One of the most iconic movie scenes of all time is the terrifying opening of Steven Spielberg’s horror classic Jaws, wherein a young female swimmer is ruthlessly devoured by the film’s killer shark during a solo night swim. That swimmer was Susan Backlinie, forever immortalized on the silver screen as the ill-fated Chrissie Watkins in one of the greatest movies ever made.
We are saddened to learn that Susan Backlinie has passed away at the age of 77.
An actress and stuntwoman, Susan Backlinie appeared in a handful of movies in the wake of her unforgettable big screen debut in Jaws, including The Grizzly & the Treasure (1975), Two-Minute Warning (1976), A Stranger in My Forest (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), 1941 (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and Catalina C-Club (1982). She also appeared in episodes of “The Quest,” “Quark” and “The Fall Guy,” in addition to working as a stunt performer for the 1979 movie...
We are saddened to learn that Susan Backlinie has passed away at the age of 77.
An actress and stuntwoman, Susan Backlinie appeared in a handful of movies in the wake of her unforgettable big screen debut in Jaws, including The Grizzly & the Treasure (1975), Two-Minute Warning (1976), A Stranger in My Forest (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), 1941 (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and Catalina C-Club (1982). She also appeared in episodes of “The Quest,” “Quark” and “The Fall Guy,” in addition to working as a stunt performer for the 1979 movie...
- 5/13/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Susan Backlinie, who made her debut as Chrissie Watkins, the first victim in 1975’s Jaws, has passed away at the age of 77.
Susan Backlinie’s role in Jaws cannot be understated, setting the tone for what might be dubbed the “first girl”, the initial victim that establishes the terror that will come throughout the rest of the film. Out for a late night swim in the nude, things turned dire fast for Chrissie Watkins, thrashing about the pitch black waters by a virtually unseen force. Backed by John Williams’s score – which Backlinie’s performance undoubtedly helped enhance (and vice versa) – the opening scene of Jaws remains at the peak of cinematic horror. Something that adds to this is also something many fans may not know: Susan Backlinie was an accomplished swimmer, a little backstory that would outline that indeed nobody is safe in the water.
Backlinie’s short but...
Susan Backlinie’s role in Jaws cannot be understated, setting the tone for what might be dubbed the “first girl”, the initial victim that establishes the terror that will come throughout the rest of the film. Out for a late night swim in the nude, things turned dire fast for Chrissie Watkins, thrashing about the pitch black waters by a virtually unseen force. Backed by John Williams’s score – which Backlinie’s performance undoubtedly helped enhance (and vice versa) – the opening scene of Jaws remains at the peak of cinematic horror. Something that adds to this is also something many fans may not know: Susan Backlinie was an accomplished swimmer, a little backstory that would outline that indeed nobody is safe in the water.
Backlinie’s short but...
- 5/13/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” has died. She was 77.
Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. The former actor and stuntwoman was one of the company’s clients.
Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Backlinie specialized in swimming work as a stunt performer.
Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth. However, no one warned Backlinie when she would be pulled underwater in order to get a genuine reaction from her.
Variety‘s “Jaws” review said of the shark attack sequences:...
Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. The former actor and stuntwoman was one of the company’s clients.
Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Backlinie specialized in swimming work as a stunt performer.
Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth. However, no one warned Backlinie when she would be pulled underwater in order to get a genuine reaction from her.
Variety‘s “Jaws” review said of the shark attack sequences:...
- 5/12/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Backlinie, whose gruesome death in Jaws scared millions from swimming in the ocean, died Saturday at 77 in her home in Ventura, CA.
Her death was confirmed by Matthew Templeton, the agent who handled her convention bookings. No cause has been determined.
Backlinie’s first film role arrived in 1975. She played Chrissie Watkins in Steven Spielberg’s film, going skinny dipping in the ocean in the opening scene.
She is attacked and is buffeted by the great white shark before a screaming disappearance under the waves.
Backlinie partnered with Spielberg to spoof the scene a few years later in his 1941 film.
Backlinie’s career channeled into stunt work in films and TV. Some of her credits include The Great Muppet Caper, Day of the Animals, and the TV show The Fall Guy.
Survivors include her husband, Harvey.
Deadline Related Video:...
Her death was confirmed by Matthew Templeton, the agent who handled her convention bookings. No cause has been determined.
Backlinie’s first film role arrived in 1975. She played Chrissie Watkins in Steven Spielberg’s film, going skinny dipping in the ocean in the opening scene.
She is attacked and is buffeted by the great white shark before a screaming disappearance under the waves.
Backlinie partnered with Spielberg to spoof the scene a few years later in his 1941 film.
Backlinie’s career channeled into stunt work in films and TV. Some of her credits include The Great Muppet Caper, Day of the Animals, and the TV show The Fall Guy.
Survivors include her husband, Harvey.
Deadline Related Video:...
- 5/12/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Susan Backlinie, the stuntperson and actress who as a young skinny-dipper out for a nighttime swim off the coast of Amity Island became the shark’s first victim in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, has died. She was 77.
Backlinie died Saturday at her home in Ventura, California, her convention agent, Matthew Templeton, told The Daily Jaws website.
Backlinie was a nationally ranked swimmer and professional diver who had performed as a mermaid and worked as an animal trainer when she was hired at age 28 to play the skinny-dipping Chrissie in Universal’s Jaws (1975).
“I didn’t want an actor to do it. I wanted a stuntperson because I needed somebody who was great in the water, who knew water ballet and knew how to endure what I imagined was going to be a whole lot of violent shaking,” Spielberg said in Laurent Bouzereau’s 2023 book, Spielberg: The First Ten Years. “So,...
Backlinie died Saturday at her home in Ventura, California, her convention agent, Matthew Templeton, told The Daily Jaws website.
Backlinie was a nationally ranked swimmer and professional diver who had performed as a mermaid and worked as an animal trainer when she was hired at age 28 to play the skinny-dipping Chrissie in Universal’s Jaws (1975).
“I didn’t want an actor to do it. I wanted a stuntperson because I needed somebody who was great in the water, who knew water ballet and knew how to endure what I imagined was going to be a whole lot of violent shaking,” Spielberg said in Laurent Bouzereau’s 2023 book, Spielberg: The First Ten Years. “So,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Whether it is because of chemicals in the water, scientific experiments gone wrong, or mother nature taking revenge, animals running amok has provided cinema with an endlessly entertaining series of films over the years. The hilarious hit comedy horror Cocaine Bear, inspired by the true story of a bear going on the rampage in the Chattahoochee National Forest after ingesting a stash of cocaine, might just be the craziest yet.
To celebrate its release on 4K Uhd and Blu-ray on 29th May, here we attempt to round up the best of the beastly genre, from super-powered piranhas and rabid St Bernards to panic-inducing giant alligators at large on the city streets.
Them (1954)
Ants. They can ruin a picnic. Especially if they have been exposed to radiation during atomic testing in New Mexico, then they won’t just carry a sandwich away but the whole family. It might be time to...
To celebrate its release on 4K Uhd and Blu-ray on 29th May, here we attempt to round up the best of the beastly genre, from super-powered piranhas and rabid St Bernards to panic-inducing giant alligators at large on the city streets.
Them (1954)
Ants. They can ruin a picnic. Especially if they have been exposed to radiation during atomic testing in New Mexico, then they won’t just carry a sandwich away but the whole family. It might be time to...
- 5/17/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
As the forced hibernation of an often (in some parts of the US) ends lots of folks, besides the college kids, are making plans for the big “Spring break”. Aside from hitting the beaches, a good percentage will haul out the camping gear and make their journey into the woods to commune with Mother Nature. Oh, but what if “mama’ is not very welcome, especially those animal residents? These “humans vs. the wild” showdowns have been film thriller fodder for decades with the “king” Jaws, Frogs, Night Of The Grizzly, and Day Of The Animals, And you remember how The Revenant grabbed a load of Oscars in 2015. Perhaps its most shocking scene pitted the story’s hero against a ferocious bear (the producers tagged as “Judy”). Now she was protecting her cubs, while the title star of this new flick, which is “inspired by true events” has a very different...
- 2/24/2023
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“The Essex Serpent” kicked off last week with a two-episode debut, following the Victorian Era-set story of Claire Danes’ Cora Seaborne, who moves to the English countryside only to find there is something in the waters there.
The townspeople are convinced a creature swims in their murky waters, despite the protestations of Will Ransome (Tom Hiddleston), the local pastor.
In TheWrap’s exclusive sneak peek from Episode 3, Frank Dillane’s character, Dr. Luke Garrett, makes a visit to Essex to see his friend Cora, where he encounters a girl who thinks she may be the reason horrific things are happening in the community. And it’s down to Dr. Garrett to try and unravel the mystery.
Discussing his character Luke, Dillane told TheWrap he worked to keep his portrayal authentic to the time when doctors weren’t highly paid, well respected individuals.
Also Read:
Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes’ ‘The Essex Serpent...
The townspeople are convinced a creature swims in their murky waters, despite the protestations of Will Ransome (Tom Hiddleston), the local pastor.
In TheWrap’s exclusive sneak peek from Episode 3, Frank Dillane’s character, Dr. Luke Garrett, makes a visit to Essex to see his friend Cora, where he encounters a girl who thinks she may be the reason horrific things are happening in the community. And it’s down to Dr. Garrett to try and unravel the mystery.
Discussing his character Luke, Dillane told TheWrap he worked to keep his portrayal authentic to the time when doctors weren’t highly paid, well respected individuals.
Also Read:
Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes’ ‘The Essex Serpent...
- 5/19/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
Stars: Rebecca Romijn, Philip Winchester, Isabel Bassett, Michael Johnston, Chris Fisher, Jerry O’Connell, Brenda Ngeso, George Glenn Ouma, Aseem Sharma, Pritul Raithatha, Stephen Adogo | Written by M.J. Bassett, Isabel Bassett | Directed by M.J. Bassett
Endangered Species comes from writer/director M.J. Bassett who explored similar territory in both the 2006 film Wilderness, which saw teens put on an island and having to fend for themselves; and much more recently with Rogue, the Megan Fox, killer lion film from last year.
This film combines both into a story that sees Robert Halsey (Philip Winchester), his wife Andi (Rebecca Romijn), teenage daughter Katie, and young son Toby take a trip to the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Wanting to experience adventure in the wilderness, they head down a forbidden road to a remote area of the vast national park without a guide, when a hair-raising encounter with a wild rhino leaves...
Endangered Species comes from writer/director M.J. Bassett who explored similar territory in both the 2006 film Wilderness, which saw teens put on an island and having to fend for themselves; and much more recently with Rogue, the Megan Fox, killer lion film from last year.
This film combines both into a story that sees Robert Halsey (Philip Winchester), his wife Andi (Rebecca Romijn), teenage daughter Katie, and young son Toby take a trip to the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Wanting to experience adventure in the wilderness, they head down a forbidden road to a remote area of the vast national park without a guide, when a hair-raising encounter with a wild rhino leaves...
- 7/29/2021
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
After a few quiet weeks of home releases, this Tuesday is shaping up to be a great day for horror & sci-fi fans looking to expand their Blu-ray & DVD collections, because we have some killer titles heading home. Arrow Video is giving Alejandro Jodorowsky’s masterpiece Santa Sangre the 4K treatment with a multi-disc collection, and Severin Films is celebrating two William Girdler classics with their Special Edition releases for Grizzly and Day of the Animals as well. Scream Factory is keeping busy this Tuesday with their Blus for He Knows You’re Alone and Eyes of a Stranger, and if you missed it when it was released earlier this year, you can finally catch up with Son, featuring Andi Mattichak this week, too.
Other Blu-ray & DVD releases for May 18th include Hunted, Amityville Poltergeist, The Seventh Day, and Baxter.
Day of the Animals: Special Edition
Just when you thought it...
Other Blu-ray & DVD releases for May 18th include Hunted, Amityville Poltergeist, The Seventh Day, and Baxter.
Day of the Animals: Special Edition
Just when you thought it...
- 5/17/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Gregory Sierra, best known for his roles as Sgt. Miguel “Chano” Amanguale on Barney Miller and Julio Fuentes on Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 83.
Sierra died Jan. 4 from cancer, a family spokesman confirmed with our sister site Deadline, but the news of his death did not become public until Friday. Had he lived, Sierra would have turned 84 on Jan. 25.
More from TVLineTanya Roberts Dies: Charlie's Angels Co-Star Jaclyn Smith Remembers How 'She Brought Joy to So Many People'Peter Mark Richman, of Dynasty and Three's Company, Dead at 93Home Improvement Reunion: Tim Allen and Richard Karn's...
Sierra died Jan. 4 from cancer, a family spokesman confirmed with our sister site Deadline, but the news of his death did not become public until Friday. Had he lived, Sierra would have turned 84 on Jan. 25.
More from TVLineTanya Roberts Dies: Charlie's Angels Co-Star Jaclyn Smith Remembers How 'She Brought Joy to So Many People'Peter Mark Richman, of Dynasty and Three's Company, Dead at 93Home Improvement Reunion: Tim Allen and Richard Karn's...
- 1/23/2021
- by Mekeisha Madden Toby
- TVLine.com
It’s safe to say that the world is a bit weird right now. Much to some people’s surprise, horror movies can often be a way for fans to make sense of things and confront their fears in a safe space. Streaming service Shudder offers a large array of horror movies, TV shows, and even podcasts covering the full spectrum of the macabre. But how do you know where to start?
We’ve put together a guide to some of the best films the service has to offer. The Shudder catalogue is always growing and changing so we’ll keep this updated – head back for the latest additions and new suggestions.
(All entries are available in both UK and US unless stated otherwise!)
Hammer The Vampire Lovers (1970)
Only Available In The US
After literally decades in which the classic Hammer Films library of horror titles was often difficult to see,...
We’ve put together a guide to some of the best films the service has to offer. The Shudder catalogue is always growing and changing so we’ll keep this updated – head back for the latest additions and new suggestions.
(All entries are available in both UK and US unless stated otherwise!)
Hammer The Vampire Lovers (1970)
Only Available In The US
After literally decades in which the classic Hammer Films library of horror titles was often difficult to see,...
- 9/26/2020
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
A Deadly Place – 10 Frightening Films is currently available from Mill Creek Entertainment. Ordering information can be found Here
Terror Lurks Around Every Corner !
Encapsulating all the frights you’ve been thirsting for, this 10-film thrill fest includes everything from hauntings and creatures to giant monsters and serial killers. In A Deadly Place collection, there’s no way out once you enter!
Fred Ward, Leslie Nielsen, and John Saxon are among these films’ stars.
Here’s the line-up of movies in this set:
Cardiac Arrest
Day of the Animals
Grim
Tunnels
Dead Hate the Living
Don’t Go in the House
Deadly Instincts
With Friends Like These
You’re Driving Me Crazy
Shrunken Heads
The post A Deadly Place – 10 Frightening Films Available From Mill Creek Entertainment appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
Terror Lurks Around Every Corner !
Encapsulating all the frights you’ve been thirsting for, this 10-film thrill fest includes everything from hauntings and creatures to giant monsters and serial killers. In A Deadly Place collection, there’s no way out once you enter!
Fred Ward, Leslie Nielsen, and John Saxon are among these films’ stars.
Here’s the line-up of movies in this set:
Cardiac Arrest
Day of the Animals
Grim
Tunnels
Dead Hate the Living
Don’t Go in the House
Deadly Instincts
With Friends Like These
You’re Driving Me Crazy
Shrunken Heads
The post A Deadly Place – 10 Frightening Films Available From Mill Creek Entertainment appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
- 6/9/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Make way for the parade! Featuring Brian Trenchard-Smith, Eli Roth, Katt Shea, Thomas Jane, our very own Don Barrett and Blaire Bercy from the Hollywood Food Coalition.
Please support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Text “Give” to 323.402.5704 or visit https://hofoco.org/donate!
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Screams of a Winter Night (1979)
Goodbye Bruce Lee: His Last Game Of Death (1975)
I Think We’re Alone Now (2018)
The Rhythm Section (2020)
Atomic Blonde (2017)
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965)
The Ipcress File (1965)
Funeral In Berlin (1966)
Extraction (2020)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
The Mermaid (2016)
Oklahoma! (1955)
Singin’ In The Rain (1953)
Nightcrawler (2014)
I Think We’re Alone Now (2008)
Ghetto Freaks a.k.a. Sign of Aquarius (1970)
Hostel (2005)
Cabin Fever (2002)
Final Cut: Ladies And Gentlemen (2012)
The Movie Orgy (1968)
Gremlins (1984)
The Goonies (1985)
Hell of the Living Dead a.k.a. Night of the Zombies (1980)
Troll 2 (1990)
In The Land Of The Cannibals a.k.a. Land of...
Please support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Text “Give” to 323.402.5704 or visit https://hofoco.org/donate!
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Screams of a Winter Night (1979)
Goodbye Bruce Lee: His Last Game Of Death (1975)
I Think We’re Alone Now (2018)
The Rhythm Section (2020)
Atomic Blonde (2017)
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965)
The Ipcress File (1965)
Funeral In Berlin (1966)
Extraction (2020)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
The Mermaid (2016)
Oklahoma! (1955)
Singin’ In The Rain (1953)
Nightcrawler (2014)
I Think We’re Alone Now (2008)
Ghetto Freaks a.k.a. Sign of Aquarius (1970)
Hostel (2005)
Cabin Fever (2002)
Final Cut: Ladies And Gentlemen (2012)
The Movie Orgy (1968)
Gremlins (1984)
The Goonies (1985)
Hell of the Living Dead a.k.a. Night of the Zombies (1980)
Troll 2 (1990)
In The Land Of The Cannibals a.k.a. Land of...
- 5/8/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Don Kaye Nov 27, 2019
John Frankenheimer’s 1979 environmental horror movie comes to Blu-ray, flaws and all. Brace yourself.
The 1979 film Prophecy (not to be confused with 1995’s Biblical horror movie The Prophecy) was very much the last gasp of the 1970s boom in ecologically tinged genre movies. It was a string of titles that included No Blade of Grass (1970), Silent Running (1972) and Soylent Green (1973), but leaned especially heavily on the “nature strikes back” subgenre, which gave us such offerings as Frogs (1972), Night of the Lepus (1972), Bug (1975), The Food of the Gods (1976), Day of the Animals (1977) and other, often low-budget quasi-exploitation quickies.
Prophecy on its face seemed to have more going for it. The director was John Frankenheimer, the man behind masterworks like The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days in May, and Seconds, while the writer was David Seltzer, fresh off his horror classic The Omen. Paramount sunk $12 million into the film, which...
John Frankenheimer’s 1979 environmental horror movie comes to Blu-ray, flaws and all. Brace yourself.
The 1979 film Prophecy (not to be confused with 1995’s Biblical horror movie The Prophecy) was very much the last gasp of the 1970s boom in ecologically tinged genre movies. It was a string of titles that included No Blade of Grass (1970), Silent Running (1972) and Soylent Green (1973), but leaned especially heavily on the “nature strikes back” subgenre, which gave us such offerings as Frogs (1972), Night of the Lepus (1972), Bug (1975), The Food of the Gods (1976), Day of the Animals (1977) and other, often low-budget quasi-exploitation quickies.
Prophecy on its face seemed to have more going for it. The director was John Frankenheimer, the man behind masterworks like The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days in May, and Seconds, while the writer was David Seltzer, fresh off his horror classic The Omen. Paramount sunk $12 million into the film, which...
- 11/26/2019
- Den of Geek
April 16th’s home media releases feature a small but eclectic array of titles, including Glass, the latest from M. Night Shyamalan, Replicas featuring Keanu Reeves, the Master of Dark Shadows documentary, and a trio of genre classics from Scream Factory: The Manitou, Grave of the Vampire, and Superstition. Other titles headed to Blu-ray and DVD this week include Cynthia and Close Calls.
Glass
Night Shyamalan brings together two of his standout original films—Unbreakable and Split— in this explosive comic book thriller. Elijah Price, also known as Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), finds David Dunn (Bruce Willis) pursuing Kevin Wendell Crumb's superhuman figure, The Beast (James McAvoy), in a series of escalating encounters. Price, armed with secrets critical to both men, emerges as a shadowy orchestrator.
Alternate Opening Deleted Scenes The Collection of Main Characters A Conversation with James McAvoy and M. Night Shyamalan Bringing the Team Back Together David Dunn vs.
Glass
Night Shyamalan brings together two of his standout original films—Unbreakable and Split— in this explosive comic book thriller. Elijah Price, also known as Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), finds David Dunn (Bruce Willis) pursuing Kevin Wendell Crumb's superhuman figure, The Beast (James McAvoy), in a series of escalating encounters. Price, armed with secrets critical to both men, emerges as a shadowy orchestrator.
Alternate Opening Deleted Scenes The Collection of Main Characters A Conversation with James McAvoy and M. Night Shyamalan Bringing the Team Back Together David Dunn vs.
- 4/16/2019
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
April 16th will see the release of both The Manitou and Superstition on Blu-ray and we have new details on both titles straight from Scream Factory:
"Horror enthusiasts and classic movie collectors rejoice! On April 16, Scream Factory™ is proud to present the 1978 supernatural cult classic The Manitou Blu-ray and horror classic Superstition Blu-ray. Produced and directed by William Girdler and based on the best-selling novel by Graham Masterton, The Manitou stars Tony Curtis (Spartacus), Michael Ansara (I Dream of Jeannie), Susan Strasberg (Scream of Fear), Stella Stevens (The Silencers), Burgess Meredith (Rocky), Jon Cedar (Death Hunt), and Ann Sothern (The Whale of August). Directed by James Roberson (The Giant of Thunder Mountain) and produced by Ed Carlin (Battle Beyond the Stars), Superstition stars James Houghton (The Colbys), Albert Salmi (Caddyshack), Lynn Carlin (Faces), and Larry Pennell (Bubba Ho-Tep).
A must-have for collectors, The Manitou Blu-ray boasts new 4K scan from...
"Horror enthusiasts and classic movie collectors rejoice! On April 16, Scream Factory™ is proud to present the 1978 supernatural cult classic The Manitou Blu-ray and horror classic Superstition Blu-ray. Produced and directed by William Girdler and based on the best-selling novel by Graham Masterton, The Manitou stars Tony Curtis (Spartacus), Michael Ansara (I Dream of Jeannie), Susan Strasberg (Scream of Fear), Stella Stevens (The Silencers), Burgess Meredith (Rocky), Jon Cedar (Death Hunt), and Ann Sothern (The Whale of August). Directed by James Roberson (The Giant of Thunder Mountain) and produced by Ed Carlin (Battle Beyond the Stars), Superstition stars James Houghton (The Colbys), Albert Salmi (Caddyshack), Lynn Carlin (Faces), and Larry Pennell (Bubba Ho-Tep).
A must-have for collectors, The Manitou Blu-ray boasts new 4K scan from...
- 3/1/2019
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The final film of director William Girdler, The Manitou (based on the Graham Masterton novel of the same name) will make its Blu-ray debut this April courtesy of Scream Factory.
On Facebook, Scream Factory announced that they'll release The Manitou on Blu-ray on April 16th. Special features have yet to be revealed, but we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated as more details are announced. In the meantime, be sure to check out Scott Drebit's Drive-In Dust Offs column on The Manitou.
And if you're keeping track of upcoming releases, Scream Factory recently announced April Blu-ray releases of The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires and Superstition.
From Scream Factory: "We have yet another horror hocus-pocus offering to set loose this year. The 1978 infamous shocker The Manitou arrives on Blu-ray for the first time with a planned date of April 16th! Producer and directed by William Girdler from the best-selling novel by Graham Masterton.
On Facebook, Scream Factory announced that they'll release The Manitou on Blu-ray on April 16th. Special features have yet to be revealed, but we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated as more details are announced. In the meantime, be sure to check out Scott Drebit's Drive-In Dust Offs column on The Manitou.
And if you're keeping track of upcoming releases, Scream Factory recently announced April Blu-ray releases of The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires and Superstition.
From Scream Factory: "We have yet another horror hocus-pocus offering to set loose this year. The 1978 infamous shocker The Manitou arrives on Blu-ray for the first time with a planned date of April 16th! Producer and directed by William Girdler from the best-selling novel by Graham Masterton.
- 1/8/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
How much do I love director William Girdler? Let me count the ways: his sense of grandeur in the face of modest budgets, his good naturedly humorous takes on the genre, his willingness to pay “homage” even when it costs him lawsuits, and the stone-cold truth that he got better at his craft with each and every film he made. Case in point: Day of the Animals (1977), the follow up to his smash hit Grizzly (’76) that quintuples down on the attacks in a righteous mélange of Disaster and Animals Gone Wild flicks.
Produced and released by Film Ventures International in May, Day of the Animals (Aka Something Is Out There) had a budget of $1.2 million and brought in only less than triple the cost. Critics were unkind as well, calling the film derivative and goofy. Well, yes, thank you, it is those things; but it’s also a Girdler, which...
Produced and released by Film Ventures International in May, Day of the Animals (Aka Something Is Out There) had a budget of $1.2 million and brought in only less than triple the cost. Critics were unkind as well, calling the film derivative and goofy. Well, yes, thank you, it is those things; but it’s also a Girdler, which...
- 9/15/2018
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
February 6th is shaping up to be a busy day for horror and sci-fi fans, as there are a bunch of great films heading home on Tuesday. The highly anticipated Hatchet sequel, Victor Crowley, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this week courtesy of Dark Sky Films, and Scream Factory and IFC Midnight have the slasher comedy Welcome to Willits on their release slate.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is keeping busy this week with a slew of titles, including House of Demons, Keep Watching, and Family Possessions, and cult film fans will definitely want to pick up the brand new Blu-rays for Grizzly and The Gruesome Twosome.
Other notable releases for February 6th include Day of the Dead: Bloodline, Inoperable, the Friday the 13th: 8-Movie Collection, The Diabolical Dr. Z, and the Stephen King 6-Movie Collection.
Day of the Dead: Bloodline (Lionsgate, Blu-ray & DVD)
In this terrifying retelling of George A. Romero's zombie horror classic,...
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is keeping busy this week with a slew of titles, including House of Demons, Keep Watching, and Family Possessions, and cult film fans will definitely want to pick up the brand new Blu-rays for Grizzly and The Gruesome Twosome.
Other notable releases for February 6th include Day of the Dead: Bloodline, Inoperable, the Friday the 13th: 8-Movie Collection, The Diabolical Dr. Z, and the Stephen King 6-Movie Collection.
Day of the Dead: Bloodline (Lionsgate, Blu-ray & DVD)
In this terrifying retelling of George A. Romero's zombie horror classic,...
- 2/6/2018
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
[To get you into the spooky spirit, the Daily Dead team is spotlighting double features that we think would be fun to watch this Halloween season. Keep an eye on Daily Dead for more double feature recommendations, and check here for our previous Halloween 2017 coverage.]
It’s always been my dream to own a movie theater and program just my favorite genre fare. Of course, showing nothing but the oeuvre of William Girdler would leave me destitute within a month (okay, a week), so naturally I’d have to expand my programming. I’ve always found that double features are a great tool (and if anyone knows what it’s like to be a great tool, it’s me) for finding the connective tissue between films that may appear to be dissimilar upon a quick pass, or to highlight and illuminate similarities that create an entirely new experience.
First up in my double feature entitled "Why Am I Always The Last To Know?" is Herk Harvey’s Carnival of Souls (1962), a Twilight Zone-ish tale of a young woman who finds herself in a state of disconnect following a car accident, constantly followed by ghoulish visions at every turn.
It’s always been my dream to own a movie theater and program just my favorite genre fare. Of course, showing nothing but the oeuvre of William Girdler would leave me destitute within a month (okay, a week), so naturally I’d have to expand my programming. I’ve always found that double features are a great tool (and if anyone knows what it’s like to be a great tool, it’s me) for finding the connective tissue between films that may appear to be dissimilar upon a quick pass, or to highlight and illuminate similarities that create an entirely new experience.
First up in my double feature entitled "Why Am I Always The Last To Know?" is Herk Harvey’s Carnival of Souls (1962), a Twilight Zone-ish tale of a young woman who finds herself in a state of disconnect following a car accident, constantly followed by ghoulish visions at every turn.
- 10/25/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Only in the ‘70s, man, only in the ‘70s. Long before PC culture invaded popular entertainment, movies were the haven of the taboo, a safe house for ideas two steps from the norm. Now, many of these films of perversion were relegated to grindhouse theatres and the third feature of a Dusk Til Dawn showing at your local Drive-In. But occasionally a film will crawl towards the mainstream and plop itself down, bawling for attention. The Baby (1973) is one such film, so twisted in conception that it’s hard to believe it would be released in any decade. Except the ‘70s of course, where you could even get the director of a Dirty Harry and a Planet of the Apes flick to helm it.
Distributed by Scotia International in March, The Baby was given a limited theatrical release; and that’s really for the best – as much as the film...
Distributed by Scotia International in March, The Baby was given a limited theatrical release; and that’s really for the best – as much as the film...
- 5/20/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
When I think of some of my favorite B films of the 1970s, my mind tends to drift towards the works of the late filmmaker William Girdler. This man made nine movies in six years before his tragic death in ’78 at the age of thirty; chief among them Abby (’74), Grizzly (’76), and Day of the Animals (’77). Now, quantity obviously doesn’t equal quality, and he made a few outright stinkers. But he was exciting to me because he became a better, more confident filmmaker with each film; this is especially evident with his final release, The Manitou (1978), your typical ancient Native American little person demon growing out of the back of a woman’s neck who fights the heroes in space with laser beams kind of flick. You know the type.
Independently produced, The Manitou was released by Avco Embassy in late April, with a June rollout across North America, and worldwide the following year.
Independently produced, The Manitou was released by Avco Embassy in late April, with a June rollout across North America, and worldwide the following year.
- 3/25/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Harmony is an ideal. If everyone just got along, the world could be one big campfire sing-along, a Coke commercial writ large, right? But unfortunately that’s not human nature; certainly not as it pertains to our fellow earthly citizens, or to the globe itself. The ‘70s saw the rise of the eco horror film; “Mother Nature’s back, and she’s pissed” practically emblazoned across posters from the likes of Frogs (1972), Phase IV (1974), and Day of the Animals (1977). Australia threw their hat in the ring at the tail end of the cycle with Long Weekend (1979), a fascinating look at environmental and personal disharmony.
Produced by the Australian Film Commission and the Victorian Film Corporation, and premiering at the 1978 Sitges Film Festival, Long Weekend was released in its native land and the U.S in March of ’79, and didn’t do much business at either end. Perhaps audiences were expecting something a little more visceral,...
Produced by the Australian Film Commission and the Victorian Film Corporation, and premiering at the 1978 Sitges Film Festival, Long Weekend was released in its native land and the U.S in March of ’79, and didn’t do much business at either end. Perhaps audiences were expecting something a little more visceral,...
- 1/28/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Full disclosure: I hate spiders. Like really, really despise them. God’s creatures blah blah blah – save it. They are absolutely, without a question, the most insidious, terrifying things on the planet. Now, horror films about arachnids? Well, that’s different. They have a built in creepiness factor that ensures, at the very least, it will hit the icky button with me – not my go to sensation for horror, but still creating a sensation while I watch – which promises a memorable experience.
But when you add in a level of fun, and in the case of Kingdom of the Spiders (1977), a ridiculously high quotient of it, I pivot from respect to awe in the space of 97 minutes. Not for the spiders – that will never happen as long as I’m gulping air. But the film? I’m in awe each and every viewing. It’s my favorite Animals Attack film,...
But when you add in a level of fun, and in the case of Kingdom of the Spiders (1977), a ridiculously high quotient of it, I pivot from respect to awe in the space of 97 minutes. Not for the spiders – that will never happen as long as I’m gulping air. But the film? I’m in awe each and every viewing. It’s my favorite Animals Attack film,...
- 11/12/2016
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Sometimes in horror, a giant creature will do. It takes us back to a simpler time, I think. A time when an oversized spider, or a massive lizard sparked shuttered eyes at the Drive-In or local theatre. It feels almost like a cleansing; a reset of the scare-o-meter back to the innocent levels of the Saturday matinee. And if you were a kid in the ‘70s, Bert I. Gordon’s The Food of the Gods (1976) fit the bill nicely.
Released in June by Aip stateside, and then rolled out across the world in ’77, Food brought in $1 million at the gate (good revenue by Aip standards) and the reviews were, not surprisingly, as low grade as the budget. But hey, legendary schlockmeister Gordon did not survive the biz on good copy. And what kind of reviews would you expect from a movie that features giant chickens, gargantuan rats, and Marjoe Gortner?...
Released in June by Aip stateside, and then rolled out across the world in ’77, Food brought in $1 million at the gate (good revenue by Aip standards) and the reviews were, not surprisingly, as low grade as the budget. But hey, legendary schlockmeister Gordon did not survive the biz on good copy. And what kind of reviews would you expect from a movie that features giant chickens, gargantuan rats, and Marjoe Gortner?...
- 6/18/2016
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Any horror movie that starts off with a Serlingesque voiceover has my attention. And when you make your antagonist a hulking alien who looks like an eight foot tall Gene Simmons sans Botox with a proclivity for ripping off people’s heads And shooting laser beams out of his eyes, you are granted permission to take all my money. Welcome to The Dark (1979), a fun throwback to a time when audiences weren’t beholden of such things as logic and coherence to have a ripping drive-in experience.
But what audiences do always appreciate is a good cast, strong direction, and some solid jumps. The Dark answers the call though in such an unassuming way that before you could blink, it was gone from theatres (but hung around drive-ins for a bit, as horror films were wont to do). It’s so low key that viewers at the time probably felt...
But what audiences do always appreciate is a good cast, strong direction, and some solid jumps. The Dark answers the call though in such an unassuming way that before you could blink, it was gone from theatres (but hung around drive-ins for a bit, as horror films were wont to do). It’s so low key that viewers at the time probably felt...
- 4/2/2016
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
“I was good to you, Ben!” Well, that’s true, Willard, up to a point. Daniel Mann’s Willard (1971) makes a few good and satirical points, one being don’t bite the hand that feeds you, especially as that “hand” might bite you right back. Willard kicked off the 70’s Critters Done Wrong By (trademark pending) subgenre, leading to such memorable fodder as Frogs (1972), Food of the Gods (1976), and Day of the Animals (1977). However, Willard stands out from the (rat) pack by keeping it thrills low key and scurrying on the ground.
Produced by Bing Crosby Productions (yes, that Bing) and distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation (they also put out The Beast Must Die and Seizure), Willard received good notices, and more importantly to the genre, pulled in over $14 million Us when it was released in June of ’71. Propelled by top notch performances, Willard delivers the vermin to your doorstep.
Produced by Bing Crosby Productions (yes, that Bing) and distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation (they also put out The Beast Must Die and Seizure), Willard received good notices, and more importantly to the genre, pulled in over $14 million Us when it was released in June of ’71. Propelled by top notch performances, Willard delivers the vermin to your doorstep.
- 11/21/2015
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Following the massive success of Jaws (1975), producers were chomping at the bit to replicate its grosses. Far too many movies to mention here, but suffice it to say that most were stinkers, and none could put a dent box office – wise in the hull of the Orca. However, one little film somehow managed to not only rake in big bucks in its wake, but paid, ahem, ‘homage’ to the soon to be Universal classic. William Girdler’s Bad Bear Bonanza Grizzly (1976) follows it so closely I’m amazed Jaws doesn’t have a big black snout rammed up its grey finned keister. Regardless of its inspiration, Grizzly is a B movie blast.
Released domestically in May of 1976 by Film Ventures International (and internationally by Columbia Pictures), Grizzly brought in a whopping $39,000,000 Us against a $750,000 budget. An amazing performance at the box office, with no help whatsoever from critics who derided the film as derivative,...
Released domestically in May of 1976 by Film Ventures International (and internationally by Columbia Pictures), Grizzly brought in a whopping $39,000,000 Us against a $750,000 budget. An amazing performance at the box office, with no help whatsoever from critics who derided the film as derivative,...
- 9/19/2015
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
“It’s exactly what you think it is!”
“You don’t have to go to Texas for a Chainsaw Massacre!”
Indeed. It’s not often that a film will tell you exactly their intention, their mission statement, right up front. With a film like Pieces (1982), it’s a badge of honor, worn proudly, a tattered and bloodied flag waving proudly from its mast on the seas of horror. Not only is Pieces exactly what we think it is, it’s so much more – one of the most cheerfully odd, sleazy slashers to come out of the VHS era. Pull out your slickers folks, things are about to get messy.
Filmed in Spain (subbing for Boston, Mass.), Pieces was released there in August of ’82, with a North American run distributed by Film Ventures International in September of ’83. Surprisingly, it did quite well, bringing in over 2 million Us after playing only 104 theatres.
“You don’t have to go to Texas for a Chainsaw Massacre!”
Indeed. It’s not often that a film will tell you exactly their intention, their mission statement, right up front. With a film like Pieces (1982), it’s a badge of honor, worn proudly, a tattered and bloodied flag waving proudly from its mast on the seas of horror. Not only is Pieces exactly what we think it is, it’s so much more – one of the most cheerfully odd, sleazy slashers to come out of the VHS era. Pull out your slickers folks, things are about to get messy.
Filmed in Spain (subbing for Boston, Mass.), Pieces was released there in August of ’82, with a North American run distributed by Film Ventures International in September of ’83. Surprisingly, it did quite well, bringing in over 2 million Us after playing only 104 theatres.
- 8/1/2015
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
In celebration of Sound on Sight’s 7th anniversary, writers were asked to come up with articles that present their childhood favorites in the realm of films, TV shows, books or games.
I chose films and anyone who has any familiarity with my writing knows I am virtually incapable of writing an article about a single film so I’m going to focus on a number of movies I saw in my youth.
Growing up in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, I was fortunate enough to have my own room and my own TV set.
My family didn’t go out to the cinema very often so my introduction to movies was primarily through television.
The household cable television was limited to the family room and the parental restrictions that went with that so a far as movie watching went, it was mostly just me in my room where there were no...
I chose films and anyone who has any familiarity with my writing knows I am virtually incapable of writing an article about a single film so I’m going to focus on a number of movies I saw in my youth.
Growing up in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, I was fortunate enough to have my own room and my own TV set.
My family didn’t go out to the cinema very often so my introduction to movies was primarily through television.
The household cable television was limited to the family room and the parental restrictions that went with that so a far as movie watching went, it was mostly just me in my room where there were no...
- 11/29/2014
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Kino Lorber and Scorpion Releasing Announce First Eight Titles to be Released Under New Multi-Year Distribution Deal
in August
Kino Lorber and Scorpion Releasing have announces the inaugural releases of eight films under the companies' new multi-year distribution deal. Over the next year and after, there will be additional releases by Kino Lorber from the Scorpion library, including new acquisitions that will be available for the first time.
Among the first selection of titles to be released in August are Green Ice, starring Ryan O'Neal and Omar Sharif; Grizzly, starring Christopher George (both out on DVD August 5th); A Summer Story, starring Susannah York (out g August 12th), the award-winning Australian drama Careful He Might Hear You (out on August 12th), Jack Hill's Sorceress, produced by Roger Corman (out on August 19th); The Girl in a Swing, starring Meg Tilly (out on DVD on August 19th); the acclaimed drama Friendly Fire, starring Carol Burnett, and the 1982 TV movie version of The Elephant Man (both streeting on DVD on August 26th)
"Green Ice"(1981)
Director: Ernest Day
Cast: Ryan O'Neal, Anne Archer, Omar Sharif, John Larroquette
In the Andes mountains a group of archaeologists are murdered after they discover uncut emeralds. Back in New York, Joseph Wiley (Ryan O'Neal, "Love Story") is down on his luck and runs off to Mexico where he meets Lilian Holbrook (Anne Archer, "Fatal Attraction"). The two are instantly attracted to each other, but Lilian is on her way to meet Meno Argenti (Omar Sharif, "Doctor Zhivago"), the man who intends to marry her. Wiley is mistakenly drawn into perilous adventure when a mysterious caller tells him to look at the samples - stolen emeralds. Lilian's sister is killed and, suspecting Argenti, Wiley and Lilian, in a bid to avenge her murder, plan a daring raid on Argenti's vault of emeralds - green ice. Also starring John Larroquette (TV's Night Court).
"Grizzly" (1976)
Director: William Girdler
Cast: Christopher George, Andre Prine, Richard Jackel, Joan McCall
When an eighteen-foot, two-thousand-pound grizzly bear starts mauling campers and hikers at a state park, a park ranger (Christopher George, "The Exterminator") springs into action. But the job is too big to tackle alone, so he enlists the aid of a naturalist (Richard Jaeckel, "The Dirty Dozen") and a helicopter pilot (Andrew Prine, "The Evil") to take this freak of nature down. Meanwhile, the giant grizzly, not content with picnic baskets, continues to kill indiscriminately, leaving pools of blood and piles of body parts in his wake. Can the ranger and his cronies end the grizzly's reign of terror without resorting to excessively extreme measures? This post-Jaws, nature-runs-rampant thriller was directed by William Girdler ("Day of the Animals"), and was a box office hit and the top-grossing independent film of 1976.
"A Summer Story" (1988)
Director: Piers Haggard
Cast: James Wilby, Susannah York, Jerome Flynn
A country girl has a brief, life-shattering moment when she falls for a young lawyer. Adapted from John Galsworthy'sThe Apple Tree, the film tells of the relationship between a young London lawyer, Frank Ashton (James Wilby,"Handful of Dust") and Megan David (Imogen Stubbs, "True Colors"), the innocent girl who helps him during his recovery from a twisted ankle at the farm where she lives. The attraction between the two is overpowering; they make love in the farm hayloft and vow never to be parted. But Frank goes to Torquay where he meets an old schoolfriend and his lovely sister Stella (Sophie Ward). Thus, Frank's plans become muddled and Megan comes looking for him. A Summer Story of young love. Also starring Susannah York (Tom Jones) and Jerome Flynn (TV's Game of Thrones).
"Careful, He Might Hear You" (1983)
Director: Carl Schultz
Cast: Wendy Hughes, Robyn Nevin, Nicholas Gledhill
Winner of 8 Australian Film Institute Awards - Nominated for 5 more - National Board of Reviews: Winner (Top 10 Films)
Set in Australia in the 1930s, this drama stars Nicholas Gledhill as P.S., a six-year old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila (Robyn Nevin, "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions") and Uncle George (Peter Whitford, "Strictly Ballroom"). P.S.'s mother died in childbirth, so her sister Lila took him in, and while George and Lila don't have much money, they always done the best they could to the give the boy a good home. One day, Lila's older sister, Venessa (Wendy Hughes, "My Brilliant Career") arrives from a trip around the world; Vanessa is quiet wealthy, and upon her return to Australia, she expresses interest in taking custody of the child. Lila is willing to let the boy meet his aunt, but decides to fight her in court when she decides that she wants the boy full time. The case becomes more complicated by the arrival of the boy's long-absent father, Logan (John Hargreaves, "Emerald City"), an alcoholic who loves his son, but is incapable of caring for him. Careful He Might Hear You won 8 Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Hughes) and Best Supporting Actor (Hargreaves).
"Sorceress" (1982)
Director: Jack Hill
Cast: Leigh Harris, Lynette Harris, David Millbern
From legendary producer Roger Corman ("Bloody Mama") comes the box office hit of 1982, "Sorceress." When an evil Wizard Traigon makes a pact with the dark forces to sacrifice his first born to his God Caligara to gain the highest degree of power, but things get complicated when his gives birth to twin. Having knowledge of her husband's plan she runs away and her two daughters grow up to be beautiful warriors played by playboy playmates Leigh and Lynette Harris. After the death of their mother and adopted families at the hands of Traigon and his army, the twins blessed with the forces of light and strength given to them by the magical warrior Krona, join forces with Baldar the Viking and Erlik the Barbarian to take down Traigon and avenge their mother's death. Standing in their way is all sorts of Traigon's minions, from an army of ape man to undead zombies which leads us to a climax in an all out battle between good and evil! Now watch this cult classic, not only from a brand new HD master, but from a previously never-before-seen longer version!
"The Girl in a Swing" (1988)
Director: Gordon Hessler
Cast: Meg Tilly, Rupert Frazer, Nicholas Le Prevost, Elspet Gray
A London art broker (Rupert Frazer, "Empire of the Sun") goes to Copenhagen where he requires the services of a secretary fluent in Danish, English, and German. He falls deeply in love with the woman (Meg Tilly, "The Big Chill"), despite the fact that he knows virtually nothing about her. She insists on not being married in a church, and after they are married, some bad things from her past begin surfacing in subtly supernatural ways, and he must find the best way to deal with them without destroying their relationship. Based on the best selling novel by Richard Adams ("Watership Down") and directed by horror specialist Gordon Hessler ("Cry of the Banshee," "The Oblong Box").
"Friendly Fire" (1979 TV Movie)
Director: David Greene
Cast: Carol Burnett, Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston, Timothy Hutton, David Keith
The true story of Peg (Carol Burnett, "The Four Seasons") and Gene Mullen (Ned
Beatty, "Deliverance") who pursue the truth over their son's death in Vietnam. After their son is killed in Vietnam the couple's on-going inquiries eventually establish he was killed by 'artillery fire from friendly forces'. This beautifully orchestrated, harrowing story, assembled with uncommon sensitivity, is one of the most dramatic works ever made about the Vietnam War. Directed by David Greene ("Hard Country") and based on the novel by C.D.B. Bryan ("So Much Unfairness of Things") The wonderful cast includes Sam Waterston ("The Killing Fields"), Timothy Hutton ("Ordinary People") and David Keith ("An Officer and a Gentleman"). Winner of 4 Emmy Award® including Best Director and nominated for 3 more including Best Actor and Best Actress. 1980 Peabody Award Winner and DGA nominee foe Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Specials or Movies Made for TV.
"The Elephant Man " (1982 TV Movie )
Director: Jack Hofsiss
Cast: Philip Anglim, Kevin Conwak, Glenn Clsoe
The story of John Merrick (Philip Anglim), The Elephant Man, and of his triumph over his terrible affliction. It is a story of life and the affirmation of life; timeless, tragic, uplifting and heroic; an exultation of the humanity of a man trapped inside the twisted, lesion-ridden grip of a terminally disfiguring disease. We see John Merrick as a man with many admirers, beginning with the witty and beautiful actress, Mrs. Kendal (Penny Fuller), who, so taken with Merrick, brought a who's who of English society to visit him regularly. The stellar cast includes Glenn Close as Princess Alexandra and Kevin Conway. Directed by DGA nominee Jack Hofsiss (1984 TV Movie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). Winner of 1 Emmy Award® for Best Supporting Actress (Fuller) and nominated for 3 more including Best Actor, Philip Anglim who also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Made for TV Motion Picture.
in August
Kino Lorber and Scorpion Releasing have announces the inaugural releases of eight films under the companies' new multi-year distribution deal. Over the next year and after, there will be additional releases by Kino Lorber from the Scorpion library, including new acquisitions that will be available for the first time.
Among the first selection of titles to be released in August are Green Ice, starring Ryan O'Neal and Omar Sharif; Grizzly, starring Christopher George (both out on DVD August 5th); A Summer Story, starring Susannah York (out g August 12th), the award-winning Australian drama Careful He Might Hear You (out on August 12th), Jack Hill's Sorceress, produced by Roger Corman (out on August 19th); The Girl in a Swing, starring Meg Tilly (out on DVD on August 19th); the acclaimed drama Friendly Fire, starring Carol Burnett, and the 1982 TV movie version of The Elephant Man (both streeting on DVD on August 26th)
"Green Ice"(1981)
Director: Ernest Day
Cast: Ryan O'Neal, Anne Archer, Omar Sharif, John Larroquette
In the Andes mountains a group of archaeologists are murdered after they discover uncut emeralds. Back in New York, Joseph Wiley (Ryan O'Neal, "Love Story") is down on his luck and runs off to Mexico where he meets Lilian Holbrook (Anne Archer, "Fatal Attraction"). The two are instantly attracted to each other, but Lilian is on her way to meet Meno Argenti (Omar Sharif, "Doctor Zhivago"), the man who intends to marry her. Wiley is mistakenly drawn into perilous adventure when a mysterious caller tells him to look at the samples - stolen emeralds. Lilian's sister is killed and, suspecting Argenti, Wiley and Lilian, in a bid to avenge her murder, plan a daring raid on Argenti's vault of emeralds - green ice. Also starring John Larroquette (TV's Night Court).
"Grizzly" (1976)
Director: William Girdler
Cast: Christopher George, Andre Prine, Richard Jackel, Joan McCall
When an eighteen-foot, two-thousand-pound grizzly bear starts mauling campers and hikers at a state park, a park ranger (Christopher George, "The Exterminator") springs into action. But the job is too big to tackle alone, so he enlists the aid of a naturalist (Richard Jaeckel, "The Dirty Dozen") and a helicopter pilot (Andrew Prine, "The Evil") to take this freak of nature down. Meanwhile, the giant grizzly, not content with picnic baskets, continues to kill indiscriminately, leaving pools of blood and piles of body parts in his wake. Can the ranger and his cronies end the grizzly's reign of terror without resorting to excessively extreme measures? This post-Jaws, nature-runs-rampant thriller was directed by William Girdler ("Day of the Animals"), and was a box office hit and the top-grossing independent film of 1976.
"A Summer Story" (1988)
Director: Piers Haggard
Cast: James Wilby, Susannah York, Jerome Flynn
A country girl has a brief, life-shattering moment when she falls for a young lawyer. Adapted from John Galsworthy'sThe Apple Tree, the film tells of the relationship between a young London lawyer, Frank Ashton (James Wilby,"Handful of Dust") and Megan David (Imogen Stubbs, "True Colors"), the innocent girl who helps him during his recovery from a twisted ankle at the farm where she lives. The attraction between the two is overpowering; they make love in the farm hayloft and vow never to be parted. But Frank goes to Torquay where he meets an old schoolfriend and his lovely sister Stella (Sophie Ward). Thus, Frank's plans become muddled and Megan comes looking for him. A Summer Story of young love. Also starring Susannah York (Tom Jones) and Jerome Flynn (TV's Game of Thrones).
"Careful, He Might Hear You" (1983)
Director: Carl Schultz
Cast: Wendy Hughes, Robyn Nevin, Nicholas Gledhill
Winner of 8 Australian Film Institute Awards - Nominated for 5 more - National Board of Reviews: Winner (Top 10 Films)
Set in Australia in the 1930s, this drama stars Nicholas Gledhill as P.S., a six-year old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila (Robyn Nevin, "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions") and Uncle George (Peter Whitford, "Strictly Ballroom"). P.S.'s mother died in childbirth, so her sister Lila took him in, and while George and Lila don't have much money, they always done the best they could to the give the boy a good home. One day, Lila's older sister, Venessa (Wendy Hughes, "My Brilliant Career") arrives from a trip around the world; Vanessa is quiet wealthy, and upon her return to Australia, she expresses interest in taking custody of the child. Lila is willing to let the boy meet his aunt, but decides to fight her in court when she decides that she wants the boy full time. The case becomes more complicated by the arrival of the boy's long-absent father, Logan (John Hargreaves, "Emerald City"), an alcoholic who loves his son, but is incapable of caring for him. Careful He Might Hear You won 8 Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Hughes) and Best Supporting Actor (Hargreaves).
"Sorceress" (1982)
Director: Jack Hill
Cast: Leigh Harris, Lynette Harris, David Millbern
From legendary producer Roger Corman ("Bloody Mama") comes the box office hit of 1982, "Sorceress." When an evil Wizard Traigon makes a pact with the dark forces to sacrifice his first born to his God Caligara to gain the highest degree of power, but things get complicated when his gives birth to twin. Having knowledge of her husband's plan she runs away and her two daughters grow up to be beautiful warriors played by playboy playmates Leigh and Lynette Harris. After the death of their mother and adopted families at the hands of Traigon and his army, the twins blessed with the forces of light and strength given to them by the magical warrior Krona, join forces with Baldar the Viking and Erlik the Barbarian to take down Traigon and avenge their mother's death. Standing in their way is all sorts of Traigon's minions, from an army of ape man to undead zombies which leads us to a climax in an all out battle between good and evil! Now watch this cult classic, not only from a brand new HD master, but from a previously never-before-seen longer version!
"The Girl in a Swing" (1988)
Director: Gordon Hessler
Cast: Meg Tilly, Rupert Frazer, Nicholas Le Prevost, Elspet Gray
A London art broker (Rupert Frazer, "Empire of the Sun") goes to Copenhagen where he requires the services of a secretary fluent in Danish, English, and German. He falls deeply in love with the woman (Meg Tilly, "The Big Chill"), despite the fact that he knows virtually nothing about her. She insists on not being married in a church, and after they are married, some bad things from her past begin surfacing in subtly supernatural ways, and he must find the best way to deal with them without destroying their relationship. Based on the best selling novel by Richard Adams ("Watership Down") and directed by horror specialist Gordon Hessler ("Cry of the Banshee," "The Oblong Box").
"Friendly Fire" (1979 TV Movie)
Director: David Greene
Cast: Carol Burnett, Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston, Timothy Hutton, David Keith
The true story of Peg (Carol Burnett, "The Four Seasons") and Gene Mullen (Ned
Beatty, "Deliverance") who pursue the truth over their son's death in Vietnam. After their son is killed in Vietnam the couple's on-going inquiries eventually establish he was killed by 'artillery fire from friendly forces'. This beautifully orchestrated, harrowing story, assembled with uncommon sensitivity, is one of the most dramatic works ever made about the Vietnam War. Directed by David Greene ("Hard Country") and based on the novel by C.D.B. Bryan ("So Much Unfairness of Things") The wonderful cast includes Sam Waterston ("The Killing Fields"), Timothy Hutton ("Ordinary People") and David Keith ("An Officer and a Gentleman"). Winner of 4 Emmy Award® including Best Director and nominated for 3 more including Best Actor and Best Actress. 1980 Peabody Award Winner and DGA nominee foe Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Specials or Movies Made for TV.
"The Elephant Man " (1982 TV Movie )
Director: Jack Hofsiss
Cast: Philip Anglim, Kevin Conwak, Glenn Clsoe
The story of John Merrick (Philip Anglim), The Elephant Man, and of his triumph over his terrible affliction. It is a story of life and the affirmation of life; timeless, tragic, uplifting and heroic; an exultation of the humanity of a man trapped inside the twisted, lesion-ridden grip of a terminally disfiguring disease. We see John Merrick as a man with many admirers, beginning with the witty and beautiful actress, Mrs. Kendal (Penny Fuller), who, so taken with Merrick, brought a who's who of English society to visit him regularly. The stellar cast includes Glenn Close as Princess Alexandra and Kevin Conway. Directed by DGA nominee Jack Hofsiss (1984 TV Movie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). Winner of 1 Emmy Award® for Best Supporting Actress (Fuller) and nominated for 3 more including Best Actor, Philip Anglim who also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Made for TV Motion Picture.
- 7/18/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Okay, I'm being a little misleading with that headline, but when I saw this news pass across the Hollywood trades, I couldn't help but think: "Holy crap, they're basically making Day of the Animals: The Series." THR reports the CBS (groaaaaan) has ordered up 13 episodes of Zoo, a series arriving in 2015 that is based on the novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, Andrew Nemec and Scott Rosenberg are writing and executive producing. Cathy Konrad of Scream is also on board to produce with James Mangold (The Wolverine).
The post It’s ‘Day of the Animals’ the Series in ‘Zoo’ Adaptation appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.
The post It’s ‘Day of the Animals’ the Series in ‘Zoo’ Adaptation appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.
- 7/1/2014
- by Ryan Turek
- shocktillyoudrop.com
The tough guy starred in the sci-fi classic "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" and played Det. Al Corassa on TV's "Cagney & Lacey."
Paul Mantee, a burly, tough-guy actor who starred in the 1964 sci-fi cult classic Robinson Crusoe on Mars and on TV's Cagney & Lacey as Det. Al Corassa, has died. He was 82.
A longtime resident of Malibu who wrote columns for the local newspaper, Mantee played the health inspector on a 1994 episode of Seinfeld, "The Pie;" had a recurring role as Commander Clayton on Hunter, the police drama that starred Fred Dryer; and appeared as Cornell, a henchman for Catwoman who disguises himself as Batman to frame the Caped Crusader for a robbery in a 1967 storyline that saw the villainess go back to college.
Mantee died Nov. 7, The Malibu Times reported.
In Paramount's Robinson Crusoe on Mars, Byron Haskin’s adaptation of the Daniel Defoe novel, Mantee has top billing, playing the shipwrecked Cmdr.
Paul Mantee, a burly, tough-guy actor who starred in the 1964 sci-fi cult classic Robinson Crusoe on Mars and on TV's Cagney & Lacey as Det. Al Corassa, has died. He was 82.
A longtime resident of Malibu who wrote columns for the local newspaper, Mantee played the health inspector on a 1994 episode of Seinfeld, "The Pie;" had a recurring role as Commander Clayton on Hunter, the police drama that starred Fred Dryer; and appeared as Cornell, a henchman for Catwoman who disguises himself as Batman to frame the Caped Crusader for a robbery in a 1967 storyline that saw the villainess go back to college.
Mantee died Nov. 7, The Malibu Times reported.
In Paramount's Robinson Crusoe on Mars, Byron Haskin’s adaptation of the Daniel Defoe novel, Mantee has top billing, playing the shipwrecked Cmdr.
- 11/11/2013
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writer Lee Gambin calls them Natural Horror films, other writers call them Revenge of Nature or Nature Run Amok films and writer Charles Derry considers them a type of Apocalyptic Cinema.
Of course we’re speaking of one of the great horror subgenres for which we’ll employ writer Kim Newman’s tag: The Revolt of Nature.
Since the end of the 1990s, lovers of animal attack films have been subjected to copious amounts of uninspired Nu Image, Syfy Channel and Syfy Channel-like dreck like Silent Predators (1999), Maneater (2007) Croc (2007), Grizzly Rage (2007) and a stunning amount of terrible shark attack films to name a few that barely scratch the surface of a massive list.
These movies fail miserably to capture the intensity of the unforgettable films they are imitating and the recent wave seems to carry with it the intent of giving the Revolt of Nature horror film a bad name.
Of course we’re speaking of one of the great horror subgenres for which we’ll employ writer Kim Newman’s tag: The Revolt of Nature.
Since the end of the 1990s, lovers of animal attack films have been subjected to copious amounts of uninspired Nu Image, Syfy Channel and Syfy Channel-like dreck like Silent Predators (1999), Maneater (2007) Croc (2007), Grizzly Rage (2007) and a stunning amount of terrible shark attack films to name a few that barely scratch the surface of a massive list.
These movies fail miserably to capture the intensity of the unforgettable films they are imitating and the recent wave seems to carry with it the intent of giving the Revolt of Nature horror film a bad name.
- 10/27/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Stars: Don Scardino, Patricia Pearcy, R.A. Dow, Jean Sullivan, Peter MacLean, Fran Higgins | Written and Directed by Jeff Lieberman
The 70s was, shall we say, an “interesting” time in cinema. Whilst mainstream Hollywood was churning out some of its most revered movies – The Godafather, The Exorcist, Mean Streets, and pretty much the entire oeuvre of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola – low-budget cinema and in particular genre movies were exploring very different cultural avenues.
Whilst we had the likes of Night of the Living Dead, which explored soci-cultural issues, using the genre as a metaphor for much bigger “stories”, we also had the birth of the slasher movie boom in John Carpenter’s Halloween. Yet slipped somewhere in between was a strange sub-genre: the nature-run-amok film. Jaws, Piranha, Killer Bees, The Swarm, Grizzly, Day of the Animals, Kingdom of the Spiders, Phase Four, Bug; the animals ran rampant and so did zoological horror…...
The 70s was, shall we say, an “interesting” time in cinema. Whilst mainstream Hollywood was churning out some of its most revered movies – The Godafather, The Exorcist, Mean Streets, and pretty much the entire oeuvre of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola – low-budget cinema and in particular genre movies were exploring very different cultural avenues.
Whilst we had the likes of Night of the Living Dead, which explored soci-cultural issues, using the genre as a metaphor for much bigger “stories”, we also had the birth of the slasher movie boom in John Carpenter’s Halloween. Yet slipped somewhere in between was a strange sub-genre: the nature-run-amok film. Jaws, Piranha, Killer Bees, The Swarm, Grizzly, Day of the Animals, Kingdom of the Spiders, Phase Four, Bug; the animals ran rampant and so did zoological horror…...
- 10/19/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
In the world of horror cinema, the best way to fight a monster–be it supernatural, human, or natural one–is with a character that possesses special knowledge and skills. These experts, recruited into battle by other characters or colliding with the conflict intentionally, are the savants of the horror world.
Examples of savant characters include David Warner’s bat expert Phillip Payne in Nightwing, Zelda Rubinstein’s spiritual medium Tangina in Poltergeist, Matthew McConaughey’s dragon slayer Denton Van Zan in Reign of Fire, Lin Shaye’s paranormal investigator Elise Rainier in Insidious, and Otto Jespersen’s monster killer Hans in Trollhunter.
This article, divided into three sections based on what type of monstrous force is being fought, focuses on the greatest savant characters the horror genre has to offer.
****
Vs. The Supernatural
Peter Cushing as Doctor Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula and The Brides of Dracula: In these two Hammer films,...
Examples of savant characters include David Warner’s bat expert Phillip Payne in Nightwing, Zelda Rubinstein’s spiritual medium Tangina in Poltergeist, Matthew McConaughey’s dragon slayer Denton Van Zan in Reign of Fire, Lin Shaye’s paranormal investigator Elise Rainier in Insidious, and Otto Jespersen’s monster killer Hans in Trollhunter.
This article, divided into three sections based on what type of monstrous force is being fought, focuses on the greatest savant characters the horror genre has to offer.
****
Vs. The Supernatural
Peter Cushing as Doctor Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula and The Brides of Dracula: In these two Hammer films,...
- 10/19/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Following are some supplemental sections featuring notable director & actor teams that did not meet the criteria for the main body of the article. Some will argue that a number of these should have been included in the primary section but keep in mind that film writing on any level, from the casual to the academic, is a game of knowledge and perception filtered through personal taste.
****
Other Notable Director & Actor Teams
This section is devoted to pairings where the duo worked together at least 3 times with the actor in a major role in each feature film, resulting in 1 must-see film.
Terence Young & Sean Connery
Must-See Collaboration: From Russia with Love (1962).
Other Collaborations: Action of the Tiger (1957), Dr. No (1962), Thunderball (1965).
Director Young and actor Connery teamed up to create one of the very best Connery-era James Bond films with From Russia with Love which features a great villainous performance by Robert Shaw...
****
Other Notable Director & Actor Teams
This section is devoted to pairings where the duo worked together at least 3 times with the actor in a major role in each feature film, resulting in 1 must-see film.
Terence Young & Sean Connery
Must-See Collaboration: From Russia with Love (1962).
Other Collaborations: Action of the Tiger (1957), Dr. No (1962), Thunderball (1965).
Director Young and actor Connery teamed up to create one of the very best Connery-era James Bond films with From Russia with Love which features a great villainous performance by Robert Shaw...
- 7/14/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
With so many cult titles from the Eighties and Nineties making their way to Blu-ray of late, it shouldn’t be too surprising to see a few more obscure titles also getting a digital upgrade. For example, the 1980 fright flick The Unseen. Any of you seen it?
Can’t say I’ve ever seen The Unseen. Good thing Scorpion Releasing will be putting it out on Blu-ray August 13th so I can find out what I’ve been missing.
Synopsis:
Freelance reporter Jennifer and her two friends, Karen and Vicki, accept an invitation for cheap room and board in a large farmhouse offered by a friendly, but shady museum owner named Ernest Keller since all the motels in and around town are booked for a holiday parade fair Jennifer is covering. But unknown to the women, some unseen "thing" has been living in the basement of the house for over...
Can’t say I’ve ever seen The Unseen. Good thing Scorpion Releasing will be putting it out on Blu-ray August 13th so I can find out what I’ve been missing.
Synopsis:
Freelance reporter Jennifer and her two friends, Karen and Vicki, accept an invitation for cheap room and board in a large farmhouse offered by a friendly, but shady museum owner named Ernest Keller since all the motels in and around town are booked for a holiday parade fair Jennifer is covering. But unknown to the women, some unseen "thing" has been living in the basement of the house for over...
- 5/30/2013
- by Foywonder
- DreadCentral.com
Last night was the first Horror Trivia Night, sponsored by Shock Till You Drop and Fangoria. So naturally, Team FEARnet had to represent.
The games got underway around 8pm, and consisted of eight rounds: general horror; movie poster taglines; early horror directors; when nature attacks; know your ghosts; screen capture identification; and a sketching round. Questions ranged from easy and "mainstream (the name of the demon in The Exorcist; the name of Dexter's boat; director of The Creature From the Black Lagoon) to the far more obscure (draw the old Wizard Video logo; what kind of animal did Leslie Nielsen wrestle in Day of the Animals; what movie was about five Japanese businessmen whose ghosts haunt a woman named Doris.)
Team FEARnet (playing under the team name Rosemary's Adults) consisted of myself, Lawrence (editor-in-chief), Rick (standards & practices), Sarah (head of programming), Jeff (development), and Rob (web coordinator). With such a crackerjack team,...
The games got underway around 8pm, and consisted of eight rounds: general horror; movie poster taglines; early horror directors; when nature attacks; know your ghosts; screen capture identification; and a sketching round. Questions ranged from easy and "mainstream (the name of the demon in The Exorcist; the name of Dexter's boat; director of The Creature From the Black Lagoon) to the far more obscure (draw the old Wizard Video logo; what kind of animal did Leslie Nielsen wrestle in Day of the Animals; what movie was about five Japanese businessmen whose ghosts haunt a woman named Doris.)
Team FEARnet (playing under the team name Rosemary's Adults) consisted of myself, Lawrence (editor-in-chief), Rick (standards & practices), Sarah (head of programming), Jeff (development), and Rob (web coordinator). With such a crackerjack team,...
- 1/11/2013
- by Alyse Wax
- FEARnet
I Like Football. … There I said. I feel like some great big linebacker size weight has been lifted off my chest (please hold the jokes until the end of the article). It’s not always an easy thing to admit in front of your fellow horror lovin’ dorks. “Hey, guys did you watch Eli Manning throw for 300 yards and then dodge that sack to throw the game winning touchdown?” Crickets. If you had simply offered up your opinion on the necrophile antics of A Serbian Film you might have received a verbal response and possibly entered into a night long debate about whether shock films of the present can compare to shock films of the 70’s. The simple fact that you know who Eli Manning is beyond a Toyota commercial might just force you to hand over your geek badge.
I would definitely not call the horror community judgmental, but...
I would definitely not call the horror community judgmental, but...
- 1/22/2012
- by Jimmy Terror
- The Liberal Dead
Tremors? Nightbreed? Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat? 976-evil? Are all on the list this year. And though there were not huge horror wins in sound editing through screenplays, the Technical Awards never cease to bring out the horror veterans. Notably Tim Drnec who contributed to such VHS classics as Alien Seed, Destroyer, and Prison won for his work on “Spydercam 3D volumetric suspended cable camera technologies.” An award also shared with Ben Britten Smith and Matt Davis who both also worked on Constantine.
But among all the winners, the Academy also honored some great loses in 2010. And though they mentioned some of our heroes, Dennis Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and Dino de Laurentiis (King Kong), they did not mention Zelda Rubinstein or Corey Haim. But we will in this last section and the others lost to us last year.
So farewell fight fans and remember,...
But among all the winners, the Academy also honored some great loses in 2010. And though they mentioned some of our heroes, Dennis Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and Dino de Laurentiis (King Kong), they did not mention Zelda Rubinstein or Corey Haim. But we will in this last section and the others lost to us last year.
So farewell fight fans and remember,...
- 3/13/2011
- by Heather Buckley
- DreadCentral.com
The world today just became a lot less funny. It's with the heaviest of hearts that we report the legendary Leslie Nielsen is no longer with us.
Though primarily known for his comedic work, Nielsen appeared in such horror film classics as Creepshow, Day of the Animals, and Prom Night; great genre TV shows such as "Thriller", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", and "Tales of Tomorrow"; and of course his many horror spoofs including Repossessed, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, Scary Movie 3, and most recently Stan Helsing.
The news was broken today by Superstation Cjob out of Manitoba, who report that Nielsen has passed away in a hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia.
We here at Dread Central would like to take this time to extend our deepest of condolences to all of Leslie's friends, family, and constituents. Thank you, sir, for all...
Though primarily known for his comedic work, Nielsen appeared in such horror film classics as Creepshow, Day of the Animals, and Prom Night; great genre TV shows such as "Thriller", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", and "Tales of Tomorrow"; and of course his many horror spoofs including Repossessed, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, Scary Movie 3, and most recently Stan Helsing.
The news was broken today by Superstation Cjob out of Manitoba, who report that Nielsen has passed away in a hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia.
We here at Dread Central would like to take this time to extend our deepest of condolences to all of Leslie's friends, family, and constituents. Thank you, sir, for all...
- 11/29/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Sad news today, as film has lost another funny man, Leslie Nielsen. Cjob announced that the actor passed in a Ft. Lauderdale hospital at the age of 84, unfortunately to pneumonia. The actor was mostly known for his comedic work in spoof films like The Naked Gun, Scary Movie 4, Airplane!, and countless others.
But the actor has had a slew of noteworthy genre films on his resume with Dracula: Dead and Loving It, The Poseidon Adventure, TV’s Night Gallery, Creepshow, Day of the Animals, and Prom Night (1980).
He will be missed.
But the actor has had a slew of noteworthy genre films on his resume with Dracula: Dead and Loving It, The Poseidon Adventure, TV’s Night Gallery, Creepshow, Day of the Animals, and Prom Night (1980).
He will be missed.
- 11/29/2010
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Filed under: Movie News, Cinematical
Dictionary.com defines "deadpan" like so: "marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment." Think Bob Newhart, think Charles Grodin, or (best of all) think of the stock-still and dead-serious face of Leslie Nielsen as he's asked to deliver some of the silliest comedy material ever devised. Deadpan is not easy, because it requires a comedian to have a layer of authority at the base, and that's what allows their comedic frustrations, eruptions, or pratfalls to work so damn well.
The deadpan school of comedy has lost a true master today; we sadly note the passing of Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who died in a Florida hospital at the age of 84.
Best known for his work in spoof comedies like 'Airplane!,' 'The Naked Gun' and 'Police Squad,' Mr. Nielsen was not always a bumbling yet endearing authority figure.
Dictionary.com defines "deadpan" like so: "marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment." Think Bob Newhart, think Charles Grodin, or (best of all) think of the stock-still and dead-serious face of Leslie Nielsen as he's asked to deliver some of the silliest comedy material ever devised. Deadpan is not easy, because it requires a comedian to have a layer of authority at the base, and that's what allows their comedic frustrations, eruptions, or pratfalls to work so damn well.
The deadpan school of comedy has lost a true master today; we sadly note the passing of Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who died in a Florida hospital at the age of 84.
Best known for his work in spoof comedies like 'Airplane!,' 'The Naked Gun' and 'Police Squad,' Mr. Nielsen was not always a bumbling yet endearing authority figure.
- 11/28/2010
- by Scott Weinberg
- Moviefone
Filed under: Movie News, Cinematical
Dictionary.com defines "deadpan" like so: "marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment." Think Bob Newhart, think Charles Grodin, or (best of all) think of the stock-still and dead-serious face of Leslie Nielsen as he's asked to deliver some of the silliest comedy material ever devised. Deadpan is not easy, because it requires a comedian to have a layer of authority at the base, and that's what allows their comedic frustrations, eruptions, or pratfalls to work so damn well.
The deadpan school of comedy has lost a true master today; we sadly note the passing of Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who died in a Florida hospital at the age of 84.
Best known for his work in spoof comedies like 'Airplane!,' 'The Naked Gun' and 'Police Squad,' Mr. Nielsen was not always a bumbling yet endearing authority figure.
Dictionary.com defines "deadpan" like so: "marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment." Think Bob Newhart, think Charles Grodin, or (best of all) think of the stock-still and dead-serious face of Leslie Nielsen as he's asked to deliver some of the silliest comedy material ever devised. Deadpan is not easy, because it requires a comedian to have a layer of authority at the base, and that's what allows their comedic frustrations, eruptions, or pratfalls to work so damn well.
The deadpan school of comedy has lost a true master today; we sadly note the passing of Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who died in a Florida hospital at the age of 84.
Best known for his work in spoof comedies like 'Airplane!,' 'The Naked Gun' and 'Police Squad,' Mr. Nielsen was not always a bumbling yet endearing authority figure.
- 11/28/2010
- by Scott Weinberg
- Cinematical
Before we reveal the big two here is a brief recap of the others that made the list: #10 The Last Winter- drilling for oil in the vanishing polar ice releases a dangerous revenge; #9 Squirm- high voltage electricity makes some nasty bloodworms very hungry; #8 Long Weekend- unhappy couple made uhappier after mistreating their environment; #7 Mimic- genetically engineered bugs get much larger in subway tunnels; #6 Monkey Shines- supersmart monkey taps into her master's rage; #5 Day of the Animals- depleting ozone layer makes the wildlife go berserk; #4 Cujo- rabid St. Bernard terrorizes a...
- 10/14/2010
- by Ned Daigle, Winston-Salem Horror Movie Examiner
- Examiner Movies Channel
Director William Girdler.s 1974 film Abby was a clone of The Exorcist with an all-black cast starring William Marshall, fresh off his triumph as Blacula, in the Max Von Sydow role. Shot for a meager $200k, Abby was an urban hit, grossing four million dollars in its first month of release. Apparently the powers-that-be at Warner Brothers, who had produced The Exorcist, thought Abby.s plot was too similar to that of their cash cow so successfully sued Girdler and the films distributor, American International. Aip was ordered to destroy all of their theatrical prints, and the film has never officially been licensed for home viewing. The Exorcist was the top grossing film of 1973 and spawned a virtual cottage industry of knock-off imitators, mostly from Europe, that flourished for the rest of the decade, so it seems an odd fate that Abby was singled out for legal punishment and remains...
- 4/1/2010
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Alamo Guide
for January 21st, 2010
I would just like to inform the general public that after the Alamo Iron Chef show last night, our own John Bullington came out the victor! However, Parkside still remains delicious. They have some wicked seared foie gras that I can’t seem to stop ordering everytime I go there.
We’ve got a whole buncha goodies coming up this week! First of all, A Town Called Panic finally opens this Friday, and we’ve been waiting for the day every since we saw it at Fantastic Fest. It’s a great time so def check it out if you can. Also, if you’ve been following this whole Leno vs. Conan debacle, you may be interested to know that we’re showing the Final Episode Of The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien. We’re definitely Team Coco. Our Valentine’S Day Feasts are selling strong,...
for January 21st, 2010
I would just like to inform the general public that after the Alamo Iron Chef show last night, our own John Bullington came out the victor! However, Parkside still remains delicious. They have some wicked seared foie gras that I can’t seem to stop ordering everytime I go there.
We’ve got a whole buncha goodies coming up this week! First of all, A Town Called Panic finally opens this Friday, and we’ve been waiting for the day every since we saw it at Fantastic Fest. It’s a great time so def check it out if you can. Also, if you’ve been following this whole Leno vs. Conan debacle, you may be interested to know that we’re showing the Final Episode Of The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien. We’re definitely Team Coco. Our Valentine’S Day Feasts are selling strong,...
- 1/21/2010
- by henri
- OriginalAlamo.com
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