Yesterday marked the 91st birthday of Ray Harryhausen- who is famous for being a master in the field of stop motion animation.  He pioneered techniques that allowed models to seemingly interact with live action scenery and people.  His work can be seen in such classics as, " It Came From Beneath the Sea " (1955), " Earth vs The Flying Saucers " (1956), " The 7th Voyage of Sinbad " (1958), " One Million Years B.C. " (1966), and " Clash of the Titans " (1981).  To celebrate this great man, I'll be reviewing, " The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms " from 1953. Happy 91st Birthday Ray Harryhausen! After a nuclear bomb test in the frigid ice near Baffin Bay, Professor Thomas Nesbitt discovers that they've released a prehistoric beast that follows the currents to New York City.  Soon, Nesbitt and his friend, Colonel Jack Evans are in a fight to save the city from the beast's rampage... " The Beast From

I have maintained over the past year or so, that the entertainment industry is slowly becoming stagnant- especially with it's growing reliance on remaking older films, rebooting franchises, adapting originally successful TV shows into not-so-successful movies (we're looking at you Duke Boys), and movies jumping onto the 3D band wagon.  I am always pleased when I see, or hear about people and projects that hope to inject some innovation and originality into the industry- especially in the horror genre. One of those recent innovations has been the growth of the web series.  You'll find many of them on YouTube by non-professionals- " Is It a Good Idea to Microwave This? " being one of them.  Of course, you'll find others with a more professional approach as well.  One of the most successful so far is the web series, " The Guild ", which is a humorous look at online gaming... and those addicted to them. Because of this, I was intrigued when I saw a

On the 20th of May, 2011, the second annual " Scare It Forward Project! " began with the posting on William Castle's blog of the first Chapter.  To date, there are a total of three chapters- each written by a different writer! The story so far: Summer- a time for sunshine, bathing suits, swimming in the river... and death.  Grant and four of his friends are enjoying the summer sun by spending the night along the banks of a river.  After Grant sees what he thinks is a dead body, evil begins to stalk the teens one by one...  The authors this week are: Brian Lane Dan Dillard and Alan Berger  The ghost of William Castle, on his Facebook page relates that on May 27, 1977, he met with Alan Berger, and Kathy Gori to discuss the script for a proposed movie called, " Animus ".  Unfortunately, Mr. Castle passed away four days after that meeting.  Thanks to the wonders of technology however, they were able to meet again via Facebook, with both offering to write

1951 brought the world- and horror fans, one of the greatest sci-fi/horror classics of all time, even influencing one of the greatest horror film makers of all time.  I'm talking about, "T he Thing From Another World "... After an unidentified flying object crash lands near an Arctic research centre, the military and scientists recover what may very well be the body of an extraterrestrial.  Soon, however, the small group is besieged by an almost unstoppable alien... and alien that needs their blood... " The Thing From Another World " is actually based on John W. Campbell, Jr's short novel, " Who Goes There? ", and took advantage of the American public's distrust of science after the horrors of the A-bomb dropped on Hiroshima.  It sets the stage for future movies featuring the conflict between scientists and the military- though later films would depict the military as being the sinister party. When it was released, it actually made more

I'm always interested in watching movies based on folktales and books... which is why " Bluebeard " caught my eye... During a rash of killings in 19th century Paris, puppeteer Gaston Morrell, and dress maker Modiste Lucille begin a romantic relationship.  Soon dark secrets and death begin to swirl around the couple until death hits their immediate circle of friends and family... We all know the story of " Bluebeard " from our childhoods, right?  A man by the name of Bluebeard (in many versions of the story it's because he literally has a blue beard), has a violent reputation- and is suspected of killing many of his wives... though no bodies could ever be found.  Bluebeard marries again, and shortly afterwards tells his wife that he must leave on business.  He gives her the keys to all the rooms of the castle- and tells her that she is forbidden to enter a specific room.  After she promises to stay out of that room, Bluebeard leaves.  Soon, however, curi

Over the course of the past few weeks of watching various horror films from the 1930's and 1940's, I have come to appreciate the films of Bela Lugosi.  I have also come to appreciate the fact that he's often the best part of the film. Brides have been dying at the altar... only to have their bodies stolen shortly afterwards.  Patricia Hunter- the society columnist for a small newspaper believes that a rare orchid worn by the victims can lead her to the killer.  The orchids lead her to Dr. Lorenz and his beautiful, but spiteful wife.  Soon Hunter and the local physician, Dr. Foster find themselves nearing the dark and deadly secret of the Lorenz household... This may not be one of Bela Lugosi's better films... but it's still enjoyable to watch simple because of him. Luana Walters wasn't bad as the society columnist.  She was witty, confident with a bit of sass, and beautiful.  But all that was kinda ruined by her ultimately winding up as the sexist "da

   In 2010, my friend, Jay- from Film Reviews in the Basement , took part in a special story telling project hosted by the ghost of William Castle.  Every four days,a new chapter of the story (titled " Angel Island ") would be published on William Castle's blog .  Each chapter would be written by a different person.  A total of 31 chapters were written. Well, this year, William Castle is once again proud to present " Scare It Forward! "  This year, there was such an overwhelming response to his request for writers, that the project is starting early- June 20th, and continuing until Oct 31st. Due to the number of writers volunteering for this project, the ghost of William Castle has divided the writers into three stories of about 13 writers each.  Just like last year, a new chapter will be posted on the William Castle blog every four days. Not only is this a fun project, but I'll be taking part in it this year as well!  I will be writing Chapter 9 of th

This is one of those films that I reviewed on Facebook a couple of years ago- and gave it a harsher review than it deserved on first viewing.  For it's flaws, this early zombie film isn't all THAT bad. While searching for a missing Admiral during World War II, Bill Summers, his pilot, and his valet are caught in a storm and are low on fuel.  Their only chance of survival is to follow a weak radio signal and crash land on a s small island in the Caribbean.  What they will discover there is beyond their belief as they confront, the King of the Zombies ...  Originally, Monogram Pictures tried to get Bela Lugosi to  star in this movie as Dr. Miklos Sangre (sangre is Spanish for "blood" just so you know), but he was unable.  Since they weren't able to get Peter Lorre as their second choice, the role went to Henry Victor- who signed just before filming began.  " King of the Zombies " was released just before the US entered World War II on the side of the

  I reviewed this movie a couple of years ago on Facebook, and gave it a two star (out of five) rating.  Revisiting this film again for this review, I feel I was a little harsh- and found more to enjoy about it.   The members of the wealthy Heath and Morton families are being killed.  The only clues are bite and claw marks... and a strange scent.  Henry Laden- a reporter, and his photographer "One Shot" McGuire must figure this case out before "The Devil Bat" claims another victim... " The Devil Bat " is a horror/comedy produced by Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC)- which was considered to be part of the "poverty row studios" of the time.  PRC was well known for quickly filmed movies that cost little, and had plenty of humour.  This movie was actually their first venture into the horror genre. Even though it's classified as a horror/comedy, the comedy isn't as overwhelming as in others- such as the rather disappointing, " The

  I recently finished an excursion through the horror films of the 1930's.  I ended that trip with a deplorable comedy/horror movie called, " The Gorilla ".  When I saw that the first movie on my list for the 1940's was called, " The Ape ," I wasn't exactly enthused. Suffering from the loss of his own family due to polio, Dr. Adrian is determined to cure a young woman... but to do this, he requires human spinal fluid.  The escape of a circus ape gives him the opportunity to get what he needs... while the towns people blame the ape... As I said, after my experience watching, " The Gorilla ," I wasn't exactly holding out much hope for " The Ape ".  The fact that it starred Boris Karloff helped to raise my enthusiasm. There is some decent camera work in this film that allow for interesting plays of shadow.  The angles aren't exactly innovative, but they're still effective at framing the action.  The opening- announcing the

  I enjoy my horror movies, and strive to find as many as I can.  In the process, I have found that as cool as it is to collect the " Special Director's Cut Holographic Foil Cover Necronomicon Edition " of a movie, it's more economical (for me at least) to simply buy box sets.  Of course, there are other advantages... as well as disadvantages to buying box sets. The obvious advantage is  the financial one that spurred me into collecting them.  I have one box set that has fifty horror movies (pretty much all of them black and white ones from the 1920 up to the 1950's).  It only cost me $20.00.  When you do that math, that's $2.50 per movie.  When you compare that to the price of most single movie DVD's- $9.00 to $24.00, and you can see the financial value of purchasing box sets.  A definate point in favor of them. Another advantage is the variety of box sets.  Are you a fan of a franchise such as, " The Omen "?  Well, you can probably find a bo

Horror and comedy often go together- sometimes successfully... and sometimes not so much. During a rash of killings by someone calling themselves, "The Gorilla," Walter Stevens receives a death threat from the killer.  For protection, he hires a group of three bumbling detectives to protect himself.  Secret passage ways, an escaped gorilla, and a strange butler soon complicate the case... and put their client at risk. .. Not only am I a fan of older horror films, but I'm also a fan of old comedies.  Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, The Marx Brothers,  and Abbot and Costello especially.  This film is the first time I'd heard of The Ritz Brothers (who play the three bumbling detectives), and I was hoping for the same type of charm and lightness of humour that I enjoyed from the other groups. Unfortunately, even though I smiled once or twice at their antics, I didn't really laugh, or feel entertained by them.  Instead, I just felt like I'd seen the same

There are some movies from the past that when compared to movies made today, could be classified as a truly bad movie.  1934's " Maniac ", directed by Dwain Esper, would certainly fall into that category. Having said that, however, when viewed as part of the evolution of the horror genre within cinema, this film could be considered a "classic".  The same can also be said of this film when viewed simply for amusement and a chuckle or two. Don Maxwell- a vaudeville impersonator hiding from the police, becomes involved with Dr. Meirschultz and his plans to bring the dead back to life.  A gun shot and circumstances conspire to drag Maxwell into madness as those around him close in on the truth... Dr. Meirschultz is portrayed by Horace B. Carpenter, who was a silent film producer/director/actor during the silent film era.  Once talking movies took over, he portrayed white haired characters in westerns.  Marian Blackton is often mistakenly reported as playing the

I'm not afraid to admit that bats scare the hell out of me.  I have a hard time even watching them on TV or in a movie.  And when a movie is called, " The Vampire Bat ", you can expect me to be ready to squirm a bit when they show the bats... The small village of Kleinschloss is being plagued by a rash of killings- killings where the victims have been drained of their blood.  Unable to find clues of a human killer, the authorities are forced to contemplate the supernatural... " The Vampire Bat " was produced by Majestic Pictures, Inc. as a way for them to cash in on the publicity of Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill appearing in Warner Bros' films " Doctor X " (1932), and " Mystery of the Wax Museum " (1933).  As soon as Wray and Atwill finished filming, " Mystery of the Wax Museum ", Majestic Pictures hired them for their own film. To help their rather low budget film look like that of an "A-List" studio, Majestic Pic

Bela Lugosi followed up his classic 1931 portrayal of Count Dracula with the first feature length zombie movie in 1932.  This film was actually inspired by Kenneth Webb's Broadway play, " Zombie ", and was filmed in a span of eleven days. Madeleine and Neil have been invited to be married at Charles Beaumont's plantation in Haiti, despite only having just recently met him.  Neil soon discovers that things aren't what they seem when Madeleine dies shortly after the wedding... only to be raised again as a zombie ... Many of the cast members were silent film stars whose fame started to die out with the advent of talking films.  Joseph Cawthorn, who played Dr. Brunner was mostly known at the time for his comic relief roles prior to " White Zombie ".  Madge Bellamy, the lovely actress that portrays Madeleine used to recall that working with Bela Lugosi was pleasant, and that he  would often kiss her hand in the mornings on set, while others- such as the