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For those of you who like to keep abreast of the latest in horror happenings and monster news, we present for your elucidation and entertainment...
Horror News And Views by JOSEPH C. ROMANO (From July 2006) Emerging Technologies: Samsung finally began shipping its new high
definition “video” player to stores last month. Dubbed Blu-ray because a blue
laser is the key to the circuitry, the new electronic gadget will set you back a tidy sum,
costing slightly less than $1,000.
Online DVD Rentals: Blockbuster recently launched a low-cost online subscription plan aimed at attracting new customers. For $7.99 per month, subscribers can rent up to three individual DVDs. A similar, low-priced service at Netflix, Blockbuster’s chief rival, allows subscribers to rent two individual DVDs for $5.99 per month. Both companies also offer high-priced, unlimited rental packages as part of their online service.
Fangoria Radio: Fangoria Radio, a weekly radio show featuring interviews, listener call-ins, film reviews, and updates on horror movies in production, debuted late last month on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Created by the publishers of Fangoria magazine and hosted by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, the program airs on Friday nights from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM ET. Accompanying Snider on-air is Debbie Rochon, everybody’s favorite scream queen.
The Mighty Cimmerian: Early next year, Warner Brothers is expected to
begin production on Conan The Barbarian, another attempt to bring the mighty
Cimmerian back to the screen. Boaz Yakin, best known for directing Remember The Titans,
has been tapped to write the screenplay and direct the film.
The Wicker Man: In a recent interview on British television, Edward
Woodward revealed that he turned down a chance to be in the upcoming remake of The
Wicker Man, the 1973 cult horror classic that starred Woodward and Christopher Lee.
Citing his age, which is 76, and the fact that he would only have a very small role in the
remake, Woodward declined the offer, but still gave the project his blessing.
Speaking of Remakes: Twentieth Century Fox’s opening-date gimmick for the updated Omen paid off big time. The film debuted on June 6, 2006, to correspond with 666, the prophetic Number of the Beast. Even though it is only an average movie--strong on gore and little else, a mere shadow of the terrifying original film--it pulled in $12.6 million in ticket sales. That set a box-office record for a Tuesday. (From June 2006) Return to Bran
Castle: Built in the 14th
century, the castle is one of Romania’s most popular tourist sites. Although used as a backdrop for several horror
movies and erroneously dubbed Dracula Castle, the fortress played almost no part in the
life of Vlad Tepes, the cruel Wallachian prince who was the historical inspiration for
Bram Stoker’s Victorian novel, Dracula. A Stake in the
Heart: Inspired by the
vampire books of Anne Rice, the new musical was universally panned by New York’s
theater critics and reportedly lost $10 million in its short run.
Val Guest: Throughout the years, he continued to direct and write. Besides his work in genre films, he was equally successful directing comedies, detective stories, and musicals.
I Am Legend: I have always
loved this book. Here’s hoping Smith
does as good a job with it as both Price and Heston did.
The Final
Frontier: Bring your wallet if you’re planning on attending the auction, though--and maybe a friend’s, too. Christie’s is pricing many of the items in the thousands of dollars.
TCM and Rob
Zombie Whoa, is that cool? Rob Zombie on TCM! Although Zombie
is best known for pounding rock music and as the director of two modern horror movies, House
Of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects, he has been heavily influenced
by the Universal classics. Horror movies to
be featured during Zombie’s gig on TCM are The Crazies, Bride Of The Monster,
and Dementia 13.
The Prisoner: Though the
original series ran for only 17 episodes, it placed an indelible mark on those of us who
watched it religiously week after week. If
only the new series could be half as good... (From May 2006) Ray Harryhausen Honored: In early May, Ray Harryhausen was honored at the 32nd annual Saturn Awards fest for his significant lifetime contribution to the film industry. Besides giving us such movie classics as Jason And The Argonauts, The Seventh Voyage Of Sinbad, First Men In The Moon, and Clash Of The Titans, the acclaimed grandmaster of special effects has inspired dozens of today’s film directors to pursue their dreams.
The King of Horror: This July, the TNT cable channel will air a limited series based on the work of Stephen King. Nightmares And Dreamscapes: From The Stories Of Stephen King will feature eight presentations of King’s work adapted for television. And get this--the first installment will be commercial free.
Young Frankenstein: One of the funniest horror movies of all time, Young Frankenstein, is finally being brought to the stage. On the heels of another Mel Brooks film-to-stage adaptation, The Producers, Brooks has decided to bring his 1974 classic monster spoof to Broadway, too. Although no date has been set for the production, Brooks is busy writing songs and designing “black and white” sets for the musical.
Freddie: Robert Englund was recently tapped to direct Killer Pad, a horror comedy slated for release next year. Of course, Englund is better known as Freddie Krueger from the A Nightmare On Elm Street film series. Although he’s made his living as an actor for the past 30 years, Englund has worked behind the camera twice before, once for an episode of the A Nightmare On Elm Street TV series and once as the director of 976-EVIL.
In Other Cable News: Targeted to premier next year, BBC America will produce a new series based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde. Simply called Jekyll, the series will update the story to modern times.
King Kong: Within a week of its release last month, Peter
Jackson’s version of King Kong became the top-selling DVD in Universal
Studios history. Sales of both the single DVD and a special two-disc collector’s
edition surpassed $100 million in its first six days.
Money for Nothing: Denis Shusterman, a California tax accountant originally from the Philadelphia area, was charged last month with embezzling $10 million to fund three horror movies, The Sculptress, Killer Instinct, and Heart Of Stone--none of which were remotely successful. Though he’s certainly innocent until proven guilty, embezzlement may run in the Shusterman family. In 2002, Shusterman’s mother was convicted of stealing over a million dollars from the synagogue where she worked. (From April 2006) Let’s All Howl at the Moon: Watch out! Universal’s at it again, mining its film heritage with little thought on how it affects its fans. As has been expected for quite some time, Universal Pictures recently announced development of a new version of its classic horror movie The Wolf Man. Benicio Del Toro will play the title role of an American returning to his family’s home in England only to be bitten by a wolf and fall prey to an ancient curse. Although the new film sounds familiar--like something that starred Lon Chaney, Jr., in the 1940s (that’s a reminder for Universal’s bigwigs, I’m sure they’ve long forgotten Lon and his dad)--it will feature several new characters and plot twists to take advantage of cutting edge visual effects technology. Hmmn, that sounds like another re-imagining. How does that old gypsy refrain go? "Even a man who’s pure at heart "And says his prayers at night, "Will puke his guts out when the wolfbane blooms, "And a remake is stupid and trite." Not exactly what you remember Maleva saying to Larry Talbot? That’s okay...because Universal doesn’t remember it, either. Nor does it remember how to make movies...at least, not movies that rely on character development and story telling rather than computer generated tricks, loud music, and fast editing. Filming of this disaster-in-waiting will begin next year, with distribution currently slated for summer 2008. Can’t wait, I bet...
Hey Universal, Try These: So if I don’t want to see an updated version of The Wolf Man, what do I want? It’s simple. I want an end to re-imaginings that abandon decades of fan admiration for unimaginative CGI. I want Hollywood to stop insulting movie audiences. I want an end to movies based on insipid TV series from the 1970s. I want to see the following movies made: Return Of The Dark Knight--Now that the film industry has rediscovered Batman, let’s see if they can film the greatest Batman story ever written, Frank Miller’s moody tale of an aging Bruce Wayne who comes out of retirement to save Gotham City one more time. Long ago, I envisioned Charlton Heston in the starring role, but since that’s no longer possible, how about Michael Keaton donning the cape and cowl again? Grave Angels--Richard Kearns’ short story about death, duty, and grave digging appeared in The Magazine Of Fantasy And Science Fiction in 1986. I have read it over and over again many times since then. It is a beautifully told story that would make a magnificent independent film, a compelling tale that would appeal to mature thinkers and those of us who love character driven movies. Night Cry--The mythical horror digest of the mid-1980s is a goldmine for movie ideas. Horror’s best wrote for this quarterly magazine, leaving us dozens of stories worthy of film adaptation. Ramsey Campbell, Robert Bloch, J.N. Williamson, Darrell Scweitzer, Richard Christian Matheson, Dennis Etchison, Marc Laidlaw, Paul Di Filippo, Al Sarrantonio, John Skipp, Craig Spector, and many, many other talented writers filled the pages of Night Cry every three months for nearly three years. Let’s start with an anthology film featuring three of my favorites, "Seven Graves For Sinbad" by Van Anson Lister, "Hell Is Murky" by John Alfred Taylor and "American Dream" by V.K. Gibson. If that’s successful, we can move on to a feature-length movie based on Robert Siverberg’s terror-filled novelette, "A Thousand Paces Along The Via Dolorosa" from the Winter, 1985 issue. And here’s one more good idea. Naomi--One of horror master Doug Clegg’s best, even if he’s since moved on to fantasy. Ghosts, witches, and the subterranean depths of New York City. What’s more frightening than a chilling story told against a dreary urban landscape?
Falling in Love at the Movies: While recently watching The Invisible Ray, the classic movie starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, I fell in love with an image on the screen...a beautiful young actress named Frances Drake. I can’t say I had ever seen her before, but she captured my heart that night, especially in the opening scenes of the movie. I stopped the DVD and played the scene back, replaying it over and over again until I knew every movement she made. She tossed a cape over her shoulders. She flicked her long flowing hair over the collar of the cape and glided across a windswept alcove...smooth and graceful. Wow! Drake starred in two dozen movies during a short ten-year film career between 1933 and 1942. Besides The Invisible Ray, her film credits included The Hands Of Orloc (with Peter Lorre) and Les Misérables. Frances Drake died six years ago at the age of 87. Universal will never replace actresses like her with CGI--and that’s another reason we love the classic monster movies around here. (From March 2006) Masters Of Horror: Following a successful inaugural run over the past few months, Showtime will soon produce another season of its Masters Of Horror anthology series. Although no line-up has been announced for the second season yet, new episodes will air on the premium cable network this fall. The first season featured works by horror greats Dario Argento, John Carpenter, Don Coscarelli, Stuart Gordon, and Tobe Hooper. In a related bit of news, ABC-TV is expected to run a similar anthology series this summer. The network series, dubbed Masters of Science Fiction, will feature the work of Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, and Isaac Asimov.
I Am Legend: Warner Bothers has announced plans to remake Richard Matheson’s horror classic, I Am Legend. The futuristic vampire story has been filmed twice before; first in 1964 as The Last Man On Earth, starring Vincent Price, and in 1971 as The Omega Man, starring Charlton Heston.
And Still Another Remake: One of the first movies expected to kick-off the summer season is The Omen, a remake of the 1976 classic starring Gregory Peck and Lee Remick. The original version is considered one of the scariest movies ever made, especially by film fans who generally avoid the horror genre. The updated Omen will open on June 6, 2006, an allusion to the sign of the beast.
Curtis Harrington: Proving you’re never too old to be in the movie business, cult film director Curtis Harrington recently completed a 15-minute short, Let’s Kill Santa Claus, and is currently working on a script for Edgar Allan Poe’s, The Man Of The Crowd. Let’s Kill Santa Claus is Harrington’s first film since completing another Poe movie, Usher, about five years ago. Besides continuing his work on movies, Harrington is also wrapping up an autobiography.
Grindhouse Tribute: Directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez are teaming-up to make a horror movie. The film, which is intended to mimic double features from the grindhouse days of horror, will feature two one-hour films, fake trailers, and advertisements.
Magick Macabre from a Horror Master: Wes Craven is headed for the Strip...the Sunset Strip, that is. Craven told fans in San Francisco at "WonderCon" last month that he is writing a Las Vegas stage show, to be called Wes Craven’s Magick Macabre. No date has been announced for the show’s debut.
The Rebirth of Amicus: Amicus Entertainment, the old British film company that brought us The House That Dripped Blood and Scream And Scream Again, has been resurrected... thanks in part to Cemetery Dance Publications. Under the new arrangement, Cemetery Dance will novelize Amicus films and Amicus will use Cemetery Dance stories as a source of possible feature films. Imagine that... making movies from new stories instead of re-circulating old ideas as remakes! I liked Amicus a lot in the 1960's and 70's and really like its attitude now. Amicus intends to produce four to six movies a year. (From February 2006) The Printed Word: The publishers of Dark Horse Comics will soon issue a series of paperback books based on the classic Universal monsters. DH Press, an offshoot of the
groundbreaking creators of comic books and graphic novels, is forging ahead with a new
print house specializing in books based on popular genre movies. Stories currently
scheduled for release feature the Wolf Man, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon,
Frankenstein’s monster, and the Mummy.
DVD of the Month: Forget travel web sites and charity auctions,
William Shatner’s got a new pitch. Best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk
in the original Star Trek TV series, and more recently as a pitchman for
priceline.com and huckster of his own kidney stone, Shatner has started a new DVD-of-the-
month club featuring obscure science fiction, fantasy, and horror movies.
The Factory: Filming recently finished on producer Paul
Freeman’s new movie, The Factory. Freeman, the veteran producer of Halloween:
The Curse Of Michael Myers, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and Halloween:
Resurrection, is hoping to start a new horror film franchise with this movie--perhaps
one as successful as the Halloween films have been.
DVD War Heats Up: The major film studios are gearing up appropriately
for the oncoming video war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Blu-ray and HD-DVD are the two
long-anticipated next generation home viewing systems expected to be in stores soon. Home Video Market
Drops: Not only was last year’s
box-office one of the worst in recent years, spending on home videos dropped for the first
time in almost ten years. Although DVD sales were up once again, VHS continued its
disappearing act as more and more homes ditched their tape machines and went solely with
DVD players. (From January 2006) The Historian: David Magee may soon be tapped to write the screenplay for The Historian, a new film based on Elizabeth Kostova’s modern-day novel about Dracula. Although he isn’t a newcomer to Hollywood, Magee’s only screenwriting assignment to date was Finding Neverland, the biographic story about J. M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. If Magee can pen a similarly engrossing script, the movie version of The Historian should do well at the box office. Not really a horror story, Kostova’s book is best described as a literary update of the dark legend of Vlad Tepes, the cruel Wallachian prince that inspired Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, Dracula. Though well-written and relatively fast-paced, the book hasn’t immediately appealed to genre fans and many have not yet read it. It did, however, appear on the best seller list for several weeks this past year.
More Zombies on the Way? On the heels of last year’s Land Of The Dead, George Romero is already planning another installment of his zombie series. Tentatively dubbed Land Of The Dead 2, Romero is unsure when the proposed film will see the light of day. Some people close to Romero say it will be soon, while others say it will be years before the next zombie story graces the screen.
Wallace & Gromit: The absolutely cool feature-length animated film, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, received 15 nominations for the Annie Awards. Winners will be announced next month by the International Animated Film Society. The annual awards presentation honors animated achievement in film, television, and gaming.
Shuttered Doors: The country’s remaining Media Play stores are
expected to be closed by the end of this month, victims of stiff competition from other
retail discount stores and a concept that never really caught fire with consumers. The
stores specialized in DVDs, videos, music, books, games, and related products.
Coming to a Phone near You: Early last month, Sprint and MSpot announced the launch of MSpot Movies, a new service which streams movies and old TV shows to mobile phones. Programs will be broken into chapters and streamed to users in small chunks. Horror films available for programming include Night Of The Living Dead and Little Shop Of Horrors. It’s currently estimated that the new service will have about 150 million customers by the year 2008.
Nielson, Schmillsson: Late last month, Nielsen Media Research began measuring usage of digital video recorders (DVRs) as part of its regular television ratings system. While it’s expected that top-rated television shows will have a higher audience because they are the most likely to be taped, industry insiders suspect the new measuring devices may also help niche programs, too. Nielsen is still wrestling with how to handle the fact that most people who tape shows skip through commercials. Statistics gathered by Nielson could eventually lead to less advertising income for broadcasters because the data could prove few people actually watch their ads.
When Re-imaginings
Collide: Steven Spielberg and Stephen
Sommers have joined forces to remake When Worlds Collide, the 1951 SF movie
classic. Sommers has been on and off the project several times. This time, however, it
looks like he will stay with it.
Horror at the Library of Congress: The Library of Congress recently added 25 more movies to the National Film Registry. Among the new films on the list are The House Of Usher, the first Edgar Allan Poe film made by director Roger Corman, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the best known midnight marquee movie. The list is designed to reflect the diversity of America’s film heritage. Each year, the Library of Congress identifies culturally, historically or aesthetically significant motion pictures for inclusion on the Registry. With the addition of this year’s films, the Registry now stands at 425. (From December 2005) Return of the Gil Man: Filming is scheduled to begin next summer on Universal’s latest remake of a classic monster movie, The Creature From The Black Lagoon. Gary Ross, whose father, Arthur A. Ross, wrote the screenplay for the original Creature, is producing the remake of the 1954 movie. The younger Ross also wrote the draft script for the updated adaptation. The son of a well-known movie executive has also joined the project. Breck Eisner, whose father is former Walt Disney head, Michael Eisner, will direct the film.
Another Zombie Remake: Of course, a remake of another horror movie is also in the works. Steve Miner was recently chosen to direct Day Of The Dead, the third film in George Romero’s original zombie film trilogy. With the completion of this project, all three films will have been remade, proving once again that there are few new ideas in Hollywood. Miner’s credentials are solid enough not to fear the outcome, however, having directed several other horror movies, including Halloween H2O: 20 Years Later, Warlock, two Friday The 13th movies, and Lake Placid. Interestingly, my favorite Miner film isn’t one of his horror movies, but Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, an upbeat little gem that defies easy description.
Moustapha Akkad: Film producer Moustapha Akkad was one of 59 people killed in last month’s terrorist bombings of a hotel in Jordan. Akkad’s daughter, Rima Akkad Monla, was also killed in the three explosions that rocked the hotel. Akkad and his daughter were attending a wedding at the Radisson hotel where most of the deaths occurred. Akkad is best known as the producer of the Halloween film series.
More on Scotty: According to the Reuters news service (as we reported here last month), plans to launch the remains of Star Trek actor James Doohan into space have been delayed pending rocket engine tests. Perhaps the engine’s central core has been breached.
Phantasm: During an interview with the Icons of Fright website, director Don Coscarelli said “the rumored new trilogy of Phantasm movies won’t happen.” Apparently, some kind of deal was under discussion with New Line Productions but never materialized. Coscarelli did say, however, that he still wants to make more Phantasm movies, as well as a sequel to his quirky horror film Bubba Ho-Tep.
The Night Stalker: As most people expected, the update of The
Night Stalker was canceled by ABC-TV last month. The surprise, if any, is that the
new series managed to last six episodes.
Medium: There was something hokey about Rod Serling’s
strange appearance on NBC’s Thursday night TV series, Medium. During the
ratings sweeps period last month, old footage of the long-dead creator of The Twilight
Zone was dubbed to introduce the use of 3-D special effects in that night’s
episode. But to put it bluntly, having the image of Serling on Medium was silly
because there is no connection between his legacy and this current supernatural series. (From November 2005) Hey, Bobby, Tell Them Boris Sent You: Bobby "Boris" Pickett, creator of the monstrous 1962 recording, the Monster Mash, has risen again. Instead of entertaining us with his vocal group, the Cryptkicker Five, however, his new Climate Mash warns about the dangers of global warming. Pickett’s updated song features vampires, zombies, George Bush, Dick Cheney, and a slew of oil industry executives...all poking fun at existing energy policies in this country. The original release of the Monster Mash rode to the top of Billboard’s weekly hit list on a crest of popularity created by the song’s macabre sense of humor. Reaching the #1 spot on October 20, 1962, the Monster Mash is still the most popular novelty song ever recorded. Although it’s unlikely to spawn as much longevity as the original, an animated version of the song can be seen at the "Climate Mash" website.
Shuttered Doors: Another local theater has closed its doors. Forestville Theaters, a movie house in Bristol, Connecticut, brought down the curtain for the last time early last month with a double-feature showing of Frankenstein and Dracula. The theater was the last movie theater operating within the Bristol city limits and had been plagued with declining attendance for quite some time. Besides showing second-run films at bargain prices, the theater had served as a venue for The Silver Screen Movie Museum and Archive for the past three years. The museum is run by Cortlandt Hull, a great-nephew of Henry Hull of Werewolf of London fame. Hull is currently looking for a new location for the popular Hollywood at the Bijou series, a weekly screening of classic movies in all genres.
Hey Roger, Tell Them Mickey Sent You: Roger Corman, the producer of such cult favorites as The Little Shop Of Horrors, A Bucket Of Blood, Attack Of The Crab Monsters, and an exquisite series of films based on the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, has struck a distribution deal with Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The arrangement guarantees Buena Vista distribution rights to more than 400 Corman films, many of which have never been released on DVD. Buena Vista, a division of Disney Enterprises, specializes in the distribution of DVDs for home viewing. Corman and Disney, eh? An odd match if there ever was one.
Masters of Horror: Michael Moriarty, one of our favorite actors around here, will soon star in "Pick Me Up," an episode of Showtime’s TV series Masters Of Horror. It’s always a pleasure to watch Moriarty, one of the classiest actors in Hollywood. He was last seen on the small screen during the inaugural season of the USA Network’s, The 4400.
Broadway Bound: Next month in San Francisco, Warner Brothers Theatre Ventures will unveil Lestat, a musical adaptation of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. The show to be debuted at the Curran Theatre will be performed in anticipation of a Broadway opening planned for next spring.
DVD Technology: Computer industry giants, Microsoft and Intel, have recently announced they will develop software and chips for Toshiba Corporation’s HD-DVD, the next-generation of high-definition DVD players. Toshiba’s chief competitor, SONY, however, is developing a different DVD technology known as Blu-ray. Both Microsoft and Intel believe the HD-DVD format will be cheaper to produce and more reliable than Blu-ray. Interestingly, after Paramount Pictures recently announced it will make videos in both formats, Warner Bothers quickly followed suit. Paramount was the first major movie studio to commit itself to both HD-DVD and Blu-ray. All of the other major studios have said they will support one format over the other.
We Cannot Break the Laws of Physics: The Reuters news service recently reported that the remains of James Doohan, Star Trek’s Commander Montgomery Scott, will soon be launched into space. Following Doohan’s wishes, his cremated remains will be placed into orbit early next month by Space Services, a commercial space operations company. Scotty’s remains could stay in orbit for as long as 200 years before falling back into the Earth’s atmosphere and burning up...as the laws of physics demand. (From October 2005) October, Halloween, and great horror movies – three things that have become synonymous around here. Once again, we turn away from the news and present another list of our favorite movies. The kind we love to watch in the crypt, especially when the clock strikes midnight and the moon is full and bright. What should it be this year? Werewolves? Ghosts? Ghouls? How about vampires again? Vampires? Yes, you’re right. We did vampire movies two years ago, but instead of simply listing our favorite vampire films, we’ve decided to award special accolades to the best vampire actors and actresses...ah, we mean actors and actresses who have played vampires on screen. So here we go, on the eighth anniversary of HORROR-WOOD, the first vampire film performance awards. 1. Best Vampire--Bela Lugosi (Dracula,
1931, The Return Of The Vampire, 1944, and Abbot And Costello Meet
Frankenstein, 1949). Well, who did you expect would be first? To many of us, Lugosi
and Dracula are one and the same. So much so, it’s hard to believe Bela actually only
portrayed Dracula twice on film. (Remember, Armand Tesla in The Return Of The Vampire
was not really Count Dracula.) Of course, Lugosi donned black tails and cape dozens of
times, maybe even hundreds, to capitalize on the Count’s popularity, but it was
Dracula that made his reputation, and rightfully so. (From September 2005) Guaranteed Great Reviews: Moviegoers who saw Vertical Limit, A Knight’s Tale, or The Patriot during their original theatrical releases may soon claim a reimbursement of five dollars each. Thanks to a court of law, Sony will pay $1.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming the giant entertainment company used fake reviews to plug their movies. Although Sony did not admit liability during the court proceedings, the company plans to monitor its publicity and advertising more closely in the future. If the full settlement amount is not claimed by past ticket holders, any money left over will go to charity.
The Omen: A remake of The Omen is scheduled to begin production next month. The original 1976 classic, one of the most memorable horror movies of the Seventies, starred Gregory Peck and Lee Remick as a husband and wife who learn their son is not really their child, but the spawn of Satan. The Omen was one of those perfect films, a horror movie equally appreciated by genre fans and other film goers. A tightly acted thriller...an intelligent story... realistic-looking special effects...can we expect the same for the remake?
The Frankenstein Movies: Following a lively discussion on the Monster Bash listserv about the good and bad qualities of the Ghost Of Frankenstein, I decided to pull out my collection of VHS tapes and watch the whole Frankenstein series from beginning to end. And my observations? The original film, Frankenstein, is a true masterpiece. A dark, cold story about an ambitious man that delved into secrets of the universe better left alone. Its sequel, The Bride Of Frankenstein, turned away from horror and is often called superior to the original because of that. Although it is bit too fantasy-driven for my tastes, it set the stage for the macabre mixture of monsters and comedy that exists in the best horror movies of today. What’s readily apparent, however, to even the most casual fan, is how quickly the movies deteriorated after Son Of Frankenstein, the third film in the series, and still an enjoyable thriller, of sorts. It’s a pity the series didn’t end as a trilogy. Beginning with Ghost Of Frankenstein, and carrying all the way to the true end of the series, Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, the monsters became little more than stage props in progressively weak stories. Unfortunately, as Universal’s hold on monster movies weakened in the 1940s and 1950s, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolf Man, and even Dracula, became things of ridicule and comedy.
Rob Zombie Speaks the Truth: During a recent interview with the A.V. Club about his latest horror movie, The Devil’s Rejects, Rob Zombie seemed to echo this sentiment? “I always think of Universal as the house of horror," said Zombie, “but I really don’t think the people that work there today think of it that way, considering there’s virtually no mention of horror movies when you’re there. They did recently do the Dawn Of The Dead remake and Land Of The Dead, but when we were making House Of 1000 Corpses, it seemed like nobody cared about horror movies over there.”
Late Night Horror Returns: It’s been over twenty years since a late night horror host graced the airwaves of Pittsburgh. But thanks to a local independent TV station, WBGN, Saturday night monster movies with a live host have returned. Currently scheduled for a thirteen week run, The It’s Alive TV Show, will air such classic movies as Night Of The Living Dead, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, Beast From The Haunted Cave, and Nosferatu. The movies are introduced by a goofy ghoul, Professor Emcee Square, and his rock band, “The Banana Peel Coffin Jockeys.” It’s retro fun with a heavy metal beat, featuring live music, sketch comedy, and short independent films. Horror hosting is a lost art, but Professor Emcee Square and his gang of creepy misfits are on their way to recapturing it in western Pennsylvania.
Film Competition: The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, located in Seattle, Washington, recently announced the inauguration of an annual science fiction film competition. Submissions of new, short science fiction films (up to 12 minutes in length) will be accepted through November 1st. Top prize for the competition will be a “pitch meeting” with SCI FI Channel executives and a possible opportunity to write or direct a two-hour film for the network. More information on the competition can be found at the museum’s Website.
Houdini: Shooting will start in early 2006 for Death Defying Acts, a movie about Harry Houdini’s 1926 tour of Great Britain. The movie is slated to star Guy Pearce and Rachel Weisz.
Poster Auction: Beset by tough times, Christie’s, the famous auction house, is hoping its upcoming movie poster sale helps shake the doldrums away. Posters on the block this month include a one-sheet from The Blob, a half-sheet from The Incredible Shrinking Man, and a slew of Hammers. Stay cool as hell!!! (From August 2005) Sagging Movie Ticket Sales: According to Exhibitor Relations Company, the movie industry’s statistical watchdog, the average price of admission to movie theaters in the United States for the first six months of 2005 was $6.40. That’s an increase of 19 cents over last year. You’d expect the higher average to be cause for celebration in Hollywood, but things are not as rosy as they may seem. Actual movie attendance is down 9 percent, from about 720 million last year to 654 million this year. On top of that, total gross revenues dropped from nearly $4.5 billion to $4.1 billion for the same six-month period this year. To the dismay of local theater owners, people are not flocking to their businesses like they used to do. Rising ticket prices have caused the average to increase, not more people in the seats. That’s a formula for disaster. As people get out of the habit of going to the movies, more big screens will go blank. “So what?” you might ask. With new DVDs being released sooner and sooner after movies debut, more and more people are waiting until an interesting movie is available for home viewing, rather than trekking to the multiplex. While there’s nothing wrong with that, except for the movie houses themselves, there’s a larger problem here for movie fans watching their budgets. Unfortunately, a battle is brewing between two upcoming home-viewing formats, Blu-ray and HD-DVD, that could end up costing us all a lot of money depending on who wins. The HD-DVD format is best described as an upgrade of existing DVD technology and should be the less expensive of the two contenders. On the other hand, Blu-ray could provide better-quality, but more costly, video features. Movie studios, retailers, and makers of electronics equipment are already gearing up for a format war as early as Christmas. Now that the percentage of American homes with a DVD player is nearing 80 percent, future sales are expected to flatten. Hollywood needs something to make up for the empty theater seats and existing DVD saturation. A new format could fit the bill. It would be a boon for movie studios as ticket revenues shrink – if consumers buy into the new format.
What Was It Like Playing Dracula, Mr. Lee? Prior to a public appearance in London last month, horror great Christopher Lee decided stipulated one thing to the event’s organizers: fans were not allowed to ask him any questions about his roles as Dracula. Lee also refused to sign autographs. As the reigning godfather of the horror genre, Lee has certainly earned the right to do what he wants, but refusing questions about the role that made him a star seems a bit extreme. Of course, Lee turned his back on Dracula’s cape twice before. After completing Horror Of Dracula, he refused to play the Transylvanian count in Brides Of Dracula two years later. And at the height of his popularity in the mid-Seventies, he walked away from the role for good...a move that caused permanent harm to Hammer Studios.
A Tale of a Different Dracula: In a moment of weakness early last month, I finally sat down and watched the 1979 version of Dracula...you know, the one I mean, the one starring Frank Langella in the lead. Recreating the role he debuted on Broadway, Langella gives an earnest but often misguided portrayal of Dracula as a gothic hero...of sorts. While Langella is a convincing actor, and is accompanied by an excellent supporting cast, including Donald Pleasence as Doctor Seward and Lawrence Olivier as Abraham Van Helsing, the movie takes so many unnecessary liberties with the story that the script runs aground like the Demeter, the doomed sailing ship that carried Dracula to England. Although there are several interesting scenes in this movie, including an underground struggle between Van Helsing and his daughter, Mina (say what?), the whole film never comes together. Interestingly, I’ve never heard any horror fan speak fondly of this movie. After finally seeing the muddled mess, I know why.
And Speaking of Muddled Messes: After watching Ed Wood on TCM last month (a truly delightful film by Tim Burton), I had to return to the source material and screen my own nightmarish film festival. An evening of Ed Wood... now we’re talking! Glen Or Glenda...Bride
Of The Monster...Plan 9 From Outer Space...I own them all. Throw in Night
Of The Ghouls for good measure and you can screen your own mini-Wood festival. Still...would we remember him today if these were just mediocre fright films and not the lovable junk they are? I’m not sure.
Bigfoot: A DNA test confirmed Bigfoot was not roaming the Yukon last month. Although several people claimed to spot the elusive creature, the subject of many cheesy horror movies and faux-documentaries, a hair sample left in a bush after the sighting proved the creature was a bison. The witnesses swore they had seen Bigfoot, better known as Sasquatch in the western United States and Canada, but a test conducted at the University of Alberta showed otherwise. (From July 2005) UMDs: The Sony Corporation recently announced that movies offered in its Universal Media Disc format, or UMD for short, have sold over 100,000 individual units. On top of that, over a million copies of Spider-Man 2 have been bundled with gaming software and distributed worldwide. Those are two significant milestones for the new format. Not familiar with UMDs yet? They are specially made movie discs manufactured for Sony's PlayStation Portable player. Although primarily intended to play games, with over five million PlayStations in the marketplace, Sony is obviously serious about opening a new format for movie distribution. Even though sales of regular DVDs are considered robust at most outlets, some industry insiders predict the market for them has reached a plateau. A new format could stimulate the growth of DVD sales once again and create interest in new movie-playing gadgetry. Not surprisingly, Sony's movie division seems eager to encourage the development of another format for its products before DVD sales stall out completely. Other film studios, including Paramount, Universal, Buena Vista and Fox, are also producing UMD versions of their films as a hedge against the whimsical nature of consumers. Anchor Bay, a major player in the distribution of movies for the home market, has also recently announced it will release some horror films, including perennial favorite, Evil Dead, in the UMD format. While things may look rosy for the further development of UMDs, the format is not without problems. Watching movies on small LCD-screens is less than ideal, few films are currently available in the format, and the movies released so far cost more than a comparable DVD. Market research, however, has shown that UMDs appeal to a core audience of young adult males. With some minor changes in the hardware and a greater selection of releases, UMDs could become a hit. If Sony can quickly broaden the format's appeal to young woman and children, it may have a winner on its hands.
Slumping Box-Office: Since last February, nationwide movie box-office receipts and attendance have fallen week after week, with nearly nine percent fewer tickets sold this year than last. Interestingly, while ticket sales last year set a new box-office record due to higher average ticket prices, attendance was down about one percent from 2003. Despite the slumping box-office, the summer movie season is shaping up as a plum for genre fans. With hit movies like Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith, Batman Begins, War Of The Worlds, and Land Of The Dead already in theaters, and potentially cool diversions like Fantastic Four and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory looming on the horizon, the box-office may be down but it's still shaping up as a fun season.
Robert Clarke: Anymore, it seems like we report the death of another classic horror actor, writer, or director each month. I guess that goes with the territory (after all, HORROR-WOOD is a Webzine about classic horror movies), but it's especially tough to report the death of Robert Clarke, best known for his role as The Hideous Sun Demon. Although I never met Clarke in person, I did have the pleasure of interviewing him for HORROR-WOOD a few years ago. Clark was an amiable man and terrific interview subject. Proud of his accomplishments in the film business, he was eager to share what he had learned about acting and producing with a new generation of fans. Always an innovator, Clarke's science fiction films were ahead of their time, often developing plot lines and ideas that would become the mainstay of later, and better known, genre movies. Disregard the low budgets...look beyond the cheap sets...and what you'll see is the creative force of a man who spun magic on the screen. He may not have been a household name, even with an acting career that spanned decades, but as far as I'm concerned, he was one of the best. Though hopelessly cheesy by today's standards, The Hideous Sun Demon, Man From Planet X, and Beyond The Time Barrier have become some of my favorite movies, simply because Clarke was in them. Robert Clarke died last month at the age of 85 of complications from diabetes. Clarke, a widower, is survived by a brother and sister, stepsons, and a son.
Forrest J Ackerman Speaks: At age 88, the undisputed king of genre fandom is still Forrest J Ackerman. He is a gigantic figure...to those of us who have had the pleasure of meeting him in person and to those of us who only know him through the pages of Famous Monsters magazine. Last month, Ackerman once again charmed visitors at the annual Monster Bash, the international monster and science fiction movie convention. As he has done so often in the past, Ackerman delighted a packed audience of eager fans with tales of Bela Lugosi, Ray Harryhausen, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price, capturing the hearts of young and old alike. Though physically frail now, his baritone voice was unaffected by advanced age...sharp and clear, it held all in the room spellbound. I first met Ackerman at the Monster
Bash several years ago. Besides chatting with him before the proceedings began back
then, I also had the pleasure of having dinner with him and a few other friends.
What is truly remarkable about Forrest J Ackerman--a man who knew all the superstars of
horror and science fiction -- is his ability to treat each of us like his best friend, as
if he has known us all of his life. I saw that when we spoke one-on- one upon our
first meeting, and I saw it again last month as he spoke to fans at the Bash. (From June 2005) Another Cruel Death: Amidst the news that actor/impressionist Frank Gorshin died, we almost overlooked offbeat screenwriter Ed Kelleher's death last month. Never a household name, Kelleher was best-known for penning cult movies Invasion Of The Blood Farmers, Shriek Of The Mutilated, Lurkers, and Prime Evil. In addition to his work on horror films, Kelleher also wrote six horror novels and several non-genre stage plays. Kelleher was 61 at the time of his death. He died of a degenerative brain disease.
A New Night Stalker: Riding the small crest of supernatural thrillers expected for the fall TV season, ABC has ordered-up a new version of The Night Stalker, the series about a reporter who regularly encountered creatures of the night and other unexplained phenomena on his newsbeat. When the original Night Stalker popped-up as a made-for-TV movie in the early 1970s, it proved so successful that it was followed by a sequel, The Night Strangler, and a quirky regular TV series. Although horror-master Dan Curtis produced the first movie and directed the second (from screenplays written by Richard Matheson) the short-lived series quickly bogged down in a kind of monster-of-the-week formula that was entertaining at first, but quickly grew tiresome. The predictability of the show's internal rhythm was its downfall. A grisly murder...then another...a macabre discovery...disbelief... confrontation...then resolution. Don't get me wrong. Every episode of The Night Stalker was cool, but eventually they were all the same. Will it be any different today? I suggest you catch the new series from the start, but don't get too attached to it. It won't be around long.
Star Wars: I'm moving slightly away from HORROR-WOOD's normal universe this month, but I hope you agree it's not too far out in outer space. I couldn't let this month go by without saying something about the phenomenon known as Star Wars. How can you love horror and science fiction movies--even in the least--and not be affected by this popular series? And many have been affected, especially by the last episode in the series. Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith grossed over $400 million worldwide in its first four days of release, making it the highest opening film on record. No doubt some people saw Revenge of the Sith more than once, adding to the record- breaking ticket sales; but not every Star Wars fan rushed into the theater to see it. Some had to own the movie to watch it. Not surprisingly, unauthorized DVDs and pirated Internet downloads were available even before the film premiered. "Did you like it?" all of my friends asked me after the film's opening day. "Yes and no," was the honest answer. The movie is a marvel of special effects, filled with stunning visuals that move the story along at a speedy pace. To my delight, the film's wizardry is not just technical gimmickry thrown in to astound jaded audiences demanding bigger and better thrills. The special effects set the atmosphere for a first-rate adventure tale. And what a tale it is! Especially when we know how the story must end... No matter what happens, Anakin Skywalker will turn to the dark side and become Darth Vader. His twin children will be separated at birth and hidden away. The republic will fall, the empire will rise. Even though we know these things will come to pass, the story grabs our attention from the opening scene, pulls us into its grip, and holds us tight. I've never truly liked breezy science fiction, preferring more intelligent drama to light space romps. Thankfully, Revenge Of The Sith is the most mature episode in the Star Wars saga, moving light years away from the campy space operas that preceded it. Although all other episodes are featherweights, mere speculative fantasy rather than real science fiction, this satisfying turn to a "darker" side has its problems, too. Like its predecessors, Revenge of the Sith is filled with stiff acting, stilted dialog, and except for the final scene between Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin, a complete failure to understand real human relationships. When a computer generated character, the ultra-cool Jedi master, Yoda, shows the broadest range of emotion on the screen, something's wrong.
The Battle of the Two Exorcist Prequels: Now that Paul Schrader's original vision of evil incarnate, Dominion: Prequel To The Exorcist, is finally seeing a limited theatrical release, and Renny Harlin's substitute film, Exorcist: The Beginning, is available on DVD, we can finally decide which one is better. Will we praise the more spiritual and darker Schrader version, or call the more commercial Harlin version the better horror movie? (From May 2005) Answered Prayers: There must be a devil in hell because there surely is a God in heaven. After months of speculation and rumor, Warner Brothers announced it will release the long-awaited, real prequel to the horror classic The Exorcist. In theaters, no less, not just on DVD! Yes, indeed, Paul Schrader's vision of demonic possession, Exorcist: The Beginning, will finally see the light of day. With a scheduled release date of May 20th, fans will be able to judge for themselves which version is the better movie. Schrader's or pinch hitter, Renny Halin's? Schrader, the first pick as director of the movie from the get-go, was axed in late 2003 after delivering a final cut to his bosses at Morgan Creek Productions. He was quickly replaced by Harlin who re-shot the film and delivered a finished product less than nine months later. Harlin's film was generally panned by horror fans, even though it managed to garner over $76 million at the box office. Schrader's film was thought to be a more meaningful, spiritually-inspired movie than Harlin's version, and most fans of the Exorcist series were disappointed when the Harlin prequel was not accompanied by Schrader's on the DVD release. I suspect Warner Brothers knew it was a superior work of art and intended to give it its own distribution. Now that it's scheduled for the big screen, I think it will be the real winner.
King Kong: Director Peter Jackson wrapped-up filming for King Kong and headed into the studio for post-production work. The remake of the 1933 classic, the coolest movie ever made, is scheduled for release in December. I'm sure Jackson's version will be good, but nothing will ever surpass the original.
Death Race 3000: If one Death Race wasn't enough, now we'll have two. Roger Corman, the original producer of Death Race 2000, and several other Hollywood insiders, including Tom Cruise, are set to produce a remake of the cult-favorite from 1975. Paul W.S. Anderson of Alien Vs. Predator fame will write and direct the updated version. The project, dubbed Death Race 3000, has been under development since 1999 with on- again, off-again spurts. This time, however, it looks like a go.
SF Remakes, Too: Paramount recently announced that Stephen Sommers will write and direct a remake of the classic 1951 SF film When Worlds Collide. Sommers is best known to genre fans as the director of The Mummy and Van Helsing. Sommers promises a spectacular film, but I'm not convinced. Sure, the remake of The Mummy was a decent movie. Though more action adventure than horror, that was okay. It was still a fun movie. But I know what you're thinking. What about Van Helsing? George Pal's original special-effects marvel was 50s-era SF at its best. Don't expect too much from this remake.
Late Fees: Blockbuster, the nation's leading DVD rental chain, has agreed to make refunds to customers who claim they were misled by its "No Late Fees" policy. Since the beginning of this year, customers were automatically billed the purchase price of a new DVD or charged a re-stocking fee when they failed to return rentals on time. If that's not a late fee, I don't know what is, but Blockbuster refused to label any of these charges what they were--late fees. Under the terms of the settlement, not only will Blockbuster make customer refunds, it will pay an additional $630,000 to reimburse nearly every state government in the country for investigating consumer complaints related to the late fee policy. Blockbuster is not required to change its existing policy, but it has been ordered to explain the policy better. In related news about the rental giant, Blockbuster has dropped its bid to buy its chief rival, Hollywood Entertainment Corporation. In weeks to come, however, Hollywood is likely to be bought by Movie Gallery Inc., the country's third largest DVD/video chain. A combined "Hollywood-Movie Gallery" will still be smaller than Blockbuster.
Showtime Scares: Showtime recently announced an ambitious project fueled by some of the horror genre's biggest names. Production will soon start on the "Masters of Horror" series, 13 hour-long films to be aired over the cable network. The films will feature works by John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, George Romero, Roger Corman, Dario Argento, Don Coscarelli, and others. "These are the stories the directors have always wanted to tell," said executive producer Andrew Deane in announcing the project, "but until now, the right venue has not existed."
Land Of The Dead: The release date for George Romero's next installment in his zombies series, Land Of The Dead, has been changed from October to next month. Land Of The Dead now promises to be one of the early risers in this summer's schedule of horror movies. (From April 2005) Summer with the Count: Butch Patrick, best remembered as TV's Eddie Munster, will soon lead a tour to Transylvania. Scheduled for mid-July, tourists traveling with Butch will visit the Carpathian Mountains, Vlad Castle, and the medieval town of Sighisora. Cost of the trip is only $1,799, including airfare from New York City, hotel accommodations, and meals. More information is available from the Connecticut-based travel agency, Tours of Terror.
Phantompalooza: A 30th anniversary showing of Phantom Of The Paradise will be screened on April 23rd at Winnipeg's old Garrick Theatre. Directed by Brian De Palma, Phantom Of The Paradise is an adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera and Faust stories. A rock concert and dance, featuring "The Chocolate Bunnies from Hell" will follow the movie in a dance hall located in the same building as the Garrick.
The Fog: Debra Hill, John Carpenter's co-producer on many projects and co-writer of the original screenplay for The Fog, recently lost a year-long battle with cancer. Hill was one of the few woman producers in Hollywood who found success in the horror genre; she will be greatly missed. A remake of The Fog is currently under production.
Land of the Dead: Filming for Land Of The Dead, George Romero's next installment in the Night Of The Living Dead series, has wrapped up location shooting in Toronto. Romero now moves back into the studio for post-production activities. Land Of The Dead will be released later this year--just prior to Halloween.
More Zombies: Shaun Of The Dead, last year's hit zombie spoof, will soon be released as a comic book. The four issue series is expected to reach news stands by late June and should prove as much fun as the movie.
Sinbad: Keanu Reeves is set to star in The Eighth Voyage Of Sinbad, a sequel, of sorts, to the 1958 fantasy film, The Seventh Voyage Of Sinbad. The original Sinbad and two related movies from the 1970s--The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad and Sinbad And The Eye Of the Tiger--were produced by special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen. Harryhausen, who will celebrate his 85th birthday two months from now, is not involved with the new project.
Hercules: NBC will air a made-for-TV movie, Hercules, late next month. Starring newcomer Paul Telfer as the mighty Greek, the movie was recently pared so it could be shown on one night instead of as miniseries spread over two nights.
The Night Stalker: ABC will soon produce a pilot called Kolchak, based on the quirky 1970s TV series, The Night Stalker. If successful, the updated series could find a place on the network's line-up as early as this fall.
The Wicker Man: It's official... Nicolas Cage will direct a remake of The Wicker Man, the 1972 film starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, and Ingrid Pitt. Although Cage promises to update the story of an isolated British island of pagans by moving the setting to Maine, the time for The Wicker Man may have already passed. The Wicker Man is a "quiet horror," one that gathers momentum as an unwanted outsider tries to crack the veil of secrecy enveloping an odd society. I loved the original movie and recommend it to people who have never seen it. Unfortunately, the real thrill of this little gem is highly dependent on the climatic punch. Once you've been clobbered by it, however, and have recovered from the initial shock, the premise of the story actually seems a bit silly. The Wicker Man only works as long as you buy the idea of a whole community cut off from the rest of the world; but as M. Night Shyamalan found out in last year's biggest film disappointment of the season, The Village, that is harder and harder to do within the context of a modern setting. Still, the original Wicker Man was very well done. Over thirty years later, its punch oozes with frisson--at least for first-time viewers. Is there really a need to remake it? (From March 2005) Late Fees? When are video rental charges late fees? Perhaps never, according to the country's top video rental chain. Since the beginning of the year, Blockbuster has discontinued late fees to gain customer confidence and add to consumer satisfaction. But... Although there are no more late fees at Blockbuster, the video chain has instituted a confusing system of grace periods, restocking fees, and sales charges for unreturned rental items. Under the new system, customers receive a seven-day grace period past the due date, enabling them to return videos, DVDs and computer games with no penalty. If a customer then fails to return an item during the grace period, but no later than 30 days afterward, a $1.25 restocking fee is charged instead. And if an item still isn't returned? The retail purchase price of the item is charged to the customer's account. No more late fees! I'm not so sure... and neither are many of the country's state attorneys general. Over thirty-five of them are investigating whether or not the new policy deceives customers. Although no multi-state investigation is currently underway, the potential for one exists farther down the road. A class-action suit is also likely to surface eventually.
The Green Mile: I caught The Green Mile on TV last month,
the first time I saw it since 1999 when it was originally in theaters. A few things
struck me as I watched this beautiful movie. First, Tom Hanks is truly the best
actor working in film today. His ability to It's too bad we don't see more of Hanks in genre films like The Green Mile or Road To Perdition instead of the light romantic comedies he seems to favor. Not that there is anything wrong with the typical roles he chooses. But Hanks is at his best in more dramatic roles and I wonder what modern horror films would be like if he were in them. Would there be a renaissance in horror movies? A much-needed shift from loud, predictable storylines to intelligent tales filled with character development and genuine atmospheric creepiness. Ahh... one can only hope.
Conan Doyle and Houdini: Monster movie fans may enjoy reading What Rough
Beast by H.R. Knight, a The story? Well, what if Harry Houdini, history's most famous escape artist, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, teamed up to fight a nightmarish beast running loose through the streets of London? A jolly good show would be had...
Fright Nights at the Movies: If you live in the New York City area, check out
Fright Nights, a limited film Scheduled to be screened this month are The Car, Hour Of The Wolf, Kwaidan, The Company Of Wolves, The Vampire Lovers, The Devil-Doll, The Nightcomers, White Reindeer, and Demons. Quite a line-up of interesting, but little seen movies. For more information on the horror series, visit the museum online here. (From February 2005) Another Record-breaking Year: Ticket sales at movie theaters topped $9.4 billion this past year, making 2004 another record-breaker for Hollywood. Although last year surpassed all previous revenues, higher ticket prices were responsible for the increase, not larger movie crowds. Fewer people actually went to the movies in 2004 than in 2003, making last year the second consecutive year of decreasing attendance. Approximately 1.5 billion people bought tickets in 2004, down about 1.7 percent from the previous year.
More Confessions from a "B" Actor: Hot off the trail of Bubba Ho-Tep, Bruce Campbell has written a new book, Make Love The Bruce Campbell Way. Campbell, who first rose to fame in the Evil Dead series, calls the book a fictionalized look at Hollywood romance. The book is loosely based on his own experiences in Tinseltown as a single, married, and divorced man. Like his movies, Campbell's first book, If Chins Could Kill--Confessions of a B Movie Actor, has won legions of fans. The new book is due in stores on June 1, 2005.
The Thrill of the Hunt: Some days I wished I lived in Los Angeles. Although the snow is piling up by the inches as I write this from a wintery northeastern landscape, the movies make me pine for Pacific shores, not the weather. Last month, on January 15th, Ray Harryhausen was on hand at Hollywood's famed Egyptian Theater to introduce two of his films, The Seventh Voyage Of Sinbad and The Three Worlds Of Gulliver. Then on the following night, at the Aero Theater in neighboring Santa Monica, Harryhausen introduced two of my favorites, Mysterious Island and Jason and the Argonauts. It's been over forty years since I've seen any of these movies on the big screen (as they were meant to be shown). What a fantastic two days that must have been? Which leads me to share some thoughts that have been rattling around my brain for weeks. Do you remember the thrill of the hunt? That time not so long ago when you had to track down movies to see, often waiting years until a particularly elusive film popped up on late night TV, on a college campus, or in an art house. Oh, yeah, a time before video tapes and DVDs... Now you know what I mean, don't you? Way back then, at the dawn of man, I remember calling my cousin when I heard Frankenstein would be on Chiller Theater for the first time. My cousin and I spent a considerable amount of time together as little kids, but as I got older we drifted apart and I could only take so much of him. But he lived with a much older half-sister who let him stay up half the night...and my mother frowned on me watching just about anything good on TV after 10 PM. Well, what would you have done? It was the original Frankenstein, the most famous monster movie of all time. Rightfully so, I guessed I could stand my cousin for a little while. I called him up and invited myself for a sleep-over on Saturday night. A short time with my cousin was a small price to pay for satisfying the thrill of the hunt. Then there was the time a few years later when my Dad and I saw Birth of a Nation, the great silent film by D.W. Griffith. It was cold that winter night, too. Probably close to zero... but I had seen clips of the movie on PBS specials and read about the provocative story in artsy film magazines. For years I had longed to see it, knowing full well the days of the silents were history and it would never be shown anywhere. Not on TV. And certainly not in an old neighborhood theater. But, you never know where you might find it -- "Yes, I'm sure," I told my Dad when he questioned what I had said to him shortly after supper on that cold evening long ago. "Birth Of A Nation will be shown tonight in my high school auditorium... accompanied by a live pianist." "Tell your mother we're going," he said without giving it a second thought. "Then get your coat on. We don't want to be late." The thrill of the hunt, man... And I remember my first encounter with Freaks. "There's a crazy movie you have to see," an old guy at the city bus stop said when I mentioned to him I loved monster movies. "Saw it as a kid," he quickly added. "Used real sideshow performers in it." Oh, I had to find that one, too. But how? Real sideshow freaks? They'd never show that on TV, not even after midnight. So I waited and waited, scanning newspapers and magazines for any sign of my prey. Somewhere, sometime it would appear. I knew it. Well, lucky me... A few weeks before graduating from
college, I had my chance to see Freaks, driving half the day to a film festival in
a distant city. The theme of the festival was society's outcasts, and, unbelievably,
I saw Nightmare Alley that night, too. Freaks and geeks on the same bill.
That was my best day of hunting; I caught two wild ones for the price of a single
ticket. About ten years later I read a small article in the local newspaper announcing a film series at a nearby nature center. A strange place to be showing movies, for sure, and I almost ignored the article. But a quick scan of the text opened my eyes. Could it be? Things to Come, one of the
earliest and (I still think) one of the best science fiction movies ever made. I had
to see that one, too. Like Birth Of A Nation, Freaks, and Frankenstein,
I had waited to see Things To Come for years. I had read H.G. Wells's novel,
"Shape of Things to Come," in college and often wondered how anyone could make a
movie from a book that was long on speculative philosophy but short on plot. Finding
Things to Come after so long, I would finally know. Still, the thrill of the hunt was there... Now, though, it's easy. Too
easy, some would say. Rent if from the video store. Catch it on Turner Classics. In my hometown, you can even check-out Things To Come (and plenty other classic movies) at the library. That's not bad, I know, but what happened to the thrill of the hunt? Yeah, there are a few of them still out there... hiding in the wild. As recently as ten years ago, the Spanish Dracula, Hand Of Death, and Beyond The Time Barrier all were waiting to be found--to name a few. But the others? There's no need to wait years to find them. Don't worry if there are no art houses or film festivals near you. There's no problem that all the late night horror hosts have hung up their black capes. It's all available any time of day now--and the thrill of the hunt is gone. (From January 2005) At the Bash: Look for Scooby-Doo at the Monster Bash this month. Well, sort of... Issue #92 of the Scooby-Doo comic book, available on news stands throughout January, has the Mystery Inc. gang attending the Monster Mix. The story is an affectionate send-up of horror film conventions and the fans that attend them. It's guaranteed to be lots of fun for everyone. John Rozum, who has been writing stories for the Scooby-Doo comic book for the past six years, is a frequent attendee of the real Monster Bash, the annual monster movie convention held outside Pittsburgh in early summer. John admits the Bash was the inspiration behind the Monster Mix and has fondly peopled the comic book with thinly disguised regulars from the Bash.
Spy Stuff: Although no date has been set for the start of production, Warner Brothers recently announced it is developing a film version of the old television spy series, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The original TV series, starring Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as Ilya Kuryakin, aired from 1964 to 1968. The series was so successful back then, it spawned a spin-off, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was one of many similar programs that rode to popularity on the coattails of the James Bond movies. Other popular spy shows of the time were Secret Agent, The Prisoner, The Avengers, I Spy, Mission: Impossible, and Get Smart. So far, only Mission: Impossible has found its way to the big screen, but wouldn't you love to see a feature presentation of The Prisoner? "Who is Number One?"
The Fog: John Carpenter is set to produce a remake of The Fog, his 1980 hit about maritime ghosts who seek revenge on the hundredth anniversary of their watery death. Production on the remake will begin next month.
The Death of Poe: Production will begin later this month on The
Death Of Poe, an independent film chronicling Edgar Allan Poe's mysterious last week
of life. The new film will weave facts about Poe's death with bits of his poetry and
short stories to tell a horror tale befitting the foremost master of the macabre. Arriving in Baltimore the next day -- that much is certain - - his whereabouts were unknown until October 3rd when he was found on the streets of that city. Incoherent, distressed, and disheveled, he was taken to Washington College Hospital where he fell in and out of consciousness until his death on the afternoon of October 7th. While in the hospital, Poe rambled on about many things, very few of them making any sense. There has been much speculation about the cause of his death, including alcoholism, brain lesions, madness, tuberculosis, epilepsy, diabetes, and rabies. Some scholars have even suggested that Poe may have been beaten by friends of a jilted lover or by gangs of ruffians associated with one of Baltimore's local political organizations.
More on Poe: Randall Silvis's book, Doubly Dead, is now available in paperback. Doubly Dead is a fictional account of murder and mystery, featuring none other than Edgar Allan Poe matching wits with a twisted serial killer. If the film, The Death of Poe, is half as entertaining as Silvis's book, fans of Poe will be "doubly" pleased.
Shaun of the Dead: I missed Shaun Of The Dead when it was
released last year, so it was fun to catch it on DVD late last month. An utterly
cool spoof of zombie movies, it's an interesting horror movie in its own right, too. Shaun
of the Dead bashes zombies, slackers, and the on-again/off-again relationships of
modern life with equal wit and veracity. (From December 2004) The End of Godzilla: After fifty years, the saga of Godzilla may be coming to a close. First introduced to Japanese audiences in 1954, Gojira, as the king of the monsters is known in his native land, may disappear into the Pacific Ocean for the last time. For several months now, Toho Pictures has reported that the latest Godzilla movie may be the final one. Appropriately titled, Godzilla: Final Wars, the "last" installment of the long-running series (numbering 28 to date) features a slew of the mighty beast's friends and foes, including Mothra, Ghidorah, and Rodan. If this is Godzilla's last romp, he's certainly going out in style... Godzilla: Final Wars premiered in Hollywood on November 29th at Grauman's Chinese Theater, an unusual location for the unveiling of this Asian mainstay. But earlier that day, Godzilla received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, making the venerable American venue an appropriate place for the movie's debut. It has been quite a year for our old Japanese friend. A restored version of the original Godzilla film had a limited showing in several American cities this past summer, pleasing old fans and winning a few new ones. The restored version (featuring subtitles instead of dubbed voiceovers) did not include the Raymond Burr footage, a necessary move to put the original film in its proper context. As most fans know, the Raymond Burr scenes were added when first imported to the States to make the film more palatable for American audiences still unfamiliar with Japanese monster movies. To many film purists, the added scenes diluted the movie's real impact because Godzilla was not conceived as just a mutated dinosaur on a rampage, but a plea against the ravages of war. Gojira emerged less than nine years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, amid the fallout of the first atomic bombs. Over the years, the Godzilla movies have evolved from their strong antiwar sentiment to downright silliness. While good box-office returns for Godzilla: Final Wars may convince Toho to change its mind and make a 29th film in the series, Godzilla has run its course and should be left to die in peace this time.
Beware of the Blob: And as Godzilla fades away, the Blob rises again. Paramount Pictures announced it will produce a new version of The Blob, the classic Fifties science fiction-horror movie featuring Steve McQueen in one of his earliest roles. This will not be the first remake of The Blob. It was remade once before, in 1988. Seeing the original Blob at Pittsburgh's Hippodrome Theater is one of my oldest monster movie memories. I've watched this little number so many times since then, it's hard for me to remember much about my first encounter with it. Still, I vividly recall my reaction to the first victim of the gooey alien creature. No! Don't poke it, I screamed. Red slime slowly crawled up a stick, and slithered over an old man's arm. Yowl! I missed the 1988 remake and will probably miss this new version, too. Some stories don't need re-telling, and The Blob is one of them. It's not a perfect movie by any means. It's nothing more than a low-budget, quickly-made movie aimed at the teenagers of its day. But it's still a perfect telling of the story it meant to be. A goofy tale frozen in a particular moment of American pop culture...
The Tingler: The Tingler, another horror classic from the Fifties, is also set to be remade soon. The original, one of my favorite Vincent Price movies, was directed and produced by William Castle. Castle was a pure showman. Known as the king of the gimmicks, Castle sometimes stationed "nurses" in theater lobbies or issued fright insurance before curtain time because his movies were "too scary." His best gimmick was the one he used for The Tingler when he wired theater seats so audiences were jolted in sync with "frightening" moments on screen. Try that at the local megaplex today! The original Tingler is a rather interesting horror film, too. A goofy little gem that slowly builds in quirkiness and nearly overcomes its silly pedigree. Despite lame dialog, problems with continuity, and limited set locations, The Tingler is a captivating movie. Of course, the primary reason it succeeds is its star. Price is marvelous in the juicy role of a scientist who discovers a "fear-induced" organism that grows inside each of us. Other than Price, however, the rest of the cast is flat and lifeless, although their deadpan delivery and earnestness somehow adds to the special charm of The Tingler. Few horror fans mention The Tingler as a favorite. I suppose there are a lot of reasons for that, but Castle's films have not held up very well over the years. Even his best, House on Haunted Hill, has been superseded by time and a poorly made remake. Unfortunately, when a new version of The Tingler hits the street, the original will sink further into obscurity. And it really deserves better... (From November 2004) Van Helsing: Like most older horror fans, I disliked the movie Van Helsing when it was in theaters earlier this year. Although I eagerly awaited the "re- imagining" of the Universal classic monsters during its production, hoping it would be an imaginative update of all the late night movies I loved as a kid, it ended up being another good idea gone horribly wrong. It was too silly, too reliant on special effects, and had too little character development to satisfy mature film tastes. Of course, when the DVD was released last month, there seemed little reason to watch it again... at first. Then I caught a glimpse of the special 3-disc collector's edition. It's still the Van Helsing that failed to thrill us last summer, there's no doubt about that, but included in the package was a pleasant surprise -- all my favorites, the original Frankenstein, Dracula, and Wolf Man. I know most HORROR-WOOD readers probably own these movies already, so why am I so excited about their inclusion in this DVD? Because like most campy monster movies, Van Helsing appeals to a younger audience, many of whom are not traditional fans of the horror genre. Most of these same immature movie fans have never seen the foundations of horror cinema from the early Universal library. And like it or not, they probably never will without the right encouragement. The innocent goofiness of Van Helsing could be all they need to dig deep into our film heritage and discover the old gems for themselves.
Dawn Of The Dead: As much as Van Helsing failed to please true horror fans, another recently released DVD hit the mark like a bullet popping a zombie. Dawn Of The Dead, the gory remake of the George Romero classic from 1979 is a rollicking thunder ride filled with action, excitement, and--surprise of all surprises--a real plot. It is destined to become a new horror classic, one of those rockers that chill you for hours after the closing credits roll.
The Munsters: Fans of The Munsters, the hit TV comedy from the mid- sixties, could soon be experiencing a triple-high of old shows, reappearances, and remakes. Get ready... Munstermania is about to strike again. The complete first season of the creepy comedy has finally made it to video and DVD. All 38 episodes are now available in the same package. Adding to the Munster fun, Butch Patrick, better known as Eddie Munster from the original series, is currently hosting a syndicated movie series called Macabre Theater. Featuring cheesy monster movies, a co-host named Ivonna Cadaver, and irreverent commentary between movie scenes, Macabre Theater is seen in about ten TV markets, so far. With luck, it could spread to more cities soon. And if that's not enough of the Munster family for you, Keenen Ivory, Shawn, and Marlon Wayans are set to write and produce a modern-day take on the original series. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a little while to get their Munster fix from this remake. The proposed movie isn't likely to reach theaters until the year after next.
Two More Remakes: If the Munsters aren't you cup of tea, perhaps science fiction is. Tim Robbins and Miranda Otto have recently signed on for the War Of The Worlds, Steven Spielberg's upcoming remake of the H.G. Wells novel. Production is set for late next year. And if you prefer fantasy and high adventure to science fiction or horror, the new He-Man by director John Woo should make you happy. Like War of the Worlds, though, we'll have a long wait for it. He-Man won't be on the scene until 2006.
Let's Go Retro: Although out of our normal area of reporting, HORROR-WOOD readers may be interested in this bit of news. Retro video games will be on toy store shelves later this month. Just in time for the Christmas shopping season, updated versions of the popular arcade hits from the 1980s will be released for several Atari game systems. Included in the new 80-game pack are old favorites like Pong, Battlezone, Centipede, Missile Command, Asteroids, and Space Duel. (From October 2004) It's October...time for another one of our movie lists. Carrying on a tradition we began a few years ago, we present a list of our favorite films. Instead of ghosts, ghouls, or vampires, though, here's something a bit different...13 movies based on comic books. Until recently, this would have been a very short list... mostly old Dick Tracy movies and cheap, made-for-TV quickies aimed at limited audiences. But over the past few years, comic book junkies have had a lot to choose from as Hollywood brings us one superhero after another. Which is a mixed blessing...for every "dead-on" interpretation of Spider-Man, something like the Hulk, Daredevil, or League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen is dead-on-arrival. Like everything else, Hollywood too often tries for a blockbuster and falls flat on its face. Unfortunately, that's happened to many movies inspired by comic books. But Hollywood keeps on trying... and we keep on watching. So here we go, in order of my preference. A mixture of the old and the new, the extravagant and the mundane... Spider-Man (2002--We had to start with the fantastic transformation of Peter Parker from high school nerd to savior of a city. No other movie has captured the spirit of a comic book better than this one. From Spidey's reluctance to accept his incredible gifts and the tremendous responsibility that goes along with them, to his heartbreak and eventual success with Mary Jane, this is a movie for comic book fans and non-fans alike. Blade (1998)--It's about vampires and a sword wielding half-human, half-vampire avenger... Of course it had to be near the top of the list. A rollicking, stylish movie that grabs the jugular vein and holds it tight. Tank Girl (1995)--In a future world where water is the most valuable currency available, the earth is populated by gritty scavengers and man-beasts. A quirky mixture of live action and animated comic book panels. The Punisher (1989)--Okay, it got a lot of the details wrong... Still, revenge is a fascinating subject and this movie nails it to the wall. Action, thrills, and a hero(?) who's not so super... Road To Perdition (2002)--One of the best crime movies filmed in recent years. Tom Hanks as a gangster paying the price for loyalty to his mob. Yeah, I know, it's based on a graphic novel, not a comic book, but try to explain the difference to your girlfriend. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)--Goofy childish fun, but watch closely during the fight scenes. If you can get past the idea of giant, wisecracking turtles, you'll see some of the best martial arts moves since Bruce Lee thrilled a whole generation. No unrealistic wire-work...just good old-fashioned, hard-working technique. Spider-Man 2 (2004)--More character development, better special effects than its predecessor, and another remarkable story. ‘Nuff said? Batman Forever (1995)--The best of the Batman movies. Val Kilmer donned cape and cowl to face two villains from the infamous rogue's gallery. So entertaining, even Jim Carrey's over the top performance as the Riddler couldn't spoil it. Unbreakable (2000)--Before you even say it, I agree. It's not a movie adapted from a comic book, but a movie about the eternal battle between good and evil, the theme of all great comic book stories. So maybe it doesn't belong on this list, but if you love comic books, you have to love this movie. X-Men (2000)--Just when interest in comic books-to- films was waning, Marvel rescued the genre. Sure it's a convoluted story that takes a while to get rolling, but when it does, look out, here comes the Wolverine! Batman (1989)--This is one of those movies that puts it all together...a witty story, bigger than life characters, action, and pounding musical score. It took us to the gritty core of urban life, dark places Superman (that old Boy Scout) never dared explore. The Amazing Spider-Man (1977)--Most comic book fans judge this made-for TV movie to be sincere but inept. In spite of the lame plot and terrible special effects, this made-for-TV movie kept interest in comic books alive. Led to a short-lived, but universally panned, TV series. Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947) -- We're reaching way back here, but that's what HORROR-WOOD is all about. An early comic book movie and still one of the best. While Ralph Byrd doesn't quite make it as Dick Tracy, he's not bad. As always, though, Boris Karloff offers a top-notch performance. So, while you're waiting for trick-or-treaters at the end of the month, watch a movie or read a comic book. It's all the same to some of us. (From September 2004) Fay Wray: I know you've all heard this by now, but we can't avoid mentioning it here. Fay Wray, perhaps the original scream queen (and I mean that as a compliment in this case) died last month at the age of 96. Best known for her role in the first (and greatest) King Kong movie, she appeared in over 90 movies in her long career, many of them from the silent era. In a touching memorial to her finest screen achievement, the Empire State Building dimmed its lights for 15 minutes two days after her death. What better way to honor her and the legacy of Kong? The Blair Witch Project: Neal Fredericks, the cinematographer of The Blair Witch Project, also died last month. Fredericks was killed in a small-plane crash while doing what he loved best, working on a movie. Thanks in no small part to Fredericks, The Blair Witch Project was a surprise hit in the summer of 1999 when a group of young filmmakers successfully fused an on-screen presentation with a compelling mythos hatched on the internet. Say what you will about the movie itself, but the hype that accompanied it propelled a quirky independent film with a limited potential audience into the mainstream. No recent horror movie generated as much buzz outside of genre fans as The Blair Witch Project did.
Scotty: Late last month, James Doohan, Star Trek's
Scotty, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star was unveiled during
a week-long celebration of Doohan's career called "Beam Me Up, Scotty: One Last
Time."
Mad Monster Party: Warner Brothers has given the green light for a live-action version of Mad Monster Party. The original production was an animated film released in 1967, featuring the voices of Boris Karloff as Baron Von Frankenstein and Phyllis Diller as the monster's mate.
It's Finally Here: Exorcist: The Beginning, the long awaited prequel to one of the scariest movies ever made, finally hit the nation's megaplexes last month. And it's likely already hit neighborhood bargain theaters, too! Although not an altogether disappointing movie for a late summer diversion, it is still a formula-driven gorefest that avoids the subtleties of good storytelling and often borders on the grotesque. While substitute director Renny Harlin has given us a full tilt, effects-laden scream flick, the movie could have been so much more if true horror fans were taken seriously by Hollywood (as they once were during horror's golden era of Karloff and Lugosi). Consequently, Exorcist: The Beginning is not a real horror movie -- one that delves into the meaning of good and evil -- but simply a way of killing time for a few hours before autumn arrives. But isn't that exactly what we expected? Yes, but it's not what we had hoped for. It's too bad original director Paul Schrader lost his battle with the movie's producers. His vision of the devil could have been a classic, with the potential to match the original Exorcist. Let's hope rumors of a double DVD, with both Renny Harlin's theatrical version of the prequel and Paul Schrader's deeper, spiritual version, are true. (From August 2004) The Man Of The Crowd: HORROR-WOOD's own Harvey Chartrand recently spoke with director Curtis Harrington about his latest project, The Man Of The Crowd. Based on one of Edgar Allan Poe's more obscure short stories, it's the tale of a gentleman who chooses to follow a stranger and gradually realizes the man he is casually pursuing is insane. When asked "why film" this particular story, Harrington replied, "I think it's very cinematic." Harrington went on to explain that he plans on shooting the movie in East Los Angeles, an older part of the city that, according to the director of nearly thirty movies and TV series episodes, "doesn't have any cachet, but is a kind of wasteland... Very melancholy, with lots of space and strangeness." Harrington called Los Angeles the perfect location for the movie. "I'll use parts of the town that you don't ordinarily see. There are certain areas you don't get to see on the screen...ever." The Man Of The Crowd will be a jumping off point for a larger, unconventional horror story. "I'll be weaving in themes from two other Poe stories," said Harrington, "The Facts Of M. Valdemar's Case" and "William Wilson." Asked for details, Harrington replied, "I can't tell you any more about the story... really. As Josef von Sternberg once said, a chicken does not like to discuss his own soup. All of life is a mystery, particularly the artistic process, and it should be kept a mystery." Although Harrington hasn't cast the film yet, he may ask Barbara Steele to play a small guest role in it. Gary Graver is already on board as cinematographer.
Hugh Cave: Word has reached us of the death of writer Hugh B. Cave. Considered one of the top producers from the pulp era, Cave was a prolific writer throughout his life, having written nearly fifty books and 800 short stories during his long career. Although not a household name, most readers of paperback horror books instantly recognize Cave as one of the genre's yeomen. In 1990, Cave received the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association for "lifetime achievement." In 1996, he was honored as a "living legend" at the World Fantasy Convention. And in 1998, he received a "life achievement award" from the International Horror Guild. Cave's steady production and entertaining way with a word will be sadly missed.
More Bad News: James M. Doohan, Scotty from the original Star Trek TV series and several follow-up movies, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. According to his family and close friends, the 84- year-old actor has been shown the early signs of the disease for the past few months. Despite being afflicted with Alzheimer's, Doohan is still working. His latest gig is a cameo appearance in the upcoming horror film Skinwalker: Curse Of The Shaman.
An October Treat: The Hallmark Channel will have a special Halloween treat for all horror fans...a new film version of Frankenstein. Starring Luke Goss as the creature, Alec Newman as Victor Frankenstein, Donald Sutherland as Captain Walton, and William Hurt as one of Victor's professors, the film puts a fresh look on Mary Shelley's classic story. The film is a classy production that stays true to Shelley's work. It will be shown in two parts on October 26th and 27th.
Monsters HD: Another TV project worth getting excited about is Monsters HD, a high definition commercial-free TV channel dedicated to the horror genre. Over the next month and a half, Monsters HD, the first and only all-monster movie channel in high-definition will be sponsoring the "It's Alive!" sweepstakes. Prizes include a state-of-the-art HDTV; a one year subscription to VOOM satellite television service; and a complete set of limited edition Arkoff Monster figurines. Entries for the sweepstakes are available here.
Duped DVDs: Recent studies conducted by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) claim that nearly a quarter of the world's Internet users have illegally downloaded a film at one time or another. Although some industry analysts discount the MPAA's accuracy, there can be no doubt piracy costs millions worldwide in lost movie revenues.
The Dead Will Rise Again: George Romero will soon start production of Land Of The Dead, his long-awaited third sequel to the Night Of The Living Dead. In the new film, the zombies have taken over the world and "normal humans" live in a walled-in city. As exciting as the film may be, an interesting battle occurred over the past few weeks between potential shooting locations. Romero originally favored western Pennsylvania, his hometown area and site of many previous Romero horror movies. But Toronto offered better financial incentives and ultimately won the "Dead" sweepstakes. Consequently, filming will begin in October north of the border, not in Romero's backyard.
Shorty Yeaworth: Shorty Yeaworth, the director of the cult classic, The Blob, also died recently in a car accident while traveling in the Middle East. Yeaworth was associated with a theme park on Jordanian history and was looking forward to its opening next month. Yeaworth filmed The Blob in 1958. Although best known for this one movie, Yeaworth produced over 400 films, many of them religious or educational movies. He was 78 at the time of his death. (From July 2004) The Halloween Film Awards: If you have a finished horror film that's received little or no distribution, you may be interested in the Hollywood Investigator's Halloween Film Awards. The Investigator, a film industry news website, will screen submissions this summer and profile two films in October. More information on how to submit a movie for screening is available at the Hollywood Investigator's website.
Dark Shadows: The WB Network has shelved plans for an update of the old TV series Dark Shadows. Although recent news reports have said the show was on the cable network's fall schedule, WB announced late last month that it would not be airing any new episodes of the macabre soap opera. Over the years, Dark Shadows has maintained a large fan base through annual conventions, DVDs, videos, numerous websites, and an occasional novel or comic book. The original story debuted on afternoon television in 1966 and ran for about four years; it was especially popular on college campuses. The series was revived once before, in the early 1990s for a limited TV run.
NBC Has Seen The Light: Despite previous announcements to the contrary, NBC will not be producing a television series based on Van Helsing, the absolutely awful "re-imagining" of literature's most famous vampire hunter. No reason was given by the network's top brass for backing out of the project, but bad reviews for the movie, universally panned by critics and horror fans, probably tanked the proposed series.
A Well-Deserved Stoker: Congratulations to filmmaker Don Coscarelli for
winning a Bram Stoker Award for Bubba Ho-Tep, Coscarelli's cinematic vision
of a world where Elvis Presley has not died. The film, written and directed by
Coscarelli, stars Bruce Campbell as the King of rock and roll, and features Ossie Davis as
John F. Kennedy. Yeah, that's right, Elvis and our nation's 35th president are
the heroes of this little plum. The movie was based on a short story by Joe R.
Lansdale.
Meet George Jetson: Hanna-Barbera Productions and producer Denise Di Novi are developing a live-action movie adaptation of The Jetsons, the futuristic hit cartoon series from the 1960s.
The Exorcist: Exorcist: The Beginning will finally open in theaters next month, after several delays caused by its producers lack of faith in (original) director Paul Schrader's interpretation of the story. Despite firing Schrader before he could finish his work, the producers have released a trailer that seems to convey Schrader's spiritual vision of the film, rather than replacement director Renny Harlin's more horrific slant.
Target Earth: One of the movies that scared me the most as a kid was Target Earth, a cheap science fiction movie from 1954. I saw it on TV one rainy Saturday afternoon in the early 1960s. Even though it's long-forgotten by most genre fans, for years after seeing the movie I had a recurring nightmare about it. Seemingly indestructible robots attacking Earth are defeated by a high-pitched siren shattering the glass vacuum tube in their control mechanism. "But what if the tube had been made of metal?" asks an Army officer, as the film closes. "How could we beat the robots then?" "What would we do?" I asked myself over and over again. After seeing this bucket of cheese at the Monster Bash convention last month, for the first time in nearly forty years, I have to wonder... How did this silly little thing scare the hell out of me night after night? Ahh! The mysteries of a young boy's mind... (From June 2004) Star Trekking: A documentary about the "worldwide community of
Klingon speakers" debuted at the Cannes Film Festival last month. The 70 minute
film, called Earthlings: Ugly Bags Of Mostly Water, follows the lives of several
Klingon Language Institute members as they gather at their annual convention in
Philadelphia.
Freddy, Jason, and Ash: Bruce Campbell, who played Ash in the three Evil Dead horror films, recently fueled rumors about a movie pitting his best-known character role against the villains of A Nightmare On Elm Street and Friday The 13th. In these days of endless horror franchises, a battle royale featuring Freddy, Jason, and Ash seems like a natural thing. Although Campbell said the movie is a possibility, he was quick to add that nothing is imminent. Nor has a scenario been developed. He did note, however, that Ash is a good guy. He would have to win the fight with those two other sinister fellows. There could be no other outcome. Campbell also said a sequel to Bubba Ho-tep, his new cult classic, may also be in the works. The wildly original horror comedy, filmed in 2002 and currently finishing its run though several independent movie theaters nationwide, tells the story of the still-living Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy. They meet in a Texas senior citizens home and ultimately save the world from the curse of an ancient mummy. If there are no quirky movie houses in your neighborhood, don't despair, the DVD of the original film was released late last month and is now available for home viewing.
Psycho: A poll conducted by the British magazine Total Film identified the shower scene from Psycho as the "best movie death of all time." Cited by the magazine as being "masterful in audience manipulation," the death of Janet Leigh in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 thriller remains one of cinema's truly suspenseful moments. Also making the list was the closing scene of the original King Kong when the giant ape was shot by airplanes and fell to his death from the Empire State Building. King Kong is another great movie, and a masterpiece in its own right.
Van Helsing: Okay, I'll ask the most important question first. Why do movies like Van Helsing get made? It's loud. It's incoherent. It makes no sense within the realm of the Universal movie mythos. And, it's probably the worst "re- imagining" of any classic movie to date. Costing around $160 million to produce, Van Helsing is a pitiful example of all that is wrong with today's Hollywood blockbusters. Heavy reliance on special effects, wanton borrowing from past movies, too little character development, and too little respect for the audience. Still, with opening-weekend ticket sales of $50 million, followed by another $35 million its second week, somebody's apparently gobbling it up. With numbers like that, Van Helsing recouped half its production costs within its first fourteen days of release. Toss in nearly $100 million in international box office receipts, together with the enormous DVD sales expected three months from now, and what do you have? A tidy sum for its backers! Why was it made? Because Hollywood knows we're suckers.
Nightmare House: Fans of H.P. Lovecraft are rightfully singing the praises of Doug Clegg's new book, Nightmare House. Released late last month to rave reviews, Nightmare House captures the "feel and spirit" of Lovecraft's best work. It is an intense, eerie story, and Clegg once again proves he is the best horror author writing today.
See You at The Bash: I'll be lurking in the hallways at the Monster Bash this year, volunteering as one of the orange-shirtted Bash staffers. If you're attending the classic horror and monster movie extravaganza, I'll see you at the end of this month. If not, see you here next month. (From May 2004) The 4400: The USA Network has ordered five episodes of a new science fiction TV series starring Michael Moriarty. Filmed in Vancouver, Canada, the pilot episode of The 4400 co-stars Peter Coyote and Joel Gretsch in a story about the simultaneous reappearance on Earth of 4,400 UFO abductees. HORROR-WOOD's own Harvey Chartrand recently spoke with Moriarty about his role as abductee Orson Bailey. "The experience was one of the best in 35 years of filming," said Moriarty during a telephone interview with Chartrand. "The producer (Brent Clackson), the director (Yves Simoneau), the screenwriter (Scott Peters) and the entire crew were a delight to work with. "As for the character I played, it was my first chance at a Jekyll-and-Hyde role. Orson lives a normal, loving life till he's taken off to another space with the rest of the 4,400. When he's returned, decades later, there is within him a rage, a wrath which he himself cannot understand because it is so huge. He doesn't want to hurt people, but when they anger him -- and they do through some very ugly, almost evil actions -- his fury erupts to the point where his nose bleeds, the room shakes, all the glass shatters and, in one case, an entire mansion falls apart when he simply shakes the driveway gates. "The production people and Yves seem pleased with my performance. My character doesn't die in the film. He ends up in restraints and in a catatonic state. Who knows what's in store for him? I don't think even the writers know at this point. Despite his nightmare, he is to me a very sympathetic man. In my view, he's been injected with God's very justified wrath. Unfortunately, no mortal could possibly endure an anger that profound. "I had to have a stunt man for the falls I take in the show. They also thought he'd have to do some of the shaking of the gate. Well, they let me at it and I broke the gate. Broke it. They reinforced it. We did a second take and I broke it again. Ahhhhnnnooold? Move over!" Moriarty said with a hearty laugh.
Happy Anniversary: Congratulations are in order for Turner Classic Movies. Cable TV's only "true" classic movie channel celebrated ten years in the business last month. Commercial free...a film library of over 3,500 old movies...and dedicated to preserving our film heritage...TCM is a film lover's delight!
Family Friendly Viewing: A new DVD player from RCA has the ability to filter nudity, foul language, or violence. Utilizing special software from ClearPlay, a Salt Lake City company, the new DVD players will cost around $79 and be shipped with filters for 100 current movies. The software will be updated weekly through a subscription service, guaranteeing that new DVD releases can also be filtered.
Looking For A Job: I recently caught an ad in my local newspaper for jobs in the "motion picture industry" and was very excited about it. After all, I've always wanted to work in the exciting world of Hollywood filmmaking. Unfortunately, I soon realized the ad was for a manager at the local cinemaplex.
More On The Exorcist: The Exorcist prequel, the one originally directed by Paul Schrader, may still see the light of day despite problems between Schrader and the producers. Although the long-awaited movie was re-shot by substitute director Renny Harlin last fall after Schrader's screening cut proved too "moody," Schrader's version of the film may eventually be released as part of a double DVD. Variety, the entertainment industry's trade newspaper, recently reported that both versions of the film, Schrader's and Harlin's, could be released simultaneously, either on the same DVD or as two separate disks. Variety also reported that Schrader has agreed "in principle" to a DVD release so that his movie will be seen and to satisfy his contractual obligations. Unfortunately, despite Schrader's cooperation in a DVD deal, legal issues with the Directors Guild of America could torpedo the project. Exorcist: The Beginning (Renny Harlin's version) will be shown in theaters by late August.
The Lost Skeleton: I hope you had a chance to catch The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra when it made the rounds in theaters last month...an absolutely funny send-up of science fiction monster movies from the 1950s. Filmed in varying shades of black and white, and featuring stiff acting, cheesy special effects, and stilted dialog, Lost Skeleton is a hilarious spoof of several matinee classics. (From April 2004) The Moon-Rays: The Moon-Rays, a six-man band from Chicago, have recently released their third recording, "The Ghouls Go West." The new recording is a full length CD featuring absolutely cool and creepy music with a 60s/70s retro sound. Popularly known as "America's Spookiest Hipsters," the group's first recording was the theme for the WGN-TV show, Creature Features. The success of their initial effort led to their first full length CD, "Thrills and Chills." One of their songs, "1313 Mockingbird Lane," will be featured in two movies this year, Dr. Horrors Erotic House Of Idiots with Brink Stevens, Debbie Rochon, and Zacherley, and American Scary, a documentary about the history of television horror hosts. "The Ghouls Go West" CD can be purchased from their Website.
House of Wax: Paris Hilton may join the cast of House of Wax, the upcoming remake of the 1953 classic horror film. Although not known exactly as an actress, Hilton was the "star" of a video production that won legions of fans following its unauthorized distribution on the Internet.
Aeon Flux: This is a little beyond Horror-wood's normal interests, but I loved this animated series when it first appeared on MTV. Charlize Theron is slated to star in Aeon Flux, a live action movie based on the cult animated series about an extraordinarily beautiful woman who lives 400 years in the future. Part secret agent, part super hero, Aeon Flux uses her acrobatic skills and incredible intelligence to subvert government efforts to eliminate creativity and personal freedom. Filming is expected to begin this summer. No release date has been announced yet.
Another Animated Hero: Production has finally started on Batman Begins, the new film chronicling the early adventures of the "Dark Knight of Gotham." The movie promises to be an interesting interpretation of the origins of the caped crusader, more in line with comic book mythos than any of the first four Batman movies. Christian Bale will don cowl and cape for the tale. The movie will also star Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, and Liam Neeson.
A Big Disappointment: Renny Harlin finally finished his "re-shooting" of Exorcist IV: The Beginning and is expected to complete post-production in time for a film release later this year. All reports indicated that Paul Schrader, the original director of the project, filmed a moody, "thinking-man's movie" that raised questions about faith and personal spirituality. Quite frankly, it sounded like Exorcist IV was getting back to its roots, closer to William Peter Blatty's original story than any of the first movie's sequels. Which made a lot of sense because Exorcist IV is a prequel about Father Merrin's first encounter with evil. Unfortunately, that wasn't what the producers wanted and Schrader left the project after delivering a screening cut. A new script was co-written by Harlin and Alexi Hawley and then the craziness began. It's still unclear what original footage will be used and how much of the story was re-shot, but word on the street is that none of Schrader's footage will be included in the movie. On a somewhat related note, Oscar-winning actress Mercedes McCambridge, the voice of the demon in the original Exorcist, died recently. McCambridge was 85 at the time of her death. She won her Academy Award for best supporting actress in 1949 for her work in All the King's Men.
Salem's Lot: Look for a new version of Salem's Lot to appear in June on the cable-TV network, TNT. Based on Stephen King's popular novel about a vampire who takes up residence in a small Maine town, the four hour mini-series will star Rob Lowe, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, James Cromwell, Samantha Mathis, Andre Braugher, and Rebecca Gibney. The original version of Salem's Lot, also filmed for TV, starred David Soul, Lance Kerwin, and James Mason, and was directed by Tobe Hooper (of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame). (From March 2004) A New Bride: Variety recently reported that a remake of Bride Of Frankenstein is in the works, possibly starring Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. The proposed film is reported to be a re-imagining of the 1935 monster movie directed by James Whale (see my feature article on Whale's creation elsewhere in this month's issue). I've said this before so I
hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I'm always leery of these re-imaginings.
Too often than not, they are poorly done and lack the creativity found in the
original movies. Rather than paying nostalgic homage to a classic film, they veer
off in a totally unrelated direction and usually fall flat and lifeless. They are
neither true remakes (which I don't like either) nor "new" stories worth our
interest. There's a kernel of a really good horror movie in there, but it's not Bride Of Frankenstein. The real bride was created from the body parts of several different people, so she never really existed before Henry Frankenstein and Doctor Pretorius breathed life into her. Then she rejected Frankenstein's monster and died shortly after receiving the gift of life. But what if she had embraced the monster and mated with it? Or done something even more abhorrent, like mated with Henry or Pretorius? There's a story there, I bet! Why not develop an original idea like that instead of trading cheaply off the reputation of an old movie? That's something worth seeing (or writing about).
A New House Of Wax, Too: According to the Hollywood Reporter, Dark Castle Entertainment will release a new version of House Of Wax this November. The remake of the 1953 horror film, one of the most successful 3-D movies ever made, is already being called a "marked departure" from the original. Oh, no! Another re-imaging, but at least the producers have sense enough not to try it in 3-D. Maybe someone has finally learned something about creative filmmaking.
And A New Bewitched: Filming is also expected to start this summer on a big screen version of the 1960s TV sitcom, Bewitched. Nicole Kidman will star as Samantha Stevens and Will Ferrell as her husband, Darren.
Only Remake News This Month: If you can stand it, here's the last bit of remake news for this month. The WB Network has given the green light to Dark Shadows, a revival of sorts to the macabre soap opera from the late 1960s and early 70s. The original series was conceived by horror-master Dan Curtis and was wildly popular from the start. Although canceled in 1971, Dark Shadows has never really died, having been resurrected as two feature-length movies shortly after the soap opera ran its course and once again as a limited-run TV show in 1990. Legions of fans also attend annual conventions to watch re-runs of the show on DVD and video. WB may debut the new series as early as this fall. (From February 2004) Van Helsing: If a recent interview of Hugh Jackman printed in an Australian newspaper is any indication, Universal's upcoming horror movie, Van Helsing, may be quite different than most monster movie fans are expecting. According to Jackman, the star of the movie, the updated character of Van Helsing bears no resemblance to Bela Lugosi's nemesis. The new vampire fighter is "more swashbuckler than professor," said Jackman, describing the character as a "20th Century black ops." Van Helsing follows
Universal's resurrection of its monster franchise with a blockbuster remake of The
Mummy in 1999 and its two equally successful sequels, The Mummy Returns and The
Scorpion King. The upcoming movie opens this May, and promises to feature the
classic Universal creatures, including Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolf Man.
Revenues Drop: Ticket sales this past year shrunk by 4.5 percent from the previous twelve months, becoming the first time in over a decade that revenues dropped from one year to the next. During the same period, average ticket prices have risen from $5.85 to approximately $6.00. A quick comparison of the average ticket price and the latest revenues indicates that rising prices kept some people away from theaters. Making matters worse, for fans at least, the actual price of admission has reached $10 in several major markets.
There's A Signpost Up Ahead: Reruns of the new Twilight Zone could begin
appearing on TV soon. The short-lived UPN series, though sometimes interesting but
too often flat, did little to catch viewers imagination during its original run and was
quickly canceled. As is often the case with other shows, however, the series could
attract a better following in syndication because television viewers are generally less
discriminating when viewing choices are few. Syndicated programs usually run early
in the evening, late at night, or on weekends, and often only face weak competition.
In Memory of Poe: A bit of international controversy has grown out of this year's annual tribute by the "Poe Toaster." For the past 56 years on Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a cloaked visitor has snuck into the Baltimore cemetery where Poe is buried, drunk a toast of cognac, and left the partially-filled bottle and three roses on Poe's grave. While the identity of the "Toaster" is not known, two different people (most likely a father and his son) have filled the role since the ritual began. The roses are thought to represent the three people buried beneath Poe's monument, Poe himself, his wife, and his mother-in- law. No one knows why the "Toaster" drinks cognac, a libation with no special significance to Edgar Allan Poe. And there lies the rub! Last month on Poe's birthday, the "Toaster" left a message saying "the sacred memory of Poe and his final resting place is no place for French cognac." The message has been interpreted as an anti-French slur, given in protest of France's opposition to the Iraq war. But the identity of the "Toaster" and the exact meanings of his infrequent messages have always been a mystery. Although several people gather at the cemetery every January 19th in anticipation of the unknown visitor, out of respect for the memory of Edgar Allan Poe, and perhaps for the ritual itself, no one has ever tried to interfere with the strange tradition.
The Rising: Fans of zombie movies may want to pick up a copy of
"The Rising," Brian Keene's new paperback book. A past winner of the Bram
Stoker Award for horror fiction, Keene has successfully tapped into the subgenre of zombie
horror with an action-packed, fast-paced book that pays tribute to movies like Night Of
The Living Dead and 28 Days Later.
Double Scares: Sv Bell, a Montreal filmmaker, has released a new DVD
containing both of his recently produced short movies. The DVD, is definitely worth
a peek. (From January 2003) Diamond Dead: George Romero was recently tapped to direct Diamond
Dead, a dark comedy about an 80s-style rock band that comes back from the dead.
An excellent choice, no doubt... Romero is best known for Night Of The Living
Dead, the black and white cult classic that redefined the horror genre. Of
course, that film was filled with scores of resurrected people of its own, and Romero is
an old hand at dealing with the reanimated dead. Besides his chores as director,
Romero also helped develop Diamond Dead's current script by rewriting the original
screenplay. In addition to Romero, Richard Hartley was chosen to write the music for the project. Hartley has composed musical scores for nearly seventy movies. No stranger to genre films either, he was involved with The Rocky Horror Picture Show as musical director and principal musician.
RIP: Harold von Braunhut, the inventor of Sea Monkeys, died recently. For those too young to remember, Sea Monkeys were tiny brine shrimp dug up from ancient lake bottoms. The monkeys were "resurrected" when water was added to them. For years, Sea Monkeys were a staple of comic book advertisements, one of those goofy things that every kid had to have. Besides the miniature crustaceans, von Braunhut also invented X-Ray Specs, "incredible" glasses that allowed wearers to see through clothing and flesh.
A National Treasure: Young Frankenstein, perhaps the funniest horror spoof ever made, was recently added to the National Film Registry. The registry is a collection of culturally, historically or aesthetically significant movies preserved by the Library of Congress. Directed by Mel Brooks in 1974, Young Frankenstein starred Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, and Madeline Kahn in a hilarious send-up of the Frankenstein monster. Brooks co-wrote the script with Wilder, showing true affection for the horror genre. So much so that it's sometimes hard to watch the original Frankenstein or its sequel, Bride of Frankenstein, without thinking about this wacky comedy.
The King of the Monsters: In honor of the movie's fiftieth anniversary, Rialto Pictures will finally distribute the original Japanese version of Godzilla in the United States. Godzilla will arrive in theaters this spring, minus the Raymond Burr footage which was only added to make the original movie more palatable for American audiences. (Hey, it was the 1950s, after all.) Founded in 1997, Rialto Pictures specializes in theatrical re-releases of classic movies from all genres. The Rialto release will be the first time Godzilla becomes available in this country in its uncut and unadulterated form.
The Legal Beat: Now that a Norwegian court has dismissed charges against a computer programmer accused of breaking DVD encryption codes, Hollywood is likely to step up its efforts for better international copyright laws. The case against Jon Johansen, accused of distributing a software program that "beat" DVD- protection technology, was dismissed late last month because he did nothing wrong under Norwegian law. Although the United States has tough film copyright laws, the Johansen case illustrates that many other countries throughout the world do not. Johansen was originally prosecuted under a Norwegian law that prohibits cracking a computer system to access certain types of data, rather than anti-piracy statutes. The Johansen verdict is not the only recent setback for the entertainment industry. Court systems in Holland and Canada have also sided against Hollywood in related cases. In Holland, judges refused to shut down file swapping sites, while in Canada, the national copyright office said downloading copyrighted works over a peer-to-peer network is legal. Obviously, without stronger international laws, both decisions will make it tougher for the movie industry to go after digital film pirates. (From December 2003) A Bad Idea: Doug Bradley recently told a Texas newspaper that the next installment of the Hellraiser series may feature a crossover with the king of slashers, Halloween's Michael Myers. Better known as Pinhead, the unofficial leader of the Cenobites, Bradley scared the hell out of me the first time I saw him on the screen in the original Hellraiser. Unfortunately, "let's make a quick buck" film producers and the people that work for them are the only things that scare me now. Backers of the proposed project hope to spark the audience that found this year's teaming of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees intriguing. (I know, that must be about two or three dozen people, at most.) Such crossovers are further proof, however, that given the chance, the horror genre will always reach for the lowest rung possible. Although the project is only in the conceptual stage, the crossover is targeted to reach fans by next Halloween.
Another Bad Idea: As if a Hellraiser/Halloween crossover is
not bad enough, another installment of The Amityville Horror is also in the works.
Released in 1979 to both pan and praise, the original film was based on a "true
story" about a Long Island haunted house, and has inspired seven sequels to date. Of
course, each sequel has been worse that its immediate predecessor. Then stay away for good.
Bidding Wars: November was quite a month for collectors of classic horror movie memorabilia. Eager fans scooped up several items at an auction held in Los Angeles, including Boris Karloff's original contract for Frankenstein and a model of a dinosaur used in the original King Kong. Karloff's contract went for nearly $13,000 while the dinosaur fetched over $41,000. On the other side of the country at an auction sponsored by Creepy Classics, the online source for monster, horror, and science fiction films, collectors bid on a beautiful selection of original movie one-sheets, inserts, and lobby cards. Top honors there went to a Son Of Frankenstein poster valued at over $60,000. The most excitement at that auction, though, was generated by a pristine set of lobby cards from The Wolf Man.
Canceled: As we expected here when production was first announced for the series, the WB Network's Tarzan didn't last very long. The struggling cable network canceled the fledgling series last month after a minimum run of shows. No surprise there, the idea of updating the Tarzan mythos seemed lame to begin with. If you miss the show, though, and need a real Tarzan fix, try reading Tarzan Forever, John Taliaferro's excellent biography of the ape man's creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Something Else To Read: Congratulations to best-selling author Stephen King for winning the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. During his acceptance speech, the master of the macabre thanked the judges for recognizing the mass appeal of his books. He also called the award recognition for all of America's popular fiction writers. Despite taking home the big prize, the accolades King received were not without controversy. Many literary critics wondered aloud if King's publication achievements are too commercial to be recognized with such a prestigious honor. (From November 2003) The Big Ape: Peter Jackson has recently completed a script for Universal on a new King Kong movie. Jackson, who is best known as the director and producer of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, will also direct the new film. Naomi Watts most likely will have the lead female role as Ann Darrow, a down and out Broadway singer. Although most horror fans found Watts irresistible in the haunting shocker, The Ring, I think her coolest performance so far has been as Jet in Tank Girl, but a classy dame like Ann Darrow should give Jet a run for her money. King Kong is a true
classic of the horror genre. The original version was a big hit for RKO Radio
Pictures in 1933, even challenging Universal's supremacy as "the monster maker"
of the 1930s. Along with Universal's Dracula and Frankenstein, King
Kong is one of the greatest horror movies of Hollywood's golden decade, and perhaps of
all time. Many film historians consider it one of the most original masterpieces of
cinema, not just a great monster movie. Unfortunately, the imaginative tale was
remade in 1976 as an overblown, over-hyped production that was -- if nothing else -- truly
forgettable. Jackson's version promises to recapture the spirit, era, and feel of
the original. The movie is slated to be filmed in New Zealand, Jackson's homeland and the film location of Lord Of The Rings. It is expected to reach theaters by Christmas, 2005.
The Horror Channel: Investors are currently being sought for a new cable network, tentatively called the Horror Channel. If all goes as planned, the network will be launched by next Halloween. To date, the fledgling enterprise has secured financial commitments of about 20 percent of its needed working capital and hopes to have the rest within the next four months. The Horror Channel's planners have also formed an advisory panel that includes Wes Craven, Tobe Miller, and John Carpenter. An illustrious set of advisors, no doubt, but I'm not sure if that is good or bad news. The advisory panel's membership could indicate a preference for gratuitous violence over characterization and suspense. Let's hope they remember movies like the original King Kong exist, too.
A Guide To The Undead: I spent a lot of time last month watching vampire movies. So much time that I was grateful when Shane MacDougall's new book, The Vampire Slayers' Field Guide to the Undead, crossed my threshold a few days before Halloween. If I would have had this book earlier in the month, I might have enjoyed those movies even more. MacDougal is an excellent writer, a thorough investigator who has spent a considerable amount of time researching the myth and legends of vampires worldwide. You thought you knew all about the Undead? Don't bet on it... not until you read this valuable new resource! "The Vampire Slayers' Field Guide to the Undead" is a complete survey of vampire literature, film, and folklore. Lavishly illustrated and expertly organized, the book is perfect for reading from cover to cover or perusing from country to country as the mood strikes you. It is available from most bookstores or directly from the publisher.
A Horror Fan's Lament: When a very good friend of mine recently lamented the death of horror films I almost disagreed with him. After all, it seems not a week goes by without the release of another new horror movie. So much blood and gore is oozing from suburban multiplexes you'd think we're in the middle of a horror renaissance. And that's the problem, said my friend. Movies like the updated Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Freddie Versus Jason have become mainstream--and, in a way, audiences have become nostalgic for the worst part of the genre, a tiny slice of horror's history. Remakes of movies that twenty years ago would have been relegated to second or third bill at the drive-in are eagerly awaited by throngs of teens and young adults now. Not to forget, the endless stream of sequels in tired old series that were edgy and interesting the first time they appeared, but are now simply caricatures of themselves. Despite how bad these movies really are, each rehashed story is destined to become another box-office hit. At least for a week... Quickly to drop out of sight after setting a new opening record for ticket sales. Although the dollars are rolling in for the "quick-to- make- a- buck" producers of these lousy movies, when was the last time you saw a really scary movie? One of those quiet films that develops characters we can care about and builds a sense of tension and foreboding throughout? 28 Days Later? Yes, that did it for me! This little gem is going to become even more popular now that has been released on DVD. And before that? The Ring? Maybe. But its disappointing final sequence left me feeling angry at the protagonist, Naomi Watts. How could she encourage her son to condemn his friends to their ultimate doom? Not exactly something Larry Talbot would do to rid himself of his own unfortunate curse... How about the eerie ghost story, The Others? It could have made the grade with a little more work, but it had neither depth nor frisson, only a heavy pall of unrelenting creepy atmosphere. An interesting movie to watch once, but likely to be forgotten in the long haul. Then what about the
supernatural thriller, The Sixth Sense? Yes, definitely a very scary movie,
it remains one of my all-time favorites. One that is still chilling after repeated
viewings--even though you know child psychologist Malcolm Crowe is dead. That's not a very good track record, is it? Hardly any real scares amid the carnage of dozens and dozens of toss-away slashers and movies filled with hundreds of leather-clad vampires. What used to be released as direct-to-video features a few short years ago are fast becoming the mainstay of the big screen. Is horror dead? Finally put in the grave by the roar of a new chainsaw. I hope not, but I wonder if my friend isn't right. (From October 2003) As usual, every October I take a break from the news to pursue old habits. As the short autumn days slip away, I feast on a nightly diet of horror movies until Halloween arrives. Slasher movies. Monster movies... It doesn't matter... Movies about ghosts, ghouls, witches, and... Vampires! Ah, yes, vampire movies. What is it about them? The shiny white teeth. The fair maidens. The blood. The stake... Vampires! The best kind of horror movies. Here are thirteen of my favorites. In alphabetical order, of course. I won't call them the thirteen greatest vampire films of all time because I don't want to get anyone angry... and I'd probably pick a different set next week if anybody asked me. Still, they're all enjoyable. That is, if you like vampire movies. Several of these titles are available from Creepy Classics, the online source for classic horror. Unfortunately, though, some are currently out of print... Even vampire movies crumble into dust when exposed to too much sunlight, or the whims of ignorant movie execs. So, here they are. Have fun watching them, and Happy Halloween! Bram Stoker's Count Dracula (1970) -- Pay close attention to the title of this one. It's not the mixed-up, overblown Hollywood release by that celebrity director. No, this is an interesting Spanish production starring Christopher Lee in the title role, supported by Herbert Lom and Klaus Kinski. A somber, eerie film, Count Dracula follows Bram Stoker's storyline much closer than many other vampire movies...but be careful of falling rocks near the end of the movie, especially if you own horses! Brides Of Dracula (1960) -- One of the best Hammer productions about vampires, even without Christopher Lee in the title role. Baron Meinster (actor David Peel as Lee's stand-in) is one of the smoothest vampires in the long line of suave and debonaire bloodsuckers. A tale of family loyalty and motherly responsibility gone horribly wrong...and if you're not in love with Yvonne Monlaur after watching this popular movie, there's something wrong with you. Dracula (1931) -- Not the first vampire story to grace the silver screen, but, I will go out on a limb for this one, certainly the best. I know, it's slow and plodding in most places, and resolves important plot elements rather quickly at the end, but for sheer mood and creepy atmosphere there is none better. Bela Lugosi was at the top of his form in the title role. For quite a few film fans, including me, it's hard to think of anyone other than Lugosi as Dracula. Dracula (1973) -- Not only one of the coolest tellings of the Dracula tale, one of the best made-for-TV movies ever produced. Starring Jack Palance as the Walachian prince, this version of the timeless story of the undead successfully incorporates the legend of Vlad the Impaler as background material. Palance's portrayal of Dracula, filled with both ruthlessness and pathos, was an incredible performance for TV...the ending is one of the best. You'll almost weep for Dracula. Dracula's Daughter (1936) -- Starts off extremely well, right where Lugosi's Dracula ends, but, unfortunately, fizzles out as it looks for a scientific reason for vampirism. The scene of Dracula's funeral pyre, though, is one of the eeriest ever filmed. You can smell the smoke and feel the heat of the flames piercing the cold, black night. Despite its problems as the story progresses, it's still a cool little movie that, like its better-known predecessor, strives for atmosphere over content. From Dusk 'Til Dawn (1995) -- Really two different stories in the same movie. The first is a cousin to Pulp Fiction, the hip movie that was the darling of New York film critics when first released. No surprise there since both Pulp Fiction and From Dusk 'Til Dawn are intimately linked to Quentin Tarantino. The second tale, however, is a rollicking trip through the wild and wooly pleasures found south of the border. Too bad for us, the vampires lurking in the desert badlands have their fun at our expense..."This is my kind of place!" Horror Of Dracula (1958) -- Oddly, I've never been overly fond of this interpretation of Bram Stoker's Dracula story, even though I've always enjoyed watching it. Although I absolutely love Christopher Lee in any sinister role, this Dracula is a bit empty and lifeless (no pun intended there), and in an attempt to avoid legal hassles, mixes the plot line up too much for my tastes. Its importance for horror fans can't be overstated, however; if it hadn't been a hit with audiences, the resurgence of horror movies in the 1960s and 1970s would never have happened. Kiss Of The Vampire (1962) -- Gosh there are a lot of Hammers on this list, and rightfully so. The "House that Horror Built" sure knew vampires. A "must see" for Hammer fans and vampire lovers (or haters) alike. Another production filmed while Christopher Lee was boycotting the role of the Count, but a winner nonetheless. Just thinking about the opening scene in the cemetery and the climax at the castle gives me the creeps. Cheesy effects and some predictably pedestrian acting aside, a good time is guaranteed for all. Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1973) -- Kung fu and vampires! Van Helsing visits China and finds Dracula there. (Yu were expecting someone else!) How could anyone not like this movie? A fast paced story that displays some awfully good martial arts, especially for the time. Yeah, the vampires are slow moving and funny looking. And, yes, even my nephew who just started studying Jeet Kune Do could punch them out with little trouble. But you have to love a movie that successfully blends two of the most popular genres around. Martin (1976) -- A quirky film that is often overlooked and difficult to find. It deserves more attention than it usually receives. Filmed in Pittsburgh on a shoestring budget, it's overshadowed by director George Romero's first film, Night Of The Living Dead. This moody story is the tale of a young man who may be an ageless vampire set adrift in a modern world, or simply a sex-starved psychopath suffering from severe depression... Bloody and gray, but don't miss it. Nosferatu (1922 & 1979) -- You can't watch either version of this classic tale without some morbid curiosity about the other. Whether it's the original, silent movie, or the somber remake from over fifty years later, Nosferatu is a chilling tale of vampirism and the plague. If you have the time, watch both versions back to back on Halloween night after the last "trick or treater" leaves. That is the best treat you'll get all night, but keep your finger on the fast forward button to whiz through a handful of scenes that go on way too long. Scream, Blacula, Scream (1972) -- Despite its roots as a blaxploitation film, Scream, Blacula, Scream is a neat horror movie that seems to have been forgotten except by the most ardent film fans. Although it doesn't always hit the mark, and seems to be suffering from bipolar disease at times, this quintessential Seventies flick can still deliver the scares. A sequel to the unexpected hit, Blacula, this one is a whole lot more fun because it abandoned all attempts to be socially relevant during turbulent times and concentrated on simply being a good horror movie. Vampire (1979) -- Sorry about this one, but as far as I know, this made-for-TV movie is only available as a used video. And that's too bad, because it is very, very good. At least I think it is, I only saw it once on late night TV one hot summer night. Starring E.G. Marshall as a retired cop helping an architect avenge the loss of his wife to a vampire, I remember it as a hell of a scary movie. Written by Steven Bochco, the creator of TV's groundbreaking cop series, Hill Street Blues, I actually hope I never see it again... for fear it may not be as good as I remember. (From September 2003) Enter the Dragon: In most video stores it's only a few feet from the horror aisle to the martial arts rack--quite close in distance, but miles away in attitude and appreciation. Unless the store clerks in your area have exceptionally eclectic tastes, don't look for help in choosing a good movie from the Orient. Likely you'll get a blank stare when you tell the clerk you've already seen Iron Monkey three times and want something different. Not that anything's wrong with Iron Monkey. It's one of the best kung fu movies to hit video stores in ages... But it would be nice to have some real help when ferreting out "little known" eastern gems. Don't give up, though. Help has finally arrived in the pages of a new book, Dragon: Asian Action And Cult Flicks, a spin-off of the best-selling VideoHound's Cult Flicks & Trash Pics. Brian Thomas, the book's author and a founding member of the Psychotronic Film Society, has written an in-depth encyclopedia of Hong Kong action, Japanese monsters, kung fu, anime, Filipino horror, and just about every other Asian genre. Nearly a thousand pages in length, and with a foreword by martial arts champion and action film star, Cynthia Rothrock, if an Asian film isn't reviewed in this book, you probably don't want to see it.
The Godfather of Gore: Sick-O-Scope Motion Pictures and Novelty Manufacturing Company has entered a joint agreement with Trans-Pacific Media to remake five horror movies by cult legend Herschell Gordon Lewis. First up, The Wizard Of Gore, the 1971 story about a magician whose bloody stage tricks prove fatal. Other titles in development include Blood Feast, She-Devils On Wheels, Color Me Blood Red, and Gruesome Twosome. Each remake is budgeted under $1 million and will honor the spirit of the original while updating the settings and plots. Lewis, commonly known as the Godfather of Gore, introduced realistic violence to horror films in the early 1960s. His style is credited with influencing many later gorefests, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, and Nightmare On Elm Street.
Demonic Trouble: Undisclosed sources have reported that the producers of the Exorcist prequel, The Beginning, are unhappy with the film's director, Paul Schrader. Apparently, Schrader completed a spiritually deeper, more introspective movie than the producers wanted, and is now fighting with the film's financial backers for post-production funding. A tentative release date in early February has been announced for the movie, but that seems doubtful. Unless the disagreement can be resolved soon, that is, and Schrader is allowed to get on with his work.
Orville's Movie Treat: Like a free DVD rental? Then look for specially marked packages of Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn on your grocer's shelves. Some microwave popcorn now in stores comes with a coupon redeemable for a free movie rental through the mail.
At the Box-Office: Although all of the numbers are not in yet, it looks like movie attendance during the prime summer months dropped about three percent from last year. Of course, the overall downturn in the economy is partially to blame for flat attendance, especially with ticket prices creeping higher and higher, but let's call a spade a spade. With few exceptions, Hollywood's expected summer blockbusters failed to sustain any interest after their opening weekends. Why? Because most of the summer crop were poorly conceived stories, bloated with special effects, and lacking characters of any substance or depth. A feast for the eyes, but empty calories for the mind. I eagerly awaited several movies this summer, including Hulk and The League Of Extraordinary Gentleman, only to be disappointed. This summer's batch of movies was the worst in a long time. Having said that, I will confess to one guilty pleasure, a late season viewing of Pirates Of The Carribean. I put off seeing this quirky treat until the last week of August, succumbing a few days before my daughter returned to college. Pirates Of The Carribean is a goofy movie and a little uneven in spots, but Johnny Depp definitely delivered the goods once again. Not only proving he is one of the best actors in Hollywood today, but also that good character development makes for a good movie every time.
Birthday Wishes: Belated birthday wishes go out to Ray Bradbury, America's greatest living writer. Bradbury turned 83 last month. (From August 2003) Is There A Lawyer In The House? One thing is always true in a court of law. When one lawsuit is settled, there's always another one right behind it. So none of us should be surprised with recent events in the legal world. First, William Peter Blatty and William Friedkin have finally settled their suit against Warner Brothers. Blatty, the author of the best-selling book, The Exorcist, and Friedkin, the director of the 1973 horror movie classic by the same name, filed suit two years ago after The Exorcist was re-released in a restored version. Their lawsuit claimed Warner Brothers and the cable networks TNT and TBS misrepresented the revenue gained from the restored film. Friedkin and Blatty had been seeking over ten million dollars before they settled out-of-court for an undisclosed amount. Shortly before The Exorcist suit was resolved, cast members from TV's horror-spoof, The Munsters, were beginning their own proceedings against International Game Technology, Universal Studios and Monaco Entertainment Corporation. Al Lewis, Butch Patrick and Pat Priest want their likenesses removed from 7,500 slot machines that were installed in casinos and other gambling houses without their permission. Yvonne DeCarlo, the remaining regular cast member who is still alive is not part of the suit. Fred Gwynne, the patriarch of the Munster family, died in 1993.
The Everborn: Nicholas Grabowsky, the author of several horror books in the 80s and 90s, including the novelization of Halloween IV, has recently optioned his new book, The Everborn, as a movie. According to Grabowsky, The Everborn tells a tale of alien beings who "fell from heaven at the dawn of history and fathered themselves in a bizarre reincarnation cycle throughout the ages."
Sexy Scares In Montreal: Cold Blonded Murders, a short horror film by
Sv Bell and Patrick Aird has been released and is available for purchase at Bell's
website. The movie, which was shot on location in Montreal, will have its world
premier this month at Fantasia 2003, Canada's annual horror and science fiction expo.
Upcoming On TV: Production is expected to begin soon on two mini-series for Hallmark Entertainment. The go-ahead has been given by Hallmark's top brass to begin filming a remake of King Solomon's Mines and a new version of Frankenstein. Although likely to be shown on Hallmark's own cable TV network sometime next year, there is a chance a larger cable network may scoop up both mini- series instead.
A New Ending: The unexpected horror hit of the summer, 28 Days Later, surprised fans again by tacking on a second ending to the movie. Although the original upbeat ending still concludes the movie, a more gloomy alternative ending now follows the credits. Alternative endings have become a fairly standard feature on DVDs lately, but as far as anyone can tell, this is the first time a theatrical release has presented two possible endings on the same reel. Occasionally in the past, though, there have been tricky marketing schemes that released the same film with different endings, but film-goers were required to pay two separate admissions to see more than one ending.
Disposable DVDs: The Disney Company will soon market a disposable DVD that, in a way, is aimed more at the rental market than those of us who buy DVDs. The new kind of DVD will be priced less than a normal purchase because it disintegrates after 48 hours. Once the plastic wrapping is opened, a chemical process will begin that makes the DVD useless, eventually. Why would anyone want a disposable DVD? Disney is gambling that its pricing strategy will make the new medium attractive to the typical movie renter, not the typical movie buyer. The idea is that renters will love them because of the lower price, and because they don't have to be returned. Dubbed EZ-Ds, the new DVDs are expected to hit the market next month. They should be available in discount department stores and convenience marts rather than through traditional DVD distributors like Suncoast Video, Blockbuster, or Best Buy. (From July 2003) Hell's Highway: Although it's unlikely to have a wide distribution, look for Hell's Highway to sneak in and out of town sometime this month or next. The true story of highway safety films, Hell's Highway is a documentary about the short educational movies that high school students were subjected to during health and driver-ed classes in the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies. Not great cinema by any means, but the ghoulish earnestness of the movies documented in Hell's Highway provides an interesting footnote for film historians and genre enthusiasts alike. Too many of these quick educational movies have been lost because cultural norms have changed and classroom curriculums have little room for crashing cars, speeding ambulances, and an endless stream of broken bodies. And that's too bad, because as goofy as some of these movies were, they provided a unique perspective on American life and mores. Besides... for horror fans, the real-life gore of bloody car accidents beats the cheesy special effects found in most theatrical movies nowadays.
The Grandmaster Is Honored: Ray Harryhausen, the grandmaster of special effects, was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 83-year-old Harryhausen is best known for his stop-action techniques in films like 20 Million Miles To Earth, Mysterious Island, The Valley Of Gwangi, First Men In The Moon, Clash Of The Titans, and, one of my favorite movies, Jason And The Argonauts. Was there ever a more exiting scene than Jason's band of adventurers battling armed skeletons?
More Honors For Frailty: On the heels of a similar achievement two months ago, Frailty received the Bram Stoker Award for Best Screenplay last month. Presented annually by the Horror Writers Association, the Bram Stoker Awards recognize superior achievement in the horror genre. Also among the award winners were Tom Piccirilli for his book, The Night Class, Ray Bradbury for his short fiction collection, One More For The Road, and Steve and Melanie Tem for their multimedia CD, Imagination Box.
Dawn Of The Dead: Filming has started on a remake of the 1978 George Romero film, Dawn Of The Dead. Scheduled for location shooting throughout this summer, the movie is expected to reach theaters by early next spring. Richard Rubinstein, who co-produced the original with Dario Agento, is producing the remake. Zack Snyder, a novice director, has been tapped by Rubinstein to take the helm of this time around. Romero is not involved with the project.
House Of 1000 Corpses: The eagerly awaited DVD for Rob Zombie's House Of 1000 Corpses is scheduled for release next month on August 12th. Marking his writing and directorial debut, Zombie created the film in the vein of classic splatter movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Last House On The Left. Zombie's first movie focuses on a small group of college students who run into a demented family in the backwoods of America and find a gruesome house of terrors. Many reviewers have called it one of the best horror movies released this year. (From June 2003) Vampires On Broadway: Elton John and longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin are currently working on a Broadway show based on Anne Rice's vampire books. Tentatively titled, "The Vampire Chronicles," the musical will be Elton John's third Broadway production. It is the first time, however, that Taupin will be penning lyrics for a musical. Although not actively involved in the project, Rice is cooperating with its development, too. In a recent radio interview, Elton John said he is extremely excited about the upcoming show. "The music will have a classical feel to it," he told listeners. The last Broadway musical with a vampire theme, "Dance of the Vampires," went belly-up shortly after it debuted late last year. Based on Roman Polanski's 1967 horror spoof, The Fearless Vampire Killers, the campy score of "Dance of the Vampires" was the worst music to hit the Great White Way in a long time. I'm not convinced any Broadway show based on foul creatures of the night can succeed, not even one written by a music giant like Elton John, but maybe a classical theme will work better. Don't plan your trip to see "The Vampire Chronicles" just yet, though. The show will not reach Manhattan until the 2005 theater season.
DVD Players: As most electronics retailers had hoped, sales of DVD players are way ahead of last year. More than 4.4 million players were bought during the first quarter of the year, an increase of 24 percent over the same period in 2002.
Empty Seats: Although the summer blockbuster season is just starting, box-office receipts through the first half of the year are less than last year's record-breaking numbers. Unfortunately for the movie industry, not only are ticket receipts down by 6 percent from last year, the number of actual viewers in theaters has also fallen by about 11 percent. While movies like the Matrix Reloaded, X-Men 2, Hulk, and the final chapter of Lord Of The Rings will certainly boost attendance, fewer and fewer movies have the ability to keep our attention beyond opening weekend.
Zoned Out: Not surprisingly, UPN has canceled The Twilight Zone after only one season. As is usually the case with remade TV series, reincarnations of classic programs never catch the spirit of the original and fail to rekindle or hold the interest of old fans or attract sufficient new viewers. While the newest version of
the The Twilight Zone wasn't altogether bad, especially for an also-ran cable
network like UPN, its predictable plots and false poignancy failed to ignite any real
passion on the screen. Maybe if the revised series had been called something else,
there would be a second season for it. I think there is a place on TV for a weekly
anthology of macabre tales, but please don't call it The Twilight Zone.
Award Time: Congratulations to the winners of this year's International Horror Guild Awards. Receiving best honors in the film category was Frailty, an absolutely creepy story about revenge, family ties, and responsibility. Other award winners were Dan Simmons for his book, A Winter Haunting, and Charles L. Grant for lifetime achievement.
See You At The Bash: Later this month, I'll be at the Monster Bash, the classic horror and science fiction film convention. I'll be helping out with the festivities and hawking used books, so if you're planning a trip to the Bash yourself, stop by the Dark Runes table and say hello. (From May 2003) Kudos For Carradine: During a recent ceremony held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, actor John Carradine was inducted posthumously into the Hall of Great Western Performers. Carradine, who died in 1988 at the age of 82, appeared in more than 500 movies during his career, many of them westerns and horror films. One of those movies, Dracula versus Billy the Kid, even blended the two genres and became known as one of the worst movies ever made. Carradine is best remembered by horror fans, however, as Dracula in the 1940 Universal classic, House of Frankenstein. He was also a mainstay of horror quickies, usually popping up as a drunken bum or a down on his luck "Everyman." Two of my favorite Carradine roles are typical of his regular acting beat, as an aging werewolf in The Howling and as an undertaker in John Wayne's last film, The Shootist. Because he toiled in so many cheap horror and western movies, though, it's easy to forget Carradine was an accomplished actor who could move audiences with his quirky delivery and odd mannerisms. His portrayal of Casey, the backwoods philosopher in The Grapes of Wrath, ranks as one of the most powerful performances of cinema history. It's a pity he wasn't blessed with other roles like that throughout his long career.
Another AFI list: If it's spring, it's time for another AFI list celebrating the American movie experience. This year's theme from the American Film Institute is "100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains." Over three dozen characters from classic horror movies have been nominated, including Frankenstein's monster, the Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dr. Moreau, King Kong, and the Invisible Man. More modern characters like Hannibal Lecter, Freddie Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Minnie and Roman Castevet, and Leatherface have also been nominated. Winners will be announced during a TV special in early June when the list of 400 nominations is whittled down to 50 villains and 50 heroes.
Bram Stoker Awards: Stephen King and Jerry Williamson were recently presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Horror Writers Association. Both King and Williamson have written more than 30 horror novels each. The HWA also announced its nominations for several other awards, including best screenplay. Receiving nominations were Frailty, Minority Report, The Ring, and Signs. Winners will be announced next month.
Going Bananas: According to the Guinness Book of Records, Cheeta, the animal star of several classic Tarzan movies, is the oldest chimpanzee in the world. As befits a veteran actor, the primate currently lives in Palm Springs, California. In case you're wondering, Cheeta is 71 and his cousins in the wild usually live about 60 years.
What Am I Bid For: A letter written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1840 was recently auctioned at the famous auction house, Christie's, for $20,000. The letter was discovered inside a safe of a Milwaukee church about fifteen months ago. Proceeds from the sale will support the music program at the church. A letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, in which he mentioned both "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables," garnered $24,000 during the same auction proceedings.
RPG and Books: Things are jumping at Eden Studios these days. A very successful developer of macabre role-playing games, Eden has recently secured the rights to produce roleplaying and card games based on the cult-favorite movie, Army of Darkness. This follows hot on the heels of Eden's new zombie anthology, "The Book of Final Flesh." From the battle-torn skies over World War I France to the corridors of alien prisoner-of-war satellites, and from the opium dens of exotic Victorian Shanghai to the living rooms of suburban America, the zombies rise up. "The Book of Final Flesh" presents more than twenty tales of the living dead.
It's Almost Here: Exorcist: The Beginning has finally wrapped production and is eyeing a July release date. With any luck, the much awaited prequel to the 1973 smash hit, The Exorcist, will be more like the original than any of the awful sequels. The original is one of my favorite movies and, according to many horror fans, one of the scariest movies ever made. Can we hope for anything more? (From April 2003) Curtis Harrington: Legendary director Curtis Harrington, best known for horror films The Killing Kind, What's The Matter With Helen? and Night Tide, and several TV action series, is currently looking for financing for his next project, Cranium. The long-delayed movie about a mad scientist is eagerly awaited by Harrington's legions of fans. Although Harrington's most recent film, Usher, has enjoyed considerable success in Europe, it is difficult to find in this country and seldom screened. Harrington directed and starred in Usher, a short film based on Edgar Allan Poe's, "The Fall of the House of Usher."
Oh, Really: Some movies have a way of never dying. No matter what you say about them, and how hard some people try to forget them, they always come back some way. Well, Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 is no exception. Remember that clunker? According to a poll taken for the cable channel TRIO, Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 has the dubious distinction of being the worst sequel of all time. No surprise there, Book Of Shadows also won a Razzie Award in 2000, the year of its release, as worst picture of the year and was universally panned by fans and critics alike. Sometimes I wonder, though. Didn't anybody like Book Of Shadows just a little? Or at least the scene with Erica Leerhsen dancing nude in the moonlight?
Speaking of the Razzies: The horror film industry is basking in the glow of a
great year at the Razzies. For the uninitiated, the Razzies Awards are an annual
send-up of the Oscars, "dishonoring" the year's worst movies and acting
performances. Presented annually by the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, this year's winner, or loser, depending on how you look at it, was Swept Away, starring Madonna. Judging by the box-office receipts, few people suffered through the agony of this frightening romantic comedy. Hmmnn! Maybe a horror movie did win, after all!
Howling At The Moon: I've been working my way through a stack of DVDs that have been piling up over several months and finally got around to watching Le Pacte des Loups (The Brotherhood Of The Wolf). Although one of the biggest movies ever produced in France (I know, that's not saying much), it breezed through the US market in a few weeks and made less than $8 million at the American box office. Based on the legend of a wolf that terrorized the French countryside in the 18th Century, Le Pacte des Loups is a genre- bending film that is difficult to describe. But if you've ever hoped for a film that successfully meshes martial arts, political intrigue, historical romance, new age mysticism, and a tiny bit of horror, then this is the movie for you. Most importantly, though, it is an action-packed joyride that won't disappoint you. Even at a length of about two and a half hours, it is very, very good movie. But believe me, it is also very, very different. (From March 2003) Daredevil: Despite receiving a lukewarm response from film
critics, the comic book industry's latest foray into movies, Daredevil, debuted
last month with a $43.5 million initial weekend. Although Daredevil's first
weekend translated into the second-best February debut ever, and the best opening over a
Presidents Day weekend, it lagged behind the debut of Hannibal two years ago. Hannibal
earned $58 million its first weekend. Up next for Marvel? X-Men 2 in May, followed by The Hulk one month later.
Claustrophobia: Claustrophobia, a new horror thriller by independent filmmaker, Mark Tapio Kines, is currently in post-production. Featuring Judy O'Dea from the original Night Of The Living Dead in a small but pivotal role, Claustrophobia promises to be a new type of horror film, a thinking man's movie with plenty of fear but little gore. Kines has also struck upon a novel idea to spread the word about his upcoming film. He has developed six posters to be used during distribution and is asking genre fans to vote for their favorite. You can cast your vote by visiting the Website of his production company, Cassava Films.
Boom: There have been a number of explosions in caskets during recent Swedish cremations. Although the explosions are primarily the result of undetected pacemakers left in the dead bodies, cosmetic breast implants and farewell tokens of liquor have also been blamed in some cases.
On The Small Screen: Horror fans may be interested in two new TV productions headed our way. The first, a remake of Salem's Lot, the Stephen King bestseller from the mid-seventies, will begin production next month. King's book was successfully adapted for TV once before, a very scary miniseries starring David Soul, Lance Kerwin, and James Mason. The second, Evil Never Dies, is a re- telling of the Frankenstein story, but set in modern times. Evil Never Dies will debut on TBS this summer. No date or network have been set for Salem's Lot, which is just beginning production next month.
RIP: Joe Connelly, one of the creators of the mid-sixties TV horror- spoof, The Munsters, died last month. Connelly was 85. Besides The Munsters, Connelly helped develop another TV classic, Leave It To Beaver.
Plain Jane, Plain Stupid: Some things are just plain stupid. The WB TV Network is currently producing a pilot for a new Tarzan series. In their updating of the classic jungle tale, however, Tarzan is brought to New York, by his uncle, the head of Greystoke Enterprises. In New York, Tarzan meets Jane, a New York City police detective. With apologies to Johnny Weismuller, it seems WB's dialog to its audience is, "Me, Tarzan. You, stupid!"
Macabre Vacation Destination: We've reported on preliminary plans for a Dracula theme park in the past, but the project looks like it will really happen now. Romanian officials recently announced that the $31 million park based on the Dracula legend will be built near Snagov Lake, a resort area near the supposed burial site of Vlad the Impaler, the bloodthirsty Wallachian prince. I'm not sure, but I think Romanian officials have been speaking to WB Network bigwigs in Manhattan. I don't know about you, but a Dracula theme park just strikes me as an awfully dumb idea.
Way To Go: A class action lawsuit was filed late last month in Chicago against Classic Cinemas and Loews, claiming the two theater chains are running too many commercials before feature presentations. The lawsuit is asking for nominal financial damages, but more importantly, that commercials be dropped or newspaper ads give the actual start times for movies. No complaints were made about showing movie trailers a year before the actual movie is released. The inclusion of that would have made this lawsuit perfect. (From February 2003) Another Record Broken: As expected by most movie industry insiders, 2002 was another record-breaking year at the box office. About 1.5 billion people bought movie tickets last year. That was the highest number of tickets sold in any year since 1959, which translated into the highest gross in ticket sales in film history -- over $9 billion.
Horror In The Big Apple: Once again the New York City Horror Film Festival will be held at the prestigious Tribeca Film Center in lower Manhattan. Scheduled for late October, the annual event will feature special screenings, parties, celebrity guests, and free giveaways. As a prelude to October's spooky activities, the Festival is now accepting submissions for its annual horror film competition. Prizes will be awarded for both short and feature length movies. Complete details on the competition are available at the Festival's Website.
Dumbledore Casting Set: Ian McKellen, who starred as Gandalf in both Lord Of The Rings movies (The Fellowship Of The Ring and The Two Towers), has agreed to replace the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore in the next Harry Potter movie. Another Rings alumnus, Christopher Lee, had been rumored under consideration for the Dumbledore role, too. Lee and McKellen will appear together again in the final installment of the Rings trilogy, The Return Of The King.
The Bite Of A Bat: According to Dr. Robert Medcalf, of Australia's Monash University, the saliva of vampire bats may someday be used in treating strokes. Medcalf's studies have shown that vampire bats secrete a clot-dissolving substance with their bites that could possibly be given to stroke victims to dissolve clots and limit brain damage. Although the theory has shown promise in laboratory mice, no tests have occurred on humans yet.
A Costly Failure: As we predicted last month, Dance Of The Vampires, the campy Broadway musical based on the 1967 movie, The Fearless Vampire Killers, has had its coffin lid closed permanently. The musical debuted this past December to a lukewarm audience response. Less than two months later, a stake was driven through the uneven production that had difficulty defining exactly what it was. Although the macabre musical was not the fastest closing show ever produced on Broadway, its whopping $12 million initial investment makes it one of the biggest losers in the history of the Great White Way. An edgier version of the show is still playing in Stuttgart, Germany.
Gotta Love Those Indies: Christopher P. Garetano, the publisher of Are You Going? magazine, is currently developing two independent movie projects aimed at revitalizing horror films. The first, Horror Business, is a documentary about independent horror filmmakers Dante Tomaselli, Ron Atkins, Larry Fessenden, and Mark Borchardt. The movie will also feature interviews with Rob Zombie, John Russo, George Romero, and others. Garetano's second project will share the same name as his magazine and promises to be a return to the gritty, uninhibited filmmaking of the 1970s. (From January 2003) Clipped Wings: Despite having an imaginative premise, gorgeous female leads, and a promising premier episode a few months ago, the WB Network's Birds of Prey failed to take flight and has fallen to the ground. Based on the DC Comics story of the same name, Birds of Prey teamed Barbara Gordon and Helena Kyle as crime fighters in New Gotham City. For the uninitiated, Gordon was formerly known as Batgirl until the Joker brutally wounded her. Now she fights crime from a wheelchair and is known as Oracle. Kyle is the illegitimate daughter of Catwoman and Batman, and fights the bad guys as the megahuman Huntress. I've been a fan of DC Comics
since I was a kid and had a lot of hope for this show. Although the success of Birds
of Prey was almost assured by the legions of DC fans and teenaged boys who flocked to
its first episode, it soon failed miserably and was canceled after only filming thirteen
episodes. A lot of things! Sure, everyone in it was pretty... very, very pretty, indeed... but there was no substance behind all those good looks. Series actresses Dina Meyer, Ashley Scott, Rachel Skarsten, and Mia Sara were certainly easy to look at, and I'm sure going to miss them on Wednesday nights, but...the stories were downright stupid...the dialog was lame...the acting cold and distant. And worst of all, there was never any emotional connection between the characters themselves, nor between the characters and the audience. Why would anyone watch such one-dimensional people week after week? So Birds Of Prey was canceled? Don't ask why, just ask who cares?
Van Helsing: Production starts this month on Van Helsing,
a big-budget retelling of the Dracula story. Directed and written by Stephen Sommers
of recent Mummy fame, Universal Studio's "reimagining" (as the filmmakers
are calling it) will star Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing, Richard Roxburgh as Dracula, Shuler
Hensley as Frankenstein's monster, and Will Kemp as the Wolf Man. Van Helsing is currently scheduled for release in the spring of 2004. That is, if there is still a Universal Studios to release the film by then. Unfortunately, the company has been plagued with financial difficulty for some time and there is no end in sight to its monetary woes. Top brass in New York recently demanded budget cuts throughout all division of the huge entertainment conglomerate, including pre-production activities of Van Helsing. So far, though, most cuts have come from Universal's three record labels and its Florida theme park. But with a projected budget of $160 million, Van Helsing is sure to face a constant battle with the company's bean counters until it finally arrives in local theaters.
Neon Lights on Broadway: Looking for something to do on your next visit to the Big Apple? Although you may be tempted by the gothic delights of the new Broadway musical, Dance Of The Vampires, save yourself thirty or forty bucks and skip this macabre performance. Dance Of The Vampires is a pseudo-campy musical based on Roman Polanski's 1967 horror spoof, The Fearless Vampire Killers. With its goofy pedigree, it could have been a winner. Like too many other uninspired live shows, it promises much but delivers little. A stupid storyline...lame dialog...uninspired acting... Wait a minute! Maybe it was based on Birds Of Prey, not The Fearless Vampire Killers, one of the funniest horror comedies ever made. Fortunately, though, Dance of the Vampires is unlikely to survive a harsh winter in New York City. Theater goers will surely drive a stake through its heart before too long. That is, if anyone can find its heart!
How'd You Get So Funky? A recent article in the British Medical Journal suggests that King Tut's curse may have been nothing more than a myth. According to newspapers of the day, King Tut's tomb was sealed with a death curse calling for the demise of anyone who disturbed the eternal sleep of the young Egyptian pharaoh. The myth began when Lord Carnarvon, the expedition's financial sponsor, died unexpectedly a few weeks after the tomb was opened. Contrary to popular belief, however, reports Dr. Mark Nelson, a modern day researcher from Monash University in Australia, most of the people who witnessed the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 didn't die until many years later.
Another Myth Debunked: Family members of Ray L. Wallace have admitted he created an American myth in 1958 when he became the first man to find evidence of Bigfoot. Wallace allegedly invented the Bigfoot legend and "fooled" the public with fake footprints of the giant manlike creature. Over the years, Wallace also shot photographs and recorded sounds he claimed were of Bigfoot. He may also have played a part in an actual sighting of the monster captured on film in 1967. Wallace died recently at the age of 84. His family is hoping their admission of Wallace's role in creating the myth will finally set the record straight.
Demonic Lawsuits: A federal judge recently threw out William Blatty and William Friedkin's lawsuit against Warner Brothers. Blatty is the author of the novel, The Exorcist, and Friedkin is the director of the 1973 movie based on Blatty's book. The two men claimed they own the copyright to a reedited version of the movie, but Warner Brothers disputed that claim. The U.S. District Court judge presiding over the case sided with the film company and dismissed the suit in late November. In spite of the judge's action, Blatty and Friedkin may still see justice served. A separate suit against cable-TV giants, TNT and TBS, as well as Warner Brothers, is pending. That suit claims the two cable networks and Warner have hidden revenue from Blatty and Friedkin to avoid paying them contractually obligated profits from the sale of videos and DVDs.
Can't Keep A Good Zombie Down: Looking for a good read over the cold winter months? Try The Book of More Flesh, the latest print release from Eden Studios, presenting twenty-three tales of zombie horror. Like Eden's first collection of short stories, The Book of More Flesh is inspired by its popular role-playing game, All Flesh Must Be Eaten. Eden's next project? A straight-to-video movie, also based on the game. With the amount of creativity and imagination shown by Eden Studios in all its other projects, the movie is sure to be a hit. (From December 2002) Frailty: You may have missed it at the local megaplex, but Frailty is a film worth checking out, now that it's available on video and DVD. Released earlier this year to an undeserved lukewarm reception, Frailty is one of those psychological thrillers that sneaks up and grabs you when you're least expecting it. Fortunately, though, Frailty's steady, suspenseful build-up is much better suited for the mature word-of-mouth audience usually found browsing rental racks, not the mindless legions flocking to every big budget blockbuster that hits neighborhood screens. It is a smartly crafted gem for intelligent viewers only.
Evil Dead Alums: Bruce Campbell, best known as Ash, the square-jawed star of the Evil Dead series, will star in two more made-for-TV movies, both aimed at science fiction fans. Scheduled to air late next year, or in early 2004, the movies are being produced for the SCI FI Channel. Campbell's most recent foray into the made-for-TV arena resulted in Terminal Invasion, a rather silly, but nonetheless fun, Sci Fi Channel "original" that successfully ripped off The Thing and every other alien horror movie like it. Campbell "may" also have a key role in The Amazing Spider Man, the sequel to this year's blockbuster about everybody's favorite webslinger. That is, of course, if Pulitzer-winning writer and comic book fan, Michael Chabon, can rescue the original script and deliver a memorable screenplay. The Amazing Spider Man will be directed by Campbell's fellow Evil Dead alumnus, Sam Raimi.
Speaking of Spider Man: Stan Lee, the creator of Spider Man and most other Marvel Comics superheroes, filed a $10 million lawsuit against his former company last month. Lee's suit claims that Marvel has failed to share the enormous profits from its recent film projects. The response from Marvel Entertainment, the parent company of Marvel Comics, was that it is in full compliance with all legal agreements between Lee and the company. Besides, says the Marvel corporate office in a statement worthy of Jonah Jameson, the Daily Bugle's cheapskate editor, there have been no profits from the movie yet. And you know what? In the crazy world of creative film industry bookkeeping, that's probably true.
Harry Potter: With the death of actor Richard Harris this past October, rumors have circulated that Christopher Lee may be tapped for the third installment of the Harry Potter series, The Prisoner Of Azkaban. Harris portrayed head wizard Albus Dumbledore in the first two Potter films, and Lee is supposedly slated to replace him in that role. So far, though, Lee has denied the rumor.
Another Death: Film director Andre De Toth also died this past October, at the age of 89. Although he directed nearly forty films in a career that began in the late 1930's, De Toth is mostly remembered as the director of the 3-D horror classic, House Of Wax. Filmed in 1953, House Of Wax was probably the best 3-D movie made, a remarkable distinction since De Toth only had one eye and was unable to perceive 3-D effects.
Scrub A Dub Dub: CleanFlicks is a family-oriented video editing and rental service that is gaining a cadre of loyal customers who love movies, but hate gratuitous sex, violence, and profanity. Headquartered in Utah, CleanFlicks has opened over 65 stores nationwide since incorporating about two years ago. And more are on the way. What's CleanFlicks all about? Well... if you send them a copy of your favorite video, they'll remove all objectionable parts and return it so your whole family can watch, free of nudity, foul language, and gore. CleanFlicks stores also have pre-laundered videos available for rent, so you don't have to ruin your own copy of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre if you want to share the experience with your own family.
Say It Isn't So: Casting has begun on Hellraiser: Deader, the seventh installment of the series nobody cares about anymore. This imaginative creation from the mind of Clive Barker has long lost its steam in an endless flow of blood and gore. Why, oh, why, won't these movies die? Of course... Like the last two outings in the series, Hellraiser: Deader is being developed for the straight-to-video market and will not be released in theaters. And, uhmm...well, okay, I'll admit it, my friends already know anyway. I can't wait to see Pinhead again, even if it is only on the home screen. (From November 2002) London After Midnight: A hearty "thank you" goes out to Turner Classic Movies for bringing a reconstructed version of the lost silent movie, London After Midnight, partially back from the dead. While other cable channels pay lip service to film preservation and give us the same old, unexciting movies, Turner continues to mine studio vaults for the shiniest gems of our film heritage. Unfortunately, though, Turner's version of the 1927 London After Midnight was not a complete reconstruction, but rather a noteworthy compilation of more than 200 still photos strung together according to a continuity script and accompanied by a lively musical score. Still, Turner's London After Midnight offered a rare glimpse of a silent film that may truly be lost forever.
Weirder Than Fiction: In a frightening real life imitation of a bad horror movie, a 65-year-old man who died last month was found covered with human tooth marks. Police in Modesto, California, said that the man's wife allegedly bit him repeatedly during an argument over sex. A local pathologist believes that the bites, while not actually killing the man, led to his untimely death.
Phantasm's End: Although nothing is certain yet, Don Coscarelli, the director of the Phantasm movies, recently told the SCI FI Wire that a fifth installment of the eerie series may become a reality. Interest in the series remains high among fans, and a new installment of the story is anticipated once financial backing for the project is found. You may remember that Angus Scrimm, the Tall Man from the first four Phantasm films, echoed Coscarelli's thoughts in an exclusive interview with us last year. At the time of the interview, Scrimm was eager to reprise one of the "crunchiest" roles in his career.
They Crawl: When a computer whiz named Bean dies in a deliberate explosion, his brother, an Army lieutenant on involuntary leave, teams up with an attractive policewoman to find out who murdered him. The trail leads to false identities, more deaths, and a government conspiracy. Not exactly the stuff of horror? Don't bet on it. Director John Allardice's debut film, They Crawl, is a modern thriller that successfully catches the spirit of a good old-fashioned, genetic mutation monster movie. You remember those, I'm sure, they were a staple of drive-ins and Saturday matinees during the fifties and sixties. Just about every type of creepy, crawly insect has made it to the screen in the past. And this time, it's genetically mutated cockroaches! Starring Mickey Rourke, Tone Loc, Daniel Cosgrove, and Teresa Davies, They Crawl was released last month for direct to home viewing. It is an entertaining movie, perfect for a brisk November night or dreary weekend afternoon.
Everybody's Favorite Producer: The show biz chronicle, Variety, recently reported that Roger Corman will soon begin production on an action comedy about a criminal who impersonates a superhero. Tentatively titled, Captain Justice, Corman also expects to publish a new comic book as a companion to the movie.
Tech News: Microsoft is easing the DVD-copying restrictions of its new Windows XP Media Center software. Microsoft had planned to restrict the operating system's digital recording capability by limiting playback to the same computer that made the recording. Significant consumer outrage, however, has convinced the giant software corporation to expand the practicality of the software by allowing recordings to be played on any equipment with the same operating system.
More Tech News: IBM has been chosen to operate a new video-on-demand service being spearheaded by five major movie studios. The new service is set to launch sometime next month, supposedly allowing quicker and convenient movie downloads, for a fee, than are currently available.
Remembering the Silents: Congratulations to Bob Mitchell, an incredibly talented musician and longtime film fan. Bob celebrated his 90th birthday last month at the Downtown Palace Theater in Los Angeles, playing a musical score to accompany the Buster Keaton silent comedy, Seven Chances. Bob has been an organist for most of his life, and an accompanyist for silent movies since 1924. He can still be heard twice a week at Hollywood's Silent Movie Theater, a Los Angeles movie house exclusively devoted to the silent era. (From October 2002) Horror is a funny thing...isn't it? When I asked several friends what they thought would be the funniest fright films to watch this Halloween, I got a wide range of answers -- as I expected. What surprised me, though, was how some of my friends misinterpreted the question because so much comedy in horror is completely unintentional. Say, how come Ed Wood popped into your mind right now? No need to answer! That was a rhetorical question after all. Obviously, a list of those unintentionally comical movies like Ed Wood made -- movies so bad, they're funny -- would be so long I could fill a dozen monthly columns. As entertaining as those cheesy clunkers are, however, that wasn't what I was looking for at all. What I wanted were the shiniest of all gems: Real horror-comedies. Films intentionally made to make us laugh by poking fun at ghosties and ghoulies, and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night. The stuff of our deepest, darkest fears--the stuff that usually scares the hell out of us, but on occasion makes us laugh so hard. Here then for your delight is a list of thirteen of my favorite funny fright films. Enjoy them during this crisp, golden month of October. Oh, by the way, all but one of these movies have been released for home viewing, and most are available on DVD or video tape from Creepy Classics, the online home of classic horror and monster movies. 1. Young Frankenstein (1974) -- Considered by many to be the funniest horror movie ever made, Mel Brooks' hilarious homage to mad scientists, creepy castles, man-made monsters, and servants named Igor is a real scream. Regardless of how many times you've seen it, and I know you've seen it a lot, this is the most laugh- filled movie anybody could watch on Halloween. For a really zany treat, though, sandwich it in between the original Frankenstein and its sequel, Bride of Frankenstein, and see exactly why it is so funny. 2. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) -- If Young Frankenstein is not your favorite horror spoof, then chances are good that this one is. The best movie made by this classic comedy duo? I think so! Co-stars many of the Universal greats, appearing as their signature characters, including Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney, Jr., as the Wolfman, and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's Monster. 3. The Comedy Of Terrors (1963) -- Starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff (in a very minor role), this parody of the horror genre has the look and feel of a Roger Corman film despite being helmed by Jacques Tourneur, director of the absolutely superb, *Curse of the Demon. Price and Lorre are bungling undertakers who have developed a novel way to "dig" up business when times are tough. A frightfully funny film! 4. The Raven (1963) -- Of course, this one is by Roger Corman, headlining much of the same cast as The Comedy of Terrors. Price, Lorre, and Karloff are dueling wizards caught in an uproarious evil feud culminating in a madcap battle royale. Skip the vampire movies on October 31st and pair The Raven with The Comedy of Terrors for a dark and mirthful Halloween double-bill. 5. The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) -- Roman Polanski's sinfully delightful tribute to the vampire story, appropriately subtitled, Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck. You'll love this bawdy comedy filled with village fools, beautiful women, and irreverent vampires. 6. Spooks Run Wild (1941) -- The East End Kids (and their later, adult counterparts, the Bowery Boys) were a staple of Saturday afternoon TV matinees when I was a kid. And this funfest, co- starring Bela Lugosi with a wink toward his Count Dracula performance of a few years earlier, is a good example of their nostalgic, urban charm. Good-natured fun all around! 7. Little Shop Of Horrors (1960) -- Although the 1986 remake with comedians Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and Bill Murray is good, nothing beats Roger Corman's classic black and white quickie for originality. The acting is bad...the sets are worse...but the jokes and the music are right on target. 8. The Monster (1925) -- The only movie on this list not available on DVD or video, but it has appeared on "Turner Classic Movies" and you may be able to catch it there again. Some film historians have called The Monster the beginning of the Mad Scientist genre. Others have dubbed it, the first "old dark house" movie. In fact, team it with the early talkie by that name, The Old Dark House, starring Boris Karloff, Charles Laughton, and Raymond Massey, and judge for yourself... You won't be disappointed with either one of these old movies. 9. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992) -- For years I didn't "get it" and dismissed this polished diamond as so much teen prattle. Although it was one of my daughter's favorite movies, for no good reason I refused to watch it from start to finish. But after catching so many quick glimpses of the damn thing, I finally gave in, plopped it into the VCR, and fell in love. First with Kristy Swanson as Buffy, then with a really funny horror movie. 10. Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) -- Well, you either love Jim Varney as the goofball, Ernest, or... I'm not sure what happens if you don't like the guy because I do love him. You're right, though! This is the dumbest movie on my list, but, hey, it's Halloween. And it's Ernest...and he sets a troll free...and...well, just lighten up, and sit back, and enjoy it. 11. Matinee (1993) -- Not really a horror comedy, but a very, very funny tribute to Saturday afternoon chillers. Starring John Goodman as a William Castle clone... A smalltime movie producer brings his latest gimmicky flick to southern Florida theaters with outlandish results. Matinee lovingly pokes fun at the horror genre, the Cold War, and adolescence. 12. The Ghost Breakers (1940) -- Ghosts, gangsters, haunted houses, Carribean islands, zombies, and Bob Hope! An ancient film that has aged like fine wine. Or maybe cheap muscatel, I don't really know the difference anymore. Even people who don't like Bob Hope, and there are several of us around, will enjoy his wry wit amid these creepy trappings. 13. Army of Darkness (1993) -- Played strictly for laughs. Bruce Campbell is at the top of his form as Ash, the chainsaw slinging clerk from S-Mart fighting unearthly forces from the darkest pages of the Necronomicon. Do yourself a favor, though, and turn off the VCR or DVD player before the alternate ending rolls. It's a real downer and I want you to have a Happy Halloween! (From September 2002) Some Months It's Hellish: Sometimes the hardest thing about writing this column is finding interesting news items to share with you. My greatest fear lately has been looking at the calendar and seeing that it's almost the end of the month--and then realizing there's almost nothing in my note file. Like this month...
Dollar Signs: It looks like M. Night Shyamalan has struck gold again with the smash summer hit, Signs. Through the end of last month, the science fiction blockbuster--a sort of War Of The Worlds told from one man's perspective--has raked in over $180 million in ticket sales. It will easily surpass $200 million in revenue before September is over--one of the few movies to climb over the magic threshold this year. Despite its success, though, Signs is far from perfect, and I consider it an inferior film to Shyamalan's last movie, Unbreakable. In a way, Shyamalan has become a victim of his own cinematographic prowess. Unfortunately, perceptive audiences are becoming all too aware of Shyamalan's cold technique for establishing suspense, anticipation, and that "unexpected" knockout punch at the end. That's not meant as negative criticism, just an observation from a guy who is always looking for something a little bit different. Signs was definitely the best movie out there this summer and I'm sure most of us, me included, would love to have Shyamalan's problem: how to stay successful and fresh without becoming predictable.
Goodbye, Betamax: The Sony Corporation recently announced that it will discontinue manufacturing Betamax machines. Although Sony sold 18 million machines since they were introduced in the mid-1970s, VHS technology won a marketing coup and buried Beta years ago. Sony will concentrate its efforts on DVD now. Since 1997, the year DVD was unveiled to the public, more than 30 million DVD units have been purchased.
The Creature: Guillermo del Toro may direct a remake of the Creature From The Black Lagoon late next year. Recently at the helm of Blade II, del Toro is currently in pre-production for Hellboy, a movie about black magic, Nazis, and demons, but is said to be looking forward to filming a new interpretation of the Gill Man's story.
Two Other Creatures: Marlon Brando has agreed to give Michael Jackson private acting lessons in preparation for Jackson's feature-length film, The Nightmare Of Edgar Allan Poe. The less said, the better.
It's A Hell Of A Thing: The Devils Lake School Board in North Dakota
recently ordered its athletic teams to drop the nickname, Satans. Calling the
name inappropriate and divisive, the school board voted unanimously to find a new
nickname. The Satans had been the school's nickname since the 1920s. No word on whether or not the town fathers are considering renaming the lake, too.
And So Is This: Rupert Wainwright has been tapped to direct the upcoming film version of the Outer Limits, the innovative and thought- provoking TV series from the early 1960s. The original Outer Limits was a curious mixture of science fiction and scientific- based horror. A reincarnation of the series, featuring all new episodes that occasionally capture the spirit of the original, has aired on cable TV for the past several years. Wainwright is no stranger to genre films, having directed the uneven Stigmata in 1999 and the pilot episode of TV's Wolf Lake. He was also one of the directors for HIStory, a Michael Jackson video. I have a deep fondness for
the Outer Limits and eagerly await the new movie, although with Stigmata on
his resume, I wonder if Wainwright's up to the task of recreating a legendary TV series on
film. Still, Wolf Lake was a noble attempt at eeriness that only failed
because network executives are unwilling to develop anything out of the ordinary anymore. I remember watching the premier episode of the Outer Limits back in 1963 on an ancient black and white TV screen that was perpetually on the fritz. When the narrator uttered those now famous introductory words, "there is nothing wrong with your television set,"my Dad quickly responded, "the hell there ain't." That's for sure, Dad. (From August 2002) A New Gallery Of The Macabre: Following the lead of UPN, the USA Network recently announced that it will develop a TV series based on Rod Serling's Night Gallery, the interesting, but somewhat uneven follow-up to Serling's imaginative Twilight Zone. The original Night Gallery first aired on NBC on November 8, 1969, as a made-for-TV movie, and was later picked up as a regular series by the same network between 1970 and 1973. Although two episodes from the series, both written by Serling himself, captured Emmy nominations, the series as a whole lacked the depth of its golden predecessor. Current plans for the new Night Gallery call for a limited number of episodes to be shown as two-hour movies on the USA Network. Each movie will include four different story segments. As we have reported previously, UPN has already completed production of several episodes of its new Twilight Zone series. Scheduled to start in the middle of next month, Forest Whitaker will serve as the story narrator in homage to Rod Serling. Original episodes of Night Gallery can still be seen from time to time on both the Sci Fi Channel and Encore's Mystery Channel. The Sci Fi Channel also airs the original Twilight Zone series daily at midnight.
Metropolis Reconstructed: A digitally restored version of Fritz Lang's Metropolis premiered last month in New York City. Filmed in 1927, this silent classic was everything a good science fiction movie should be: forward-looking, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Unfortunately, however, Lang's masterpiece was brutally edited after its first screenings in Germany and what remained for most people to see was only a shadow of its true self. The "reconstructed" version, as the restored movie has come to be known in film circles, includes a significant amount of "lost" footage, as well as an orchestral accompaniment based on the original score. Without a doubt, the reconstruction finally returns this groundbreaking film to all of its early glory. The film is currently being screened in Washington, D.C., but will also appear in several other cities by the end of the year. Future showings of Metropolis are scheduled for Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Then it's on to Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Detroit.
And A New Dracula, Too: Last month also saw the debut of a new silent version of Dracula. Shown at the New York Video Festival, an annual event held in the Big Apple, Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary is a kind of shadowy pop video that portrays the classic Dracula tale amidst a modern context of fear and anxiety.
Lathe Of Heaven: Watch for a new version of Lathe of Heaven next month on cable television's A&E Channel. Based on Ursula K. Le Guin's 1971 science fiction novel of the same name, an earlier TV production of the story was first shown on PBS in 1980. The 1980 Lathe Of Heaven was one of the best science fiction films ever made for television and was destined for a kind of pop immortalization. But the original movie obtained almost mythical status because it was shelved for twenty years after its initial run on local public TV stations. Only recently becoming available for viewing again, the first Lathe Of Heaven returned to the airwaves two years ago for a twentieth anniversary celebration and is now available on both VHS and DVD.
Ring The Bell: A theater company in London has chosen to call its live production of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by a new name, The Bellringer of Notre Dame. Although the title character, Quasimoda, will retain the physical characteristics described in Victor Hugo's classic novel of the 19th Century, the name change was a result of efforts not to offend any persons with disabilities. Several film versions have already appeared under the story's original title and Quasimoda has been portrayed by such film greats as Lon Chaney, Charles Laughton, Anthony Quinn, and Anthony Hopkins.
The End Is Near: To no one's surprise, sales of DVD players are soon expected to outpace its older cousin, the VCR. Sales of DVD players should reach nearly 16 million by year's end while VCR sales will barely top 13 million. More importantly, though, Circuit City, America's second-largest electronics retailer, recently announced it will stop selling videotapes at its 600 retail stores. Citing consumer preference for DVDs, Circuit City's action could finally kill video as other retailers likely follow suit.
Ticket Sales Down: Although gross ticket sales are already 17 percent ahead of last year, industry insiders are nervous because movie attendance dipped slightly during the last weeks of July. Compounding Hollywood's jitters are several recent movies which have not garnered the inflated summer audiences of past years. Included in the list of movies failing to gain our attention fast enough for Hollywood were Stuart Little 2, K-19: The Widowmaker, and Eight Legged Freaks, none of which earned much more than $15 million in their first week of release. There really is something wrong with the film industry when it expects every new movie to be a blockbuster. I know skyrocketing budgets make each new production a risky undertaking. But why can't movies be given the opportunity to build audiences over several weeks before they are judged failures? That's the way it used to be. (From July 2002) Congratulations: American Gods was recently named the best horror novel of 2001 by the Horror Writers Association. Written by Neil Gaiman, the creator of the "Sandman" comic book series, American Gods received the "Bram Stoker Award" for best fiction. Although originally thought of only in terms of his graphic novels, the "Stoker Award" confirms Gaiman as a "serious" writer at the top of his form.
Lights, Camera, Action: Filming is set to begin this month on The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Even at this early date, the film looks like a winner all the way. Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, the story pits several Victorian era heroes against an evil menace from the Far East. Cast in leading roles are Sean Connery as Allan Quatermain and Peta Wilson as Mina Harker. Wilson is best known as TV's special agent, La Femme Nikita. Of course, Connery's played a spy or two in his past, too. With folks like Connery and Wilson onboard, the movie can't miss. Steam punk has finally returned!
Some "New" Releases: After initially saying these films were "lost," the BBC has recently released its original TV productions of Count Dracula with Louis Jordan, The Hound Of The Baskervilles with Peter Cushing, and The Picture of Dorian Gray with Jeremy Brett and Sir John Gielgud. All three films are being distributed directly by BBC Worldwide in very limited DVD and video editions. Unfortunately, the recording formats are probably incompatible with most American video and DVD players so you better think twice before ordering any of them. The release of these three productions, however, is a test, of sorts, for the BBC. If the market for its past programs is judged strong enough, the BBC promises there will be other releases with wider availability. Let's hope so.
Romance is in the Air: Well, our friends at the American Film Institute (AFI) finally got something right with one of their "best 100 lists." Both King Kong and the 1939 version of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame made the final selection of "best love stories" last month. Kong garnered the 24th spot and Hunchback slipped onto the list at 98th. Rightfully so, the Humphrey Bogart classic, Casablanca, copped top honors.
More Movie Mush: I recently told a friend of mine that I would no longer complain about AMC in this column but their latest bit of movie madness really makes it impossible for me to keep my promise. Not content to give us commercials...ah, excuse me, I meant to say movie extras...the film experts at AMC have now unleashed "Much More Movie" on us. Haven't caught this one yet? Consider yourself lucky. "Much More Movie" is a continuously scrolling commentary across the bottom of your TV screen. It's an irritating, uninteresting intrusion guaranteed to ruin the few good movies AMC still occasionally plays. Maybe I can keep my promise from now on, though. Because it's going to be a long time before I watch AMC again. (From June 2002) Reel Zombies: Eden Studios recently announced production of a feature- length movie based on its highly successful zombie-survivor roleplaying game, "All Flesh Must Be Eaten." The movie, Walking With The Dead, is currently in development and will be released as a direct-to-DVD feature sometime next year. "All Flesh Must Be Eaten" is fast becoming a multimedia phenomenon, having already inspired a successful book of short stories, and is proof that there is a market for other cross- media genre efforts. If the movie is half as good as most of the stories in the book, Walking with the Dead will be a delightfully frightful treat, even for people who have never tried a roleplaying game.
Trailer Madness: Is it just me, or does it seem crazy to show trailers in theaters for movies that won't be released until next summer? One of the trailers being shown in theaters right now is for Hulk, a movie still in production and not slated to hit the screen until the middle of next year. Okay, I understand why the distributors would want to show it before this summer's comic-to-movie blockbuster, Spider-Man, but you know what, I'm going to forget all about it long before it arrives, at least until the hype goes into full gear late next spring. So why not show a trailer for a movie that's playing next week? I'd much rather see that. After all, that was the original purpose of the regular movie feature we used to call "Coming Attractions." Oh, by the way, although Spider-Man was very well done, capturing the true spirit of the Marvel comic book better than any other film, I'd rather spend two hours with comic books themselves than watching their interpretation on the screen. There's something magical about holding those cheap, colorful pages that never translates completely to film. Still, watching Peter Parker's transformation from a selfish teenager misusing his tremendous gifts to an avenging superhero sent chills up my spine. If you haven't seen the movie yet, head on out soon--and on the way home pick up a comic book or two.
Here's One That's Playing Now: As always, it's great to see Christopher Lee in a current movie. Not that the Star Wars franchise needs it, but Lee brings a real "touch of class" to the current instalment of the series, Attack Of The Clones.
And Here's One For Next Month: Look for the direct-to-home film, Dagon, to hit video stores by the middle of next month. Actually based on the H.P. Lovecraft novella, "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" (not "Dagon" as the title would imply), the movie was shot entirely in Spain and was directed by horror film veteran, Stuart Gordon. Gordon certainly has the
credentials for the movie, having directed the cult-classic Re-Amimator, one of the
best Lovecraft-inspired films ever made. Unfortunately, while Dagon captures
the creepy essence of a true Lovecraft story, like Re- Animator did before it, the
new film never really gels, mostly because it is hampered by an inconsistent script, but
also because none of its characters are truly likeable.
It's A Go: As we reported last month, TV network UPN will launch a new version of The Twilight Zone with Forest Whitaker as host. Since our last column, however, UPN has announced that the program will air Wednesday evenings starting this fall. This is the second TV reincarnation of the classic Rod Serling series. CBS tried resurrecting the creepy anthology in the mid-Eighties with mixed results. Although it's unlikely UPN will be any more successful, the new series may find a longer home on the "also-ran network" where no one expects instant success and audience buzz is allowed to build. (From May 2002) Goodbye, 13th Street: After a year of haunting the Web and providing an eclectic bill of fare for fans of horror and science fiction, the 13thStreet website has closed down shop. We'll especially miss the site here because it offered an edgy look at modern horror and treated its readers with the kind of adult sophistication lacking in other media. Despite our fondness for the site, though, it wasn't without problems, and I wonder if they contributed to its demise. At times, the site was too content-rich, trying to be too many things to too many people. Some fans complained that the site was too difficult to navigate, with confusing menus and lengthy downloads. Other fans felt the site promised more than it actually delivered, pointing to "Danger Theater" (a series of short audio plays) as an example. Although "Danger Theater" featured an excellent introduction by horror hall-of-famer, Angus Scrimm, none of the episodes ever caught fire, wasting Scrimm's talents on mediocre scripts that fizzled out long before the series ended. Still, there was nothing quite like 13th Street out there. And in spite of its cumbersomeness and overextended reach, it touched the pulse of modern horror more often than not. Its loss leaves a void for horror fans that will be difficult to fill.
R.I.P. John Agar: Word has reached us that John Agar died last month at the age of 81. Beginning with Fort Apache in 1948, Agar appeared in 70 movies, many of them B-grade horror and SF films like Tarantula, The Brain from the Planet Arous, and one of my all- time favorites, The Mole People. Agar made a name for himself in the drive-in movies of 1950s and continued to work almost until he died. Most of his recent appearances, however, were in retrospectives of the film industry instead of actual movies. I won't call Agar a great actor, because he wasn't, but his rock steady performances were the backbone of many a cheesy classic. John Agar was definitely a professional, a man who could turn a hokey story into the kind of old black and white movie you fondly remember for the rest of your life. Character actors of his high caliber will be greatly missed by all movie fans.
Halloween Resurrection: Okay, maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but I'm actually looking forward to the release of Halloween Resurrection this summer. The eighth installment of the horror series that will never end, Halloween Resurrection is about a group of teenagers spending a night in the childhood home of Michael Myers. Like the series, Michael Myers will never die either, so guess who crashes their little slumber party?
There's a Sign Post Up Ahead: Variety recently reported that Forest Whitaker will host a new version of the classic television series, The Twilight Zone. Ultimately slated for UPN-TV, the new show is not on the cable network's upcoming schedule yet, but it is expected to be ready later this year. No one can ever fill Rod Serling's shoes completely, but Whitaker is an excellent choice for the narrator's on-screen role. Whitaker is a talented actor with a distinctive voice, perfect to introduce weekly stories of the macabre. Let's hope he can catch some of Serling's magic, something that has been imitated in the past but never quite equaled.
Sequels Really Are Good Things: In summing up why we see so many sequels these days, Geoffrey Ammer, President of Marketing for Columbia Pictures, recently told the New York Times, "it used to be sequels, on average, earned about 65 percent of the gross of the original. Now, if you make a good one, you can earn even more than the original, sometimes much more." Ammer also pointed out in the same newspaper article that "you can do two or three times what you did on the original. So why not go in and mine that field?" Ahh, Hollywood, the land of financial opportunity, if not creativity. I guess like Michael Myers we can expect more of the same forever.
Stoker's Manuscript: Although it was expected to sell for the princely sum of $1.5 million last month, bidders for Bram Stoker's original Dracula manuscript failed to meet minimum reserves set by the current owner. Put on the block by famed auction house, Christie's, the typed manuscript, the only surviving full-length copy of Stoker's original story, bears several handwritten notes of the author in the margins and was only discovered about twenty years ago. (From April 2002) Blue Monkey Comics: A new bimonthly comic, Thrilling Adventures, will hit local comic book stores next month. Adam Bomb, the hero of Blue Monkey Comics (a very cool, web-based comic strip) will be featured in the debut of the comic book. Other stories in the inaugural issue will include tales about Dr. Shroud the Vampire Killer and Captain Courage. In the second issue, already in production, Adam Bomb and his partner, Sam Simian, travel to Japan to pick up a rare collectible toy, only to encounter a godzilla-type monster who ends up swallowing it. And hitting the streets by Halloween, the third issue is tentatively titled "The Werewolf of Cleveland" and features a bizarre cult which offers support for people suffering from lycanthropy. Haven't heard of Blue Monkey yet? Then check it out here. Co-creators Andy Fish and Tony Antetomaso have been producing a daily comic strip on the website since May, 2000, featuring comics inspired by classic horror movies. Here's hoping their new print book is as successful as their website.
The Razzies: A drum roll, please. The worst movie of 2001 was Freddy Got Fingered, the movie CNN called "the worst ever released by a major studio." No surprise there, I'm sure. Each year, the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation presents its Razzie Awards as a send-up, of sorts, to Hollywood's better known honor, the Oscar. Besides declaring the worst movie of 2001, the Razzies also "honored" directors, actors, actresses, and screenwriters for their insipid film achievements. Thankfully, no horror genre movies were nominated for worst picture this year. And with the state of the horror film industry these days, that doesn't happen too often!
Remakes Galore: Several remakes are looming on the horizon and I'm not sure whether that is a good or bad thing. The two most interesting, though, seem to be Van Helsing, a new spin on the Dracula legend, slated to start filming later this year, and Diary Of A Young London Physician, an updating of the story of Jekyll and Hyde. Other upcoming remakes include Willard, the 1971 horror movie about a man and his pet rats, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the 1974 cult classic that defined the word "gorefest." I know it's way too early to tell, but I think the Chainsaw remake may be staking out a future Razzie. Just remember, you heard it here first.
Nadja: Speaking of remakes, here's a really cool one I missed when it first came out in 1995. Nadja is a quirky black and white film that should delight most horror movie fans. It's one of those rare movies for people who prefer to think about what they see on the screen instead of just reacting to blood and gore special effects. And even though Nadja plays like a thoroughly modern vampire tale, it really is a remake of the 1936 Universal classic, Dracula's Daughter, one of the creepiest horror movies ever made. I'm not exactly sure if director Michael Almereyda filmed Nadja for laughs or maximum eeriness, though, but it doesn't really matter. Nadja captures the somber creativity of the original tale while adding some new twists to the old vampire mythology. I was lucky enough to catch the remake on the Independent Film Channel recently, not expecting much of anything on a quiet Friday night, but ending up pleasantly surprised nonetheless. Peter Fonda is the only real star of the movie, going a bit over the top in the way he attacked the role of the famous vampire slayer, Abraham Van Helsing, but still giving a wonderfully enjoyable performance. The rest of the relatively unknown cast also gave topnotch portrayals, far surpassing better known horror film stars with the depth of their thespian abilities. The film is worth a close look if you see it at a local video store. It probably will surprise you, too.
No More Red Ink: Two major theater chains, Regal Cinemas and Loews Cineplex Entertainment, are finally emerging from bankruptcy protection. That's good news for movie fans everywhere because the two companies control close to 6,000 screens nationwide. A loss of so many theaters at the same time could have seriously hurt film distribution, cutting off scores of fans across the country. Now if Hollywood could only do something about what's on their screens, companies like Regal and Loews may continue in the black. That would give us some reason to fill all those empty seats in their theaters.
Congratulations: Kudos to Christopher Lee, once again, who recently won a special achievement award from the British film industry. Lee, who is 79 years old, can be seen currently in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring and in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones starting next month. (From March 2002) An Interview with Simon Drax Writer, film critic, and horror-movie fan, Simon Drax, grew up in a Massachusetts milltown that once , as he says, "had been the real boom of the local economy, shoes and paper and everything in-between, including lots and lots of coffins for the victims of an influenza epidemic that wiped out entire families." Drax and I recently had a long conversation about movies, writing, and his very cool book, A Very Fast Descent Into Hell. Here are the highlights of that conversation. HORROR-WOOD: You've called your hometown a "pretty damn spooky collision of the industrial and the rural." From what you've told me about it in the past, it sounds like something out of a Lovecraft tale. What was it really like? SIMON DRAX: Everything was powered by this dark black river that had a wicked undertow and was so heavily polluted even at the dawn of the industrial age that if you ate a fish caught on its banks, you died. Went swimming? You died. In my imagination the old town chugged with turbines and steam engines, smoke blotting the sky like Mount Doom, man. Still, the records show that immigrants arrived weekly by the trainload: Irish, Italians, Cannucks. They couldn't build the churches fast enough! But the town was effectively destroyed in a great fire in 1882, and it was a shithole and a slum from then on. The cemeteries ran out of room. Factories were allowed to rot and never repaired. I'm told that when the Great Depression hit, people shrugged. "How could it get any worse?" The place never changed, not really. H-W: Sounds like just the place to create legions of horror fanatics. When did you first realize that you were a true horror fan? S.D.: Aw hell, a question like this will make me totally goofy... When did I realize I was a true horror fan? When I'd killed and eaten my fifteenth neighborhood pet? When I tied up my sisters for ritual sacrifice? Actually, I remember exactly when the dark side spoke: when my toy robot ran out of batteries and I screamed bloody murder, man, I wanted to kill everybody. All right, seriously, no more screwing around: I had this really scary dream when I was like four or five. A Lugosi-style vampire was outside my bedroom window, glowing eyes and big fangs, the works. He was scratching, scratching, scratching at the damn window, he wanted to get inside and rip out my throat, and I woke up and back-flipped out of bed, you know, "Waaagh!" I hit the floor like a mini-commando, slid across the room and slammed into the wall under the window, held my breath and waited, waited. Too afraid to peek over the window ledge, but I waited. I waited all damn night for his pale sharp talons to come smashing through the glass. The attack never came, but you couldn't convince me the next day that it had only been a dream. He had been there, and he would come back. So I started assembling weapons to kill vampires, splitting pieces of wood into crude stakes, building this weird gizmo of a gun with a rubber band that (in theory) would catapult my crucifix across the room and jab the creep in the eye or something. And I kept this crap at my bedside for like, years... The point I'm trying to make? That at a very early age I was convinced that the shapes and sounds of horror were real and very much a part of the natural world. Ghosts and vampires and monsters and witches... everything. To me the paranormal was, well, normal. To a certain extent every kid goes through this baptism of fear; who's not afraid of the dark? But this conviction stayed with me for a long time, well into my teens. I searched and searched for the doorway to the other side, I wandered cemeteries with tape recorders hoping to capture dead voices, I took pictures of empty corners to catch ghost images. And all this time I devoured dark fiction and movies and comics and crap. A big part of it was purely for entertainment, sure, but another part was, like, research. H-W: When did you make the jump from being just a fan to a being a creator? S.D.: There was never a jump from being a fan to a creator. The two developed simultaneously, starting as far back as holding a crayon. Whenever I finished watching a movie or reading a comic or a story or whatever, I'd scurry to my vampire-impervious bedroom and proceed to belt out my own version of what I'd just digested. Maybe to say "my version" is a little inaccurate, but I was certainly "inspired" and "influenced" by the stuff around me to the point that I became the pint-sized Rip-Off King of planet Earth, or at least Massachusetts. I would steal bits of Vincent Price's monologue from The Last Man On Earth, a fight sequence from the latest issue of Fantastic Four or the ultra-sad death scene from that day's episode of Kimba, maybe lift Grendel whole-cloth from my kiddie edition of Beowulf, and I'd smash it all together. My illustrated Children's Bible came in handy, too, I was shameless... All of which seems really weird to me now, as I've become a writer who gets extremely uptight about any similarities with what I might dream up and what I fear already exists. And as it happens I hate-hate-HATE the current environment in popular culture, you know, the fact that it's all appropriate, appropriate-everything from the recycling of old TV shows into "event" movies to the sampling (see: theft) of musical compositions in the rap shit to the remaking of the William Castle films - I mean, Jesus. Dream your own damn dreams, you know? H-W: Yes, I couldn't agree more, and the horror genre seems to feed on itself too much, especially when it's riding a wave of popularity. But interest in horror comes and goes, and so does our need to eat both our dead and our young, so to speak. The last big surge in horror books and movies seemed to be in the late seventies and early eighties. It faded almost as soon as it peaked, but never really went away completely. What kind of shape is horror in today? S.D.: Something happened in the seventies that allowed us to dispense with the metaphors demanded by earlier cinema; instead of broad-based archetypes, audiences were exposed to almost primal fears that many people felt but were previously unable to articulate: "My daughter's possessed!" "My son is the Devil!" We crossed a line wherein the psycho wasn't satisfied with merely killing his victims, he wanted to eat them. Sadly, these ideas are now comical fodder for the latest Scream and Scary Movie sequels. As a wiser man than I recently said, "Horror Fiction's most powerful tropes have been appropriated by the film industry." H-W: Ahh, yes... That would have been Jim Morrow, in a previous interview here. S.D.: Yes. And while that may be true, it's not the only truth. As a species we still have a healthy respect for fear. As we get older I think we realize that the real potential for horror comes from within, not without. Viewers of Lodge Kerrigan's Clean, Shaven can attest to this, as can readers of The Informers by Brett Easton Ellis, The End Of Alice by A.M. Homes, and Time's Arrow by Martin Amis. It's interesting to note that none of these absolutely *terrifying works were aimed at genre audiences but the general public. By comparison, the "Horror Genre" is pretty much dead. The movies might be making money, but so what? They all suck. And the flip side isn't any better; call me a snob, but I think horror fiction in 2002 is dead, man, dead on arrival. H-W: I hope you're wrong there, but deep down inside I know you aren't. You're a regular film reviewer, though, for Videoscope Magazine, so you must still enjoy movies, old or new. What are some of your favorites? S.D.: My flat-out favorite film is Fritz Lang's Metropolis. Nothing can touch it; it's so strange, so visual, so vital. They'll be watching Metropolis a thousand years from now, trust me. Other favorites include Whale's Frankenstein films, Dreyer's Vampyre, and (I feel obligated), Wiene's Caligari, which makes the grade just under the wire because all the prints are in such horrible shape the damn film is spooky no matter what's happening on screen. Honorable mentions from this period go to Murnau's Faust and Whale's The Old Dark House. The only film from mid-century that still makes my heart skip (beyond Hiroshima Mon Armor and To Kill A Mockingbird and Shichinin No Samuri and Ikiru and The Seventh Seal and Gojira) is George Pal's War Of The Worlds--man, when the Martians blow away the Priest? It spoke to me. At the end of the film when the guy and the girl are in the church and the unstoppable enemy's pounding at the door? It made an impression. Anyway, favorite films from the recent era include Freidkin and Blatty's The Exorcist, Scorcese's The Last Temptation Of Christ, Coscarelli's Phantasm, Kubrick's The Shining, James Cameron's Aliens, and Kurosawa's Dreams, which everybody hates because there's not a samurai in sight, presumably, but I think it's a masterpiece, a brilliant finale to an incredible career, both visually and philosophically. H-W: What about the darker side of horror movies? Which have scared you the most? S.D.: Really scared me? H-W: Yes. S.D.: The Shining. That damn film continues to scare the living shit out of me to this day. Horrific shapes and sounds that generate from one's own psyche is ten million times more terrifying to me than a horde of hungry zombies or a psycho with a knife...then again, Romero's first two Dead films still rock pretty hard on the fear factor. It's a matter of sensibilities, I guess, physical danger versus psychic decay. Grab a shotgun or a hammer or something and at least you have a chance against the zombies. But how can you control the terrible thoughts and desires that rise from your own mind? You can't. You might (and really, you should) learn to control what you do, but you can never ever ever control your dreams. And I want to say right away that we should never try. With the advent of genomic transducing there will of course come a certain argument to "strain out" the potential Hitlers and Mansons, the John Wayne Gacys. Not only will that fail, fail big time, but it will unleash a monster we can't fucking imagine... Joe, I'm sorry to go off on a tangent, but what I'm trying to say is that our monsters are here to stay, they are part of us. And if we try to get rid of them once and for all, they will come tearing back with a vengeance that will be - and I don't use this word lightly - unholy. You want to see a monster? Go look in the mirror. He/she/it lives under our skin. "Horror" is about the human condition. H-W: I think that's what the best writers of dark fiction have been trying to say for the past two hundred years or so. Not that they're the only ones interested in the human condition, but I've always thought they had a unique perspective on it - with the whole idea of fear as the only real motivator in life. Anyway, I'm always curious about people's tastes in books. Who are some of your favorite horror writers? S.D.: My favorite horror writers are pretty scant: The Brothers Grimm, though they don't really count as writers, but what the hell; Nathaniel Hawthorne, Saki, Shirley Jackson, Richard Matheson, Clive Barker, Edward Bryant, William Peter Blatty. Stephen King gets honorable mention for Salem's Lot. H-W: What authors have influenced you the most? S.D.: My biggest influences are two easy names and one easy word: Michael Moorcock, Harlan Ellison, and Anime. Moorcock taught me style and compression, Ellison taught me the power of unexpurgated personal expression, and anime (praise Tezuka and Matsumoto) taught me pretty much everything I know and believe about storytelling: be elegant, be extreme. These are not contradictory sensibilities. H-W: I think you know that I really enjoyed A Very Fast Descent Into Hell, and in a review for Scary Monsters magazine that will appear in mid-April, I compared it favorably to the very best in horror movies. By that I mean it had a pace that kept me on the edge of my seat, its characters haunted me for days, and it painted vivid pictures in my mind, almost like I was watching a movie. In effect, and I think this is a compliment, at least I hope you take it as one, it read like a terrific movie to me. Several days after I finished it I wondered whether that movie-like effect was something you purposefully set out to achieve? S.D.: Of course that's a compliment, thanks. I didn't necessarily attempt a movie-like effect, though I'm pretty aware of the rhythm and sequence of images I'm trying to burn in the reader's mind. It might also be due to the fact that movies and comics and animation had a much bigger influence on me than most of the fiction I read, everything has to be vivid. But from a writer's (and reader's) perspective, I also wanted to dispense with the hundreds of pages of junk that waste the reader's time; Descent weighs in at a relatively light 256 pages, as apposed to the average mass-market paperback which kills a good chunk of a tree at about nine hundred pages a whack. This is a trap that both publishers and readers have bought into, that at nine hundred pages a book the reader's getting something substantial for his or her money, a big fat page count as apposed to eloquence, compression, you know, a well-constructed plot. Elmore Leonard claims he writes by cutting all the crap readers skip; it's not a bad maxim. H-W: Speaking of other writers, Harlan Ellison once said he got his ideas from a post office box in upstate New York, so I know this is a lame question, but here goes. How did you develop the idea for A Very Fast Descent Into Hell? S.D.: Oh god. I'm going to sound like such an asshole, but I'll tell you anyway. It would be more accurate to say Descent developed me. Some of the scenes and images emerged from really murky parts of my psyche. The three main characters - Darius, the Demon, Phelan, the Priest, and Ryder, the, um..."God," they were all characters I created in my teens. I wrote various stories about these guys separately, but nothing really came together, not really. Years went by, and the characters were more less forgotten, or ignored. Then I fell like a fool for this babe who found me very amusing but there was no way she was gonna hand me her heart so I wrote Descent for her and it was all Bang, Smash and Ha, Ha, Ha, you know, isn't this a riot. I modeled both Lucretia and Catherine after her, how's that for conflicted? H-W: Knowing how different those two women are, I'd say that is about as conflicted as you can get, although they are both very beautiful women and I can see how you could fall for any woman that inspired them. S.D.: But it was all a joke! The first draft of Descent read like a fractured fairy tale, everything from the purple quality of the prose to the over-the-top characters and situations, all a joke. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was an attempt to marshal forces in my life I couldn't control, a rage for order on the page if nowhere else. The story ultimately focused on how obsessive love can potentially tear the would-be lover to pieces, and in effect, tear the world to pieces. It was cathartic, what D.H Lawrence called a century earlier, "therapy." When all was said and done I thought, whoa, this is kind of a weird book, so I went back and pulled it apart and did it for real, without so many laughs. And it was torture, man. H-W: I'm sure it was, but it turned out great; it's the best book I've read in a long time. You've a lot to be proud with it. S.D.: Thanks. H-W: So what are you working on now as a follow-up? S.D.: Two big novels. One is a kind of anime-inspired love letter to the teenager I used to be called Doomtroopers, sort of a cartoon action-apocalypse story, only without the pictures. The other is a spooky ghost-love-death story set in the gloomy hometown I described earlier, a novel called Dark August. It's about sex and death and the afterlife. I guess I'm still not over that "unattainable love" thing. H-W: I don't think any of us ever are. Thanks, my friend, for an interesting interview. S.D.: Thank you, Joe. (From February 2002) Another Banner Year: Box office revenue topped $8.3 billion in the year 2001, an increase of about 8 percent over the previous twelve months. Even though few recent movies have won major critical acclaim, ticket sales were able to set a new standard of financial success again last year. Like everything else around us, though, box office records seem easier to break with every new year. Still, 2001 was quite a year indeed. Nearly twenty movies took in more than $100 million each, and for the first time in film history, five movies raked in more than $200 million in ticket revenue. That's quite an achievement in anyone's book. Apparently, Hollywood produced some very popular movies last year, despite the lack of any really memorable films. But here's the kicker. Many venues increased their prices during the past two years, while several other theaters darkened their screens forever because of the recent building glut in movie houses. The net result is that fewer people are actually seeing Hollywood's new movies, but they are definitely paying more for what they do see.
More Money Matters: The Boeing Corporation soon hopes to expand its "direct-to- cinema" technology by transmitting movies directly to audiences by satellite. Boeing has seen some success with the technology already, transmitting movies and other entertainment products on a limited basis. Production studios expect significant cost savings with the new technology because the digital delivery of movies would eliminate the need to print traditional film products. The cost of printing one movie is about $2,000 -- and distributors need several thousand copies for most releases today. Although the big studios expect to make a killing with the new technology, theater owners don't really want it. Despite improvements in movie quality and reliability, special digital projectors are needed to make use of the satellite feeds and few theaters have them in place yet. At a cost of $200,000, about four to five times the price of the best film projectors currently in theaters, most cinema houses are passing on the technology for now as simply being way too costly. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time before the major chains begin retrofitting their screening rooms with the new projectors. When that will happen is not exactly clear, but when it does, ticket prices will surely go up again.
Comics To Film: A movie based on Alan Moore's comic book, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, finally seems to be getting off the ground. Moore's story of a Victorian-era gang of "heroes" who save the world from the insidious Fu Manchu was quite a hit in comics stores a few years back. For those of you who may have missed it, the League included Mina Harker, Allan Quatermain, Captain Nemo, Henry Jekyll, and Hawley Griffin. I'm sure those names are familiar to most of you, having been featured in several different Victorian novels, but Griffin may be the hardest to recognize. He was H.G. Wells' Invisible Man. Okay, he wasn't exactly a hero in Wells' book, but we are talking about comic books now, some poetic license must occur without any quibbling. No film date has been set but a script has been completed and Steven Norrington is in the wings waiting to direct the movie. Norrington is no stranger to genre films and is a good candidate for the project. He also directed the highly successful Blade starring Wesley Snipes.
Lord Of The Rings: Well, I just have to put my two cents in on this epic fantasy film. The Fellowship Of The Ring is a terrific movie, one worth seeing several times to fully appreciate it. So what if the first installment of The Lord Of The Rings doesn't follow the book word for word and condenses a few scenes, as some purists have bitterly criticized. Regardless of what anyone says, the movie is absolutely true to Tolkien's vision of Middle- earth. I don't care if you've never read the book, read it twenty times, or read the trilogy only once (like me), don't miss this one. The battle scenes alone are worth the price of admission--at least at bargain matinee prices. Just don't be stupid like the woman sitting behind me at the local multiplex--and I'm sure you won't be. "Is it over?" she asked her boyfriend, completely bewildered at the end of the movie. "But they didn't destroy the ring," she said as the credits began to roll. Ahh... There can't possibly be anybody else as dumb as she was. Can there? If I had any criticism of the movie, though, it would be in the choice of Elijah Wood as Frodo. Although Wood matched my mental picture of what a Hobbit might look like, he seemed to drift aimlessly through his scenes instead of grabbing the role wholeheartedly. I know Frodo was an unwilling participant in his quest at first and Wood may have only been trying to convey the sense of hesitation that is inherent to a hobbit's true spirit. After all, hobbits by their very nature prefer to be safe and snug in the Shire. Why go any place else? But Frodo overcame his initial timidness and undertook the quest because it was the right thing to do. Somehow Wood's timid Frodo lacked the necessary adventurous spirit and instead of moving the plot along his presence merely bogged things down during several key action sequences. More gusto instead of starry-eyed gazes into the magnificent landscape would have been a bit more convincing. Oh, well. It's still a great movie. (From January 2002) Scary, Scary Knight: Here's good news, direct from the Queen of England. Christopher Lee was recently knighted as a Commander of the British Empire for his significant contributions to the British film industry. Having appeared in over 200 movies, many made at the "House that Horror Built," Hammer Studios, Lee is undoubtedly the granddaddy of all horror stars, and vastly deserving of such a great honor. Not content to rest on his laurels, though, and retire lazily to a country estate, the 79-year-old Lee can currently be seen as Saruman in the epic fantasy film, The Lord Of The Rings. Later this year, Lee will also be in Star Wars II: Attack Of The Clones. To celebrate Sir Christopher's knighthood, I recently rented a copy of Bram Stoker's Count Dracula, a 1970 movie starring Lee as Dracula, Klaus Kinski as Renfield, and Herbert Lom as Professor van Helsing. Quite a supporting crew for the master actor! I had never seen this overlooked classic before and had ignored it for quite some time, but it is a terrific movie, one of the first to provide a truly faithful portrayal of the original "Dracula" story. But don't confuse the title with that big budget dog from a few years ago, however, or you might pass it by on the video shelf, too. This little ditty runs rings around Francis Ford Coppola's bloated nightmare with a similar sounding name.
Great Reviews Here: Disappointed with the boring DVDs and cheesy videos you received for Christmas. Maybe you should have checked them out in The Phantom Of The Movies' Videoscope: The Ultimate Guide To The Latest, Greatest, And Weirdest Genre Videos before putting them on your wish list. Filled with over 3,000 reviews of the best and worst genre films ever made, writer Joe Kane provides wonderfully witty insights on a host of gems, near-misses, and guilty pleasures. Organized around several different genres, including horror, science fiction, fantasy, and action, the book also includes several exclusive interviews that provide even more cinema information to delight you.
Multimedia Coolness: With the launch of his new Web site, writer Hasso Wolfe Wuerslin has taken a bold step in innovative storytelling. Working in several different media, Wuerslin has deftly blurred the line between printed books, film, and the Internet, and created a new kind of multimedia experience sure to please horror and science fiction fans alike. Wuerslin is the talented author of the DeadBooks, four different stories about the strange little town of Landsgate, Vermont. Besides providing sample chapters of the Books at his website, Wuerslin has also produced two short movie trailers that serve as introductions to the stories. "If a movie has a trailer, why doesn't a book?" responded Wuerslin when I asked him why he developed the new idea. You can also insert yourself into the Books and be a star yourself. Through customized name replacement, Wuerslin will put you and three friends in the thick of things as you become the characters of his stories. Sounds like a really cool idea to me.
Zombies Have Arisen: Another blurring of entertainment media is occurring at Eden Studios, home of the role-playing game All Flesh Must Be Eaten, or AFMBE, as it is known to role players. AFMBE is set in a world of survival horror, a world where flesh-craving dead have come back from their graves and players try to outwit them or face their own extinction. Finding inspiration in the classic zombie movies of the past, Eden Studios has created eleven different worlds to challenge your role-playing skills among the walking dead. Eden Studios has also recently released The Book Of All Flesh, twenty-five original tales of zombie horror linked to AFMBE. Containing short stories by writers such as C. Dean Anderson, Scott Edelman, Mark McLaughlin, Scot Noel, and Robert E. Vardeman, The Book Of All Flesh is just the thing to warm your bones after watching Night Of The Living Dead on a cold winter's evening.
This Could Bring You Nightmares: Clive Barker and Todd McFarlane may soon co-produce a film based on Barker's "Tortured Souls" characters. The "Tortured Souls" have already appeared as action figures manufactured by McFarlane Toys, but not as film characters, yet. The elevation of toys to movie stars seems like the natural progression of things these days. Although Barker wrote a story to accompany each of the toys, he is currently working on a different tale for the proposed film. No longer available in stores, the action figures only saw limited distribution last July. Perhaps they will be brought back when the film arrives. Gee, I can't wait. (From December 2001) Beyond the Borgo Pass: European tourism officials recently proposed the creation of a Dracula theme park in Sighisoara, Romania, the birthplace of Vlad Tepes. Vlad was the 15th Century Wallachian prince who ruled his homeland with a bloody iron fist. The legends of Vlad's ruthlessness served as the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Victorian novel, Dracula. The proposed theme park is expected to attract thousands of tourists to a country that is as starved for cold green cash as Dracula was for warm red blood. Although the cost of the park could be as high as $30 million, some opponents of the project believe a similarly-themed tourist attraction could be built in the town of Brasov for much less. Bran Castle, located in Brasov, is the site where most tourists interested in the Dracula legend currently visit. Unfortunately, some historians claim Vlad spent very little time at Bran Castle and it played only a minor role in his reign of terror, but why ruin a perfectly good tourist trap with the facts? Environmentalist groups and local religious leaders are lining up in opposition to the idea of a Dracula park. While environmentalists fear the impact such a project could have on the Romanian landscape, religious leaders fear the negative affect the park could have on the spiritual life of Romania's people.
Another Exorcist, Maybe: Filming is finally scheduled to begin this spring on the untitled Exorcist prequel. Although previously rumored to be callled Exorcist Dominion, the film's working title is still up for grabs. The new film will star Liam Neeson as a young Father Lankester Merrin, the old exorcist from the 1973 smash hit. Max von Sydow played the same priest to critical reviews in the original movie. With his usually somber portrayals, Neeson seems to be a relatively good choice to be von Sydow's youthful celluloid self. The new story will depict
Father Merrin's early life in Africa before his first encounter with demonic possession.
The original Exorcist was one of the most thrilling horror movies ever made
and the new effort promises to capture some of its originality, unlike the movie's two
absolutely terrible sequels.
Impostor: Here's another movie that has seen dates come and go, but this time they're release dates, not filming dates. Impostor, a science fiction thriller starring Gary Sinise is finally expected to reach movie theaters on Christmas. Based on a short story by SF favorite, Phillip K. Dick, Impostor tells the tale of a weapons engineer suspected of being an alien. The film has been in the can since the middle of last year, waiting for the right release time for best exposure. That's usually a bad sign for a movie, often signaling a project the distributors have lost faith in, but I really do believe the producers when they say the film wasn't released earlier to keep it from getting lost amid crowded movie screens. Still, I have to wonder about the time they finally have chosen. The record-breaking Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone is sure to be lingering in some theaters by then and the long-awaited granddaddy of all epic fantasy, The Lord Of The Rings, is due to arrive on December 18th. Of course, those two tales are pure fantasy, not hard science fiction, but it sounds like movie screens will still be crowded for the holidays.
Summer Hits: Well, I was wrong about this one and I admit it -- at least in terms of how much other people may have liked it. Variety recently called The Others this past summer's "biggest sleeper hit." In a summer season where few movies survived more than a week or two, the not-so-chilling ghost story stayed in the box-office top 10 well into autumn, grossing over $90 million before it ran its course. Regular readers of this column may remember that I panned The Others when I first saw it, saying it did not deliver the goods and failed to give me any real shivers. I still stand by my earlier words, but I'm also glad a quiet, genre movie outperformed the louder "blockbusters" that competed for our attention at the ticket window. A success for a movie like The Others, even if it didn't meet my expectations, may bring more like it. And that is a good thing, because the next time the moviemakers may get it right. Despite the lack of any clear-cut winners from this summer's popularity contest, it was still a hot summer for the movie industry. When the final counts were tallied for all movies playing from June through September, ticket sales inched over a record-breaking $3 billion. Movie attendance dropped from previous years, however, and increased ticket prices made up for the loss of bodies in theater seats.
It's Intermission Time: For several weeks now, AMC TV has been running commercials during its films. Oh, excuse me, AMC packages these little sales pitches with a bit of Hollywood trivia and christens them "Movie Extras" instead of simply calling them what they are. Apparently, AMC justifies the interruptions by reminding us that movies have always had intermissions, especially during the golden age of Hollywood. While it's true that many of the great sagas from earlier years had regular audience breaks, there is a difference between watching a three-hour movie in a packed downtown theater and watching a much shorter film on your television screen at home. As funny as this may sound, however, I'm not completely opposed to commercials on AMC. Just tell us that the real reason they exist is because the cash sponsors offer is too good to refuse. After all, AMC can't stay in business if it can't make a profit. What does bug me about AMC, though, is it's sneaky little practice of editing movies to make them more family friendly. You might have missed this lousy trick because the folks who do it are very good at their work. A snip of a scene here, an overdub of some dialog there, and an "R-rated" movie is suddenly nice and clean. I find this practice more offensive than throwing commercials into the mix. Especially when you consider all the good work AMC does to preserve our film history. How can they justify mutilating a director's vision of his own story? Not that they asked me but here's some advice for AMC's programers anyway. If a movie might be offensive to your viewers, please don't show it. And don't try to trick us into thinking it's something it's not. (From November 2001) (Since publishing his first science fiction novel, The Wine of Violence, in 1981, James Morrow (visit his Website) has won acclaim as one of the most literary writers in the science fiction genre. More recently, though, he has shifted from science fiction to fantasy. His Godhead Trilogy (in Morrow’s own words, “three novels about God's gigantic corpse wreaking havoc in human affairs”) solidified his reputation as a stylish satirist while tackling the everlasting questions facing heaven and hell. But one thing has remained constant through all of his eight novels, Morrow has always pointed out mankind’s foibles with both a sense of flair and a keen wit.) HORROR-WOOD: You've won both the World Fantasy Award and the Nebula Award, two achievements that almost force me to ask this first question. Are you a fantasy writer, a science fiction writer, or something else? JAMES MORROW: Of the three possibilities you've laid out, I guess I prefer "something else." I don't view genre categories as modes of artistic expression – not the way "tragedy" is a mode, or "satire," or "surrealism". Labels such as "SF," "fantasy," and "mystery" help the bookseller to know where to shelve the volume, the newspaper editor to decide which staff member should review it, and the reader to gauge what sorts of scenes to expect. In other words, the genre categories are primarily utilitarian: necessary evils, if you will (though a character of mine once remarked, "There are no necessary evils"). The categories certainly don't make me a better writer, and they have the deleterious effect of limiting my audience. I would say that I'm a social satirist who uses SF and fantasy tropes – the genre tool kit - to make his points about human folly. HW: Your longtime readers may be surprised that you're doing an interview for HORROR-WOOD, a website dedicated to classic horror films, but I know you’re a fan of that genre, too. How did you get interested in horror movies? JM: It occurs to me that we need a word for that quality in the human psyche that causes some collateral aspect of modern life - tennis, jazz, rock climbing, Coca-Cola memorabilia, horror movies, whatever - to make such perfect emotional sense to one person but not to another. I'm one of those former Philadelphia twelve-year-olds who collected the first issues of Famous Monsters of Filmland and became a devotee of John Zacherley's antics on Shock Theater (back when he was called Roland). And occasionally I would ask myself, "Why doesn't this stuff speak to everybody? Why doesn't the whole world love Bela Lugosi?" HW: Come to think of it, why not? JM: Because obviously it doesn't. There's a real psychological mystery there - though I suppose the non-fan would say that I've got it backwards. The real mystery is, "Why would anybody become a connoisseur of this crap?" HW: My friends have often wondered about that, too. Well, we can’t be expected to understand all of life’s mysteries here. Anyway, I've seen you on panels at SF conventions, but when you and I first met at last year's Monster Bash you were just sitting back and enjoying the events as any fan would, almost as another face in the crowd. How are the two experiences different for you? JM: They're like night and day. At the SF conventions, I have to be a performer, holding forth on panels as articulately as possible, answering fans' questions as I sign their books, pretending I know something about art and science and the human condition. But at Ron Adams's earnest and goofy and delightful Monster Bashes, I can relax. Which is not to say that I stop functioning as an SF author when I go to a Monster Bash. I'm always looking to discover images and ideas that will galvanize my projects. In the case of my novel-in-progress, The Last Witchfinder, for example, I ordered a bunch of Boris Karloff mad scientist videos from Ron's Creepy Classics emporium--my narrator is fascinated by the ambivalence toward science that lies at the heart of such films – and of course I also obtained the two Vincent Price films that deal explicitly with 17th-century witch persecutions (Witchfinder General and Cry of the Banshee). There was a period during my twenties when I thought I had finally outgrown horror films. If you asked me whether I'd be attending something called Monster Bash in my fifties, I would have answered, "Not likely." But shortly after I started writing SF novels for a living, I realized that I still wanted these movies in my life. They gave me an energy I couldn't obtain from other sectors of the culture. I've always endorsed the aesthetic principle that "All drama is melodrama" (it doesn't work the other way around), and while I like to think that my novels are ultimately authentic tragicomedies, not mere melodramas, I want them to have a certain raw visceral power. HW: How does that work? JM: I'll give you an example. My friend Justin Fielding, who is also a writer, read an early draft of my second SF novel, The Continent of Lies, and said, "Good stuff here, but the climax has no heat. You've got to make it like Peter Cushing versus Chris Lee at the end of Horror Of Dracula." And I knew exactly what he meant. HW: But some people believe science fiction and horror don't mix, regardless of whether it's the written word or on film. I'm not one of them. I think there can be elements of horror and science fiction in the same story, but it does require a deft touch. What do you think? Can the two genres be mixed successfully? JM: If the two genres can't be mixed, I'm out of a job. In nearly everything I've written, there's some sort of tension going on between post-Enlightenment rationality (the domain of SF) and the swampy gunk that lies beneath the human cerebral cortex (the domain of horror). Sometimes I think of my Godhead Trilogy as a weird homage to the Universal Frankenstein films. At the end of Towing Jehovah, the Corpus Dei is presumably buried forever. But then it's suddenly back for Blameless in Abaddon. At the end of Blameless In Abaddon, the monstrous thing seems really defunct. But then it returns (or its skull does, at least) for The Eternal Footman. In a James Morrow novel, the horror usually emerges as the dark side of the human religious impulse. I'm not an enemy of churches, but I do think that we must continually struggle to cap the shadow half of religion, lest it geyser forth. To be sure, we must also cap the dark side of science--but religion strikes me as a much more problematic and dangerous enterprise. The prophet is answerable only to his presumed deities. He derives his authority from an alleged supernatural realm, and reason soon becomes impotent before his revelations. At least you can argue with science. At no point in our critique of technocracy, superweapons, ozone depletion, gene-splicing, or human cloning are we required to shut down the conversation because it has become blasphemous or non-Scriptural. HW: Okay, I think I understand how the horror-SF connection works for books, but does the same thing apply to film? JM: What fascinates me about the classic horror films - by which I mean the Universal black-and-white series, and the Hammer Renaissance that followed--is that they are at one level "science fiction" by other means. No matter how supernatural the events become in those lively old melodramas, they never fundamentally disturb their characters' mental pictures of the world, and these are fundamentally scientific pictures. Larry Talbot can turn into a werewolf a hundred times, Count Dracula can immortalize himself with the blood of a thousand virgins, Kharis can get resurrected in three different sequels to The Mummy's Hand, and at no point does one character turn to another and say, "Well, I guess this means it's all over for the post-Enlightenment Western worldview. We can fool ourselves into imagining that science and reason count for something, but in fact human existence is just a meaningless morass of Lovecraftian supernaturalism and Kafkaesque absurdity, and we'd all better just get used to that fact." Instead, the assorted werewolves and vampires are always ultimately incorporated into the scientific model of reality. Despite the various inexplicable resurrections and uncanny transformations, science itself emerges intact; it remains the default mode. You would think that all those folks who had a close encounter with Dracula or saw the Mummy shuffling around New England would go mad, or start weird religious sects, or do away with themselves. But at the end of these movies, the survivors always seem weirdly complacent, looking forward to telling their grandchildren about an interesting experience they once had in calling the entire edifice of Western rationality into question. HW: What about the classic monster movies of the Fifties that depended on some form of science gone amuck for their fantastic premise? JM: Fifties "monster movies" never really raise this problem. Misguided scientific intervention might turn ants into live Sherman tanks, spur a humongous octopus to carry its agenda to American seaports, inspire the Creature from the Black Lagoon to train his libido on our species, or cause a Rhedosaurus to thaw out and stomp on a city - but then that same science always rides to the rescue. As an adolescent aficionado of Forry Ackerman's magazine, I learned - from a famous and thoughtful article by Robert Bloch--to regard SF films like Them! as "horror movies in disguise." (Bloch was noting that these movies primarily purvey shocks and sensations, not ideas.) But now I think it's a little more complicated then that. As I said at the outset, it's also possible to regard most "horror" movies as really "science fiction" movies in disguise. HW: What are some of your favorite horror movies? JM: I think most of us love to compile lists of favorite movies. For a fleeting moment, you get to be those movies. Your list will include some gloriously astute and engaging films, and so, briefly, you too become gloriously astute and engaging. So here goes... The Black Cat (the first and best of the Karloff versus Lugosi cycle, it partakes fully of the horror sensibility, as opposed to the quasi-SF of most Universal and Hammer films), Son of Frankenstein (a beautifully designed film that makes me wish Universal had attempted expressionism more often), Brides of Dracula (Jimmy Sangster is our great unconscious master of story structure and narrative drive), Revenge Of Frankenstein (how canny of Sangster and Hammer to realize that the really interesting character was the doctor, not the monster), Pit and the Pendulum (I don't mean the Corman film, which is perfectly okay, but the wonderfully sardonic Stuart Gordon version of 1991). A little while ago I mentioned the Cushing-Lee confrontation at the end of Horror Of Dracula, and I'm wondering whether I'm the only one who's noticed that the very last such showdown in cinema history, at the climax of The Satanic Rites Of Dracula, is every bit as dramatic and satisfying. The movie itself is pretty uneven, but the director, this Alan Gibson, whoever he is -- he really decided to get the final Cushing-Lee duel right, using lots of setups and composing each shot beautifully. HWR: That was a good ending, even if the film itself marked the end for Hammer, but how about moving to science fiction for a moment? What are your favorite SF films? JM: The Thing From Another World (all that overlapping dialogue is sheer linguistic music), Forbidden Planet (it's amazing that MGM was willing to bankroll a movie this demanding and complex), The Day The Earth Stood Still (I especially appreciate its encoded argument that we should have demonstrated the A-bomb publicly and then given Japan a chance to surrender), Dr. Strangelove (contributed invaluably to a much overdue skepticism toward nuclear weapons in particular and the military establishment in general), 2001: A Space Odyssey (unlike any movie ever made, SF or otherwise).
HW: How do today’s horror films compare to the classic monster movies? JM: I don't attend very many contemporary horror films - I'd rather be home writing - but they strike me as a pretty mixed bag: some good (the Kenneth Branagh Frankenstein), some diverting (Dracula 2000), some unwatchable (the Roland Emmerich Godzilla). I'm one of the few people who thought John Frankenheimer's version of The Island of Doctor Moreau was an astonishing piece of work, though I had to see it twice to appreciate it. I've always loved the Chinese maxim, "When the gods want to punish us, they answer our prayers." In the fifties, my friends and I craved convincing special effects; we wanted all SF and fantasy cinema to be as visually exciting as the Harryhausen films (in contrast to schlock like The Amazing Colossal Man). Now our prayers have been answered via CGI, and the resulting movies generally have no stories to tell, no themes to explore, no reason for being. But I can't view the relentless frenzy of The Mummy (the Brendan Fraser version) or The Mummy Returns objectively. If I'd seen them as a kid, they probably would've entranced me. But the fifty-four-year-old James Morrow finds them soulless and vapid. HW: Sorry to keep shifting back and forth between genres but your depth of experience almost requires it – and I’m starting to understand that there really is not a lot of difference between them. Unfortunately, too many others still want to categorize them--so here goes. Some film critics believe there are only a few really good SF movies, even though there is a wealth of source material out there. Why doesn't SF transfer easily to film? JM: I suspect that this is because authentic SF films--as opposed to Robert Bloch's notion of "horror movies in disguise"--have to make their post-Enlightenment content explicit. At some point in its unfolding, a true SF film must directly address this puzzling and utterly unprecedented phenomenon we call science. Occasionally an SF film will emerge as something of an homage to science and human curiosity (Things To Come, The Thing, The Time Machine). Usually such pictures serve to point up the limitations of rationality (Forbidden Planet, The Day The Earth Stood Still, 2001: A Space Odyssey). But in either case, a good SF film must ultimately address intellectual matters: ideas, concepts, stuff that merits a substantive post-movie conversation. Now Hollywood, as we all know, has never been terribly friendly to ideas. Producers are far more comfortable with explosions and fornication. Stephen Spielberg can deliver a baldly emotional pseudo-SF film like E.T. or Close Encounters Of The Third Kind with brilliant aplomb, but he's at sea with the real thing. I'm glad that AI got made, but it's muzzy and incoherent at precisely those moments when it should be intellectually enthralling. HW: Another shift in gears. Your novel Towing Jehovah inspired a CD by Philadelphia area musician Kevin Slick. Was Kevin's interpretation true to your work? JM: I'm delighted by Kevin's musical interpretation of my novel, so let me put in a plug: Horror-wood readers can order the CD through Creepy Classics. Many of the writers I know compose while listening to CDs--and so do I. Concert music has proven particularly useful to me: Prokofiev's Romeo And Juliet, for example, and various pieces by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, as well as movie soundtrack albums. I especially like to put on headsets during the rewriting phase. When accompanied by the highly emotional strains of Miklos Rozsa, Alex North, Jerry Goldsmith, Dimitri Tiomkin, or Patrick Doyle, my scenes suddenly seem pretty good to me: I start liking them enough to work hard on improving them. In the case of Kevin's riffs on Towing Jehovah, I had the unique experience of composing the sequel, Blameless in Abaddon, while listening to the "soundtrack" of the original novel! HW: Thanks for your time, Jim. This has been a very enjoyable interview. One final question, though. You mentioned that your latest project is a novel called The Last Witchfinder. Can you tell us about it? JM: The Last Witchfinder tackles that grand theme--the cryptic gift of science - that is obviously so dear to my heart. My intention is to dramatize the shift in worldviews that occurs between the Renaissance, with its bedrock theism and supernaturalism, and the Enlightenment, with its qualified commitment to skepticism and reason. One day I realized that a person born about 1678, ten years before the publication of Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, would have lived through this astonishing transition, this rotation from the "witch universe" to the "science universe." And so I conceived my heroine, Jennet Stearne, whose father hunts witches for a living, first in Restoration England and then in Colonial Massachusetts (most conspicuously at the Salem Witch Trials). Eventually Jennet becomes disillusioned with her father's occupation, and she devotes herself to overturning the Parliamentary Witchcraft Statute of 1604 (which remained on the books until 1736). The title, The Last Witchfinder, refers to Jennet's brother, who manages to keep the Massachusetts persecutions alive after the Salem tragedy. The narrator of The Last Witchfinder is Newton's Principia Mathematica--yes, this is a book written by a book--and as a coda to this interview, I think I'll slug in six pages (see above) in which the Principia offers its views on two Universal horror classics from the forties, House Of Frankenstein and House Of Dracula. I hope that HORROR-WOOD readers will find it amusing. It's not a dramatic scene but a satire on academic film criticism and the postmodern critique of science. Thank you for a stimulating interview, Joe. HW: Thank you. (From October 2001) This Needs to be Said First: Like all of you, a stake was driven through my heart on September 11th and I wondered how I would ever make it through another day. Horror had a new face and it wasn't the one I knew -- the one filled with vampires and ghouls and other creatures of the night. Evil struck our nation and killed family, friends, neighbors and fellow countrymen. We all shared in this tragedy. We all cried. We all pitched in to help, even if only in some small way. And for a long while, it was hard to think about anything else, especially this column. Suddenly, the stuff that usually fills this page seemed inconsequential amid a new world of real horror. Who cared about scary movies anymore? The world outside was scary enough. This column was too unimportant to bother with and I ould barely write a word. But then, probably like many of you, I slowly realized that we had to carry on regardless of what happened in New York City, in Washington, and in the sleepy countryside of western Pennsylvania. We had no choice –- we had to do what we normally did to preserve our way of life and, yes, to preserve the memory of those who had fallen. So what could I write about this month that didn't seem silly or stupid? "Nothing," was the only answer I could come up with. "Nothing at all." But that would be giving in to the terror and that is exactly what I didn't want to do. So here you go, another column that promises to be only one thing: a small diversion from everyday life. After all, isn't that what Horror- wood is all about anyway?
It's Still October Now: Not that anybody asked me but here are my top picks for Halloween videos, guaranteed to help you forget about the world's troubles for a brief time. 1. The Exorcist. Is it really the scariest movie ever made? Most certainly! It scared the hell out of me when it was first released in 1973 and has scared the hell out of me every time I've watched it since. Its terrifying impact could not have been greater on anyone else. I swear there were demons chasing me home after seeing the movie for the first time. But I'm not alone in my praise and of this movie. Earlier this year, the American Film Institute recognized The Exorcist as the third most thrilling movie of all time. That's quite an achievement for any film, yet alone a horror movie. 2. Dracula. Tod Browning may have lacked the simple perspective of a student director with this stage play turned movie, but the film's visual impact is all the more powerful because he never moved the camera. Browning also struck an eerie chord by foregoing a musical soundtrack. The silence of Dracula pulls you deep into the strange landscape of the night and, if your not careful, claims your immortal soul. Oh, and don't forget that Bela Lugosi's magnificent performance as the infamous Count rates as the best vampire ever to rise on the silver screen. 3. Halloween. Although years of cheap imitations have robbed this movie of its innovative spirit and incredibly dramatic tension, Halloween was one of the first slasher movies and still remains the best! Sure Michael Myers will never die but Jamie Lee Curtis's performance was right on the mark. And the music! I bet you hear it now, just thinking about this movie. For the creepiest effect, watch Halloween right after the last trick or treater knocks on your door and before you extinguish your jack- o-lantern for the night. 4. Carnival of Souls. This black and white classic is a charter member of the horror movie masterpiece club. Its eerie organ music and grey images of ghostly apparitions haunted me for years; so much so that I wouldn't let my daughter watch it until she was well into her teens. Filmed on a shoestring budget of around $10,000, director Herk Harvey never made another commercial movie and toiled endlessly in the world of industrial films for the rest of his career. 5. Night of the Living Dead. Okay, so I live near Pittsburgh and I've actually met Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman and Kyra Schon (the film's Cooper family) and found them all to be very nice people. This low-budget treasure has to be on my list if for no other reason, but the movie is more than a hometown favorite. George Romero re-defined the genre with this black and white quickie in 1969. For an especially macabre experience watch this as a home video double bill with Carnival of Souls. 6. Hellraiser. Surprised you with this one, I bet. It's bloody and gory but Pinhead is truly a scream and worth the price of admission alone. I know he really could tear your soul apart if he wanted to. This imaginative frightfest was another groundbreaking horror film that, unfortunately, has lost some of its luster as the series continued endlessly with one worsening sequel after another. But don't ever forget, Hellraiser was delightfully wicked when it first hit the scene in 1987 and can still deliver the goods. 7. The Haunted Palace. Although he has scores of cheesy horror movies to his credit, this is easily the best Roger Corman film. (If there can be such a thing.) Corman's direction was never tighter or more focused than in this often overlooked classic. Vincent Price's portrayal of a tormented man was his most believable role in a long and illustrious career. And Lon Chaney, Jr. was absolutely magnificent! Watch closely when Price and Chaney are together on the screen. The magic's greater than that of the elder gods. 8. The Resurrected. A little known gem that many insiders consider one of the best horror movies from the Nineties. Part detective story, part slimefest, The Resurrected successfully blended elements from two pop genres. For a full evening of entertainment, watch The Resurrected immediately after The Haunted Palace. Hmmnn! Seem familiar? Despite wildly different locales, timeframes, and plotlines, both movies were based on H.P. Lovecraft's "The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward." 9. The Sixth Sense. A new classic? Haven't watched this supernatural thriller since I first saw it in the movie theater nearly two years ago and I'm not sure if it will pack the same wallop twice. But if you haven't seen it yet and don't know how it ends, you're in for a delicious treat. Its sure to give you the willies, especially if you watch it alone. 10. Kiss of the Vampire. I had to get a Hammer in here somehow, no Halloween movie list would be complete without one. Kiss of the Vampire is easily one of the best vampire movies from the "House that Horror Built." And no Chris Lee? Impossible, you say. Don't count on it. From the opening cemetery sequence to the climatic scene of thousands of bats filling the night sky, Kiss of the Vampire is a thrilling pallette of both color and shadow. 11. Curse Of The Demon. Call it a trick, or call it a treat, but here's one thrown in for good measure. Forget about whether or not the demon should have appeared on screen, this is a great movie. Even those folks who don't like horror movies will love its intensity, its sincerity, its sheer entertainment value. Gee, I must really like this one! 12. Witchboard. Hey, aren't you gonna stop? Yeah, but not until I reach the right number. It's been a while since I saw this sinfully terrifying chiller but it got me interested in the horror genre again. And I've never fooled with a Ouija board since watching it. Whoa! I just got a chill writing that word so let's move on to the last movie. 13. Halloween 3: Season Of The Witch. Huh? How'd that turkey get on this list. I don't know, I saw it on TV years ago one Halloween night and...well, I sort of liked it. I know...it's stupid and silly and not very scary but at least Michael Myers isn't in it. And it's exactly what I need right now. (From September 2001) The Dracula Legend Lives: An excellent video on the life and career of Bela Lugosi has recently been released. Written and directed by Gary Don Rhodes, Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula is a superb look at one of horror's greatest stars. From the opening strains of "Swan Lake" to the sinister laugh over the closing credits, Rhodes presents a well-balanced portrait of Hollywood's most recognizable actor. Narrated by Robert Clarke and Rue McLanahan, the video is loaded with well- researched background information, film clips, and publicity stills. The video also includes very insightful interviews with friends, fellow actors, and Lugosi scholars. Anyone with even a passing interest in Lugosi's career will enjoy this production tremendously. The VHS version of the film is being distributed exclusively by Creepy Classics, one of the best suppliers of classic horror and monster movies on the Internet. A DVD is planned, too, but will not be available for several months.
The Others: It seems like the whole country has gone crazy over The Others, a somewhat creepy ghost story staring Nicole Kidman which opened early last month. The movie is receiving kudos from fans everywhere. Some moviegoers have even gone so far as to call The Others the best ghost story since the original Haunting. That's quite a recommendation. Isn't it? With that kind of lead-in, I just had to see it, especially since the original Haunting is one of my favorite movies. But after viewing The Others with a friend of mine recently, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. While it certainly has its juicy moments and evokes an altogether eerie mood reminiscent of an old M.R. James story, the film never delivers that ultimate shudder of fear known as frisson. A few quick takes will startle you, for sure, but The Others never dives deep into the darkest recesses of your soul to scare the living daylights out of you. And like many movies of the past few years, The Others relies too much on that surprise knockout punch at the end of the movie instead of providing a steady stream of tension throughout the story. The biggest problem with The Others, however, is that if you've read any fair number of ghost stories in the past, you'll probably figure out where that shocking jolt is coming from long before the movie ends. Compounding the problem is Kidman's portrayal of a young woman gone completely mad. Her madness arises not from things that go bump in the night, but because her husband has gone off to war and never returned, leaving her to care for two small children stricken with a bewildering illness. The key to any successful spook tale is the dramatic ambiguity in the telling of the tale itself. Are there really such things as ghosts? Can the dead walk among us? How do they interact with those of us who are still living? Questions like that need to be explored without an easy or clear-cut answer for a ghost story to strike the proper scary chord. A story's inhabitants may never fully understand the answers to these questions but they must try, or the story will never transcend mere atmosphere alone. While there are attempts throughout The Others to touch on these important questions, they are too light and willy-nilly to have any impact on the audience. Unfortunately, as the focal point of the story, Kidman's character barely touches the supernatural realm because she is wrapped up in a madness that is firmly planted in things we do understand -- the sufferings of our own loved ones. And when they are in pain, who cares about ghosts?
On The Other Hand: I'm not hoping for too much from next month's release of the new 13 Ghosts remake. Produced by Dark Castle Films, the production company run by famed showman William Castle's daughter, the new version promises to be almost as gimmicky as the 1960 original. Audiences should not expect free "ghost glasses" this time around, although tricky screen effects may produce similar results. Before heading out to see this one just remember that gimmicks do not make a good movie. Dark Castle films gave us the dreadfully awful remake of House On Haunted Hill, too.
Let's Go Bananas: While still a freshman in college I invited a very attractive girl to see the original Planet Of The Apes with me. Although the movie had been released two years earlier, neither one of us had seen it before our date. Having been an avid reader of science fiction since I was about ten, I confess to knowing the basic premise of the movie long before the opening credits rolled. My date, however, had never seen a science fiction movie before that night, yet alone heard about a future Earth where apes ruled the planet. As we walked home later that evening, she told me she didn't quite understand the plot of the movie. To my absolute amazement, I had to explain the meaning of it to her, particularly the surprise ending. Of course, that was the first and only time we went out! But over thirty years later I wonder if she has seen Tim Burton's re-imagining of our old monkey friends. Do you think she understands the ending this time? As I remember, the doctor she married was an unimaginative soul and I'm sure he has no time to share such nonsense with her. So I'm not too sure anyone will be there to explain it to her this time. And that's her loss, not mine. Not that I liked the "surprise" ending this time around myself. But despite a few minor criticisms with the new film, especially some of its lame dialog, I thoroughly enjoyed Burton's revised version until the climatic battle scene. Then in an effort to recapture that magical cinematic moment when Charlton Heston pounded his fist in the sand and damned us all to hell for blowing ourselves up, Burton weakly hands us a totally screwy ending that makes little sense. Let me rephrase that. Burton's ending is just plain stupid, even in the mixed-up world of pseudo science that Hollywood routinely serves us because it has no respect for our intelligence. You have to hand it to Burton, though. He does know how to pack a house. The remake garnered a box-office record when it opened last month with ticket sales of $70 million its first weekend. That was the largest non-holiday opening ever. And it's still going strong, having raked in over $150 million so far. But here's a bit of advice I wish someone had handed me before I bought my ticket. When all the action comes to a halt in the war between man and ape, just call it quits and leave the theater immediately. Don't worry if you haven't seen the new Planet Of The Apes yet, you'll know what I mean when it happens. Forget about how the movie really ends and make up your own ending. Take my word for it, no matter how unimaginative you may be, your ending will be better than what's up there on the screen. I know it. (From August 2001) Tickets: Movie-goers in New York City are now able to purchase and print tickets online. Loews, one of the largest movie-chains in the country, recently set-up a special website for the service, allowing some customers to avoid long ticket lines and breeze by the box office. The special online tickets should result in shorter lines for web customers and traditional ticket purchasers alike. Currently, the online service is only available at 13 Loews theaters in the Big Apple; however, Loews management hopes to expand the special service to several other cities over the next year. Despite falling attendance, movie ticket prices in New York City are the highest in the country. Maybe the online service can help keep ticket prices from rising even higher still.
America's Loss: The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently named historic movie theaters, nationwide, as one of America's most threatened historic resources. Because of the decline of downtown business districts and the proliferation of suburban cinema multi-plexes, several historic movie houses are darkening their screens forever. According to Richard Moe, president of the National Trust, "hundreds of irreplaceable cinemas have been demolished, and more close every year." The National Trust is a non-profit organization that is working to save America's historic places, whatever they may be. The loss of historic theaters should concern us all. Historic theaters are often independent operations typically showing critically-acclaimed movies that fall out of the mainstream. The loss of these independent showcases affects all movie lovers by restricting the distribution of films unable to fill multi-plex screens each weekend. But more than that, it severs our link with great movies of the past. There is something magical about watching a movie in these splendid film palaces, something that has never been duplicated at newer theaters.
Animated Treats: Urban Vision Entertainment recently announced it will release Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, later this year. Based on one of the best animated horror films ever made, Bloodlust is a sequel, of sorts, to the original Vampire Hunter D. The new film is based on a novel written by Hideyuki Kikuchi. The movie was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Kawajiri is a veteran anime director, having helmed about a dozen other animated Japanese films.
A Real Dark Knight: Veteran horror actor, Christopher Lee, was named a Commander of the British Empire this past June. The award represents one of the highest honors bestowed upon civilians in Great Britain. Lee has certainly made his mark in the film industry, appearing in over 200 films since his debut in Corridor Of Mirrors in 1948. Sir Christopher later found a home at Hammer Studios with his vivid portrayal of Count Dracula in 1958. Throughout his illustrious career Lee has thrilled hundreds of thousands of fans in dozens of horror movies, sometimes playing the bad guy and sometimes playing the hero. After over 50 years in the movies, Lee is still going strong and continues to appear on the silver screen. Watch for him next in both the upcoming Star Wars, Episode II and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Shymalan Does It Again: Not surprisingly, the movie Unbreakable was one of the top-renting videos in the country last month. Written, produced and directed by M. Night Shymalan, Unbreakable is an absolutely stunning movie that is a true tribute to the filmmaker's art. Although it was somewhat of a bust when it appeared in movie theaters late last year, Unbreakable has finally found a home on video and DVD. One recent week of video rentals generated nearly 20 percent of its box-office receipts, proving that some movies are better suited for home viewing as word of mouth advertising builds week after week. Shymalan is a master of mood and dramatic tension, successfully striking a supernatural chord twice in a row now. While Unbreakable does not pack quite the same punch as Shymalan's breakthrough film, The Sixth Sense, it is still an eerie and suspenseful work that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the opening train sequence until the closing minutes when newly anointed superhero, David Dunn, portrayed superbly by Bruce Willis, realizes the extreme price he has paid to discover his remarkable powers, Unbreakable will keep you spellbound.
On The Other Hand: I had the misfortune of watching Battlefield Earth on HBO a few weeks ago. Ouch! Why do some movies ever see the light of day? Regardless of whether it was John Travolta's preposterous prancing across the screen or the inane plot holes big enough to fly a space cruiser through, this is one terrible movie. If given a chance, I'd skip this one, at all possible costs. Clunkers like this make us appreciate gems like Unbreakable all the more. (From July 2001) HWA Awards: There were no surprises when the Horror Writers Association presented its annual "Bram Stoker Awards" this past May. As expected, the late Richard Laymon copped top honors for best book of the year, The Traveling Vampire Show. The book is a coming of age story featuring three teenaged friends in the early Sixties. Their ho-hum summer is shaken up when the world's most beautiful vampire comes to town. Don D'Auria, senior editor for Leisure Horror Books, a major publisher of Laymon's work, recently told me that The Traveling Vampire Show may have been Laymon's best book. It was fitting that Laymon won the award posthumously because the journeyman writer never seemed to capture the whims of a fickle reading public. Even though he wrote over thirty novels and scores of short stories in his all too brief career, he never became a household name. Of course, he was always appreciated by his peers, as well as true fans of dark fiction, and the Stoker award proves it. Also receiving an award this year were Brian A. Hopkins for best new writer (The Licking Valley Coon Hunters Club), Alan Moore for best illustrated narrative (The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen), and Steven Katz for best screenplay (The Shadow Of the Vampire). Congratulations to all of the winners.
More Winners: I've been critical of the American Film Institute in the past, panning their various lists of great movies and actors for being too predictable, but their latest list is probably the best one yet. AFI may have even redeemed itself for all the poor choices in the past. Called 100 Years, 100 Thrills, the list was trimmed to the magic number from 400 candidate movies. Votes were cast by hundreds of unidentified movie experts and recently tallied. (Somehow my ballot was lost in the mail again. I really do have to make sure those AFI folks have my correct mailing address!) The top vote getters were presented during a CBS television special last month. Several horror genre (and related) movies made the top ten including Psycho (#1), The Exorcist (#3), The Silence Of The Lambs (#5), Alien (#7), The Birds (#8), and Rosemary's Baby (#9). About a dozen other horror movies made the list of 100, including Frankenstein, The Omen, Dracula, and Night Of The Living Dead.
Movies on the Net: SightSound Technologies, a Pittsburgh based internet company, is expanding its downloadable movie offerings, promising to release 20 movies a week through the end of this month. The company has been selling and renting videos through the internet since 1999. Movies are generally available for a two day rental at a price of $3.95, about what you would pay at a local video store for a new video or DVD rental. A special software "key" prevents users from saving the movies to a CD or e-mailing them to other people. The "key" also limits viewing to the rental period and the same computer that downloaded the film. Although the list of available movies is not extensive, yet, there are several horror and science fiction films on it.
While We're Speaking Of Video Rentals: Blockbuster may soon settle several class-action lawsuits claiming customers paid inflated fees for overdue video rentals. If approved by federal court, customers who were charged late fees any time during the last nine years may receive free video rentals or discount offers. Although Blockbuster officials believe the face value of its settlement offer will reach $450 million, overcharged customers are not the real winners here. The ubiquitous video chain, the largest in the world, could shell out over $9 million to the plaintiff's attorneys.
Another Legal Matter: William Peter Blatty and William Friedkin recently filed a lawsuit against Warner Brothers claiming that Warner charged inordinately low license fees for the movie, The Exorcist, to companies that are part of its parent organization, the AOL Time Warner Corporation. Blatty not only wrote the original book but also the screenplay for the movie version of his story. Friedkin directed the film. The movie is one of the best horror films ever made. Originally released in 1973, a restored version played in several theaters last year. The original movie received Oscar nominations for best picture and best director.
That's French, ‘Tish: Universal Pictures recently announced that it will release the French movie, Le Pacte des Loups, later this fall. The movie has already broken box-office records in its home country and is expected to be a big hit here, too. Based on the legend of a giant canine that terrorized the French countryside in the mid-18th Century, the title translates as the "Brotherhood of the Wolf."
Burned to Light: Over the past several months I waited eagerly for the release of Shadow Of The Vampire. I waited as the movie had its North American premier at the Telluride Film Festival, then brief showings in New York City and LA. Eventually, I drove over twenty miles to the only theater in my area showing the movie, hoping to catch it on the big screen. Through it all, I knew Shadow Of The Vampire was a movie I wanted to see. I watched it again on DVD last month and am not sure the final product was worth all the trouble. Don't get me wrong--I did enjoy parts of this movie immensely, especially seeing John Malkovich as Nosferatu director, F.W. Murnau. Despite Malkovich's stellar performance as the driven director of the silent classic, giving us a fascinating glimpse of the early film industry, the movie fell short of my expectations. Although Willem Dafoe garnered an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the great German character actor, Max Schreck, his interpretation of the aged vampire, too old to even remember who he really is, paled in comparison to Malkovich's vivid impression of the famous German director. Malkovich deserved an Oscar nomination, too, and can rightly claim some of the accolades won by Dafoe. His Murnau is so convincing throughout the movie that it's easy to forget that vampires don't exist. So what's my beef with this movie? Well, the critical flaw with Shadow Of The Vampire is how it handles its shaky premise that Schreck was actually a vampire, not just a thespian portraying Count Orlock. Unfortunately, though, too much is given away too soon. We know almost from the start of the movie that Schreck is really one of the undead. We never wonder if, maybe...he is an actor who has delved so deeply into his role that he has assumed a vampire's ways completely. A little more suspense would have gone a long way. Besides that, the real Max Schreck went on to make 21 other movies after Nosferatu. That's a lot of work for a vampire who was supposedly killed at the end of his first acting gig. Consequently, the ending of Shadow was so untrue to form that it made an otherwise interesting slice of film history almost unsatisfying. Still... I guess it's better than most of what's out there. (From June 2001) The Return of the Tall Man: Angus Scrimm is best known among horror film fans as the "Tall Man.” Scrimm’s ominous portrayal of the creepy undertaker in the Phantasm series has made him one of the most recognized horror personalities in the world. Not content to limit himself to the screen, Scrimm recently inked a deal to narrate “Danger Theater,” a series of audio dramas produced for 13th Street, the premier entertainment website for entusiasists of the action, suspense, horror and science fiction genres. (You can visit it here ) In his role as the program narrator, Scrimm guides visitors to the website through dark and twisted tales, examining the depths of passion and human transgression. I caught up with Scrimm at an open-air cafe and had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about “Danger Theater,” his career, and other assorted things. HORROR-WOOD: How did you get involved with "Danger Theater"? ANGUS SCRIMM: I had done a little radio work, but apart from the Mel Sloan documentaries in the 1940s, not much audio-only until Robert Kurtzman called me in to narrate the first Wishmaster film. "Danger Theater" headmen Joe Sena, Lawrence Browning, and Tom Jackson brought me into their audio project with a single phone call. I relished the chance to be 13thStreet.com's character, the sinister Alistair Cooke. HW: How many episodes of "Danger Theater" will you be making? AS: Response to the Trik Media-produced "13th Street" site very rapidly exceeded all expectations, with the games section in particular experiencing phenomenal traffic, and "Danger Theater" also proving highly popular. Trik's plan for the latter is to offer seven mind-twisting dramas of quarter-hour length illustrating the Seven Deadly Sins, and another ten plumbing the Ten Commandments. HW: How does audio drama theater compare to being in front of the camera? AS: You get to sit down a lot more in audio. And, of course, you create the entire illusion with your voice, aided by the sound and sound effects engineers. HW: How did you get started in show business? AS: It was around 1590. Chris Marlowe was a buddy, and got me a bit part in Tamburlaine. Unfortunately, I was fired when I walked onstage carrying my spear upside down. Opening night jitters, you know? But casting directors have long memories. I didn't work again for centuries. HW: You were friends with Marlowe, huh? Then I’m picking up the tab for lunch. And no arguments! AS: Actually, friends have been a great help. Filmmaker-teacher Mel Sloan gave me narrating jobs while I was at USC. Writer Russ Burton got me my first pro acting job as Abe Lincoln in a bio short he'd written for Encyclopedia Britannica films. Comedian-director Marvin Kaplan brought me onstage at L.A.'s prestigious Players Ring and Stage Society theaters. Director Curtis Hanson cast me in his and my first feature film, Sweet Kill. Chris Coppola, Jim Wynorski and, of course, Don Coscarelli have all used me numerous times. And Fangoria's Tony Timpone has recommended me for several jobs. Recently, filmmakers like J.J. Abrams, Ron Oliver, and Alex Erkiletian, who all enjoyed the first Phantasm as teenagers, have remembered me with choice roles. HW: I’d like to come back to Phantasm later, if we could. Excluding any film you've been in, what is your favorite horror movie? AS: Any old black-and-white chiller with Karloff or Lugosi is still a deeply resonant joy. In the color era, the first two Aliens are the scariest movies I ever saw. HWR: Personally, I think the two scariest movies ever made were the original Haunting and Carnival Of Souls. Do you mind telling me what you thought of them? AS: As a film reviewer on Cinema magazine, I saw the original Haunting in the big theater on the old MGM Culver City lot in the 1960's. I had reservations about it as a fright film, but it certainly had its effective moments, and Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, and the others were terrific. Carnival Of Souls is an impressive accomplishment in mood and atmosphere. But scarier than Alien or Night Of The Living Dead, Joe? You make me want to see them again. HW: Some horror fans think Carnival of Souls was George Romero’s inspiration for Night Of The Living Dead. I’m not sure I agree with that but I did enjoy it tremendously when I first saw it as a teenager, even though I had nightmares for weeks. What movies did you enjoy as a kid? AS: I never saw a movie I didn't like nor a movie star I didn't idolize. In the Kansas City of my boyhood, admissions were 25 cents first-run or a dime at the second-run neighborhood theaters. Wednesday night at the MoKan was 7 cents night for three features and selected short subjects. I went to the movies two or three times a week then. And every night that I didn't go to the movies, I listened to the radio. The prime time shows were ablaze with wit, imagination, and great star personalities in comedy, theater, and music. HW: Those must have been truly fun days for the entertainment industry. You mentioned Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi earlier. How do today's horror films compare to the Universal classics of the Thirties and Forties? AS: The newer ones are noisier and all too often sacrifice eeriness in favor of blatancy. But many are highly entertaining in their own ways. As always, there's great stuff, good stuff, and less good stuff, but it's all fascinating, isn't it? HWR: Most of it, yes. Of all the movies you've been in, though, what has been your favorite character? AS: I've been handed some crunchy roles through the years. Obviously, exploring the Tall Man's identity through Don Coscarelli's entire Phantasm series has been the most richly rewarding, but I'm also grateful to both Jim Wynorski and Christopher Coppola for trusting me with widely differing characterizations in half a dozen films by each. And I greatly enjoyed playing the town preacher in Alex Erkiletian's dark Western Trigon, currently awaiting release. HWR: You’ve also been involved with the music industry. I know you were nominated for a Grammy award in the past, too. What was that all about? AS: I was nominated six or eight times for what is perhaps regarded as the Grammy's least significant category--Best Album Notes--out of the 1000 or more I wrote. On one of those I had a distinguished co-writer and co-nominee, Itzhak Perlman. I won just once, for a note discussing Erich Wolfgang Korngold's violin concerto. Itzhak should have helped me write that one! But, of course, he's won a few Grammys himself since then for his incomparable fiddling. HWR: You bet he has. Let’s shift from great music to great books for a moment. What are some of your favorite horror stories? AS: Bram Stoker's Dracula, devoured at the age of 12, remains my all-time favorite. On my bedside table, awaiting nighttime leisure, are Stephen King's The Shining, which Austin, Texas, writer Joe Fay sent me when I told him I'd never read it; Stephen Romano's Invasion Of The Mutanoids, and Simon Drax's A Very Fast Descent Into Hell. HWR: I’m not familiar with Romano’s work. I’ll have to read that one, at least for the obvious reason. Ahhh! Here comes the waiter with the check. No, no! I’ve got it. AS: You’re quick, you rascal! Shall we finish with Phantasm before one of us gets argumentative? HWR: Don’t worry about that. This has been a fantastic interview and there’s no way we’ll recreate Christopher Marlowe’s last hours and ruin it. What do you think made the Phantasm series so popular? AS: Coscarelli astonished 1979 moviegoers with a continuously surprising panoply of fresh, original horror ideas. Younger fans identified and bonded with the film's plucky 14-year-old hero, so engagingly played by Mike Baldwin, and were genuinely, deliciously terrified by the film's many truly scary moments. Elements of that movie have since been borrowed by other filmmakers, but Don has continued to turn out Phantasms true to his own singular creative vision, resulting in a series that is fascinatingly unlike anything else out there. HWR: One last question. Phantasm's End is scheduled for release sometime next year. Will it be the end of the "Tall Man?" AS: That would be telling. (From May 2001) Heads Will Turn: I don't normally talk about television in this column, although it is impossible to ignore the small screen completely anymore. I do confess to watching an occasional movie on TV, especially on AMC or Turner Movie Classics. But there is little else on the tube to hold my attention for very long. So it was especially nice to see Linda Blair recently on the Fox Family Network's Scariest Places On Earth. You remember Linda Blair, I'm sure. Blair starred as Regan MacNeil, the little girl who was possessed in both the original Exorcist and its first sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic. Blair has been in dozens of feature films and made-for-TV movies since then, none of which have been very memorable. Of course, The Exorcist is a hard act to follow. It is, after all, one of the greatest horror films in history. Blair had a comeback, of sorts, last October as the host of AMC's annual "Halloween Fright Fest." She did a terrific job introducing classic horror films for AMC, much better than her co-host, Whoopi Goldberg. Although I can't imagine why anyone asked Goldberg to do it in the first place. Blair has now brought the same zesty attitude to her temporary gig with the Fox Family Network. Sure the program is lame and its quick cuts and "real video takes" are downright annoying, but Blair is trying hard to make the program something special. And a few of the segments so far were actually quite eerie, particularly the one about a monastery in Sicily holding centuries-old mummified remains of dead monks. Maybe the Scariest Places On Earth will turn into something meatier for Blair in the future. It would be nice to see her in a classy horror film again. Just not another sequel to The Exorcist, please!
Speaking of AMC: Just when I thought I finally figured out AMC's pattern for showing horror movies, it changed on me. You know what it used to be like; I'm sure you figured it out, too. It really wasn't hard. Don't worry if you miss any of the films shown during the annual "Halloween Fright Fest." Those will be the same movies the cable channel will show all year long -- over and over again until you're absolutely sick of them! I mean, I love the original Wolf Man but I don't want to watch it every Friday night! I don't think anybody does. Finally, AMC is trying to shake things up, at least just a little, and break out of its stodgy formula. Last month it surprised me and showed Blacula, one of the most underrated vampire movies ever made. Blacula! How about that? What will be next? Martin?
Accepting For Worst Sequel Is: You knew it would happen, as surely as someone always pulls the wooden stake out of dead vampires. Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 copped top honors for the "worst sequel" at the Annual Raspberry Awards. The award was presented on March 24th in Santa Monica at a "send-up" of the real Oscars, something Book Of Shadows could never get close to. I don't know for sure but I bet none of the cast or crew were there to accept the award. Of course, an award is an award.
Conan In Love: It took me a while to find it but I finally tracked down a copy of The Whole Wide World. You probably missed this independent ditty when it played in theaters back in late 1996 and early 1997. After reviewing the meager ticket revenues it garnered, I'm pretty sure it never played outside New York City or LA--but I could be wrong about that. Independents have the crazy habit of showing up in the most unusual places. Based on the book, One Who Stood Alone, The Whole Wide World is the story of the on-again, off-again friendship (some would say romance) between pulp writer, Robert E. Howard and Texas school teacher, Novalyne Price. Howard's most famous creation was, of course, Conan the Barbarian. Price's memoir, written in 1986 is the basis for the movie. Like Howard and Price's real relationship, though, The Whole Wide World never catches fire and is a disappointing film. You know there's a story under all the on-screen talking going on, somewhere, there has to be a story. But screenwriter Michael Scott Myers and director Dan Ireland ignore it completely, preferring to give us endless, uninteresting conversations about Howard's writing prowess. And that's too bad, because Howard was a truly tragic figure and the story of his short career should have made a fascinating tale. One of the most successful writers in the history of the pulps, Howard cut his life short with a bullet shortly before his mother died of a lingering illness. Several biographers have tackled why Howard committed suicide when he did: some blame his mother and some blame Howard's strange sense of nobility. After watching this exhausting film, however, you're likely not to care what any of them say.
Zeus Awaits: Word has reached us from Rome that Giacomo Gentilomo died last month. Gentilomo was the Italian director who made the classic "sword and sandal" movies, Goliath And The Island of Vampires and Hercules Against the Moon Men. Gentilomo was 92 at the time of his death. When I was a kid, I had a passion for sword and sandal movies, hardly ever missing one when they were shown at the Garden Theater on Pittsburgh's North Side. There was a raw excitement in them that no other genre ever really captured. Heroes were stouthearted men, true to themselves and loyal to both their king and their comrades in arms. The villains? They were cunning cutthroats who'd betray you for one gold coin. And the women? Ahhh, the women! Good or bad, always dressed in white, they were absolutely gorgeous. They don't make movies like that anymore, folks. With Giacomo Gentilomo's death, an era has truly ended. (From April 2001) A Tale Of Two Hauntings: Last month I had a chance to watch both versions of The Haunting -- almost back to back. Turner Classic Movies featured the original movie one night and a few days later my wife gave me the remake as a gift. Although I enjoyed both movies, what struck me immediately after watching the remake was the immense superiority of the original. I guess that's not too surprising. Filmed in 1963 in glorious black and white, the first Haunting remains one of the most riveting and frightening films ever made-- perhaps the best ghost story ever filmed. Julie Harris stars as a shy and fragile woman who escaped the confining clutches of an unloving but smothering family. Claire Bloom co-stars as a worldly lesbian (we think), who sees something special in Harris and tries to crack her delicate shell. The two women meet when they volunteer for a psychic experiment attempting to prove spirits are real. One of them is a clairvoyant, the other is a spirit sensitive. Director Robert Wise developed both of these characters, as well as the remaining small cast, to the fullest and thrust them into a brutally clear nightmare that seemingly will never end. Wise deftly squeezed every ounce of terror imaginable from both the tight, straightforward storyline and his accomplished acting crew. This movie will haunt you for days after watching it. Not so the remake. Using much of the same dialog as the original but relying heavily on special effects to advance a slightly different tale, the remake fails to deliver any frisson (the sudden shudder of fear that grabs you when you're not expecting it). While the remake is not a bad movie and offers more than most of today's horror quickies do, compared to Robert Wise's masterpiece, it is almost forgotten as soon as the closing credits roll.
More Remakes: Add Joe Berlinger and Joe Dante to the list of filmmakers itching to bring back an old story. Remember Berlinger? He made the absolutely awful Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, universally panned by critics and viewers alike. While Berlinger has nine other films to his credit, some for TV and some for the big screen, Blair Witch 2 is about the most notable of them. That's not saying much, is it? Unfortunately, Berlinger has set his sights on the The Wicker Man, a fascinating horror movie from 1973 that has found a cult following over the years since its release. Despite the fact it had a rocky distribution history and many people missed it the first time around, it consistently lands on the top lists of memorable horror movies. I doubt Berlinger, with his limited background in the horror genre and the shallow experience he gained from Blair Witch 2, could improve on this little gem. On the other hand, Joe Dante's credentials are more solid and he has received the blessing of one of horror's greatest actors for his proposed project. Although Dante's best known works are the two Gremlins movies, he has also directed TV episodes of the New Twilight Zone, Amazing Stories, and Eerie, Indiana. Not bad work if you can get it! Dante hopes to remake the Hammer classic, The Devil Rides Out, a satanic thriller that was one of the best Hammer films of the late Sixties. Interestingly, Christopher Lee starred in both the Devil Rides Out and the Wicker Man. Lee has gone on record as supporting Dante's effort but opposing a new Wicker Man. Of course, Lee worked under Dante's helm in Gremlins 2 and he has been promised a juicy part in Dante's latest project. But that's not exactly why he is opposed to Berlinger's plans. Lee fears that the original Wicker Man was such a unique film nothing could improve on it. Let's hope Berlinger listens to him and looks for another project.
Smart Kid: Haley Joel Osment, the twelve-year-old star of The Sixth Sense, recently told reporters for a British website that he is not interested in a sequel to the 1999 smash hit that catapulted him to fame. Osment said there is no need to do a sequel because the The Sixth Sense is complete without a follow-up movie. I hope Osment is still acting twenty years from now when some director suggests a remake of the Sixth Sense. Osment is one smart kid, surely he will grow into one smart adult and refuse a remake, too.
May The Force Be With You: David Prowse is finally recovering from a mysterious paralysis that struck him in late February. Best known as the actor who played Darth Vader behind the mask in the first three Star Wars pictures, Prowse gained earlier recognition as Frankenstein's monster in the Hammer films of the early Seventies. First stricken in his arm, the paralysis eventually spread over Prowse's back before gradually subsiding. Prowse's doctors are still puzzled by what caused the onslaught of the paralysis. Here's wishing him continued success with his recovery.
Rest In Peace: The horror genre lost one of its brightest stars with the death of writer Richard Laymon. Laymon died of a massive heart attack on Valentine's Day. He was 54. Laymon began his writing career in 1980 and has written over thirty novels and twice as many short stories. His understated style had a quirkiness to it that was perfect for dark fiction. His work was fresh and unpretentious, traits lacking in many of today's better known horror authors. He will be sadly missed. Also dying recently was actor Louis Edmonds. Edmonds starred for five years as Roger Collins in the horror soap opera, Dark Shadows. He later reprised the same role in the movie, House Of Dark Shadows. Edmonds was 76 at the time of his death.
How Much Did You Say? You knew it had to happen. It was only a matter of time. Everybody wants our money, especially cinema operators. Evening movie prices in New York City have finally reached $10, the highest in the country. Ticket prices arrived at that magic number last month when Loews began charging ten bucks at movie houses throughout Manhattan. Prices have yet to climb quite that high in other parts of the Big Apple but they remain precariously close. Things are always more expensive in New York City, but Loews probably needs the extra money for other reasons. The movie chain filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year and has begun closing some of its theaters. A little extra cash can't possibly hurt. Nationally, the average price of a movie ticket is $5.40. The national average includes matinee and other discounted tickets. I don't know about you but I try really hard to see new releases before 5 PM and save a few bucks. I can use the extra cash myself. (From March 2001) More Closings: Loews Cineplex, the country's second largest movie chain, will close nearly a quarter of its movie screens over the next several months. That's not surprising, is it? After going through a tremendous building boom over the past few years, the company has begun experiencing record losses. Statistics available from the most recent quarterly financial statements cited losses close to $186 million. Not that Loews movie houses aren't beautiful. The one closest to my house, about 25 miles away, is an architectural monument reminiscent of the old movie palaces that defined the Hollywood film industry. Movie-going at a Loews theater is more than a few hours of escape from reality. With stadium-style seating, special members-only clubs, and in-house restaurants, Loews theaters offer an extraordinary movie-going experience. An afternoon or evening at Loews is a total immersion into the ethereal world of celluloid images and glitzy lifestyles. Just one question, however. How do you lose so much money when you charge people $8 each for admission?
Another List From AFI: The American Film Institute (AFI) is at it again. Not content to issue a list of the 100 best movies of all time, or the 100 best actors, or the 100 funniest movies, AFI will soon be choosing the 100 most thrilling movies ever made. In January, AFI nominated 400 films which, according to an AFI press release, "have brought moviegoers to the edge of their seats." "From the earliest days of cinema, movies were made to thrill moviegoers by transporting them to another place and time," stated Jean Picker Firstenberg, AFI's Director and CEO, when asked why the new list was developed. "AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills will celebrate the pulse-quickening, eye-popping movie magic that entices an audience and holds it captive until the final credits roll." The 100 winners will be announced in June. As in years past, the selected films will be honored with a three-hour TV special on CBS. Horror is well represented on the list of nominees with nearly fifty horror movies making the preliminary ballot. Some of the horror films nominated include The Blob, Frankenstein, Freaks, The Omen, The Pit and the Pendulum, and Rosemary's Baby. Also nominated were several of my personal favorites, including Dracula, The Exorcist, Halloween, Night of the Living Dead, and Carnival of Souls. Ballots were distributed to 1,800 leaders of the film industry's creative community. Somehow my ballot was lost in the mail! I will be calling Firstenberg soon to see what happened to it.
Oscar Nominations: With the exception of one movie, the horror genre will be missing at this year's Academy Awards Presentation. As expected, Willem Dafoe received an Oscar nomination for his role in Shadow of the Vampire. Dafoe's portrayal of Max Schreck, the star of the silent classic, Nosferatu, was hailed as a contender almost immediately upon the film's release. His work as filmdom's first vampire earned him a nomination for best supporting actor. Dafoe has already received the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for the part, as well as receiving nominations for several other industry awards Not surprisingly, Shadow of the Vampire garnered a nomination for best makeup, too. The competition in that category may be tougher than for Dafoe. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the likely winner for best makeup.
Hope Springs Eternal: Although countless |
