Beyond the Grave - Charlton Horror Comic Covers

Even though this late in the cycle horror anthology series sported work by Bob Hall, Joe Gill, Steve Ditko, Bob Ingersoll, Bob Layton and Tom Sutton they have not been reprinted in any form I can find. This book only lasted 17 issues with a seven year hiatus of publication between six and seven. Several of the later 80's issues are difficult to locate but my search will continue. There isn't even a Wikipedia page for the run! I have no idea what clicked in my head about these old Charlton comics but I'm becoming a bit obsessed!

Jack O'Lanterns!

Beyond Naschy #25 - GAME OF WEREWOLVES (2012)

In general, our shows focus on the Golden Age period of Spanish horror but the genre continues to flourish in Spain. Throughout the 90's and on up to today there have been some extraordinary horror movies produced in Naschy's home country including some efforts that were actually copied/remade here in the States. One of those genre films that we've been planning to view for a few years now finally gets our attention in this episode.

You would think that a Spanish made werewolf film would be a natural given the Waldemar Daninsky series being such an iconic part of horror cinema history. But the number of 21st century lycanthrope tales produced there - or, in Europe actually - can be counted on one hand. Luckily LOBOS DE ARGA (2012) found its way through the hell of modern film financing to the big screen. It must have been a hard sell because not only is it a werewolf story but it's also one of the most difficult genre combinations to attempt - a horror/comedy! That doesn't usually go very well. Indeed, the Naschycast's history with Spanish comedy is......... not good. So, what did Troy and I think of this modern monster wolf story that comes spiked with laughs? Listen and we promise not to spoil the film for you. Seriously.

We have a couple of emails that we answer in the final segment of the show including a voicemail from Britain. You can send your comments and questions to naschycast@gmail.com and we'll spill our guts to you next time out. We can also be reached on the Facebook page where interesting links show up regularly. Thanks for downloading and listening. If you like the show let others know about it!  

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RIP Stelvio Cipriani

Italian composer Stelvio Cipriani passed away the other day. I've been impressed with his work from the first time I heard it in Mario Bava's BAY OF BLOOD (1971). I've collected several of his scores over the years and always found them to be excellent listening experiences even divorced from their intended film use. He was a man of rare talent.

Re-viewing THE GORGON (1964)

Revisted THE GORGON (1964) because it's now available on Blu-Ray and it has been years since I last watched it. I've always liked this Hammer fantasy/horror story but this time I was surprised by the power of my reaction. I actually loved the film this time and found myself drinking it in and, once it was over, thinking about immediately watching it again. Director Terrance Fisher is often quoted as saying that, for him, the Hammer horror films he made were fairy tales and surely THE GORGON is a perfect example of this idea. Stepping outside the usual horror tale types for a story rooted in myth but still set in the vaguely mid-European local that all Hammer films seem to inhabit, the script is extremely tight. John Gilling is a known quantity for crafting some of the studio's odder 1960's efforts including THE REPTILE and THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES but I hadn't realized he wrote this film. Indeed, his list of script credits reveals a set of films that add to my appreciation of his career.

The standard complaint leveled against THE GORGON has always been that the central mystery of 'who is actually the mythic creature come to life' is obvious. It had been so many years since my last viewing of the film that I had allowed that criticism to seep into my opinion, so I was surprised this time through. The script very definitely sets up a more probable person to be the human form of the hideous Mogera. I had forgotten this! Of course, the presence of the lovely and talented Barbara Shelley generally indicates that her character will play a larger than average role, but the film does present a good argument for the frequently escaped old lady lunatic than my memory or the film's reputation had indicated.

Also, I found myself much happier this time around with the admittedly weaker than I would like snake-head effect. No, it's nowhere near Harryhausen levels of effects brilliance but it is much better than my general recall suggested. In fact, the whole film looks so beautiful in high definition that I feel almost like it's the first time I've ever really seen the movie. I think my last viewing was from a TV broadcast with washed out colors and fuzzy details. This time, seeing was loving! This is Hammer still at the top of it's game and trying to stretch outside their usual set of monsters. I think they succeed very well!

Plus - Christopher Lee is the hero! In a huge mustache! And bonus Patrick Troughton! 

Weird War Tales Covers!

Weird War Tales was a favorite of mine as a kid growing up in the late 70's. These days I occasionally find a random issue in the 50 cent boxes around town and they are always a fun read. Might be fun to take a run through the whole 124 issues one day. 

Happy October!

Time to start celebrating the 31 days of Halloween!