I’ve been seeing posts all day on social media about today being the anniversary of the death of one of the greatest horror icons to work in the genre, Jacinto Molina. Or as most of us knew him as, Paul Naschy. I can still remember being at work when my friend Aaron called to tell me that he had passed away. Following genre for so long, it wasn’t an uncommon thing when a horror celebrity passes away, but this one stung.
Firestarter
Released by Varèse Sarabande Records, 2017
11 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 42 min.
Music by Tangerine Dream
Not sure if my introduction to the work of Tangerine Dream was from Risky Business soundtrack. Later one, it was the score they did for Near Dark that really blew me away. But no matter which one you might have heard first, once you did, it was very easy to get hooked on their style and sound. And this score for Firestarter that they did back in 1984 is no different.
The music they came up with for this film is not a horror score at all, but one that is very…almost dreamy, if you will. Although track # 2, The Run, almost sounds like something an ’80s nightclub show, the main part of the score is slow and moody, working its way in the background, weaving its way into your brain.
While it is very recognizable that it is a Tangerine Dream score, I do have to say it’s not one of my favorites.
This was release as part of the Stephen King Collection from Varèse Sarabande Records.
For us horror fans, there is nothing like classic movies posters. Back when there was some amazing artwork, enticing audiences to come into the theater to see the latest picture. From the posters of the ’30s on up to the ’80s, there was some incredible artwork on those. But then something happened in the ’90s and it seems like the studios were going with basically photos of the stars in the movie. So much that many posters looked almost identical, like the Scream movies, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Halloween H2O, and so many more. So what happened?
If you’re a fan of Stephen King and love soundtracks, then you are probably going to love this bit of news. Varèse Sarabande Records has announced an 8-CD set that has the soundtracks for four of King’s films. They are:
Dreamcatcher (2003) – Composer James Newton Howard’s score on 2-CDs
Firestarter (1984) – Tangerine Dream
The Stand (1994) – Composer W.G. Snuffy Walden’s score on 2-CDs
The Shining (1997) – Composer Nicholas Pike’s score on 3-CDs
As if I didn’t love the Music Box Theatre enough already, they have made a deal with Scorpion Releasing to distribute a few of Scorpion’s titles on Blu-ray and DVD, through their Doppelgänger Releasing division. The first of these titles to be coming out is one of my personal favorites of Dario Argento, his 1987 film Opera, which should be out before the end of this year. With the release of Suspiria from Synapse Films, this is going to make a great way to end the year for Italian horror fans.
Usually in October, a free weekend is non-existent for my wife and I. But somehow this year, we had one. So we took advantage of it, doing something we’ve been wanting to do for a while, but just never had the time. Which was heading out to the Haunted Halloween Flea Market in Wheaton, IL. We have several friends of ours that go to this every year, and even had some friends setting up there too. So the wife and I headed out early on Saturday afternoon, with a beautiful day for it too! No rain in the forecast and a nice cool evening.
The thing about flea markets, or really any kind of show that has vendors, you really need to know your market to know if the prices you’re seeing are fair or way over priced. I’m sure there are plenty of fair vendors out there, but there are also that are there trying to make a living, so their prices might be on the high “collector” side. You can find some great deals there, don’t get me wrong. You just need to know your stuff before hand, otherwise you can end up spending more than you should.
This is simply the best magazine out there covering Hammer Studios, not to mention the longest running. And there is a reason for that. The quality of work that goes into each issue, from the research and writing, to the wonderful illustrations, it doesn’t take long to realize that this is a work of passion and love for those involved. A fan of Hammer Studios can learn so much about this amazing studio and the people that worked there by reading through each and every issue. I know I do!
And now, issue # 39 is available to order!
The cover story for this issue is one of the last Hammer horror titles made: To the Devil…A Daughter! Author David Taylor has the complete story of how this film came to be. There is also an interview with the young star of the film, Nastassja Kinski as well!
Other features in this issue include an article on Peter Sallis, a brilliant character actor that appeared not only in several Hammer titles, but also was the voice of lovable Wallance in the Aardman animated Wallace and Gromit series. There is some coverage on Hammer’s space western, Moon Zero Two, which has a making-of article by Hammer scholar Bruce G. Hallenbeck, as well as an interview with actress Catherine Schell, as well as a piece on Mike Tilley, who worked for special effects artist Les Bowie on the film. Plus the usual great tidbits in every LSoH issue.
You can order your copy now by going to their website HERE.
The Man-Beast
Written by Joseph Zettelmaier
Directed by Hayley Rice
Starring Elizabeth Laidlaw and Aaron Christensen
Here at the Krypt, we don’t get out to an actual theater too often. Not a movie theater, but a stage theater. Honestly we should, but it has to be something usually dabbling in the horror genre to really pique my interests. But no matter what the genre, the whole process and performance just boggles my mind. Movies are one thing, with multiple takes and makeup effects done over and over again until they are perfect. But on the stage, it’s only the actors carrying the weight of the play. There are no re-takes, no “let’s try that from the top”. So the times that we’ve made it out to the theater, it always amazes me that these people are able to do what they do and let alone do it with such passion and style that can not only entertain, but entrance the audience into their little make-believe world for a couple of hours.
It has been a long time coming, but finally Naschy fans will be thrilled to hear that Carmelo Bernaola’s score for the 1973 film Horror Rises from the Tomb is getting a release on CD, thanks to the fine folks at Quartet Records. Being that this is my favorite of Naschy’s films, I am shocked to see it finally getting a release. The score is not even a half hour of music, but at this point, I’ll take whatever we can get.
It has been so long ago that I honestly don’t remember when exactly it was, but I remember talking to Synapse’s Don May and Jerry Chandler about their announcement for them getting the rights for this highly underrated 1987 film, The Kindred. When I worked at the theater, we had this and I just loved it. I remember reading about it in the pages of Fango, seeing some amazing photos of the creatures and effects that were in it. And seeing on the big screen, it didn’t disappoint.
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