Tag Archives: Dracula

DtH Episode 121 – Made-for-TV Horror: Dan Curtis

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As a horror fan growing up watching TV in the early ’70s, you may not know or remember the name Dan Curtis, but you know his work. From his early gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, where one of the main characters just happened to be a vampire, to the countless adaptations of classic novels, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and Jekyll and Hyde, to even more throughout the ’70s. Curtis continued to give TV viewing audiences plenty of nightmares during that time, always using a blend of classic monsters, as well as bringing new and unique ones to the small screen, all with the same results.

While some of his work might be lost on modern day audiences, his influence has never gone away, and his body of work is still one that is more than worth revisiting to, or if you’ve never experienced it yet, then now is the perfect time to start down that journey.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Dan Curtis Lives!

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I would like to hope that Dan Curtis was very aware of the impact he had on young fans of the horror genre. From when he took a chance on a failing daytime soap opera, adding a vampire to see what happened, he never looked back. As a kid growing up in the late ’60s & early ’70s, I was flooded by countless characters, monsters, and other ghastly sites, all thanks to Mr. Curtis. While there as not been a constant stream of his work being released on varying formats over the decades, from VHS, to DVD, and now Blu-Ray, there still have been some that we have yet to see. But thanks to Kino Lober, now only do we get two of the three of his retelling of three classic monsters on Blu-Ray the first time, we also get four films he made for the Late-Night Mysteries series, which all aired in 1974. And if you order them now, they are damn near half price! Both are priced at $39.95 (which is a great deal already with what you’re getting), but now you can get each of them for $26.57! Just head over to Kino Lober by clicking HERE.

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Abraham’s Boys

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We all know the heroic stories of Professor Van Helsing, or Doctor in some films, always doing battle against the undead, saving the world from vampires. In this new film by director Natasha Kermani, which she adapted based on the short story by Joe Hill, we get to see a little more in depth look at the Van Helsing family, and more important, how they were raised by this “hero”.

Starring Titus Welliver as the Van Heling patriarch, who is forever on the lookout for not only other vampires, but perhaps the return of his greatest foe. And in that process, “trains” his sons to carry on this tradition, though one of them is more than a little reluctant to even believe these stories are real.

I am very intrigued on this new take on a very famous character from the world of horror, and how writer Hill came up with this unique twist, and how Kermani has adapted it for the screen. This new film hits theaters on July 11th. Below is the trailer.

Classic Monsters Modern Art Book

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Anthony Taylor, a celebrated writer whose work has appeared in Famous Monsters of Filmland, Fangoria, Screem, HorrorHound, Filmfax, and several books on a variety of genre subjects, as well as being the organizer of Atlanta’s Monsterama retro horror and sci-fi convention, now has a new book coming out. It is called Classic Monsters Modern Art: 20th Century Horror in 21st Century Illustrations, coming this September from Insight Editions.

According to the description, the book explores “the groundbreaking (and terrifying) pantheon of monsters from the 20th century’s greatest films and fiction interpreted by the world’s most exciting contemporary artists and illustrators in Classic Monsters, Modern Art!” With over 65 artists, taking on subjects like Frankenstein’s creature, Count Dracula, Elvira, Godzilla, King Kong, to more modern-day monsters like Freddy Kruger, this book will feature some amazing artwork of our favorite monsters, in full color, with Taylor giving us all the info needed about them!

Priced at $39.99, these 160 pages will be something you will find yourself paging through over and over, looking at the amazing work that went into each and every illustration. Definitely one for the library!

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 Episode 87 – Twice Told Tales: Nosferatu

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Nosferatu (1922), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

In episode 78, we started our on-going Twice Told Tales segment, featuring the first two versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. In this episode, with the recent release of Robert Eggers long awaited version of Nosferatu, we’re going back to the original, one of cinema’s first true monsters, in F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, then following it up with Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu the Vampyre.

As in our first Twice Told Tales episode, this isn’t a comparison as to which one is better, but to dig deep into each film, discussing why we think the impact it has made is still felt today, for both versions. We’ll point out the differences, the similarities, as well as some other behind-the-scenes on the films and filmmakers as well. 

There is a reason the original film, one that was supposed to be completely destroyed, has still lived on, almost like the undead title character. There is a reason you’ll see a photo from Nosferatu in almost every book on the horror film genre. And some might think for Herzog to dare make his own version of this iconic classic was utter nonsense. Until you see the film.

Join us on a little journey back over a century into the past, to the very beginning of horror cinema, and an incredible new take on this tale.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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The Blood is the Life Book

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Since it is Black Friday and all . . .

The latest volume from the creators of We Belong Dead magazine, this time covering one of the oldest monsters around, the vampire! The Blood is the Life covers “a century of filmic bloodsuckers”, starting with the one and only Nosferatu (1922), which is only fitting since next month we will be getting a new version of this tale with the release of Robert Eggers new film. This book covers a wide range of films from the classic Universal titles like Dracula (1931), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), to a slew of Hammer titles with Christopher Lee as the Count, to their other efforts like Kiss of the Vampire (1963) to Twins of Evil (1971). I was honored to be part of this tome, having essays on Al Adamson’s Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971) and José Ramón Larraz Vampyres (1974).

While these books are a bit pricy with the currency exchange and the overseas postage, because I have several of their books, I will say they are luxurious looking volumes of well written essays on the genre. With full color pages, filled with plenty of poster art, stills, lobby cards, and even some behind-the-scenes shots, it’s one of those volumes that just paging through it can be a little time machine, helping you escape into many different worlds! So yes, an investment, but I feel a worthy one.

Hardcovers are £45.00 or $57.02 US, and softcovers are £35.00 or $44.35 US. Shipping to here in the US will cost another $25. So again, it’s a bit of cash, but a beautiful investment in knowledge, and for your library. Just click HERE to see more information about the book!

DtH Episode 80 – Blood Thirsty Trilogy

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The Vampire Doll (1970), Lake of Dracula (1971), and Evil of Dracula (1974).

In the annals of Japanese horror cinema, this vampire trilogy from director Michio Yamamoto seems to be close to escaping into obscurity. In fact, try finding much more than a passing mention of these films in any reference books. But thanks to Arrow Video, all three of these films are at least saved from fading away in the sunlight like any good vampire, in one fantastic box set! Because these seemed to be on the outskirts of the vampire genre, we thought it would be a great opportunity for us to take a closer look at them, and to see if they need more attention. Listen and find out!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH – Episode 65: Universal Monster Rallies

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Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), and House of Dracula (1945).

Some say that the monster rally films marked the end of the Universal creature features, which could partially be true, but we feel it is for different reasons than the actual films themselves, and they still have a lot of merit to them. While the studio heads might not have cared too much about getting them made, those involved did their best with what they had. One of the biggest highlights of these titles is the cast of actors in them, some making their last appearances. You get to see Karloff, Chaney Jr., Carradine, J. Carrol Naish, George Zucco, Lionel Atwill, Dwight Frye, and so many other regular faces that will bring a smile to your face when they pop up onscreen.

While maybe running a little thin on ideas and decided to start combining monsters to hopefully bring back bigger box office returns, they still made films that we all still feel are entertaining and we feel are more than worth your time.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

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Béla Lugosi – The Man Behind the Cape

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For fans of Bela Lugosi, I would assume this is going to be a must for their libraries. I’m still on the fence, maybe due to the $150 price tag for the low-end edition (unless you go with the PDF format, which is only $50), but I have to say, it does look incredibly detailed and something that will only go up in value.

Set to be out in May of 2024, this special edition book from Clover Press, will feature not only over 700, but will include “many unseen documents and photos from the Lugosi family’s collection, rare stills, Béla’s personal correspondence and poetry, and artifacts from his professional career.” But it is not just a book of photos. According to the Kickstarter page, “This meticulously researched biography by Robert Cremer is not just another account of Lugosi’s career; it’s a deep dive into the man behind the legend. Through exclusive interviews, rare photographs, and intimate anecdotes from those who knew him best, he unveils the layers of this complex man.”

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