Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Unlocking Dracula A.D. 1972

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This is something that I just love about not just the horror genre, but of its fans. Hammer’s film Dracula A.D. 1972 isn’t one of their titles considered to be an ultimate classic, especially when you compare it to some of the studios more well-known titles throughout their reign of terror at the box office. I know myself that it took a while for me to really come around to see this Dracula tale in a modern setting (for the time it was made) for what it is and finally be entertained by it. But even though it has developed into more of a cult classic over the last 50+ years, it’s never referred to on the same level as say, Horror of Dracula.

So, when I see this new book coming out by author David Huckvale, all dedicated to this one single movie, I applauded it! Anytime that someone takes the time to do the work, meaning the research, the digging deep into the film, from the production to the locations to where it was filmed, and those involved, is a great way for fans of the film to not only learn more about it, but maybe see it in different way. Or even if you’re not a huge fan of the film, the more you understand, it could change your mind, or at least maybe have a better understanding of the final product and how it came to be.

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DtH Podcast Episode 88: Val Lewton Part 2

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The Leopard Man (1943), The Seventh Victim (1943), Isle of the Dead (1945)

Back in episode 23, we covered producer Val Lewton and three of his films. While Lewton only produced about a dozen film, and a really only a handful of them being horror, what he did give us made a huge impact on the genre. That is why we have decided to cover three more of his films, in hopes that other fans will seek out not only the ones that we’ve covered, but the other titles as well.

With the help of a group very talented craftsmen, such as directors Jacques Tourneur and Mark Robson, screenwriter Ardel Wray, and a wide and talented cast of actors that he used more than once, Lewton was able to produce films that were very different than not only what he was hired to do, but ones that were different than what most horror fans would have expected at the time. They had style, they had interesting stories, and very unique and well-developed characters. His films are ones that show how effective just a walk down the street can be, when executed by the right people.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 1-20

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Yes, we are back with another pictorial puzzle. Last Monday just slipped by and didn’t even realize until Tuesday that I had forgotten to post one! I’ll try to do better this year! Nonetheless, we have a new one now. But first, let’s see if we remember what the last one was! It was from the 1957 film Voodoo Island, starring the one and only Boris Karloff. While the movie isn’t the greatest movie, it is pretty fun, and Karloff is entertaining to watch as always. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Erik Martin, and Bryan Senn.

Okay, on to today’s photo. Not much to go on in this picture, but we’ll see if you can recognize where this damsel in distress is from. Just remember to send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Book Review: Bride of Frankenstein

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Bride of Frankenstein
Published by Midnight Movie Monographs, 2023. 184 pages.
Edited by Emma Westwood

This is a rather small volume, priced at a little more than I would have liked to have paid for it, but that being said, there is a lot of wisdom and information packed into these 184 pages. The thing that I really enjoyed about this is that it contains 12 essays by 12 different writers, all covering a variety of subjects that have to do with James Whale’s 1935 sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein. While some are not specifically on the movie, there is that connection.

There is one on Franz Waxman and the incredible music he created for it, written by Dr. Dan Golding. Remember, there was a time in the early day of sound films that the studios didn’t want musical scores, feeling they would interfere with the voices and other sounds in the film. Then there is Scott Essman’s essay on the makeup for the Bride and the makeup artist Jack Pierce. Lots of good stuff in here.

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What a Time to Be Alive!

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This is pure ridicules to even think that at some point in my lifetime, there would be an action figure from the 1970 exploitation classic Beast of Blood. Directed by Eddie Romero and starring John Ashley, this film featured a monster that through most of the movie, has his head disconnected from its body! As a kid, I used to think it was amazing that we had action figures of some superheroes, or even some from the Planet of the Apes films and TV series. But just the thought that there would be actual toys (sorry, collectibles) made of films that were not even big box office hits, like the Star Wars series, but just features mainly playing the drive-in markets. But here we are, 55 years after the film comes out, and we have a little action figure of everyone’s favorite chlorophyll-blooded monster!

You can pre-order it from Amok Toys by clicking HERE. They are priced at $39.99, but I’m sure these will be just as popular as their Humanoids from the Deep figure. Again, what a time to be alive!

David Lynch & Jeannot Szwarc – Rest in Peace

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Sorry for the lack of updates this last week, but I didn’t get Covid again, just very busy. But with these two bits of news today, I knew I had to post something.

Probably making more of the headlines is the passing of director David Lynch. While I’ve never been a huge fan of his work, he is a filmmaker that I have a lot of respect for. It’s not often when a director can make the kind of impact throughout his entire career, as Lynch did. I remember seeing Eraserhead (1977) for the first time and couldn’t remember the last time a film hit me like that one did. Definitely didn’t walk away with a bunch of warm and fuzzy feelings, that is for sure. But what a punch! I do remember seeing The Elephant Man (1980) and though tragic, I really enjoyed it. Then in the ’80s, renting Blue Velvet (1986) and watching it with my future wife and her mom . . . very interesting! But it is a sad day for cult fans because there aren’t too many people like Lynch. His voice will be missed.

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Book Review: Cinema Speculation

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Cinema Speculation
Published by HarperCollins, 2022. 392 pages.
By Quentin Tarantino

This is sort of a first here at the Krypt, because this book isn’t really about the horror genre. While there is a chapter on Tobe Hooper’s The Funhouse (1981), it covers a bunch of other films, mainly in the action genre. So why am I covering it here? Simple. Because I can’t remember the last time I read a book where the writer’s passion for cinema was felt in every single word.

The title alone, Cinema Speculation, shows that this isn’t Tarantino making a statement that the titles covered are the best in the history of cinema, but he writes why they are to him. It is his “speculation”. And he goes into great detail as to why, all coming from his deep-rooted passion for them. Everyone knows anything about Taratino knows how much he knows about cinema. You can’t see an interview with him where he’s usually name dropping some obscure film that he loves. There are reasons for that.

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DtH Episode 87 – Twice Told Tales: Nosferatu

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Nosferatu (1922), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

In episode 78, we started our on-going Twice Told Tales segment, featuring the first two versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. In this episode, with the recent release of Robert Eggers long awaited version of Nosferatu, we’re going back to the original, one of cinema’s first true monsters, in F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, then following it up with Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu the Vampyre.

As in our first Twice Told Tales episode, this isn’t a comparison as to which one is better, but to dig deep into each film, discussing why we think the impact it has made is still felt today, for both versions. We’ll point out the differences, the similarities, as well as some other behind-the-scenes on the films and filmmakers as well. 

There is a reason the original film, one that was supposed to be completely destroyed, has still lived on, almost like the undead title character. There is a reason you’ll see a photo from Nosferatu in almost every book on the horror film genre. And some might think for Herzog to dare make his own version of this iconic classic was utter nonsense. Until you see the film.

Join us on a little journey back over a century into the past, to the very beginning of horror cinema, and an incredible new take on this tale.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Soundtrack Review: The Sweet House of Horrors

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The Sweet House of Horrors
Released by Cauldon Films, 2024
20 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 66 min.
Music by Vince Tempera

I’ll say right off the top that this later day, made-for-TV movie that Fulci directed has never been one of my favorites. Of course, that didn’t stop me from buying the House of Doom set that Cauldron Films put out, that featured this film, along with Fulci’s The House of Clocks, and Umberto Lenzi’s The House of Lost Souls and The House of Witchcraft. But the set also had the soundtracks for Sweet House and The House of Clocks, both by composer Vince Tempera. None the less, I picked it up. I’m a sucker for soundtracks, especially for titles that I never thought would ever get a release. So, a huge thanks to Cauldron Films for making that happen.

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Mystery Photo 1-6

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Welcome to our first photo of 2025! Thank you for all that have participated in our little pictorial puzzles through 2024. I just love giving other fans a little fun thing to think about, as well as hopefully introducing some titles that you might not have heard about. So yes, there is always a devilish plan behind what I’m doing!

For last week’s photo, it was from Starve Acre (2023), but I think it just hit over here in 2024. Either way, great little folk horror film that definitely isn’t full of the warm and fuzzies! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Dada Debaser, Erik Martin, and Tim Palace. Well done!

Now on to our first photo of the year! Take a look and then email me your guess, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com Good Luck!