After hearing many, many times that someone had acquired the Hammer Studios name and was going to bring it back from the dead, it was so nice to finally see it happen, when John Gore finally started to do it. More than just ideas and plans, since Gore has taken the reigns, we’ve seen some amazing restorations of some of Hammer’s classic titles, as well as some of their lesser-known ones. Looking at John Gore Studios website and their mission statement, it really does sound like they are doing great things there and for the right reasons. As posted on their site, not only do they “believe in the power of compelling storytelling to ignite imagination and celebrate the enduring legacy of British film, television, and theatre”, but that they have a mission to “the acquisition, restoration, and distribution of historic film catalogues, ensuring these cultural touchstones remain vibrant and accessible.” Not only through acquiring the film rights, but also by using Silver Salt Restorations, another company owned by Gore, they can make them look as even better than when they first premiered. Just love to see that they understand and agree with the cultural relevance of these film titles, specifically the ones in the horror genre!
Continue readingMovie Review: The House with Laughing Windows
(1976)
Directed by Pupi Avati
Starring Lino Capolicchio, Francesca Marciano, Gianni Cavina, Guilio Pizzirani, Bob Tonelli, Vanna Busoni, Pietro Brambilla, Andrea Matteuzzi, Pina Borione, Eugene Walter
You’ll often read that this film is considered a giallo, the same genre that would include Mario Bava’s Blood and Black Lace and Dario Argento’s Deep Red. And if you try and compare House to those two, you might have trouble seeing many similarities. Upon my first viewing, I agreed completely with that statement, even while discussing it on a podcast I was on a few years ago. But that shows a few things. First of all, it shows how open the parameters of the giallo sub-genre really are, and secondly, and more importantly, how one’s thoughts and opinions of a picture can evolve. When you compare House with something like Lucio Fulci’s Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972), which is also a giallo, then you can see it having more of a connection. That’s the beauty of different sub-genres, and film in general, isn’t it? They are so subjective and always open for different or possible interpretation. And for this one, it’s definitely one of those.
Continue readingMovie Review: Blood Freak
(1972)
Director: Brad F. Grinter & Steve Hawkes
Starring Steve Hawkes, Heather Hughes, Dana Culliver, Tina Anderson, Brad F. Ginter, Randy Grinter
If there ever was a movie that defines what a “turkey movie” is, this is it. This has to be one of the strangest and most bizarre pictures ever to grace the silver screen. It is one that while you’re watching it, you stop and wonder if what you’re actually seeing is happening. Or if you’re with others, look over to them to make sure they just saw the same thing!
Continue readingDtH Episode 110 – Turkey Day 2025
Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), Terrorvision (1986), and Uninvited (1988).
That’s right, folks! It’s Turkey Time again! Celebrating our 5th episode dedicated to those wonderous missteps in cinematic history. They aimed for the stars but dropped like frozen turkey chucked off a building! But as we always say, the only bad movie is a boring one. And these films are definitely not boring. Because once the credits roll, if you’ve been entertained, then how could it be considered bad???
So sit back and enjoy this episode, where we discuss giant, telepathic crabs, a space creature that exists only to eat, that is beamed in from a brand new state-of-the-art satellite dish, and finally a tale about some sort of experiment gone wrong that causes some sort of mutant creature to live inside a cat, that gets onboard a fancy yacht with some criminals and some college kids! How could that not spell fun?
Films mentioned in this episode:
Continue readingUdo Keir – Rest in Peace
The great Udo Keir has left the building. The word “icon” should be used often, but for Mr. Keir, I think it is a well-deserved moniker. With 275 credits to his name, the man has worked… a LOT. And whatever he appeared in, he always made it a little better. Of course, it was those two amazing films he did with Paul Morrissey, Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974) that really cemented his fame in the horror genre.
But as everyone probably knows, Keir passed away two days ago, at the age of 81. I had the chance to meet him a few times over the years and was always very fan friendly. The genre really has lost a great talent, and he will be missed. But luckily, we have plenty of his great films to continue to admire. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.
Being Thankful
Every year, people are usually asked, or post something about what we’re thankful for. It usually ranges in being thankful for their family, a good job, being healthy, or a variety of subjects of that nature. A lot of those things are stuff we tend to take for granted every other day of the year. But when you really look, I’m sure you’ll find a little more light than dark in one’s life. Even for us evil horror fanatics!
Continue readingMystery Photo 11-24
Turkey Day is almost upon us! Are you ready? Do you have your own Turkey Day Marathon planned for this Friday? If so, we’d love to hear your lineup! But let’s get to the business at hand. Our photo from last week was from the wonderful film Carnival of Blood (1970), with Burt Young appearing in his first feature film, though credited as John Harris. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Todd Barwick, Scott Bradley, Kevin Hart, Lee Nattrass, Alan Tromp, Mike Tutino, and William Wilson. Well done!
Now for our last Turkey Day Mystery Photo. This one is a real hoot! Take a look below and see if you recognize this strange film. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And most of all, Good Luck!
Luchadores vs Everything!
For any fans of the works of El Santo, Blue Demon, or any of the other wrestlers that moved into the world of cinema, there is a new book coming out that you just may want to know about. It’s called Luchadores vs Everything, where you’ll get to hear the story of how one family brought wrestlers, monsters, and mayhem to the silver screen! Join film activist and member of the famed cinematic Calderón and García Besné families, Viviana García Besné and her friends dive into the history of her family’s films of the beloved genre.
Continue readingMovie Review: The Red House
(1947)
Directed by Delmer Daves
Starring Edward G. Robinson, Lon McCallister, Judith Anderson, Allene Roberts,
Julie London, Rory Calhoun, Ona Munson
I had seen this title pop up on some streaming services over the years but never got around to seeing it. Watching the trailer, it seemed like a ‘40s horror picture, with Edward G. Robinson telling a young character not to take short cut through the woods at night. As the young man says he’s not scared, Robinson yells in a very terrified voice, “It won’t save you from the screams in the night that will lodge in your bones all your life!” Sounds pretty chilling, right? So not sure why I never decided to watch it. But when Film Masters released it on Blu-ray, I figured now was my chance.
Continue readingMystery Photo 11-17
Not sure if I should congratulate the ones that correctly identified last week’s photo or apologize for making them remember it! It was from Jess Franco’s 1982 epic Oasis of the Zombies! As much as I like Franco, this one admittedly is a tough one. But congrats anyway go out to Hoby Abernathy, Tim Palace, and Mike Tutino! You should be proud of yourselves!
Now on to this week’s Turkey. Take a good look and see if you can recognize which film it is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!









