Poster Art for REPTILICUS (1961)

 

The Bloody Pit #230 - DESTINY (1944)

DESTINY (1944) is easily among the most hidden cinema efforts of the 1940’s. It has had no legitimate video release of any kind and hasn’t been shown on television in decades which means it is difficult to find and nearly impossible to stumble across. We consider that a shame because the higher quality elements of the film are well worth seeing. Constructed from a discarded segment of an anthology of supernatural tales and paired with newly shot noir-ish footage to bring it up to feature length it is an odd viewing experience. Join Troy Guinn and I as we discuss the film’s high points and odd plotting choices while marveling at the amazing work done in final act of the story.

We talk a bit about the actors with some time spent on the familiar faces from Universal’s roster of supporting thespians. The film’s attempt to craft a story to use the existing footage is pulled apart and examined for its various flaws including the evolution of the main character from dopey patsy to murderer and rapist. We stare longingly into the sightless eyes of the lovely Gloria Jean and wonder how such a perceptive young woman could miss noticing the obvious louse that blunders into her home. And while both of us wish the story had remained in FLESH & FANTASY (1943) where it belongs, we would still pay good money to see a crisp Blu-Ray of this strange effort to salvage money the studio had already spent.

What do you think of DESTINY (1944)? Drop us a note at thebloodypit@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions. Thanks for listening! 

THE PEOPLE THAT TIME FORGOT (1977) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

 

What I Watched in March 2026

Kirill Sokolov’s THEY WILL KILL YOU (2026) is a hyper-stylized, violent rocket ride that prioritizes gory spectacle and shock reveals over all other considerations. This highly entertaining film feels like a feverish mix of KILL BILL and EVIL DEAD II set within a New York City high-rise hotel that feels like the setting of BARTON FINK. The director leans heavily into his cinematic influences utilizing rapid smash zooms, chapter titles, and over the top physics-defying action sequences. It feels like a mad action nightmare experienced after a movie marathon programmed to push heart rates high and make logical thought impossible. This film is derivative but it feels like a creative, slightly comedic variation on a theme rather than a pale copy of better work. Star Zazie Beetz commands the screen like she was born to play the role of the revenge seeking badass hunting her missing sister. I hope she is given more big screen chances to dazzle larger audiences but I suspect her performance here will become the stuff that inspires future potential action movie stars. This is a fun, popcorn action effort with grotesque horror elements and sometimes that is exactly what I want. 

The List

SCREAM 7 – 7 (another whodunnit that entertained me)

ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (1966) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

THE BRIDE! (2026) – 8

COBRA MISSION (1986) – 5 (ridiculous Uncommon Valor rip-off)

JUNGLE RAIDERS (1985) – 6 (slightly silly Indiana Jones rip from Margheriti)

CREEPAZOIDS (1987) – 3 (awful low budget ALIEN/THING rip)

LOVE CAMP (1977) – 4 (Jess Franco jungle brothel plod packed with nudity)

DANGER ON THE AIR (1938) – 6 (Crime Club mystery is entertaining)

READY OR NOT HERE I COME (2026) – 7 (sequel gets a little dark before the end but is still solid)

HAUNTEDWEEN (1991) – 4 (terrible horror film made in Bowling Green, KY)

THE WESTLAND CASE (1937) – 7 (first Crime Club film is quite good)

THEY WILL KILL YOU (2026) – 7

ISLAND OF THE DOOMED (1967) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

PROJECT HAIL MARY (2026) – 9 

 

Wild, Wild Podcast - WARRIOR QUEEN (1987)

Slave auctions, lavish orgies and gladiatorial combat at the dinner table; no, it's not the Tory Party Conference, it's American adult film director Chuck Vincent's straight-to-video Pompeii-set Warrior Queen, starring Donald Pleasence, Sybil Danning and David Brandon. Pleasence is having fun, Danning looks thoroughly bored and Brandon is doing his best, so will Warrior Queen live up to the expectations set by the fabulous VHS cover art?

This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy (and the Philippines). We would love to hear from you about your favorite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever had to flee from a molten lava flow. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our LINKTREE.

Poster Art Inspired By THEY LIVE (1988)

 

Poster Art for BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (1986)