Author Archives: Jon Kitley

DtH Episode 83: Wes Craven

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One of the things we continue to preach on this podcast is learning about the people that are involved with the films we love. It helps you see more and understand more, about the person, as well as the final product they are involved with, whether they are an actor, makeup artist, or director.

Author Joe Maddrey’s recent book, The Soul of Wes Craven, from Harker Press, does just this, digging deep into the man, and shows us fans a lot more behind this Master of Horror than we might not have known. To help dig into Craven and his work, we invited Mr. Maddrey on the show to talk about his book and this highly influential filmmaker.

Films mention in this episode:

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New Edition to Never Sleep Again Book

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We received an email from Dark Ink Publishing about their latest book, Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, by Thommy Huston. As we’ve said many times before, you can never have too many horror reference books. But as it turns out, we already have this book in our library from when it first came out in 2016, which is pictures on the left below, with the new edition on the right. This new edition has a new afterwards by Robert England, but that’s about it.

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Mystery Photo 11-11

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Last week’s photo was from the highly entertaining 1986 film Critters, at least I think so. Hell, even the second one is pretty damn fun! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Brian Fukula, Steve Kennedy, Erik Martin, and William Wilson! Well done, indeed!

While we’re in the midst of November, which we all know is Turkey Season (and I don’t mean Thanksgiving!), we decided to put up on for our Mystery Photo, but maybe not making it TOO easy. But you decide how easy it is. So, take a peek below and see if you know which movie this headline is from! Just remember to email me your guess, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Tony Todd – Rest in Peace

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Modern horror fans have lost an icon with the passing of Tony Todd. Most known for playing the title role in the Candyman series, his career shows much more than just that. Todd could give some incredible performances, with such quiet subtlety, that he could give you the chills with just a smile. One of my favorite performances of his was in an episode of The X-Files called “Sleepless”, from 1994. But he would go on to do so much more, having close to 250 credits in a career that spanned almost four decades.

Todd would appear at many conventions over the years and was a fan favorite, showing the friendlier side of this actor known for the scarier roles he appeared in. He took on the task of appearing in the remake of Night of the Living Dead (1990), playing the lead character of Ben. But as always, he pulled off and was one of the reasons that remake is actually really good.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time. But rest assured, his memory, through his amazing amount of work, will definitely live on. Even if you’re not starring into a mirror.

New Carpenter Book from FAB Press

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Coming out sometime next Spring/Summer, FAB Press will be releasing Bringing Darkness Instead of Light: Conversations with John Carpenter by Michael Doyle. This 600+ page book will feature interviews the author did with Carpenter for over 15 years, with subjects ranging from his films, H.P. Lovecraft, politics, drugs, as well as different films and their productions. The book will also have a bunch of previously unpublished photos.

They have the pre-order price listed as £59.99 ($77.60 in US dollars) but hasn’t confirmed that will be the actual price. It does sound like there might be multiple editions, each at a different price, but they do state there will be a Collector’s Edition with a “stunning slipcase inspired by In The Mouth of Madness.

Keep tabs on the book by checking out FAB Press’ website HERE or sign up for updates so you’ll be notified directly when it becomes available for pre-order.

Jonathan Haze – Rest in Peace

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The original Seymour Krelborn in Roger Corman’s ultra-low budget picture Little Shop of Horrors (1960), actor Jonathan Haze has passed away at the young age of 95. He was a staple in the early Corman films, with his first film being the Corman produced monster flick, Monster from the Ocean Floor (1954). He would appear in a handful of Corman films, wherever he was needed, in whatever kind of role. For other genre pictures, he appeared in It Conquered the World (1956), Not of This Earth (1957), and The Terror (1963).

No matter who or what he was playing, he was always memorable. I had a chance to meet him at a Cinema Wasteland show years ago, along with Little Shop co-star Jackie Joseph and screenwriter Charles B. Griffith, who told plenty of great stories of those days. But no matter, Haze will live on in those many roles he appeared in, especially Little Shop of Horrors. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.

Franco T-Shirts Available

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For those big fans of filmmaker Jess Franco, we have a few T-Shirts left over from the Francomania: Vampyros Francos event that took place a couple of weeks ago in St. Louis. The art was created by the uber-talented Don England. He really knocked it out of the park with the design idea that we came up with.

If you’re interested, they are $20 each, with $5 for shipping. Just email me (jon@kitleyskrypt.com) the size you’re looking for and I’ll let you know if we still have any of them and we’ll go from there.

Supply is limited so if you’re interested, email me sooner than later!

Mystery Photo 11-4

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Okay, so only another 361 days until Halloween! I hope everyone had a fangtastic month and was able to enjoy the season, with plenty of films and horror-themed events. I know I did! Well, maybe not the movies, but definitely events. But to start off this month right, let’s get to our weekly pictorial puzzle, shall we? But first, let’s review last week. It was from the lesser-known Halloween film called Trick or Treats (1982), starring David Carradine, Carrie Snodgress, Steve Railsback, Peter Jason, and written and directed by Gary Graver, who worked as a cinematographer for Al Adamson in the late ’60s and early ’70s. This is not a great movie by any means, but an interesting entry in the Halloween themed movies. Congrats to the following for recognizing this one: Hoby Abernathy, Peggie Christie, Steven Kennedy, Erik Martin, and William Wilson. Well done!

Now on to this week’s photo. Give it a good look, through the goo and ooze and see if you recognize where this is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Captain Kronos 5 Disc Release?

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As we make our way to the Monster Bash Conference, where we, along with all the other attendees, will be celebrating Hammer Films with four lovely ladies that appeared in some of their films. Names like Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Victoria Vetri, and Pauline Peart, along with a few other interesting guests. You can get all the details by clicking HERE.

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DtH Episode 82 – Haunted Houses

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The Legend of Hell House (1973), Hausu (1977), The Abandoned (2006)

In older small towns, there is usually some old house on the outskirts of town, maybe someone lives there, maybe not. But it is one that young kids dare themselves to go up to. And if you do dare to enter this dwelling, you’ll find creaking boards, dust covered items from furniture to knick-knacks, and a lot of cobwebs. And any noise, no matter how small it might, gets the mind racing.

There is nothing better for the Halloween season than sitting down with a nice Haunted House movie. Which is why we decided to tackle 3 of our favorite scary movies about demented dwellings, as well as ones that we feel that need more attention. Going back to the very beginning of cinema, with Georges Méliès’ The House of the Devil (1896), it shows how important this sub-genre is, and why filmmakers continue to go back to it. When done correctly, can be highly effective, and damn scary. 

Films mentioned in this episode:

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