Wild, Wild Podcast - DOUBLE TARGET (1987)

Double targets can only mean double trouble for Rod and Adrian! Come with us back to the jungles of the Philippines standing in for Vietnam so we can jump back into some exciting action and hair-raising helicopter business. Miles O'Keefe plays Bob Ross, a man on a mission to save his son and kick some commies off a cliff, with only his special skills, lightning reflexes and sparkling wit to keep him alive. Now if he could only act!

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. We would love to hear from you about your favorite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever had to jump from the roof of an embassy building to escape some bad guys.

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

THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) Poster Art

 

The Phantom Detective - Cover Gallery

Although the pulp magazine was called The Phantom Detective the character was referred to as The Phantom in the stories. Like so many depression era do-gooders his true identity was Richard Curtis Van Loan, an independently wealthy man. He was orphaned at a young age inheriting wealth from his parents. In the first few issues of the title, the Phantom is introduced as a world-famous detective, whose secret identity is only known by one man - confidant Frank Havens, the publisher of the Clarion newspaper. Before World War I, he lead the life of an idle playboy, but during the war he became a pilot and destroyed many German planes in combat.

After the war, Van Loan had a difficult time returning to his old life and at the suggestion of his father's friend, Havens, he sets out to solve a crime that had stumped the police. After solving it, he decided he had found his calling.

In a turn that will seem familiar to fans of certain superhero comic characters, he trained himself in all facets of detection and forensics, and became a master of disguise and escape. In time, he makes a name for himself as the Phantom gaining the respect of police agencies around the world. 

I discovered the character through reprints and find his adventures to be fine pulp reading. I return to the series on occasion and am rarely disappointed in the thrill-ride nature of the mysteries. The name of the writer is a pseudonym so I never know who really penned the various tales but there is a consistently high level of quality across the dozen or so I've been able to read. 

 

Video - Thundarr the Barbarian - Intro

The recent release of a well done comic book series has rekindled my love of this show. I've been a fan of it since I was twelve and the show just seems more fun as the years pass.

The Bloody Pit #233 - ROBOT JOX (1990)

Our series following the films directed by Stuart Gordon continues with ROBOT JOX (1990)! After three horror films in a row this was certainly a left turn for the man best known at the time for inventive, darkly humorous gore. The intended audience for this one is very different as the film aims for a broader appeal without quite so much blood and dismemberment. Instead, we get giant robots fighting for territory in a post-apocalyptic world. You know – family friendly! Other than the drinking and brief nudity. And we should issue a spoiler alert as we talk about everything up to the end credits.

John Hudson and I gather around his dinner table with Troy Guinn joining us in a brand-new way. Next time we may have to use a Quija board! We discuss the production of the film and the hardships encountered in crafting the special effects. The cast and their backgrounds are part of the conversation with Gordon regulars getting shout outs for their welcomed return. We talk a little about screenwriter Joe Haldeman and recommend a few of his excellent science fiction novels. The obvious similarities to PACIFIC RIM (2013) are discussed along with another key comparison to director Guillermo Del Toro’s career. So join us for dubious Russian accents, stop-motion animation and men beating each other to death for the joy of the soon to be squished crowd. Oh – and a very suggestive chainsaw! Whew.

 

If you have any comments about the films of Stuart Gordon or anything else we’ve covered on the show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon!

Trailer - DOUBLE TARGET (1987)

Here's the trailer for the Mattei/Fragasso action film DOUBLE TARGET that stars Donald Pleasence and Bo Svenson. Oh, and noted thespian Miles O'Keeffe! We'll be covering it soon on Wild, Wild Podcast so you have been warned. 

CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON (1953) Poster Art

I'm not claiming this is a good film but it does have......not much, I'll admit. It's pretty bad, really.