The Animated Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976)

This show premiered when I was eight years old and was my first version of Tarzan that was accurate to the character as written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Of course, I didn't know that at the time. But when I started reading the original novels soon thereafter it was clear that the "Ugh, me Tarzan" versions were going to be a hard sell to someone immersed in the real deal. So, I occasionally return to this cartoon and love that the show was able create a solid adaptation of the ape lord that doesn't seem very different from the one on the page. Elements are softened, obviously, but the feel is far more true to the character than many other screen Tarzans. 

 

Rapiers & Ruffles Movie Poster Art

The films of the current season of Wild, Wild Podcast are on my mind!

 

The Bloody Pit #219 - NYOKA AND THE TIGERMAN (1942)

Chris Herzog returns to the show to discuss one of the best of Republic Pictures’ serials. NYOKA AND THE TIGERMEN (1942) is a fantastic example of the chapterplay form but gets forgotten when people talk about the best the studio produced. Revisiting this action-packed adventure proves that it deserves to be mentioned as one of the finest serials ever made. Where is the Blu-Ray?

We discuss the cast in some detail and relate a few behind the scenes anecdotes. Since this is one of only eight serials lead by a female character, we spend some time on how Nyoka both conforms to and breaks from the usual conventions of the format. It’s nice to have an action hero woman mixing it up in the fights and killing bad guys rather than finding new ways to be knocked unconscious! The lead villain is a woman as well giving us a driven Queen Vultura bent on destroying all who stand in her way. Dangerous females indeed! We also get the future Lone Ranger as one of the good guys ably assisted by the excellent stunt team that Republic always used. They will make you believe in leaping over tables and from great heights. And I can’t stop myself from pointing out how many members of the cast show up in various Poverty Row horror films with Bela Lugosi. Sorry about my fixations but you really should see the trainwreck that is BLACK DRAGONS (1942). And did we mention the gorilla named Satan?

If you have any comments or suggestions about the show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. We love hearing from you and hope you enjoy the podcast. 

JUNGLE GIRL (1941) Poster Art and Lobby Card

 

Space:1999 Japanese End Titles for Season One

Of all the things I might change about the first season of Space:1999 the music is not one of them. What an odd choice! I would love to get a translation of the vocals. 

What I Watched in July 2025

EDDINGTON (2025) is Ari Aster’s latest movie and, after weeks of thought, I consider it brilliant. And I feel sure that the best way to describe it is as a movie about a data center being built in New Mexico. Seriously. That is the underlying element of the story that is the catalyst for all the madness that unfolds. The 2020 Covid lockdown pushes things to the breaking point and creates the tensions that erupt into violence but the corporate goal of using the town’s water supply wins out. All the human interactions, failed dreams and dark deeds are merely the details that allow the wealthy to get what they want while the deluded poor are discarded or destroyed. It’s a cruel world and this film is a harsh mirror showing our petty concerns being manipulated to distract from the truly important things. Welcome to 2025. 

The List

MEGAN 2.0 (2025) – 8 

THE DRACULA SAGA (1973) – 7 (rewatch)

ZORRO AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1963) – 7 

BODY PUZZLE (1992) – 7 (rewatch)

SPIRAL (1998) – 6 (takes the Ring story in an odd direction)

ASH (2025) – 7 (fascinating sci-fi horror)

WRATH OF MAN (2021) – 8 (rewatch)

SECRET OF THE CHATEAU (1934) – 6 (old dark house murder mystery)

FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN (2025) – 6 

SUPERMAN (2025) – 8 

EYES BEHIND THE WALL (1977) – 6 (interesting drama about voyeurism with John Phillip Law) 

THE STRANGLER OF BLACKMOOR CASTLE (1963) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

THE DEAD DON’T DIE (1975) – 5 (TV movie penned by Robert Bloch needs a restoration)

EDDINGTON (2025) – 7 

SUPERMAN (2025) – 8 (rewatch)

ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES (1959) – 5 (rewatch on Blu)

MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM (1944) – 6 

THE LAST MAN TO HANG (1956) – 6 (interesting British courtroom drama) 

FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS (2025) – 8 

LORD EDGEWARE DIES (1933) – 6 (Poirot adaptation) 

SWITCHBLADE SISTERS (1975) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

Wild, Wild Podcast - ZENABEL (1969)

Wild, Wild Podcast have jumped forwards in time from the safe, family-friendly adventures of the early 1960s to the hedonistic, anything goes year of 1969 to meet Zenabel, sometimes known as "The Naked General." With this film we near the end of our Rapiers and Ruffles season, and also perhaps Rod's tether, with this Italian sex comedy from the director of House at the Edge of the Park, Phantom of Death and Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man. Ruggero Deodato may be many things as a director but how does he handle comedy? With nudity, of course! Lots and lots of nudity. 

You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our LINKTREE. 

Poster Art and Lobby Cards for NYOKA AND THE TIGERMEN (1942) a.k.a. Perils of Nyoka

Podcast on the horizon!

 

Music from ZENABEL (1969) by Bruno Nicolai

Here is a piece from the fine score for this early Ruggero Deodato sexy comedy. We'll be podcasting about the film soon and the score just might be my favorite part!

Naschycast Email - Summer of 2025

Troy noticed that the mailbag had collected several new pieces of correspondence so we decided to find out what was on your minds. Strangely, Paul Naschy seemed to be a major subject of these missives! Will wonders never cease? 

The email folder held five emails to read out and we respond to them to the best of our ability. My crushing inability to correctly pronounce several names is noted and corrected by a longtime listener and I promptly find other names to destroy. I should not be allowed near a podcast! We discuss keeping the Naschy flame burning and note recent online articles that a helpful fan of the show has provided. (See links below.) We also talk a bit about some upcoming Blu-Ray commentary tracks that are being released soon while giving a piece of bad news concerning a hoped for extra on another. Sometimes we have to hold on to older releases to sooth our collector minds. Our sick, sick collector minds. 

If you want to be part of our next email show naschycast@gmail.com is the place to send your thoughts. Thank you for listening!

Commentary List

Moonlight shines on Paul Naschy: 5 cult classics from the Werewolf of Spain

Music, Monsters, and Spies Add Up to an Assignment: Terror

SWITCHBLADE SISTERS (1975) Poster Art

I felt very lucky to get to meet Jack Hill this past weekend and have him sign my Blu-Ray of this film. I should have taken my SORCERESS (1982) Blu, but I chickened out!

 

Nyoka The Jungle Girl Comic Books

Podcast research!

 

Video - MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM (1944)

For those that want to follow along with the podcast, here is the best print of the most recent subject that I can find online. Check it and enjoy!

The Bloody Pit #218 - MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM (1944)

Universal’s output in 1944 was packed with horror tales and MURDER IN THE BLUE ROOM seems a likely addition to that list of chillers. At least until you realize that a firm 20% of the film’s scant running time is taken up by song & dance numbers! Yes, its a musical horror comedy with a script that started life as a Ritz Brothers feature, but don’t let that scare you off. The chills may be lacking but the entertainment value is surprisingly high. And there is a ghost enlivening the proceedings. Oh! And a murder as well. 

Troy Guinn and I take a run through this humorous creeper and find ourselves having more fun than expected. The credit for that goes to the talented cast so we spend a lot of time talking about the stars and a few of the amazing bit players as well. Where else other than in this movie are you going to hear actor Ian Wolfe say the word ‘Zut’? 

The film has several great songs and I include Troy’s favorite tune in the show because it is far too catchy to ignore. We discuss the plot shenanigans and the script’s careful skipping past a subject usually forbidden by the Hays Code. Mention is made of the award-winning career of one of the screenwriters and we point to areas in the dialog where his efforts might be heard. Also, we point the curious to the first English language version of this tale, THE SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM (1933), as a better source of horror thrills if not toe-tapping fun. This 1944 version might serve as a good pairing with that minor classic but only if we can ever get a better-looking print. Come on, Universal.

If you have any song recommendations from a scary film thebloodypit@gmail.com is where to send them. And let us know what you think of this film and the podcast in general too. Thank you for listening! 

Lamberto Bava's BODY PUZZLE (1992) Comes to Blu-Ray!

This 90's giallo comes to Blu-Ray from Raro sporting a commentary track from Adrian Smith and Rod Barnett! Wait. I'm one of those people! 

Yes, we discuss this film and its crafters while pointing out what makes it work and ask the difficult questions. Questions such as, are all police detectives in thrillers overly horny incompetents?

LINK

 

INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER (1965) Poster Art