Now, I’m talking about us horror fans (which I’m guessing would be the only ones reading this!), but I am once again reminded on how great of a time we are living in, as horror fans. Yes, I know, the world is in turmoil right now, with us on the brink of destruction. But guess what, it always seems to be, or at least has been multiple times in my lifetime. So why not take a second and look at some positive things going on that, while doesn’t solve all the world’s problems, it does make you realize that there are some pretty damn cool things, even if it is just related to that “silly monster stuff”.
Continue readingMystery Photo 7-22
I had no idea when I posted the photo from last week, that I had caused a little confusion, especially on MY part! The other day while browsing through Prime, I came across this black and white film called Space Probe Taurus (1965) that looked like it could be fun. And when I saw this alien show up, I knew I had my next Mystery Photo. Then I started to get a couple of emails saying it was from a movie called The Wizard of Mars, also from 1965 but in color! After the second email, I looked it up and what do you know . . . they used the same makeup for the alien in both movies! Got to give those low budget filmmakers credit for using something cool more than once! So, kudos to all of the following, no matter which title you sent in: Hoby Abernathy, Bob Hartman, Erik Martin, Charles Miller, Lee Nattrass, Mike Shields, Alan Tromp, Todd Warren. Well done! I think we all learned something with this one. I know I did!
Now today’s photo is a little more recent than 1965, but let’s see if anybody recognizes it. And if you think it looks a little blurry or off, that is the way the shot is. Take a good look, and if you know it, send me your guess to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Friends Helping Friends
Over 25 years ago, I met Tom Sueyres (Simmons at the time), through another friend, and we started tape trading. Tom ran Video Holocaust, which soon became Video Junkie, which also became a magazine. Video Junkie’s tag line was that it’s not a hobby, but a way of life. That was not only true of the business and the magazine, but of Tom himself. I don’t know what impressed me more, his knowledge of film, or just his sheer passion for cinema. I know that if wasn’t for Tom, I wouldn’t have gotten started creating and getting Kitley’s Krypt going. He was huge part in getting me on my way, in both running my website, writing in general, and a LOT of much needed advice when it came to basic journalism. Oh yeah, self-editing was a constant topic of conversation between us!
But now Tom is need of some funds due to some severe medical conditions he’s dealing with now and could use any and all help. No matter how much, it all adds up. So back in the days of buying movies that you couldn’t find anywhere else, if you happen to get any from Video Junkie, or even was entertained by the magazine, or any of the rantings he would post on the Video Junkie website, see if you can’t spare a little change to help a friend out. Click on the link to get to the GoFundMe page and read his story. I know we’re all struggling out there, but if you can, help a brother out and let’s keep this very creative mind kicking around for a few more decades. Just click HERE and give what you can.
Soundtrack Review: The Abandoned
The Abandoned
Released by Moviescore, 2024
14 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 46 min.
Music Composed by Alfons Conde
Nacho Cerdá’s directorial feature debut gave us something completely different than what he showed us in his short film Aftermath (1994). Instead of the disturbing and gooey subject matter of necrophilia, The Abandoned is a slow-moving ghost story, where a woman is haunted by her childhood. She returns to her birthplace in Russia in hopes of uncovering or laying to rest her dark memories.
There isn’t a lot of action here, but more of a mood piece, there are a lot of scenes of no talking, but looking. Waiting. Searching. This is where Conde’s music blends perfectly. It worms its way into your subconscious, much like the film. Sometimes you’re not even aware of the music in the background, like a prolonged note being held, or maybe a vibration. But it’s there, helping to create and enhance the emotions you are feeling by watching what is going on.
Continue readingSuper-Horror-Rama at Sideshow Gelato!
The Super-Horror-Rama shows have now moved to the Sideshow Gelato for screenings on the last 3 Wednesday nights in July! Each of the films that will be shown do have some sort of connection to ice cream, even if it might be a little twisted!
Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17th, they will be screening Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm (1979), where we have the all-time, coolest guitar-playing, dwarf-killing ice cream man around, the one and only Reggie Bannister! There is a reason this film is still regarded as a classic.
Continue readingMystery Photo 7-15
We’re not officially halfway through July, which means (hopefully) halfway through summer. I know a lot out there enjoy the sun and heat, but I am not one of those. So, bring on the fall, and of course, Halloween! In the meantime, I’ll do what I can to stay inside, behind closed curtains and doors! But let’s get to the business at hand. Last week’s photo was from Sergio Martino’s 1979 film The Great Alligator, starring the lovely Barbara Bach, Claudio Cassinelli, Mel Ferrer, and the lovely little Silvia Collatina! We only had one correct answer sent in (unless, of course, I missed one) and that was from Erik Martin! Well done, Sir!
Today’s photo might be even more obscure, but at least from this country. Take a look below and see if you recognize it where it is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com, or I definitely will forget! And most of all, Good Luck!
Monster Bash Approaches!
It’s been a very busy last month or so here at the Krypt, which is probably why there hasn’t been a ton of updates lately. But being busy isn’t a bad thing, especially when it is doing stuff you love, and I have definitely had my plate of fun more than filled! From a Godzilla marathon, library lectures (while trying to figure things out on PowerPoint!), writing assignments, our podcast, and more, it has been a whirlwind of chaos. The only downside of this last month was the passing of my cousin Brett. While at random times that still hits me out of nowhere, I know that he was one of my biggest supporters in what I do, which means I need to continue on.
Continue readingDtH Episode 74 – Silent German Expressionism Films
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), The Golem; How He Came into the World (1920), and Waxworks (1924).
In the very beginning of cinema, it was the German filmmakers who took cinema to the next level, even when it was still in its infancy. Creating strange angles, weird landscapes and buildings, and bizarre stories, these filmmakers gave audiences something completely new and different. It made such an impact, that it would inspire future filmmakers for generations to come.
While being silent, these films still created such haunting images, wild characters, and fantastical designs of the sets, that can still make an impact to today’s modern audiences. When Discovering the Horror, it is always important to know how we got to where we are, and the German expressionist horror films of that era is a great place to start. If you want to scoff at silent cinema, then you are depriving yourself of some truly great pieces of art, and of history.
Films mentioned in this episode:
Continue readingAbbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein Soundtrack
Are you a fan of the Universal Classic Monsters? Or maybe of comedic actors Bud Abbott and Lou Costello? When you combine these two, you have a film that is what I feel the best of both of those two worlds in Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). While it is a comedy, there is plenty of monster fun within the running time, with not only Frankenstein’s creature, but we get Dracula, the Wolf Man, and even the Invisible Man is a very small “cameo” at the end. Now, the fine folks at Intrada have started a Kickstarter to help finance the creation of a CD soundtrack release of this score, and we only have a few more days to being to contribute!
Continue readingMystery Photo 7-8
Our photo from last week was from the 1983 film Of Uknown Origin, starring Peter Weller vs a big rat! It’s actually a really well-done film, plenty of great camera work, and a good cast. Look for Louis Del Grande in the role of a superintendent who tries to help Weller. Last time we saw him, Michael Ironside made his head explode! Kudos to Bryan Senn and William Wilson for sending in the correct answer.
Now on to this week’s photo. Yeah, I know . . . could be one of a hundred movies. That’s the point, isn’t it? Let’s just see how good you are! Just remember to send your answer to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskyrpt.com. And Good Luck!









