HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....

Tsai Chin is 79, Sandy Descher is 70, and Dian Parkinson is 71.

THIS ISLAND EARTH 1955 (UNIVERSAL)

Another great 50's sci-fi film I haven't watched in some time.

Rex Reason stars as Cal Meacham, a scientist who, after building a very complicated device called and Interocitor, is contacted by another scientist named Exeter.

Exeter is actually an alien who is trying to get scientists from Earth to help him in his planet's war with another world. His planet, Metaluna is on the verge of destruction. Meacham teams up with the alien at a secret hideaway in Georgia an meets fellow scientists Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue) and Steve Carlson (Russell Johnson).

They fill Meacham in on what they think is going on and all three plan an escape. Carlson is killed and Adams and Meacham are taken aboard a spaceship and taken to the dying planet.

This is a wonderful trip down memory lane for me and an all round good movie. The technicolor is beautiful and the presentation on DVD is excellent. A bona fide classic that should be more recognized than it is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO.....

Jerry Lawler is 66, and Gene Okerlund is 77.

THE LORELEY'S GRASP 1972 (SINISTER CINEMA)

Interesting film from Amando De Ossorio.

A young woman who turns into a scaly reptilian monster during the cycle of the full moon and craves human flesh terrorizes a girls school.

Tony Kendall is a hunter who is hired to kill the monster. The women in the school are all attractive as hell and want Kendall. Helga Line is the sexy woman who is also a monster that craves human hearts.

There are some pretty gruesome scenes in this film including hearts being ripped out and skin being torn from a body. The print from Sinister is very nice, and I cannot recommend this thriller enough.

As is typical in these films, the beautiful women always disrobe, and that is always a plus.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO.....

Ed Harris is 65, Joe Dante is 69, James Karen is 92, and Danielle Moinet is 32.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Stewart Moss is 78.

GENIE OF DARKNESS 1962 (SINISTER CINEMA)

With the recent passing of German Robles, I decided to watch this little gem.

It's a simple story about a group of people who are trying to kill a very powerful vampire named Nostradamus, played by Robles.

This is edited from a serial and so it moves along rather quickly. This is the third of four features edited from said same material. Jack Taylor stars in this as Igor, and no he is not a monster, he is a scientist who is trying to kill the vampire.

Someday I would really like to see these in their original Spanish language versions, as the US dubbing leaves a lot to be desired. Good stuff however, and worth seeing.

THEM 1954 (WARNER) BLU-RAY

The quintessential 50's big bug movie finally comes to Blu-ray.

James Whitmore, James Arness, Joan Weldon and Edmund Gwenn star in this classic film about huge atomic mutated ants that first appear in the desert of New Mexico and quickly make for the sewers of Los Angeles.

The script, acting and effects are all top notch. Whitmore is a cop who sacrifices himself to save two little children trapped by the mutants, and his death scene always gets me.

The movie slowly builds to a great climax and it NEVER gets boring. The supporting cast includes Sean McClory, Onslow Stevens, Sandy Descher (in a great performance), Chris Drake, Fess Parker and Olin Howlin.

The Blu-ray looks fantastic with excellent sound quality as well. It has been a long time coming to Blu-ray and I commend Warner for finally getting it out. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....

Christina Applegate is 44, Darlanne Fluegel is 57, Noel Neill is 95, and Kathryn Grant is 82.

BRIDES WORE BLOOD 1971 (RETROMEDIA)

Wow, it has been a long time since I saw this film.

Very low budget horror film shot in Florida. This weird story is about a family that must try and break a very old curse, and in doing so a woman must bear a child.

The curse involves vampires and magic rituals. The female vampires have those cheap plastic fangs we all owned as monster kids, an that to me only makes the film more entertaining.

The cast is made up of unknowns from St. Augustine, FL where the film was shot. I like the very "non Hollywood look of the film. The ending is a nice shock ending that really makes you go.."wow".

Retromedia turned this out many years ago an I'm glad they did. It is a seldom seen film that deserves more recognition. Check it out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO.....

Beth Phoenix is 35.

FURY OF HERCULES 1962 (MILL CREEK)

A classic muscle popper.

Brad Harris stars as Hercules who helps fight a tyrannical ruler. The ruler is played by Serge Gainsbourg, who you'll recognize from a few of these kinds of films.

The queen of the kingdom has an eye for Hercules who falls for a handmaiden instead, which makes the queen very angry. Brad Harris does an excellent job and the mighty warrior with super human strength.

Hercules is put to many tests including fighting an ape-like monster in a cavern. I would recommend this to any peplum fan. The print from Mill Creek is ok, but again, I wish it were in widescreen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO.....

Robert Towne is 81, Tom Neyman is 80, and Boris Karloff was born on this date in 1887.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....

Jamie Lee Curtis is 57, Robert Vaughn is 83, and Margaret Markov is 67.

BLOOD AND LACE 1971 (SHOUT FACTORY) BLU-RAY

One of the most shocking films of the 70's finally comes to Blu-ray.

Gorgeous Melody Patterson stars as Ellie Masters. a young woman who mother was a prostitute who was killed by someone with the claw end of a hammer while she slept.

Ellie is then taken to an orphanage run by the very sadistic Mrs. Deere, who likes to torture some of the young people staying there. Gloria Graham is perfect for the role as Deere. Helping her run the place is Tom Kredge( Len Lesser) who cuts of kids hands with a meat clever as well as other sundry items.

Vic Tayback is a detective investigating the murder of Ellie's mother and his interest in the young woman is very twisted. The movie has plenty of twists and turns and some pretty gory killings.

This is one of the films I have wanted to see come out in the digital format and Shout Factory finally came thru. It is a fascinating film that really should be seen by horror fans. the last line in the film uttered by Tayback really explains all of the goings on in Ellie's destroyed life.

I have only been able to see this via bootleg videos for years, and now Shout brings us this pristine print and the film has NEVER looked better.

Easily one of the best releases of the year. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

RIP GERMAN ROBLES 1929-2015

Word has reached me that one of the kings of Mexican cinema has passed away.

Robles was a legend in Mexico and had a huge following here in the US as well. He was a writer and director, but as an actor he made his mark in many Mexican horror films.

Robles became a name in the US thanks to showman K. Gordon Murray who bought many Mexican horror films and distributed them thru the US. He was Nostradamus in several films including "GENII OF DARKNESS" and "MONSTER DEMOLISHER" as well as co-starring in the all time classic film "THE BRAINIAC".

His most famous role was that of Count Karol de Lavud in "The Vampire" and it's sequel "VAMPIRE'S COFFIN". Robles acted in many things not seen in America, and it is a good thing we have a small portion of his body of work to enjoy. He will be missed.

Robles was 86.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....

Deborah Shelton is 67, and Joseph Campanella is 91.

DEPRESSING TRASH.....FROM UNIVERSAL

Modern filmmakers have no idea how to make good horror anymore, least of all the two jokers mentioned in this story from Variety....

Senior Film and Media Reporter @BrentALang Universal is the house that “Dracula,” “The Wolf Man” and “Frankenstein” built. This story first appeared in the November 17, 2015 issue of Variety. Subscribe today. At a time when other studios are furiously raiding the vaults of comic books and graphic novels, trying to find the next Marvel and DC Comics, Universal is deviating from the superhero movie playbook — at the same time it mimics some of its strategies. The studio has tapped Alex Kurtzman (“Transformers”) and Chris Morgan (“Furious 7”) to revive the monsters that were the studio’s stock in trade during the golden age of Hollywood. Together, they’re overseeing a team that’s busy mixing in elements of those classic films, such as the bolts in Frankenstein’s neck, with a modern setting tied to contemporary themes. “This is not a heightened world,” Morgan says. “We’re exploring issues of family identity and questions of, ‘Where do I belong in the world?’ ” The films are taking a page from Marvel in certain ways, however. Just as the comic book label launched its onscreen group of heroes in interconnected films before teaming them in one big superstream adventure with “The Avengers,” Universal is planning to create a shared universe for its creatures. “The characters will interact with each other across movies,” says Donna Langley, chair of Universal Pictures. “We’re incubating it at the moment, and we’re taking the time to get it right.” The plan is for a new monster movie to come out every year. The first of these, based on the character of the Mummy, will begin shooting in early 2016, with other pictures centered on Dracula, Van Helsing, Bride of Frankenstein and the Wolfman following in short order. To prepare, Kurtzman and Morgan obsessively watched Universal monster films made with the likes of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, and to broaden the sense of genre, augmented that with a diet of Hammer Horror pictures and other creepy works. “We’re creating a mythology, so we’re looking at this canon and thinking, ‘What are the rules?’ ” Kurtzman says. “What can we break and what are the ones that are untouchable?” Storyboard artists and designers are creating the look and feel of the various productions, and each of the 10 writers working on the project has been assigned a monster to oversee. “The idea is that we have a deep bench of brains to consult with about how their monster fits into our world as we go forward,” Kurtzman explains. To head its team, Universal brass has found two self-confessed horror geeks who credit pictures like “Dracula” and “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” with inspiring their love of film. “I was raised on monster movies,” Morgan says. “I used to make my own fake puke, so I wouldn’t have to go to school and could stay home and watch things like ‘Cat People’ on TV. I can still tell you what I used — orange juice, Saltines, Pepsi and milk.” Both men think that after more than a decade of seeing Captain America, Batman and other heroes routinely save civilization, moviegoers are ready for a change of pace. “Heroes tend to be perfect, but most people in an audience aren’t ever going to know what it’s like to be the smartest, strongest or fastest person alive,” Morgan says. “But there’s a darkness inside everybody. And everyone wants to be able to turn a curse into empowerment. The monsters have been in the shadows, and now it’s time to bring them out into the light.”

Total gibberish and shit from young, modern idiots who came from film school.

RIP REX REASON 1928-2015

Another actor I grew up with has passed on.

Rex Reason was best known to people that read this blog as the star of such films as THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US, BADLANDS OF MONTANA, and most famously THIS ISLAND EARTH.

Reason appeared in dozens of TV shows as well and passed away just a few days shy of his 87th birthday. His lookalike brother was Rhodes Reason and many people got them mixed up over the years.

I do not have a cause of death listed as I write this. He will be missed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO.....

Bo Derek is 59, Richard Masur is 67, and Mie Hama is 72.

DAMON AND PYTHIAS 1962 (MILL CREEK)

This is a pretty standard sword and sandal film based on the classic Greek story.

Guy Williams is Damon, a rather rouge character who steals and connives for a living, but happens to believe that all men are brothers. Don Burnett is Pythias who has the same beliefs, but a much different lifestyle.

Pythias is arrested for crimes against the King of Syracuse, Dionysus and sentenced to death. Damon and Pythias strike a deal with the King an Damon takes the place of Pythias while he travels to get his affairs in order.

The King agrees but then does everything in his power to kill Pythias before he can return. This is a pretty standard drama, but it does hold your interest.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....

Alan Young is 96, and Valli Kemp is 65.

COLOSSUS AND THE AMAZON QUEEN 1960 (MILL CREEK)

Another truly bizarre film.

I wish I could say I like this film more than I do.

Rod Taylor and Ed Fury are two men who are, along with a few others, tricked into sailing for unknown waters, then drugged and left on an island ruled by Amazons.

After some serious misadventures they men and the Amazons learn to get along. I have watched this film twice in my life and I just don't like it very well. It isn't bad, but i just cannot get into it, and find my mind wandering.

I won't put the film down, but I will say I cannot recommend it for everyone, but some may like it. It is weird seeing Rod Taylor in this however.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Peta Wilson is 45, Shari Shattuck is 55, and Ian McCulloch is 76.

GRAVEYARD OF HORROR 1971 (IMAGE)

This is one bizarre film.

A scientist conducts experiments on human cells. He performs these on himself and is transformed into a bizarre looking lizard monster, which isn't seen until the end of the film.

This is an early Spanish horror film from 1972 and I remember reading in the "Psychotronic Encyclopedia Of Film" that is was best viewed at 4:30 AM. Well I viewed it at 5:30 and it was a warped way to bring in a morning.

The film was directed by Miguel Madrid an he deliberately keeps the film "off kilter" so to speak until all is revealed at the end. This film isn't for every taste, but if you're a fan of Spanish horror you should give it a try.

I will keep this review short as I don't want to spoil the film for those that haven't seen it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....

Zoe Bell is 37, Daisy Fuentes is 49, and Gordon Lightfoot is 77.

RIP NICK BOKWINKLE 1934-2015

Very sad news for wrestling fans and me personally.

Wrestling great Nick Bokwinkle, born Nick Francis has passed away at the age of 80.

Bokwinkle wrestled most of his career in the AWA as the foil of Verne Gagne. Bokwinkle had a great career as a heel in the business and he was managed by Bobby Heenan.

He also has a great run in the WCW in the 90's as a commissioner.

I remember him and admired him from the first day I saw him in Denver on KWGN TV on a Sunday morning. He died in Las Vegas and had been suffering from Alzheimer's in recent years. I will really miss him. There will never be another.

BATMAN SEASON 3 1967-1968 (WARNER)

The third and final season with the Dynamic Duo arrives on DVD.

This is the season that Batgirl was introduced into the show. I happen to think Yvonne Craig, whop passed away a few weeks ago was one of the sexiest super heroines ever to appear on TV, and watching these again after so many years, I find that opinion hasn't changed.

The episodes are as follows...

ENTER BATGIRL, EXIT PENGUIN 9/14/67.....the Penguin plan to gain immunity from the law by marrying Commissioner Gordon's daughter, unknown by him that she is Batgirl.

RING AROUND THE RIDDLER 9/21/67...The Riddler attempts to take over the boxing world in Gotham City with the help of a very sexy woman named The Siren. This was the first appearance by Frank Gorshin as the Riddler since season 1.

THE WAIL OF THE SIREN 9/28/67....Sexy villainess The Siren, played by a very sexy Joan Collins attempts to take over Gotham City and the Bruce Wayne fortune.

THE SPORT OF PENGUINS 10/5/67....The Penguin (Burgess Meredeth) attempts to rig a horse race with the help of Lola Lasagne (Ethel Merman).

A HORSE OF ANOTHER COLOR 10/12/67.....Bruce Wayne plots to stop the Penguin and Lola from fixing a horse race with a very surprising entry and jockey.

THE UNKINDEST TUT OF ALL 10/19/67....King Tut tries to find the identity of Batman and almost succeeds.

LOUIE THE LILAC 10/26/67....Louie (Milton Berle) wants to control Gotham City's flower children as well as the flower market.

THE OGG AND I 11/2/67..Vincent Price returns as Egghead who is joined by Olga, Queen of the Cossacks. They plan to blackmail all Gotham City into paying a 10 cent tax for every egg eaten in the city.

HOW TO HATCH A DINOSAUR 11/9/67....Egghead an Olga plan to hatch a 40 million year old egg containing a Neosaurus.

SURF'S UP..JOKER'S UNDER 11/16/67....The Joker uses a devious device to steal young people surfing skills. Sivi Aberg is an absolute knockout as Undine, the Joker's helper.

THE LONDINIUM LARCENIES 11/23/67....Batman, Robin, Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon head for Londinium to solve the mystery of Lord Marmaduke Ffogg and his sister Penelope Peasoup who have looted a priceless snuff box collection.

THE FOGGIEST NOTION 11/30/67....Lord Ffogg and Lady Peasoup create a manmade fog bank that keeps the Dynamic trio at bay while they steal away everything they can.

THE BLOODY TOWER 12/7/67....Ffogg and Peasoup plan to steal the Crown jewels.

CATWOMAN'S DRESSED TO KILL 12/14/67....lovely Eartha Kitt is Catwoman who is trying to snatch a solid gold dress. Batman, Robin and Batgirl must try and stop her.

THE OGG COUPLE 12/21/67....Egghead and Olga are back to steal 500 pounds of priceless caviar.

THE FUNNY FELINE FELONIES 12/28/67....Joker and Catwoman team up and plan on stealing cash and more cash.

THE JOKE'S ON CATWOMAN 1/4/68....The Joker and Catwoman plan on stealing gunpowder for their huge heist.

LOUIE'S LETHAL LILAC TIME 1/11/68....Louie's ;ackeys kidnap bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in order to corner the perfume market. Milton Berle stars as Louie.

NORA CLAVICLE AND THE LADIES CRIME CLUB 1/18/68....Barbara Rush is Nora, who fires Commissioner Gordon and become Gotham City's new police commissioner so she and her women can rob the city blind.

PENGUIN'S CLEAN SWEEP 1/25/68....The Penguin taints the ink at the US Mint with Lygerian Sleeping Sickness.

THE GREAT ESCAPE 2/1/68....Shame (Cliff Robertson) and Calamity Jan (Dina Merril) escape from prison and send the ynamic trio a clue to their heist. They also use 'fear gas" on the trio and make them quake in their boots.

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY 2/8/68....Shame and Calamity Jan plan to rob a payroll train with Batgirl as hostage.

I'LL BE A MUMMY'S UNCLE 2/22/68....King Tut learns the secret identities of the Dynamic Duo.

THE JOKER'S FLYING SAUCER 2/29/68....The Joker plants phony stories of an alien invasion as a cover for his plot to steal Beryllium which is a metal to build a flying saucer.

THE ENTRANCING DR. CASSANDRA 3/7/68....Dr Cassandra (Ida Lupino) and her husband Cabala (Howard Duff) stage robberies while being invisible and the Terrific trio tries to stop them from unleashing eight of the most dangerous criminals for a city wide crime spree.

MINERVA, MAYHEM AND MILLIONAIRES 3/14/68....Minerva (Zsa Zsa Gabor) uses her "Deepest Secret Extractor" to steal the fortunes from various millionaires in Gotham City. He next target is Bruce Wayne.

And so that ended the series that ran for three years and took America by storm. By season three things had changed a lot and while Batgirl was a very welcome addition, one could tell the scripts were not well thought out and the budget was cut to a very bare minimum.

However, i still like the show very, very much and cannot recommend it enough. This show is another entry in the DVD of the year sweeps in my opinion. RECOMMENDED!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Clu Gulager is 87, Patricia Barry is 94, Joanna Pettet is 73, Barbara Leigh is 69, and Darlene Tompkins is 75.