Mystery Photo 11-25

Welcome to the last Monday of November. Time is just flying by, isn’t it? That just means spring will be here before we know it and a whole new year of conventions starting up! But before we get all excited about that, let us start the week off with a Mystery Photo. Last week’s was from Mario Bava’s Baron Blood (1972), definitely a must see in his filmography. Then again, aren’t most of his films? Congrats to the following for sending in the correct photo: Todd Barwick, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, and Todd Warren. Well done!

So let’s take a look at this week’s and see if it is any easier or harder than the last one. Let’s try and end November on a high note, shall we? As always, please do not post your answers here so that others can have a chance at guessing. Just send your guess to me (jon@kitleyskrypt.com) in an email. Good Luck!

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Michael J. Pollard – Rest in Peace

Michael J PollardGrowing up in the late ’60s and early ’70s, it was pretty easy to know who Michael J. Pollard was. We might not of known his name, but we definitely remembered that face. Whether it was from his appearance in the original Star Trek series or Lost in Space (both in 1966), or his role in the famous Bonnie and Clyde (1967). But he had a face and voice that was always memorable. Later in the ’80s and ’90s, you’d see him in everything from comedies, action films, dramas, and everything in between. In the horror genre, there’s American Gothic (1987), Sleepaway Camp III (1989), or as the rat catcher in Split Second (1992). Of course, of later day fans, he was one of the best parts in the opening of Rob Zombie’s debut, House of 1000 Corpses (2003).

Movie fans have lost this iconic boyish face, as he passed away on Nov. 20th from a cardiac arrest, at the age of 80 years old. No matter what film I would be watching, when his face came on screen, it made me smile. Because I knew no matter the size of the role, I was going to remember it because his screen presents. He really was one of a kind. Gone, but definitely never forgotten.

Physical vs Streaming

Ever since streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime started, the debate has raging on which is better. We have the die-hard collectors, the ones collecting VHS and other physical media, denouncing the streaming avenue and those traveling down it. While the ones streaming, like the convenience of it, having a wide selection at their fingertips without having to spend a lot of money. Is one right and the other wrong? Since I consider myself an Old One (meaning old school movie collector, not a Lovecraftian deity), who used to spend hours, days, and even years looking for a certain movie, that seems to be available in an instant, so let me put my two cents in. As far as which is better, I think I can safely say this: How about we stop complaining about which is better and just WATCH THE DAMN MOVIES!?!?

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Holiday Shopping Ideas

Book Cover Art 22819With Axe-mas right around the corner, I’m sure everyone is starting to compile their own wish list or thinking about what to get others. I’m going to give a few suggestions to help not only find a great gift, but to also help increase the knowledge for the person receiving it, as well as maybe showing support for those out there that are putting their blood, sweat, tears, and talent into their work. We need to show our support for them, to let them know what they are doing is worth it.

For those out there that are looking for the special gift for the horror obsessed fan in their life, or to add it to your own personal list, let me start with a shameless plug and humbly suggest picking up a copy of my book, Discover the Horror? While it is available on Amazon, if you order it directly from me, you’ll get it personally signed to you, or whoever you request. How cool would it be to surprise your special someone with a personalized autograph copy? You can read what some people have thought about it on Amazon or some of the reviews I’ve posted on the link to the right.

But…this isn’t just about my book, but the countless titles out there that would make wonderful gifts to any horror fan. Here are some examples. Continue reading

Mystery Photo 11-18

It is so great to see so many responses for a clip from a classic film, that I have to say isn’t the most obvious, but it still is so memorable that we got more responses with this one than we normally do! The shot is from the 1962 almost-lost film, Carnival of Souls. Congrats to these scholars who sent in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Dahlia Daniels, Dave Fronto, Bob Hartman, Ricky Hayden, Christopher Highland, Martin Meeks, Lee Nattrass, Tim Palace, Michael Shields, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Well done, people. Well done, indeed.

So here’s this week’s photo, some might consider a classic as well. Let’s see what you think. Take a good look and see what you can come up with. As always, please remember not to post your answers here so that others have a chance at guessing. Just send your guess to us in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

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Time for the Turkey!

giantclaw

Now that Halloween season is official over, the next thing on calendar for us is of course, Turkey Day. No, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving, but our annual Turkey Day Marathon. Trust me, after getting through some of the titles we’ve watched over the years, just surviving is thankful enough! In all honestly, what I’m really thankful for is that I have a group of friends that make the trek out here every Black Friday to celebrate these Cinematic Shipwrecks along with me, and we have a lot of fun doing it. Continue reading

Lugosi Film Fest!

Dracula Lugosi

Sure this is close to a year away, but no reason why you can’t start planning out events for next year, right? Creepy Classics and Monster Bash have scheduled their next film fest, this time featuring the work of Bela Lugosi! Taking place on Aug. 14th & 15th at the Palace Theatre in Canton, Ohio, they will have 2 days of Lugosi films! Below is the schedule: Continue reading

Horror History: Tod Slaughter

todslaughterTod Slaughter
Born March 19th, 1885 – Died Feb. 19th, 1956

Slaughter was a late bloomer when it came to movies. He was a stage actor who had been working for years before finally getting the film bug. But even before that, one of the characters that he played frequently, was that of the crazed murdering barber, Sweeney Todd. Before his life was over, it was rumored that he had played the character 4000 times. But the film version where he plays the title character, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1936), he really shines. Some say that he may be over acting a bit, but coming from the stage, that is what they were use to. But to me, I think it fits perfectly here in this film.

Slaughter would go on to play in quite a few other dark melodramas, but also continued to do stage work at the same time. He actually died shortly after a performance of Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn. A performer truly to the end.

Music for the Holiday!

Silent Night Deadly NightWith all the crap going on in the world, whoever would have thought that there would be a special 2-disc edition soundtrack for the 1984 holiday horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night! What a world, right? Thanks to the fine folks at Howlin’ Wolf Records, this 2-disc special edition does exist. 

I don’t have a release date, but you can pre-order your copy now, which, if you’re a fan of this movie, I would do just that because this release is only 300 CDs! You can pre-order it HERE.

The first disc has the complete score by Grammy-winning composer Perry Boktin, which is over an hour long! The second disc in a little over 30 minutes and contains all the songs written for the film by songwriter and singer Morgan Ames. It also contains a 20-page booklet with liner notes by co-executive producers Scott Schneid & Dennis Whitehead, screenwriter Michael Hickey, and composer Botkin.

Howlin’ Wolf Records went through a lot of time and effort to bring this release to the fans and from the looks of it, it looks to be well worth it. Priced at $19.95, don’t wait too long or you will think that Santa skipped your house this year!

Mystery Photo 11-11

Welcome to Monday, once again! While not a lot sent in the correct answer for our last photo, I’m thrilled that some did. And now once I announce the title, I hope everyone seeks it out, because it definitely will be on my Best Of list this year. The film is Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil (2017), written and directed by Paul Urkijo Alijo. We stumbled across this earlier this year and since it was produced by Álex de la Iglesia, I knew that was a good enough reason to give it a chance and I wasn’t disappointed. It plays like a fairy tale, not like Disney, but one from Grimms, much darker and just damn cool! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Aaron Christensen, Lee Nattrass, Kristin Wicks, and Will Wilson. Well done!

So let’s get to this week’s photo! This is another one of those old classics that should never be forgotten, so hopefully it will be easy for everyone. Give it a look and see what you can come up with. As always, please don’t post your answer here so everyone can have a chance at it. Just send it to us in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

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