In this week’s episode 478 of the Dread Media podcast, I take a look at Phantasm: Ravager (2016), the recent fifth film in the popular horror franchise. It’s a fun film, if not perfect, and I suspect most fans will enjoy it. Check out the trailer on You Tube and look for the movie for rent on various streaming sites.
Monthly Archives: October 2016
Horror Fest 2016 – The Tingler (1959)
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Horror Fest 2016: The Tingler (1959)
Cast: Vincent Price as Dr. Warren Chapin
Judith Evelyn as Mrs. Martha Ryerson Higgins
Darryl Hickman as David Morris
Patricia Cutts as Isabel Stevens Chapin
Pamela Lincoln as Lucy Stevens
Philip Coolidge as Ollie Higgins
Written by Robb White (13 Ghosts, Homicidal)
Directed by William Castle (Macabre, House on Haunted Hill)
Plot: Dr. Chapin discovers that a creature, which he dubs “The Tingler,” lives inside all of us. During moments of extreme fear, it thrives on the fear. However, when we scream, its’ presence is subsided. However, what would happen if we couldn’t scream? That’s what Chapin wants to find out when he meets a woman who cannot speak or hear. Unfortunately, when his theory is proven real, the Tingler is let loose, resulting in a classic sequence in a movie theater where everyone is encouraged to scream for their lives.
Personal Thoughts: The Tingler was made during the prime of William Castle’s career, following on the success of House of Haunted Hill (1959), also starring Vincent Price, and preceding 13 Ghosts (1960). William Castle’s opening is similar to that of Frankenstein (1931), a warning of the fear to follow. It is classic Castle and Price, cheesy with unintentional humor scattered throughout. From the LSD trip Price undergoes to the ridiculously moving Tingler, it is almost impossible not to have fun with this one.
While filmed in black and white, the bathroom sequence during the scaring of Martha features red blood in the sink and bathtub. I remember seeing this when I was young on the Creature Feature. My Dad had gone to bed and when I told him about it the next morning, he didn’t believe me, sure I had fallen asleep. When it was eventually replayed, my Dad stayed awake this time and I was vindicated. Dad was amazed at the sequence.
Trivia:
- This was the first film to feature an LSD trip.
- Pamela Lincoln (Anatomy of a Psycho) and Darryl Hickman (Many Loves of Dobie Gillis) married shortly after the release of the film.
- “The Tingler” is modeled after the real-life velvet worm.
- The movie theater clips are from a real film, Tol’able David (1921).
- William Castle continued his trend of movie theater gimmicks. Whenever screams were heard in the movie, buzzers located under the seats would vibrate, simulating the “Tingler.” Castle called this “Percepto.”
Availability:
- Watch the trailer on YouTube.
- Available on DVD for less than $6 on Amazon.
Horror Fest 2016 – The Tell-Tale Heart (1941)
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Horror Fest 2016: The Tell-Tale Heart (1941)
Cast: Joseph Schildkraut as Young Man (Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation)
Roman Bohnen as Old Man (The Mask of Dimitrios)
Based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe
Screenplay by Doane R. Hoag
Directed by Jules Dassin (The Canterville Ghost, The Naked City)
Plot: A master has spent years abusing his slave/apprentice until the young man can’t take it anymore. After killing the old man, he becomes overwrought with guilt. But is that the beating of the old man’s heart he hears in the distance…getting louder…and louder?
Personal Thoughts: One of the wonderful things about Turner Classic Movies is that they will play forgotten and seldom seen hidden gems from the past. This includes short subjects from musicals to cartoons. It was twelve years ago, in 2004, that I recorded and first watched Mad Love (1935). When I sat down to watch it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that after the movie, TCM played this short. It is a simple but entertaining retelling of the classic Poe tale. Filmed BY MGM, it takes a few liberties with the story, as most adaptations of Poe’s work often do. But it is incredibly well-made, with lighting and camera work that is supposedly heavily influenced by Citizen Kane, another little film released the same year. Schildkraut and Bohnen are also well-cast and help elevate this beyond a standard short subject, not surprising considering it comes from MGM. Well worth spending twenty minutes of your day to experience this version.
Trivia:
- This was the feature film debut of director Jules Dassin. He was part of the infamous Hollywood Blacklist in 1948 and would spend the majority of the rest of career in Europe.
- Joseph Schildkraut is best known to genre fans for his work in the 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone, Deaths-Head Revisited.
Availability:
- Watch the complete short on YouTube.
- For some fun, take a listen to the 1941 Inner Sanctum Mysteries radio broadcast starring Boris Karloff. It’s a different take on the tale but it stars the legendary Karloff and that should be enough.
- Included as an extra on The Complete Thin Man Collection DVD set.
Horror Fest 2016 – Mad Love (1935)
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Horror Fest 2016: Mad Love (1935)
Cast: Peter Lorre as Dr. Gogol
Frances Drake as Yvonne Orlac (The Invisible Ray)
Colin Clive as Stephen Orlac
Ted Healy as Reagan (Soup to Nuts)
Based on the novel Les Mains D’Orlac by Maurice Renard
Screenplay by P.J. Wolfson & Joh L. Balderston
Directed by Karl Freund (The Mummy)
Plot: The odd and eccentric Dr. Gogol has become obsessed with the lovely actress Yvonne D’Orlac, even acquiring a wax figure of her for his private viewing. But when her husband, famous pianist Stephen Orlac, is seriously injured in a train wreck, he sees his chance when she comes to him for help. When he grafts the hands of a murderer on Stephen, Gogol’s plan is in motion to win the heart of Yvonne, one way or another.
Personal Thoughts: This was Peter Lorre’s first American film and what a debut it was. He had already made a name for himself in Europe with M (1931) and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) but now Hollywood recognized his talents as well. Lorre is in fine form here as the maniacal Gogol, leering eerily over the lovely Yvonne. He has conquered science but is unlucky in love. In fact, anytime Lorre graces the screen, his facial expressions entertain on multiple levels. Sadly, Ted Healy’s comedic moments seem very out-of-place while Colin Clive did not look well at all, an obvious sign of his alcoholism. At under 70 minutes, it makes for a fun film with some great cinematography. Well worth checking out.
Trivia:
- A remake of the 1924 silent film, The Hands of Orlac, starring Conrad Veidt. The concept of a killer’s hands committing murder would be visited again by Lorre in The Beast with Five Fingers (1946), a film remade by Michael Caine in The Hand (1981).
- Ted Healy was partners with The Three Stooges prior to their break-up I 1934 due to Ted’s alcoholism, of which he indirectly died from just two years after this movie in 1937.
- Colin Clive also died of alcoholism in 1937 as well.
- Character actor Ian Wolfe (Star Trek, Diary of a Madman) appeared as Stephen’s father while Key Luke (Charlie Chan film series, Kung Fu) had a minor role as Dr. Wong.
Availability:
- Watch the trailer on YouTube.
- Part of the Hollywood’s Legends of Horror Collection DVD set.
Horror Fest 2016 – M (1931)
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Horror Fest 2016: M (1931)
Cast: Peter Lorre as Hans Beckert
Otto Wernicke as Inspector Karl Lohmann
Based on an article by Egon Jacobson
Screenplay by Fritz Lang & Thea Von Harbou (Spies)
Directed by Fritz Lang (Metropolis, Ministry of Fear, Testament of Dr. Mabuse)
Plot: Hans Beckert is a serial killer who has left the Berlin townspeople in terror after several girls are murdered. His calling card is when he whistles Edvard Grieg’s “In The Hall of the Mountain King,” A mistake that eventually costs him dearly. The local crime bosses are none too happy with the murders as it is hurting their own criminal efforts. However, when a blind street beggar recognizes the tune Hans is whistling, Hans becomes hunted by local beggars and criminals.
Personal Thoughts: As this was Peter Lorre’s first starring role, it would typecast as a villain. He spoke little English at the time this film was made but he started to speak some by the time he worked with Alfred Hitchcock in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934). His performance here is absolute brilliant. His facial expressions show a man tortured by his illness, not to mention his nervous actions when he fails to capture a victim. Being Lang’s first sound film, it is used in limited fashion but Lorre’s whistling is a prime example of how effective sound could be in the early days of film when done properly and creatively. Beautifully filmed and a gripping story, M is a true classic.
Trivia:
- Fritz Lang reportedly cast real criminals for the final climatic scene.
- The film was banned by Adolph Hitler in 1934 and remained “lost” until 1966.
- Reportedly based on real-life serial killer Peter Kurten, despite claims to the contrary by Fritz Lang.
- The segments filmed without sound was originally done to save money but has since become recognized as one of the key elements of the film.
- Otto Wernicke would play Inspector Lohmann again in The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933).
- Remade in 1951 starring David Wayne.
Availability:
- Watch the movie on YouTube.
- The Criterion Collection Blu-ray is an absolute must for anyone’s collection.
Horror Fest 2016 – Mihmiverse and Mr. Sullivan
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Have you ever heard of the Mihmiverse? I’m sure most of you have but just in case there are some of you out there that remain under a rock, it’s time to unearth yourself and check it out. Since 2006, Christopher R. Mihm has been creating brand new movies in the vein of the classic and cheesy sci-fi and horror flicks we’ve all seen time and time again.
Since The Monster of Phantom Lake and right on through to his latest, Weresquito: Nazi Hunter, Christopher remains dedicated to his loyal and ever-growing fan base. From moon zombies to ghosts to giant spiders, he’s keeping all of us monster kids busy and happy. Go to his website, sainteuphoria.com, to get everything you need from DVDs to lobby cards to t-shirts. You’ll be happy you did!
And right around the corner, we have a little spin-off realm from the literary mind of award-winning author Stephen D. Sullivan. He’s taken characters from the Mihmiverse and written an exciting story, Canoe Cops vs. The Mummy! It’s now available in print, so check out his website and, once there, I’m sure you’ll find some other surprises. He’s written adaptations of White Zombie and even Manos – The Hands of Fate, which recently won the 2016 Scribe Award for Best Adapted Novel!
And, as always, tell them Monster Movie Kid sent ya!
Dread Media – Cujo (1983)
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This week on the Dread Media podcast, it’s time for some literary horror and I’ve chosen to revisit some early Stephen King. In episode 477, I take a look at Cujo (1983). Watch the trailer on YouTube and, while the Blu-ray appears to be harder to find, you can still find the DVD on Amazon. Of course, the original novel is out there as well. This was my first time watching this movie since the 80s and it still holds up, so its definitely worth checking out for yourself.
Horror Fest 2016 – Monster Kid Radio
1In 2008, I discovered podcast legend Derek M. Koch. He had just launched a new podcast called Mail Order Zombie. For 205 episodes, the podcast covered everything you wanted to know about zombie films…and a lot you probably didn’t. And then Derek rediscovered his inner monster kid.
In May 2013, the Monster Kid Radio podcast was created and, as of today, it is still going strong with 289 episodes. Yours truly has even been a guest on several occasions with another visit coming in the near future. If you love old monster and horror flicks, do yourself a favor and tune in to this show each and every week. Derek produces a professional show that deserves a spot on mainstream radio or satellite. The time and effort he puts in each week is mind-boggling and amazing. It should then come as no surprise that this podcast is also award winning. Derek was the proud recipient of the 2014 Rondo Award for Best Multimedia Site.
So go…right now…and listen to Monster Kid Radio! And tell Derek that Monster Movie Kid sent ya!
Monster Portrait art by Shelby Denham
Horror Fest 2016 – Old Time Radio for Halloween
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I love old time radio programs and my favorite time of year to listen is from October through December. I always start off with creepy horror programs for Halloween and end up with lots of comedy for Christmas in December.
So, let’s take a break from the movies today. Turn out the lights and listen to some of the best and scariest from the golden age of radio (and one from not quite as long ago).
Lights Out
- “It Happened” (5-11-38)
- “Valse Trieste” (12-29-42)
- “Little Old Lady” (5-25-43)
- “The Dark” (1962 recreation of original and now lost episode)
Dark Fantasy
Hall of Fantasy
Quiet, Please
Escape
Suspense
Mercury Theater on the Air
CBS Radio Mystery Theater
Horror Fest 2016 – Murders in the Zoo (1933)
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Horror Fest 2016: Murders in the Zoo (1933)
Cast: Lionel Atwill as Eric Gorman
Charlie Ruggles as Peter Yates
Gail Patrick as Jerry Evans
Randolph Scott as Dr. Jack Woodford
Written by Philip Wylie (Island of Lost Souls) & Seton I. Miller (Scarface)
Directed by A. Edward Sutherland (The Invisible Woman)
Plot: Eric Gorman is a man obsessed with his wife, who has eyes for another man. He’ll stop at nothing to keep her, including sadistically murdering any man who has eyes for her. Upon returning to the zoo where he works with a new selection of animals, he unfolds a plot to kill a rival for her love. With the backdrop of animals at every turn, Gorman may be the most bloodthirsty of them all.
Personal Thoughts: One of the most graphic sequences in this Pre-Code flick comes in the opening moments as Eric Gorman sews the mouth shut of a man who kissed his wife. It sets the tone of Gorman as a killer who’ll do anything to keep his wife. Lionel Atwill plays the crazed Gorman quite well, leaving his mad scientist frock at home for this one. However, he doesn’t kill conventionally and the idea of using snake venom as a weapon is quite different. It works well here and sets the stage for a quick and fun effort. The sequence where Atwill forces himself upon his wife is a little hard to watch as you can see just how obsessed he is.
Charlie Ruggles (Six of a Kind, Bringing Up Baby) receives top billing here based on his comedic status at the time. He’s fun to watch but seems to disappear towards the last act when the movie takes a darker tone. Leonard Maltin was quoted as saying the film was “astonishingly grisly,” and I would agree. Gorman’s death at the end of the film is particularly gruesome. While I doubt any animals were harmed (too much at least), know that what you see are real animals. In today’s world, they would all be CGI. Just one reason to love these old classics. Definitely entertaining and well worth your time, as well as adding to your collection.
Trivia:
- Made by Paramount Pictures but sold to Universal in 1958 for television distribution. It was not part of the Shock Theater package but it was released as part of the Universal Monster VHS series.
Availability:
- Available on DVD from Turner Classic Movies.
Monster Movie Kid 