Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Double Dose of Martino at the Music Box

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I know we had previously announced that Italian director Sergio Martino was going to be at the Music Box Theatre on the 22nd for a screening of his 1973 epic Torso as the last film in this year’s January Giallo series. But the Giallo Gods have smiled upon us once again and have the Music Box has added another Martino classic, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971), starring George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, Ivan Rassimov, and Alberto de Mendoza, which I would consider a very essential title in the giallo sub-genre. This screening will be taking place on Tuesday the 23rd, at 7pm.

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David J. Skal – Rest in Peace

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When I saw this news start popping up in my feeds, I was really thinking / hoping it wasn’t true, especially since it apparently happened almost two weeks ago and we’re just hearing about it now. But it apparently is true, that David J. Skal has passed away, and its truly a stake in the heart for us horror cinephiles.

Usually, the names I post here are the ones that we have loved watching on screen, or know they were the ones directing the film. But this loss is different. Skal spent his time writing and teaching us fans about the genre we loved. In fact, not only did I learn something from each one of his books I tackled, but it made me want to seek out and see or see again different films. Now there have been more than a few times when I’ve disagreed with some of his comments or points, but it no matter what, it makes us think. It makes us ponder different points of view that may not change ours, but at least lets you think and see it from another vantage point. And for me, that is why losing his voice is such a great loss.

But like the movies from the recently departed, that we’ll always have to remember them by, for Mr. Skal, we have plenty of books, audio commentaries, and documentaries that he had a huge part in, that will continue to make us fans, as well as the new ones coming into them, smarter and just a better fan. Thank you, Mr. Skal. Rest in Peace.

Tisa Farrow – Rest in Peace

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Almost made it through the halfway point of the month without losing a very familiar face in the horror genre. Not because she made so many movies, but she appeared in one specific one that made her very famous to us horror fans. Tisa Farrow, at the age of 72, passed away today. She is best known for her role as the female lead in Lucio Fulci’s Zombie (1979), co-starring with Ian McCulloch, Richard Johnson, Peirluigi Conti aka Al Cliver. She did appear in a couple of other genre related titles, including a great little made-for-TV movie a year before Zombie, called The Initiation of Sarah (1978). The second to her last role was in Joe D’Amato’s Antropophagus (1981). The movie life didn’t set well with her and decided to end her career and get into nursing.

While we applaud her decision to work at helping people, us horror fans will always have a soft spot in our twisted little hearts for the work that she did appear in. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Tisa.

DtH Podcast: Episode 61 – Norman J. Warren

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Satan’s Slave (1976), Prey (1977), and Terror (1978)

There are a lot of directors out there that might not have a huge filmography, or even be that well known to the general population of film fans, even in the horror genre. So, there is always room to discover them! In this episode, we take a look at three films by British independent director Norman J. Warren, who didn’t make a lot of films, but we feel the ones he did make, make him a worthy subject for us to discuss. Honestly, it might make sense to read a little about him before diving into the films, or at least, do it afterwards but I think he is a good example of knowing what he had to make what he did, for us, makes them a little more impressive. You’ll get blood, you’ll get nudity, and a lot more than you’d expect in these three very British tales of horror.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 1-8

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Welcome to our second Mystery Photo of the new year! That means one more week closer to Halloween! I have to say I was amazed at the number of correct answers sent in for last week’s photo. I really thought I was going with something pretty obscure, as far as the specific shot, but apparently not!

Editor’s Note: Apparently it helps when you list the movie from last week!!!! It was Black Christmas (1974)!

Here are who sent in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Enai Aya, Todd Barwick, Cate Cameron, Aaron Christensen, Peggie Christie, Dada Debaser, Kevin Hart, Christopher Highland, Troy Howarth, Jeff Owens, Tim Palace, Michael Pniewski, Erich Polnow, Mickey Thompson, Kristin Wicks, William Wilson, Greg Wojick, and Jeremy Zink. Well done!

Now onto this week’s photo. Let us see if this one seems to be too easy or not. Take a peek below and see if you recognize where this shot is from. Just remember to send me your answer in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Do We Need Another Naschy T-Shirt?

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Of course, that answer is a big YES! Not only is it another Naschy shirt, but it is from my very first and still my favorite of Naschy’s work, Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973)!

Taken from an ad sheet for the film, Silk Screams have used that to create a brilliant looking shirt that really is a must for any fans of Paul Naschy. They are taking pre-orders now so if you’re interested, just click on the link HERE and get your own Horror Rises from the Tomb shirt! You can never have too many Naschy shirts. Trust me on this one! You can check out the rest of their stuff HERE!

New Stop-Animated Short from Adam Ciolfi

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Back in Jan. of 2020, I first became aware of the incredible work of stop-motion animator Adam Ciolfi when he sent me a link for his short Fifth (2019). I enjoyed it so much that I immediately checked out some of his earlier work and found it all amazing. The fact that this old school style of animation still exists just warms my demented heart, bringing back memories of Mad Monster Party and the likes. Now, Ciolfi has a new short done and posted, one that gives a little nod to the good old-fashioned monster movies, entitled It Came from Beyond the Drain!

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Movie Review: Devil’s Partner

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Devil’s Partner (1960)
Directed by Charles R. Rondeau
Starring Ed Nelson, Edgar Buchanan, Jean Allison, Richard Crane, Spencer Carlisle, Byron Foulger

This film was one that I remember seeing the poster art but never really knew the film. I’ve read that it was in public domain, but never remember seeing it on VHS. It wasn’t until I bought a bootleg DVD of it last year when I first saw it. And of course, since I bought that bootleg, now we have not only a legitimate release, but a beautiful 4K restoration on Blu-ray! You’re welcome.

Released in 1960, about a decade away from when movies, both theatrical and for television, loved to tackle the theme of the devil, selling one’s soul, and all the other mischievous things Old Scratch would get into. But here we have a very early film that not only tackles that subject but does it in a very strange and different way. The film starts with a very old man killing a goat, using the blood for a ritual, and writing a pact with the devil on a piece of animal skin, promptly dying. Right before he expires, we see a mysterious hand come into the frame to sign the contract. What a way to start the film.

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Mystery Photo 1-1

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Welcome to our first Mystery Photo of 2024! Are you ready for another year of pictorial puzzles? Something to make that grey matter between your ears do a little extra thinking? Well, that’s what I’m here for! Before we get to the new photo, let’s do a little recap first, shall we? The photo from last week was from one of the best anthology films ever committed to celluloid, Mario Bava’s Black Sabbath (1963). Between the creepy to terrifying stories, to the amazing colors and cinematography presented there, it never loses its power for the viewer. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Aaron Christensen, Dave Friedman, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, Michael Pniewski, Bryan Senn, and Michael Shields. Well done!

Let’s see how many can get our first photo of the new year. Just take a peek below and see what you can come up with. Just remember to email me your guess, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

2023 Year End Review – Part 3: Never to Forget

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As we start off 2024, always with the intent of making things better, doing more, and enjoying life more, it should always be a time of remembrance, especially of those that have affected your life in some sort of way. These people involved in the movie industry are a huge part of that for me. This is always the sad part of my recap of the year, because I’m reminded of the great talent that we’ve lost over the last 12 months. But then, I do think about them, and that is what is important, isn’t it? Not to just remember them, but the incredible work that they have left us, to forever enjoy, re-watching it over and over again. As film fans, I do feel it is our job to keep their memories alive by honoring them and their work. So, while we are sad that they are no longer with us here in the physical world, their legacy is and as long as we keep watching those films, reading their work, then they are still here.

To those that made a mark on the horror genre, no matter how big or small, Rest in Peace, and know that you will never be forgotten!

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