Sounds like watchlist material. Thanks for the recommendation.

The Ghost Train 1941 ★★★½

Ninety percent comedy and ten percent forties horror, which means a lot of description and little action. With the biggest stunt being a train driving off a bridge.

The characters fit together well. Peter Murray-Hill is good as the impatient Winthrop, but it's Arthur Askey who steals the show as comedian Tommy Gander. A chatterbox performance that reminded me of Rodney Dangerfield's cameo on The Simpsons. Or Donkey from the Shrek franchise. Same level of amusing for the viewer, same level of annoying for the other characters.

An enjoyable comedy for fans of this style. And available on YouTube.

Dial M for Murder 1954 ★★★★

On the heels of strangers on a train, this was one of his first thriller masterpieces. Which raises an interesting question: Was SOAT actually his first masterpiece or did something come before that that you would rate just as high?

This movie is brilliant. It takes its time on setting up the main characters and the premise. The story where the main character talks Halliday into killing his wife is an excellent piece of acting and screenwriting. The actual kill scene still holds up with a perfectly laid plan going to waste. And that trial montage... that's some scary shit, man.

Not to mention the great performance of the actor playing the cop. In a very credible way, he shows that he is on to the trick being played and that he will prove it. Showing a type of theatrical tension later perfected in Columbo. Or the writing on how they set a JB Fletcher-like trick to capture Toni. Seeing it spring is cinema at it's finest. Being sucked in, kind of knowing what's coming and still being on the edge of your seat rooting for the heroes.

And your cameo is even more subtle than in your other movies. Hat off to you, mister Hitchcock.

I PASSED FOR WHITE (1960). Extremely off the wall exploitation that is still off beat enough to check out. A very light skinned black woman is tired of being turned down for jobs, being questioned why she's dating a black man and getting static about seeing her darker brother play in a nightclub. She decides to hit the big city, where not knowing anyone, she can make a fresh start. Things go OK for awhile-she has a different backstory of her past-until she falls in love with James Franciscus and meets his family. And then the trouble starts as her future Mother-In -Law is quite nosy, lots of questions involving family/location and having the wherewithal to get the answers. Worth seeing. ***

Blood and Black Lace 1964 ★★★★★

Great early giallo with everything you want from a horror movie:

A cool looking killer.

Epic and brutal kills that hold up even over fifty years after its release date.

An awesome reveal at the end I forgot about since my last viewing.

Gorgeous women, stylish men, cool looking cops,...

A groovy score.

And of course, stylish sets and colouring.

Five stars well deserved.

Night of the Living Dead 1968 ★★★★★

Thanks to the local art house theater for organising a screening of this classic.

In a cinema, you feel the dread more than in a living room. The paranoia between the people and how they turn on each other. Timely, with the covid memories still fresh. Ben as the voice of reason and Cooper as the selfish guy who does not help.

Not to mention the kills. I love how Savini realised a step up from the less gory kills from earlier horror (fifties and before). Of course, he was not the first one with brutal kills (Mario Bava, for one, paved the way), but it was certainly one of the first Hollywood classics that went this far with the gore. No coincidence that it was made off the radar of the big studios.

There is also the political dimension. This screening came with an introductory speech by a university professor on film history. She told us amongst others about the political climate in which Romero grew up – the age of the atom bomb – and about how this movie in a way reflected the era. Having that knowledge in the back of your mind, it's easy to think of the barricading of the house on more than one level. Is it to keep out the zombies or to protect you from the bomb? Or the interviews with the scientists and politicians contradicting each other. Again, timely.

Did I mention five star classic?

Good question. I don't like presenting the word masterpiece; makes me really uncomfortable. lol

Dial M was my favorite Hitch. I don't really put any above it. Were any better before Dial M? You know, my second Hitch fav is a film I'd rather rewatch than Dial M, which is Rope (1948). I'd put Rope on the top shelf with Dial M.

Some might argue for The 39 Steps (1935), The Lady Vanishes (1938), maybe Suspicion (1941) and Shadow of a Doubt (1943). I suppose Rebecca (1940) is not a thriller, but some might say his first masterpiece, won Oscar for best picture.

I asked a buddy of mine, and he thinks 39 steps is full step better than Dial M, no pun intended.

The Thing from Another World 1951 ★★★½

I love fifties horror. Across the decade, you can tell how movies are coming into their own. But the influences of theatre and stageplays still simmer through. Wether it's in the positioning of the actors or their lines or delivery. Sometimes, it still leans a tad more to reciting or orating rather than to casually speaking.

I love the build up the film uses. As other reviews mentioned, it lays out alot of the tropes imitated by other horror films in later years. Slowly letting the danger sink in. Introducing it bit by bit. The scientist losing his mind because of their advanced status. And yet for some reason, the alien goes down in a way equally silly as when Will Smith makes the alien crash.

To cap things off, I must compliment the stunt people. I know, most of the effects are offscreen. But that stunt with the alien on fire? Are you kidding me? And that in 1951? For that long? Holy moly, Batman.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check those out.

Oh yeah, that pyrotechnics stunt in the film is over the top! The first time you see it you're like whoah, this is getting out of hand, bring in the fire extinguishers!

It's an engrossing thriller without many flaws. I would have liked to see them expand on the scientist's experiments and the conflict therein, but overall it's tight with a good pace.

And John Carpenter still managed to up the ante.

Mark of the Witch 1970 ★★★½

Mark of the witch is one of those fun little gems you can discover on YT.

We immediately get introduced to our main witch. At her hanging no less. All the less reason to worry about wether she actually did something, I guess.

Cut forward a good 300 years to a college party with ditsy blondes and at least one irrepriessible horndog, where they call up witches for fun. As you do. This, however, does bring up the score. A quite interesting mix of synth sounds and what sounded like theremin experiments that has a jaws-y way of getting you into the vibe of the scene. Especially effective during the witchey scenes.

Once possessing poor young Jill, the titular witch wastes no time in getting to work. Waking up Satan, killing people and what not. You know, the usually witchypoo stuff. Kind of funny how calling up Satan gets her sexually aroused. Guess this is not the devil from South Park.

Also, the makers make a nice little distinction in the character's speech. While Jill speaks the common lingo of the time, the witch gets a completely different tone and vocabulary. The result being a funny where her boyfriend Alan drops her off at home.

Alan forms the investigative duo who tries to stop the witch together with the more stuffy/stylish Mac, who we seem mouthing along to the original chant. They eventually come up with a solution and the witch's plans are thwarted. Though it does come at a price.

The atmosphere is well established and the execution of the kills is okay too. I like the paralysis effect on the first victim, creating a nice bit of eeriness. Even the sacrifice at the end is a nice touch. Making sure it is not simply a clichéd old “all's well that ends well”-ending.

Recommended if you want to find something on YT.

The Ape Man 1943 ★★

One of the lesser Lugosi flicks about a mad scientist who turns into a half man, half ape. But to be fair, he looks less like a monster and more like a hairy version of Mister Spock. The Wolf Man was released two years prior and at least that one gave us a transformation scene.

It's also less horror and more melodrama, even though the ape man and a 100% "monkey" go on a killing spree at one point. The cast looks uninspired and, at times, even Lugosi looks like he's phoning it in.

Indeed, a ***** classic! Again, for the $$ nd resources they didn't have, Romero and company really created something special.

I was able to see it in a theater a few times and it is creepier...maybe because all the people in the houses are strangers and You are surrounded by many strangers watching it on the big screen.

While people have called Karl Hardman's performance "Amateurish", I think He's pretty convincing. The look of total horror on his face as the escape attempt goes south is extremely convincing as well as his stammering about the fuse.

My wife likes it (not as much as I do) and while She could see both sides; staying upstairs to access the situation, but so many areas to watch VS staying in the cellar which would be safer, but no idea of what's going on. Her thought was go upstairs, bring some stuff and could always knock the zombies down the steps...You might even end up with a barricade of them preventing any others from reaching You and be able to check outside for help.

THE TRIP (1967). Roger Corman films concerns filmmaker Peter Fonda, who is in a state of flux concerning his upcoming divorce from unfaithful wife (Susan Strassberg) and malaise over his career. Obviously, the best way to handle this is take LSD bought from Dennis Hopper and go on a trip with Bruce Dern babysitting You. After He takes the Acid, the rest of the film concerns itself with what Fonda is experiencing-including Angelo Rossitto (FREAKS, MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME) as an evil dwarf and all sorts of panoramic colors. Script is by Jack Nicholson who would be in EASY RIDER a couple of years later withy Fonda and Hopper. And it seems both actors are prepping for ER as the word "Man" ends just about every sentence. Also a good appearance by Luana Anders (DEMENTIA 13 and also in EASY RIDER). ***

I agree. ::shocked::

Never gave it a lot of thought... but now that you mention it... going upstairs would be a good idea if they tore up the steps/staircase. The zombies wouldn't be able get to the second floor then.

They could use the wood from the steps to board up the windows. They could pull each other up, use a rope, or use a ladder that they could pull upstairs when they were all up there. Just kinda depends what was in the house.

Agreed, the beautiful lighting, colors, sets and shots really make it special. Everything is pretty chic. The acting is mostly well done and has a decent pace. The story, suspense and mystery are enough to support everything else.

THE SWINGER (1966). Silly film of an aspiring writer (Ann-Margret who is lovely here and gives an effort) who, for some reason, wants to be published in a PLAYBOY-esque magazine . She buys a bunch of torrid romance novels and acts like an immoral drunken part girl to convince the editors She should be published, all the while keeping away from the lecherous men, because She is a "Good Girl". TS reminded very much of THREE'S COMPANY with all the innuendos and misunderstandings. Some event support by Tony Franciosa, although his character is a jerk as well as model Barbara Nichols and gorgeous Yvonne Romain (CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF). **

Been siiiiick and bed rotting. I found comfort in B&W and The British.


The Tower of London, 1962. 7/10

Directed by Roger Corman







The Reptile, 1966. 7/10

Directed by John Gilling

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Night of the Eagle, 1962. 8/10

Directed by Sidney Hayers

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Spellbound (1945)
9/10

Psychological, mystery, crime, thriller and romance starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Excellent theremin filled musical score by Miklós Rózsa, the film winning the Oscar for Best Musical Score. Also filled with some trippy Salvador Dalí set designs for a jaw dropping dream sequence. The film tried to stay accurate with psychological detail.

Why the shock?

The Trip 1967 ★★★

Watching this movie on good pot would probably make it a five star experience.

Now it "just" has some amazing trippy visuals and ditto shots and a groovy score.

I was off from work yesterday and had sort of a Bela "jones" going on; hadn't seen TAM in some time.

Wow...I should have watched THE RAVEN instead. Although Bela was a little subdued, He still gave his all. I'm wondering if when He spoke the line "What a mess of things I made" was He thinking about his career.

Though Louise Currie was pretty good...she reminded Me of Katherine Hepburn a little and pretty cool when She is fighting Bela towards the end...Film historian Greg Mank mentioned how it's almost an S/.M scene, with her in the heels, cracking the whip with the jaunty score playing.

As far as the guy looking in the windows and the big reveal at the end::mad::::mad::

** also

TJ...I told my wife that You described Bela as looking like a hairy version of Mr Spock....and She was dying laughing::big grin::!

Glad to be able to help. ::big grin::

Hey Tommy, ever do requests? After you asked about if Dial M was the best to that point, I made a list and have seen a few. Love to get your impressions on Spellbound (1945).

Always in for suggestions and recommendations, Sculpt.

I think I found a copy on YT, so I should be able to check that one out some time soon.::cool::

THE RAIN PEOPLE (1969). A disconnected, confused and newly pregnant Housewife deserts her husband and family, hitting the road to "Find" herself or maybe try to make sense of how She's feeling. Along the way, she makes the acquantince of brain damaged Football player -early James Caan-and He almost becomes a surrogate child, even if her treatment of him sometimes is questionable.

Early Francis Ford Coppola film has "Cult status" attached to it and while it certainly has moments (interesting look at how Women's lib was starting to appear, but how little control women had over their destinies), it just flips and flops. Shirley Night is VERY good as the addled protagonist, but her behavior is all over the place. You really root for her in some scenes and others, You want to lob a brick at her. The ending is kind of up in the air for Me, but it's worth checking out. Lots of real small town footage and read that George Lucas, a friend of FFC was a cameraman. **1/2

Here's what I made of it:

Spellbound 1945 ★★★★

Certainly by 1945 standards, the premise is rather interesting. The new chairman arrives at a mental facility, only for them to find out that he is not the doctor, but rather a patient. He and one of the psychologists then try to find out what happened.

Is it a masterpiece? The jury is still out on the verdict. What I can say, is: it certainly plants the seeds for later greats. Like the shot with the eyes covered wallpaper getting cut up (Hitchcock and Salvador Dali, some pairing). Or the things coming back in later works: like the trial montage in Dial M or a bit of the score that later returned in either Vertigo or Psycho.

He certainly creates the tension that would come to full fruition in his later works. The scenes at the train station come to mind as well as the moment when doctor Peterson pieces things together or the moments where Peck struggles with his inner demons. He shows what made him such a great actor. Ingrid Bergman is very good as the feisty Dr. Peterson. I also like Michael Chekhov. He makes his Brulov just the right amount of eccentric.

Spellbound. It may not be a masterpiece, but at least it comes close. The type of flick that has you convinced that he has it in him.

CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTER (1969 AKA THE CRIMSON CULT) .

Convoluted story of an antiques dealer searching for his brother who was involved with some not very nice people. Convoluted it may be, but not as bad as You may have heard. Good cast including Barbara Steele (although it seems She is little more than window dressing, although her outfit is impressive), Christopher Lee, Michael Gough, Virginia Wetherall and a very good turn by Boris Karloff-I feel he truly shines here. Sadly, there are some scenes that just seem to pad the story for a longer running time. ***

FATHOM (1967). Silly British comedy with Raquel Welch as a Skydiver on a US Parachute team who gets involved in espionage between two competing organizations. Raquel took a lot of flak for acting (much like Ann-Margret), but like AM, she kept it up, got in better films, earned awards and became a real "Do It All" kind of performer; singing, dancing, Broadway, entrepreneurship and poked fun at her image, especially on SEINFELD. But honestly, her looks were a major factor in why us guys watched her films. Just the footage of her in a Lime Green Bikini will have You convinced that She was a marvel of Genetic engineering. **1/2

The Ouartermass Xperiment, 1955. 7/10

Directed by Val Guest

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Night of the Demons, 1957. 7.5/10

Directed by Jacques Tourneur

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Two good ones there::cool::

HORRORS OF SPIDER ISLAND (1962). Wretched flick of a Talent agent and his Dancing combo who crash in the ocean and make it to a deserted island which is inhabited by large spiders. Skimpy outfits, bad dancing, squabbling with infernal voices and foolish behavior. Pass *

The Quatermass Xperiment 1955 ★★★½

I like these fifties flicks. The Quatermass Experiment is a nice document of British horror in its infancy, with special effects typical of the time.

Overall a fun watch. I'll definteily go back for a rewatch.

HIGH SIERRA (1941). Breakthrough role for Humphrey Bogart (although He is second billed to Ida Lupino) as a tough crook (with a tender side) trying to pull off a last job. Some amazing camera work towards the end. ***

The Reptile (1966)
4/10

A man and his wife move into the humble home of his dead brother, who died under mysterious circumstances. The town is not welcoming, except for the bar tender. They discover other town's people have died similarly. The couple become acquainted with a young lady across the way. She plays a wicked flute, but she, her father, a Doctor of Theology, and his exotic assistant are very odd and seem to be hiding something.

The general story lore is very interesting, but the story execution very restrained.

STAGECOACH (1966). A decent cast with great photography, but an unnecessary remake of the iconic 1939 classic that madeJohn Wayne into a star. Alex Cord tries, but He's no match for Wayne, other performers including Ann-Margret::love:: as the "Bad Girl", Stephanie Powers as the "Good Girl", Bing Crosby, Red Buttons, Mike Connors and Slim Pickens. Worth watching for what was listed-maybe-and a really different listing/presentation of cast by the final credits. **1/2

The Paradine Case (1947)
8/10

A well-off blind man is poisoned to death, and his purdy wife (Alida Valli), with an indelicate past, is a prime suspect. Attorney Anthony Keane (Gregory Peck) takes the case, but to the dismay of his wife (Ann Todd), Anthony may be interested in more than just a favorable verdict for his client.

Effective story telling. It's actually difficult to know why Attorney Keane makes all the decisions he makes. His feelings are an interesting counterpoint to the unveiling of the case. It's a drama, not a suspense thriller.

TEN LITTLE INDIANS (1965). Good adaptation of Agatha Christie story with an awesome cast, including Hugh Marlowe, Shirley Eaton, Fabian, Wilfred Hyde-White and the voice of Christopher Lee. ***

The Brides of Dracula (1960) starring Peter Cushing as Van Helsing

The Curse of the Werewolf starring Oliver Reed (1961) Hammer Studios

The Haunting 1963 ★★★★

The Haunting definetily is a classic.

There are several things to love about this movie. From the way it takes its time to set up the characters over the special effects that were amazing for the time to small details.

Like the combination of Eleanor's inner monologues and her Frances McDormand-ish way of staring into the distance with several degrees of fear and unease. Or how you can feel said unease and discomfort slip into the cheeky young getabout.

Four stars well deserved.

The Phantom of the Opera 1925 ★★★★

Every horror fan should treat him/herself to a bit of vintage every now and then. Visit/revisit the classics with Chaney, Lugosi, Karloff,... or go on the hunt for forgotten and/or underrated gems.

You can enjoy this one for the score, for the overacting that was par for the course in silent movies, for Chaney's great performance as the Phantom,... and that one reveal that still holds up to this day.