Little Red Riding Hood and the Monsters (1965)

Originally released throughout Mexico in 1962 as Caperucita y Pulgarcito contra los monstruos it was directed by Roberto Rodríguez as a sequel to two earlier Little Red Riding Hood children's films. Then in 1965 K. Gordon Murray picked up the film for U.S. distribution, dubbed it in English, retitled it Little Red Riding Hood and the Monsters, and added it to his stable of bizarre matinee fillers from South of the Border.

the trailer

the feature

B.J. Lang Presents (1971) aka The Manipulator

The truly bizarre film B.J. Lang Presents (aka The Manipulator) was directed by Yabo Yablonsky and first came to my attention via a review in the outstanding publication Shock Cinema.

The film plays out with only three characters and for the most part tight and limited staging. As a counterpoint tons of camera effects, hyper editing, even strobe lights are used to add a crazed rush to the entire movie.

Mickey Rooney stars as a completely non compos mentis thespian who is operating under the false assumption that adoring folks are pestering him to perform the leading role in a staging of Cyrano de Bergerac. As he stumbles and growls through a set comprised of a warehouse of aging props and assorted debris we soon discover he is holding a woman he refers to as Carlotta (played by Easy Rider's Luana Anders) captive. Rooney chews the scenery with hardcore zeal as he forces her to act in his mini-productions while growing increasingly troubled. The only other character is a homeless man who wanders into the building looking for shelter and is played by Keenan Wynn.

Butthole Surfers - Nov. 1987 - Los Angeles

Butthole Surfers

Variety Arts Center
Los Angeles, CA
11/7/1987

The beautifully demented sights and sounds
from a stop during touring
in support of their 1987 release
Locust Abortion Technician.

1) -noise-
2) Something
3) Rocky
4) Sweat Loaf
5) Ricky
6) Graveyard
7) Paranoid
8) 100 Million
9) Backass
10) scream sequence
11) Julio
12) Cherub
13) Gary Floyd
14) Psychedelic Jam
15) Pittsburgh To Lebanon
16) Johnny Smoke
17) Jimi
18) 22 Going On 23
19) X-Ray

Death Ship (1980) - Repost

Repost with working trailer and feature.

I've always dug this 1980 floating haunted house movie Death Ship, directed by Alvin Rakoff as one of the many Canadian tax shelter cinematic ventures. Worthy of note is that favorite Jack Hill participated in writing the screenplay.

After their cruise ship has been rammed and sunk, a lifeboat full of survivors comes into contact with the rusting hulk of an aged freighter. Far from a rescue vessel, it's not long after everyone is on board that the ship's dark past creates terror and trouble for all.

the trailer 




the feature

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

A Boy and His Dog (1975) - Repost

This is a re-re-post with an updated, working video.  

This post-apocalyptic film oddity was based on a novella by Harlan Ellison. Directed and co-scripted by actor L.Q. Jones it follows Don Johnson's character Vic and his telepathically linked dog named Blood as they roam the ruins of America following World War IV.  As they search for food and other necessities, they also have to contend with other more dastardly and violent scavengers. After they stumble into an underground community of survivors, they assume things will become easier but soon discover otherwise. By no means perfect, this film offers an early and unique glimpse of the 
post-nuclear war genre.

Even Dwarfs Started Small (1970)

Werner Herzog's 1970 film Even Dwarfs Started Small (Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen) is a bold. brutal, and black and white look at an unnamed institution which is populated and run entirely by little people. The inmates rise up and turn the tables on those in charge and in doing so take their newly won freedom much farther, into an equally harsh anarchy. Many of the scenes push buttons and elicit strong reactions, others make the viewer question meanings of what's being displayed. Especially recommended for fans of Eraserhead or El Topo.

Salem's Lot (1979) full mini-series

Photo via blueruins.tumblr.com

Presented here is the full three hour, original mini-series Salem's Lot from 1979, which was the first television mini-series (and the second film) to be based on the writings of author Stephen King as well as being his second published novel. 

At the time of it's first airing, I was fascinated by both the novel and mini-series and they left quite an impression on me. Tobe Hooper's direction does a great job of supplying the increasingly mounting dread as the small New England town slowly slips into being controlled by the evil forces of the nefarious pair,
Mr. Straker and Mr. Barlow.

Seizure (1974)

This cinematic oddity from 1974 was Oliver Stone's directorial debut, plus he was also the co-screenwriter. Packed with notable faces, the film features: Jonathan Frid, Martine Beswick, Hervé Villechaize, and a favorite of mine, Mary Woronov.

The plot deals with a horror writer (played by Mr. Frid) who becomes noticeably alarmed when the denizens of his frightening novels materialize to torment + attack him and his family.

Do Not Panic - Hawkwind Documentary

The psychedelic, space rock sounds of Hawkwind are examined in this documentary. Started in London 1969, the band has undergone several line up changes through the years including Lemmy Kilmister as bass player/vocals from 1972 to 1975. After he was kicked out, he then formed the iconic heavy metal act Motörhead. 

Hawkwind's live show was truly a "trip" where the wild music compounded with lights, strobes, and for a period during the 1970s, an often nude statuesque dancer Stacia. Also notable is the musical dna link that Hawkwind provides between the hippie and early punk worlds.

The Toxic Avenger (1986)

Troma's jewel in the crown of releases, for me, will always remain 1986s Toxic Avenger. This un-pc, violent revenge movie remains randomly stuck in my memory alongside 1973s Horror Hospital because I first viewed them back to back during a high school vhs-fest Friday in the 80s. Good times! The sequels, like much of Troma's output, do not hold much interest for me, but this one is a winner and hopefully will not be re-made as another shit stained, glossy Hollywood mess.

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.