DtH Episode 63 – Amicus Anthologies

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Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965), The House that Dripped Blood (1971) and Tales from the Crypt (1972)

Amicus Productions was most known for their anthology films, even though that was a small percentage of the types of films they did make in over the years. But because of the quality of the films, the power of the stories they were based on, and the incredible cast of actors they would hire, they always made an impact on fans. In this episode, not only do we cover three of our favorite Amicus’ anthology titles, but we’re joined by producer/director Lawrie Brewster, the man behind the resurrection of Amicus Productions, that is currently working on a new anthology film to be released under the Amicus name! 

Films Mentioned in this Episode:

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April Ghouls Drive-In Monster-Rama

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The fine folks at the Riverside Drive-In and DVD Drive-In have announced their lineup for this year’s spring show, and as usual, they have one hell of a lineup. Friday the 26th, you have a mixture of different types of zombie films, then on Saturday the 27th, you have a nice bunch of sci-fi/horror films that were almost made to be seen at the drive-in! For all the information, head over to the Riverside’s site HERE, or the Facebook page HERE.

Mystery Photo 2-5

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Been a little lacking in updates this last week, but that just means I’ve been keeping myself busy, both in the real world and other irons in the fire. Hopefully I’ll get back on track with some more posts during the week. In the meantime, let us get to why you’re here for this particular post! Last week’s photo is from the 2007 Spanish film [REC] from directors Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. Truly a terrifying film and pretty damn original for how they did it. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Aaron AuBuchon, Enai Aye, Peggy Christie, Dada Debaser, Dahlia Daniels, Chris Dyer, Dave Friedman, Kevin Hart, Dustin Moravick, James Schmeichel, Todd Warren, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Great job!

This week’s photo is from a classic black and white film. Then again, aren’t all black and white films classics? Well, I think so at least. Take a look and see if you can recognize the movie from this single shot. Just send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Mystery Photo 1-29

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Nope! I didn’t forget. Just running a little later than I’d hoped, but here we are, for the last Mystery Photo for January. The first month of the new year already over. Wow. Okay, down to business. Our photo from last week was from Lamberto Bava’s Demons 2 (1986). To those that sent in Demons at first, don’t feel bad because you were not alone. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Chris Dyer, Kevin Hart, Gary Miller, Bryan Senn, and William Wilson. Bravo!

Now on to this week’s photo. I think it’s pretty easy, but we’ll see how well it is received. Just remember to send your guess to me at jon@kitleyskrypt.com (so I don’t lose it . . . though no guarantees on that!). But most of all, Good Luck!

Book Review: Watching the World Die

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Watching the World Die: Nuclear Threat Films of the 1980s
Published by McFarland, 2023. 261 pages.
By Mike Bogue

Back in 2018, I reviewed Mike Bogue’s previous book, Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967 (click HERE for that review), which I really enjoyed since it was much more than what it looked like at face value, not just about giant monsters created from atomic energy, but giving a really good insight to even the differences between countries and how they each looked and perceived what had, or could, happen.

When I received his latest book, Watching the World Die, at first thought it would just be about movies dealing with nuclear war and the aftermath, along the lines of films like The Day After (1983). And honestly, I have to say for someone that likes to use movies as an escape, reading about some truly terrifying films like Testament (1983) or Threads (1984) is a bit rough. Not to say that cinema can’t have a message, and a lot of these films do exactly what they set out to do, and do it well, but for me personally, it’s not a particular sub-genre that I enjoy watching or reading about. On that same note, writing about futuristic worlds that are struggling to survive after the destruction is easier to put it in more of terms of a fantasy, and even horror, that I can enjoy a lot easier. It’s about the after-effects, not the actual holocaust, if that makes sense.

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Sergio Martino at the Music Box

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This year’s January Giallo at the Music Box Theatre started off when a bang! I mean, having the chance to see any Paul Naschy film on the big screen is a rarity as it is, but then to have a screening of Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll (1974) made it even better. What a way to not only start the year off by seeing this Naschy flick on January 1st, but a great way to start off the January Giallo festival as well! I was a little worried being that it was screening on New Year’s Day that the crowd might not come out for it, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a very crowded theater that evening. A very cool evening, indeed.

I was out there for the second screening, the 1978 made-for-TV movie called Closed Circuit, that I’m still on the fence about! Really enjoyed the film but that ending . . . But once again, there was a really good turnout for it. I had planned to hit the next screening, the French film The Strangler (1970), but it was just way too cold to be heading anywhere outside, let alone an hour drive into Chicago.

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David Emge – Rest in Peace

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I know this is coming a little late, but it has been a wee bit busy here at the Krypt this week, so my apologies. But last Saturday, we lost an actor who was part of an iconic film that really did change the history of cinema. While George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) started the zombie genre, it was the sequel, Dawn of the Dead (1978) that made it a huge sensation. And part of that cast, was David Emge, playing the helicopter pilot Stephen aka “Flyboy”, who also just happened to make the audience think he was the main male lead. But we all know it doesn’t work out too well for him in the end. But it was Emge’s performance that drew the audiences in and thought that with his friends, Peter & Roger, and his girlfriend Fran, that we just might make it. But then we remember this is a Romero film.

Emge only made a few film appearances in his career, but he will forever be remembered as Flyboy. He passed away last Saturday at the age of 77. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. Rest in Peace.

DtH Episode 62 – Bigfoot!

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Bigfoot (1970), Creature from Black Lake (1976), and Abominable (2006).

Tales of a mysterious, giant beast that wanders the wooded areas of the U.S., has never really proven to exist, but even to this day, is believed by many to really be out there, still hidden from mankind. Starting with Bigfoot in 1970, our furry giant became the subject of many movies and documentaries, and even on TV shows, such as The Six Million Dollar Man and even his own Saturday morning series, Bigfoot and Wildboy (1977). All this did was increase the interests in the subject matter, even if it didn’t make any new believers. It’s a subject that is still being used today with more modern-day films taking on this sub-genre, in many different variations and strange interpretations. So, join us as we discuss three different styles of the Bigfoot genre and see if you believe in Sasquatch!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 1-22

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As I expected, I got no guesses sent in from our last photo. I knew it was going to be tough one because up until a few months ago, I never even knew of this movie. So don’t feel bad. The shot was taken from a made-for-TV movie from 1964 called The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre, starring Martin Landau and Diane Baker, and written and directed by Joseph Stefano. It’s a great little creepy ghost story film that thankfully is available on Blu-ray through Kino Lober. So yes, I do recommend everyone try and see this. I did have it in my Best of Viewings from last year.

But let’s get to this week’s photo. Take a look and see if this one is a little easier. It’s from a film most of us should know, but will you be able to recognize it from this shot. Just remember to email me your answers (jon@kitleyskrypt.com). Good Luck!

Book Review: They Made How Many?!

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They Made How Many?!
Published by Rotted Rainbow Press, 2023. 646 pages
By Jason Paul Collum

Not only am I a sucker for horror film reference books, but even more so when there is a particular theme to it. I picked this up from Mr. Collum at the Flashback Weekend in 2023 and finally had the chance to really dive into it. If you’re looking for something to give you ideas of what movies to watch, then this is it. But tread lightly, which I’ll explain a little later.

Collum has taken on the monumental task of trying to go through all the American horror franchises of the 20th century, or “mostly” as stated on the front cover. But this massive 600+ page volume covers more than enough to keep you reading through it, as well as building that “I-Need-To-See” list of films. I really enjoyed the format, stating whether the individual titles are direct sequels or in name only. Trust me, in a few of these series, that alone gets pretty sketchy! Plus, the fun facts are great. There is a lot of trivia information that is really interesting and a lot of things I never knew.

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