Our good friend Ian Simmons, who runs the Kicking the Seat podcast, as well as hosts the Academia Giallo show that I am a frequent guest on, along with Aaron Christensen from Horror 101 with Dr. AC, and Bryan Martinez from The Giallo Room, has recently posted the interview that he and Mr. Martinez were able to do with the Giallo Maestro himself, Sergio Martino. I’ve been meaning to post this, but time has not been so nice to me as of late. But, better late than never, right?
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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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I know we had previously announced that Italian director Sergio Martino was going to be at the Music Box Theatre on the 22nd for a screening of his 1973 epic Torso as the last film in this year’s January Giallo series. But the Giallo Gods have smiled upon us once again and have the Music Box has added another Martino classic, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971), starring George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, Ivan Rassimov, and Alberto de Mendoza, which I would consider a very essential title in the giallo sub-genre. This screening will be taking place on Tuesday the 23rd, at 7pm.
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2023 was one crazy year. A lot of things changed, had some amazing travel adventures, another year on the convention circuit, movie screenings and marathons, and more than a few visits to the drive-ins. Plenty of be grateful for really. That should be the first thing to mention because it is one that we only bring up on certain holidays, when it should be celebrated each and every day. It is a time to not only look at the upcoming year, but also to look back on your accomplishments from 2023. Sometimes, just getting through the year is something to be proud of, because we know that that alone can be difficult. So don’t think you have to list off a dozen or so things that you did. Just be proud of what you did. But we can always make those lists of what we want to do in 2024. I don’t like to use the word resolution because that seems to come and go with the holiday. Write it down. Make a list. Set a goal. And then work your way there. Doesn’t have to be a huge one either. Could be just to watch all the Hammer Frankenstein films. Then on to the next thing. Most importantly, remember why you put it on your list in the first place. Have fun with it.
My website hit the 25 anniversary this year. Still hard to believe, but honestly, when you know how stubborn I can be, it makes perfect sense. The Krypt has helped keep my passion alive and well, as well as thriving. It is the one place I can go and spout my views and opinions to those that are always checking in with what this slightly obsessive horror fan has to say. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone’s continued support. So, thank you!
Chicago’s own Music Box Theatre has announced the titles for this year’s celebration of the giallo, and there is a lot to be excited about!!! Not only are they starting off this year’s series with a Paul Naschy film, but they are also ending it with one of the ultimate in the giallo sub-genre, with the director in attendance for a post film Q&A! Just look below to see what films are playing and when:
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Yes, I know The Exorcist is 50 years old, not 58. But I am 58 and I see this film much differently than when I originally did in my younger years.
Last weekend, I had the chance to see a rare screening of the original theatrical version, from a 35mm print, on the big screen, at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. This place really knows and appreciates the importance of such a screening and I’m thankful to be close enough to take advantage of them. And seeing a huge line down the block for this once again made the blackened heart inside this old horror fan swell. Seeing it in a crowded theater really makes the power of the film hit a little harder than watching it at home.
The reason this was a rare screening was that since 1999, the only version the studio rents out for screenings is the extended version, which they call “The Version You’ve Never Seen Before”. I saw it in the theater when it was released and aside from seeing some extra footage, I didn’t care for it as a whole. Now, I refer to it as either “The Version I’ll Never Watch Again”, or more simply the “Where’s Waldo” version, mainly because instead of using the image of Capt. Howdy’s face a couple of times in the film, the longer cut seems to stick it EVERYWHERE! Plus, there are just sequences, such as the famous spider walking scene, that while they are cool to see, I don’t feel they really don’t fit in the film.
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The full lineup for this year’s Music Box of Horrors has been announced on their website, and it looks like one hell of a 24 hours to spend with other like-minded horror fans! Although, the ones crazy enough to come out for a 24-hour marathon aren’t just fans, but dedicated deviants that want to revel and dwell in these amazing horror titles. And I love them for that!
To make the marathon even better, the Music Box has once again filled up their lobby and lounge with a wide variety of vendors to help you pick up some great stuff! I know we are so excited to make our return to vending at this event, but there are plenty of other great vendors like Pretty Spooky Handmades, House of Monsters, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin Films, Graveface Records, and more! Make sure you stop by and check all the vendors out! And of course, stop by and see us at the Kitley’s Krypt booth!
For all the latest information, head over to the Music Box’s page for this event HERE, and also check out their main site (HERE) to see all the other great stuff they are screening!
Below is the full lineup with the start times:
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It’s that time again. It seems I have an 8-year cycle at my work life (in the really real world), and that cycle has come to an end. Next month, I start a new job that I’m hoping that has very little effect here at the Krypt, but we’ll have to wait and see. As you can see by the lack of updates lately, things have been kind of crazy here as of late, from the stress seeing if this new offer would be worth it, to all the other events and projects going on, let’s just say it has been a crazy month. And October might not be any better when it comes to being busy.
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I know I’ve sang the praises of Chicago’s Music Box Theatre many times before here, but damn if they don’t make it hard living out in the suburbs when they program so much great stuff during this time of year that makes me want to rent an apartment or something for the month of October!
We already posted about the upcoming Music Box of Horrors, taking place on Oct. 21st, which we will be making our glorious return as a vendor there, but they have added a few more titles to the list. They will be screening Mike Mendez’s The Convent (2000), with Adrienne Barbeau, Dan Curtis’ haunted house epic Burnt Offerings (1976), with an all-star cast of Oliver Reed, Bette Davis, Burgess Meredith, and Karen Black, as well as Child’s Play 3 (1991). All three titles being screened from 35mm prints. Along with the other films already announced, Piranha II: The Spawning (1981), Casper (1995), and J.R. Bookwalter’s Ozone (1995), this is going to be another 24 hours of greatness. For all the latest info on this event, just click HERE.
If that wasn’t enough, they are also having their 31 Nights of Terror, with a huge selection of rare archival screenings, special guests, interactive events, fan favorites and much more. Here are SOME of the titles they have already announced.
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As I near my 6th decade on this planet, most of that being an obsessive horror fan, it’s really easy to slip into the grumpy old man mode these days, telling younger horror fans to get off my lawn. Even conventions are nowhere near what they used to be, with more about paying for overpriced autographs and collecting toys than caring about the actual movies themselves.
See how easy that was?
But the other night, I witnessed something that made this grinch of a horror fan’s withered heart grow 3 times in size.
The Music Box Theatre in Chicago is a place I’ve been going to for over 30 years, mainly for midnight screenings but also to some of their film series they’ve done over the years. Back in the ‘90s when I would go to something like a midnight screening of Lucio Fulci’s The Beyond (1981) or Toshiharu Ikeda’s Evil Dead Trap (1988), there’d be maybe 10 people there, and most of them snickering during the screening.
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