Author Archives: Jon Kitley

DtH Episode 64 – Severin Films with David Gregory

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This truly is a great time to be alive as a crazy cinephile. Just about every day, new amazing looking releases of some of our favorite films are announced, as well as some almost forgotten films brought back from the edges of obscurity for a whole new generation of fans to enjoy. And one of the companies at the forefront is Severin Films, who continues to amaze us fans with the quality of their releases. From their massive box sets to the incredible special features that accompany all of their releases Severin is educating as well as entertaining a whole generation of horror, cult and exploitation fans.

To help us discuss all things Severin, we figured why not invite the man behind the label, co-founder David Gregory himself! Join us while we talk about Video Nasties, how Severin got started, and why they continue to do what they do!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 2-19

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Our photo from last week was from Michele Soavi’s 1991 film The Sect (aka The Devil’s Daughter). Years ago, at a HorrorHound convention that Jamie Lee Curtis was appearing, I was more excited when I found out her sister Kelly was there taking photos of her appearance there. I think she was a little surprised when I went up to her and mentioned The Sect. I was only able to ask a couple of questions, but it would have been nice to have more time to ask about this film. But nonetheless, congrats to these fine gentlemen for sending in the correct answer: Troy Howarth, Tim Palace, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Bravo!

This photo should be a pretty easy one, especially for the older Monster Kids. I’ve always enjoyed this one and always entertains when I bust it out. Give it a look and see if you can recognize the “burnt casserole man” in the photo! Just remember to send your guess to me in an email (so I don’t lose or forget it) to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Super Monster Movie Fest 2024!

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Save the date! August 23rd & 24th, for this year’s Super Monster Movie Fest at the Skyline Drive-in, located in Shelbyville, IN. We’ve been heading down there every August for over the last decade and ALWAYS have a great time. Don’t know what the titles they’re screening are yet, but from the banner above, it looks like we might have some trouble with robots this time out! We’ll post again about the event once the titles have been announced, so stay tuned.

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HorrorHound 100th Issue!

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It was way back in April of 2006, when Aaron Crowell walked up to my vendor table at Cinema Wasteland and handed me a copy of this new magazine they had just started, called simply enough HorrorHound. While I did a thing here and there for them, I officially became a columnist for them with issue #16, which was in 2009. Now, here is it 2024 and issue #100 is about to hit the newsstands. Where the hell did the time go?

I grew up with horror magazines, being the starting point for my horror education. While there were the reference books, it was magazines like Fangoria, Gorezone, Famous Monsters, and Cinefastique leading the way, along with other titles like Rue Morgue, HorrorFan, Slaughterhouse, Monsterscene, and countless others that came out over the years, was where we learned about our favorite movies and those behind them. So, to think that at some point in the future, I would be a staff writer for one of the leading magazines out there now is pretty surreal.

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Kristin Wicks – Rest in Peace

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This is one of the hardest of these that I have had to write. Usually when I do these, it is for someone from the movies that we admire but never really knew in person. But with Kristin, I had the honor of knowing her for maybe close to two decades??? We spent many hours traveling back and forth to conventions, trying to stay awake at the 24-hour film fests by drinking Monsters and talking about movies, multiple local horror events, and a variety of Halloween parties, where she always had the best costumes.

The horror community has now lost one of its strongest voices. When she was able to, she was always there to promote others that worked in the horror genre, whether it was someone putting on film screenings, conventions, their artwork, writings, or any number of subjects. Kristin was a true diehard horror fan, smart, a talented artist, and very dedicated to the genre, as well as her friends, who she was always supporting.  

Her voice had been quiet for a long time while she battled what seemed like a constant multitude of aliments over the last decade, but now, her voice is silent for good. And while she will be deeply missed by myself and my family, and the horror community, I can only hope that she is in a better place, and finally free of pain. 

And I will apologize once again to you, Kristin, for eating and burping up Funyuns in the van with you sitting behind me.

She may be gone, by definitely will never be forgotten. We all love you, Kristin, and you will forever be remembered in our dark and twisted hearts. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Kicking the Seat with Sergio Martino

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Our good friend Ian Simmons, who runs the Kicking the Seat podcast, as well as hosts the Academia Giallo show that I am a frequent guest on, along with Aaron Christensen from Horror 101 with Dr. AC, and Bryan Martinez from The Giallo Room, has recently posted the interview that he and Mr. Martinez were able to do with the Giallo Maestro himself, Sergio Martino. I’ve been meaning to post this, but time has not been so nice to me as of late. But, better late than never, right?

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Mystery Photo 2-12

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I can’t tell you how much it makes me happy when I through a not-so-classic-that-should-be-known-as-a-classic and I still get a few correct answers sent in. Warms my cold heart. Last week’s shot was from the Val Lewton classic Isle of the Dead (1945) directed by Mark Robson (another guy that needs some street cred). If you have not seen this film, please do yourself a favor and seek it out. In fact, seek out all the Lewton horror films he made for RKO in the ’40s. They are all well worth your time. But back to the subject at hand. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Chris Dyer, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, Michael Pniewski, Bryan Senn, and William Wilson. Well done!

Now on to this week’s photo. Might be easy, might not. Then again, I say that a lot, don’t I? Either way, just remember to send me your answers in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Save the Earth at Super Horror-Rama!

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Facets and House of Monsters are bringing in a 2-day event, with 5 features all to Save the Earth with this new fang-tastic lineup on April 12th and 13th.

On Friday the 12th, they will be screening Godzilla vs Hedorah (1971) and Frogs (1972), all to teach us why we need to save the environment!

On Saturday the 13th, we will learn what will happen to us if we DON’T save the Earth, by screening 3 of the “drippiest and trippiest triple feature”, which is The Devil’s Rain (1975), The Incredible Melting Man (1977), and Street Trash (1987)! That’s a lot of ooze for one night!

All of this takes place at Facets in Chicago, where you can see a constant stream of great screenings there. For all the information, head over to their website HERE.

DtH Episode 63 – Amicus Anthologies

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Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965), The House that Dripped Blood (1971) and Tales from the Crypt (1972)

Amicus Productions was most known for their anthology films, even though that was a small percentage of the types of films they did make in over the years. But because of the quality of the films, the power of the stories they were based on, and the incredible cast of actors they would hire, they always made an impact on fans. In this episode, not only do we cover three of our favorite Amicus’ anthology titles, but we’re joined by producer/director Lawrie Brewster, the man behind the resurrection of Amicus Productions, that is currently working on a new anthology film to be released under the Amicus name! 

Films Mentioned in this Episode:

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April Ghouls Drive-In Monster-Rama

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The fine folks at the Riverside Drive-In and DVD Drive-In have announced their lineup for this year’s spring show, and as usual, they have one hell of a lineup. Friday the 26th, you have a mixture of different types of zombie films, then on Saturday the 27th, you have a nice bunch of sci-fi/horror films that were almost made to be seen at the drive-in! For all the information, head over to the Riverside’s site HERE, or the Facebook page HERE.