Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Movie Review: Common Law Wife & Jennie Wife/Child

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Common Law Wife (1961)
Directed by Larry Buchanan & Eric Sayers
Starring Annabelle Weenick, George Edgley, Max W. Anderson, Lacey Kelley, Bert Masters, Libby Hall

Jennie: Wife/Child (1968)
Directed by Robert Carl Cohen & James Landis
Starring Jack Lester, Beverly Lunsford, Jim Reader, Virginia Wood, Richard Cowl

When I read about the announcement of the latest release from Film Masters, a Hicksploitation double feature, I was going to pass, since it’s not really in the horror genre. Then I realized that one of the titles, Common Law Wife, was partially directed by Larry Buchanan, a favorite cult director of mine! So, I figured I had to take on the assignment of reviewing them anyway because I just couldn’t pass up anything that Buchanan was involved with. I am so glad I did.

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Donald Sutherland – Rest in Peace

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On Thursday, June 20th, the world of cinema lost a great talent. Donald Sutherland passed away at the age of 88, leaving an incredible career that lasted six decades. Sutherland appeared in just about every genre of film, but it was with horror where he got his start in feature films. The Italian film The Castle of the Living Dead (1964), which starred Christopher Lee, Sutherland not only made his screen debut, but played 3 different characters! He played Sgt. Paul, an old man, and even the old witch. Pretty impressive for a young actor. His next feature would also co-star Christopher Lee, as well as Peter Cushing, in Amicus’ Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965). He would appear in many more films over the decades, like Hammer’s Die! Die! My Darling (1965), the heart-breaking Don’t Look Now (1973), to the incredible remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), making his wide-eyed, screeching face such an iconic image. But no matter the film or budget, he always gave it his all, even in the crazy, special effects heavy sci-fi/horror film Virus (1999) that featured an all-star cast, he helped make the film even more entertaining.

If you saw his name in the cast, you knew it was worth your time. Thankfully, we have all of these films he’s left us to re-watch, and appreciate the talent that he was, over and over, and over again, never to be forgotten. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.

Reunions Galore at Flashback Weekend!

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I know I posted something earlier in the year about Chicago’s Flashback Weekend, taking place Aug. 2nd-4th in Rosemont, IL, where they’re having a reunion for John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), with almost all the remaining cast attending. They had announced 6 of the cast, Keith David, Richard Masur, David Clennon, Thomas G. Waites, Joel Polis, and Peter Maloney, but now have recently announced Adrienne Barbeau. Sure, she may not physically appear in the film, remember that she did provide the voice for the computer chess game!

They had also announced a huge reunion for the cult film The Warriors (1979), with Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler, David Harris, Terry Michos, and Thomas G. Waites doing double duty.

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What a Time to be Alive!

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I know as I get older and slowly move into Old Man Club, which I apparently have been doing for the past two decades, there are times that I never thought I would see the day. See that? That’s something an Old Man would say. But alas, it’s true. Severin Films had already announced their new 5-disc release of Dario Argento’s Opera (1987), featuring so many extras, including a CD of the soundtrack, so that alone was pretty damn amazing. And then came more recent announcement that had me staring at the notice with such a blank stare, as if to think that I should be waking up at any moment.

Years ago, back when I collected VHS tapes, I remember coming across a big box video of The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals (1969), released by Academy Home Entertainment. Even though it starred John Carradine and Anthony Eisley, with that kind of title, and the fact that I had never heard of it before, I knew I had to add it to the collection. When I sat down with it . . . oof! How can it be a bad movie when you have a mummy AND a werewolf . . . or were-jackal, or something. While the movie is perfect for a Turkey Day marathon, which I did screen in 2016, the print quality wasn’t the greatest. In fact, you could barely see what was going on in some parts.

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Mystery Photo 6-17

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It seems my hell week at in the real world from last week has decided to continue on to this week. I wish I would have gotten that memo. I would have called in sick! Oh well, at least we have a new Mystery Photo for you! But first, let’s review last week’s photo. It was from Clive Barker’s Lord of Illusions (1995), which was unfortunately his last film as a director. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Todd Barwick, Peggie Christie, Dahlia Daniels, Kevin Hart, Tim Palace, Mickey Thompson, Brandon Trokey, and William Wilson!

Now on to this week’s photo. I think this is a good representation of what I felt like doing last week! But thankfully, I don’t own a red car! But take a good look and see if you recognize which film this is from. Just remember to email me your answer, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Soundtrack Review: Caveat

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Caveat (2020)
24 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 71:10 min.
Music by Richard G. Mitchell

I stumbled across this movie in 2021 on Prime one night, not knowing anything about it but since it had a creepy looking stuffed rabbit with human looking eyes in it, I figured it could be interesting. Boy was that an understatement! I counted it as in my Top Ten Viewings for the year. The movie just oozes creepiness. So much strange stuff is going on, but it really gets under your skin. One of the reasons for that, I feel, is because of the score from Richard G. Mitchell.

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Discover the Horror YouTube Channel

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I keep forgetting to mention that starting with Episode # 70, you can now actually watch our podcast instead of just listening to it! There will also be additional videos and content being added as time goes on. So, if you want to see your hosts in action, just click HERE to get the channel. Then remember to Like and Subscribe so you will be notified every time new content is uploaded! Below is our first video, praising one of the best conventions out there, Cinema Wasteland!

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DtH Episode 72: 1950’s Giant Creepy Crawlers

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Them! (1954), The Deadly Mantis (1957), and The Black Scorpion (1957)

The decade of the 1950s gave horror fans a ton of different giant monster flicks, but usually taking something seemingly harmless, such as ants or grasshoppers, but somehow, someway, are mutated into growing into gigantic proportions! We had giant spiders, praying mantis, mollusks, and anything these creative filmmakers could come up, just make them bigger and let them loose!

While modern critics, or even those at the time when these titles came out, passed them off as something for the kiddies and not to be taken seriously. And sure, they were definitely made under the term of exploitation, but when you really look at them, there is a lot of talented people behind and in front of the camera, and some really well-made and creative craftsmanship going on as well. Some aspects may seem and are very dated by today’s standards, but there is still a lot there, as well as a lot of entertainment value. So, grab your can of raid, a giant size flyswatter, and maybe even some industrial strength gloves to wear so you don’t have to tough any of these nasty little buggers and listen to us have a little fun discussing some big creepy crawlers!

Movies mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 6-10

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Going to be a fun week already. Got very little sleep over the weekend due to attending a Godzilla 24-hour marathon and still haven’t recovered! But at least I got this done! Our photo from last week was from Jean Rollin’s Le frisson des vampires aka Shiver of the Vampire (1971). Kudos to those that sent in the correct name: Hoby Abernathy, Steve Archacki, Dada Debaser, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, and Troy Howarth! Well done!

Now on to this week’s photo, which might be pretty easy, mainly because it’s a little newer than most. Well, sort of. Take a peek and see what you can come up with. Don’t worry, if you don’t send in the correct answer, I won’t make you wear the mask in the photo. But just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Little Shoppe of Horrors Hits the Big 50!

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Issue # 50 of simply the best magazine devoted to Hammer Studios is about to release their 50th issue. Issue # 1 was published in June of 1972, over 50 years ago. And if you’ve purchased any of their issues, then you know just how packed full of information they are. This one is no different.

With the incredible cover art by Mark Maddox, this issue features in-depth making of The Devil Rides Out by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, called Angel of Death. There are also pieces on Charles Gray, as well as one on special effects artist Michael Stainer-Hutchins, an analysis of Richard Matheson’s screenplay for the film called The Devil in the Details, by Constantine Nasr.

Plus, Mr. Hallenbeck also gives us Fresh Blood, Fresh Brains: The Making of Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell!

Filled out with the other usual content, from book reviews, the Keith Dudley report, and Confessions of a Monster Chick by Pam Murray, this issue will be just as entertaining and engaging as all the rest. I can’t wait! You can order your copy now by clicking HERE.