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

 

SCROOGE (1970) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

My favorite version of the tale and an annual watch. Such a joyous film!

 

THE INVINCIBLE SIX (1970) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

Every now and then, while researching something, I will stumble across a movie that I have never heard of before and immediately realize I must see. This is the one I found today and I will not rest until I can watch it! With that cast and directed by the man who made THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS (1944), JOHNNY BELINDA (1948), TITANIC (1950), THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (1954) and THE PLEASURE SEEKERS (1964) it is a must find.

Trailers From Hell - THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973)

The recent news that this film and its immediate sequel THE FOUR MUSKETEERS are coming to Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection has me excited to revisit these wonderful adventures. There was a time in my youth when I watched them both several times each year but it has been a long time since I've ridden the road with these colorful characters. If you've never experienced what I consider to be the best version of the novel ever brought to the screen, there is no time like now! 

THE EXORCIST (1973) - Poster Art and Lobby Cards

The Bloody Pit #173 - STUNT ROCK (1978)

I’m joined by Bobby Hazzard and John Hudson for our long-delayed discussion of STUNT ROCK (1978). Is it a movie with an actual narrative or is it an episodic mockumentary about stunts and rock & roll? And why is there a stage magic act happening at the same time? We go from the ‘shower thoughts’ genesis of the film all the way through a listing of our favorite moments. Since the film’s director has called it the worst film he ever made, we briefly talk about his other work for contrast and lament his inability to ever secure a big budget Hollywood project. But we also discover that he directed an almost completely hidden third sequel to a very popular 80’s teen comedy that none of us were aware existed. Some things might be better left unexplored.

 

STUNT ROCK can be called many things but it can’t be called boring. It feels like two different movies clumsily mashed together forcing each viewer to decide which half they prefer. Is it the hard rocking magic stage show of Los Angeles band Sorcery or watching Australian stuntman Grant Page defy death in about two dozen different ways? I know which way I lean but this movie is a bit of a Rorschach test so you end up seeing what your expectations lead you to see. And that is more philosophy than I ever thought I would attribute to STUNT ROCK. It has to be a mistake. But you should check it out for yourself.

 

If you have any comments or suggestions thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon.

 

Video - CRASH (1971)

This BBC film is the first attempt to bring J. G. Ballard's story to the screen as a short. It is pretty darned interesting and actually stars Ballard as the main character! Directed by Harley Cokeliss (BLACK MOON RISING) it is an effective version of what Cronenberg would eventually turn into a feature. 

Wild, Wild Podcast Season 3: Episode 12 - MAGNUM COP (1978)

Put on your best pair of denim dungarees, a big busy mustache and head to Austria with Adrian and I as we try to understand why this film is called Magnum Cop when he's not a cop and he doesn't own a magnum. This is a strangely comedic yet harrowing late entry in the cycle featuring the powerhouse coupling of Marizio Merli and Joan Collins. What more could you ask for? Maybe a bottle of J&B?

 

We would love to hear from you if you have any favorite Poliziotteschi films. You can contact us on Twitter and Instagram or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com. Please remember to rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice!

The Bloody Pit #155 - THE CANDY SNATCHERS (1973)

John Hudson and Bobby Hazzard return for a roundtable discussion of THE CANDY SNATCHERS (1973).

 

Typical of exploitation cinema of the 1970’s this is a grimy, mean-spirited tale of crime and consequences. The story follows a trio of not-quite-as-smart-as-they-think low lives as they kidnap a jewelry store manger’s daughter. Expecting an easily scored diamond ransom their scheme goes sour and, when they start trying to turn their busted plan into a success, things get quickly worse. The sweat, fear and desperation combine to make for a tense, uncomfortable film experience with an ending that stamps this as one of the darkest American films of the period. I once thought of this as a one-time watch but my opinion has changed.

 

We briefly discuss the terrible crime that inspired the film and how the long-term details point out the folly of most criminal activity. We talk about the cast and crew with some fantastic information from the two main female actors. Writer/director Guerdon Trueblood is also on the record about the entire history of the production and we share a few of his amusing tales as we go along. Bobby expresses his dislike of the reoccurring theme tune and neither John or I can really disagree with his assessment. Of course, that means you get to hear it as part of the show. Sorry.

 

If you have any comments or suggestions or comments thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to write. We’ll be back to cover STUNT ROCK eventually. We end the show with a new song from Chagall Guevara. Thank you for listening! 

The Bloody Pit #147 - FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973)

Where is the line between grotesque horror and dark comedy? Paul Morrisey’s FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973) explores that blurry line with colorful delight. Often known as Andy Warhol’s FRANKENSTEIN this is a one-of-a-kind experience and is now finally available on Blu-Ray!

 

Mark Maddox and I discuss the film and our history with it as we look at what we like and/or love about this bizarre piece of cinema. The movie was produced without a full script while the director composed pages on the way to Cinecittà Studios every day of its three week shoot. This creates a strangely meandering story about Baron Frankenstein (Udo Kier) attempting to bring about a Serbian master race by creating a perfect mating pair. As you might expect, things do not go as planned. Scattered about the story we find the mad doctor’s sister/wife, their creepy children and the lower-class servants who are asked to participate in some grisly experiments. It’s a bloody, nudity filled madhouse of a movie and is sure to please or anger an almost equal number of viewers. Our talk ranges from the very talented cast and the opulent sets to the well-done gore effects and the disgusting visuals. Of course, by the end we are off track and talking about other things but we start with good intentions. Forgive us!

The email address is thebloodypit@gmail.com and we’d love to know your thoughts on this odd work of cinema or any other subject we bump up against in our discussion. Thank you for listening. 

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Wild Wild Podcast - BED OF A THOUSAND PLEASURES (Finalmente le mille e una notte)1972)

Adrian and I return to the world of the Decamerotici to see what Antonio Margheriti could do with his version of the Arabian Nights. And, brace yourself, it's actually pretty good. Although we do have to qualify that claim quite a lot. So, join us on a magic carpet ride through the wild, wild tales of a Sultan with erectile dysfunction, an Aladdin with carpet dysfunction, and a Queen whose sexual appetite is defeated by a healthy supply of bananas. It's a beautifully photographed series of sex comedy shenanigans that clearly bears the stamp of it's time.

Article on this strange sub-genre HERE! 

Adrian's Margheriti BLOG

Podcast page LINK

Wild, Wild Podcast Season 2: Episode 1 - ULBALDA, ALL NAKED AND WARM (1972)

We're back and this time we are taking a dive into the world of Pasolini's Trilogy of Life. In this episode we discuss films based on the first in the trilogy, Il Decameron (1971) and its many imitators, in particular the film known to English-speaking audiences as Ubalda - All Naked and Warm. Yes, it's the one with Edwige Fenech in a chastity belt, so grab your skeleton keys and head back to the middle ages with us.

For more information on this Italian sub genre, which morphed into the highly successful commedia sexy all'italiana, this article is a very good primer and one we will be coming back to: “Canterbury Rides Again”… PASOLINI & HIS “DECAMEROTIC” IMITATORS

We would love to hear from you if you have any experience with the Decamerotici films. You can contact us on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com

Podcast page LINK

MOONRAKER (1979) Poster Art

This mess of a Bond film has been on my mind recently. It seems that there is a Fan Edit of it currently out there on the inter-web that improves the film to a large degree. Color me curious. Hope I can find a copy someplace. 

 

Trailers From Hell - 1941 (1979)

Trailers From Hell - THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975)

 

I agree with everything Josh Olsen has to say about this fantastic John Huston film. It is one of the best movies ever made and neither of the two stars ever made a better film. If you've never seen this fun adventure then you are in luck - Warner has just put it out on Blu-Ray, so now is the time. 

The Bloody Pit #116 - LISA AND THE DEVIL (1973)

Mario Bava is one of the most influential European filmmakers of all time. At the time of his passing in 1980 it is doubtful that he would have thought his work would be held in high esteem but the number of cinema luminaries that praise his talent is too long to list. Certainly, by the measure of box office take Bava would have thought himself an unsuccessful director. Few of the movies we consider classics today were big hits in their day finding much more acclaim years after their initial release. And then there is his glorious masterwork LISA AND THE DEVIL. Given the opportunity after one of his rare hit films to craft a long dreamed of project, he made this film with almost complete control. Sadly, the producer was unable to find distribution for the finished movie except in one country and so demanded that new scenes be shot to make the film more commercial. The resulting film became THE HOUSE OF EXORCISM and is as messy a product as its gestation would imply. But, luckily, fans of Bava’s work can see his original vision and marvel at the beauty and joy of a master filmmaker letting his imagination take flight.

Joining me to discuss this amazing film is author Troy Howarth, the writer of many books on various film directors and actors including The Haunted World of Mario Bava originally published nearly twenty years ago. We delve into the film’s haunted palace imagery with an eye to the use of manikins and statues and corpses that seem to trade places randomly. The time-slip nature of the dream-like story is examined along with the possible ways to read the underlying meaning of what Bava was saying with this rumination on death and decay. The cast is amazing with a scene stealing turn by a grinning Telly Savalas as both family servant and devilish observer. We also note the origins of the wonderful Carlo Savina score and the producer’s feelings about being sold used goods!

If you have any comments or questions the address is thebloodypit@gmail.com or the show has a Facebook page where occasional updates are posted. Thank you for listening to this episode and we will be back soon with more.  

Apple Podcast or iTunes LINK

Direct MP3 Download LINK 

Ralph Bakshi's LORD OF THE RINGS (1978) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

I'm feeling the desire to rewatch this one.