Beyond Naschy #17 - WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? (1976)

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the best Spanish Horror films of the 1970's but it's also one that gets less attention than it deserves. There are several reasons that WHO CAN KILL A CHILD is less well known than other genre movies of the period - there is no overt supernatural element, there is no monster in the traditional sense and the story is unnerving no matter how you choose to view it. Director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador is best known for his two feature films but has had a much more prolific career as a creator and director for television. Interestingly, his theatrical films are considered two of the best and most influential of the Spanish Horror boom leaving fans to lament that he never made more. I guess we just have to be glad we have the classics we have instead of wishing for more.

Beautifully shot, well acted, smartly paced and very tense WHO CAN KILL A CHILD brings much to the table for discussion. Besides the obvious central question of an adult's reaction to a dangerous child there are questions of abortion, discipline, innocence, gender politics, the human cost of war and even nods to the idea that survival is by necessity a dirty business. Moral questions crop up repeatedly in the narrative but these concepts never slow the story. Troy and I have been looking forward to talking about this one for a while and we dig in with gusto. Regular listeners will detect a slight difference in my voice as, at the time we recorded this show, I was still recovering from a nasty bladder infection. My energy had returned but not my voice so be aware that I sound a little off. Or more off than usual! 

As always, thank you for downloading and listening to the show. If you have any comments or questions please write us at naschycast@gmail.com where we'll be thrilled to hear from you. If you get the show through iTunes consider rating and reviewing us in the iTunes store. We announce at the end of the episode what film we'll be covering next and it's going to be a major surprise, I think. We are certainly broadening the scope of the podcast! 

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WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? (1976) trailer

This film has been much on my mind the last month as Troy and I prepped to record a new Beyond Naschy episode about it. Seek this one out, folks. It's a bona fide classic!

Brief Thoughts - PRINCE OF THIEVES (1948)

Although I've never enjoyed a Robin Hood film as much as the Errol Flynn starring THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) I still seek out other cinematic tales of the legendary archer. I only recently discovered this low budget effort thanks to Columbia's series of Robin Hood DVD releases from a few years ago. I'm thrilled to have seen it but it isn't much to talk about. 

PRINCE OF THIEVES makes the bold claim that it is based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas and that seems to be kind of true, but I doubt much of the book made it to the screen. The movie has an odd look as it was shot in Cinecolor which ran two strips of film through the camera at the same time to capture different shades which were then blended in the development process. It gives the picture a strange, almost otherworldly look with flames rendered as bright crimson or orange and blues standing out vibrantly. I have to admit that the strange look of the image kept me interested for just the chance to see what things would look like. 

The film's story is a variation on the standard tale with a noble loyal to KIng Richard returning to England from the crusades to marry his betrothed. Robin Hood and his band intercept the nobel inform him that his lady is being married off to a villain loyal to Prince John and join him in kidnapping her from her terrible fate. Along the way Robin meets and romances Marian, Friar Tuck joins the Merry Men and much adventure is had by all. It's all pretty tame with little serious violence inflicted and most of the swordplay a little too sloppy to feel dangerous. The film is pretty silly overall but fun in a 'kiddie matinee' way that makes it seem like just the thing for an opening slot for a rainy Saturday afternoon. Throw in a serial chapter, a cartoon and a bigger film as a co-feature and you'd have yourself a fun time. Sure, Jon Hall as Robin is far too American, the characters are barely sketched costumes and the bad guys are pretty dumb but...... the pace is quick, the sights interesting and at 71 minutes it's over before you know it. This is no classic but it's not the worst Robin Hood film I've seen. 

Sunny Side Up by Faith No More

I've been a huge fan of this tune and the FNM album it comes from since it's release last year but I had no idea the band had created this fantastic video until this week. It was pointed out that the keyboard player is actor Roger Browne of ARGOMAN (1967) fame!

The Bloody Pit #39 - SOYLENT GREEN (1973)

These days SOYLENT GREEN is a film better known for it's spoiler level final act revelation than for it's more impressive cinematic qualities. It presents a dystopian vision of the world if then current trends in overpopulation and pollution continued unabated and it does so with a depth of meaning and intelligence typical of the best science fiction. Fortunately, the talent involved were able to craft this harsh story into something smart and entertaining instead of dull and ponderous. The film boasts a brilliant cast, strong direction and a dark future-shock style scenario that feels realistic but alien and fascinating at the same time. The vision of a hopelessly overcrowded New York City in 2022, choked with clouds of yellowish smog and bathed in a constant smothering heat wave is a window into to a tomorrow that no one would want for their children but seems more likely with each passing year. Perhaps, if we are lucky, this film's fate is to be less prophecy than heeded warning for the generations that fear that one day we might be feeding on ourselves just to survive.

For this episode I am joined once again by my fellow 1970's science fiction fanatic Randy Fox to discuss SOYLENT GREEN and we find that our opinions differ just a bit. Before we begin Randy let's us in on his recent, exciting project bringing independent radio back to the city of Nashville! He is one of the main movers & shakers behind the scenes of WXNA 101.5 FM which can also be streamed online at their website if you are not privileged enough to live in Nashville. It's a DJ programmed radio station with a slew of specialty shows and the attitude that they will play what corporate radio won't touch. Check it out!

As you might expect, this look at SOYLENT GREEN covers a lot of ground. We talk  a bit about the cast and crew, delve into the darker elements of the story, marvel at the glory of Edward G. Robinson, bitch about the madness of silenced revolvers and Randy introduces us to the Charlton Heston 'Grimace' Scale. Near the end we talk a little about the source novel by Harry Harrison and we even have a piece of feedback email relating to our LOGAN'S RUN show. Very cool! If you want to let us know what you think the email address is thebloodypit@gmail.com where we will be thrilled to hear from you. Thanks for giving us a listen.

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Soylent Green Day

Neal Adams' Tarzan Art

Some time back I posted the series of book covers these originally graced  but here are better scans of  just the artwork. That man has a talent for capturing bodies in action!