Trailers From Hell - VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960)

I've been thinking about rewatching this one and its sequel to do a quick compare and contrast. I think this one is better but I haven't seen the second film in years. This Trailers From Hell has Mary Lambert confessing to how this movie influenced her in an odd way. I get it. We were all pretty strange children, I guess. 

Alex Ross' Universal Monsters Art

 

The Bloody Pit #152 - THE MECHANIC (1972)

Author Paul Talbot has published two important books about Charles Bronson and his career. Both ‘Bronson’s Loose: The Making of the Death Wish Films’ and ‘Bronson’s Loose Again: On the Set with Charles Bronson’ are packed with information about the production of some of the most interesting action thrillers movies of the 1970’s and 80’s.

 

I was honored that Mr. Talbot agreed to join me on the show to talk about one of my favorite 1970’s Bronson movies. I’ve long been a fan of Bronson’s string of crime movies and THE MECHANIC (1972) is easily one of the best of the lot. We discuss the lengthy gestation period of the script, the major changes that it went through over time and the various actors that passed on playing the titular character. We also look at the location shooting on skid row in Los Angeles and how it offers modern viewers a window to another time and place. Director Michael Winner’s multiple collaborations with his star are touched upon and Mr. Talbot’s insights are backed up with his interviews with the sometimes controversial filmmaker. Of course, when you get two movie nuts talking it is difficult to stay on a single topic so a number of Bronson’s other vehicles are dragged into the conversation with both of us naming our three favorite Bronson films for comparison. These slightly off-topic sideroads are frequent but we do usually circle back to THE MECHANIC – I promise.

  

If you have any comments or questions thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thank you for listening to the show and I’ll be back soon with more. 

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Naschycast #69 - AGONIZANDO EN EL CRIMEN (1968)

Bob Sargent returns to the show to discuss a very early Paul Naschy screen appearance. Rescued from relative obscurity by the online fan-subbing community AGONIZANDO EN EL CRIMEN (1968) is a strange crime story centered on a serial killer obsessed with medical professionals - and their hands! This one is not easy to see but is it worth seeking out? Boy, do we have a lot to say.

Troy, Bob and I dig into the production of the film and how Naschy’s original job on this project was behind the camera. We spot a few interesting locations including a very familiar set of steps that are a big part of Naschy’s cinematic legacy. The film’s writer/star comes under scrutiny with Naschy’s pointed comments about the fellow leaving no doubt about why these two men never worked together again. On the other hand, this movie’s director, Enrique López Eguiluz, played a major role in making Jacinto Molina into the horror movie star we know and love to this day.

We take our time and really pull this one apart with occasional sideroads into the Hammer Dracula films and the on-set shenanigans of Klaus Kinski. It can’t be helped! We have a lot to say about the Juan Logar’s wide-eyed, maniacal but still somehow detached performance. We chuckle over the casual 1960’s style of misogyny and the silly idea that a woman might become a surgeon. Madness! And it all circles round to an embarrassing discussion of how best to hide a murder boner. We are a strange trio.  

We end the episode with a few new pieces of mail sent to naschycast@gmail.com and if you have anything you’d like to tell us, that is the place. Thank you for listening to the show and we’ll be back soon. 

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What I Watched In May 2022

I’ve really enjoyed Robert Eggers’ previous films THE WITCH (2015) and THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019) so when I learned he was making a Viking epic my ticket was already purchased. With THE NORTHMAN (2022) he has made his most impressive movie yet even though I can hardly believe that he was given $65 million to create such a dark, violent period tale. Eggers and his co-writer based their screenplay on the legend of Amleth written by a 12th Century Danish historian which was the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. If you are familiar with that play, you will know the broad outline of this film’s plot but it does have a couple of surprise revelations not present in the Bard’s version.

The film’s explicit violence, bleak atmosphere, beautiful imagery and historically accurate setting are enough to sell it to someone like me, but I think curious action fans might get pulled in if they give it a chance. The brutal nature of the movie’s savage world is shown in gorgeous, barbaric detail making this rough story something to shield from young eyes. The cinematography is incredible, making use of firelit interiors, natural exterior lighting, and the stunningly beautiful landscapes of Ireland and Iceland, where most of the film is set. Beauty and horror blend together to create a brooding, ominous tone that persists for the entire running time including the stunning final battle. Not every scene is filled with dread but knife edge tension is maintained for the majority of the film with the main character nearly always close to being discovered as he struggles to carry out his quest for vengeance. There are also a few very impressive single-take shots which help create an enveloping, nearly immersive experience. This film seeks to draw you into its world ladling on detail after detail until you simply accept the reality of what is onscreen. THE NORTHMAN is an amazing achievement and one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

THE LIST

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (2022) – 7

PRIVATE DETECTIVE 62 (1933) – 7 (William Powell pre-code drama)

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022) – 7 (gorgeous, gory sequel)

LAST EMBRACE (1979) – 7

THE NORTHMAN (2022) – 9

DEMONIA (1990) – 6 (rewatch) (better than I remembered)

CHOOSE OR DIE (2022) – 6 (brief, interesting horror film)

TERMINAL (2018) – 7 (beautifully shot, stylish revenge tale)

WHODUNIT? (1982) – 3 (poor slasher) (a.k.a. Island of Blood)

SATAN’S TRIANGLE (1975) – 6 (Bermuda Triangle TV movie)

VALERIE (1957) – 7 (western remake of RASHOMON)

AMAZONS (1984) – 6 (interesting TV movie)

SAVAGE THREE (1975) – 8

WIVES ABOVE SUSPICION (1938)- 6

1922 (2017) – 8 (nasty little rural murder tale)

WARRIORS OF THE YEAR 2072 (1984) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

THUNDER IN THE NIGHT (1935) – 7 (fun murder mystery)

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (2022) – 8

SANTO VS THE DIABOLICAL BRAIN (1963) – 6 (rewatch)

THE GREEN ARCHER (1961) – 6 (rewatch)

MEN (2022) – 8 (fascinating)

HOLLOW (2011) – 5 (mediocre British found footage horror)

THE ECLIPSE (2009) – 8 (lovely, melancholy ghost tale)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1998) – 5 (rewatch on Blu) (a mess but it entertains almost accidentally)

THE GIRL FROM CORTINA (1994) – 5 (OK drama that becomes a Euro-Gaslight)

99 AND 44/100% DEAD (1974) – 6 (rewatch)

FIRESTARTER (2022) – 4

THE NICKEL RIDE (1974) – 7 (Jason Miller in a crime character study)

CARVED – THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN (2007) – 6 (Japanese ghost/possession tale)

SUMMER OF FEAR (1978) – 5 (Wes Craven TV movie)

A DANDY IN ASPIC (1968) – 8 (amazing espionage tale)

THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE (2021) – 6 (OK small-town slasher)

THE MECHANIC (1972) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

HAWK THE SLAYER (1980) – 3 (poor British sword & sorcerer tale)

THE DEVIL’S DAFFODIL (1961) – 7 (typically complex krimi) 

 

Star Trek Artwork

Bronson and Bond at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater!

If you are in the vicinity of Lehighton Pennsylvania next weekend you could do much worse than an evening at the drive-in! On Friday June 24th author Paul Talbot will host a Charles Bronson triple feature at the Mahoning Drive-In where you can see THE MECHANIC (1972),  MR. MAJESTYK (1974) and DEATH WISH 3 (1985). What a perfect venue to see those amazing films! 

If you are interested in going you can follow this LINK for more information. Wish I lived close enough to make it possible.

Wild, Wild Podcast Season 3: Episode 6 - REVOLVER (1973)

Revenge, kidnappings, political assassinations and Oliver Reed doing all his best acting - this film has it all! Grab yourself a shot (or an entire bottle) of J&B and join Adrian and I as we once again head back to the dangerous streets of 1970's Italy (and Paris this time) for another piece of poliziotteschi perfection. This film is a slice of pure awesome and its recent Blu-Ray release in Britain is cause for celebration. 

You can contact us on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com so let us know what you think. Also, please remember to rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice!

Space:1999 Models

Spotted at Wonderfest in Louisville, KY. 

SuperCar Comic Book Covers

Video - The Metamorphosis of Space:1999

 

Gerry Anderson expert Chris Dale takes us through the complete story of how the hit show Space:1999 transformed from season 1 to season 2; the how, the why, the what and "what were they thinking?" Even if you're not much of a fan of the series this is a pretty interesting look at how things can go wrong on television productions.

The Bloody Pit #151 - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1998)

During a recent rewatch of Dario Argento’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1998) I typed out my real time reactions to the film on FaceBook. Several friends played along, seeming to share my dislike of the film and enjoying my detailing of the bits that struck me as nonsensical or bizarre. But one person stood up for this strange version of the Gaston Leroux tale and now he and I discuss our disparate takes on this odd effort.

Troy Howarth returns to the show to defend the film that was many people’s breaking point with Argento. We forgo an in-depth synopsis and simply dive straight into picking apart the various points of disagreement about the film’s quality. Strangely enough, we find several details and scenes that we both admire but mostly our discussion involves me bringing up the elements I dislike and Troy providing a defense. I’m impressed with his resistance to my repeated appeals to sanity and logic but since neither of those things usually factor into an Argento film, he has cinema history on his side. Luckily, I think our conversation is pretty lively and might even make fans that hate this odd film give it a second look.

 

If you want to put in your two cents about this film or any other that we’ve covered on the show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send messages. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon!  

Episode LINK

Jess Franco's THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR (1973) Comes to Blu-Ray!

On June 30th Mondo Macabro will offer pre-orders of this amazing psychological drama from writer/director Jess Franco. I consider it one of his best films and I was very happy to be asked to contribute to the release. Here's the full announcement and at the bottom I'll provide a link to the page that will carry the sale on the 30th. Exciting to see this lesser know film finally get the kind of attention it deserves!

Ana, a young songwriter and piano player, lives alone with her father in a large house on the island of Madeira. She meets a boy and they plan to marry. However when she tells her father of their intentions he tries to persuade her to call off the wedding.

With the help of her aunt, Ana continues with her plans and one day her expensive wedding dress is delivered. Ana puts on the dress and runs happily through the house to find her father. Entering his study she sees, reflected in a mirror, her father hanging by a rope. He has killed himself.

Ana leaves the island for the mainland and gets a job playing with a jazz band. However, she is haunted by visions of her dead father calling to her from beyond the mirror, summoning her to murder any man who gets close to her. Gradually the mirror world takes over Ana’s life until she can no longer separate fantasy from reality.

With a stunning performance by Emma Cohen as Ana, this was one of Jess Franco’s most unusual and personal films. This is its first ever US release and a world premiere on Blu-ray.

DISC FEATURES

Region Free

Brand new digitally restored 4K scan of the film negative

Spanish audio with optional English subtitles

Brand new hour-long interview with author Stephen Thrower

Brand new audio commentary by Robert Monell and Rodney Barnett

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES

Reversible sleeve with brand new art by Justin Coffee on side A and original ad art on side B; 20 page full color booklet with brand new writing on the film by Francisco Cesari and Roberto Curti; 1200 numbered copies in the usual red case.

Mondo Macabro LINK

THE MECHANIC (1972) Poster Art