This last year has definitely been an interesting one, and a very busy one here at the Krypt. But then I guess that keeps me out of trouble, right? In our travels in 2017, we attended another seven conventions plus more than a couple other fun events like movie marathons, drive-ins, and such, and had a blast. What a great way to celebrate cinema!
Happy New Year! All set for another year of pictorial puzzles to ponder? I know it has been a while since we’ve had one of these, but figured with the holidays, we all had things to keep us busy. But it’s a new year and we’re back with our first photo. But before we get to it, let’s go over our last one. It was from the 2012 film Grabbers, which I have to say is a perfect film to have watched on New Year’s Eve. I mean when you have a plot that involves monsters that won’t eat you if your drunk, what better night to watch then last night, right? But kudos to Scott Bradley and William Wilson for sending in the correct answer.
Now on to our first photo of the year. Might be an easy one, or maybe it might have you scratching your head. Just remember not to post your answers here, but send them to me in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Saw Anthology
Released by Lakeshore Records, 2017
2-Discs with 66 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 1 hr. & 20 min.
Music by Charlie Clouser
It’s kind of amazing that the Saw series has continued for this long and pretty much kept the same plot line throughout them. Whether you like them or not, that is a pretty impressive. Same with composer Charlie Clouser, who has worked on each of the films. He has created a very unique sound and feeling for this series and that theme flows through them all, with a very industrial-sounding feel to them. Which, considering all the mechanical traps and abandoned warehouses the films take place in, it fits perfectly, especially with the main theme popping up in different parts of each movie, usually during the big ending.
Interviews Too Shocking to Print!
Published by BearManor Media, 2014. 332 pages.
By Justin Humphreys
Right off the bat, let me say that if you’re expecting a but of unedited and sorid tales of Hollywood that couldn’t be printed before, you will be disappointed. The title of the book refers to the old fashion ballyhoo that B-movies used to use in hopes to draw a crowd. That being said, I think this book should draw the crowd because it is simply a must read for anybody interested in the horror and sci-fi genre and the people behind them.
I have quite a few “interview” books in my library and at least half of them cover the usual suspects in the movie industry. Not saying that is a bad thing, but we tend to read the same stories, as well as the people being covered are ones that we are usually very familiar with. But what Humphreys does with this book is put the spotlight on more than a few names that have made huge strides in the industry, but are names that you don’t typically hear being brought up, which is a damn shame. Thankfully, with this book, hopefully that can change.
Humphreys started interviewing some of these talents at the early age of 15 years of age, so right away it shows his diehard passion for these kind of films. Throughout his career, he befriended a lot of these people in the industry and is now trying to give them the credit they most assuredly deserves. And even if quite a few of them that are covered here have already passed away, learning about them and their work is the best way to keep them alive. And Humphreys has done a wonderful job doing just that.
Every holiday season, I’m still amazed at the amount of books that had been released this year, and all the ones that are still yet to come. I always make the joke about print being dead, but that is about as far from the truth as you can get. Each month, new and interesting titles are being announced or released. I know it’s making it harder for me to find room in the Kryptic Library these days. But I’ll never complain!
Here’s to another year of diving into more great titles!
The Shining (1997)
Released by Varèse Sarabande Records, 2017
3 Discs – 64 Tracks with a Total Running time of 2 hr. 29 min.
Music by Nicholas Pike
Being released for the first time, Varèse Sarabande has unleashed Nicholas Pike’s epic score for the 1997 mini-series version of Stephen King’s The Shining. It’s common knowledge that King wasn’t particularly fond of the movie version of his novel, so with him writing the screenplay and directed by long time King collaborator, director Mick Garris, they made a version that he would be happy with. Pike was in charge of bringing the sense of dread in musical form for the mini-series. And he does a fine job with it too.
It’s still Monday, so it still counts…even though I usually have these posted a little early than now! But better late than never, right? Okay…lets not waste anymore time. Our photo from last week was a bit tougher, huh? Maybe because it was a shot from the German vampire film Jonathon (1970). Unfortunately, we got no correct answers this time out.
But maybe this week’s photo might be a little easier, one that you won’t lose your head over…..yeah….I went there. Anyway, take a peek at this week’s photo and see what you can come up with. Just remember not to post your answers here so others can have a go at it. Just send in your guess to us at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Universal Terrors, 1951-1955: Eight Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Films
Published by McFarland, 2017. 440 pages.
By Tom Weaver, with David Schecter, Robert J. Kiss, and Steve Kronenberg
Anytime I do research on an older classic, if I’m looking for quotes, interviews, or anything type of information, going through the many volumes of books I have from Tom Weaver is one place that I always start. The reason for that is that his books are always so informative, giving a ton of details about the movies and their production, as well as the people that worked on it, from the directors and writers to the actors. Since he’s interviewed so many of these people over the years, the details he’s getting comes first hand. When news of a new book Weaver was working on that covered some of Universal’s films of the ’50s, since I’m a huge fan of that era, I couldn’t wait for it to come out so I could dig into it.
If you’ve been going to horror conventions for a few years, you’ve probably seen Phil Meenan around. He’s pretty easy to spot (unless he’s wearing his giant Frankenstein head), covered in horror tattoos, and just hanging out. Or you might have seen him on the first part of Shout Factory’s Horror Hunters show, where you can see his unbelievable monster collection. I’ve known Phil for over two decades and I can’t think of someone who is a complete opposite of what one might think of when you see Phil. He’s one of the friendliest, giving, and funny people that I have the great honor in calling a friend.
But now Phil is facing a monstrous task that is scarier than any character tattooed on his body. He has decided to do try and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In fact, his goal is to raise $21,000. And just how is he going to do this? By riding his bike from Chicago to Hollywood California, which is 2100 miles. This is a journey that he is making on his single gear bike, by himself, at the end of March of next year.
I personally think Phil is crazy, but then again, I thought that even before he decided to take on this task! But I can’t be more proud of him for what he’s trying to do and to raise money for a great cause. There is not a person alive that hasn’t not been affected by cancer in some form or another, either personally or a friend or loved one that has had to deal with it. So check out his donation page by clicking HERE and give something if you can. I know this is the holiday season and money is tight, but even a few dollars can help get Phil to his goal. Once he starts his journey next March, he will be posting updates as he goes, with I’m sure plenty of photos.
So take a few minutes to look over his page and give what you can.
What a time to be alive!
Sure, our President is probably going to cause WWIII any day now, but if he can hold off until at least the end of January, I’ll be able to catch Franco Prosperi’s Wild Beasts (1984) at a midnight screening at the Music Box Theatre! Now if you’ve never seen this little film before, boy are you in for a treat. Though, a little warning though, if you’re a card-carrying member of PETA, you might want to miss this one. They say no animals were killed in this film, but I’d beg to differ, not to mention I’d make a bet that a stuntman or two might have turned up missing!
I’m usually not one for these mondo-type of films, and there are a few parts in here that are hard for me to watch, but the rest of the film is just so damn crazy, I’m amazed it ever got made! I mean, when is the last time you see a pack of elephants attack an airport! Or a cheetah chasing a lady in a convertible down a city street? This film is a perfect example of Italian exploitation cinema. And to be able to see this on the big screen? Wow.
