Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Giallo Gelato at the Logan Theatre

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Next month, the Logan Theatre in Chicago will be hosting a 50th Anniversary Giallo Celebration, hosted by Stephanie Sack. Taking place from July 18th to the 21st, each night will feature a film that came out in 1975. As listed on the site, “These sensational films — equal parts murder mystery, fashion fantasy, and fever dream — were Italy’s post-war answer to Hitchcock and the drive-in grindhouse, where sleaze meets style, art meets arterial spray, and every killer indeed comes dressed to kill. To celebrate the 50th anniversaries of four notorious 1975 cult classics, Sack presents GIALLO GELATO: a four-night spree of sleaze, suspense, and stylish psychosis at The Logan Theatre’s Late Nights.”

Here are the films that will be screening, each of the four nights, at 11pm:

Friday July 18th – Autopsy
Saturday July 19th – Dario Argento’s Deep Red
Sunday July 20th – Strip Nude for Your Killer
Monday July 21st – Footprints on the Moon

For more information about the theater and this event, just click HERE.

Mystery Photo 6-16

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Another week, another Monday, another Mystery Photo. One might think it could be a little tedious and repetitive, but I like to think that this little post could be a slight second of a break from an otherwise possibly typical “Monday”. Honestly, with any of our posts, if can take you out of reality for a quick second, then I know what I’m doing is worth it. Especially now, with all the BS going on in the world, sometimes we just need a little break. So, when you need it, the Krypt will be here, creaking gates wide open.

Last week’s photo was from Francis Ford Coppola’s early effort from 1963, Dementia 13. While it’s mainly known for that brutal murder, the rest of the film is quite good as well. If you haven’t seen it, or seen it lately, take 75 minutes and check it out. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Wendy Bodine, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Ken Johnson, Erik Martin, Charles Miller, Michael Pniewski, and Michael Shields. Well done!

Okay, we’re going to stay in the world of black and white because, well, just because. But take a look at see if you can spot where this amazing shot is from. Just remember, send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And good luck!

10 Years on WordPress!

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Wow. It just hit me the other day that it’s been a little over 10 whole years since I moved the Krypt from the old website to this new blog format on WordPress. I remember being very concerned and even nervous about making the move, thinking I was losing something in the change. Looking back on it now, I think it was a pretty good decision, especially when you look at websites now compared to 20 years ago.

In those 10 years here, I’ve had over 2500 posts, which I guess shows that I’m still dedicated to helping to spread my love and passion for the horror genre. Granted, in just another 3 years, the Krypt will hit its big 30-year mark, which alone seems hard to believe. But again, it goes to show how much I believe in spreading this “gospel”. When I realize that no matter how long I’ve been a fan myself, that I am still learning so much about the horror genre, and cinema itself, it shows me that there is no endgame here. There is always so much to see and learn. And with every new thing you learn can affect how you see and feel about something you’ve already experienced. With more of an understanding on a particular sub-genre, or a specific film, such as the struggles getting it made, when you view that film again, it will change your viewing, even if its minor.

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Abraham’s Boys

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We all know the heroic stories of Professor Van Helsing, or Doctor in some films, always doing battle against the undead, saving the world from vampires. In this new film by director Natasha Kermani, which she adapted based on the short story by Joe Hill, we get to see a little more in depth look at the Van Helsing family, and more important, how they were raised by this “hero”.

Starring Titus Welliver as the Van Heling patriarch, who is forever on the lookout for not only other vampires, but perhaps the return of his greatest foe. And in that process, “trains” his sons to carry on this tradition, though one of them is more than a little reluctant to even believe these stories are real.

I am very intrigued on this new take on a very famous character from the world of horror, and how writer Hill came up with this unique twist, and how Kermani has adapted it for the screen. This new film hits theaters on July 11th. Below is the trailer.

DtH Episode 98 – Twice Told Tales: The Blob

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The Blob (1958) & The Blob (1988)

Continuing our theme of taking a deep dive into an original film and its remake, this time we’re looking at a pair with exactly 30 years between them: The Blob, from 1958, and its 1988 remake. A lot had changed in those three decades, especially on the technical side, with advancements in special makeup effects definitely upping the ante on what we see on screen. But the remake also retains much of the same small-town feel and trappings of the original. With these two entries, it’s interesting to see the similarities just as much as how the remake plays out as its own creature, sometimes winking at the original but ultimately leaving its own gelatinous footprint.

For those out there that love to hate on remakes, here’s yet another pair that break the mold and had given us two entertaining entries. Sit back and enjoy!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 6-9

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I was delighted to see all the correct answers from last week’s photo. This is a title that you don’t hear about too often but is such a great little flick. It is from The Flesh Eaters (1964). While some of the effects might look a little crude by today’s standards, I still think they are pretty cool. Kudos to the following that sent in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Erik Martin, Charles Miller, Michael Pniewski, Michael Shields, Alan Tromp, Mike Tutino, and Todd Warren. Always nice to see fans of this one!

How about we go with another black and white one, huh? Maybe this will show younger fans that there are still some amazing pieces of cinema out there that are not in color. So, take a look below and see if you can recognize where this shot is from. Just remember to email me your answer in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And Good Luck!

Screenshot

Animals Attacks!

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The fine folks at We Belong Dead have a brand-new book out covering all those pesky and nasty animals, insects, and all those other beasties that revolt against us humans in Animals Attacks! now available through their website that you can get to by clicking HERE. Like all of their titles, these are beautiful volumes, filled with amazing images from stills to movie posters and so much more. Not to mention a wide array of talented writers giving us their thoughts on these movies. Yes, for full disclosure, I have 3 essays in this volume myself. But I know I would have been buying this latest volume even if I didn’t. Yes, they are also a bit pricy, especially when you get them shipped over here to the states. But because of their quality, and that you can just order them through Amazon, they are well worth the investment, both to your library, as well as your continued learning about the different films in the genre.

This book covers everything from the fun ’50s era of the big bug films, such as Tarantula (1955) to the major blockbusters like Jaws (1975), to even the modern-day cheesy CGI titles flooding the market. A lot to be covered here, and a lot to learn about, as well as maybe adding a few movies to your “need-to-watch” list.

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Book Review: We’re Here for the Krites

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We’re Here for the Krites: The Making of Critters
Published by Harker Press, 2025. 339 pages.
By Matthew C. DuPée

The great thing about these types of books is that you learn so much about what happened behind the scenes, on every aspect. Whether it’s how the actors brought their character to life, how the sets were built, the other technical stuff like prop building, the monster, even the sets, it really helps give you more of an appreciation of the work that went into it, from the very beginning to the end. Not to mention showing you just how much work does go into a film, even if it’s a low budget film. Harker Press continues to put out books that are a wealth of information that eager film fans can devour and will make you look at the subject matter with more of an educated and often different view going forward.

This new title covers the Critters franchise, from the original 1986 feature, the sequel, and the two straight-to-video follow-ups. Then we finally get the 8-episode series, Critters: A New Binge, and the last entry, Critters Attack!, both of which came out in 2019. There is a lot more focus on the first feature, and then a little less with each film, but that doesn’t mean you’re still going to learn so much of what went on during these productions. The best thing about this is that we get to hear from so many people involved, from the actors, directors, writers, special effects crews, detailing some of the issues that came up, how things were laid out and designed, and all the fun stuff that goes into filmmaking!

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Turkey Day in May 2025

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Another T-Day in May is in the books, with our usual 7 features devoured, along with about 22 pizzas! Truth be told, this last month or so has been a struggle for me, dealing with some health issues, new medication, work stress, and all the other fun things that go into life. Nothing serious, but just those things that can try to take any of the positives and put them in the shadows making it a little harder to see. But getting together with about a dozen like-minded film nerds, sitting and watching 7 features that probably would never make anybody’s Best-Of lists, and having a damn fun time doing it, really did wonders for me. It was the closest that I’ve felt back to my normal self in a long time. So, for those of you that came out, thank you!

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Want to Buy a Drive-In?

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That’s right . . . not only are there close to 300 drive-in theaters still up and running, but there are ones where the current owners have already retired or are going to be soon and are looking to sell it. It’s a lot of work, but when you love something as much as movies and keeping something this nostalgic alive, you never know.

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