LADY VAMPIRE (1959) a.k.a. Vampire Man

I discovered this film last night and watched it this afternoon because the internet is often a true wonder. The more accurate title is definitely Vampire Man but I understand the desire to give it the Lady title. Whatever it is called this is a wonderfully odd little hidden gem of Japanese supernatural horror that takes a novel approach to the idea of the bloodsucker myth. Here the vampire is capable of moving around comfortably in daylight but the direct rays of the moon transform him into a ravenously thirsty monster attacking the throat of any female within reach. He also casts a reflection in mirrors and uses golden crosses to immobilize past victims he likes to keep around as decorations. And he has a small group of Renfields including a dwarf, a bald muscle-man and a witch! Did I mention it is an odd movie? 

There is a very good subtitled copy available on the Sinister Cinema YouTube page HERE and I recommend it if you are the least bit curious.

 

Video - TEX AND THE LORDS OF THE DEEP (1985)

This little-seen spaghetti western/horror hybrid was adapted from the popular Italian comic book TEX which was first published in 1948. The series is one of the most popular Italian comics with translations into numerous languages around the world including a few scattered English editions. This is the only film version and it was supposed to be a pilot for a television series. Sadly, the film flopped and those plans were scrapped. Hopefully we'll get a good release of this oddity on Blu-Ray one day and its cult can grow! 

Video - TREASURE OF SILVER LAKE (1962)

Podcast on the way!

Video - TRUCK TURNER (1974) Trailer

Here is the amazing trailer for this classic Blaxploitation film. Podcast on the way!

Video - The Severely Edited TV version of EVIL DEAD 2!

This is an amusing look at the differences and oddities of the edited for television version of the amazing EVIL DEAD 2 (1987). Some of the things added back in make for surprisingly fine additions to the flow of the film and even fix a couple of continuity problems. Also, for some reason I'm fond of the bizarre shot of the stuffed owl laughing at Ash. 

Video - DICK TRACY'S G-MEN (1939)

Having enjoyed the first Dick Tracy serial I have moved on to the second! So far I'm liking the story for this one a little better even if the villainous menace of Charles (Ming the Merciless) Middleton is missed. 

Video - COBRA MISSION (1986)

COBRA MISSION (a.k.a. Operation Nam) is the subject of the next episode of Wild, Wild Podcast. We're covering the film because it features Donald Pleasence for a few minutes. Seriously, he is in the movie for less than ten minutes and everything he does was probably shot in a single day. But you still might want to watch this rip-off of UNCOMMON VALOR (1983) for what it has to offer which is plenty of explosions. 

Video - ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966) Trailer

Here is the French language trailer for this Jess Franco Euro-Spy film. It is not one of his most beloved films from the 1960's but I love it and I have a few friends that enjoy it as well. Beyond Naschy podcast episode on the way soon! 

Video - BLACK DRAGONS (1942)

If you have never seen this mad Poverty Row horror-espionage-mystery film then here it is on YouTube! This bizarre movie is the subject of the next episode of The Bloody Pit with David Annandale and I trying to figure out not just what is happening, but what it might mean. Like a message beamed from a different universe BLACK DRAGONS has always seemed like a film reassembled from fragments left over after a fire. It isn't coherent but it is fascinating! 

Video - Feeling Gravity's Pull by REM

A painful injury has my mind swirling into places it hasn't ventured in some years. Couldn't get this tune out of my head while I was visiting doctors today. I have no idea what made this one relevant beyond the obvious. 

Video - The History of the Monster Cereals: Count Chocula, Franken Berry, Boo Berry

This video is a good explainer for those curious about how the Monster Kid craze of the 1960's gave birth to the General Mills Monster cereals and the color changing controversies that made bathroom trips concerning! If only Yummy Mummy was available every year at Halloween time. 

Poster art for THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE (1961)

 

If you've never seen this fantastic film you really should seek it out! Made by Czech animator-turned-director Karel Zeman as a loving tribute to the novels of Jules Verne with the title of Invention for Destruction, it was released in 1958. In 1961 the film was belatedly released in the United States under this more famous title and by that time it had won numerous awards around the world. It is incredibly entertaining and unlike nearly anything you've ever seen before. 

Video - SPACE MONSTER WANGMAGWI (1967)

For those who are curious about the mad Korean giant monster film we talked about in the most recent episode of The Bloody Pit - here it is! This is a sharp looking copy with English subtitles so any confusion caused is completely normal. 

Trailer - STRANGE BREW (1983)

 

Video - DICK TRACY (1937) Serial

I watched this decades ago from a friend's VHS but I have very little memory of the details. I do remember enjoying the usual thrills present in a Republic serial and my recent rewatch of the feature films about Tracy made in the 1940's has made me itch to see how this version plays in 2026. There were some odd choices made in transplanting the character from comic strip to screen for the first time. Here he is an FBI agent stationed in San Francisco rather than a police detective in a nameless midwestern city. They also dropped Tess Trueheart and Dick's cop partner Pat Patton adding substitute characters for reasons that defy all explanation. Dammit! It's Dick Tracy - keep the supporting characters that add value to the mythology of the story. Still, I'm looking forward to doing a slow watch of this 15 chapter serial for dozens of reasons and if you're curious you can do the same. 

Trailers From Hell - DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012)

Australian Brian Trenchard-Smith muses about his love for this Tarantino western with attention to the vicious vision of American racism. Recent events here in the States certainly point to the original sin of our peculiar institution as a topic that should be the focus of many more movies. 

 

Video - Carol of the Bells (Belles ?)

While this is not my favorite version of this wonderful Christmas carol, it might be the sexiest! 

Video - I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!

Every few years I am reminded of this wacky Holiday song and can't get it out of my head. And now I pass it on to you!

Trailers From Hell - STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979)

Comedian and massive Trek fan Dana Gould does the honors of giving a bit of background on the first feature film. 

Trailers From Hell - MACABRE (1958)

This is the often overlooked William Castle film that started his independent productions and brought us the master showman we all know and love. It's a darned good little film and Joe Dante gives you a little info about it in this Trailer From Hell.