There are a few filmmakers out there that make one film that makes a lasting impact. Then there are those out there that make a film that actually creates a whole new sub-genre! Even more impressive when that particular film is not….shall we say a “well crafted” production? But on the other hand, if you look at how it was made, and for the budget it had, and then how much money it actually made at the drive-ins, then the quality of the picture really has nothing to do with it. Of course, I’m talking about Blood Feast, directed by the one and only Herschell Gordon Lewis. He would go on to create more and more of these new ‘gore films’ giving the audiences something they had never seen before. The philosophy that he and his partner Dave Friedman came up with was simple: ” We strived to make films that either the majors couldn’t, or wouldn’t make.” And that is exactly what they did. Two Thousand Maniacs followed Blood Feast and was an even bigger hit. And the films kept coming and the blood kept spilling.
Category Archives: Rest in Peace
To highlight those that we have lost, that have made an impact to this genre we love so much. They may be gone, but will never be forgotten.
Gene Wilder – Rest in Peace
If there was one comedic actor, who also happened to star (as well as c0-write) in one of the best horror parodies ever made, that made a huge impact on my younger years, it was Gene Wilder. First becoming aware of him as Willie Wonka, where I still love his sarcastic wit there, to his later work with Mel Brooks, he was one actor that I knew was going to make me laugh. But even though Young Frankenstein was a comedy, he still treated the subject matter and history of the series with respect, which remains one of my favorites to this day.
Jack Davis – Rest in Peace
Artist Jack Davis passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91, due to complications of a stroke, according to his son. If you don’t know the name of Jack Davis, you most likely know his work. You don’t even need to be a horror fan to recognize it, since it has been on everything from movie posters, TV Guide, Time Magazine, and of course, Mad Magazine.
After doing little jobs here and there early in his career, he started working for E.C. Comics near the end of 1950, with the story The Living Mummy, which appeared in the fourth issue of Haunt of Fear. E.C. owner Bill Gaines said that not only was Davis talented, but also very fast, something that really helps in the comic business. “He could turn out a seven-to-eight page story in two to three days if he really wanted to.”
Emma Cohen – Rest in Peace
The Spanish Horror Genre has lost another face that fans remember from the few films that she appeared in, actress Emma Cohen. While she didn’t appear in a ton of horror films, the ones that she did, she made an impact. At least she did to me. My very first Paul Naschy film was Horror Rises from the Tomb and featured the beautiful Cohen. With her innocent and sad eyes, she made a perfect person to do battle with the dreaded Armand de Marnac, played devilishly by Naschy.
She would also appear in genre films such as Jess Franco’s Count Dracula (1970), Cut-Throats Nine (1972), Horror Rises from the Tomb & The Cannibal Man (both 1973), Cross of the Devil & Night of the Walking Dead (both 1975). Because of these films, we will always get to remember Cohen whenever we bust out one and get to see her perform. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family.
Marina Malfatti – Rest in Peace
Fans of the Italian Giallo films has lost another actress that graced the screen in more than a few films in the early ’70s. Marina Malfatti passed away on June 8th, at the age of 76. She appeared in titles like The Fourth Victim (1971), The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave (1971), All the Colors of the Dark (1972), Seven Blood-Stained Orchids (1972), and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972).
How strange that two of her films, The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times, were recently released in a box set from Arrow, called the Kiler Dames collection. We can only hope that because of these films, it will introduce her to even more film fans around the country. And each time we watch one of them, or any of her movies, we will be paying tribute to her and remembering this beautiful talent.
William Schallert – Rest in Peace
There is something to be said about being a character actor. You might not be a huge leading man like George Clooney or Brad Pitt, but you are able to be constantly working as an actor for over six decades, having close to 400 appearances in movies and television. That was William Schallert. He really was one of those actors that when he came on the screen, most viewers would say “Hey…it’s that guy!”
Schallert passed away this last Sunday at the age of 93, and he left behind a long history of both movie and TV roles that he will always be remembered by.
Douglas Slocombe – Rest in Peace
The world has lost a great talent in the world of cinema with the passing of cinematographer Douglas Slocombe, who passed away last Monday at the age of 103. Slocombe was in the business over 40 years, working on 80 films, in which he received 3 Oscar nominations and 11 BAFTA nominations, winning 3 of those. But aside from his filmwork, his eariler days are a movie waiting to be made!
He started in journalism, working for the British United Press as a junior editor, while in his free time, he continued his passion for photography. He eventually started selling his stills to different magazines around the world, as well as continuing to write. His introduction to filmmaking came when he convinced Life to send him to Danzig in 1939, where he filmed some very dangerous subjects, like a meeting of SS stormtroopers. At the time, Danzig was known as the most dangerous place in Europe because of the German occupation. Slocombe’s work was being smuggled out by the Polish Embassy, but he was being watched very closely by the Germans. He would later spend a lot of time on different navy ships such as Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers, and more. After the war, he made his way into Ealing Studios, which is where he started his movie career.
Andrzej Zulawski – Rest in Peace
It is one thing to be a director that makes a film, even a good one. But it takes a very different kind of director to make a film that brings out such a diverse and strong reaction. Like Polish director Andrzej Zulawski. While he only made a few films in his 40+ year career, all one needs to do is look at his 1981 film Possession to see what I’m talking about. Sure, you might not understand what is going on, but it is a powerful one none the less. Made during a bitter divorce, director Zulawski brought those intense emotions to life on the screen with this bizarre tale.
Zulawski passed away two days ago at the age of 75, after a long battle with cancer.
Frank Finlay – Rest in Peace
We meant to post this earlier this week but time just got away from us. But we hope to make up for it now. While Frank Finlay might have been known for his stage work, as well as plenty of TV work for the BBC, he did appear in enough horror titles that is worth noting.
He first got my attention for his portrayal of Van Helsing in the BBC’s 1977 adaptation of Count Dracula, starring Louis Jourdan as his rival. But even before that, he had appeared in such titles like The Deadly Bees (1966), Twisted Nerve (1968), and Neither the Sea Nor the Sand (1972). But it was his role in Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce that most American fans would recognize him from. While it has it’s issues, it is a much better film that Finlay’s last horror film, in Juan Piquer Simón’s Cthulhu Mansion (1992)!
Angus Scrimm – Rest in Peace
Another new year, and now another passing of a great icon in the Horror & Sci-Fi genre world. Like many other fans this morning, I woke up reading the news that Angus Scrimm had passed away. Not sure how to even start with this eulogy, since anybody that had ever met Scrimm at one of the many conventions that he appeared at over the years, knew that he was as far opposite as the sinister character he was known for. While he might not have appeared in hundreds of movies, the ones that he did, he always made an impact, even in the smallest of roles. But of course, we all knew him as the evil Tall Man from the Phantasm series, where he really shined. But then seeing this man at a show, such a kind-hearted old gentleman, so happy, excited, and even thrilled, to meet fans of his work, treating each and every one of them with respect and kindness…it always left a strong impact for me to see this, each and every time.
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