Happy Halloween!

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 31, 2011

Categories | Soundtracks, Composers, Horror, Steve McQueen, Serge Gainsbourg

My final October music collection is simply called “Halloween Party Mix” and it contains all kinds of horror and Halloween themed songs that didn’t fit on any of my other mixes, including a couple of songs from some of my favorite horror films like The Blob (1958) and An American Werewolf in London (1981). It’s a fun mix and hopefully it will keep you dancing or least tapping your toes this Halloween. You can still find all my previous October music mixes at 8tracks. Enjoy & Happy Halloween!

Track Listing:
Larry’s Rebels - “Halloween” (1968)
Dickie Goodman - “My Baby Loves Monster Movies” (1964)
The Five Blobs (written by Burt Bacharach & Mack David) - “Beware of the Blob” (1958)
Bruno Martino - “Dracula Cha Cha Cha” (1960)
Christine Pilzer - “Dracula” (1966)
Screaming Lord Sutch - “Jack the Ripper” (1963)
Serge Gainsbourg - “Docteur Jekyll et Monsieur Hyde” (1968)
Bobby “Boris” Pickett - “The Monster Mash” (1962)
The Cramps - “Zombie Dance” (1980)
Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders - “The Shadow Knows” (1966)
Exuma - “Mama Loi, Papa Loi” (1970)
Marsha Hunt - “(Oh No! Not) The Beast Day” (1973)
Gary Warren - “Werewolf” (1958)
Warren Zevon - “Werewolves of London” (1978)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - “Bad Moon Rising” (1969)
The Shaggs - “It’s Halloween” (1969)

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Comic Book of the Week: Plague of the Zombies

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 28, 2011

Categories | Hammer Horror, Comic Books

This is another Hammer film adaptation comic from The House of Hammer (also known as Hammer’s Halls of Horror). As I mentioned in my previous post, The House of Hammer was a British film and comic magazine published between 1976 and 1978. The following pages are from issue #13 (also called issue #1 Vol. 2), which featured another great cover painted by Brian Lewis depicting a scene from John Gilling’s Plague of the Zombies (1966). The following sample pages are from the comic illustrated by the notable storyboard artist, Trevor Goring and written by Steve Moore. The back cover of the magazine featured a movie poster for Plague of the Zombie, which I’ve also included along with a promo shot featuring a very scary looking Ben Aris in his zombie makeup carrying actress Jacqueline Pearce. Plague of the Zombies is too often overshadowed by all the zombie films that followed in its distinct footsteps, which is a shame. I think it’s one of Hammer’s best films and features some of the studio’s most innovative monster makeup. Don’t watch it alone!

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Do You Want to See Something Really Scary?

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 27, 2011

Categories | Horror, Movie Morlocks, TCM, Oliver Reed, Peter Lorre, Deborah Kerr, Terence Fisher, Roman Polanski, Jack Clayton, Peter Wyngarde, Curtis Harrington

I managed to catch a cold this week so I’ve been feeling under the weather but hopefully I’ll be back on my feet soon. In the meantime I wanted to direct you to my latest post at the Movie Morlocks.

All month long I’ve been writing about horror films but this week I decided to share some of the scariest moments from a few of my favorite fright filled movies. If you’re a regular Cinebeats’ reader you’ll recognize many of the films I mention in my latest post such as longtime favorites like The Innocents (Jack Clayton; 1961) , The Tenant (Roman Polanski; 1976), Blood on Satan’s Claw (Piers Haggard; 1970), Night Tide (Curtis Harrington; 1961) and Dracula Prince of Darkness (Terence Fisher; 1966) but a few others might be a surprise such as The Beast with Five Fingers, (Robert Florey; 1946), which was the first Peter Lorre film I saw on television when I just 9 or 10 years old. A couple of the films I mention will be shown on TCM during Halloween on Oct. 31st so you’ll have a chance to experience them for yourself if you have cable TV.

If you’re looking for a few atypical Halloween viewing suggestions or just want to know what kind of films chill me to the bone and get my heart racing then please make your way over to the Movie Morlocks.
- “Do You Want to See Something REALLY Scary?” @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

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Music of the Night

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 24, 2011

Categories | Soundtracks, Hammer Horror

This week’s 8track musical offering is titled “Music of the Night” and includes music from some of my favorite Hammer vampire films such as The Brides of Dracula (1960), Twins of Evil (1971), Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter (1974), The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974) and Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972). Enjoy!

Track Listing:
James Bernard - “Dracula Main Theme” (1958)
James Bernard - “The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires” (1974)
Malcolm Williamson - “The Brides Of Dracula” (1960)
Laurie Johnson - “Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter” (1974)
Harry Robinson - “The Vampire Lovers” (1970)
Harry Robinson - “Twins Of Evil “(1971)
Mike Vickers - “Main Theme: Dracula A.D. 1972″ (1972)
Mike Vickers - “Van Helsing Heads To The Club” (1972)

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Comic Book of the Week: Curse of the Werewolf

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 22, 2011

Categories | Hammer Horror, Comic Books, Oliver Reed, Terence Fisher

The House of Hammer (also known as Hammer’s Halls of Horror) was a British film and comic magazine published between 1976 and 1978. The following pages are from issue #10, which featured a wonderful cover painted by artist Brian Lewis depicting Oliver Reed in Terence Fisher’s Curse of the Werewolf (1961). The following sample pages are from Part I. & II. of the Curse of the Werewolf comic illustrated by one of my favorite comic book artists, the talented John Bolton and written by Steve Moore. The back cover of the magazine featured a Belgian movie poster for Curse of the Werewolf, which I’ve also included along with a promo shot featuring a very handsome Oliver Reed without his monster makeup. I recommend you read these pages accompanied by the light of the full moon!

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Klaus Kinski in Nosferatu

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 20, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, Horror, Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Movie Morlocks, TCM

I promised more Kinski and now I’m delivering…

Over at the Movie Morlocks you can find my recent post on Werner Herzog’s 1979 film NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE. It’s one of my favorite Herzog films and I think it contains one of Klaus Kinski’s most compelling performances. This modern reimagining of F. W. Murnau’s NOSFERATU (1922) is really more of a tribute than a remake but it’s a wonderful example of how a director can reinterpret an old film for a new audience. I don’t hate remakes. Some of my favorite films are remakes. But I do hate bad movies with big budgets and no imagination. And there’s way too many of them taking up valuable real estate at multiplexes across the country while an army of compliant critics champion their failings. With all that in mind I decided to write about Herzog’s film because when I’m asked about my favorite remakes NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE often comes to mind. Do I think it’s better than Murnau’s original? No. But I do think it’s just as good in its own unique way. A sample paragraph from my post:

“One of Herzog’s smartest directing choices was casting Klaus Kinski in the role of Dracula, which was a part previously played by Max Schreck. Klaus Kinski makes a formidable vampire and his dynamic working relationship with the director undoubtedly impacted his performance. Strangely enough, the role of Dracula in NOSFERATU also provided Kinski with one of his most sympathetic and humane roles. Although Kinski is obviously playing a hideous undead creature, he manages to give Dracula some genuine humanity and it’s one of the actor’s most fascinating and strangely touching performances. Instead of directly following in Max Schreck’s footsteps, Kinski seems to have been inspired by the tragic monsters found in classic Universal horror films such as FRANKENSTEIN (1931) and THE WOLF MAN (1941). In Klaus Kinski’s autobiography he articulated how much the physical aspect of playing a vampire had transformed him.

In Holland and Czechoslovakia and all the way to the Tatra Mountains on the Czech-Polish border. The departure point is Munich. Four weeks before shooting starts, I have to fly there for costuming. And this is where I shave my skull for the first time. I feel exposed, vulnerable, defenseless. Not just physically (my bare head becomes as hypersensitive as an open wound) but chiefly in my emotions and my nerves. I feel as if I have no scalp, as if my protective envelope has been removed and my soul can’t live without it. As if my soul has been flayed.

At first I go outdoors only when it’s dark. Besides, I wear a wool cap all the time even though it’s spring. You may think ‘So What? Some guys are bald.’ But the two have absolutely nothing to do with one another. What I mean is the simultaneous metamorphosis into a vampire. The nonhuman, nonanimal being. That undead thing. That unspeakable creature, which suffers in full awareness of its existence.” - Klaus Kinski from Kinski Uncut”

Want to read more? Please visit The Movie Molocks!
- Reimagining a Classic: Werner Herzog’s NOSFERATU @ TCM’s Classic Film Blog

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Klaus Kinski as Ahmed Kortobawi

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 18, 2011

Categories | Movie Reviews, Actors, Jess Franco, Klaus Kinski, Dennis Price

Today would have been Klaus Kinski’s 85th birthday if he were still alive. I’ve written birthday tributes to Klaus before but today I thought I’d share a little something about one of my favorite Klaus Kinski films, Jess Franco’s remarkable Venus in Furs aka Paroxismus (1969).

From the DVD box:
“Of all the twisted hits from cult director Jess Franco (SADOMANIA, 99 WOMEN), this is the one that fans and critics alike call his masterpiece! James Darren (THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, DEEP SPACE NINE) stars as a traumatized trumpeter sucked into a whirlpool of psycho-sexual horror along with his sultry girlfriend (singer Barbara McNair), a kinky lesbian (Margaret Lee of THE BLOODY JUDGE), a depraved playboy (the legendary Klaus Kinski) and the mysterious, insatiable beauty (luscious Maria Rohm of JUSTINE) who may lead them all straight to Hell.”

If that description doesn’t grab your attention, nothing will! As stated above, Kinski plays a wealthy sadist named Ahmed Kortobawi who’s obsessed with sexual pleasure that finally erupts in an act of bloody violence. After he participates in the kinky murder of a beautiful woman (Maria Rohm), Kinski and his cohorts (Dennis Price & Margaret Lee) are haunted by her ghost (or are they?). Franco’s incredibly sensuous and decadent film isn’t a straightforward horror movie but imaginative viewers should appreciate the supernatural elements of Venus in Furs. As Cathal Tohill & Pete Tombs explain in their book Immoral Tales, Franco was inspired to make his film after a conversation with jazz legend, Chet Baker. The acclaimed trumpet player discussed how getting lost in musical improvisation could create images in your head that explode in flashes of memory. Franco used this idea for the basis of his story and Venus in Furs unfolds in a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards that lend it a surreal quality accentuated by the fantastic nature of the film, the creative set design and the director’s ability to create awe-inspiring imagery. As usual Klaus Kinski manages to steal every scene he appears in and his final screen moments are unforgettable. The jazz infused score was composed by British beat artist Manfred Mann who also makes a brief appearance in the film as a musician. With its lengthy nightclub and party scenes, decadent fashions and groovy soundtrack, Venus in Furs is a film that begs for multiple viewings.

One of my favorite pieces on Franco’s Venus in Furs was written by Mike Kitchell and can be found on his blog, Esotika Erotica Psychotica. And for more on Jess Franco and his fabulous films please visit Robert Monell’s blog I’m in a Jess Franco State of Mind

You can expect to see more of Kinski @ Cinebeats soon!

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Giallo Notte

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 17, 2011

Categories | Soundtracks, Giallo, Ennio Morricone

My newest Halloween music mix at 8tracks is called “Giallo Notte” and it contains 14 great music tracks from some of my favorite giallo films such as Dario Argento’s Deep Red (1975), Aldo Lado’s Short Night Of Glass Dolls (1971), Sergio Martino’s The Strange Vice Of Mrs. Wardh (1971) and Emilio Miraglia’s The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972), plus much, much more. Enjoy!

Track Listing:
Goblin - “Profondo Rosso” Original Sound Effect Bonus Track (1975) from DEEP RED
Goblin - “Death Dies” Film Version-Part 1 (1975) from DEEP RED
Ennio Morricone - “Valzer” (1971) from SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS
Ennio Moricone - “Piume di Cristallo” (1970) from THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMMAGE
Roberto Nicolosi - “Preparando La Trappola E Un’Ombra Nel Buio” (1963) from THE EVIL EYE
Piero Umilani - “Cinque Bambole Versione Coro” (1970) from FIVE DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON
Piero Umilani - “Danza Primitiva” (1970) from FIVE DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON
Sante Maria Romitelli - “Hatchet Shake” (1970) from HATCHET FOR THE HONEYMOON
Nora Orlandi - “The Blade Pleasure” (1971) from THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH
Nora Orlandi - “Shakin´ With Edwige” (1971) from THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH
Riz Ortolani - “Lombard Street” (1969) from PERVERSION STORY
Riz Ortolani - “Golden Gate Bridge” (1969) from PERVERSION STORY
Bruno Nicolai - “Perche Quelle Strane Gocce Di Sangue Sul Corpo Di Jennifer?” (1972) from THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS
Bruno Nicolai - “La Dama Rossa Uccide Sette Vo” (1972) from THE RED QUEEN KILLS 7 TIMES

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Sweet Treats & Costumed Freaks

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 16, 2011

Categories | News, Blogathons

Some of you know that I also blog over at Mid-Century Living. During October I like to share things like vintage Halloween costume ideas & pumpkin carving tips there and I recently posted some old recipes for candy apples from a 1966 Better Homes & Gardens cookbook. If you’re looking for some Halloween cooking ideas or just want to know how to carve a pumpkin ’60s style please drop by Mid-Century Living:
- Halloween @ Mid-Century Living

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