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!
Continue readingSam Sherman – Rest in Peace
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!!!
Continue readingMystery Photo 9-29
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
(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.
Continue readingA “New” Frankenstein Book?
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?
Continue readingHorror & Fun at the Midway Drive-In!
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!
Continue readingMystery Photo 9-22
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
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.
Sergio Salvati – Rest in Peace
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:
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