Creepshow (1982)

Two masters of the macabre team up to terrify you!

The most fun you’ll ever have…being scared!

Creepshow
Release Date: November 10, 1982

Cast:
Hal Holbrook as Henry Northup (The Crate)
Adrienne Barbeau as Wilma Northrup (The Crate)
Leslie Neilson as Richard Vickers (Something to Tide You Over)
Ed Harris as Hank Blaine (Father’s Day)
E.G. Marshall as Upson Pratt (They’re Creeping Up On You)
Stephen King as Jordy Verrill (The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill)
Tom Atkins as Stan (Prologue & Epilogue)
Tom Savini as Garbage Man #2

Written by Stephen King
Directed by George A. Romero

Plot
A horror anthology of five stories inspired by the E.C. horror comics of the 1950s.

My first experience with the film
My dad and I went to a Saturday afternoon matinee in November 1982.

Richard’s Review
Creepshow offers up a good old fashioned horror anthology and the perfect way to wrap up this year’s Countdown to Halloween. As with all anthologies, there are strong and weak stories. The wraparound story is a fun one with young Billy getting his revenge on his abusive father for throwing away his copy of Creepshow. The stories within the comic unveil themselves courtesy of The Creep. I think The Crate is one of the strongest, due in large part to the screen presence of Adrienne Barbeau and the wonderful monster in the crate, nicknamed Fluffy, a wonderful creation of make-up legend Tom Savini. I’ve always enjoyed Father’s Day with its wonderfully cheesy ending. Something to Tide You Over seems to go on a little long and is the weakest entry, in my opinion. The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill is plagued by the rather horrible acting of Stephen King, yet it still works as a rather sad but goofy story. The final story, They’re Creeping Up on You, doesn’t quite entertain as the final story should but there are plenty of creepy moments to keep you cringing. Creepshow may not be a perfect horror anthology but it’s a great film for a chilly October night. It’s definitely more treat than trick for a Happy Halloween!

Did you know?
A comic adaptation was released in 1982 featuring artwork from the legendary Bernie Wrightson. After years of being out-of-print, it was finally re-released in 2017.

Availability
Creepshow is available on Blu-ray.

But the fun isn’t over yet! Jeff and I have created a special Halloween treat for you to enjoy! Check out the video on our YouTube channel!

And just like that, the 2022 Countdown to Halloween Name Game has come to an end. If you missed a day, be sure to check out the Classic Horrors Club to see which movies Jeff has reviewed all month long.

Now, turn out the lights, watch a spooky movie or maybe listen to an old time radio show and…Happy Halloween!

The Vampire Lovers (1970)

They were all evil and remain evil after death.
Baron Joachim Von Hartog (Douglas Wilmer)

The Vampire Lovers
Release Date: September 3, 1970

Cast:
Ingrid Pitt as Marcilla/Carmilla/Mircalla Karnstein
Pippa Steel as Laura
Madlein Smith as Emma Morton
Peter Cushing as General Von Speilsdorf
George Cole as Roger Morton
Kate O’Mara as The Governess
Douglas Wilmer as Baron Joachim Von Hartog

Based on the story Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
Adapted by Harry Fine, Tudor Gates & Michael Style
Screenplay by Tudor Gates
Directed by Roy Ward Baker

Plot
When General Von Speilsdorf welcomes a young woman into his home, little does he know that she’s a member of the legendary vampire family, the Karnsteins.

My first experience with the film
I first watched The Vampire Lovers in 2012 and this is only my second viewing.

Richard’s Review
The Karnstein trilogy has always been an interesting series of films. Having little to do with each other, each almost stands alone to tell a tale of the vampiric family, usually with copious amounts of female flesh on display. Hammer was evolving as the 70s arrived, utilizing more blood and nudity to entice people into the theaters. The lesbian vampire storyline was clearly used to titillate the audience and can sometimes get in the way of the actual vampire storyline. Cushing’s appearance, which is far too fleeting, helps remind us how evil the vampires really are and that they must be stopped. There really is a good vampire tale here, you just have to wade your way through the distractions. As lovely as they are, it clearly reminds me us of a different age. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you go into it with the right mindset. I’d definitely watch this one again.

Karla’s Review
I didn’t hate The Vampire Lovers as vampire movies are always a go to for me. That being said, messing with the vampire lore always bothers me a little. I didn’t understand the need for the whole shroud story element. And I had no problem with the lesbian storyline but was all of the nudity really necessary? I’m definitely not their target audience there. I wanted to see more of Peter Cushing but what we did see was great. I would probably watch this one again as I love Hammer films but certain parts just didn’t seem to serve a point in the overall story.

Did you know?
Roy Ward Baker also directed Scars of Dracula (1970), Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971), Asylum (1972), The Vault of Horror (1973), And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974).

Availability
The Vampire Lovers is currently available on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory.

Suggestion
Tune into the DieCast Movie Podcast for episode 7 of Hammerama as Steve Turek and Alistair Hughes, author of Infogothic: An Unauthorized Graphic Guide to Hammer Horror, discuss The Vampire Lovers with Whitney Modesta Collazo and Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff. Tell ’em Monster Movie Kid sent ya!

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 31 of our Halloween Name Game to as both Jeff and I will wrap up the month with films and a special surprise! Find out which film we’ve chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

Frankenstein’s Daughter (1958)

You’ve always treated me as a monster, Trudy. Now you’re going to be one.
Oliver Frank (Donald Murphy)

Frankenstein’s Daughter
Release Date: December 15, 1958

Cast:
John Ashley as Johnny Bruder
Sandra Knight as Trudy Morton
Donald Murphy as Oliver Frank/Frankenstein
Sally Todd as Suzie Lawler

Written by H.E. Barrie
Directed by Richard E. Cunha

Plot
Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson has mad dreams of following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

My first experience with the film
I’ve seen this film once before watching it earlier this year but I honestly don’t remember it…for good reason.

Richard’s Review
Well, every countdown has to have a real stinker and we’ve arrived at that moment. What can I say about Frankenstein’s Daughter? The monster make-up is laughably bad, there are way too many party scenes and the movie moves along at a snail’s pace. Is the monster really a woman? The makeup was made to resemble a man and lipstick was added at the last minute to make it appear to be a woman. It didn’t work. Bad acting, a slimy mad doctor and, well, that horrible monster…it’s a buffet of bad monster movie madness that doesn’t cross the line of “so bad it’s good”. Yes indeed, this one is a stinker! I know some people love this movie for all of the insanity but it’s a hard pass for me on revisiting this one in the future.

Karla’s Review
I can say that I saw it and now, several months later, I honestly have no recollection of it. I vaguely remember the music was horrible and the monster was laughable. I don’t believe I’ll be watching this one again.

Did you know?
H.E. Barrie only had five screen credits, including She Demons and Missile to the Moon, both from 1958. After two more films, Barrie disappeared from the film industry.

It’s also worth mentioning that the ending of the film was shot at the Harold Lloyd estate because Harold Lloyd Jr. appeared in the film.

Availability
Frankenstein’s Daughter is available on Blu-ray from Film Detective.

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 29 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Send…more…paramedics.
Zombie

Return of the Living Dead
Release Date: August 16, 1985

Cast:
Clu Gulager as Burt
James Karen as Frank
Don Calfa as Ernie
Thom Matthews as Freddy
Beverly Randolph as Tina
John Philbin as Chuck
Jewel Shepard as Casey
Miguel A. Nunez Jr. as Spider
Brian Peck as Scuz
Linnea Quigley as Trash

Story by Rudy Ricci, John. A. Russo & Russel Steiner
Screenplay by Dan O’Bannon
Directed by Dan O’Bannon

Plot
When a deadly gas from a long-lost government container is released, it brings the dead back to life and unleashes a zombie hoard.

My first experience with the film
I remember renting this on VHS back in the 1980s and have revisited it often over the years.

Richard’s Review
Zombie flicks may be overdone in 2022 but back in 1985, they were still all the rage. Just like the original Night of the Living Dead (1968) left behind the old voodoo zombie, this movie introduced us to faster and more intelligent zombies, for better or worse. This movie has always made me laugh and is one of my personal favorite zombie flicks. The dialogue is hilarious and the zombie makeup was fantastic for the time. It’s simple fun that never takes itself too serious. Highly recommended!

Did you know?
Dan O’Bannon only directed three films and is best known for his writing credits. His contributions include Alien (1979), Lifeforce (1985) and Total Recall (1990). He died in 2009 at the age of 63 of Crohn’s disease.

Availability
Return of the Living Dead is available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray from Shout! Factory.

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 27 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

The Omega Man (1971)

What day is it, anyway? Monday? Huh? The hell it is. It’s Sunday. Sunday I always dress for dinner.
Neville (Charlton Heston)

The Omega Man
Release Date: August 1, 1971

Cast:
Charlton Heston as Neville
Anthony Zerbe as Matthias
Rosalind Cash as Lisa
Paul Koslo as Dutch
Eric Laneuville as Richie

Based on the novel I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Screenplay by John William & Joyce Hooper Covington
Directed by Boris Sagal

Plot
After a biological war has killed most of the Earth’s population and turned the survivors into zombielike creatures, one man still wages a war for the survival of humanity.

My first experience with the film
I watched this back in the 1970s on late night TV and have been revisiting it ever since.

Richard’s Review
Many will argue that The Last Man on Earth is a better adaptation of Richard Matheson’s novel and they probably wouldn’t be wrong. After all, it has Vincent Price in it. Others will say the novel is better and I would agree. However, I’ve always had a sweet spot for this version. This era of Charlton Heston with Planet of the Apes (1968) and Soylent Green (1973) has always been a fun one as I was introduced to all of these films on late night TV watching them with my dad. The Omega Man was also one of the first movies I had on VHS as I recorded it off air in the fall of 1987 watching Friday Fright Nights on channel 5 KCTV out of Kansas City, along with Soylent Green and Logan’s Run (1976). So yes, nostalgia runs deep with this one. Yes, there are plots holes and the early 70s funky post apocalypse probably hasn’t aged well. And yes, Charlton Heston’s politics may still bother some people. For me, I turn into that 10 year-old kid watching it with my dad and I still enjoy the hell out of this fun flick even after nearly 50 years of repeated viewings. I simply turn my brain off and let the movie entertain me.

Did you know?
Richard Matheson’s novel I Am Legend, written in 1954, has been adapted into a feature film three times. The first was The Last Man on Earth in 1964 with Vincent Price and the most recent was I Am Legend in 2007 with Will Smith. 

Availability
The Omega Man is available on Blu-ray as a single film. However, a triple feature is also available with Soylent Green (1973) and Logan’s Run (1976).

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 25 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)

How do you like that Dr. Jekyll! He turned me into a mouse…the rat!
Tubby (Lou Costello)

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Release Date: August 1, 1953

Cast:
Bud Abbott as Slim
Lou Costello as Tubby
Boris Karloff as Dr. Jekyll
Helen Wescott as Vicky Edwards
Craig Stevens as Bruce Adams

Story by Sid Fields & Grant Garett
Screenplay by Lee Loeb & John Grant
Directed by Charles Lamont

Plot
Slim and Tubby are American cops on the hunt for a murder in London. What part does Dr. Jekyll play in the murders and who is Mr. Hyde?

My first experience with the film
I remember first watching this at some point in the 1990s. There have been multiple viewings over the years but this was my first since early 2013.

Richard’s Review
With Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Boris Karloff came back for his second Abbott and Costello movie in four years, this time taking on the lead role of Dr. Jekyll. The movie feels like we’re walking in late as Dr. Jekyll has already created his serum and Mr. Hyde has been leaving a trail of destruction. The boys, appearing as American police officers, are already on their way out of the London police force. There is the obligatory love story between Jekyll’s ward Vicky and news reporter Bruce Adams. And, of course, Dr. Jekyll is madly in love with Vicky. The usual madcap scenarios follow with Bud and Lou, including an anachronistic confrontation with Hyde in a wax museum that also features the Frankenstein monster and Count Dracula (very closely resembling Bela Lugosi).

Clearly, the core story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is twisted around a little to fit within the confines of an Abbott and Costello comedy. Karloff turns in his usual classic performance, despite having very little to do in the role. However, he does not portray the role of Mr. Hyde. Hyde was played by stuntman Eddie Parker, who was not credited for his performance. It wasn’t necessarily the best entry in the Abbott and Costello series but I’ve seen worse and it was a fun, lighthearted film.

Karla’s Review
I enjoyed it but the suffragette storyline seemed so bizarre. Women striving for rights would break out in a can-can routine? What? I also didn’t really care for the ending as I would have rather had some funny scene around the wedding. I also wished Abbott and Costello would have interacted more. However, I would definitely watch this again.

Did you know?
Craig Stevens also appeared in genre films such as The Deadly Mantis (1957) and Killer Bees (1974). However, he is best remembered for his lead role in the popular TV series, Peter Gunn (1958-1961).

Availability
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is available in the Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection Blu-ray set from Shout! Factory.

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 23 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

The Living Skeleton (1968)

Bewitched by the whisper of an eerie spirit. You’ll tremble to your bones.
Promotional title cards from the original trailer

The Living Skeleton
Release Date: November 9, 1968

Cast:
Kikko Matsuoka as Saeko
Yasunori Irikawa as Mochizuki
Masumi Okada as Priest/Akashi

Written by Kyuzo Kobayashi & Kikuma Shimoiizaka
Directed by Hiroki Matsuno

Plot
A gang of pirates murder everyone aboard a ship. Years later, the sister of one of the victims appears to be haunted by the ghosts from the past. Who is killing all of the gang members? Is it the sister or someone…something else?

My first experience with the film
I first reviewed The Living Skeleton back on October 5, 2013 after my first viewing. This revisit was long overdue and my original thoughts still hold up.

Richard’s Review
The Living Skeleton was directed by Hiroshi Matsuno and filmed in black and white, which was a great choice as it allowed for some great visuals and use of shadows as only black and white can achieve. The movie starts off rather jarringly with a gang murdering everyone on board a ship. Witnessing the act is a mysterious man with a disfigured face. Three years later, a Catholic priest and his young ward Saeko are living by the sea. Seeking Saeko’s affections is a young man and, white scuba diving off the coast, they discover a group of human skeletons. A ghost ship appears off the coast and we begin to see the gang of killers die, one by one. Images of Saeko’s twin sister is always nearby (along with bats, don’t ask me why). But some twists are waiting around each corner and not everyone is as they appear to be.

The Living Skeleton seems to be one of the favorites in the When Horror Came to Shochiku box set and for good reason. It has a creepy atmosphere, good mood music (used minimally) and great use of shadows as you can only find in a black and white film. Sure, some of the effects are a little cheap, such as the obviously fake boat. However, they really don’t detract from the overall story. Highly recommended!

Did you know?
This is the second and last film for director Hiroki Matsuno. His only work was Sword: Flower-Strewn Path of Courage in 1966.

Availability
The Living Skeleton is available on DVD in the When Horror came to Shochiku box set from the Eclipse series in the Criterion Collection.

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 21 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

Happy Birthday to Me (1981)

You’d be proud of me now, mother. All the kids like me.
Virginia Wainwright (Melissa Sue Anderson)

Happy Birthday to Me
Release Date: May 15, 1981

Cast:
Melissa Sue Anderson as Virginia Wainwright
Glenn Ford as Dr. David Faraday
Lawrence Dane as Hal Wainwright
Sharon Acker as Estelle Wainwright
Tracey Bregman as Ann Thomerson

Story by John Saxton
Screenplay by John Saxton, Peter Jobin & Timothy Bond
Directed by J. Lee Thompson

Plot
Virginia Wainwright had some traumatic childhood events. Now, years later, all of her friends start to go missing. Who is the mysterious figure? Is Virginia behind all of the murders?

My first experience with the film
Despite being aware of this film ever since it was first released, I’ve never seen it until now.

Richard’s Review
While I will always gravitate towards older horror films, I do enjoy the slasher flicks of the 80s. It’s mostly out of nostalgia from memories of watching them on HBO or early cable television. However, I never had the opportunity to see Happy Birthday to Me back in the day, so I was excited to finally sit down and watch it after all of these years. The wait may not have been quite worth it though. Most slasher movies from this era clock in at about 90 minutes and that is the best running time to tell a story without getting lost in a lot of extra padding.

So, when I saw that this movie had a running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes, I was immediately worried that it was going to drag. Unfortunately, it definitely does. It needed about 20 to 30 minutes shaved off to help the story move along at a brisker pace. I liked the story well enough but the ending…it really doesn’t make any sense. I won’t spoil it as it’s definitely out of left field. I will say that the original idea was to have Virginia be possessed by the spirit of her dead mother. Personally, I think that would have worked so much better. The plot twist we get, didn’t quite work for me. All that said, it had some inventive kills and a good cast, despite actor Glenn Ford being horribly miscast. It was fun to see Melissa Sue Anderson in a role other than Mary Ingalls and she did quite well. I’d probably watch this again if it was on TV but I wouldn’t seek it out.

Did you know?
Melissa Sue Anderson may be best remembered for her role of Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. However, she also starred in another horror film in 1981, Midnight Offerings. She also did the voice of Kitty Pryde in two episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends in the early 80s.

Availability
Happy Birthday to Me was just released today on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Classics. You can also watch it for free on Crackle.

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 19 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!

Classic Horrors Club – Never Say, “Nevermore”

For the Halloween 2022 club meeting, join Jeff and I as we partake in a double dose of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. One is from 1935, with Bela Lugosi, and the other from 1963, featuring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and a very young Jack Nicholson. Both star Boris Karloff but they are very different films, as are the feelings toward one of them between your two hosts. Tune into episode 73 of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast to find out their thoughts!

Don’t forget to check out the video companion on our YouTube channel. Put images to the voices… if you dare!

Call us at (616) 649-2582 (CLUB), email at classichorrors.club@gmail.com or join us in our clubhouse at https://www.facebook.com/groups/classichorrors.club/!

We’d also appreciate if you’d give us an honest rating on Apple Podcasts or SoundCloud. Thank you!

You can find Jeff at:

• Classic Horrors Club
• DC Comics Guy
• The Reaction Shot

Coming up next month, we finally visit two classic films from the 70s when nature ran amok! First, we’ll check out Frogs (1972), starring Ray Milland, and then we’ll discuss Day of the Animals (1977) with Christopher George.

The Head (1959)

Material things don’t interest me. It’s living things that fascinate me.
Dr. Brandt (Horst Frank)

The Head
Release Date: July 24, 1959

Cast:
Horst Frank as Dr. Brandt
Karin Kernke as Schwester Irene Sander
Helmut Schmid as Bert Jaeger
Michel Simon as Dr. Abel

Written & Directed by Victor Trivas

Plot
When scientist Dr. Abel dies suddenly, Dr. Brandt cuts off his head and keeps him alive in a special serum. He also desires a woman named Irene. However, he needs to find her a new body as she has a hunchback and he plans to use the doctor to help him find her a new body.

My first experience with the film
This was my first viewing of The Head despite having it in my collection for years.

Richard’s Review
There’s an audience out there for the severed head sub-genre of films but I’m not sure if I’m part of that audience. I’ve always loved Donovan’s Brain but much preferred the radio drama to the film. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die was made in 1959 but not released until 1962. So, were either of these films an inspiration for the other? I couldn’t find any information to support that idea but there are a lot of similarities. We have a mad scientist (is there any other kind?), a severed head (well, actually two in this film), strippers, detectives ad a chaotic ending. I will say that The Head may be a good entry in this genre but it’s definitely not a great film. That said, I did kind of enjoy this one at times but I can’t say I’d watch it again.

Did you know?
Horst Frank lent his voice to dubbing work on German releases of films featuring such actors as Jack Palance, Ernest Borgnine and Chuck Connors.

Availability
The Head is apparently in the public domain, so you can easily find this one for free. However, if you want to add it to your collection, it’s still available on DVD from Alpha Video and their print is just as good.

Tune in tomorrow at the Classic Horrors Club for Day 17 of our Halloween Name Game to find out which film Jeff has chosen from…

Visit other great blogs and websites participating in the 2022 Countdown to Halloween!