If you don’t recognize Salvati’s name, if you’re a regular here, then you know his work. He was a cinematographer that worked with Lucio Fulci on 11 different films, including some of his best titles. Films like The Psychic (1977), Zombie (1979), City of the Living Dead (1980), The Beyond (1981), and House by the Cemetery (1981). He worked on what was supposed to be Fulci’s big return with The Wax Mask (1997), but Fulci passed away, but Salvati still worked on it with the new director, Sergio Stivaletti. He also worked with Charles Band on Crawlspace (1986) and Puppet Master (1989).
Continue readingDtH Episode 105 – Andy Milligan
The Ghastly Ones (1968), The Man with Two Heads (1972), and Carnage (1984)
There are not many filmmakers like Andy Milligan. Sure, there’s were a lot of independents during that same era, working with zero budgets that somehow got their finished pictures to play theaters and released on home video. But not too many where their real life was almost as terrifying as the films they made. Milligan could fit into that category. Making over 30 pictures in almost 25 years, with some of the most outrageous and memorable titles, he still remains very close to obscurity. But he does have some fans out there. In fact, a few years ago, Severin Films released a box set that included over a dozen of his films, packed with extras. So why not take a look into this strange filmmaker and three of his films.
But a warning… his films are not for everyone. Some refer to them as high school stage plays that were filmed. They can be mean. Talky. Bizarre camerawork. And pretty shoddy makeup. Nonetheless, they still have a charm to them. To some at least. So, take your next steps with caution, and as the saying goes, “Well… we warned you.”
Films mentioned in this episode:
Continue readingAmicus, Franco, Fulci and More!
I know we’re always promoting and talking about how great the Music Box Theatre here in Chicago is (because it is!), but I recently found out about a theater in Wind Gap, PA that seems to not only play some amazing genre films quite a bit, but they also have some mini fests coming up that makes me want to take a road trip! The Gap Theatre (click HERE to get to their website) has plenty of amazing titles, double features, and other screenings lined up on their schedule. But there were 3 different ones that had me drooling.
Continue readingMystery Photo 9-15
We were just at HorrorHound Weekend, getting home late last night. Actually, early this morning. Plus, most of last week was getting prepared for it, as well as working on a bunch of other different projects! Not bitching, just explaining why no updates since last month. I hope to get a few in this week, but it’s going to be another busy one, with us heading out the Midway for their Dusk to Dawn Horrorfest! Tons of fun! Head over to the Midway Drive-in’s website HERE for all the details.
Anyway… our photo from last week was from Neil Marshall’s amazing film The Descent (2005), which makes its 20th anniversary this year! There is supposed to be a 4K release coming soon, but not sure from who. But kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Steve Adkins, Tom Brennan, Aaron Christensen, Jennifer Pike-Cruz, Dada Debaser, Kevin Hart, Erik Martin, Bryan Senn, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Well done!
Let’s get to this week’s photo before it’s Tuesday already! You know the drill. Take a look and send you guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And Good Luck!
Mystery Photo 9-8
Welcome to another wonderful Monday! Okay… maybe not wonderful but at least the high temperatures are gone! But let’s get to it. Our photo from last week was from The Seventh Victim (1943), directed by Mark Robson and produced by the one and only Val Lewton! This was never one of my favorites of Lewton’s work but each time I see it, I see more. It always had such a dark ending, but upon my last viewing, I did see a slight positive message there. If you didn’t catch it, email me and I’ll tell you. But congrats to the following for sending in the correct title: Hoby Abernathy, Todd Barwick Chris Dyer, Dave Friedman, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, and Mike Shields. Well done!
Now our next photo could be a photo representation of how I feel with all the stuff I have going on in the next two month. From conventions, library lectures, 24-hour marathons, etc., etc., it does make me feel like I’m constantly digging myself out! Granted, all self-imposed, so I can’t really complain. But none the less, take a peek and see if you can recognize what film this is from. Just remember to send your answer to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And Good Luck!
DtH Episode 104: Fantasy Horror
A Company of Wolves (1984), Nightbreed (1990), Errementari (2017)
As horror fans, we might not really think about the amount of horror elements that are in other sub-genres, such as fantasy. Sure, we all know titles like Conan the Barbarian (1982) that has a guy who turns into a giant snake, or Legend (1985) where one of the main characters is some sort of demon or devil, do those elements make it a horror film?
We all know that horror is used in many different genres of films, even some where the filmmakers themselves go out of their way to make sure to define it NOT as horror. But we know.
But when it comes to Fantasy / Horror, that’s where the story might be based on fairy tales or folklore, and definitely has some elements of horror in there, either in content or maybe just characters. The line can get kind of blurry. But we also know that if its entertaining, then does it really matter?
Take a listen as we discuss 3 titles that we all felt hit the Fantasy / Horror sub-genre, for a variety of reasons. Tune in and find out why.
Titles mentioned in this episode:
Continue readingScott Spiegel – Rest in Peace
It’s a shame that Spiegel’s name isn’t more well known, since he was one of those crazy Michigan guys who went on to do some pretty important movies in the genre, such as Evil Dead (1981). Not only did he co-write Thou Shalt Not Kill… Except (1985), but he also co-wrote and directed the fun little slasher Intruder (1989), which both Sam and Ted Raimi, and Bruce Campbell appeared in. He would go on to direct From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999) and Hostel: Part III (2011).
Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.
Movie Review: Bring Her Back
(2025)
Directed by Danny & Michael Philippou
Starring Billy Barratt, Sally Hawkins, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Stephen Phillips, Mischa Heywood
The Philippou brothers made a big impact with horror fans with their 2022 film Talk to Me, about what looks to be a ceramic hand that is used for a twisted sort of party game. Except when you hold it in your hand, you become possessed by… something. There’s a time limit otherwise really bad things happen, which you see in the film. Their newest film, Bring Her Back, seems to live in that same world, where entities of some sort exist. The tagline used in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser, “Demons to some. Angels to others”, fits perfectly here.
Continue readingMystery Photo 9-1
Welcome to September! Now we might be able to start to go outside and not melt into the pavement! Plus, we’re just a month away from October! Granted, for most of us, we’re already in full Halloween-mode, while others live by the “Every day is Halloween”, me included! But let’s get to why we’re here. Last week’s photo was from the 1963 film The Curse of the Crying Woman, which opened up a whole new sub-genre for me back in the ’90s. A good friend recommended getting into the gothic Mexican films of the late ’50s and early ’60s, and this title was the first one I watched. I’ve been hooked ever since. Thanks Mark! Anyway, here’s the ones that sent in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Erik Martin, Mike Shields, Alan Tromp, and Greg Wojick. ¡Excelente!
For this week’s photo, we’re still going old school with another black and white classic. Take a look and see if you can identify what film this shot is from. Just remember, send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And most of all, Good Luck!
Island of Terror Book
Way back in 2017, I reviewed the book A Vault of Horror by Keith Topping, (click HERE for my review) which was one that I truly enjoyed. Sure, I’d seen most of the titles covered in this film guide, but it was mainly because of the format and his writing. Lots of fun information and trivia in there, the kind that makes you want to bust out the movie you just read about to watch again. Then last year, Topping put out a follow-up guide, entitled Return to the Vault of Horror, continuing in the same format. I haven’t gotten to reading it yet, but hopefully soon.
But now, Topping switches over from British horror films from the ’50s to the ’70s to science fiction and fantasy movies, even widening the years covered. The new book is called Island of Terror: A Guide to 60 Great British SF and Fantasy Movies from 1936-1984. When you put The Green Slime on the cover, I definitely am going to add this to my library! Some of the titles covered include H.G. Wells’ Things to Come, Hammer’s Four-Sided Triangle and the Quatermass films, to The Trollenberg Terror aka The Crawling Eye, The Earth Dies Screaming, Island of Terror, Scream and Scream Again, Alien, Lifeforce and many more in between.
This 598-page book will be coming out this October and can be purchased through the publisher, Telos Publishing, through their website HERE. The price is £19.99, which is about $27 here in the states.









