Drive-In Extra – Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Release date: May 23, 1986

Cast:
JoBeth Williams as Diane Freeling
Craig T. Nelson as Steve Freeling
Heather O’ Rourke as Carol Anne Freiling
Oliver Robins as Robbie Freeling
Zelda Rubenstein as Tangina Barrons
Will Sampson as Taylor
Julian Beck as Reverend Kane

Written by Mark Victor & Michael Grais
Directed by Brian Gibson

Plot:
The Freeling family has moved in with Diane’s mother but it’s discovered that the real threat from the other world is in fact the Reverend Kane. He was responsible for the deaths of his followers, discovered buried in a cave beneath the Freeling pool. Kane wants Carol Anne at any cost and no one may be able to stop him this time.

Richard’s Thoughts:
Sometimes, no matter how fun or successful a movie is, it just doesn’t warrant a sequel. But Hollywood will never say no to guaranteed money, so here we have Poltergeist II. It didn’t need to be made but it does give us some additional background to the Beast that tried to take Carol Anne in the first film. It turns out to really be the evil Reverend Kane as his followers were buried in a cave beneath the Freeling pool. Tangina and a Native American named Taylor are here to help this go around.

I loved the character of Kane as actor Julian Beck truly brings forth a creepy and evil performance. Unfortunately, all of the magic from the first film is gone. Diane and Steve aren’t as interesting and Carol Anne isn’t quite as cute and adorable as she was in Poltergeist. There are some fun moments between Steve and Taylor, and the arrival of Tangina is amusing. I also thought the story element of the Freelings’ battle with the insurance company to be a nice realistic touch. However, the new sub-plot of Diane and Carol Anne having some psychic powers seems thrown in (and ultimately forgotten by the third film). Unfortunately, the special effects have not aged well and even the music of Jerry Goldsmith seems less inspired here.

Overally, Poltergeist II: The Other Side isn’t horrible as it does have some fun moments (usually around Reverend Kane). It’s just rather forgettable and unnecessary. The story ends quite well in the original and this one is best left forgotten. That said, it is a lot better than the third film. More on that abomination next time.

Trivia:
The character of Dana is absent from this point on in the series. Actress Dominique Dunne was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in November 1982. After strangling her, which led to her coma and eventual death, John Thomas Sweeney was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 8 years and only served 3 ½ before being released. He eventually changed his name to John Maura in an effort to escape his past.

Availability:
Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III are both available on a DVD double feature for less than $10, which is the best way to go with these unnecessary sequels.

Classic Horrors Club Podcast – Freaky Poltergeist

Our 5th Annual Summer at the Drive-In continues in episode 97 of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast! This month, jeff and I travel only a few months into the past to watch two movies released 50 years apart, one of them that’s 92-years old! First up is Poltergeist (1982) and then it’s Freaks (1932). If you think that’s an odd double feature, consider that the third movie on the triple bill was The Exorcist (1973).

They sure know how to program an evening’s entertainment on the big screen at Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Middle River, Maryland. Our friend Steve Turek of the DieCast Movie Podcast lives nearby, so we just might run into him at the concession stand. We have to be careful though and not reveal too much about his future…those time paradoxes can get so timey whimey!

There’s no video companion this month on YouTube but it’s a great time to check out past episodes or watch some movie trailers!

Tell us what you think… about the movies, about the podcast, about classic horror! Call us at (616) 649-2582 (CLUB), email or send a recording to classichorrors.club@gmail.com or join our Facebook group page 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!

We now have an Instagram account! Look for us at classichorrorsclubpodcast. We look forward to adding more content and connecting with all of you there!

You can also find Jeff at:

Classic Horrors Club
Codex Omniversa

Next month on episode 98, we travel back to 1959 and head out west to the San Pedro Drive-In for The Killer Shrews and The Giant Gila Monster!

Tod Browning – The Unknown (1927)

The Unknown
Release date: June 4, 1927

Cast:
Lon Chaney as Alonzo
Norman Kerry as Malabar
Joan Crawford as Nanon 

Based on the novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Story by Tod Browning
Scenario by Waldemar Young
Directed by Tod Browning

Plot:
Alonzo is an armless circus performer who is in love with the daughter of the circus owner. However, the strong man is in love with her as well and becomes an obstacle for Alonzo when he discovers a hidden truth. What secrets does Alonzo hide and to what lengths will he go to keep them hidden?

Richard’s Thoughts:
Although I have seen The Unknown numerous times over the years, this latest version from Criterion boasts an extra 10 minutes. As author David J. Skal indicates in his commentary, the extra footage doesn’t reveal any lost plot lines or even complete scenes. He stated that it does, however, allow the film to breathe by adding extra moments in between the significant elements of the storyline. I would agree that while these extra 10 minutes aren’t necessarily important, they positively expand on an already classic film.

Tod Browning’s passion for the circus life, and even the darker aspects of the sideshow world, are front and center in this tale of a man pretending to be armless to hide away from the law (he has two thumbs on his left hand that would give him away). Of course, as he witnesses the object of his affections expound on her hatred of men touching her, he comes up with a dark plan that you know is ultimately doomed to failure. As we build towards the inevitable climax, a foreboding tense level of anxiety can overtake you and bring you to the edge of your seat as we race toward the final moments.

Lon Chaney turns in another classic performance and, as many would agree, one of his best. I’ve also always been surprised by the young Joan Crawford. I’ve never been a big fan of her later performances and her less-than-pleasant reputation is legendary. However, in this early film, she is truly stunning and seems far removed from the almost maniacal and egotistical stories that continue to surround her even years after her death.

I highly recommend you check out this restoration of The Unknown. The quality of the print has never looked better and Philip Carli’s score should please every silent film aficionado. There’s also a great commentary from the late David J. Skal and an interview with author Megan Abbott.    

Trivia:
This restoration of The Unknown comes from two surviving nitrate prints (a French print in the George Eastman Museum and a Czech-language version in Prague). Approximately 10 minutes have been restored, bringing this version the closest to the original running time we have seen since its original release.

Availability:
The Unknown is available on Blu-ray in the Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers set from the Criterion Collection.

Tod Browning – The Mystic (1925)

The Mystic
Release date: September 25, 1925

Cast:
Aileen Pringle as Zara
Conway Tearle as Michael Nash
Mitchell Lewis as Zazarack
Robert Ober as Anton
Stanton Heck as Carlo

Story by Tod Browning
Adapted by Waldemar Young
Directed by Tod Browning

Plot:
An American criminal recruits a band of Hungarian gypsies to play a part in a plot to trick a young woman out of her family jewels.  

Richard’s Thoughts:
I had never heard of The Mystic before it was announced as being included in a new Criterion Blu-ray collection last year. Of course, everyone was talking about the other two films, The Unknown (1927) and Freaks (1932). The Mystic was the real unknown in the set and it was a very pleasant surprise. Even though it was directed by Tod Browning, the film had become forgotten over the years due to its lack of star power, by today’s audience at least, and its general unavailability. Now, we all have the chance to rediscover it.

To be fair, it’s not really a horror film nor does it have any seriously shocking moments. It’s more of a dramatic piece about a criminal who recruits a band of Hungarian gypsy circus performers who have a mystic act. He wants to bring them to America to help him run an elaborate scheme to trick a rich young woman out of some very expensive jewels.

The fun is in watching how they attempt to pull it off using the mystic gimmick and a lot of trickery. Something straight out of a classic episode of Mission: Impossible. At the time, and even now, there was a lot of focus on the clothes that the character of Zara wore. They were created by the legendary Erté. There is an informative extra feature on the Blu-ray narrated by the late David J. Skal that is well worth watching (this set was his last work before his tragic and untimely death in January 2024).

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mystic as I found the story engaging and still very timely, at least in the overall setup. What I didn’t enjoy is the original score that was composed by Dean Hurley. I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to silent movie scores. Give me a piano or an organ or an orchestral score any day of the week. Some of the music here was eerie and surreal, which I know some will enjoy, but it just isn’t my preference. I also find the additional crowd voices a little unsettling. But, your mileage may vary for sure.

I would highly recommend The Mystic, especially to those interested in seeing more of Tod Browning’s work beyond the more common choices that are usually talked about.

Karla’s Review:
I really loved this movie from the actors to the story to the happy ending. I’m always a sucker for a movie with a happy ending where the couple end up together and the conflict is resolved. What I didn’t enjoy was the weird score and added sound effects. Some of the musical choices were just horrendous. I’d easily watch this movie again based on the story but I might not just because of the soundtrack. I wish someone would compose something a little more traditional.

Trivia:
Composer Dean Hurley created the score for the 2023 Criterion Blu-ray release. Hurley is more commonly associated with Twin Peaks and the works of David Lynch.

Availability:
The Mystic is available on Blu-ray in the Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers set from the Criterion Collection.

DieCast Movie Podcast – Puppet Master (1989)

I have made my long-awaited return to the DieCast Movie Podcast. In episode 227, Steve Turek and I begin a long journey of exploring the Puppet Master series. As with all great things, it begins with the first step. So, join us as we take a look at the first film, Puppet Master (1989). Will we survive to the end?

You can listen to the podcast through any of the following:

Apple podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/…/diecast-movie-rev…/id1483140186
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3cMDswo9FGs0ofVJ1CQjcE
Podchaser – https://radiopublic.com/diecast-movie-review-podcast-8XP7wA

As always, tell ’em Monster Movie Kid sent ya!