Dinosaurs Attack! - Cards

I really want an 'R' rated Pixar animated film made using this mad card series as the storyboards. ASAP!

 

A Request for 'Knights & Knaves' Blu-Rays

I've been very happy over the past few years to see that several of the boutique Blu-Ray companies are starting to move further afield in their desire to license obscure movies. I’m not sure that we need the fifth or sixth release of every Fulci horror film (now in 4K!!) before we get a decent release of literally hundreds of worthy pieces of cinema history. 

Later this year several companies are putting out a number of fascinating movies that have never been given the care and attention they deserve and I’m thrilled. But there are a couple of genres that still seem to be ignored and I’d like to make a short plea for one of the most obscure.

I’m a big fan of swashbucklers from any decade. This can be traced back to youthful television viewings of a couple of classic Errol Flynn movies – THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) and CAPTAIN BLOOD (1935) - that dovetailed perfectly with my early reading of adventure stories of all types. And while I could make a loud argument that both Robin Hood and pirate movies are underrepresented in the current Blu-Ray market there is another genre with even fewer examples on retailer’s e-shelves. I refer to what I call the Knights & Knaves classification of adventure tales in the vein of IVANHOE (1952), KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (1952), THE WAR LORD (1965) or PRINCE VALIANT (1954). And, of course, what I am most interested in seeing receive the Blu-Ray ‘special edition’ treatment are the films made in Europe during the period from the late 1950’s to the 1970’s. 

The Hollywood made films of this type are well represented these days but the lower budgeted follow-on productions are nearly invisible. There are a number of fascinating movies made in various countries that are worth considering. These were once staples of cheap television film packages sold to stations looking to fill up weekend afternoon slots but in the last few decades they have fallen into such obscurity that often the only option to see them is a poor copy posted on YouTube. This is a crime against film!

If I could have my way, I would ask that this fertile field of Sword & Armor cinema be explored by enterprising Blu-Ray companies. There are dozens of fascinating movies worthy of rediscovery. I know that they wouldn’t sell as many copies as a horror film from the 80’s or a giallo from the 70’s but there is a market out there. Well, unless I am the only lunatic calling for this, which might be possible. After all, these movies are considered rather juvenile entertainments with limited modern day appeal but the same could be said of peplum adventures made in the same years and they are finally getting some attention.

Here’s a list of a few examples that could be explored –

THE REVENGE OF IVANHOE (1965)

CHARGE OF THE BLACK LANCERS (1962)

THE BACK ARCHER (1959)

REVOLT OF THE MERCENARIES (1961)  

THE SEVENTH SWORD (Le sette spade del vendicatore) (1962)

L'AVVENTURIERO DELLA TORTUGA (1965)

ATTACK OF THE MOORS (1959)

CAVALIER IN DEVIL’S CASTLE (1959)

REVENGE OF BLACK EAGLE (1951)

THE NIGHTS OF LUCRETIA BORGIA (1959)

THE MYSTERIOUS SWORDSMAN (Lo spadaccino misterioso) (1956)

THE LION OF ST. MARK (1963)

KNIGHT OF 100 FACES (Il cavaliere dai cento volti) (1960)

IVANHOE, THE NORMAN SWORDSMAN (1971)

THE CASTILIAN (1963)

THE BLACK DUKE (1963)

THE AVENGER OF VENICE (1964)

THE INVINCIBLE MASKED RIDER (1963)

 

In this partial list there is some crossover with other swashbuckler kinds of tales but the flavor is the same. This type of adventure cinema deserves more than to be relegated to the rescued 16mm prints that pop up online or on cheap streaming services. These are interesting, entertaining movies that could find a receptive audience if given the right push. I hold out hope that some home video producer out there will see the wisdom of exploring these this mostly unexamined genre.

2017 - The Year of Paul Naschy Blu-Rays!

When we learned a few months ago that Mondo Macabro was going to be releasing two of Paul Naschy's more obscure films to Blu-Ray it was fantastic news. We have been doing the NaschyCast for seven years and one of our constant hopes was that his work would be made available on video again in some format. Last year's Blu-Ray of COUNT DRACULA'S GREAT LOVE was a massive step forward and with Mondo Macabro putting out INQUISITION and EL CAMINANTE the feeling among Naschy fans was that we might soon see more of his horror films soon. 

Boy, were we right! 

News came down just last week that Scream Factory will in June be releasing a huge Naschy set of some of his best work. Here - I'll let the Scream Factory info tell all - 

Synopsis

Paul Naschy (born Jacinto Molina Álvarez) was Spain's answer to Lon Chaney. He has portrayed many classic monsters – the Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster, Count Dracula, the Mummy and more. He was not only a terrific actor, but an accomplished writer, producer and director. This Blu-ray box set includes five stellar films from his long and distinguished career.

VENGEANCE OF THE ZOMBIES

High Definition 1080p (1.33:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono Castalian/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono English Dub/1972/Color/Not Rated/90 minutes

Complete Uncut Version

In Castilian with English Subtitles and English Dub

U.S. Theatrical Trailer

Spanish Credit Sequence

Alternate Clothed Sequences

HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB

High Definition 1080p (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono Castalian/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono English Dub/1972/Color/Not Rated/89 minutes

Complete Uncut Version

In Castilian with English Subtitles and English Dub

U.S. Theatrical Trailer

Spanish Credit Sequence

Alternate Clothed Sequences

BLUE EYES OF THE BROKEN DOLL

High Definition 1080p (1.33:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono Castalian/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono English Dub/1973/Color/Not Rated/90 minutes

Complete Uncut Version

In Castilian with English Subtitles and English Dub

U.S. Theatrical Trailer

Spanish Credit Sequence

NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF

High Definition 1080p (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono Castalian/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono English Dub/1980/Color/Not Rated/93 minutes

Complete Uncut Version

In Castilian with English Subtitles and English Dub

Deleted Scenes

U.S. Theatrical Trailer

Spanish Credit Sequence

HUMAN BEASTS

High Definition 1080p (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono Castalian/DTS-HD Master Audio Mono English Dub/1980/Color/Not Rated/84 minutes

Complete Uncut Version

In Castilian with English Subtitles and English Dub

Spanish Theatrical Trailer

This was beyond our wildest fantasies of what we might be able to get! And I hear rumblings that there will be other extras announced before too long! Who knows what might happen if this set does well? Might there be even more of Naschy's amazing films on the horizon? Fingers crossed.

Naschy's Funny Car!

I just had to jump on here and share this amazing find. I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy eventually so that it can be framed and hang over my desk. For my European readers here is the link to buy a print. Will wonders never cease?  

Paul Naschy DVD Releases in Spain

This is a look at the Spanish DVD releases of eight of Naschy's films by VellaVision. These photos come to us from The NaschyCast's third man - Dan Fisher, who is lucky enough to have these discs. Of course, the only problem for those of us without fluency in Spanish is that these DVD (as amazing as they are) have no English language options at all! Surely some American based company would be willing to partner with our European friends to bring these mostly never released in the USA movies to the Region 1 market! I'm looking at you Scream Factory. 

The FANTASTIC FOUR TV Series (1963-64)

Sometimes you stumble over a spot on the old internet that stuns you. Sometimes this sense of being surprised is from shock value alone but infrequently there is a website that is so amazing - so brilliant - in its concept and execution that you simply stare in wonder at the accomplishment. Such is my reaction -even days later- to this incredible site dedicated to the FANTASTIC FOUR TV Series shot but never aired in the mid-1960's. Now, you and I know that there is no way this show was actually produced but the fact that it fooled as jaded an eye as my own for a few minutes is a testament to the craft and intelligence brought to bear on this bizarre idea. This site is genius and the creators of this piece of wish fulfillment should be praised for the intricate detail and sharp thought evident in this multilayered hoax. I wish this show DID exist and I feel sad that something so astonishing has to remain in our mind's eye forever.

Check out this perfect explanation for the casting of Namor the Sub-Mariner -- 

By the early 1960s, Fabian’s music career was virtually over.  He was concentrating on his Hollywood career when he landed the role of Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner.  Fabian’s makeup in this episode, consisting of slanted eyebrows and pointed ears, predates Leonard Nimoy’s as “Mr. Spock” by two years.  Fabian reportedly hated the little wings glued to his ankles and they are only seen twice in the episode, at his first appearance and again, very briefly, when he returns to the sea.

“Namor’s outfit caused us a lot of grief,” according to costume supervisor Ed Lossman.  “In the comic books, Namor wore skin-tight trunks made from fish skin with large scales.  This look was nearly impossible to replicate, and the material I ended up using didn’t have much give.  The trunks were much tighter than what men were used to back then, and Sargent kept shooting Fabian from the waist up because he feared what the censors might think.  Liz Montgomery blushed any time she and Fabian shared a scene, and Billy Demarest had to be banned from the set.” 

Amazing! Look over the site- there is much more stuff of the same type. So much good work went into this I almost want to pay for it. 

Universal Monster Toys!

How did I miss these??? 

DC Comics' Shadow Covers

If i had unlimited funds I would own this entire run. I wish DC would reprint this comics in cheap trade paperback form. Now! 

CURUCU - Still Unseen

I have still not seen this film! I have to rectify this situation soon. 

Toys of my Youth!

Some of these I had but most of these I really just WISH that I had! 

Twelve Inch Snake!

Plissken, that is! Yes, the wishes of toy collecting ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK fans have finally been answered with Sideshow Toys announcement this past October that they will be producing a fantastic foot tall action figure of Snake! It features all of the anti-heroe's trademark features including full abdomen cobra tattoo, eye patch and all the correct clothing - muscle shirt and distressed leather jacket, urban camo pants, shin guards and combat boots. It even comes with all the weapons, the wrist clock AND the all important cassette tape that can save the world! This looks amazing!

Of course, with a $160 price tag I won't be rushing off to grab one, but I am willing to be gifted with this at any time of the year. 

That may be the biggest bit of begging I've ever done on this blog. 

Dream Drive -In Double Feature.....

People keep asking Yvette and I to go to the drive-in this weekend and that would be great- but this is the double feature I wish was playing. Ah, the Summer time madness of low budget monster movies.

Horror Comic Covers!