Updating Hammer Books

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As a collector of horror reference books, and one that has been doing it for the better part of 40 years, there are a few books that get republished or updated over the years. Sometimes they are greatly expanded from those initial releases, while other times just maybe an extra chapter or just a few pages. Some publishers like to slap on a new title, add a new intro, and hope that readers that already own the original volume don’t recognize that it’s the same book. But that doesn’t happen too often, or at least not that I’ve caught! When these “revised”, “expanded” and/or “updated” versions come out, it would irritate me because since I already have the original release, do I really need to re-buy it just for a few extra pages? Okay, I usually do anyway, but that is beside the point.

But as I get wiser in my old age (insert joke here), I have realized that not all fans have been buying and collecting these volumes as long as I have. And some of them may be out of print or just too expensive to buy now. That means when these new editions come up, these fans have a chance to possibly add them to their collection for the first time. And if you’re a fan of Hammer Films, then here’s your chance to get two different titles.

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Horst Janson – Rest in Peace

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This might not be a name you’ll recognize right away, but if you’re a Hammer fan, then you know him better as Captain Kronos, from the 1974 film Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. It was announced today that Horst had passed away at the age of 89. While he’s really only known in the horror genre due to his one entry with Hammer, he definitely made a big enough impact for us horror fans. It’s just a damn shame that series didn’t take off because that would have been amazing to see Horst continue that character in several more films. But that doesn’t mean Horst didn’t work much, with 168 appearances in film and television in a career that spanned over six decades, even appearing several times on the German version of Sesame Street!

But even with that one entry in our genre, we know that Horst will live on as one of our favorite vampire hunters, and each time we bust out that title to watch again, we will remember Horst and the fine work he did in it. Gone, but he will live on! Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.

Mystery Photo 1-27

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Can you believe we’re almost done with January already? Time just flies when you’re having fun. Right? Pretty soon it will be convention season and we’ll be back to our busy, busy, busy time but at least we’ll be getting to see others and chat in person about the genre we love! That’s right . . . always look for the positive. At least try. Correction…last week’s film was actually Night of the Bloody Apes, not Voodoo Island. Got a little confused there, but thanks to some loyal followers who let me know! Here are the ones that correctly identified the film: Hoby Abernathy, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Erik Martin, Michael Pniewski, Bryan Senn, and Mike Shields. Well done!

Now this week is a little newer than that last one, where we have color and computers! So, take a look and see if you can recognize where this shot is from. Just remember to send us your answer in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com And most importantly, Good Luck!

Unlocking Dracula A.D. 1972

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This is something that I just love about not just the horror genre, but of its fans. Hammer’s film Dracula A.D. 1972 isn’t one of their titles considered to be an ultimate classic, especially when you compare it to some of the studios more well-known titles throughout their reign of terror at the box office. I know myself that it took a while for me to really come around to see this Dracula tale in a modern setting (for the time it was made) for what it is and finally be entertained by it. But even though it has developed into more of a cult classic over the last 50+ years, it’s never referred to on the same level as say, Horror of Dracula.

So, when I see this new book coming out by author David Huckvale, all dedicated to this one single movie, I applauded it! Anytime that someone takes the time to do the work, meaning the research, the digging deep into the film, from the production to the locations to where it was filmed, and those involved, is a great way for fans of the film to not only learn more about it, but maybe see it in different way. Or even if you’re not a huge fan of the film, the more you understand, it could change your mind, or at least maybe have a better understanding of the final product and how it came to be.

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DtH Podcast Episode 88: Val Lewton Part 2

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The Leopard Man (1943), The Seventh Victim (1943), Isle of the Dead (1945)

Back in episode 23, we covered producer Val Lewton and three of his films. While Lewton only produced about a dozen film, and a really only a handful of them being horror, what he did give us made a huge impact on the genre. That is why we have decided to cover three more of his films, in hopes that other fans will seek out not only the ones that we’ve covered, but the other titles as well.

With the help of a group very talented craftsmen, such as directors Jacques Tourneur and Mark Robson, screenwriter Ardel Wray, and a wide and talented cast of actors that he used more than once, Lewton was able to produce films that were very different than not only what he was hired to do, but ones that were different than what most horror fans would have expected at the time. They had style, they had interesting stories, and very unique and well-developed characters. His films are ones that show how effective just a walk down the street can be, when executed by the right people.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 1-20

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Yes, we are back with another pictorial puzzle. Last Monday just slipped by and didn’t even realize until Tuesday that I had forgotten to post one! I’ll try to do better this year! Nonetheless, we have a new one now. But first, let’s see if we remember what the last one was! It was from the 1957 film Voodoo Island, starring the one and only Boris Karloff. While the movie isn’t the greatest movie, it is pretty fun, and Karloff is entertaining to watch as always. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Erik Martin, and Bryan Senn.

Okay, on to today’s photo. Not much to go on in this picture, but we’ll see if you can recognize where this damsel in distress is from. Just remember to send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Book Review: Bride of Frankenstein

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Bride of Frankenstein
Published by Midnight Movie Monographs, 2023. 184 pages.
Edited by Emma Westwood

This is a rather small volume, priced at a little more than I would have liked to have paid for it, but that being said, there is a lot of wisdom and information packed into these 184 pages. The thing that I really enjoyed about this is that it contains 12 essays by 12 different writers, all covering a variety of subjects that have to do with James Whale’s 1935 sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein. While some are not specifically on the movie, there is that connection.

There is one on Franz Waxman and the incredible music he created for it, written by Dr. Dan Golding. Remember, there was a time in the early day of sound films that the studios didn’t want musical scores, feeling they would interfere with the voices and other sounds in the film. Then there is Scott Essman’s essay on the makeup for the Bride and the makeup artist Jack Pierce. Lots of good stuff in here.

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What a Time to Be Alive!

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This is pure ridicules to even think that at some point in my lifetime, there would be an action figure from the 1970 exploitation classic Beast of Blood. Directed by Eddie Romero and starring John Ashley, this film featured a monster that through most of the movie, has his head disconnected from its body! As a kid, I used to think it was amazing that we had action figures of some superheroes, or even some from the Planet of the Apes films and TV series. But just the thought that there would be actual toys (sorry, collectibles) made of films that were not even big box office hits, like the Star Wars series, but just features mainly playing the drive-in markets. But here we are, 55 years after the film comes out, and we have a little action figure of everyone’s favorite chlorophyll-blooded monster!

You can pre-order it from Amok Toys by clicking HERE. They are priced at $39.99, but I’m sure these will be just as popular as their Humanoids from the Deep figure. Again, what a time to be alive!

David Lynch & Jeannot Szwarc – Rest in Peace

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Sorry for the lack of updates this last week, but I didn’t get Covid again, just very busy. But with these two bits of news today, I knew I had to post something.

Probably making more of the headlines is the passing of director David Lynch. While I’ve never been a huge fan of his work, he is a filmmaker that I have a lot of respect for. It’s not often when a director can make the kind of impact throughout his entire career, as Lynch did. I remember seeing Eraserhead (1977) for the first time and couldn’t remember the last time a film hit me like that one did. Definitely didn’t walk away with a bunch of warm and fuzzy feelings, that is for sure. But what a punch! I do remember seeing The Elephant Man (1980) and though tragic, I really enjoyed it. Then in the ’80s, renting Blue Velvet (1986) and watching it with my future wife and her mom . . . very interesting! But it is a sad day for cult fans because there aren’t too many people like Lynch. His voice will be missed.

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Book Review: Cinema Speculation

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Cinema Speculation
Published by HarperCollins, 2022. 392 pages.
By Quentin Tarantino

This is sort of a first here at the Krypt, because this book isn’t really about the horror genre. While there is a chapter on Tobe Hooper’s The Funhouse (1981), it covers a bunch of other films, mainly in the action genre. So why am I covering it here? Simple. Because I can’t remember the last time I read a book where the writer’s passion for cinema was felt in every single word.

The title alone, Cinema Speculation, shows that this isn’t Tarantino making a statement that the titles covered are the best in the history of cinema, but he writes why they are to him. It is his “speculation”. And he goes into great detail as to why, all coming from his deep-rooted passion for them. Everyone knows anything about Taratino knows how much he knows about cinema. You can’t see an interview with him where he’s usually name dropping some obscure film that he loves. There are reasons for that.

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