There has been a quite a gap in my coverage of Dracula in films, and Universal Movie monsters. So much so that I had not realized that the last of the cast of Dracula (1931) had passed last year. Carla Laemmle.
So as we delve back into the catacombs where Dracula lies, let's remember this woman with old ties to our classic horror.
Carla Laemmle was the niece of Universal Studios executive Carl Laemmle. She was lucky enough to get a role in Dracula, a speaking role even. That is a feat, if you consider how few speaking roles there are in the film, and that movies with talking in them were still rather new.
Speaking role in the movie, and great lighting. She must know someone.
More over, she gets the honor of being the first voice heard in a "supernatural thriller". She has a place in horror history. Mark her!
It's not her only tie to horror films. She also plays a small role in the early silent Phantom of the Opera. She's a dancer on stage.
People do like to know when actors overlap between different. Carla Laemmle is one of them. (And as we go through Universal Horror, we'll see some more of the cast of Dracula popping up in other later films.)
Now, let's get back to Dracula. If you have a desire to go back to some of the earlier pieces on Dracula and vampires, check here. And for a recap of Universal Horror.
I have previously touched onDracula's early cinematic history, and Universal Studios acquiring the rights. But, before we delve into Dracula and it's making, let's look back at what made this film possible.
Now that we've had a chance to experience Supergirl's premiere, it's time to revel.
The show has a wonderful feel that is reminiscent of The Flash, but is unique for this character and her sensibilities.
I know when the first look came out for the show their were some that had a reflexive dislike. It wasn't drenched in machismo, which we are taught as kids to expect from superhero adventure. Instead there's energy, adrenaline, idealism, hope, optimism, youthful delight, danger, threats, and fun. It's weird to see the rebuffing it got, and that some gave this show.
It has been a heady time for DC Comics on TV. Arrow. Flash. iZombie. Gotham. Constantine...is gone, but it was good while it was here (And he will be returning on Arrow.) We had a short animated series for Vixen. Legends of Tomorrow is coming soon. And we still have a live action Teen Titans pilot coming soon. Plus we have Lucifer and Preacher shows upcoming.
But right now, we have a new comer to leading a DC series. Kara Zor-El. Supergirl!
The show is in a funny spot. It has sister shows with Arrow and Flash on the CW, while it's on CBS. And the costume reflects some of the look of the movie Superman that is part of the expanding DC Cinematic Universe. But, at least for now, the show is off on it's own. (We just need the Flash to start passing through the space/time portals around Central City and pop up in National City.
And seeing as the show is coming from the creative team behind Flash and Arrow, if the channels decide to please fans, I can't believe we don't see an eventual crossover. But Kara needs time to settle into her show and establish her own mythos.
Horror movies are always a treat. At Halloween they become a necessity. But sometimes it's nice to learn more about the history and experience that creates those movies that haunt our memories.
Spend some time learning more about horror classics of the 70's and 80's
In 1978, John Carpenter got a chance to make a mark on Halloween with a slasher killer with his simple name. Michael Meyers. Working his way through teenagers and adults, focused on his target. A tense and fun movie experience.
What's a perfect fit for Halloween? Some music. Some costumes. Outrageousness. How about Jem and the Holograms.
No. Not the new movie. That would make no sense. I mean 80's cartoons, and 80's music.
And Jem just happens to have a Halloween episode. Seems a local opera house is in danger of closing. Luckily Jem and the Holograms step in to save it, with music.
While you muse about taking the second season DVD off your shelf, we can all enjoy the episode's songs.
When it comes to Halloween we do rather get obsessed with Pumpkin, or rather Pumpkin Spice. We love it, we hate it, we're over it.
Hey, I still love some pumpkin.
But apples have such a history with Halloween, and it's just feels like it's getting passe by too easily. Who doesn't love a Halloween party and some Bobbing For Apples? ...Do people still bob for apples? Is that still a thing, or is that that gone the way of peeled grapes as eyes? (Not that I really loved the messy experience to get an apple. Felt like a way to trick kids into washing their faces and getting fruit.
But the apple has it's history. The Fall caramel apple is still a joy...If you like working through hardened caramel to eat a Red Delicious apple. And then there's getting an apple when you go door to door Halloween Night...which really bit it...
But it has a noble history. The apple. Foe of many the young maiden. Biblical to Fairy Tales,
So how have we forgotten our old friend, fresh off the tree?
Well, it is a fruit, and one we have access to all year, including as a sweet. Apple Pie. Apple Crumble. Apple Juice. Apple Tea. Where's the shortage, the artificial rarity?
Who cares? If you can use it right, it's a fun treat for this season. And as noted above, it fits nicely in. And it's a break from the pumpkin, chocolate, and marshmallow.
And Oreo has just the thing. Annoyingly, it seems it won't be around long.
No this isn't a review of Jason's second trip to summer camp (Or is it the third if you count the flashbacks?). Rather let's just take a moment to enjoy a taste of the 80's. A Disco...ish opening theme. And the effort to do some 3D credits. Oh, yeah.
You can move to it, you can run from it, but you'll never escape it.
Whether or not you ever see this movie, you need to feel the 80's glory in this opening title sequence.
Of course there is another part of this movie you should also revel in. Partake in the wonder of Crispin Glover dancing.
Can't you imagine him groving to that opeing?
Masks. Machettes. Moms. Oh, no. Music. It's all about that music.
Enjoy that opening music as you prep for your Halloween.
Back in the day, or so I've heard, their was the holiday special. A mix of music, humor, and celebrity. Be it Life Day or Valentines we had our specials. People today do have a feel for them, as they do get referenced and parodied. But they are just an echo.
Were they any good...it seems like they were popular. As offshoots of variety shows, they were glitzy and used popular entertainers of the day. As the descendant of old Vaudeville, I assume, we are meant to be entertained and bemused at the spectacle put on for us.
The trick is that for most of us, the closest we've ever gotten to these shows of old are the parodying of them on shows like the The Simpsons. Their an echo of the past we know by mockery.
We still don't even get the Star Wars Holiday Special. But they are all special.
And this is Halloween, we need spectacle and sites to never be unseen.
We need a Halloween Special! And what better to go with than Paul Lynde and his Halloween Special? Nothing!
In 1976 October people got a treat. ABC put the show on air on October 29th. So while it wasn't on the night, at least it wasn't on in November, or the start of the month. Besides, it was the 70's I'm sure people were too busy with fondue, cheap plastic masks, and stagflation.
Oh my. Psycho. It's a movie that has locked it's placed in cinematic and horror history. So simple, and so potent.
Hitchcock had a way.
It's a movie most everyone knows, even if they've not actually watched the movie. Of course, if you haven't seen it, there is a lot you've likely missed in the characterization, music use, scene creation, and camera work. We can think we know it all about Marion Crane, and Norman Bates.
And sadly, even if you haven't seen the film, you know what to expect... It was something that the first audiences didn't know, so they got to have the true experience of how the movie shifts and turns in it's unexpected manner.
But today, we most all see the pivotal scenes replayed somewhere. It's all memes now.
Count Floyd is always up to try and bring some terror to your Halloween. It's not his fault he doesn't get to pick the films he shows.
\
True this is a character sketch from SCTV, but Floyd always represented that classic horror host and Creature Feature show. Often the host was someone that worked other jobs at a station, and they ran with what movies they had on hand.
In his case Count Floyd is Floyd Robertson, one of the anchors of SCTV's news show. He's played by the always energetic and fun Joe Flaherty.
Floyd was trying to put on a show, and have fun as the "dark" count. But the producers of his show could never really get their hands on decent horror movies for him to amp up his show, instead usually getting a line of weird or boring movies. And the station crew were constantly walking on set and working while he was trying to play his character and engage the kids at home watching.
But Count Floyd keeps trying to keep and maintain the feel.
Let's see some of the count's most horrifying film choices.
With Season 2 of The Flash getting ready to start, let's look at where we find our heroes. The world changed at the start of Season 1, and at the end of the season it was near the end of it all.
Barry Allen has gained phenomenal powers, and is eager to make use of them. Through his experiences he gains a number of friends and allies. So let's look a little at his friends, then get back to Barry.
As Halloween approaches the season is an apt time for certain themed shows to return. The zombie shows. Z Nation has started. There's some Walking Dead stuff going on. And iZombie is starting up again!
Now some people complain that we already had a zombie show. Don't care. We have different shows of other genres, so zombies deserve exploration (and not just repetition). And these shows try and go in different directions.
Unfortunately, In The Flesh went off the BBC. It looked at the aftermath of zombies rising, where society was dealing with containing and curing the remaining zombies. It was an interesting drama. And it was it's own thing.
Z Nation with it's more colorful, adventuring, road trip group has a very unique feel on SyFy. It is playing with a range of zombies, weird situation, and now a post nuke environment. It's fun to tune in every week.
Now we have iZombie. It's a show that again takes the zombies in a new direction. And the result is fun, with plenty of blood.
Coming from the creators of Veronica Mars, it makes use of humor in the midst of dark and macabre happenings in Seattle. Zombies are afoot. Crimes need to be solved. A corporation is conspiring. And Liv Moore is in serious need of straightening her life out...or unlife?
When you want some metal music and make up, you go to one place first at Halloween. KISS.
When I was a kid there was a magic to KISS. (...Okay. As I've said before, I was more the kid freaked out by the likes of them.) It was that 70's turn 80's time. It was their prime. God, I remember KISS toys in stores.
And it's been joked about, but it was also quite real. KISS TV movie. KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park (And that is the official name of the movie.). KISS didn't love the film, but it is part of their mythos, and is a great film to check out this October.
As the season progresses there are more Rogues to meet.
Plastique appears as a soldier who ends up merged with high explosives.It makes it difficult for her to touch thing, as it tends to lead to detonation.
It also gives an excuse to stick in a joke I had made for the episode review.
October means horror. Granted so does December and any other month. But we do expect the entertainment industry to put up a bit extra effort.
So why are there Christmas themed horror movies popping up? Damn it, Commercialism!
Today we have A Christmas Horror Story, Krampus, The Hallow, Blood Sucking Bastards, and Crimson Peak.
A Christmas Horror Story
This one has a least a cameo of sorts from William Shatner. Bonus!
But we also get Santa and...zombie elves? I am still with this. And the Krampus, of course. It's becoming pretty ubiquitous. To an extent it feels like a movie made by people that are fans of a lot of the older silly Christmas horror, like Santa Slay, Two Front Teeth, and Elves.
This also have a real feeling like the fake trailers that pop up. But I am seeing some plenty Canadian actors that I enjoy, so I'd like to be hopeful about this being...something.
And I would enjoy watching this...in a month or so.
Krampus
Sure. Adam Scott and the Krampus. ...I will be so much more into this stuff come November. Thanksgiving rarely gives us any good horror movies. So I'll be ready to start bypassing that holiday. I just don't need the Christmas music right now. (Yet parts of the local superstore thinks constant Christmas music is awesome right now...
Krampus. The Krampus is drawn to the house and then all Hell breaks loose.
Neither of these movies is on par with Rare Exports. Just sayin'.
But back to the more season appropriate fare.
The Hallow
The fairies and changelings are coming. When you enter their domain, they return the favor. Seems they want to play with some of the lore of fairies, before they became all wings and wishes.
It's hard to tell her is the fairies will work, or if it will rely to much on jump scares, but a British "You shouldn't have left your big city" story may proves to be a fun excursion.
Blood Sucking Bastards
At the start of the trailer I was leery, but as it goes on it does show some more amusing promise. Still, I'd go first for Netherbeast Incorporated any day. Of course in this one we are supposed to hate on the vampires, and I am guessing we are going to get a Boiler Room vibe to start.
And this trailer gets extra points for pointing out how stupid it is to think you could stake a vampire with a pencil.
And now the main feature...
Crimson Peak
Oh, lord. Ghosts. Gothic. Del Toro. Tom Hiddleston. Will we survive such an experience?
Guess it depends how good it actually is. With a living haunted house, living people who seem to entombed in their past, it seems the mood is set for a Mid-October horror treat.
The pace and a style look wonderful in this film. While we seem to have a good deal of CGI on display, Del Toro is a deft director and creative force. In a cheaper and more rushed movie I would worry about jump scares and excessive nonsense.
I just am trusting for now that Del Toro is not going to have instead dropped a trick in our candy bags.
Halloween needs it's horror movies. Some are good and some are bad. So it's nice to learn a bit about some of the films we can sit back and watch and dread.
We are fortunate to have a number of horror film reviewers online who actually know what they are talking about. They have their own taste and style. One you should take a look at is Fear Fan's Terror Obscura..
While many people and studios have had there impact on cinematic horror, Universal Studios has a long pedigree.
The 1930's began a line of films that help shape horror in many ways still. Black and white. Dark moors and forest. Angry villagers with their torches. "Good evening." "It's alive!" "Even a good man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when..."
Cats do I have there ties to the season. Of course they aren't for the best of reasons.
"Fear me!"
With this time of year and it's ties to tales and legends of dark forces, the dead rising, and the midnight hour, witches has been regularly entwined with the holiday. It's one of the basic choices for costumes, decoration, and stories to tell.
"Don't mind me. I'm just calling a...friend."
And the cat was sadly ported along with the witch into our view of Halloween. Sad because it's ties to the witch come from those ancient fears of devil's familiars, shape changing fiends, and just creatures that do the bidding of Satan.
You know. This guy!
'I don't care for the candy, but I am loving this hat."
While there are many issues in costumes at Halloween, we are seeing some improvements. We are seeing more range in the costumes available.
We've moved on from only having cheap plastic masks and cheap plastic smocks printed to match a character. Those still exists, but we have more possibilities to play with.
On of the more pleasant finds is with the Green Lantern costumes. There are a set of Hal Jordan costumes out there. But we can actually find a selection of John Stewart as well.
It's a bit of a surprise. After all, even on the cover they have Hal Jordan butting his head in, and in costumes it's all about the Jordan. But the GL people know best these days is John Stewart, from the Justice League cartoon series. So we better damn well have some John Stewart to dress as!
Today is the start of Autumn, officially. So how do we celebrate it but with it's more endearing imagery,,,the leaves of the season? Sure.
Every year we see the turm, and even if the calendar say the season isn't here yet, we know. The leaves shift to those autumn colors, which are based off those leaves, and bit by bit they fall, blanketing the land in place of the flowers and crops of Spring and Summer.
As October gets ever closer there are certain things that can so nicely get the hair on the back of the neck stand frightened. Among them is the delightfully terrible Tales from the Darkside.
Now I have touched on the 1990 movie based off this horror anthology series. But the series itself had something all it's own. That opening.
The notes of the sound build slowly and omninously. The voice over kicks in. And the world flips on us.
Halloween and it's treats. So sweet. Sure Christmas has it's treats. But all that giving...Halloween is about the taking. And taken sweets...
Sweets of the Halloween ilk are numerous these days, and it does seem Oreo is eager these days to experiment. Caramel Apple. Pumpkin Spice. Sigh. It sounds so good. But so much of Oreos is sugar and fat. That is just not suitable for my long term viability.
Still...I happened to see some pumpkin spice ones in a small...ish package. And I did buy it.
If we are going to talk about various costumes, we are going to have to talk about these costumes. The racist costumes.
In this day and age you'd think it wouldn't pop up, but people still turn to it. Whenever you're changing your face color to mimic another racial group, maybe you should give pause, and evaluate. When you are about to do a caricature of some group, ask why.
At the end of last season tactical nukes were coming down on all of our characters. Ft Collins was screwed, as was the northern outpost Citizen Z was at. It did not look good.
Murphy had snapped and ran, starting the nuke rain. Dr. Kurian fled on foot. So how can anyone hope to escape incoming?
As the season opens everyone in Ft Collins in running. Warren gets their truck going and they try and outrun the missile heading at the facility. Dr. Kurian manages to find a fridge in the area and ducks in. (Someone saw Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.) Murphy seems to have run off early enough to not have to worry about being hit, at least.
In a disaster Kurian can't resist a snack.
Warren is trying to hightail it, but she knows the blast will be coming, so she tries to pull into a tunnel to avoid most of it. Their truck takes a hit and flips over.
Before we get to the opening of Season 2, let's finish up with Season 1. Last time I covered the overarching aspects. But there are some other things worth knowing about the show.
Today let's turn our hearts and minds to quintessential piece of Halloween and late night fun. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Always the official some or another of Halloween.
It's her birthday today, so let's celebrate her, Cassandra Peterson. How old is she this year? None Of Your Damn Business years old.
It can be a thirsty time, waiting for Halloween. And obviously our drinks need themes. How else can one live?
I am not talking about booze though, that is not my area. But if you are looking for some discussion of that, I'd try Maven of the Eventide's Pumpktoberfest from last year. All sorts of pumpkin flavored beer, friends, and costumes. Her main site is down right now, but she has the series on YouTube to enjoy.
So instead let's talk about the fizzy drinks. We don't get enough of the horrible variety this time of year, except for any horrible tasting soft drink that we normally get year round. Thanks to the Purple Stuff Podcast, I have heard that once long ago Pepsi did have Crystal Pepsi out in a novelty cover. Invisible Man bandages.
But it feels like we seldom see that type of fun from those companies these days. Mostly it's a matter of some slight changes to the box that holds a pack of pop.
Thankfully we do have at least one company who is producing terrible fun in wide release. Jones Soda. They apparently have odd flavors that have come out for different holiday times. Green Bean, Turkey, etc.
The one I have luck with is there Halloween variety. And the best of that is their Caramel Apple. Ghoulish can. Sweet and tart taste.
Holidays can be rough on pets. The home gets a makeover. Strangers come in. Loud Parties. Getting isolated while everyone else is busy. But is that worse?
NO!
It's terrible costumes. Bunny costumes. Elf costumes. Pilgrim costumes. It's horror story. Then comes Halloween with a range of looks from Batman to Yoda to Freddy Pooger.
Still, some good promotion can sell you on the idea. The happy pup (You never see a happy cat.) looking ready to wield the dark side of the Force.
And then you have the occasional costume packaging that manages to show you the look your dog will really give you.
Oh I do love LEGO. And these days they sell individual minifigures series. The current one that just came out is one with a horror/Halloween vibe. Mad scientist. Zombies. Ghosts. Etc.
Just in time for Halloween. I have begun the quest to acquire them all. Madness will follow.
Back we go into the realms of cursed and curious goods. One can only escape from Friday's Curse, because the 13th always comes around again! ...Though one can sometimes hit snooze one or five times. eh.
We go into the 13th episode of the series, and for the auspicious episode, we get a bit of time travel and creative production work. Also a slightly odd title, "The Baron's Bride".
What do we all need come Halloween? Costumes, of course! But what to wear?
For some the answer may come from the Girl's Costume Warehouse. As brought us by College Humor, it shows of the wide variety of costumes regularly provided by a costume industry deeply interested in dressing women up at Halloween to live their dreams.
It's time to start ramping up for Halloween. right?
So let's start with a touch of Donna Reed. Spooooky!
Donna Reed at Halloween.
Donna Reed. Generally you may, or may not (Those youngins.), think of her on her old TV series, The Donna Reed Show. The proper housewife dealing with the acceptable wackiness of the 50's and 60's suburbs. But I can't help thinking first of her appearance in Shadow of the Thin Man.
She may also have appeared in It's A Wonderful Life, but this isn't Christmas.
With the second season of Z Nation getting ready to rampage across our TV's and computers, let's take a look at the first season, and the series in general. A series that has tried to remember that it wants viewers to get some thrills and fun when they watch a show.
So let's pick at the oozing brain of Z Nation, and see what it is all about.
Some people ask me, "Jack? What's this whole thing about?" And I tell them the truth. The hell if I know.
But sometimes you are on a sugar high. And you take some nerdiness. And you take some geekiness. And you grab some politics. And then you stuff some skepticism into it...and you crash.
When you make up you don't know what it is, but it's attached itself to your jugular, and you decide it's best not to fuss.
A curmudgeon and soft-heart. A pessimist and optimist. A loner and joiner. Even I get sick of me.
I'm...
A Neophyte Negotiator of all the Nonsense. An Ornate Opponent of…Oh, you know. A Lover of Levity and the Lectern. An Irreconcilably Irate Idyllist. The Eternal Enemy of Erratum. Just a Solitary Serrated Soul. I'm sorry, what was the question?
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