he was always one of those recognizable faces in those great Spanish horror films of the 70s’. His first real horror appearance was in 1973, which was a very busy year for him. The first film noted in that year was It Happened At Nightmare Inn (aka A Candle for the Devil), co-starring Judy Geeson. But then that same year, he would appear in FOUR films with Paul Naschy. They were Horror Rises from the Tomb, Count Dracula’s Great Love, Hunchback of the Morgue, and Vengeance of the Zombies.
While his acting wasn’t that of legends, he was always good in the roles that he had. And he is one face that you will see pop up in these Spanish horror films of that era, so it is only expected that we wouldn’t want to highlight him here. That way the next time you’re watching HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB with some friends, and Alcázar pops up on the screen, you can say “Hey…there’s Victor Alcázar!” and impress your friends!
kitleyskrypt.com 