Horror fans and the Oscars have not had a long and friendly relationship. Over the decades, when some incredible performances have been given out in a wide variety of titles, because they are classified as horror, they usually get passed over. Not always, but in the history of cinema that is well over a century old, let’s face it… traditionally, if it is a horror film, it won’t get nominated besides maybe in makeup or visual effects.
Continue reading
The Deadly Spawn (1983) & Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor (1990)
One of the greatest low-budget monster movies of the ’80s, with one of the most original looking creatures, is The Deadly Spawn. And its much-underrated semi-sequel Metamorphosis is also a lot of fun that sadly needs a Blu-ray upgrade. But the guy behind both of this is Ted A. Bohus. Not only being a producer and director, but has also created some amazing film magazines, such as SPFX and Candid Monsters, that can prove that maybe you don’t know as much about a movie you thought you did!
Mr. Bohus sits down with us to discuss both Deadly Spawn, Metamorphosis, as well as working in the independent low-budget world of filmmaking, with more than a few lessons out there for up-and-coming filmmakers. We also cover his role as a publisher, doing deep, deep dives into some of our favorite classic films in his magazine (damn near book) Candid Monsters. So, sit back and get ready for some great and fun stories about the wonderful world of making movies and magazines!
Films mentioned in this episode:
Continue readingNot sure what part of the world you’re at, but here in the Chicagoland area, it’s a brisk -2 degrees outside. Gotta love it! Good excuse to stay inside and watch movies! But before we get to that, let’s get some business taken care of first. Our photo from last week was from Voodoo Man (1944), starring Bela Lugosi, John Carradine, and the wonderful entertaining George Zucco, who is featured in the photo. Sure, might not be on too many Top Ten list but damn if it isn’t a fun film. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct photo: Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Doug Lamoreux, Charles Miller, Bryan Senn, Mike Shields. Well done!
So, today’s photo is a little special. If you know the movie, and know what day it is, then it makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? And if it doesn’t, do a little research to find out, or wait until next Monday. But take a look at the photo before and see if you recognize what film it is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskyrpt.com. Good Luck!
I had picked Daniel DelPurgatorio’s feature film debut, Marshmallow (2025) for my Best Viewings of last year. If you still haven’t seen it, PLEASE seek it out, which should be available on a few different streaming services. BUT… and this is very important… DO NOT READ ANYTHING ABOUT IT! You want to go into this film completely blind. And just when you think you know what is going on, just sit back and wait. Trust me.
Anyway, the reason for this post is that a sequel has been announced, with director DelPurgatorio and writer Andy Greskoviak returning, as well as actor main actor Kue Lawrence, as well as Kai Cech, Dylan Friedman, and Max Malas. No title has been released just yet, but just like the original, they are making sure the plot is kept under wraps. The basic premise they have stated is that it takes place years after the events of the film, and what has happened to the characters who survived and throughout the world.
Continue reading
Rear Window: The Making of a Hitchcock Masterpiece in the Hollywood Golden Age
Published by Citadel Press, 2025. 253 pages.
By Jennifer O’Callaghan
I hadn’t expected to read a second book on a Hitchcock film after just finishing Criss-Cross by Stephen Rebello, but since Rear Window is my favorite of the director’s work, and I was already knee-deep in the Hitchcock cinematic world, I figured why not. And just like the Rebello book, there is a ton of information on the making of it. From finding the right writer to tackle adapting the short story by Cornell Woolrich, to getting the studio to foot the bill for an entire neighborhood to be built on a soundstage. And then there casting as well, along with the design, art direction, and all that other fun stuff that goes into making a classic.
Finding an actor for the lead role would have to be someone that would follow Hitchcock’s direction. When he had worked with Montgomery Cliff in I Confess (1953), the director ran into issues getting him to do what he wanted because Cliff was a method actor, something Hitchcock did not care for. Hitchcock worked in visuals, what the audience was going to see and how that carried the story along. When Cliff didn’t want to do something in particular because “my character wouldn’t do that”, it caused issues with Hitchcock not being able to get the shots he wanted. Hitchcock had said “It’s a movie. You’re an actor. Act.”
Continue reading
The fine folks from Super-Horror-Rama have some up with another great two features to celebrate the new year. The theme is New Year, New You! Because of all the silly New Year’s resolutions we all make, most of which we don’t stick to, this is a good example of when those new changes might not be the best change! But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun for us to watch!
Continue reading
While he might not have appeared in hardly any horror films in throughout his career, he did appear in one of the greatest horror movies ever made, as Nauls in John Carpenter’s The Thing, so that is more than enough to be mentioned here in the Krypt. Actor T.K. Carter passed away on Jan. 9th. Although one could argue his appearance in Southern Comfort the year before might add that title as a horror film, or at least to say it was damn scary in parts!
But at least we all know that he will always be remembered as the cook, listening to Stevie Wonder, thinking that we might be at war with Norway. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace. Never to be forgotten.
Look at that! We made it through that first full week of the new year. Though personally, I’ve been battling a simple cold virus that has had me trying to cough up my lungs, but besides that, things are going just swell! It seems January is not a good month for me, since last year around this time I had Covid. I guess a bad cold is an improvement, right? Always got to look at the positives! Our photo from last week was from Eugenio Martín’s A Candle for the Devil aka It Happened at Nightmare Inn (1973). I have to say the recently released 4K disc of this from Vinegar Syndrome looks just amazing and has some great extras on it as well. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Steve Archacki, Dave Fronto, and Kevin Hart. Well done!
For this week’s photo, going a little further back. So, take a look and see if you can correctly identify what film this shot is taken from. Remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Johnny Legend is a name that quite a few people might not know, and that’s okay. But if you ever had the chance to meet him, you’d never forget. He was an actor, director, wrestling manager and promoter, rockabilly singer, but most of all, he was a true lover of cult films and their filmmakers. I had the chance to meet him a couple of times over the years, and you never forget that. That man just exploded with passion with every work he said whether he was talking about Jack Hill’s Spider Baby or come other underground cult movie. He appeared in Bride of Re-Animator (1990), Severed Ties (1992) and even the Andy Kaufman biopic Man of the Moon (1999). On the laserdisc release of Spider Baby, there was a little piece outside of a midnight screening of the film, where some of the cast was there along with Jack Hill, including Sid Haig. They were all being interviewed by Legend, who praised the film so much. And this was a few years before Haig would be a big star because of House of 1000 Corpses.
This Legend passed away on January 2nd, and with that, the cult world lost one of its biggest supporters and mouthpiece. Truly a one-of-a-kind person. Rest in peace and know that because of the passion you passed on to others, they will now continue to pass on the love of the weird and the strange. Thank you, Mr. Legend!
Another year in the books, which means it is time for our annual Wrap Up, where we not only go through our personal favorites of the year, but also some other standout films, as well as some others that came out in the last 12 months. For the second year in a row, it is astounding at some of the high-quality pictures that have been getting released. From some going straight to streaming services, to other wide release pictures, there have been plenty of fantastic titles out there. It really is a great time to be a horror fan.
It’s a long episode, so make sure you have a pad and pen, because we cover a LOT here!
Titles mentioned in this episode.
Continue reading
kitleyskrypt.com 