The Evil (1978)

Directed by Gus Trikonis (who was married to Goldie Hawn from 1969 to 1976), The Evil was produced and distributed in 1978 by Roger Corman's New World Pictires. Trikonis directed several exploitation films for Corman, including The Swinging Barmaids (1975), Nashville Girl (1976), and Moonshine County Express (1977). After working on the feature film Take This Job and Shove It (1981) he moved on to prolific directing work for television on series such as Baywatch, Hunter, Wiseguy, and Quantum Leap.

In The Evil, a psychiatrist and his wife (Richard Crenna and Joanna Pettet) ignore old stories and bad vibes when they purchase a long empty mansion with the intention of refurbishing it for use as a rehab center. Once the pair and their crew are inside the house the bad feelings increase until they stumble upon a trap door in the basement. Of course they open it which causes the house to seal them inside as the conflict with unknown forces increases with frightening and deadly results. Victor Buono hams it up (as does an increasingly unhinged Crenna) as the personification of the evil.

the trailer

the feature

Beyond and Back (1978) Re-post

Re-post with updated feature 
plus the addition of a trailer + lobby cards.

Beyond and Back (1978) 

This Sunn Classic Pictures documentary made the rounds of cinemas, drive-ins, and early cable television for some time before fading from wide viewings.

Sunn Classic Pictures was an independent production company based out of Utah; where this was filmed. They put out a number of movies, including In Search of Historic Jesus (1979), In Search of Noah's Ark (1976), The Lincoln Conspiracy (1977), The Bermuda Triangle (1979), and Hangar 18 (1980).  

James L. Conway directed this and some earlier titles for Sunn before trying R-rated horror with 1981's The Boogens, then moving to an ongoing and successful career in television work. In spite of Sunn Classics heavy Christian editorial stance; this was shot by cinematographer Henning Schellerup, who had also filmed pornography in the late '60s/early '70s and continued to work on many exploitation/horror films.

 

the trailer

the feature

The Cramps - 1978 - Napa State Mental Hospital

The Cramps

live at 

Napa State Mental Hospital 

1978

Mystery Plane 

Way I Walk 

What's Behind The Mask 

Human Fly 

Domino 

Love Me 

Twist & Shout 

TV Set 

Reading, Writing, and Reefer (1978)

This anti-drug special was first aired on NBC, in 1978, during prime time and some months later was re-broadcast as an after school special. It profiles some young potheads from the suburbs of Atlanta (a highlight is when a wide array of pot paraphernalia is displayed) and then contrasts that with tough talk from doctors and anti-experts. Curious 40 plus minute video time capsule.

Laserblast (1978)

This science fiction/revenge howler from Charles Band was released in 1978, is notable for interesting stop motion animation from David W. Allen, who would continue to work on films with Band for several years afterwards. Also of note here is the cinematic debut of Eddie Deezen, along with appearances from Roddy McDowall, Keenan Wynn, and Cheryl Rainbeaux Smith.

Laserblast was distributed by Irwin Yablans, who soon after this went on to release the Halloween film series. This movie also has the distinction of being shown on the final Mystery Science Theater 3000 produced for Comedy Central prior to the series moving to the 

Sci-Fi Channel.

the trailer

the feature

Best Of MST3K: Laserblast

Dawn Of The Dead (1978) Director's Cut

This early George Romero edit of the film was quickly put together for its premiere at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival. It is lacking much of the Goblin music but includes more footage at the docks where a tense confrontation occurs with Joe Pilato, who would reappear in a larger role in the 1985 sequel Day of the Dead.

Blitzkrieg Bop (1978)

Blitzkrieg Bop  (1978)

With footage from 1977, this documentary focuses on the CBGB punk rock scene with interviews and performances from The Ramones, Blondie, and the Dead Boys plus those around them; such as CBGB owner/Dead Boys manager Hilly Kristal.

DEVO - 1978 - Paris

DEVO

1978 - Paris

Satisfaction
Too Much Paranoias
Uncontrollable Urge
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Smart Patrol
Mr. DNA
Gut Feeling
Come Back Jonee
Red Eye Express
The Words Get Stuck In My Throat

devo - 78 paris choutus from das from ubuibi on Vimeo.

Starcrash, aka Female Space Invaders (1978)

Created in the wake of the huge success of Star Wars, Luigi Cozzi's 1978 film Starcrash is a low budget sci-fi saga that borrows from earlier genre movies but for me still succeeds as a highly entertaining popcorn flick.

As space smuggler Stella Star, Caroline Munro gets involved with a mission to destroy Count Zarth Arn's (Joe Spinell) planet sized super weapon before it can be used. There's a bit more to it but that encapsulates the story. Other familiar faces include: Christopher Plummer, Marjoe Gortner, David Hasselhoff, and the hulking, bald Robert Tessier.

The film moves quickly and throws all sorts of effects at the viewer with the stop motion and miniatures both endearingly effective in spite of the budget constraints. The skimpy ensembles worn by Caroline Munro offer additional visual excitement.


the trailer


the feature

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.

Convoy (1978)

Sam Peckinpah's 1978 film Convoy is often maligned by fellow Peckinpah fans but I've always enjoyed this dusty, double clutching, and populist exploitation flick.

Amongst all of his cinematic output, Convoy proved to be Peckinpah's most successful film in terms of box office receipts, grossing $15,000,000 in the United Sates alone.

As a favor to actor James Coburn, Peckinpah brought him onto the film as an assistant director so that Coburn could obtain his Directors Guild of America card. Rumors have persisted that Coburn's participation became much more involved as Peckinpah often bagged out of shooting due to being "under the weather" and Coburn stepped up to direct scenes in his absence.

The film is based on a song by CW McCall (aka Bill Fries) that was initially recorded in the mid 70s for use in bread commercials. The song became a radio hit in 1976 during a wave of CB related mania in the U.S. and was then altered to include specific details and characters from the film.

Presented below are the trailer and the full movie.

the trailer


the movie

Crime - 1978 at San Quentin Prison

An early American punk band, Crime was formed in 1976 by Johnny Strike (vocals, guitar), Frankie Fix (vocals, guitar), Ron "The Ripper" Greco (bass, ex-Flamin' Groovies), and Ricky Tractor (Ricky Williams) (drums). Based in San Francisco, the band was perhaps the first West Coast punk act to put out a record, when they self released the "Hot Wire My Heart" single in late 1976.

An infamous gig had them play for inmates at San Quentin. Below are video and audio clips from that show.

Piss On Your Dog
at San Quentin


San Quentin Prison set - 1978 - Part 1
audio only


San Quentin Prison set - 1978 - Part 2
audio only


San Quentin Prison set - 1978 - Part 3
audio only

The Boys Next Door - 1978 - Melbourne

As a small example and in commemoration of the music
created by Rowland S. Howard (1959-2009) the following clips present
The Boys Next Door.

"Alternative Animals"
Preston Institute of Technology
Melbourne 28 April 1978

Boy Hero • Big Future • Success Story


Roman Roman • Andy Warhol • Friends of My World • Secret Life


Earthling in the Orient • Somebody's Watching





November 1999 Australian ABC tv show - Studio 22
Interviewer Clinton Walker.
Musicians:
Rowland S. Howard - Vocals, guitar
Brian Hooper - Bass
Mick Harvey - Drums
Edward Clayton Jones - Keyboard

What's Happening!! - a Christmas minisode

Rather loosely based on the somewhat more seriously minded 1975 film Cooley High, the television show What's Happening!! presented a family centric sitcom throughout it's run from 1976 to 1979. During it's tv tenure the What's Happening!! crew had more than a few memorable and funny adventures, such as the botched bootlegging escapades at a Doobie Brothers concert.

Presented below is a condensed episode, set during Christmastime. Raj and Rerun deal with the Grinch-like theft of not only their tv and stereo, but also all their Christmas presents!


What's Happening!! - Positive Identification - 1978

Rich Kids - 1978 UK tv footage

The Rich Kids were formed after Glen Matlock (vocals / bass) parted ways with the Sex Pistols. Frontman Midge Ure (pre-Ultravox) handled lead vocals and guitar, Rusty Egan played drums and Steve New provided additional guitar and vocals. They put out one album, Ghosts Of Princes In Towers (produced by Mick Ronson), and three singles during their brief time together as a band from 1977 to 1978. Their sound owed much to the influence of driving power pop like The Who and to the rapidly burning punk movement.


Rich Kids (TOTP 1978)


Ghosts of Princes in Towers (Revolver 1978)
Introduction by Peter Cook.


12 Miles High (Revolver 1978)
Vocals from Steve New

Thin Lizzy – 1978 outside the Sydney Opera House

In commemoration of a rapidly approaching St. Patrick's Day, I'm posting a couple of blogs highlighting two of my favorite musical acts with ties to Ireland – Thin Lizzy and The Pogues.

Formed in Dublin, Ireland in late 1969, Thin Lizzy are a truly unique creature in the rock world. Fronted by Phil Lynott, the son of an Afro-Brazilian father and an Irish mother, the band/crew drew members from both sides of the Irish border. They found a certain level of success quickly and by the summer of 1970 had put out a single, "The Farmer"/"I Need You" on EMI. By the end of that year they had secured a deal with Decca Records to record their debut, self titled album released in early 1971. Shades of a Blue Orphanage, their second record came out in 1972 and was not well received. It did provide subtle hints of the more rocking direction the band's sound would soon be heading. In late 1972, against the bands wishes, their version of the traditional Irish ballad "Whiskey in the Jar" was released as a single. In spite of the band being upset that this did not showcase their current sound, this release proved to be popular and went to the top of the Irish charts as well as getting to No.6 in the UK during February 1973. As the seventies went on Thin Lizzy proved to be a stalwart of classic rock stations, with their records often providing songs that populate the airwaves to this day.

The sound of Thin Lizzy pulled influences from sources as varied as traditional Irish music and hard rock. An early proponent of two lead guitar harmony, this would go on to influence heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Def Leppard. Thin Lizzy toured with an incredible assortment of acts through the years. The list includes: Slade, Suzi Quatro, Bob Seger, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Status Quo, Aerosmith, Rush, REO Speedwagon and Rainbow - to name just a few.

The footage below comes from 1978, as Thin Lizzy performs in Australia outside the Sydney Opera House.

Jailbreak


Are You Ready?


Cowboy Song & Boys Are Back In Town


Waiting For An Alibi


Bad Reputation

selections from The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

This television special tie-in to the wildly successful feature film was a rather unusual prospect when it first aired in 1978 with content best described as a bizarre train wreck of a program. I have not included the entire special, only 4 selections. Unlike the film this is connected with, The Star Wars Holiday Special has several musical interludes. Songs from Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia and Bea Arthur as the cantina bar keep can be viewed below. The cartoon segment is notable as the first appearance of the popular character Boba Fett. If you want to nerd out even harder, you can easily find the entire program on YouTube or elsewhere. Happy Life Day!


opening segment




cantina scene




cartoon segment




Princess Leia sings