Damnation Alley (1977)

Roger Zelazny’s novel Damnation Alley (1967) was used as source material, but as is often the case, the 1977 film version did not necessarily follow the book to the letter.

Promising huge special effects along with science fiction action, the film was released five months after Star Wars had already captured that audience by the bucketful and had also truly delivered with spectacular creatures and ground breaking special effects. Damnation Alley did poorly at the box office and was quickly pulled and repackaged on a double bill with Ralph Bakshi's Wizards (1977). Curious side note: the film's "Landmaster" later made a cameo in Chris Elliott's sitcom Get a Life as the Paperboy 2000.

The feature is presented below.

D.O.A. - A Rite Of Passage (1980)

Director Lech Kowalski's first film was 1980's D.O.A. - A Rite Of Passage, which gives a glimpse into the Sex Pistols 1978 tour of the Southern United States. The film also includes The Dead Boys, Generation X (with Billy Idol), The Rich Kids, the X-Ray Spex, and Sham 69 among others.

Just Before Dawn (1981)

Director Jeff Lieberman had previously created such drive-in favorites as Blue Sunshine and Squirm, when he brought his creative imprint to the cinematic world of teens in trouble with 1981s Just Before Dawn. Lieberman transcends the slasher in the woods sub-genre with taught atmospherics and well executed pacing which both add to the onscreen terror.

I first saw this movie as a vhs rental in the early/mid 80s. Good times! In fact that scan above is from my still watchable Paragon Video vhs copy, complete with great previews for fun flicks such as Boardinghouse or The Gates of Hell beforehand. Anyway I digress, please check out the trailer and the (presented again) feature below.


the trailer



the feature

Northville Cemetery Massacre (1976)

Even for the exploitation sub-genre of biker movies, 1976s Northville Cemetery Massacre is an odd one.

Initially filmed around Michigan locations during 1972, it took several more years to make it into theaters. Allegedly ex-Monkee Mike Nesmith provided not only songs for use on the soundtrack, but money to help finish the post-production. The film makers hired two actual Detroit area biker clubs, The Scorpions and The Road Agents, for the film which adds a dose of realism.

It was co-written and directed by then newcomers William Dear and Thomas L. Dyke. Dear would go on to a still flourishing career including shorts for Saturday Night Live in the early 80s and directing increasingly family friendly feature films such as: Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann, Harry and the Hendersons, and Angels in the Outfield.

The bikers in Northville Cemetery Massacre play against type, even aiding an elderly couple with auto trouble in the first few minutes. But this doesn't gain them any favor with the local sheriff who promptly frames them for a rape which was committed by the cops and sets up wrong headed reprisals. Gritty, violent, and ultimately rather down beat the film delivers much for the modest budget.



the feature

Darkroom - 11 Dec. 1981 Episode

Hosted by James Coburn, Darkroom was a horror/fantasy anthology television series that ran from 1981 to 1982 on ABC. Some of the episodes created for the program were deemed too intense for broadcast television by the network, were subsequently beefed up with additional footage and released in 1983 as the film Nightmares.

My favorite episode was first aired on December 11, 1981. There were two stories, the first Needlepoint, has to do with a grandmother using voodoo to extract revenge while the second Siege Of 31 August, concerns army toys coming to life and attacking. That episode is presented below...

Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986)

The year was 1986 and Judas Priest were touring in support of their recently released record Turbo. Created by John Heyn and Jeff Krulik, Heavy Metal Parking Lot documents the scene prior to a show on that tour at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.