Mystery Photo 9-13

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Running late again today with our photo, folks. We were just at the HorrorHound Weekend so are running a little ragged right now. Had to go to work today after getting maybe 8 hours of sleep the entire weekend! But it was well worth it. Had a blast there, as always. But let’s get to business! Last week’s photo was of course from Paul Naschy’s Assignment Terror. Since last month was his birthday, I figured I had to put one of his films up there. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Peggie Christie, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Troy Howarth, Mike P, and Michael Shields. Well done!

So this week’s photo might be a pretty easy one, so consider it a bone, since I’m still running on empty! Take a look and see what you can come up with. Just remember to send us your guess in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: The Giant Claw

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(1957)
Directed by Fred F. Sears
Starring Jeff Morrow, Mara Corday, Morris Ankrum, Louis Merrill, Robert Shayne, Edgar Barrier

When I worked at a movie theater, we played It Came from Hollywood (1982), which featured hundreds of movie clips with popular comedians making fun of them, cracking jokes, pointing out flaws, all in the name of entertainment. Mind you, this was years before Mystery Science Theater 3000 made a career out of it. It was during that initial screening that I caught my first glimpse of the epic The Giant Claw (1957). though it would be some time before I actually knew what movie it was. Sure, it was silly and laughable at that time, with the creature looking more like some sort of sickly marionette turkey, but in those scenes where it is swooping down and chomping on parachuting passengers from the plane it just attacked, kind of creeped me out.

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Happy Birthday Paul Naschy!!!

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Today would have been Jacinto Molina’s 87th birthday. But even though we lost him over a decade ago, I still think he is more alive with us than ever. When you think how many of his movies have been released in amazing looking Blu-rays, some titles seeing releases in any format for the first time, and even a few that were thought lost, but now are available for everyone to see. To me, that shows that the last impact of his work still is as powerful, if not more, than before.

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Mystery Photo 9-6

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Happy Labor Day to everyone! Hope you have the day off to enjoy some of the simpler things in life, like watching a movie or reading a book. Or maybe even going for a walk or bike ride. Just something to feed your passion and bring a little happiness to you. Sometimes, that is all it takes. But down to business. Our photo from last week was from a version of Dracula except done entirely with sign language, called Deafula! Made in 1975, written and directed by and starring in the lead role, is Peter Wolf. It was the first horror film ever to be filmed using the American Sign Language. While it may be considered for of an oddity, I love the fact that it actually exists. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Bryan Martinez, and Gary McGuire. Well done!

For today’s photo, we’re going with something that might be remembered from another movie, but since that was in a black and white film, it can’t be that one. So you’ll have to think a little harder. Just remember to send your guess to us in an email (we have a better chance of not forgetting or losing it that way), to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Interview: Miguel Rodriguez, from the Horrible Imaginings Film Fest

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Miguel Rodriguez, one of the co-founders of the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival, is just like us, a very passionate fan of horror cinema. In fact, so much so that he started this film fest to help highlight films that he felt needed more attention. And has been doing so since 2009. So we decided to take a few minutes before this year’s festival started and pick his brain about the genre and what makes it so special to him.

Kitley’s Krypt: Let’s start at the beginning. How long have you been a fan of the horror genre, and what does it mean to you being a serious follower?

Miguel Rodriguez: Horror grew up with me. Most people say they grew up with horror, but I feel like we grew up together. My grandmother used to tell me extremely terrifying stories growing up, as did others in my family. She loved scary movies, and we would often watch them together. We didn’t speak easily because of language barriers (I was not taught Spanish growing up), but horror movies were a way to relate. 

As far as what it means to me to be a serious follower, that can be a bit challenging. It is funny to try to answer this question now, because I was just having a discussion with some friends who were talking about relationships, and they were complaining about people who needed to have all the same pop culture loves as their partners. I found it interesting and nodded with a lot of their points about two people loving all the same things being boring, and people having their own personalities. The thing I had to realize for myself, though, was that an understanding and love for horror is so integral to my worldview that any partner of mine would HAVE to share it. 

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Kryptic Army Mission: Sept. 2021 – Integration!

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Back on Sept. 2nd, 1963, George Wallace, the Governor of the state of Alabama, attempted to forcibly halt the integration of public schools by surrounding the building with state troopers. Thankfully it was only temporary and soon schools in Alabama were the first to be integrated with both colored and white students. Wallace stated that he wasn’t racist but claimed Blacks were inclined to “atrocious acts”. Hate to say this, but I think all races have participated in that. Just asked the “witches” that were burned at the stake, or innocent people tortured to death by the church because they didn’t follow their religion.

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Mystery Photo 8-30

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Sorry for the late update here, but we were away the whole weekend, getting way too little sleep, but watching a ton of movies at the drive-in and eating way too much unhealthy (but damn tasty) food! We got home last evening, but I was so tired I could barely concentrate to real emails! I’m a little rested now, so let’s get to business. Our photo from last week was the 1959 French film Les yeux sans visage, or known here in the states as Eyes Without a Face. If you haven’t seen it, I can’t recommend it enough. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Cate Cameron, Peggie Christie, Brian Doering, Christopher Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevn Hart, Erik Martin, Gary McGuire, Kristin Wicks, Nick Wilson, William Wilson. Always warms my heart to see people identifying a classic film.

Okay, this week’s film might be a tough one, but a tricky one, but if you pay attention, you might see a secret sign to give you a clue. Just remember to send your answer to me through email, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com (best way for me NOT to forget it). Good Luck!

Monsters, Makeup & Effects!

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With a heading like that, I knew it would get you in here! Back in November of 2018, author Heather Wixson published her book Monster Squad: Celebrating the Artists Behind Cinema’s Most Memorable Creatures, which featured interviews with 20 different makeup and special effects people in the industry. You can read our review of it HERE, but now she is back with a new book, covering more artists, creators, and technicians that have help entertain us over the years.

The new book is called Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Conversations with Cinema’s Greatest Artists – Vol. 1 is a “celebration of the creative spirit and artistic endeavors of those who have worked tirelessly for decades to create the memorable monsters, creatures and onscreen personas that have terrified us, made us laugh and filled us with a sense of wonder.” Published by Dark Ink, this 500 page book runs only $25.99 on Amazon, but they will be having a special book signing and Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA, that you can either attend, or order your copy to be shipped to you. They have both hardcovers ($30) and softcover ($19.99) versions available. They haven’t listed any other guests besides Wixson to be there, but I have a feeling they will be adding a few more names that were covered in the book. I got my copy of Monster Squad this way, so it is well worth the extra month. Plus it supports a great independent book store at the same time!

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Marilyn Eastman – Rest in Peace

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Best known for appearing in George Romero’s genre-starting film Night of the Living Dead, Marilyn Eastman was doing so much more than just appearing in it. Not only is she the zombie seen eating the bug off the tree, but she also handled some of the makeup, props, and so much more, like most others that worked on that low budget classic. While she only appeared in 2 other features, she will always be remembered as poor Helen Cooper, who meets the deadly end of a gardening trowel from her own daughter.

For as long as their are zombie fans, this little picture made outside of Pittsburgh by a bunch of friends will keep these hardworking people alive and well, no matter how long they have left us. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family during this difficult time.

Mystery Photo 8-23

by in Misc. Ramblings and tagged

It seems our photo from last week was a bit too easy since we got a ton of correct answers. Or maybe it was my little comment about not starring too long? Or, you guys just know your classic films, especially when we get into Hammer territory? The shot was from The Gorgon (1964), starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and the lovely Barbara Shelley. May not be one of their best, but still a fine piece of entertainment. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Aaron AuBuchon, Peggy Christie, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, Doug Lamoreux, Gary Laughner, Gary McGuire, Bryan Senn, Michael Shields, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Well done!

So this week’s photo might be a wee bit tougher. But we’ll just have to wait and see. Take a peek and see what you can come up with. Just remember to send us your answer, by emailing us at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck.