Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Rondo Time!

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The nominations have been announced for the 20th Annual Rondo Awards! Once again, my column for HorrorHound magazine, They Came from the Krypt, has been nominated for Best Column. So, this is my one and only press push to persuade you to vote! In all honesty, I hope that everyone does vote because there are a lot of talented people out there giving it there all, most of which are doing it out of sheer passion, not profession. But nonetheless, it is something that all horror fans can share in. It doesn’t matter who you’re voting for but take a few minutes and go through the categories and cast your vote. You don’t have to vote in all categories but vote from the heart for those you do support. You can read the full list at the Rondo website HERE. Write them down and email them to David Colton, the man in charge at taraco@aol.com. You have until midnight on April 17th. So don’t delay!

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Discover the Horror Podcast: Episode 11 – Made-For-TV Horror

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Did you know that once upon a very earthy time, major broadcasters made films specifically to be shown on TV, and that of the thousands that were made, a whole bunch were horror films? On this episode, we transport you back to a time of shag carpet, rotary phones and pants-wettingly scary films with commercial interruptions. In this episode, we are discussing A Cold Night’s Death (1973) starring Robert Culp and Eli Wallach, Dan Curtis’ The Norliss Tapes (1973), and Tobe Hooper’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot (1979).

Click on the link below and give a listen! And please let us know what you think! You can post a comment below, or through our other social media outlets, like Facebook or Instagram!

Below are the titles mentioned during this episode:

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Discover the Horror Podcast: Episode 10 – Soundtracks!

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The movie soundtrack can be just as important and effective as anything we’re seeing on screen, especially when it comes to the horror film. Just think of The Omen, The Exorcist, or even Creepshow. This episode we discuss some of our favorites and why we think they are effective. 

Below are all the titles that are mentioned during the podcast, some in more details than others! Be sure to check some of these out and next time you’re watching one of them, or any movie, maybe pay a little more attention to what you’re hearing.

Below are the soundtracks that are mentioned during this episode of the podcast. We’d love to hear some of your favorites!

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Nosferatu 100-Year Anniversary Screening in Chicago

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This year marks the 100 Year Anniversaries of F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, originally released back in 1922. That’s right, folks. A whole century ago. There is a reason this film is still being screened in theaters all these years later, as well as why it is a very important step in our horror history. Sure, it was made without permission from Bram Stoker’s widow, and was ordered by the courts to be destroyed. But lucky for us, prints of it survived and all these years later, we are able to look at this amazing piece of cinema and still be in awe of what they created ten decades ago.

And to be able to see it on the big screen! With a live organ accompaniment? What more could you ask for! On Saturday, March 5th, at the Patio Theatre in Chicago, they will be screening Nosferatu, with Jay Warren playing the organ during the film. Tickets are only $7 each, with a special introduction by TCM personality and film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek.

If you have never had the chance to see this on the big screen, what better time than its 100-year anniversary? As a horror fan, both young or old, novice or well-seasoned, this is an opportunity not to be missed. For all the information, head over to the Patio Theatre’s website HERE.

Soundtrack Review: Undead

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Undead
Released in 2005 by La-La Land Records
17 Tracks, with a total running time of 51:40 min.
Music composed by Cliff Bradley

While we usually prefer our soundtracks to be on the creepy side, but when the director’s wanted to have the score to have a quirky 50s sci-fi feel to it, composer Bradley nailed it. It sounds a little like something from an early Tim Burton / Danny Elfman film, but Bradley has given it his own style and flare and it works really well.

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Mystery Photo 2-21

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Welcome to another day closer to spring! I’m actually surprising myself, because I’m usually not one to long for warmer days, but this cold weather just might be getting to me! Granted, I’ll be complaining once it gets in the 80s, so yeah, there is no satisfying some people! But let’s get to the business at hand, shall we? Our last photo was from one of my favorites from the ’70s, Tower of Evil (1972), also known as Horror on Snape Island, which came out 50 years ago! Wow. How times flies, huh? But thanks to demented fans like ourselves, we keep these titles alive and well. Such as the following folks that sent in the correct answer for this week’s picture puzzle: Dada DeBaser, Kevin Hart, Troy Howarth, Charles Miller, Vincent Simonelli, Todd Warren, Nick Wilson. Well done!

Now on to this week’s photo. Might be harder. Might be easier. I’ll leave that up to you to do decide. But take a glance at it and see if you recognize it. Maybe it strikes a chord in your gray matter somewhere. Maybe not. If it does, send me your answer in an email at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

The Drive-In That Dripped Blood

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The Skyline Drive-In, located in Shelbyville, Indiana, has announced a weekend celebrating the British films studio Amicus, which specialized in making horror anthology films. Over two days, Friday March 25th and Saturday, March 26th, they will be screening 6 titles from Amicus, and all of them anthologies! In fact, some of these are some of the best that studio put out! Here’s the lineup:

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Movie Review: The Werewolf (1956)

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(1956)
Directed by Fred F. Sears
Starring Don Megowan, Joyce Holden, Harry Lauter, Ken Christy, S. John Launer, George Lynn, Steven Ritch, Larry J. Blake, James Gavin, George Cisar

This was another one of those delightful little flicks from producer Sam Katzman, who gave us other titles like The Giant Claw (1957) and Creature with the Atom Brain (1955), amongst many others, since in his career, he produced well over 200 pictures. Usually, his horror films about a monster to do battle with, but with this one, we get something a little different.

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Mental Health & Horror: A Documentary

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I was made aware of this new documentary from my friend and fellow horror fan, BJ Colangelo, and knew that not only did I need to contribute, but also help spread the word about it. For a lifelong horror fan that has been defending this deviant genre of cinema seemingly since I became a fan at 6-years old, it’s hard to get anybody to see any positive attributes to watching scary movies! I’ve always said that this passion has helped me not only get though some tough times, but also gave me a community that I felt like I belonged to. So yes, for me, it had a positive effect. But that is only the beginning.

Jonathan Barkan is creating a documentary, with tons of interviews with people that are horror fans, creators in the industry, to health professionals who agree that the horror genre can have a positive impact on people. So far, they have interviewed close to 30 people, from horror fans, icons, critics, historians, directors, and writers, from around the world and are not done just yet.

There are many ways to support this project so click on the link HERE to be taken to their indiegogo page. If there is a way to help prove any positive impact the horror genre has to people, I’m all for it. Check out the trailer below and please do what you can to help, from donating to even helping spread the word.

Soundtrack Review: Triangle

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Triangle
Released by Moviescore Media, 2009
21 Tracks with a total running time of 48 min.
Music composed Christian Henson, featuring Dot Allison

This score starts out with this haunting little lullaby that just takes root in your brain. It reminds me a lot of the opening theme for Rosemary’s Baby but seems more like something you’d sing to sooth a baby to sleep, though with some darker elements to it! Between the vocals and the piano, it is highly memorable and works so well, both on its own, as it does in the film.

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