Night of the Living Dead Book

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We all have those film titles that we personally think are classics of the horror genre. But George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) truly is one of them that very few would disagree. Not only did it create a whole new sub-genre of films, but close to six decades later, the film is still a powerful tale, hitting many different triggers for the viewer. Sure, it is a zombie film, but there is so much more going on within that 90+ running time.

Coming out this December from Titan Books and author Simon Braund, we are getting Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film. This book is the “official retrospective” of the film, giving the readers a look into how a small group of independent filmmakers created one of the most influential horror films ever made. Through interviews, we get to hear from different cast members and from the production crews on how it got made. From getting investors, finding locations, to even getting a bunch of people to appear as the title creatures, all outside of the normal Hollywood system, shows the talent and devotion these people had.

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Episode 106: Hammer’s Quatermass Films

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The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), Quatermass 2 (1957), Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

Everyone knows the name Hammer Films (at least, we hope they do!) but most people associate it with gothic horror, particularly their reimagining of the Universal classic Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957). Yet Hammer had been around long before Peter Cushing breathed life into that first stitched-together corpse. Founded in the 1930s as a distribution company, the studio gradually moved into producing films, often adapted from popular TV and radio series.

In 1953, the BBC aired a six-part serial, The Quatermass Experiment. Hammer quickly recognized its potential, adapted it into a feature film, and in doing so set itself firmly on the path toward becoming “the studio that dripped blood.” In this episode, we cover all three Quatermass films. While they lean more toward science fiction than Hammer’s later gothic output, they are steeped in horror… and we think they’re well worth your time.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Horrorfest at Drive-Ins Near Me

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Regular followers of the Krypt know not only my affection for the drive-ins and these horror marathons that are held there, like I recently posted about our trip to the Midway Drive-In a couple of weeks ago. But not only are there other drive-ins out there, but a lot of them are also doing very similar things by hosting special horror film screenings throughout the month of October. Not sure where a drive-in is around in your neck of the woods? Have no fear. Just head over to Drive-In Near Me (by clicking HERE) and you can search for theaters by state and links to their own website!

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Sam Sherman – Rest in Peace

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This is definitely an end of an era, with the news of the passing of Sam Sherman. He was mainly known as a producer, one half of Independent International, working with Al Adamson, but his contributions to the horror genre is just massive. From his work with Jim Warren and Famous Monsters of Filmland, to working with Hemisphere Pictures, especially in their promotion department, then moving on to work with Adamson. While he was a very multi-talented man, it is his work in PR is what I loved about him. He knew how to sell a film and came up with some of the most beautiful and crazy advertising. Of course, Sherman was the man responsible for bringing Paul Naschy to the states, picking up the rights and releasing Naschy’s first picture, Mark of the Wolfman, though changing it to Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror, yet again with some really great ad campaign for it! Sure, there’s no Dr. Frankenstein or Frankenstein creature in the film, but we do get a WOLF-STEIN!!!

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Mystery Photo 9-29

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Welcome to our last photo for September. That means in a few short days, we’ll be in October! Hopefully everyone has plenty of plans set for the month, from planning some movie marathons, or at least a hit list of titles that you’re planning to watch. Or hitting some special screenings at the theaters, or even a convention or two! Plenty of stuff to do to celebrate our month, the one time when we almost seem normal!

Okay…let’s get down to business. Our last photo was from Hammer’s X – The Unknown (1956), which they made in between the first two Quatermass titles. It’s sort of their blob movie, but two years earlier than the American one. Being an early Hammer title before they exploded on the scene with The Curse of Frankenstein the following year. Kudos to the following that recognized the photo: Hoby Abernathy, Kevin Hart, Erik Martin, and Mike Shields. Well done!

Now going back to color and a little more gothic this time out with this week’s photo. Might be a little tough, and harder than you think… just saying. Give a look and see what you think. Just send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And Good Luck!

Movie Review: Death Line

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(1972)
Directed by Gary Sherman
Starring Donald Pleasence, David Ladd, Sharon Gurney, Clive Swift, Norman Rossington, Hugh Armstrong, June Turner, James Cossins, Christopher Lee

For the longest time, I always knew this film as Raw Meat, mainly due to the poster art that AIP used for it, which admittedly, was pretty cool looking. They knew a title like that would be much easier to sell than Death Line, which I have to I agree with. But for the film itself, Death Line fits a lot better, not to mention not misleading the audience as to what kind of film this is.

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A “New” Frankenstein Book?

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There is nothing I love more than coming across a new non-fiction book on Frankenstein, whether it’s on the movie, the novel, or the history, I’m always intrigued to learn more. I have plenty of volumes in my library but can always make room for one more.

But then there is nothing I hate more than coming across a “new” book that after a little digging, looks to be a previously published book, just retitled, making it look like a new book. Now if this was a book way out of print and hard to find, that’s one thing. And if that’s the case, why not just publish an updated edition? Why change the title and the look of it?

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Horror & Fun at the Midway Drive-In!

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I started writing this on very little sleep over the last 24 hours. Not for any bad reasons, but just choices we make in life. Sure, some of them might not be too smart, especially at my age, but it is one bad choice I will continue to make as long as I can. What is this poor choice that I am talking about? Going to the Dusk to Dawn Horrorfest at the Midway Drive-in last Saturday!

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Mystery Photo 9-22

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Sorry for the late posting, but I think I’m still recovering from the Dusk to Dawn Horrorfest at the Midway Drive-in this last Saturday. But that’s for another post. Our photo from last week was from Lamberto Bava’s Una notte al cimitero aka Graveyard Disturbance (1989), which was part of a 4-part TV series. All 4 of the titles were recently released in a box set put out by Cauldron Films. Kudos to Kevin Hart, Erik Martin, Tim Palace, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick for sending in the correct answer!

This week’s photo, we’re going back to black and white, to someone with an obvious issue with their thumb! Too much hitchhiking maybe? Take a look and then send your guess to me, in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

A COLOSSAL CD Release

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For fans of sci-fi/horror films of the ’50s and Bert I. Gordon, Dragon’s Domain Records has recently announced their latest release, The Albert Glasser Collection, Volume 5: Science Fiction Atomic Mutation II. This features the scores for The Amazing Colossal Man (1957) and its sequel, War of the Colossal Beast (1958). Both scores were mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland, and it contains a booklet with liner notes by film music journalist and author Randall D. Larson.

Glasser did a lot of work with Mr. B.I.G., including Attack of the Puppet People and The Spider, as well as working with other films like Monster From Green Hell.

For more information, head over to Screen Archives Entertainment by clicking HERE.