Last weekend, we hit our first convention of the year, HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinnati. That has traditionally been our first show of the year, and our biggest. And this year was no different. A huge crowd of people came out, on all three days, and it seemed that everyone had a great time. We spent most of our time behind our tables, having plenty of time to chat with friends, both old and new, as well as selling a lot of books, which honestly just makes my heart swell. Sure, that is what we are there for, to make money, but with every book that I sell, it means that there is a fan out there that is willing to take the time to read and learn about something they love. With the age of the internet, with people reading on their phones and Kindles, I just love it when I see someone still doing it old school! Gives me hope, not only as a bookseller, but as a fan.
Continue readingAuthor Archives: Jon Kitley
Silvia Tortosa – Rest in Peace
Spanish actress Silvia Tortosa only made a few titles in her career that featured over 100 TV and movie appearances, but when she did, she always made an impact with the viewer. Her first role was in a on TV in 1964, but horror fans will remember her as the Countess Irina Petrovski in Horror Express (1972), followed by appearing in Amando de Ossorio’s The Loreley’s Grasp (1973). She also appeared in Paul Naschy’s The Frenchman’s Garden (1978).
She passed away on March 23rd, at the age of 77. She may be gone, but I know horror fans will always remember her for her work in these highly memorable films. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family during this difficult time.
DtH Episode 66 – Women Horror Directors
Chained (2012), Honeymoon (2014), and Relic (2020)
With over 60 episodes so far in our podcast history, we realized that in all that we covered, we had never covered anything by a woman director. We knew we needed to change that. Going through the history of women directors, we realized that not only wasn’t something new, but have been working in the industry since the beginning of film. And in the last two decades, have really started to show their stuff. So, to help celebrate Women’s History Month, we figured it was well past due that we tackle three films that were directed by women, once again, picking three random titles, but amazed to find just how similar they were to each other, not to mention being very effective in their craft, and storytelling.
Movies mentioned in this episode:
Continue readingMusic Box Gives Us 24-Hours of Godzilla and More!
To celebrate 70 years of when Gojira first appeared on the big screen, the Music Box, along with the Japanese Arts Foundation, is pulling out all the stops, presenting multiple screening events, including a 24-hour marathon of the Showa-era films!!! Now, one my think you’d have to be crazy to spend that long of time sitting in a theater watching any series of movies. And you’d be correct. But those people with the puzzled look on their faces are the “normal ones” of the world and just don’t understand how amazing it would be to get to see 15 titles from the classic era, the one that I personally grew up with, all back-to-back. So, call me crazy, but I know on June 8th, I’ll be knee-deep in some of the greatest Godzilla films ever to be produced!
Continue readingMystery Photo 3-18
I have to say, I’m kind of shocked that more people didn’t get our photo from last week. The only and only Kevin Hart sent in the correct answer, which was from the 2020 film Relic, a real feel-good-movie of the decade! In fact, stay tuned on Wednesday for more about that! But congrats to Kevin for getting it correct!
Going a little older for this week’s photo, back in the days before color. Well, not that far back, but it is in black and white. Take a look and see what you think. If you do think you know it, send me an email, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Movie Review: The Abandoned (2006)
Directed by Nacho Cerdá
Written by Karim Hussain, Nacho Cerdá, and Richard Stanley
Starring Anastasia Hille, Karel Roden, Valentin Ganev, Paraskeva Djukelova, Carlos Reig-Plaza
I was lucky enough to see this in the theater when it was released in 2007 nationwide, as part of the After Dark Horrorfest’s 8 Films to Die For. This was the first year of this happening and it had some great titles in there, such as Mike Mendez’s The Gravedances and J.S. Cardone’s Wicked Little Things (you can read our review of that HERE). I knew of Cerdá work because of his 1994 short film Aftermath that made quite a lot of noise in the horror underground, with it being a very nasty and graphic tale of a coroner who just happens to be a necrophiliac. Very disturbing, but incredibly shot and very effective. So, when his first feature film was coming out, I wanted to take advantage of seeing it in the theater. And I’m glad I did.
Continue readingRomero Dead-Fest at the Midway Drive-In
On May 18th, at the Midway Drive-In, located in Sterling, IL, they are having a special tribute to George Romero’s by screening the first three films in his Dead trilogy, Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978), and Day of the Dead (1985). And as a bonus, after Day, they will be screening The Crazies (1978), which I have to say is a nice addition to these other nihilistic films.
If you’re not close to the Midway, skip down to the bottom!
Continue readingMystery Photo 3-12
Yes, I’m a day late. I apologize for that but yesterday was a pretty full day with some extra Podcast work being done. Stay tuned for that! Our little group photo from last week was from the 1977 film The Sentinel that really featured an all-star cast! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Gregory Avery, Robert Baker, Dada Debaser, Dave Friedman, Kevin Hart, Troy Howarth, Lee Nattrass, and William Wilson.
Now on to this week’s photo. Take a peek and see if you recognize where this is from. Just remember, send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
More Hammer Books from Peveril
I know there are a lot of books on Hammer Films out there. Trust me, I know. With 2 shelves of just book on the famous studio, I probably have most of them! So why do we need more? Well, for a collector, not sure I can give a real answer other than . . . just because. But the thing about the Hammer titles from Peveril, and this isn’t a knock on any of the other wonderful books out there, but Peveril’s titles are like the archival material you’d go to a library to find. You know, those huge, old books you have to wear gloves to page through and aren’t allowed to check out, but go to special room to view them? The kind that scholars that are investigating some sort of mystery, go to these places to look for some undiscovered clue. Okay . . . maybe that’s taking a bit far.
In all seriousness, these books are archival in that they are filled with so much information, both in text and photos, that these will be the ones that future scholars will want to go back to, time and time again. I know I do each and every time I work on a piece about Hammer, or those involved. With their latest series, The House that Hammer Built, going through the decades and detailing what the studio was doing, is just amazing and filled with so much information. Vol. 2, going through from 1950 to 1954 is off to the printers so should be available soon.
Continue readingChain Saw Confidential 2nd Printing
Back in February of 2015, I posted my review of Gunnar Hansen’s book Chain Saw Confidential: How We Made the World’s Most Notorious Horror Movie, which you can read my review HERE. As much as I already knew about the film and the making of it, from the countless commentaries and documentaries I’d see up until that point, I really didn’t think I was going to learn anything new. Boy was I wrong.
No matter how much you know, or think you know, hearing the stories from the people that were there, giving firsthand accounts will definitely make you think, feel, and see the movie differently. To say this book is a must read is about as understating as I could get.
The first edition hardcover quickly sold out and now goes for big bucks on the secondary market. Now you can get the newly published 2nd edition from Dark Ink Publishers, only $23.99 for the hardcover edition and $17.99 for the softcover edition. Order your copy NOW by clicking HERE.










