Friday, October 30, 2015

Shanks (1974)


The terms weird and strange get applied to an enormous number of films, but perhaps 1974s Shanks is truly worthy of such cliched categorization. Notable as both the last movie directed by maverick gimmick filmmaker William Castle and also as the first major movie role for world famous mime Marcel Marceau.

Marceau plays Malcolm Shanks, a master puppeteer who goes to work in a castle, toiling for a crazed but good-hearted doctor/scientist named Old Walker (also played by Marceau) who has made great advances in the reanimation of the dead. After the doctor dies, Shanks then uses the reanimated to get retribution.

The film never completely gels for me, but still manages to provide a rather unique experience for the curious viewer.

the feature


Scream of the Wolf (1974)


Written by Richard Matheson (The Night Stalker, Duel, I Am Legend) and directed by Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows, Trilogy of Terror, Burnt Offerings, The Winds of War), is 1974 made for television movie Scream of the Wolf.

A series of brutal murders are committed with evidence at the scene indicating the possible involvement of a large wolf. A retired big game hunter (played by Peter Graves) is called in to assist in hunting down the killer but gets little help from a suspicious local pro-hunter (Clint Walker). Great use is made of nighttime visits through fog shrouded forests.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Peopletoys (1974) aka Devil Times Five


A bizarre and brutal seventies horror/exploitation film, Peopletoys follows what happens when a van carrying a group of extremely disturbed youngsters crashes off an icy mountain road. The children make their way to a lodge populated by a relatively annoying assortment of wealthy and/or unpleasant folks. The family and their group welcome the little wanderers into the warm and inviting home but come to regret this decision after both the telephone and power cut out while the adults begin meeting violent ends.

Sorrell Booke is (for me) the most notable face among the cast; seen here five years prior to his blockbuster role as Boss Hogg on the Dukes of Hazzard. A very young Leif Garrett plays one of the murderous children, his sister Dawn Lyn also plays one of the youngsters, and their mother Carolyn Stellar is also among the film's cast.

Peopletoys was a work horse exploitation film and was re-released multiple times under different titles such as Devil Times Five, The Horrible House on the Hill, and Tantrums.


the trailer




the feature


Saturday, October 17, 2015

Pussy Galore - Maximum Penetration compilation


Maximum Penetration is a compilation 
of clips and live performances from  
Pussy Galore 
in all their noisy, snarling, glory.





Jon Spencer (guitar, vocals) 
Julie Cafritz (guitar, vocals) 
Kurt Wolf (guitar) 
Neil Hagerty (guitar) 
Bob Bert (drums)


Pig Sweat 
White Noise 
Just Wanna Die 
Nothing Can Bring Me Down 
Biker Rock Loser 
Constant Pain 
Pussy Stomp 
NYC 1999 
Cunt Tease 
When I Get Off 
Get Out 
Pretty Fuck Look 
Trashcan Oildrum 
Die Bitch 
Spinout 
Kill Yourself 
No Count 
Fuck You Man / Encore 
Alright