Poster Art for THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE 8TH DIMENSION (1984)

 

Beyond Naschy #39 - ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966)

Our journey through Naschy adjacent Jess Franco films continues with ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966)! Part of the brief spurt of Euro-Spy films that sprang up in response to Bond-mania the film features Eddie Constantine playing a slightly comedic version of his many tough guy roles. The film centers on a mysterious group of bronze-skinned automatons who are assassinating important European dignitaries. When their eyeglasses are removed, they turn into vegetative zombies and when killed their odd skin tone changes to pale white. Interpol calls in Constantine’s character Al Pereira to investigate. Throw in a seductive villainess, some mad science and Q-style gadgets and you have a breezy, fun adventure – at least for some. Not all Franco fans seem to like this one.

Bob Sargent joins Troy and I as we romp our way around Alicante with Pereira and try to unravel this bizarre mystery. We discuss the year the world turned to color and how this final black & white Franco film fits into his 60’s output. Bob recommends other Eddie Constantine films and I vow to track down more of his earlier crime movies. Where is the much hoped for Lemmy Caution boxed set, already? We relate our various reactions to the film’s amusing tone and note how easily it could fit into the Pink Panther universe. This is definitely not your average Jess Franco crime thriller and that might be why we enjoyed it.

 

If you have any comments about this or any other of Uncle Jess’ movies naschycast@gmail.com is the place to send them. We may not let Bob chose the next Beyond Naschy topic but you never know! Thanks for listening. 

Trailer - STRANGE BREW (1983)

 

Wild, Wild Podcast - RITA THE MOSQUITO (1966)

Italian star Rita Pavone is a mischievous schoolgirl with a confusing crush on her sleepy music teacher, who is living a double-life as a singer in a beat band. Can she stop pranking him long enough to make it as a new ye-ye pop sensation whilst navigating the exclusive private school life and these new romantic feelings? And sing loads of songs as she goes along?

After a brief break we are back with a new mini-season focusing on female filmmakers in Italian cinema. In this episode Adrian tricks Rod into watching a musical, directed by one of Italy's most commercially successful female directors of all time, Lina Wertmüller. Will Rod ever forgive him? Will the podcast ever be the same again? Tune in to find out.

We would love to hear from you about your favorite Italian female filmmakers, or if you are a fan of Rita Pavone and her brand of powerhouse 1960s pop.

You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our LINKTREE.

Trailer - ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948)

Because we all need a few laughs these days. 

The Bloody Pit #218 - MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM (1944)

Universal’s output in 1944 was packed with horror tales and MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM seems a likely addition to that list of chillers. At least until you realize that a firm 20% of the film’s scant running time is taken up by song & dance numbers! Yes, its a musical horror comedy with a script that started life as a Ritz Brothers feature, but don’t let that scare you off. The chills may be lacking but the entertainment value is surprisingly high. And there is a ghost enlivening the proceedings. Oh! And a murder as well. 

Troy Guinn and I take a run through this humorous creeper and find ourselves having more fun than expected. The credit for that goes to the talented cast so we spend a lot of time talking about the stars and a few of the amazing bit players as well. Where else other than in this movie are you going to hear actor Ian Wolfe say the word ‘Zut’? 

The film has several great songs and I include Troy’s favorite tune in the show because it is far too catchy to ignore. We discuss the plot shenanigans and the script’s careful skipping past a subject usually forbidden by the Hays Code. Mention is made of the award-winning career of one of the screenwriters and we point to areas in the dialog where his efforts might be heard. Also, we point the curious to the first English language version of this tale, THE SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM (1933), as a better source of horror thrills if not toe-tapping fun. This 1944 version might serve as a good pairing with that minor classic but only if we can ever get a better-looking print. Come on, Universal.

If you have any song recommendations from a scary film thebloodypit@gmail.com is where to send them. And let us know what you think of this film and the podcast in general too. Thank you for listening! 

Trailers From Hell - SH! THE OCTOPUS (1937)

In this video Michael Schlesinger reveals the long shadow of a true cinematic classic. Or is he joking? Yeah, he's joking. But the movie is a must see for fans of silly 1930's cult movies that barely make sense. 

Mr. Schlesinger recently passed away and I have been thinking about him lately. I was able to meet him several years ago and took the opportunity to thank him for his efforts in getting a number of beloved B-movies released on DVD and eventually Blu-Ray. He was a champion of a lot of often overlooked films that have had the chance to be seen and reevaluated at least partially because of his work behind the scenes. I have occasionally used his Trailers From Hell appearances to give myself a little of the fun of being in the same room with him. If you never got to meet Michael you missed a funny fellow with a big heart. His love of movies and sense of humor were a glorious combination and I only wish I'd been able to talk him more often. 

Wild, Wild Podcast Season 7: Ep 5 - ARRRIVA DORELLIK (1967)

Take one of Italy's most popular entertainers, stick him in a moth-eaten supervillain costume, then have him come face to face with a buffoonish Terry-Thomas and you have Arrriva Dorellik, a star vehicle for singer, actor and all-round charisma machine Johnny Dorelli. But given this is an Italian comedy, will Rod and Adrian be able to agree on whether this is one to enjoy or avoid like the plague? Tune in to find out. In this episode Adrian also gets very easily distracted by Dorelli's Sanremo win of 1959 which leads to him going on about the Eurovision Song Contest at length.

Johnny Dorelli was still singing this film's theme Arriva la bomba well into the 1970s, and can be seen making an appearance on Italian television here.

We would love to hear from you if you have any favorite Italian comic or masked hero/ villain-based films, or if have ever found yourself stuck in your car, trapped between two palm trees. You can contact us on Twitter and Instagram or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com. You can also find our YouTube channel here.

Please also remember to rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice!

Video - HELLZAPOPPIN' (1941)

After seeing the unfunny and mostly unentertaining GHOST CATCHERS (1944) it was time to see the most famous of Olsen & Johnson's film efforts. I worried that it would be a jumble of random crap slung onto the screen with little rhyme or reason that would end up boring me. But I was happy to find it isn't nearly as shapeless as I had feared and once the third act madness ramps up I was completely onboard. Of course, the fact that the first actor we see in this is Shemp Howard put a smile on my face as well. Strangely, the mid-film music and dance sequence is the highlight but that energetic set-piece would stun any audience in any film. Check it out! 

 

The Bloody Pit #194 - GHOST CATCHERS (1944)

Troy and I poke our heads into a Universal Studio haunted house, spot vaudeville act Olsen & Johnson and run away. Well – not really. But our first viewing of this nearly forgotten comedy horror film is not the fun we might have hoped. Did we enjoy it at all? Give the show a listen and we’ll point out the highs and lows.

GHOST CATCHERS (1944) stars a number of very talented actors and singers but it also stars Olsen & Johnson – or, as I will eternally think of them, Faster & Louder. Nearly none of their supposed gift for humor translates effectively from the stage if this film is any indicator. The movie’s silly plot is actually two different story ideas welded together with four songs and a lot of flat jokes. For both of us the film squandered what little goodwill we may have had for it in a certain horsey scene, but we’ll let you discover that along the way. We were surprised that a couple of the songs were pretty great but when a horror comedy’s highlight points out that it is more successful as a musical than anything else, there is a problem. But funny is in the eye of the beholder so you may actually enjoy this odd Universal effort. And did we mention Lon Chaney’s very small role?

If you have any comments about this film or vaudeville more broadly thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to write. Thank you for listening. 

The Bloody Pit #191 - STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (1986)

Mark Maddox returns to the show as we continue our journey through the first six Star Trek films. STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (1986) is one of the most popular of the series and stood for decades as the most profitable entry. The humor and clever plotting of the story still works nearly forty years later with the original cast shining with few exceptions. Of course, we pick at the minor complaints I have with the movie while Mark tells me I’m a killjoy who can only be happy with darkness and violence. That might be (slightly) true but I will leave that mirror reflection as something for others to examine alongside me as I make fun of Mark for sillier things. Much sillier things!

 

We discuss the film’s production including our thoughts on the Eddie Murphy connection and how it would have changed all future Trek films. I lament the deletion of the pregnancy detail and the possible stories that could have come from it. I question the odd visual choice for depicting the time travel sequence while Mark’s respect for me falls even further into a hole. Those hoping for the two us to argue will have a few moments of fun. The strangest of these comes from our discussion of cringy 80’s humor with Mark somehow unable to remember one of the most common derogatory terms of the period. That man’s mind is going!

 

If you have thoughts on Star Trek IV or the series in general thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. We’ll be back soon to tackle V – oh, my! Thanks for listening. 

The Bloody Pit #190 - EATING RAOUL (1982)

I am joined by the bane of my podcasting existence John Hudson and the much nicer Bobby Hazzard to heap praise upon EATING RAOUL (1982).  This is the film I’ve always though of as ground zero for Paul Bartel appreciation and more than forty years later I think it still holds up as the perfect introduction to his comedic sensibilities. If you laugh your way through this film, chances are good that you will love his other movies as well. Even the ones that don’t involves running over little old ladies to win a cross-country race or cannibalism.

We jump into the discussion by detailing our history with Bartel’s work and what each of us find so appealing about his screen persona. All three of us bring some tales of the production history to the table with the start and stop nature of the filming process leading to information about locations and casting. We do eventually get to a synopsis of the plot and spoil most of the funnier moments so be aware that you should probably watch the movie before listening to us giggle our way though the many deaths by frying pan. Our peanut gallery has returned for this episode taking the time to laugh with and at us during the show. Long time podcast fans will recognize Beth and Steph from previous episodes but we also get some very funny contributions from Laura as well. Luckily, she keeps John in line and I will take any help I can get corralling the monkey-mad Mr. Hudson. Strap in for this one, folks and stay out of the hot tub!

The show can be reached at thebloodypit@gmail.com where we’ll be thrilled to hear from you. You can also find the show on our Facebook page and wherever odder podcasts are downloaded. Thank you for listening.

Trailers From Hell - S.O.B. (1981)

When I was a teenager this film was repeated regularly on HBO and I must have watched it a dozen times. Its still one of my favorite Blake Edwards films and one of the reasons I knew from an early point in my movie fandom that Hollywood was a cynical, heartless, cut throat world of business. 

Trailer - THE OUTLAW JOHNNY BLACK (2023)

I cannot wait to get to see this one! If it's half as much fun as BLACK DYNAMITE (2009) it will be great. 

Trailers From Hell - SMOKEY IS THE BANDIT (1983)

Much like screenwriter Larry Karaszewski I have never seen this film but would like the opportunity to judge just how bad it really was. This might have been the first film I was aware of that was radically changed with reshoots before it was finally released. When I saw the resulting theatrical presentation SMOKEY & THE BANDIT 3, with Jerry Reed called in to replace half of Gleason’s work, I just thought it was a terrible movie and moved on. But, decades later, I would gladly pay to see the original version preview audiences ripped apart. I might even enjoy it as a cringe comedy classic. Who knows if I’ll ever get the chance? Are there even bootlegs of this out there?

Trailer - 99 AND 44/100% DEAD (1974)

I rewatched this odd film tonight and on second view I think I can say that I like it. It is off-balance to say the least but Richard Harris sells every scene and the satiric elements struck me as funnier this time than last. It is not for everyone but there is something about it that I find endearing.

The Bloody Pit #147 - FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973)

Where is the line between grotesque horror and dark comedy? Paul Morrisey’s FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973) explores that blurry line with colorful delight. Often known as Andy Warhol’s FRANKENSTEIN this is a one-of-a-kind experience and is now finally available on Blu-Ray!

 

Mark Maddox and I discuss the film and our history with it as we look at what we like and/or love about this bizarre piece of cinema. The movie was produced without a full script while the director composed pages on the way to Cinecittà Studios every day of its three week shoot. This creates a strangely meandering story about Baron Frankenstein (Udo Kier) attempting to bring about a Serbian master race by creating a perfect mating pair. As you might expect, things do not go as planned. Scattered about the story we find the mad doctor’s sister/wife, their creepy children and the lower-class servants who are asked to participate in some grisly experiments. It’s a bloody, nudity filled madhouse of a movie and is sure to please or anger an almost equal number of viewers. Our talk ranges from the very talented cast and the opulent sets to the well-done gore effects and the disgusting visuals. Of course, by the end we are off track and talking about other things but we start with good intentions. Forgive us!

The email address is thebloodypit@gmail.com and we’d love to know your thoughts on this odd work of cinema or any other subject we bump up against in our discussion. Thank you for listening. 

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Wild Wild Podcast - BED OF A THOUSAND PLEASURES (Finalmente le mille e una notte)1972)

Adrian and I return to the world of the Decamerotici to see what Antonio Margheriti could do with his version of the Arabian Nights. And, brace yourself, it's actually pretty good. Although we do have to qualify that claim quite a lot. So, join us on a magic carpet ride through the wild, wild tales of a Sultan with erectile dysfunction, an Aladdin with carpet dysfunction, and a Queen whose sexual appetite is defeated by a healthy supply of bananas. It's a beautifully photographed series of sex comedy shenanigans that clearly bears the stamp of it's time.

Article on this strange sub-genre HERE! 

Adrian's Margheriti BLOG

Podcast page LINK

Wild Wild Podcast Season 2: Episode 2 - THE SEXBURY TALES (1973)

We're back for more Decameron-inspired shenanigans, as this time we travel to medieval Viterbo for a collection of ribald tales featuring cuckolded husbands, horny ghosts, frustrated brides and misplaced shellfish. Join Adrian and I as we find much entertainment in this film that is very much a product of its time. 

For more information on this Italian sub genre, which morphed into the highly successful commedia sexy all'italiana, this article is a very good primer and one we will be coming back to: “Canterbury Rides Again”… PASOLINI & HIS “DECAMEROTIC” IMITATORS.

We would love to hear from you if you have any experience with the Decamerotici films. You can contact us on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com

Podcast Page LINK

What I Watched in October 2021

I've been very happy with both of the computer animated Addams Family films from the past couple of years. The second one isn't as strong as the first but I think that may just be that I'm no longer surprised by how well the material is being handled. The first from 2019 shocked me by keeping very well to the spirit and tone of the 1960’s television series and even finding ways to fold a lot of the original Charles Addams single panel cartons smoothly into the narrative. This new movie takes some inspiration from the 1970’s TV cartoon version of the family as well by having the entire crew riding around America in their gothic styled Creepy Camper. That was unexpected! And the plot smartly focuses on the precocious Wednesday (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz) as she is lead to believe she might not actually be an Addams. Mon Dieu! The film is funny, eerie and visually arresting throughout with pitch perfect performances from the entire voice cast. In fact, it would be easy to picture most of the actors embodying these roles doing do in a live action film as well which would be quite fun. Oscar Issacs as Gomez and Charlize Theron as Morticia are excellent and I hope they continue to play these characters for years to come.

The List 

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (1983) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 (2021) – 7 

EVILSPEAK (1981) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

GRIZZLY (1976) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

CIRCUS OF HORRORS (1960) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE PROPHECY (1995) – 8 (rewatch) 

SCREAM (1980) – 3 (deadly dull horror effort made in Texas) 

THE UNSEEN (1980) – 6 (interesting basement lurker/hideous family horror) 

LEPRECHAUN (1993) – 5 (uneasy mixture of kid’s film and bloody horror) 

VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE MONSTER MAKER (1944) – 5 (rewatch on Blu) (Naish is great in this) 

13 GHOSTS (1960) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945) - 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

BLACK AS NIGHT (2021) – 7 (New Orleans set vampire tale) 

DREAM DEMON (1988) – 6 (interesting British rubber reality film) 

THE FINAL TERROR (1983) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

CIRCUS OF FEAR (1966) – 6 (krimi scares) (rewatch on Blu) 

NO TIME TO DIE (2021) – 9 (an excellent farewell to Craig’s Bond)

REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1960) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

THE MAN WITH NINE LIVES (1940) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

DARK INTRUDER (1965)- 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

HALLOWEEN (2018) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

THE DEVIL BAT (1940) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

ABBOT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948) – 9 (on the big screen!) 

HALLOWEEN KILLS (2021) – 7 

PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES (1966) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

LEPRECHAUN 2 (1994) – 4 (pretty blah and typically 90’s) 

DARK AUGUST (1976) – 8 (strong low-key horror tale from Vermont) 

AMITYVILLE: THE EVIL ESCAPES (1989) – 3 (with Rifftrax – 8) 

KING OF THE ZOMBIES (1941) – 7 (rewatch on Blu – Mantan Moreland makes this one) 

PROPHECY (1979) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) (by turns ridiculous and sublime) 

UBALDA, ALL NAKED AND WARM (1972) – 4 (Italian sex comedy set in the Middle Ages) 

HALLOWEEN 4 (1988) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

CASTLE FREAK (2020) – 4 (weak remake with some bold ideas) 

BODY COUNT (1986) – 6 (rewatch) (Deodado’s killer in the woods slasher) 

THE MANOR (2021) – 7 (slight but satisfying chiller about aging) 

HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1999) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES (1986) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN (1966) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

WRONG TURN 3: LEFT FOR DEAD (2009) – 4 (terrible CGI weighs this down) 

THE RAVEN (1963) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

DEMENTIA 13 (1963) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)