MovieChat Forums > The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) Discussion > But The Arrangement Is Pretty Special

But The Arrangement Is Pretty Special

posted 21 years ago by Squashpants
130 replies | jump to latest

I am totally blown away that there is not a standing message for this movie, because it certainly rates it.

This is one of those rare odditites that I can watch again and again and still enjoy time after time. Let's just say it holds a strange fascination for me and that it is greater than the sum of its parts.

Bad movie? No doubt about it. In many areas, "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" (hereafter referred to as TBTWD), is substandard. The sound recording quality at times is really murky (like it was "recorded in an empty warehouse", as one IMDb commenter described it). It has its continuity errors (witness the gloved hand of the brunette stripper soothing her freshly slapped cheek when in the frames before she had just removed said glove). You can even find a misplaced or twice-read line or two (review Doris' initial conversation with Dr. Bill, re: "the memory").

And of course there is the unbelievable dialog -- particularly between Kurt and Jan-In-The-Pan.

But you put all these things together, glued with that sleazily haunting jazz theme, and you get an addicting little brew.

At this point, I have probably watched this movie in excess of 50 times ---

and still come back for more.

There are so many little things that have struck me over time. I just wanted a place to unload them all, and to see if any of you out there feel the same way about the charms of this "Golden Turkey".

-- What is it that the background singers are verbalizing behind what my wife and I have come to call the "Hunting Theme", the call to sleazemeisters everywhere that plays over the strip club scene? I have seen some who interpret it as the phrase "Dig it!" -- maybe. I personally think they are saying "Gigi" in a hip, syncopated way. My favorite interpretation is "jiggy", but that is a bit anachronistic, wouldn't ya say? Anybody got a different idea?

-- The two ladies who play the strippers in TBTWD, Paula Maurice (the brunette) and Bonnie Sharee (the blonde), have intrigued me to the point that I have tried to find some site on the Internet that has more info on them. They evidently had no other screen experience, and one wonders if they were in fact exotic dancers that Joe Green picked up at local joints in the Tarrytown area. But, alas, I can find nothing. If anyone has a line on bio for these two "actresses", please give me a clue.

-- Having come up in the 50's and had a fixation on the wonderful cars of the last half of the decade, I have loved seeing the 1959 (the year the film was made) makes of Mercury and Ford in this film. Dr. Bill's black (well, it looks black in the movie) convertible Ford is really sweet.

-- For a movie made before the sixties, it really pushes the edge on sexy dialogue. There are some real beauts in it. Love it when Donna (the blonde Dr. Bill picks up on the street) says "I'll take whatever you perscribe." Through less than perfect teeth.

-- Virginia Leith, you gotta love her. Did she go into this with open eyes or what? It is to her credit that even after realizing what she had gotten into, she still gave it her all. What a great head she was. What a great portrayal of bitterness and genteel hostility.

-- Do ya think Eddie Carmel (playing the Pinhead in the Closet) was a little nervous in his big scene? He is noticeably shaking as he removes the little chunk of Dr. Bill's neck and after brief examination, tosses it to the floor. He was great though! Do you suppose he did the voice for the creature as well? Remember the scene where Dr. Bill complies with Kurt's plea to "look in the closet"?

-- One thing ya gotta say about Dr. Bill, he knows how to pick 'em. I personally thought Doris, played by Adele Lamont, was a knockout. Dark eyes and black hair, and a totally swell body! Yesirree.

-- Kurt's dying scene. Incredible! It takes him about two minutes to finally give it up, and he only figures out in the last few seconds that he could get his revenge and give Jan a good poke with his withered hand, but it's all too late. He should have been spurting blood like a lawn sprinkler from his "free" shoulder, but all you get in the atrium is a smudge on the front door. Check it out because when Doris starts wobbling around the set, the camera pans over the door in the exact plane that contains the smudge. And there should have been a pint of blood on the chair she plops down into.

-- The car crash scene is the height of economy. You don't see the car make contact with the guardrail and flip over for a couple of rolls, as it should have, but you see Jason Evers roll down the knoll apparently after-the-fact. Now exactly how, at least in this universe, could this have occured? But I thought the little package of broken glass, twisted metal, and unidentified but organic-looking liquid was quite effective in its cheesy way for portraying the wrecked car.

Well, hey, that's just a little to get us started. There is much more, but I will save it for later posts.

Anybody who would like to respond, I welcome. Are there others out there that are hooked on this like low-budget gem?

Well, let's hear from you!

[–] gbennett5 21 years ago

You've made some intriguing comments. Now, here are mine: I am 41, and
first saw this godawful movie in late 1970 when I was eight years old. I
remember watching it on "Creature-Feature", a program here in Los Angeles
on the THEN Metromedia-owned KTTV in Los Angeles. They cut their "features"
down to an HOUR, which meant this 80 minute-job was severely hacked for
time AND commercials!!

My parents were then at the end of a difficult marriage, and I remember my
father moved out into his own apartment shortly after this movie. One of
my last memories of him in our home is watching this, while my mother was
grocery shopping. I'll never forget how scared I was, when Pin-head burts
out of the closet. I hid my face, and I remember my father saying, "Come
on, Gar (Gary) -- look! He's a great monster!" So, I turned and was
mortified!!! My next memories are of watching the film again -- with just
my mother and my younger brother! And, boy, was I scared!

What I find intriguing about this flick, is that is REALLY SCARY! Cheap
or not, the film plays like a disjointed nightmare, and the atmosphere is
REALLY creepy! To this day, when I'm stressed at work, or from some other
situation, I still have nightmares about this movie (the last time was
about a month ago, when I started a new job. The dream was in black-and-white
and Bill Cortner's face was covered in bandages, and he was whisking away an
innocent girl for "surgery." I kept trying to save her, but I also didn't
want the the bandaged Cortner to find me! Amazing).

Yeah, the movie is DUMB. But try watching it ALONE in a creepy cabin in
the middle of the night with NOBODY AROUND. I'd bet half the people who
did this would be genuinely creeped OUT.

[–] Squashpants 21 years ago

Gary, thanks a pinhead-monster-sized heap for responding to this post!

It was great to read your childhood take on this movie. So I suppose that "Creature Features" edited out the naughtier stuff --- too bad, but, then, it might have been wasted on an 8 year old youngster.

I can understand the fright this generated in you. Sometimes when I am re-watching the flick, I imagine how it would be to be a boy again in my early teens, watching it in the wee hours of the morning. It may be easy as an adult to discount the scare power of a low budget wonder like "TBTWD", but with a child's perspective charged with the attendant hyper-imagination, it becomes Creep City in no time. There is a certain atmosphere created by the at-times-manic background music and the overall darkness that would certainly translate to chills after the witching hour.

My wife loves the movie as much as I do, especially for the dialogue in the strip club sequence. I can hardly wait to tell her about your recurring nightmare with a bandaged Dr. Cortner. I suppose your subconscious must have concluded that Dr. Bill survived his ordeal and bandaged up his neck to go on with more of his body-hunting mania.

My wife and I like to speculate on what might have happened after the close of the movie. Did Doris wake up in the arms of the pin-head or did he dump her outside the mansion and run off into the night? Imagine if she did wake up in his arms -- what could she possibly come up to explain that bizarre outcome. We also agree that pin-head saving Doris was probably directed by Jan, not something he came up with on his own. Altho you have to admit, he was a pretty quick study. Remember when Jan first tries to communicate with him, and she tells him to "knoce once" to answer yes. No hesitation -- the knock came immediately. Can't tell me that's a dumb monster.

I have another continuity error for you:

Doris and Dr. Bill are having their tete a tete at her studio, and she finally agrees to go with him for a "consultation". You get an inset sequence where you see a woman's arm, supposedly Doris', pick up the phone, and then hang it back up. What we see of the arm is completely bare, yet when Doris returns to the couch, you can plainly see that the robelet she is wearing has long sleeves that cover her arms down to the wrists.

It's not a big gaff but I pride myself on picking up on the smallest inconsistency. Hell I've seen this movie a trillion times -- I oughta see some things that few others have.

Gary, you may not care to see this movie again because it has some effect on your subconscious/dream-generating apparatus, but watching it again as an adult, you may find that it has other charms that transcend the creep factor.

Some of the stuff therein is really quite funny!

[–] Jasoni22 20 years ago

The only reason I've seen this movie was because MST3K did an episode on it. And, if not for the great jokes they made during the movie, I would have run screaming from the room. A junior high student could write a better script than that. Its rating of 3.0 is far too generous.

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hey, Jason, sorry you feel that way about it.

"Brain" is one of a handful of movies that I can watch again and again and still be entertained.

I think the script is a little more sophisticated than you are giving it credit for being.

Think of it as a black comedy.

I think Joe Green knew exactly what he was doing (the way the movie looks is not just a function of its tiny budget).

The dialogue is very adult for the time it was made, but still reflects the relative innocence of the 50's.

The character Dr. Cortner is an interesting combination of truly brilliant, wildly psychotic, and overtly sleazy.

There are so many great moments in this movie, I am hard pressed to catalog them.

I love it when Cortner tells Curt he is going to look for a body for Jan, and Curt challenges him "How will you do it?!". The good Doctor shrugs him off saying "There are ways", then climbs a few steps, looks back as if to dare Curt to challenge him again. That is inspired direction, IMHO.

So cut it some slack, okay?

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

I'm 22yrs old and most ppl my age have either never seen the film or seen it and hated it. I, however, loved it. I think it's one, out of many, of those films that fall into the "So Bad It's Good" categories. You can tell the filmmakers made it because they wanted to make it and not because some studio hired a writer and directer to make it. See I'm normally against remakes but I feel if a TRUE fan of this film were to remake it and do it justice, I'd be all for it. As a matter of fact, I've constimplated on remaking it myself. I know I'd never do it justice but I'd like to put my take on it. You two fans of the film aren't alone. I've even showed it on a horror show I host before and I'll probably show it again this year for Halloween.

"Full Tilt Boogie" - Matt Hundley, "After Midnight"

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hi, Jon!

Firstly, thanks very much for the response.

Secondly, it is always good to hear from another fan of TBTWD.

I agree totally that this is a movie that the producer and director really wanted to make. I see it as probably a creature of Joe Green's vision of a story that could have started with a personal nightmare.

I find this movie much more interesting than more competently made movies with much better budgets and much loftier material.

I believe that part of the charm of the film is that you can see that it was someone's very personal effort to make something outrageously different from the contemporary pool of cinematic product.

Yeah, it's totally off-the-wall and Joe Green knew it. I unabashedly applaud the man.

I find myself wanting to know more about the actors and actresses in the film. I wish that someone would write the story behind the making of this film before everyone associated it dies.

I also am curious to know if the strippers in the film were in fact strippers. They are clearly not actresses, altho they don't do badly for amateurs and they have some great lines. I can't help but get the impression that the "Moulin Rouge" was a real night club that the creators of this film frequented and Bonnie Sharie and Paula Maurice actually worked there.

In any event, I hope more Brainophiles will contribute to this post. I love hearing your thoughts.

[–] gbennett5 20 years ago

If they ever do a re-release on DVD, they should add more wit by
changing the title to, "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Leith?"

Seriously, it's interesting that with all the cult-interest this
film has generated BOTH Virginia Leith and Jason (Herb) Evers
have REFUSED any and all interviews with regards to this pic.

Me thinks they take themselves waaaaaay too seriously and are
genuinely embarrased they're associated with this film (Evers
changed his name AFTER this film!).

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Thanks for the reply!

And for the fresh information on the players in TBTWD!

I am saddened that Mr. Evers and Ms. Leith are taking an attitude about their association with the "project". You would think that they would recognize that this little flick is loved by people the world over for its peculiar charms.

It means that we fans will likely never get a behind-the-scenes description of the creation of this (dare I say) "classic".

What a terrible shame.

Makes me want to track down some of the other cast or crew members, like Lola Mason (Donna) or Stephen Hajnal (the cinematographer).

Loved your alternate title for "Brain".

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Well Mr. Squashpants you'll be proud of me. Sunday I was going through the $5.50 bin at Wal-Mart and found a copy of AMC Monsterfest and Creepshow on DVD. AMC Monsterfest was a 2 disc collection with "Atomic Brain", "Night Tide", "Carnival of Souls", and of course, "The Brain That Wouldn't Die". Boy was I psyched when I found such a deal. 2 discs, 4 movies, all for $5.50. I didn't waste any time poppin' those discs in the DVD player. I must say all of the movies are very entertaining, with the exception of "Night Tide". I didn't care much for that one but it was cool to see one of Dennis Hopper's first movies. I have a nice little collection of public domain movies going. I just hope no one goes off and buys the rights to TBTWD anytime soon. Owning the rights to that movie is like someone owning the stars. It just aint right. lol

"Full Tilt Boogie" - Matt Hundley, "After Midnight"

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Whoa, Dude! Way to go there!

My hat's off to you on an excellent buy!

"The Atomic Brain" is another of the favorites on my long list of "bad movies to love". Just saw the MSTied version the other week. A bit more nekkidness in that one than you usually got in the late '50s/early '60s. But plenty of low-budget ridiculousness.

Saw "Carnival..." years ago when my mind was less attuned to the arcane charms of low budget chillers. I might have to take another look sometime to see how it plays today.

Been awhile since I saw "Night Tide", but I remember how interesting it was to see such a young Dennis Hopper. But other than that, I found myself scratching my head a lot.

I find myself praying that no one attempts to do a remake of TBTWD. What a travesty that would be.

But, if it ever did happen, maybe they would coax Evers and Leith to cough up some memories about the original. That would probably be the only thing of value to come out of such a project. IMHO.

[–] gbennett5 20 years ago

Guess what? I live in Los Angeles and, having been a fan of TBTWD
since childhood (see above postings), I finally discovered a first:
It is playing TOMORROW (Sunday 8/22) at the famed Egyptian Theatre
in Hollywood as part of their "Sci-Fi/Fantasy" tribute.

Proof right there that with all the sci-fi and fantasy films there
are, this film must INDEED have a cult following to be part of
this lineup. Have plans I can't get out of, but I'd go if I could.

What a shame Leith and Evers can't be there to discuss the flick.

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Ah, the sweet taste of vindication!

That is way cool! Thanks for the heads up.

Looks as if Leith and Evers take themselves every bit as seriously as their characters in TBTWD, if they can't deign to discuss their parts in it with their adoring fans.

Yes, I would be ther in a heartbeat, if I weren't some 2000 miles to the east of LA.

[–] jamesh-11 20 years ago

I believe I have only seen this one on MST, and only once. My wife and I saw it one night and we still quote (probably incorrectly) the best line in all of movie history. Which I believe is from this movie.

Is this or is this not the movie with the line:

"You are what you are and I am just a head."?

I don't think I'll ever hear a better movie line. I'd buy a copy of this one just to see that again. I'm off to Wal-Mart to dig through the $5 bins! Woo Hoo!

I read on another site which actually has this movie available for download (it's in the public domain), a review of it which said that their downloadable version has a lot of gore cut out. This reviewer also stated that most of the gore was actually shown in the MST version. I suppose, if I'm going to buy a copy, I'd want an uncut version just as the director intended. After all, it IS a classic!

I'm glad there are others out there who appreciate this gem.

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hey, James, thanks for keeping this thread going!

Yes, you are absolutely right about the line you quote -- it IS from TBTWD.

A tidbit you might find interesting. My wife says she saw an rerun episode of "Golden Girls" in which (I think) one of the girls dreams that their gang of four had their heads cryogenically frozen upon death and were unfrozen at some point in the future.

Reportedly, one of the girls, head on a platter or in a tray, says, "But I'm just a head...". It so obviously is an echo of the line from TBTWD, that after a few viewings of TBTWD, my wife remembered the "GG" episode, seen at least a decade earlier.

I am sure there are prints out there that are leftovers from when broadcast TV stations would edit out the more lurid elements of the flick. The only version worth having IMHO is the full, uncut version.

Altho, admittedly, I have been obsessed with this movie to the point of viewing it every day, I have gotten in the habit of alternating between TBTWD and "Dungeon of Harrow".

"DOH" (apologies to Homer Simpson) is another of those crap movies exerting a strange fascination, at least for me. It never ceases to amuse and amaze. Every time I see it, new nuances emerge.

Check it out!

Ciao!

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey folks
Another "Slave to the Brain" out here. This was the first MST3K I ever saw, and got me hooked on the show instantly.
I have to confess, the main reason I like "Brain" so much is'nt the pin-head monster, or Curt laying on the ground with his arm ripped off when it's painfully obvious it's just tucked in his coat, or any of the three thousand two hundred and sixty-five continuity errors ( I counted ) It's The Cars!! As the proud owner of a 58 Ford drop-top, the cars in this movie just make me drool.(The girls are'nt bad, either. To borrow Crow's line, I want to move to where (the doctor) lives.)
And, just to prove I'm not a total caveman, I have to ask something. Am I athe only one who kind of enjoys watching the doc slip further and further into insanity? You just know it started out with him trying to sew a limb back onto a frog. From there, it's filching limbs out of the hospital dumpster, until by the end he's a soon to be killer cruising town. He's even willing to use either of two(!) of his friends, if the opportunity presents itself. When he comes home and finds his friend torn apart dead on the floor, there's no emotion whatsoever. Just "one more damn problem to deal with so I can get this girl down here and get to sawing."
Squashpants (I wont even ask), since this is your thread, I'll ask you: Which is it , "head" or "brain" that would'nt die? You get a choice, ya know...

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hi-ho, fellow Brainophile! Thanks for continuing this thread!

I am with ya on the subject of cars in TBTWD -- I personally feel the art of car styling reached its zenith in 1959. What a sweet ride Dr. C's '59 Ford convertible was.

Would love to hear a few of what you deem to be the choicest of the continuity errors.

My favorite babe in the film is not the voluptuous "Doris", but the fully-packed blonde stripper "Blonde Stripper". What a great weird face Ms. Sharie (couldn't spell "Cherie"?) sports.

Love your observation about Cortner's grand obsession. It is right on the money.

And regarding "Brain vs. Head", well you don't see much brain there, do ya? It's like this conversation took place in post-production, "Hey, Joe, it's not really like there's a brain that you can see. But there's plenty of head on view." "Tell ya what, Rex, let's change the outgoing title to say 'The Head That Wouldn't Die' -- I've already got the opening credits nailed."

Personally I would vote for "Head", but then shouldn't it really be "The Head That Finally Died"?

[–] sirarcher 20 years ago

I wanna find someone who actually saw this film in person when it was theatrically released. We all know that stuff like this was like box office gold back in the day. Any takers? Someone try, ask around, maybe check out your local Legion.

Anyway, i'm in the process of watching it right at the moment. First timer, that's right. I'm 22 minutes in.

Loving it.

Check you all around the bend.

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Welcome, welcome to the fold, my friend!

I cannot claim the prize for having seen TBTWD in the theaters in 1962.

I doubt that I, a pubescent pre-teen, would have been turned away from the theater, but as it were, I have no memories of the flick being advertised in the local papers as having a run at one of the theaters.

It may have carried an "Adults Only" label, but actually I doubt that was the case, since, although it had a lot of racy dialog and a fair amount of exposed skin, there was nothing extreme enough to warrant keeping the kids out.

Since the town I lived in was pretty small and had at most maybe 3 theaters, it was probably a case of a movie too minor in terms of commercial potential to be selected by one of those theaters.

I, too, would get a big kick out of hearing from someone who saw this jewel in its original release.

But it's just as fun to know that yet another person has become a Brainophile.

Please write again and let us know what you thought of the entire 80-something minutes!

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey folks
me again. Just a quick question for anyone reading this. I would love to find an old poster from this films release. (I would settle for a repro if I had to, provided it was well done and faithfull to the original) I've got a spot right next to the poster for "The Atomic Brain" that would be perfect for it. But every search I try (Google, Webcrawler, etc., etc.) comes up snake-eyes. Anybody out there havee any luck with this sort of thing?? (What ws Hollywoods obsession with brains in the fifties? TBTWD, TAB, "The brain Eaters" I think the original "Man With Two Brains." I guess "The Femur That Wouldn't Die" just dosen't have the same impact...)

Squashpants, I'll have to get back to you on those continuity errors. Haven't watched the film for a while. The one thing that always stuck out to me was; Curt must have donated blood earlier that day. A LOT of it!! When Cortner brings Scarface back to the cabin (in a white dress!!!) he puts her in the same chair where, not too long ago, a guy was sitting who Just Had His #@^*$@ Arm Ripped Off!! Yet when she gets up, her dress looks like an ad for Clorox. Is the chair made out of sponges? Was Curt's final act before he died deep-cleaning the upholstery? Does Scarface use detergent with amazingly effective "Stain-Gaurd"? No wonder poor Curt died, he only had about a half a soda can worth of blood in his whole body, and he smeared that all over the basement stairway wall. Oh, and one other quick thing. I seem to remember (I'll pop the tape in and watch it again this weekend) that when Cortner first drives up to Scarface's apartment, it's daytime. Yet when he gets to the top of the stairs, it's late at night. How many stairs does that poor girl have to climb every night? No wonder she's so damn cranky. If I lived on the 87th floor with no elevator, I would start to hate everybody, too. ("%$#@&, getting dark and I'm only on the 53rd floor.")

One last question, and I hate to be sexist here, but it's more for the ladies. Is Cortner THAT hot?? He drives down a suburban street, and the women are jumping into his car like they're starved dogs, and he is waving around the last pork-chop in town. Later, he goes to a strip joint, and the strippers immediately Get In A Fight over him.(!?!?) Finally, he goes to Scarface's 152nd floor walk-up, and in about two minutes is able to talk her out of a long,bitter hatred of men. He's even able to convince her to take off in the middle of the night to go to the middle of nowhere with him!! This guy is so slick he makes WD-40 look like Super Glue. God only knows why he is so gung-ho on keeping his girlfriend alive. Seems to me he can round up about eight replacements in about twenty minutes...

(Sad P.S. to all the men out there: when YOU go to the strip bar, the women will NOT fight over you. Trust me on this one..)

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Thanks for your absolutely hilarious observations, GCH.

You had my wife (a BIG fan of TBTWD) rolling on the floor!

But, alas, I do not know of any little online shops that might carry
posters from grade Z movies. I am sure you have already tried any that I
might suggest.

Perhaps some of the other contributors to this thread might have an idea.

If you do, folks, leave a message for GCH.

"You've got the kind of face a girl doesn't mind looking at." - Brunette Stripper.

Ciao!

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

hey squashpants

First off, tell your wife I said "Hi" and ask her the "is he that hot?" question. Unless, of course you don't want to know...(If a complete stranger can't give you *beep*, who can??)

"I. Afraid? It was I who helped piece together the the bits and pieces stolen from the hospital! The amputated arms and legs and torso's ..." O.K., hold on just a damn minute! The "amputated torso"??? Poor bastard! What'd he have?? How will he ever have pants that fit? "New levis 585, for the torsoless person!!" This could make heart disease a thing of the past!! "No problem, we'll just amputate that pesky torso, and you'll be good as new! You'll be a bit shorter, of course, but.."

Second, what happens to Cortners second day? He cruises the burbs looking for babes/victims, then goes to the "hot-babe-in-a-bikini" contest, and by the time he shows up at Scarface's place, it's already twilight. "Wow. where did my day go? Seems like only a few minutes ago I was judging honeys-on-the-hoof, and now it's time to climb the 765,234,650 stairs to Scarface's place." Boy, the days just fly by when you're loking for someones head to lop off with a Skill saw, don't they?

Third, what's up with this town?? The strip club is populated by members of the AARP, and they all brought their wives? Yeah, can't wait till I'm 72 years old and can take my wife to the t*tty-bar. But it gets weirder. You have a bikini contest juddged by who-ever happens to show up, and again with the exception of Cortners party, they are all escapees from the old folks home! Do me a favor, when I'm 97, come and get me and take me to wherever this town is. At least I'll die with a smile :)

Finaly, back to the cars. For whoever wants to know, Bill's 59 is a fairly rare bird. It's a 59 Ford Fairlane Skyliner. (Well, Whoop-de-damn-do) The Skyliners were Fords Retractable hardtop convertibles. They were only made for three years, 57,58,and 59. The entire steel roof folded up and went into the trunk at the pull of a dashboard nob. (When the Mitushbisi Spyder came out in 2000, claiming they had the first retractable hardtop, Ford sued them and won) 1959 was the last year of the Skyliners, which were heavy as tanks (over 5000lbs) and had over a mile of wiring to operate the tops. (mine is a '58).

"Let me die...let me die!!"

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Well, hello, again, GCH!

My wife says "hi" back and wants to tell you that she doesn't think Dr. Cortner/Jason Evers was that hot, but that desperate women, like strippers, might think otherwise.

I personally think the guy has a handsome face, but at times his hair makes him look like Wayne Newton, if that makes any sense.

Loved the "amputated torso" observation.

Yeah, I thought that Saturday went by in a flash. But then, perhaps it took him that long to track Scarface down to her little loft by the shore. When you view this sequence again, I want you to look closely at Cortner as he parks the car, exits, and hits the (first flight of) stairs.

Does that look like Jason Evers to you? It looks like another actor to me -- close enough in general looks to maybe pass for Evers, but nah...

By the way, he worries (picked up telepathically by Jan back at the ranch) about only having hours to get that body for her, but he should still have about 24 hours before the "50, 52 hours at the most" has expired. Don't you agree?

You must be a young guy, because the people in the bar scenes are probably in their 30's -- people looked older back in the '50s than they do now at the same numerical age.

By the way, we have started assigning names to the more minor players. For instance, in the strip club scene, where you have a little group of 5 patrons who vacate the table that Evers saunters over to. The lady with the short blonde cut we are calling Gladys. The other lady with the PR boy friend is Marian. We will eventually have named everybody -- this is just a start.

If you have any ideas in that regard, we would love to hear them. Remember, think Fifties and New York.

Great Car Culture notes! I am way impressed that you have a '58 Ford and a convertible hardtop to boot. I appreciate the info on the workings as I have never seen one in person.

Do you do your own maintenance? Is it hard keeping a nearly 50 year old car running?

I loved both the cars in the movie. I always salivated for the '59 Mercs when I was a kid. Actually as a young 'un, I could identify every car on the street make and model.

Well, I wasn't as sharp on out-of-the-mainstream buckets, like Sunbeam.

Another trashy sci-fi movie that has great cars, believe it or not, is "The Astounding She-Monster": '58 Caddy and '59 Dodge -- with a close up of the latter mid-dash!

Anyway, keep 'em comin'

The Squashster

[–] toxicavenger792 20 years ago

Well I a dollar for a movie on the bottom 100.... ill buy it!

[–] 20 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hello again

Been a bit since I've written. Crappy old real life reared it's ugly head.

Squashpants, since this is a movie site and nott a car site, I'll keep this short. Yes, I take care of my car. Jan said it best. "Let me die. Let me die!" Parts are impossible to find. If you do find them, they're God-awful expensive. Twice I've bought entire junk cars just to get the two or three pieces I need off them. One stayed at my moms house for over a year. Now *sob* momma don't love me any more. (Well, it was either her pissed off or my wife pissed off. I'm not stupid. :) Getting back to a movie theme, anyone who's an old car buff, particularly a race fan, run down to the video store and rent "LeMans" It, probably has a plot and everything, I don't know. Just turn your THX "up to 11" during the race scenes. Those Jag v-12's , the old Offy's, the Porsche 6's, it's just fantastic.

Anyway, enough about cars. Found something in my mailbox today. A catalouge of sorts from an outfit called "Nina's Discount Oldies" They're selling all the people from the film who were in the strip bar! Oh, wait, wrong oldies. They have a "Brain" t-shirt! YEAH!! No web address, but the phone is 1-800-336-4627. C'mon, be a man (or woman) about it; show your sickness to the world. (and just in case any one is that devious: no, I have no affilliation with these folks. Just wanted to give you the heads up on the shirt)

"In their 30's"?!?!? Where do they live, the Sahara? Although, in all fairness, I still get i.d.'ed for smokes, and I'm 35. Maybe all cold weather out here freezes your face by the time you're 17. Had a bunch of names written down, so, of course, I have since lost them. Will go back and try again soon. How about anybody else out there. Care to weigh in on the "How old are these folks?" question? Or the "who are these folks?" one?

I was actually glad to read the comment about Cortner at the bottom of the stairs. For ages, I thought it was just me who thought "that's not the same guy." But my overpowering "home theater system" (a t.v. with a 7" screen and a v.c.r. that runs on coal) would never pause it still enough to get a good look. I wonder if it in some way accounts for the time change from the time he pulls up until the time he gets to the door.

In regards to the time question, I still maintain that Cortner loses damn near an entire day somewhere. Knowing how he operates, probably spent it beating off swimsuit models with a stick, or trying to get all the random babes out of his car so he could lock it for the night, I don't know. But he loses it somewhere.

Well, I'll watch again over the Thanksgiving weekend (Turkey and a severed head!! Oh boy!!) and try on those names again. (the t-shirts $15)

GCH

p.s. Your wife would'nt happen to have the phone numbers for any of the "desperate Strippers" would she? I'm just asking...

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hi ho, GCH.

Sorry for taking my sweet time in replying. School is getting pretty intense. (Yes, I'm the 53-year-old freshman).

Real quickly to say it's always a kick to see your postings on the old TBTWD board.

Thanks for your comments on cars and the love of them. As a youngster, the high style of the '50s chrome boats were magic to me. Some were monstrosities (the '58 Olds comes to mind) but most were marvels of creative futurity.

I remember what an absolute thrill it was to get a ride in a neighbour's '57 Chevy (I was 9 at the time).

Anyway, on to the subject at hand. What awesome serendipity to find a place that sells a "Brain" Tee. What is displayed on it? The stock movie poster? A picture of Jan in her pan? The pinhead in the closet?I may have to call and get them to ship me their catalog.

Alright, I stand by my assertion that Gladys and her crewe are in their thirties, for the most part. Perhaps early 40's, but that is as far as I go. Marian (the other chick) is showing some eyebags, but that is because she has been chainsmoking since she was 20. Her boyfriend, Ruben (who makes the mistake of showing genuine lecherous interest in Honey, the blonde stripper), hasn't made it to 40 yet.

To illustrate why I stand by my assessment, when I turned 40 back in the early '90s, I went with my Dad to visit his family in Louisiana and one of my cousins (some 15 years older than me) remarked, on hearing I had turned 40, that I sure looked younger than that. He said that people looked a lot older at 40 when they turned that corner back in the Fifties.

Gladys may look like she's getting on, but she doesn't have any discernible wrinkles or lines (that I can see).

But, boy, she doesn't get bombed or anything like that, does she? (that little insert as Cortner is sidling into the dressing room).

Alright! Someone agrees that that cannot be Jason Evers at the bottom of the stairs at Doris' pad.

Well, I give it to you -- old Doc C had to have lost some time someplace (maybe he was having a lost weekend)? By my calculation, he shouldn't have been worrying about the time running out for Jan until sometime Sunday afternoon.

So, give us a write back and let us know how the old chestnut looked on Turkey Day. Surely they are showing the unedited version nowadays.

By the way, you got a big laugh from my wife over your request for telephone numbers of "desperate strippers".

On a totally tangential note, I say again, if you like crap movies, you should check out "Dungeon of Harrow". We've gotten almost as much mileage from it as we have from "Brain".

Alright? So Right!

The Squashster

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey all

Well, I think the scene on the shirt is the original movie poster, at least its the one I've always seen. Mine is'nt here yet, or I could give you some idea of the quality. Stay tuned...

Well, if those folks in the bar are in their 50's, they're used up gas-bags and a drain on society (Except, you said in your last post you're 53. Never mind. :) Congrats on going back to school. Even at 35, I walk around campus feeling like I have a big sign that says "GEEZER" on my back

You mentioned showing the un-edited version of this, and I have to ask everybody something. I was on a different site, and folks were naming their favorite MST's. And almost to a man, they said they didn't like "Brain" because it was "too dirty" or "too graphic". Are we watching the same film here?? You want dirty and graphic, go rent "Franken-Hooker" or "Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town". Am I just that jaded? I'd show this to a pre-school class. Well, o.k., maybe thats going too far, but still... Is it just me?

On a somewhat similar note, if you're a "Brain" fan (and if you aren't, why are you here?) you may wan't to check out "The Un-earthly". Same general plot: Mad scientist needs young, pretty girl to put old millionaire womans brain in. It's just much, much tackier and sleazier than "Brain".

Maybe Cortner lost his day LOOKING FOR DAMN PARTS FOR HIS OLD-ASS CAR BECAUSE NOBODY ON GODS GREEN EARTH HAS THEM AND SUICIDE WAS JUST TOO EASY AND...(Sorry. Spent three days trying to find a wiper blade) A quick note on the older cars. You knew what was what. If it had port-holes, it was a Buick. If you can tell a Tauras from a Camry from over 20 feet, I'll treat ya'. Cars just don't have any soul anymore. (there's that "Geezer" sign again)

(oh, and I've smoked for 20 years now. How come I don't look lke a big-breasted woman yet?? It would certainly be an improvement)

Happy hollidays to all

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Well it's been months since I joined in the "TBTWD" convo but I have returned. Glad to see people are still chit chattin' about this lost gem, well I'd say some wished it were lost anyway lol. I do have some interesting news for ya. About a month or two ago on my show, we did our usual segment "What's on Ebay". Well one of the items was the ORIGINAL, you heard right, prop from TBTWD. It was the prop that the "head" was in. The pan, the wires, all the scientific stuff, ect. I think, don't hold me to this, the price for it at airtime was like $200 or something. Now that would be something cool to have, if it were cheaper that is. lol

Anyway, I just thought I'd drop by and tell you all to keep the convo going. As long as someone is talking about this flick, it will never die.

Oh and since everyone is handing out some old school recommendations, I'll throw in a few.
Carnival of Souls (1962)
Dementia 13 (1963)
The Atomic Brain (1964)
And most of Hammer's early work.

"Full Tilt Boogie" - Matt Hundley, "After Midnight"

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hey, Jon, good to hear from ye again.

Wow the original props that surrounded Jan's head in the pan. And the pan itself? Wow, that is something to have. And the auction closed out for $200? That is a steal. Wouldn't it be a kick to actually hold the stuff that you see in such detail in the movie?

So, you mention your "show". Do you have a program on a cable access channel in your area? If so, what is the theme of your show (what is it all about)?

Thanks for your recommendations -- I have seen all of them (except a good bit of the early Hammer black and white thrillers), and they are good psychotronic features all.

Please feel free to weigh in on the question of the age of Gladys and her crew in the strip bar scene. They are the bunch that vacate the booth that Cortner takes for his initial encounter with Honey, the blonde stripper.

I say they are in their thirties; GCH5 says they are considerably older.

Drop a line every once in awhile. Good to hear from you.

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Well actually my show, which I merely co-hosted, was a horror based talk show/horror hosting show. It was on a local access channel in Huntsville, TN. We had our last and final episode in Oct, even though I had no idea it was the last episode and I wasn't even present for it, yes I'm a little bitter. lol Basicly on the show we gave out news for upcoming horror, and sometimes sci-fi, flicks, showed trailers (we strived to show trailers before network and cable channels lol), we showed shorts and public service announcements from the 50's & 60's lol, and we even showed a movie after the show on some occasions. It used to be a good show until the tv station itself started limiting us.

As for the "grannies" at the strip club, lol, It's been a few months since I saw it but from what I remember, the ages kinda varied. I do belive most were in their 30's but I think a few were in their early/mid 40's. I could be wrong but who REALLY knows the truth? Do the "grannies" in question even know? lol

"Full Tilt Boogie" - Matt Hundley, "After Midnight"

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Thanks, Jon, for the info about your local access show. I am sorry to hear that they cancelled it. I can tell you that if I lived in your area, I would very likely have been a regular viewer.

And have been mightily pissed when they yanked it.

So on some shows you actually showed a movie? Do you remember the titles? I would love to hear what you chose to show.

And grazi for your thoughts on the "age of Gladys' gang" issue. Yes, I think that Ruben and possibly Morty (the beefy guy to Gladys' left) are in their 40's. Adjusting for the aging in the early 20th century, I would say that Marian (Gladys' pal with the eyebags) is in her mid-thirties. And Mel, the goofy guy with the heavy black glasses, I think he is in his early 30's.

Gladys herself is in her very early 30's.

Honey, the blonde stripper, contrary to appearances, is at most 25. What a wonderfully strange face she has.

Anyway, enough of this.

Keep the thread alive!

Take care all.

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Well I can't remember many but I'll make a list of those that I do.

Rodan
The Brain That Wouldn't Die (Of course)
The Atomic Brain
Carnival of Souls
Night of the Living Dead
Attack of the Mushroom People (I think)
Plan 9 From Outer Space
The Screaming Skull
Tons of Ultraman

Basicly whatever was in the public domain archive. For some reason my co-host always chose the "So Bad They're Bad" movies where I'd choose the "So Bad They're Good" movies. lol

"Full Tilt Boogie" - Matt Hundley, "After Midnight"

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey Squashpants and "Legs" Diamond

Wow!! "The Screaming Skull" What a great film!! I like you better allready!! I DAMN sure like you better than that "Squashpants" fellow who keeps insisting that all those people in the strip club are 14 years old :) (Dont tell Squashpants, but as you age, your mind is the first thing to go...) I still think Cortner should have used the idea from "The Atomic Brain" and got himself a group of babes to choose from, instead of doing his own shopping.

Anyway, Happy Holidays to all of you

GCH5

P.S. Squashpants, please tell your wife I'm still waiting on that "Desperate Strippers" list...

P.P.S. My wife got me "The Attack of the Giant Leeches" for Christmas. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Whoa, GCH5, Dude, your wife is a keeper. She knows good trash when she sees it(obviously -- she...whoops, caught that just in time -- hee hee ;). I would be a very happy camper to get that little piece of Yvette Vickers in my stocking!

Well, I have a copy of "The Screaming Skull" as well and I must say that Peggy Webber has quite a chassis. Too bad you don't get to see more of it (I shouldn't complain -- the little bit of cleavage she displays in her well-filled night gowns probably gave me quite a charge when I saw it as a pimply faced, pubescent lad).

Hey, I didn't say Gladys and her gang looked like they were in their teens! If that were the case, it would not have been credible for them to be in a night club! Right? Heh heh.

Now, you guys, I want to call your attention to another interesting little tidbit from TBTWD's strip club scene. When Cortner makes his entrance and sits at the bar, taking in the lascivious movements of Honey, there is a leggy lady in the (rather dark) corner, and a guy in a suit (ah, hell, they're all wearing suits!) hound-dogging her. What I wouldn't give to hear what sort of dialogue Rex Carlton would have written for them.

And regarding the "Atomic Brain" idea, I would go for that just to see Honey in the atomic water heater with two thin straps of steel covering her huge assets!

BTW, GCH, my wife is renegging on her offer -- she says her girl friends don't want her giving out their numbers.

Guess they're not quite as desperate as she thought. Sorry.

Here's wishing you a Happy, Sleazy, and Psychotronic New Year!

[–] Donahue2 20 years ago

I saw this movie for the first time late last night on one of those "Mcabre Theatre" episodes. I usually love cheesy old horror movies like this, but halfway through I just couldn't watch it anymore. So, I put on Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and my night was complete.

GIMMIE GIMMIE YOUR BRAINS!

[–] EddieAP 20 years ago

Bad or good is Irrelavant!

This is a classic flick! I miss the old flicks, as kids, my siblings always tried to use these movies to freek me out. I worked to a point, now its me who gets them!

Open it. Today might be your lucky day.

[–] voclizr 19 years ago

Gee! I thought that I was the only sicko in the world that was facinated by this weird flick! Glad to see I have company! My favorite lady in this yarn is Ginny Leith. She's a classy lady who is great in other movies as well (check out "A Kiss Before Dying" with Robert Wagner & JoAnne Woodward). I would also like to hear some memories from the people who were involved in this project. I DID manage to find a bit on Eddie Carmel (Pin-Head). He suffered from a rare disorder that made him over 8 feet tall and his second cousin (who never even knew him, but did some family research) gives an impressive presentation on him on Soundportraits.org. Link below. Check it out. You'll find it interesting!
JB
http://www.soundportraits.org/on-air/the_jewish_giant/

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

That is a great and sad story.
Thank you for the link.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Jan tells Bill that they can't kiss in front of his father because he might have them locked up.

Bill's father retorts: And miss the floor show? It won't be as fun to watch after you two get married.

Am I the only one who thinks that what Bill's said was, at the least, was weird? I mean Jan's very pretty, but to say that in of his fiancée? Kinky!

Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night.

[–] trueaspect 18 years ago

mr pants...may i call you squash??...i saw the brain that wouldnt die at the state theatre in toronto canada the year it came out...i was 11 or 12...this movie has stayed with me ever since...but i hadnt thought about it for probably 30 years until i happened on a message board a few days ago and found myself designating it the "greatest film ever made"...on that board everybody loved/hated lord of the rings/2001...i kinda blanked out & this movie came to me...after that i looked up the movie on imdb & saw this thread...read through it...yeah, the whole thing (figure i'll relax on the weekend and read moby dick)...anyway, back to the state theatre...at that time there were 4 or 5 movie houses in our neighbourhood...the beaver (yeah seriously) cost 15 cents (just realized theres no cents sign on my keyboard...oh for my remington noiseless)...15 cents...went there when i was 8 to about 10 years old...on saturday afternoons...show was on from 12 to 5...old serials from the 40's/50's...westerns (riding around those big rocks)...cartoons...3 stooges' shorts...on stage bat-a-ball contests...the state theatre where i saw the brain...25 cents...they had all the hammer/american international movies...the runnymede...35 cents...was walt disney/elvis presley...and the odeon humber...50 cents!!...james bond/pink panther/lawrence of arabia...back to the brain...i dont think ive seen it since 62...but when i think about it the lasting image is the head in the pan...very disconcerting...ripping the arm off was pretty good too...but that head!!!...i always loved horror movies when i was a kid...and what scared me the most was not what made me jump but what disturbed me...the brain did that...the mummy had that effect too...again, probably havent seen that in 35 years but still remember the bandages & the eyes...and the shuffling walk...at one time or another think ive seen most of the movies mentiioned here (gotta admit have never seen nor even heard of dungeon of harrow)...a couple i liked when i saw them are last man on earth (at the state) & them (on tv in the sixties)...remember going to the drive-in too...i was usually in the trunk...take care

[–] Squashpants 18 years ago

Well, Hey, there, True. Always happy to hear from another 'Brain' fan!

Very interesting observations. I am intrigued that you actually saw TBTWD in a theater as opposed to on the Late Late Show. So you would have seen an uncut print. Cool! If I had seen the thing at 5 years old, I would have peed myself.

The pinhead monster looks ridiculous enough now as a grown up, but to the kidly brain, <shudder>

May I take this opportunity to encourage you to take the opportunity if it should come to see "Dungeon of Harrow"? Duane Martin over at B-Movie Central will have a review of it in the next month or two. Check it out!

Cheers.

The Squashster

[–] gnovalenz 18 years ago

i enjoyed this movie...

[–] Innsmouth_Clay 20 years ago

This film is a classic. Hey, you're one of the few people out there who's seen Dungeon of Harrow. You're a dedicated cheesy film fanatic!

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Thanks, fellow aficionado.

I own "Dungeon" in my mind as well as in my hand. It's such a comforting artifact of my teen-hood that I put it on every night when I go to bed.

I dare say I could quote all the dialogue line by line.

Can't do that for "Brain", though, but I have seen it over 50 times.

Thanks for perpetuating this thread!

The Squashster

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey all

I hate to admit this in public, but I've never heard of "Dungeon of Harrow" Guess I'll go look it up when I finish here. Any idea if it's out on video, or will I be forced to prowl the late, late shows with a cocked and loaded v.c.r.?

Dammit Squashpants, you're wrong. Legs daimond, you're wrong. You're ALL wrong!!(I'm not out of step, it's the whole damned army...) I'm going to try and do a little research on the people who played the people in the bar, and we'll find out just how old they really are. At which point, all of you will beg my forgiveness BWAAA HAA HAA HAa!!!! (sorry, too much caffine)

Squashpants, I'm surprised you can't quote this flick by memory. Then again, I got laid off at one point, and watched it just about every day for three straight months, so maybe I have an unfair advantage. Favorite line has to be "You've got the kind of face a girl dose'nt mind looking at." Now, am I just too sensitive, or is that a real left-handed compliment? Hell, my mailman has a face I "don't mind" looking at. That dosen't mean he's Cary Grant, it just means he's not so hideous and dis-figured that I barf up my Count Chocula when I see him in the morning. Second favorite, "Any thing you prescribe, I'll take." Nothing like a little inuendo to pass the time, eh?

One last thing in the area of recommendations. Another film along these lines is "The Unearthly" John Carradine is the mad scientist looking for the "17th gland" that will halt the aging process. Except poor old John just can't seem to get it quite right, so his entire basement is full of all sorts of mutants and freaks from failed prior expeiments. He runs a sanitairium (sp?) as a cover, and uses his patients for test subjects. Filmed in the mid-50's I think. I could go check, but I'm just too lazy. (On a slezy note, if you're a fan of the "bullet bra", this is the film for you)

Well, Santa brought me "the Trollenburg Terror" (The Crawling Eye), and I still have'nt had a chance to watch it, so...

P.S. Squashpants, tell the wife to forget about the strippers. I've had a hard enough time just keeping the wife constantly drunk for the last 13 years, just so she dosent sober up and realize what a horrible, tragic mistake shes made :)

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey all

Quick addendum here. I was re-reading some of the old messages, and realized I mis-identified a movie earlier. The post of 18 Dec. 04 is not right. The movie where the old woman wants to put her brain in a younger body is NOT "The Un-Earthly", it's "The Atomic Brain." My shame and horror know no bounds...

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hi, GCH.

Naahh, don't feel embarassed. Most of the free world has never heard of "Dungeon of Harrow". But there are a handful of good places to go to get up to speed on it. One of those is, of course, IMDB. Another is the site "The Astounding B Monster" which has a couple of articles on the movie in the contextof its auteur, Pat Boyette, Comic Book Artist, Texas Renaissance Man. And there is a nice little review of it at the "Horror-Wood" site -- look in the Archives for 2004, called "Beat Me, Whip Me, Make Me Watch 'Harrow'".

And you can get a pretty good VHS copy from Sinister Cinema (they may have put it on DVD by now, but if it is the same print I have, it is good to go). There are other sources that have it, too; just Google for it.

Good luck finding info on people not even credited in "Brain", altho I am sure they are still alive at this time, so who knows.

I know you are kidding!

LOL at your comment about dubious compliments in TBTWD. I had never thought of it that way, but yeah, it does seem like a bit of weak praise. Although, Evers looks pretty handsome, in a Fifties kinda way, in this movie except in some close-ups where he looks kinda "pouchy".

Yeah, there's some great innuendo in TBTWD -- I just love it!

Hey, I know you sent a follow-up saying you had mistakenly quoted the title "The Unearthly" for what was actually "The Atomic Brain". Are you sure? Have I misunderstood? The movie you describe sounds exactly like "The Unearthly" (yes, I have seen it a few times -- I'll watch anything Tor Johnson is in). "The Atomic Brain" doesn't have Carradine in it. But it does have some nice cheesecake.

Congrats on getting "The Crawling Eye" -- one of my faves, altho I don't own it.

Your wife must dig ya to get you such a fine piece of cinematic flotsam.

Forget those nasty STD-ridden strippers, Dude.

Think I'll crank up TBTWD this weekend. Take care til next time.

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Evenin' folks. As you can see I am still here. Although, I don't get the "Legs Diamond" thing but I'll role on with it. lol

DCH, even though I haven't seen The Unearthly, I do belive that is the movie you are refering too. The Atomic Brain was about an old lady wanting to have her brain placed in a young woman's body so she can be young again. Although, those two plots do sound similar.

Oh and you B-movie buffs may be interested in hearing about a few finds I ran across. In the past month or so I've ran across a few gems, not all are "B-Movies" or "horror" though. I ran acrossed:

The Charlie Chaplin Collection Vol. 1
The Charlie Chaplin Collection Vol. 2
Slipstream
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Blackmail
Moonstalker
Zipperface
The Dick Van Dyke Collection

Surprisingly, all for $1 a piece. I found out that places like Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, & UGO Grocery Store has all sorts of DVDs for $1. I also snagged:

Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Scarecrow/Scarecrow Slayer Double Feature

Now, those weren't $1 of course but they were still fairly cheap at Wal-Mart. None of those movies are in the same vein as TBTWD but most are still pretty good. Only problem with these $1 DVDs is that they have all the nudity and "F" word cut out. Granted, thats no big deal but it makes you wonder what else is cut out.

"Full Tilt Boogie" - Matt Hundley, "After Midnight"

[–] gch-5 20 years ago

Hey all

Just a couple of quick notes. First, having nothing to do with this movie in any way, shape or form: Jim "Legs" Diamond was a New York gangster in the 1920's (The same time the people in the strip-bar in the film were in their 40's) He was damn-near idestructable, being shot on several different occasions, including 5 holes in one atttempt, before one finally brought him down. He came by the "Legs" nick-name as he was a leggy fellow, and supposedly quite the quick runner. Just thought it ironic that you would have the same name. (And what a cool last name!! Mines German, and is spelled grrthtyghgthrtrgt.:)(With an umlaute)

As far as finding out the ages of the bar people: Somebody, somewhere has to know who these people were. If I can get just one name, I should be able to find all of them. I HATE,HATE,HATE being wrong. I WILL get to the bottom of this...It's not like the sad case of "Manos" where several (4, I believe) of the actors later took their own lives. SOMEONE knows who at least one these people are. (My wife says I can be a bit tenacious about stuff like this. "Stubborn piece of..." is the phrase she uses, but she means "tenacious")

The other place to look for a great deal on old B-movies is the discount bin at "Media Play" Lots of times , you can get 4(!!) on a DVD two-pack for $5.00

Finally, let me make sure I've got this right: "The Un-Earthly" was the Tor Johnson/John Carradine flick about the "17'th gland." "The Atomic Brain" is where the old woman wants to put her brain in a young girls body. (Or, go sit in a strip club with Dr. Cortner!!) Right?

Well, nothing here about "Brian" Sorry. Reply when you can

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Well I just looked it up, "The Unearthly" is the movie with Tor and John. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051134/

I need to see that, hard to beat that cast. Now if only Ed Wood was the one that made it, it'd be perfect. lol

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] zeuskitty 20 years ago

Hey everyone!

I just got through reading this thread and enjoyed reading your comments.

I remember this flick being on TV years ago too, but had forgotten about it until I purchased a 50 horror classics DVD movie pack. I haven't watched the film yet, but intend to do it right away.

That's right I said 50 movies it was only $29.99, and comes on 12 disks. I think I'll be watching B and Z movies till I PUKE.

Last night I watched Carnival of Souls and Atom Age Vampire. After I'm done here I think I'll skip A HEAD {Pun Intended) to "Brain".

See you all later!

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hi! Thanks for contributing to this thread.

Always thrilled to hear from a nother TBTWD fan. The film has layer upon layer of generally cheap thrills. The more you watch, the more you mine out of it.

I am impressed that you got a 50-movie DVD and so cheaply. You must write back when you have seen all fifty and let us know of any obscure gems you saw.

Since it is Sci-Fi, it probably does not include "The Hypnotic Eye", but that is my latest fave crappy movie (it's more horror than sci-fi, altho it does have an interesting device in it).

Feel free to visit and add to this thread again in the future.

The Squashster

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Hey, GCH, Dude!

Well, JD didn't know about "Legs" Diamond, but I sure did, being the crusty old thing I am. I am old enough to remember the "Untouchables" on the tube. It was a kick to read your knowledgeable rundown on the gangs-ter.

As far as finding out the truth of the ages of "the people in the bar", more power to ya! Regardless of who's right or wrong, I would love to know more about that attractive little posse!

Your wife, I must say, is the soul of diplomacy, old man. Heh heh.

I think "Legs" may have one-upped you on the DVD deals. Did you read his post?

As far as your recounting of the movies, you are spot on. Just remember that "The Atomic Brain" has the Steven Stills impersonator ("Dog-man") and 'Unearthly" has Tor-as-Lobo.

The little bit of rather nice cheesecake in "The Atomic Brain" would have made my night as a pimply-faced, palm-happy teenager.

By the way, how does your wife feel about TBTWD?

Ciao for Now!

[–] JonDiamond 20 years ago

Well I too got ahold of the 50 Classic Horror DVD set the other day on Ebay, it hasn't arrived yet though. I did get bored the other day and one by one looked up every single movie here on IMDB. I'll go ahead and leave a list of the movies on the set, yes all 50 of them. lol

Carnival of Souls
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Atom Age Vampire
Blue Beard
Creature from the Haunted Sea
The Corpse Vanishes
Nightmare Castle
Night of the Living Dead
Black Dragons
Doomed to Die
Invisible Ghosts
The Phantom of the Opera
One Body Too Many
The Indestructible Man
White Zombie
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Attack of the Giant Leeches
Nosferatu
The Screaming Skull
Swamp Women
Beast of the Yucca Flats
The World Gone Mad
The Terror
The Little Shop Horrors
Revolt of the Zombies
Tormented
The Giant Gila Monster
The Monster Walks
The Fatal Hour
Monster from a Prehistoric Planet
Dead Man Walk
The Gorilla
The Mad Monster
A Shriek in the Night
Maniac
Bloodlust
Metropolis
The Amazing Mr. X
The Vampire Bat
Last Woman on Earth
The Ape
The Bat
The Monster Maker
The House on Haunted Hill
The Killer Shrews
The Last Man on Earth
The Brain That Wouldn't Die
Dementia 13
King of the Zombies
Phantom from 10,000 Leagues

Wasn't too bad of a deal either. It was brand new and after S/H and all that jazz it came to about $26, alot cheaper than Amazon's $38. I've seen most of these movies by theirselves for like $5-$8 a piece so I figure it was worth it. This set should do me a while. lol

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] Squashpants 20 years ago

Yes! Excellent deal, IMHO.

Thanks for the rundown. Some great B movies in the bunch and a handful of creeky old pre-Code movies out of the '30s.

Not bad A-tall.

And TBTWD is in the package! Sweet.

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

"Legs"
"the Corpse Vanishes", "Atom Age Vampire", "The Beast Of Yucca Flats"!!!! Can I come over to your house? I promise, I won't eat all the popcorn or anything.

Oh, and Squashpants, my wife just sort of shakes her head and looks at me like I'm very,very odd...

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

I've yet to reach "The Corpse Vanishes" but I have seen "Atom Age Vampire" and "The Beast Of Yucca Flats". "The Beast..." was good but "Atom Age..." was awesome. As for the popcorn, I'm on a low-cal diet so the majority of the popcorn is yours anyway. lol

Ever since I've got the box set, whichw as about 2wks ago, I've watched one movie everyday, except for Saturdays where I watch two. So far I've watched 12, mostly because I skipped "Carnival of Souls" because I already have 2 diff. copies of that and I've seen it numerous of times. Up next for today is "The Giant Gila Monster". The only movies I've seen so far that I didn't absolutely love were "Nightmare Castle", "White Zombie", "The Terror", and "Revolt of the Zombies". I figured I would have liked "White Zombie" but for some reason I barely could sit threw it. It was so boring. lol Luckily thats the only Bela movie I've ran into that I didn't like.

I can't wait till I get to "Last Man On Earth", true classic.

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, Jon and GCH, I have a vid of "Atom Age Vampire" (the so-called "long TV print", which I bought because I thought it might include the striptease number at the beginning of the film, but, nah...), and I found it very entertaining.

Personally, I would have taken Sordi's assistant who with a little maeover could be quite hot!

The large lady in the diaphinous nightie was kind of a treat for the eyes -- another scene that I'll bet didn't make the broadcast TV print.

But a decent picture all the same.

Can't believe you didn't like "The Terror" (said facetiously).

Anyway, as you plow through the rest of the 50, please let us hear from you about the highlights!

The Squashster

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

Well folks sorry its took so long to update but these movies will keep you on the edge of your seat. The movies I've watched so far that desperatly need more recognition are, in no particular order, The Giant Gila Monster, Dead Men Walk, The Mad Monster, Maniac, The Vampire Bat, The Ape, The Killer Shrews, and King of the Zombies.

King of the Zombies was the film I watched today and I must say that it was hilarious. The only thing that really bugs you about the movie was the racism. I know it was the 40's but still, that dont make it right. Other than that, it was a great movie.

I've also learned that George Zucco can't do wrong. lol

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hi, Jon -- glad to hear from ya!

I must say that "King of the Zombies" is one of my (and my wife's) all time faves. Mantan Moreland absolutely makes that movie, but Henry Victor and Dick Purcell are pretty fun too. And Marguerite Whitten is a real cutie.

I am able to take the racist aspect in stride. I do notice that it is most blatant in the Dr. Sangre character, which is expected. Summers and McCarthy (who you will notice calls himself "McCartney" over the radio at the beginning) are pretty even handed with Jeff, altho they do tend to talk about him in front of him.

Joan Woodbury is radiant in this! I was surprised that this 1941 film featured a bit of mild cleavage. The Production Code had an iron grip at that time. Oh, and that dinner dress of Madame Sange's loked like it was painted on her!

Anyway, I have not seen many of the older films you listed so I cannot comment on them. But I have seen "Killer Shrews" in recent years. Any movie that features Festus from Gunsmoke gets a break from me.

And, of course, I absolutely love "Maniac"! "looks like Sandy Claus"!

I'd love to hear some comments from you about more of the individual movies in your list this last post.

Stay cool!

The Squashster

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

Well I can't go into much details about the movies I've seen lately, simply because they are all starting to mesh together in my brain. lol

I can, however, comment on the past three movies I saw.

The Phantom Of The Opera (1925) - I'm constantly hearing praise about this classic and that classic from other people on horror boards and when I finally watch them, I am sorely dissapointed. This movie, is NOT one of them. This movie had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Lon Chaney should have a huge statue the size of the Statue Of Liberty somewhere. lol

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Yet another Lon Chaney classic. I thought this version is the most entertaining version yet. This movie had scenes that I just didn't see coming. My only complaint being it was too long. Some scenes could have been left out.

Swamp Women - I put this movie in the same category as the Boris Karloff Mr. Wong movies, they are good but have no idea why they are on a "Horror Classics" box set. lol. The movie was decent, how could it not be with the one and only Roger Corman behind it? I must admit though, I was a bit thrown when It started and it was in color. I'm so used to popping these DVDs in and seeing B&W. lol

Up next on the chopping block is "The World Gone Man", followed by "Little Shop of Horrors". I dread the day that I watch them all. I only have 15 left and thats just not enough. lol

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

Hey All,

Sorry I vanished ("The e-mailer Vanishes"...Nah, dosen't have the same ring to it), my computer went on a sit-down strike there for a while.

"Legs", I just noticed "Bloodlust" on your 50 Movies list. You lucky dog. You get to watch Mr Brady walk around as a shirtless He-Man (and the only damned brains in the whole damned outfit) for 90 minutes. You know your diet? Don't eat anything before you watch this.

Still no luck on the strip club groups names, much less ages. If I haven't done any better by the next time I post, I'm just going to lie my ass...er, I mean, try harder :)

For another look at some of the films on this site, I urge any of you that are interested to go on over to "the agony booth". You'll get a nice take on "Manos", "Monster A-Go-GO", "Red Zone Cuba" and others. The review base isn't nearly what this one is, about 30 films or so, but the reviews are about 10 pages long, and very well written(sp?) (By the way, if "Monster A-Go-Go" isn't in your collection by now, shame on you. Come on, stop reading right now!! Get up off your ass and go get it!!)

Well, back to those names and ages...

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Well, hullo, stranger. Wondered where you went...

Good to have you and your wry comments back with us.

Yes, what fun it is to see Mr. Brady in something other than a leisure suit. Not much to write home about, that movie.

See, I told you, gch -- rhe names (and ages)of those gentle stripbar folk are blown to the winds; you might as well throw in the towel and admit that they are in their 30's even though they look more crotchety to your eyes.

Nah, actually, I want you to succeed. I am way curious.

Yes!!! "The Agony Booth" is one of my fave B movie sites. I love their review of "Thor and the Amazon Women" (I have it under the alternate title, "Gladiator Women"). Easily doubled my enjoyment of the stinker. Their review of "Manos" is big fun too.

By the by, I just picked up "Scream of the Butterfly" (lensed by Ray Dennis Steckler!), a B&W exploitation number from '65 with the largest cast of gay actors you have seen in a movie made before the late '60s! It is a hoot with a great surprise ending. I recommend it!

Anyway, keep in touch, Dude!

The Squashster

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

I've been a fan of TBTWD since the days of Chiller on KTTV Ch.11, Los Angeles. Back in the 1960's.
Ah, the days of horror movies day or night on free t.v.!

And UGGHHH! I had a thoroughly detailed reply, but due to a conflict between programs I am forced to retype this and maybe I'll recall everthing to add later.

About Atom Age Vampire, there used to be a longer version than the U.S. 87 min. release that they used to run on the Ch.11 All Night Movies, before the station was bought by Fox. Since Fox bought it, all they run at night are infomercials and sitcom reruns. Blah!
I found to my disappointment that the DVD version doesn't have my favorite scene from the movie (the attack on a lady while bathing in her apartment).
That's found in the original 105 min. version I gues, though I saw it on the Ch.11 version when Metromedia owned the station. These days Fox won't even run it. I loathe the Hollywood studio ownership of local t.v. stations.
Fox, UPN, and the WB pretty much quit the All Night Movie and the weekend horror film packages that used to run every night til dawn.

Avoid the Alpha Video DVD release of Atom Age Vampire. It looks like it was transfered with a camera off a bedsheet and an open mike, judging from the fact that I can hear the projector sprockets grinding away throughout the "A.M. quality" soundtrack.

The horror film that I would recommend is "Eyes Without a Face" a.k.a. "The Horror Chamber of Doctor Faustus":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002V7O0Q/ref=ase_rialtopictu03-20/104-5043947-1767118

Just released on DVD (finally) and quite a pleasant horror gem, very atmospheric, though not exactly the "slasher film" that it is claimed to be by certain viewers. I haven't seen the DVD yet (I'm hoping to shortly, now that it's out), but the film itself is a surprise.
I think it was the original basis for Atom Age Vampire and TBTWD, both of which came later; encompassing both atmosphere and a transplant theme.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, there! Thanks for contributing to this thread.

Those were awesome days, those days of creepy movies on the free airwaves (instead of creepy infomercials). I saw TBTWD on the local "creature features" program here in Houston, called simply "WEIRD". Of course, it was the "expurgated" version, brcause I sure don't remember any catfighting strippers in what I saw (between the cigar and car insurance commercials). Nosiree, I would have remembered that!

I am quite intrigued about your comments concerning a 105-minute version of "Atom Age Vampire". I did a little research and I see that this was the original Italian version, which was going to be a lot more permissive of naughty content than the version that ended up on American TV.

I did not know that there was a scene involving a girl in her bath, but it certainly would seem to fit into the sleazy trappings of the plot.

I want that version! But so far have not been able to find a source with the 105-minute version. Any ideas?

Oh, and how did you know about the bath scene? That wasn't the version you saw on TV was it?

I have indeed seen "Eyes Without a Face" and quite enjoyed it. But I must admit, not as much as some of the trashier horror and sci-fi movies I have in my collection. But so many of these sorts of movies cross-pollinated with each other in the twilight period of 1957-1963, that I cannot argue with your final assertion.

Please feel free to continue to post to this thread (we have a number of regular posters); you have already added some interesting information to the pot.

Ciao.
The Squashster

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

Sorry squashpants

Get the impression I pissed 'ya off. My mistake. I'm off of here

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

GCH --- C,mon, Dude, I ain't THAT sensitive!

Sorry I didn't answer your last post but I was in the middle of Finals (I am in X-ray Technician school) and lost track.

What would this thread be without you -- ya big dope!

Look for a reply to your last hanging off of it.

The Squashster

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Uh, I guess you must have deleted it.

Sorry for the misunderstanding -- hope you'll reconsider.

Are you aware of the site "Horror-Wood"? If so, I'd like to know your opinion of it.

Take care.

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

Hey Squashpants

Well *beep* I'm sorry too. Like you, been a bit busy (but not as busy as you "Oooh, oooh, look at me! I'm a nuclear scientist! I'm combinig recoumbent DNA to create a six-breasted woman! Aren't I important..." O.K., maybe thats not exactly what you said...) Anyhow, nasty-assed court case, helping change motors in a 67 International, maybe my butt-beads were just pinching that day...sorry.

But, no one logs on here to read that stuff. Found all the actors from "Brain", had 'em over to my house for drinks in fact, and they assured me the people in the bar were in their 40's and 50's! So there!! I hope you feel the shame of a person who's been proven so wrong that...that...*sob*...I CAN'T GO ON!!! I can't find ANYBODY!! Was this film made when the earth was flat, and everybody involved with it just slid the &*%$#@ off?!?! I WILL find an answear, iwilliwilliwill (if it helps here, picture me beating on my computer desk and throwing things around the room...)

(As to my deleted post) How did you get to my wife?!! (No, you sick-o's, not that way) I told her of our "how old are they" debate, and she said "well, people looked older at a younger age back then." Which is almost verbatim to what you said in two seperate posts. (Damned woman. I married her for her money, but it's been over 12 years, and she still keeps acting like she dosen't have it...)

Sorry, folks. This has been kind of a one-person e-mail, and this is a public board. Thats my fault, and I apologize if I've been rude. To save any of you who are still reading the strain, Squashpants (wrongwrongwrong) (sorry, my keyboard got stuck there for a minute. Don't know how that happens) and I are locked in a debate about the ages of the folks in the strip bar. Does anybody out there know of any way to contact someone connected to the shooting of this film?? I've run out about all of the avenues I can think of, but I'm open to any ideas. For that matter, give me your guess/estimate. How old are they? Squashpants and "Legs" Diamond say they're eight or nine, I think they're a tad older. Feel free to weigh in...

Well, thats it for now. (and no, I'm not familiar with the "Horror-Wood" site, but I will be when I get off here. I'll head on over)

gch-5
(Oh, and keep working on the "6-breasted woman" thing...)

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Well, hey, stranger...

I'm on break from school and I get to tend to the really important stuff (computer games and keeping in touch with my trash movie friends -- or trashy friends with movies) for about a month.

Now you'll really be pissed -- when you gave me the gist of your deleted post, I recognized the material. I had read the post but never got 'round to replying to it. Enough to really redden my face.

Nice try I must say and I am actually saddened that you could not find the absolute truth of the matter of the barflies' ages. This is a really tough movie to get any behind-the-scenes on. That is why it is so unfortunate that no one associated with the damn thing wants to talk about it!

Now we can move on to additional important issues, like, did Joe Green pick up the girls who played the strippers at his local watering hole, and just what the Hell are the "singers" saying in the "Hunting Theme", strip bar scene version?

Concerning the latter, I think the best candidate is "Dig It". But I will gladly entertain other theories.

By the way, thank your wife for me, that she thought the same way I did on the age issue, and the check is in the mail. (heh heh)

I guess I should put all speculation concerning my user name to rest. When I was (a lot) younger, in my college days, I had a friend named Dave. He was a real whacked out guy, brilliant mathematician, extraordinary sense of humor, and a paranoid schizophrenic, to boot.

Dave shared with me that he remembered from his childhood akid's show that featured the redoubtable Andy Devine -- Boomers will nod in recognition and will remember Andy for his cushiony soft physique and his unique frog-in-his-throat voice.

What has this all got to do with my user name, you say?

Well, Dave was a creative young twerp and he would always come up with his own name for things and people. He took one look at Mr. Devine with his drooping trousers, and promptly re-christened him "Squashpants Diarrhea". I thought that was hilarious and never forgot the moniker.

So much did I like it that I took the first part of it for screen and user names (for instance, I am known on eBay as Squashpants). It is so off-the-wall that there is absolutely no chance of it already being used.

My apologies as well to the lookers-in on this thread but GCH-5 and I go way back (what is it, 9 months?) and he should consider himself a permanent prisoner, I mean fixture of this thread. So suck it up, yall!

On the subject of another sleazy movie, I recently purchased from Video Screams a VHS copy of the uncut version of "Devil Doll". No, not the creaky old Barrymore vehicle, the mid-Sixties British feature. The movie is pretty entertaining -- Bryant Haliday is nicely creepy, Yvonne Romain is delicious and Hugo the dummy is, to me, totally believable.

Then theres' all the explicit T&A in this version. Too bad this version didn't turn up on the Friday Night Frights when a was a pimply-faced, unlucky-at-love teenager.

If anybody has anything to add to the user reviews on the main page for the movie, I would be gratified if you shared them here.

Take care, GCH and keep comin' back, Dudeski.

P.S. Unfortunately someone will be standing by to make sure I don't get carried away with shooting X-Rays at patients, so I may not get to create any mutants. But at least I will get paid for doing what they do let me do!

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

Yep, I saw the missing bath scene in Atom Age Vampire on t.v.
It ran after midnight on the All Night Movies.
I can't find an uncut DVD either, though I even tried looking for an Italian release.

The bath scene reminds me of another trashy gem,
The Curse of the Living Corpse (1964), not so much scary as gruesome and notable for being Roy Scheider's first movie.
Still entertaining in spite of a silly inclusion of a "Sherlock and bumbling Dr. Watson-type" set of characters investigating the case, and, due to its grade Z pedigree, a matter of taste, though it is much closer to a B film in quality.

I dispute the review in the imdb:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057985

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

Glad to see this thread is still poppin'. I would have been contributing sooner but I keep forgetting that IMDB only emails you when someone replies to you and not when someone replies to a reply. lol

Faik-meister, you sure do have me intrigued about this Italian cut of Atom Age Vampire. The version I have is awesome, I can just imagine how great that one would be. Anyone ever finds out where to find it, let us all know. I'm sure all of this thread's regulars would love to get their hands on it.

Now, I noticed a few people in this thread mentioned that they too got the 50 Movie Pack recently and I was wondering if anyone had the same problem that I had. See, I was really looking forward to The Last Man On Earth even before the pack got here in the mail. I had been watching all the movies in order so it took over a month to get to "TLMOE". Well the other day I finally made it to it. I was pumped, until the 74min. mark that is. Around the 74min. mark the picture got pixelated, the picture started skipping and jumping, and then it starts freezing and unfreezing until it finally froze for good. I couldn't fast forward or anything. All I could do is rewind, pause, and stop. The disk had no dust or scratches anywhere on it. It just seemed like the encoder and/or burner screwed up the copy. Well today I broke down and contacted Treeline Entertainment. They told me to just give them my mailing address and they'd ship me out a replacement disk. I gotta give them props for that, especially since I let them know up front that I got it from Ebay.

Anyone else have this problem?

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found what purports to be the full 105-minute version of "Atom Age Vampire" at Amazon.com.

Does anybody besides me find it hard to believe that this is not an expurgated version running many minutes less than 105?

Yet the "product details" and "technical details" sections both list it at 105!

It is not clear what company produced the DVD offered.

It's going for less than 8 bucks, so it is very tempting...

Please if anyone has some thoughts, share them in this thread.

Many thanks,

The Squashster

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

Man, I wish I knew for sure that its good, but the Atom Age Vampire cover on display at amazon is the same artwork as the Alpha Video version which I wouldn't bother with. This release is so crooked, it uses stills from a colorized version on the back of the box. Also, I read that somebody claimed that the DVD run time is actually shorter than the 87 min. claimed on the box.
It definitely looks like an old t.v. edit for "the heartland of America", or maybe Saturday/Sunday afternoon.

The manufacturer's website listed on the back of the Alpha Video version
is www.oldies.com. That site still lists the Alpha release (compare the cover).

http://www.oldies.com/product/view.cfm/id_4044D.html

Did some Googling and came up with the parent company of Alpha Video.
Its Gotham Distributing.

http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/App/homepage.cfm?moduleid=324&linkid=9019&appname=288&Exid=278438

Both companies are located in Pennsylvania.

Now, the version at Amazon might be different, but I'm thinking the Amazon listing is just quoting from IMDB instead of the box.

To check it, you might want to call Gotham Distributing at 800-446-8426.
This is the number for vinyl records only. I'd ask them for the DVD phone number in order to check the running time.

I just remembered another remake of this theme, Corruption(1967), with Peter Cushing. I can't recommend it only because I haven't seen it in over 28 years, and then it was edited for t.v., but I do remember that it was very modern for '67 and that Peter Cushing turned in an amazing performance as the gland hunter on the prowl. His facial expressions while murdering his victims were shocking and judging by the 'edits' it isn't a lightweight, somewhat more in tune with Hitchcock's Psycho in impact.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061520/

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, Ima, I'm not gonna take any chances -- I'm not buying until I have the proper assurances.

I might indeed give them a call, but I will bewt you that the people I get will be pretty clueless, based on my prior experience with these vendors.

THanks.

I actually saw "Corruption" on TV in the Seventies. Of course, it was a broadcast channel and so the movie was severely edited. I could tell that it was pretty raw and where the cuts were. I understand it was not only gruesome but very sexy for 1967. Things were seriously loosening up at that point (2 years before the MPAA rating system debuted) and movies were inserting more and more nudity.

But I understand there was considerable nudity in this movie, and of course all of it, except the milder sort, edited out of the TV print.

I will probably pick a cheap copy up at some point. I just purchased an unedited version of "Devil Doll" from Video Screams. Been waiting for an uncut version of that to become available for some time.

Review it for you next time.

Ciao

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Wow, I'm impressed. Reminds me of the time I saw "Lady Frankenstein" virtually unedited on the Late Show, local broadcast channel.

I have seen (rented) "Curse of the Living Corpse" and was quite impressed with the amount of skin on display in the bath scene, featuring the nicely built brunette actress whose name escapes me. I remember trying to figure out exactly what I was looking at in the (relative) close-up as the character is being suffocated in her bath. Pretty amazing no matter how you cut it (I mean, 1963!) Actually one of the most interesting mildly sexploitative scenes I have happened upon.

I'll have to have a copy of that one at some point.

If you have any other such jewels, please don't hesitate to share them with us.

Have you seen "Valley of the Dragons"?

The Squashster

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

I don't remember seeing Valley of the Dragons. As for Sci-Fi, in my younger days (1960's) I vaguely remember Mysterious Island and some film from 20th Century Fox in CinemaScope about battling dinosaurs, one good, one t-rex. Might have been Journey to the Center of the Earth. Otherwise I was taken more by first-run episodes of The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits, and watched George Pal's The Time Machine on NBC and Atlantis: The Lost Continent at the theater.

As for exploitation shockers, I only know of several more from my t.v. dependent youth, Blood and Black Lace and Run, Psycho Run. The last title isn't too good. Ah, the third film is admittedly a "Psycho" rip I saw on the tube, but its a gut churner owing to the "custom cacciatore", though the effects are admittedly late 60's/early 70's. Candle for the Devil/It Happened at Nightmare Inn/Nightmare Hotel.
The late night t.v. version I saw makes up for its few shortcomings in the shocks and the sinister behavior of the old maid sisters, with some added skin.

Btw, have you ever bought from Midnight Video? EDIT: I believe this is a separate outfit from the "Midnight Video/MGM Collections" available at Wal-Mart. I've never dealt with the Midnight website and I was wondering if they're reliable. They promise an uncut version of
Candle for the Devil on this page with screenshots from a link.

http://www.midnight1.com/dvdr9.asp

[–] apologizesoftware 19 years ago

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone who loves TBTWD is a fan of the 1958 film "Frankenstein's Daughter"? Don't let the title make you disinterested; it's in a 'contemporary' setting and thus has only a very slight resemblance to the original Frankenstein movies of the 1930s and 1940s. (It doesn't take place in a huge castle, for example, just some basement in a suburban home). There's also a looney doctor named Oliver Frank (really Frankenstein, he's trying to hide his real identity) played by Donald Murphy, who has some hilarious dialogue, such as "Are you satisfied now, you meddling kids?" when his hidden "monster" is discovered by Sandra Knight and John Ashley. He's not quite as convincing as Bill Cortner but he tries hard. There's a whole ton of unintentional humour; I am sure fans of bad sci-fi/horror would definitely enjoy this. I would equate it as an entertainment value on a slightly lower level as "The Brain.." personally. It's definitely worth looking into if you're into schlock...anyone else a fan of this film?

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Thanks for contributing to this thread!

I think somewhere back in the nightmare of my childhood, I must have seen "Frankenstein's Daughter", because I recognize that ridiculous excuse for a Frankenstein's monster, I mean, c'mon!

Sounds like it may have some camp value, tho. I think I must have felt as a youngster as if I had been burned by the movie and so the prejudicial attitude.

If I ever get a chance I will take another look.

I mean, John Ashley's in it!

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, Ima, sorry I am such a laggard on my responses.

Yes, I am aware of Midnight Video, and have been tempted to buy from them at times, but I always end up not. I don't know why -- it may be that I just tend to spend my money only on "classic" (older) horror, and MV definitely tends towards the '70s and later.

I have no reason to believe that they don't deliver on their promises, and they certainly retail a lot of UNCUT stuff.

"Candle for the Devil" definitely looks nasty, in more ways than one.

Thanks for the link -- it was really fun to look at the screenshots for one of the other DVD's featured on the page "El Vampiro de la Autopista/Vampire of the Highway/The Vampire of Castle Frankenstein".

OK, that's it for now. Stop back in sometime!

[–] Murgatroid 19 years ago

What a hoot! Finally, folks that see this flick for the gem that it is! I was born in 1958 (gosh I'm getting old) and first saw this movie at the drive-in when it was released. My father was a bit unconcerned about the sorts of movies he took us to see. I have only seen it that one time, but still remember the content after all these years. It was both terrifying and exhilerating in a can't look/can't look away sort of way - especially for my tender age. I can recall secretly wrapping a scarf around my neck at night before going to bed!

During that time, and successive years, my father took us to an entire litany of drive-in movies. Remember Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte? And here's one that I have yet to find someone else who has seen it: The Vulture. That one scared me witless. I can remember going to sleep and being awoken by the scratching of a tree branch on my bedroom window and being too young to verbalize to my parents exactly why I was afraid of the tree outside the window. Yep. It was that movie. The half man/half vulture would scratch at the windows of his prey at night to lure them to the window. eesh. Those were the days! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these posts!

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Heavens to Murgatroid!

Sorry, just had to do that!

Welcome to our humble thread.

This movie is not the one that would have given me nightmares simply because I never saw it when I was a young 'un.

But I am well acquainted with nightmares and fears coming after viewing horror/monster movies.

The original Godzilla movie wrecked my sleep for weeks, as I imagined the huge tree outside my window was part of the monster, or could hear the Big G's thundering footsteps reverberating in my kidly brain at night.

Gotta love a father that appreciated the sort of movies the Drive-In had to offer and would share them with his progeny!

Actually I have not seen either of the movies you mentioned, but what could be more nightmarish to a young impressionable mind than a half man-half vulture thingy.

And what could seem more ludicrous to a grown-up? Oh, I forgot about the anti-matter bird monster in "The Claw"! Whew!

Well, drop a line here when the spirit moves ye.

The Squashster

[–] Murgatroid 19 years ago

Egads man! Get yourself down to the video store and rent Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte immediately!! Set in a sprawling but dilapitated plantation in Louisiana, comes the tale of an aging, crazy spinster who 40 years before was accused of chopping off the head and hand of her lover John. Fast forward to 40 years later, the story opens with the aging Charlotte being in the throes of eviction from her home so the railroad could be built through her property. In a Lizzie Bordonesque fashion, children taunt her and the town folk keep away from her and label her as a loon. She claims to see the ghost of her headless lover. She is all alone in this gigantic mansion save her faithful maid Velma. No one remains in her family except a cousin who has been convinced to come to the mansion and deal with Charlotte. I will not spoil the rest except to say that this film earned more Academy award nominations for a horror movie ever until Silence of the Lambs. Here's another reason to run to rent this classic:

Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland (as you have never seen her before), Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway and a young Bruce Dern.

Many classic lines in this beauty and just enough campy acting to lure you into watching it again and again.

<grinning> Please don't read too much about the film before seeing it..way too many spoilers out there.

Enjoy!

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

Charlotte is definitely a favorite here, and vivid for its time.
Victor Buono was GREAT as her daddy, and the look in his eyes very effective.
Thank the lighting director and cinematographer for that too.

[–] Murgatroid 19 years ago

I agree 100%, Victor Buono was perfect in this role - so intense! He creeped me out! My favorite character is Velma, Agnes Moorehead had me convinced.

After all these years I can still hear the haunting melody in my mind. It is rare these days to encounter a film which can capture the atmospheric treatments of those times.

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

Hey all

Haven't been on for a while, as I had no knowledge of the movies you were talking about. But..."Hush, Hush, Sweet Charolete!" Man, that was good! And if you'll let me pontificate here for a moment (SCRAPE! SCRAPE!(sound of soap-box being drug out)) no, Murgatroid, you can't find films with that kind of atmosphere anymore. "Horror" and "suspense" are now accomplished by putting a chain-saw through someones skull, or juvenile "can't be killed" insane killers just racking up the body count while the screen continously fills with limbs and fake blood. "oh oh! Jason's after her!" Where's the suspense? She's dog food. You know it, I know it, everybody in the whole damned theatre knows it. It won't matter if our gal has a pocket bazooka, she's history. Ohh well, on to the next nameless, faceless victim. Wow, the suspense was killing me... But back in the dark ages (when Squashpants was only in his twenties :) directors had to rely on plot and lighting and actuall stories and...what the hell did they used to call that...oh yeah, acting! The only reason a movie keeps you on the edge of your seat now, is because you can't wait to get the Hell up and leave!! (SCRAPE! SCRAPE! (sound of soap-box being put away...))

Anyway, good to see you all again

gch-5

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, GCH (and Murgatroid, Imafaik, et. al.), sorry about dropping out of sight; finished Spring semester and dropped into a catatonic state for 3 weeks.

Yes, I am going to have to rent "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (any chance Blockheadbuster would have it?). It's on my short list and when I have savored its charms, I will record my mini-review in this thread. Alright? So right!

I very much appreciate your (you, GCH) views on suspense and the lack of it in contemporary horror "films". That is why you have to threaten me with a gun to get me to see anything made after about 1981.

Thank God you can still get these ancient treasures on video or DVD.

Good to hear from you, GCH (and all of you guys, but especially GCH).

Keep the thread going!

The Squashster

[–] Murgatroid 19 years ago

Hi All,

I am pretty sure that one can rent Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte at blockbuster, but if for some reason they do not - give the clerk a horrified glare and march yourself down to your local Walmart where ten bucks will let you keep it in your own library.

Can you imagine a Bette Davis or a Joan Crawford playing the head? Imagine Bette, head all hooked up with electrodes, sitting in a pan of goop hissing word-barbs at her fiance. Yikes! Heavens to Mergatroid!

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

Anyone else waiting to see Land of the Dead?

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

Indeed I am imafaik. I've been waiting on this film since Day came out. lol. Speaking of films, I discovered a drive-in just about 20min. from my house a couple weeks ago. I was surprised to find it was still running. 2 movies for $5 is a great deal. July 2nd is their Independance Day special, "From Dusk Till Dawn Marathon". 4 movies, "Batman Begins", "Hide & Seek", "Herbie Fully Loaded", & "Sin City". All 4 movies for $5. Can't beat that. Granted, not really dying to see Herbie but the rest may be decent. lol Last weekend I went and saw The Longest Yard and House of Wax. I had little interest in House of Wax, I figured it would just tarnish the Vincent Price name. In a way, it did. It had a hand full of cool death scenes but other than that it was a borefest. I'm a strange movie buff, as long as the movie doesn't bore me and can somewhat entertainment, I'm not picky. I try to watch a movie for the pure entertainment but House of Wax took over an hour to get started so by the time the action started, it was beyond saving. The Longest Yard wasn't bad though. They didn't change much from the original, thank goodness.

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

About that new House of Wax, I am SO disappointed. First off, I was expecting a classical victorian gothic remake in 3d. My mistake!
The loose talk is that the gothic style has no market; that the "modern slasher style" was the way to go.
I guess those who dismissed a gothic remake forgot all about Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow". On that note, I wish Burton would make "A Tale of Two Cities", but with more maturity in the gray and marmalade afternoons of England (I mean "France") and a lot of social satire at the heart of The Reign of Terror. A simple human counterpoint with the waif against the obvious personal melodrama and terrific action/suspense.

Dark Castle could of had the BEST horror movie in ages if they hadn't pulled the central punch, or if they had invested more time in figuring out what the core plot SHOULD'VE been, or IF THEY HADN'T TRIED TO BE SO CLEVER BY OBSCURING THE CORE PLOT "BETWEEN THE LINES". Pardon my CAPS, BUT I AM STILL FLABBERGASTED BY THE GOOF THAT IS H.O.W. 2005.

With that excellent intro where we see Bo traumatized by his desperate parents
for, I assume, breaking Vincent's mask mold, the central idea that coulda' been
is that Trudy's House of Wax was not the main exhibit.
It was Vincent and Bo as "The Amazing Siamese Twins: Separate and Together Again" wearing their cross-woven suits and their neat bow-ties and put on display to dance and sing for the tourists between periods of painful maxofacial/brain surgeries.
The children were the parent's bread and butter, between mother's wax arts and father's 'surgical genius' and the parents hated them like cattle.

The town did exist and the local people benefitted financially from the twins, which is why they were 'waxed' with a device that approximated the surgical experience and put on display, so Bo and Vincent could now be the ones to say, "I see YOU. Anyone stumbling across the town would have to be eliminated to cover the crimes (and allow the twin's their "control" over their privacy against being in "the limelight".
All subsequent visitors are in danger the moment they take an interest in "the exhibits" as an audience.

There are 'hints' that this is indeed the core plot.
The desperate intro. The existence of the Siamese Twin's wax sculpture. The news clippings of father's surgical separation of the twins. The screening of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" in the theater.
But SHEESH! What a botch, and that's ignoring the plot problems with
car trouble and "getting lost" while in possession of NAVSTARS, two cell phones, enough money to buy big game tickets for six people on game day at
scalper's prices, yet not thinking to call for fan belt assistance based on NAVSTAR coordinates! And then Bo could have assaulted the attending tow truck down the road. OH WELL!

If "the dancing siamese twins" concept was the core plot as a dark satire on the business of entertainment and stage mothers then they should have been put on display and revealed IN THE MOVIE, like the stare of a hapless wax figure. The news clippings should have critiqued the twin's performance.
I'm actually still confused by the inuendos. Is this the film you saw too?

It would have also been more amusing if we had only seen both twins as "the same person"; from below the neck in the wax studio, etc., and/or only Bo's face in "normal conversation".
Then, when the sidekick Dalton is thrown to the cellar, forced to defend himself, and he "expects to see the face of Bo", but "is thrown for a loop by seeing Vincent for the first time", much better.

Btw, was that supposed to be Vincent Price as the usher with the flashlight in the theater? The figure looked like his off-screen appearance a bit, though I can't be sure.

[–] imafaik 19 years ago

I miss the drive-in experience. They've been replaced in the Los Angeles area
by indoor multiplexes.
I saw the original Night of the Living Dead at 12:30 A.M. at a drive-in.
There is just no substitute for watching an effective horror picture
while sitting in your car under the darkness of the night next to unseen strangers hidden in stranger vehicles, and yet I could still savor the comeraderie of screams and whoops shared by all the moment the great shock scenes played. Even through rolled-up windows on a chilly autumn night the response to a great moment is audible.

I think anymore that I would prefer the sound to be broadcast in stereo to my car's FM, though I miss the nights of B horror films played through the sound of 100 external outdoor speakers.
The last time I was at a Drive-In they had Cine-Fi, but it was A.M. Mono only.
I hope the Digital Effects Processors found in modern home theater receivers someday offer a "100+ external Drive-In speakers" effect in 5.1 surround for accompanying classic B-films on DVD.
A similar effect would be to recreate the sound of 100+ pocket transistor radios with 3-inch PM speakers playing from all directions and distances on a hot summer beach in the 1960's. Then give me some Beatles, Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, or Motown. The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" would sound great there too.

When I was a kid in Pennsylvania we had the Super 66 Drive-In, which frequently featured Dusk-Til-Dawn line-ups like "The Sad Sack", "The Spiral Road", "Walk on the Wild Side", and "The Magic Sword" on the same bill.
In those drive-in days years before the invention of the VCR, the Dusk-Til-Dawn shows often ran a mix of old and new films and sometimes included rare selections like "Magic Boy"(1959). Magic Boy was (in 1963) my first experience with Japanese Anime and vivid animated violence. The witch is literally cut into cubes of flesh by the hero's sword.
The Super 66 also had "Buck-A-Carload" nights where everyone in the car got in for the price of a single dollar. On these nights they usually re-ran "The Sad Sack".

I hear that George Romero is at the top of his form and I can't wait.
He's a very good storyteller.

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

The world needs more drive-in theaters. I think the ones that are still around, should only show their new movies on weekends. The rest of the week should show older movies, and of course horror during the midnight showing. I know I'd go as often as I could afford. The one I went to is only open Friday, Saturday, & Sunday and only during the summer. Its not alot but I'll take it. lol

Oh and if you're a Romero fan, here are some links that you may find interesting, at least I hope lol. Plus, when someone clicks them I get points on the site, which I can use to buy Land of the Dead merchandise. Lord knows I can't afford it. lol I know, I sound like a spam whore but I can't afford these items so I felt why not kill two birds with one stone by getting me some merchandise WHILE helping out Romero and doing some advertising for him. I think the man deserves it. lol

http://zombiearmy.fanpimp.com/zombiearmy/index.html?fuseaction=tools.invlink&u=jondiamond&linkID=5 Zombie Army - Official Fansite for Land of the Dead

http://zombiearmy.fanpimp.com/zombiearmy/index.html?fuseaction=tools.invlink&u=jondiamond&linkID=4 IMDb's Message Board for Land of the Dead

http://zombiearmy.fanpimp.com/zombiearmy/index.html?fuseaction=tools.invlink&u=jondiamond&linkID=44 Important News- "Dont worry, George is still here"

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

Hey "Legs", Ima, Squqash, et.al.

First off Legs, I'm gonna make you jealous! Got an AUTOGRAPHED COPY, by Romero, of "Dawn of the Dead" at a yard sale for $2.00 I *beep* you not. Its the VHS limited edition "directors cut." The woman having the sale and her hubby were apparently going through a bit of a bitter split, and this was his...

Isn't re-making a Vincent Price movie a bit like telling Paul Prudhomme that you're going to teach his dumb ass how to make Cajun food? How arrogant, not to mention just plain stupid, do you have to be?? "Get the Hell out of that car, Mario, I'll show you how to drive!!" Re. our earlier conversation about "horror" and "suspense" Vincent had that DOWN! All he had to do was look at you in the right way, and you just knew something bad was about to go down. Now, you're not only going to copy it, you're going to IMPROVE on it?!? You'll have to pardon me if I don't hold my breath, I don't look good in blue.

Now then, onto the drive-ins. Aaaahhh, a subject close to my heart. I grew up about 300 yards away from the "Valley-Vu" drive in. (Their sign was an airplane wing turned on its side and bolted to a huge concrete base. I think it was off a DC-10, but I can't say for sure) Along the side of their outside wall was a canal. On the other side of the canal were a few trees. In one of the trees was my brother and I's and our friends tree-house/club-house. I can't tell you the number of nights we "slept over at Cory's house" while Cory "slept over at Mikes house" while Mike 'Slept over at David's house" while David "slept over at our house." *whew* While we all, in fact, went over to the clubhouse and watched the movie!! Everyone still had the window speakers then, and so even though we were about fifty yards away, we could still hear everything just fine. I got to see car chases, shoot-outs, topless women (!), all when I was 9 or 10 years old, and all for free! Nothing good lasts forever, of course. About 10 years ago the "Valley-Vu" closed. It's an apartment complex now...*sigh*

Which leads me to one final note: If the drive ins ever switch to an all radio format, I'm screwed. My daily driver is a 1963 International Harvester "Scout-80" and it dosen't have a radio! The drive-in we have have out here, (the only one left in a city of nearly 3 million people) still uses the speaker-boxes in two of their 5 screens. I may have to break down and install an A.M. radio, but I fear modern technology.

(on a personal note. "Finals" my ASS!! You made that six-breasted woman, didn't ya?!?! And now, you won't even share. Man, you think you know who your friends are...)

To those of you who are fathers, Happy fathers day. To those of you who aren't, be glad it's them and not you : )

Jan: "A head...without a body..."
Crow: "Is like a day without sunshine."

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, you "Monster Kids", I fondly remember drive-in theaters (you won't find any in Houston, Texas, unless I am very mistaken). I saw some cool old monster movies at them: "The Cyclops", "Killer Shrews", "Catch 22"...well, that one wasn't a monster movie but the ending was sca-a-ary!

I remember the bad and the good -- the mosquitos, the warm summer night, the playground right in front of the screen, the refreshments that didn't quite live up to the intermission loops but it didn't matter, coming attractions hyperbole, "what's going on in the car next to us?", and the just plain excitement of a 25-foot high screen.

I derive buckets of nostalgia from such memories.

And there are some pretty good websites devoted to the subject.

GCH-5, you lucky b*st*rd, I would have been in heaven to have a treehouse overlooking the local drive-in. Expoitation features at 10 years old. Wow!

On a final note, I have seen the trailer for "War of the Worlds, Spielberg-Style" and I am underwhelmed. I'll just rent the old Pal flick and watch it in the comfort of my bedroom (hey, no damn commercials).

Take care everybody!

The Squashster

[–] gch-5 19 years ago

Yeah, Squahpants, or just get the audio tape. the best screen of all is in your head...

One other thought on drive-ins. I found this out doing research on a paper one time. Most cities have some agency or another that has old aerial photos of the city. You can usually get copies of them for either free, or at a bout $2 each. If you want to depress yourself (and hey! who dosen't?) drop in sometime and get some photos from about the late fifties. I mentioned that our city has one drive-in left. In 1959, just in the two pictures I had, I counted eleven. I know most modern film is junk at best, but...The drive-in is a dying breed, my friends. If you are lucky enough to live in a town that still has one, try to patronize it. For those of you where there aren't any left, well..sorry. (and yes, I know. There aren't any horse-and-buggies left either. I'll be the first to admit that this is, at best, a losing battle. Or, more likely, a war thats already been lost...)

gch-5

[–] tennjed03 19 years ago

Hey guy's just wanted to say that I'm a fan of the Brain that Wouldn't Die! I went on an old sci-fi/horror kick a few years ago and a friend purchased it for me. It was maybe the first DVD I owned. This is a great movie!

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Hey, you brainophiles that just love a bad movie, I am posting a series on the "Dungeon of Harrow" at that film's board.

Check it out -- I will be adding more of this movies unintentionally funny lines over the next few days.

The Squashster

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

Hey, what happen here folks? Did you folks forget all about our beloved "Brain"? Where has everyone been? You didn't get decapitated and wind up being in a pan did ya? Is there a "Squash In A Pan" out there somewhere? lol

"Personally... I'd kinda like to slay the dragon."

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Legs!

Oh, I mean, Mr. Diamond.

What's happenin'?! I've been kinda immersed in my other crap movie obsession:

DUNGEON OF HARROW

Stroll on over and see my new post. Uh, have you ever seen this little stinker?
You owe it to yourself.

I did have a look-see at "Brain" again the other day and noticed another nice little mistake:

After the patient on the table dies, the nurse takes the ventilator mask off of the man. Then the Cortners go to work on the corpse and whne the guy comes back to life, the rubber balloon begings to inflate and deflate to the man's resuscitated breathing.

Only problem is, the patient is no longer connected up to the ventilator hose, so there is no way his breath could be getting to the balloon!

Gotta love it!

Virginia Leith just turned 73. God, I wish someone could persuade her to talk about TBTWD before she croaks.

Anyway, Dudeski, post a line every now and then to let us know you are still with us.

Maybe GCH will give a holler.

Squash

[–] JonDiamond 19 years ago

I never have seen Dungeon of Harrow but I'm sure they'll slap it on a 50 pack one of these days and I'll see it. lol

Speakin' of which, Treeline Films, the same company that put out the "Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack", has put out another 50 pack. "Chilling Classics". These movies range from 1959 to 1990, although they're mostly from the 70's and 80's. I ordered mine the other day and can't wait to get it. Just incase anyone is interested, here is a list of the movies.

Death Rage -- Yul Brynner
Memorial Valley Massacre -- Cameron Mitchell
Medusa -- George Hamilton
Deadtime Stories -- Scott Valentine
Scream Bloody Murder -- Fred Holbert
Bell from Hell, The -- Viveca Lindfors
Metamorphosis -- Gene LeBrock
Naked Massacre -- Mathieu Carriere
Haunts -- May Britt
Christmas Evil -- Brandon Maggart
Driller Killer -- Abel Ferrara
Horror Express -- Christopher Lee
Snake People, The -- Boris Karloff
Sisters of Death -- Arthur Franz
War of the Robots -- Antonio Sabato
Oasis of the Zombies -- Manuel Gelin
Witches’ Mountain, The -- Patty Shepard
Deep Red -- David Hemmings
Revenge of Doctor X, The -- James Craig
Bad Taste -- Peter Jackson
Virus -- Glenn Ford
Milpitas Monster, The -- Douglas Hagdohl
Funeral Home -- Kate Hawtrey
Lady Frankenstein -- Joseph Cotten
Silent Night, Bloody Night -- Patrick O’Neal
Panic -- David Warbeck
Messiah of Evil -- Michael Greer
Blancheville Monster, The -- Gerard Tichy
Cathy’s Curse -- Alan Scarfe
Alpha Incident, The -- Ralph Meeker
Demons of Ludlow, The -- Paul Von Hausen
Cold, The -- Carol Perry
Hands of a Stranger -- Paul Lukather
Gothic -- Julian Sands
Man in the Attic -- Jack Palance
Demon, The -- Cameron Mitchell
Crypt of the Living Dead -- Andrew Prine
Track of the Moon Beast -- Chase Cordell
Ghost, The -- Barara Steele
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter -- John Lupton
Dr. Tarr’s Torture Dungeon -- Claudio Brook
Bloody Brood, The -- Peter Falk
House of the Dead -- John Ericson
Slashed Dreams -- Peter Hooten
Bucket of Blood, A -- Dick Miller
Horrors of Spider Island -- Harald Maresch
Legend of Big Foot, The -- Stafford Morgan
Devil’s Hand, The -- Robert Alda
I Bury the Living -- Richard Boone
Drive-in Massacre -- Jake Barnes

It usually runs about $20 online, don't think they sell them in stores.

Well shave my poodle! - Michael Ian Black "Ed"

[–] gluba2000 19 years ago

That list of films doesn't include Let's Scare Jessica to Death on it.

A creepy favorite of mine....

"87% of the Caucasion Persuasion has got it goin' on."
--Wonder Showzen

[–] persian-purr 19 years ago

Hi Squashpants.
I was flicking through the channels the other night and came across this movie. It was at the point where he was running to his laboratory with her wrapped up head. In no time at all, I realised I was watching a really bad movie.
My son came in the lounge and asked what I was watching. "Just some crap" was the reply.
He came in 20 minutes later and asked had it got better. "No, it's gotten worse, if that's possible."
He came in near the end. "This is the worst film I have ever seen." I told him.
"Why are you still watching it?".
"Because it's disturbingly intriguing."

He grinned becuase that is the same conclusion we had come to not long before with the British series "League of Gentlemen",(for different reasons).

So, just letting you know, this Australian woman found your show on pay TV and couldn't turn the bloody awful thing off. I found the stripclub scene the most interesting. Whislt finding it difficult to think of anyone on the show as a professional actor, clearly the strippers weren't. In fact, I think you may be right in assuming they were perhaps real strippers. But then again, strippers are in the business of "acting" so maybe they weren't. I loved the music playing in this scene.

I kept imagining the person who wrote this script, and shaking my head. He must've had a healthy ego to think it was ready to go.

That being said I COULDN'T STOP WATCHING IT!

Just as I have sat here for ages reading through the last two years of posts on this thread.

Perhaps I am just a glutton for punishment because now I am thinking about how to find that other movie you are currently raving about. Dungeon of Harrow.

Bye for now.

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Ms. P-purr, you have brightened my day considerably with your picquant observations on the mystery of the charms of "The Brain That Wouldn't Die".

Believe me, I know EXACTLY where you are coming from.

The little POS is rife with some undefinable quality which makes it well nigh irresistable, even as you sit with the utter resignation that you are being seduced by a pile of celluloid that Hitchcock wouldn't deign to use as birdcage liner.

Welcome, Sister!

Well, then by all means, I encourage you to take at least one peek at "Dungeon of Harrow" (careful with my IMDb postings on said movie -- they are full of spoilers).

You may not find it on par with TBTWD, but I guarantee you that, given more than 1 or 2 viewings, it WILL grow on you.

Until cauterization is the only course of action.

Visit again soon.

Cheers!

[–] washboard 19 years ago

I bought this on ebay for £1.99 as it was reccommended as one of the worst films ever made on one of the Ed Wood boards. A real bargain!

Actually, I found it to be very watchable and quite intriguing. As someone said earlier watching I felt I was in the twighlight zone between sleep and waking. Similar in some ways to Eraserhead. This is probably due to it being shot in black and white, with surreal touches and with odd sound. The disjointed story and 'goofs' do not stand out as they merely add to the dream-like atmosphere. There is something quite shocking in seeing a severed head in a pan speaking. Even though it is clearly impossible, it still stirs up uncomfortable feelings.

Someone told me that Lovecraft, who wrote this and other gothic tales, went insane in his early thirties.

[–] corriganville 19 years ago

If you guys are still looking for info on the strippers, I googled Bonnie Sharie, and found this link to am ebay auction featuring this "Look at this wonderful collectable from the 1950s. This is the MAY 1957 issue of FOLLIES. This 8” x 10” mag in good condition with very slight wear on the cover, but very good inside, is filled with page after page after page of sexy daring pics of babes. This issue includes Joyce Miles on the cover, Adele Baker, Laura Lor, Stripper Flame Fury, Lorelei Fay, Barbara Watson, Julie Gibson, 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL-JAYNE MANSFIELD, DOLORES REED, SHANE CORDELL, CATHY POWELL, AUDREY VOGEL, MARY LOU WESTON,<b>BONNIE SHARIE</b>, LOIS MATHEWS and more, Kathy Lodge, Audrey Starr, Gale O’Shay, Beauty of the Month-RUSTY FISHER-color center fold, Gloria Pall, Patricia Gregory, Jackie Walker, Maria Manton, Erna Rossman, Sue Sorrel and lots more making this a rare collectable… Look at my other items to save on s&h… The link is
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7006498479&category=280 and the auction is still going. It's not mine, by the way.
I also found a Moulin Rouge club in Sunset Blvd that existed in the fifies but looks too high class and too big. But here's a picture of it http://www.yesterdayla.com/Graphics/MoulinRouge1.jpg
My daughter and I just finished watching TBTWD. What a hoot! It seemed like two screenwriters collided and got their scripts mixed up, one a sci-fi movie and the other a stag film. I remember Jason Evers from Guns of Will Sonnet. He'd ride on one side of a rock while his dad, Walter Brennan, and son would ride on the other searching for him - 'no brag, just fact'. Somehow I missed this one back in the days of Chiller Theater.

[–] Squashpants 19 years ago

Whoa, Corriganville! I am impressed that you Googled at the right moment to pick this up, as I have tried doing just that numerous times before without significant consequence.

I am sorely tempted to bid on it. The seller doesn't set a S&H cost which leads me to believe it will not be a fair amount.

But, if I remember correctly, these rags would print (supposedly) biographical info in their spreads.

Very tempting....

Thanks millions for the heads-up and for your comments.

Please come again.

The Squashster

[–] sistergrimm 18 years ago

I don't recall when I first saw this film on TV -- I like to think it was on one of the local spook shows in LA in the late 60's. I was electrified by the little details I saw -- the exotic dancers, the photographer's model, the ripped-off arm, the bloody smear, the cat fight -- that made this film look more like an old detective magazine than the quaint, polite horror films from the Shock Theatre package. Sure, it was the sleaze and gore that attracted me, but it was the early feminist slant that got me hooked on TBTWD!

Hear me out, now. This film, viewed from a woman's standpoint, looks like the original Lifetime Movie: A woman, her future as wife and mother glittering brightly before her as the fiancee of a brilliant young surgeon, suffers a tragic accident. In the aftermath she discovers she is crippled both by being a quadraplegic and an undereducated single woman in an elite white European patriarchy. The surgeon perceives her problem as being strictly cosmetic -- to him, she is nothing but a body, and he will select whose body at that. To that end, he exerts his surface charms as a man of wealth and privilege on other downtrodden, undereducated and undifferentiated middle-class females to use and discard. Ignoring Jan'pleas for diginity and individuation, she makes alliances with the other disenfranchised residents of the country house. Kurt still has faith in the status quo -- he has too much invested in the doctor's success despite the fact that it has turned him into a whipped, disfigured lackey. The thing in the closet, however, has nothing to lose -- having experienced no kind of life, even his death is preferable to the ignorance and isolation of the closet. Him inside, and her outside, bond together to achieve the overthrow of the privileged oppressor.

Cortner's ineffectual assertions of love evaporate utterly as he prepares to operate, silencing his fiance's protests brutally with an application of (red?) tape. Ultimately, saving Doris, the innocent already-victimized artist's model(symbolizing Freedom of Expression?)from exploitation is sufficient cause for these brave revolutionaries to sacrifice themselves in the extermination of the morally corrupt medico-industrialist and his cowardly lackey. A glorious morning of equality shall rise again from the ashes of the Country Place at dawn.

Well, what do you think, sirs?

"I thought I told you to come alone."

[–] trueaspect 18 years ago

i think im in love

[–] Squashpants 18 years ago

Whew! Joe Green couldn't even guess how far ahead of his time he was.

Certainly an "ahem, interesting" interpretation of our coprous little jewel, and we toadying chauvinist sperm-donors salute your analytic prowess, Sister.

Cortner certainly is a rank bastard (even if he can flow cigarette smoke from mouth to nose -- impressive little trick)and I am quite happy to see him get his just desserts.

I just hope that Monster-in-the-Closet and Doris lived happily ever after.

[–] sistergrimm 18 years ago

No, no Squashy-poo! The one unwritten scene in TBTWD should come at the end, when the MITC dumps Doris on the lush front lawn and rejoins Jan-in-the-Pan to rapidly oxidize in the burning lab. To borrow a phrase from "Bride of Frankenstein;" "We belong. . . dead."

My analysis is admittedly somewhat overwrought; it's tough enough being a female of the "Monser Boomer" generation without being afflicted with a vision of Jan-in-the-Pan as Annie Sullivan to The Closet-Monster's Helen Keller.

After watching too many timid little things screaming, tripping and fainting way through too many atomic-era monster movies, this pic was like a bracing slug of firewater. It's a common observation in the examination of gender differences in monster fandom that "men want to BE the monster, women want to MARRY the monster (probably after reforming him :)" This was the one film where I felt like the monster instead of the monster-bait.

Another interesting bit of iconoclasm is despite the widespread expectation of the era that the bride be a virgin, Cortner went shopping for his wife-to-be's body-to-be in some pretty unlikely meat markets.

Still, a great flick for sleaze-ficionados of all genders: If you want to deliver a message, send an e-mail.

"I thought I told you to come alone."

[–] trueaspect 18 years ago

squash...saw an article in the toronto star yesterday about criterion releasing equinox...ive never heard of this movie...just wondered if youve seen it & what you thought of it if you did...was dennis muren's first movie...did it when he was a kid

[–] Squashpants 18 years ago

Hey, True.

I have seen "Equinox" a couple of times since it has come out on VHS.

The first thing about it that appealed to me was the obvious lack of budget. Like so many interesting films under the general heading of "psychotronic", the resourcefulness of the filmmaker shines through.

Despite the lack of money, Jack Woods pulled together a talented little group of SFX guys, Dennis Muren among them (I see he was uncredited). Of course, Dave Allen and Jim Danforth's particpation is celebrated in whatever reviews you will find of the pic. They did a great job with what they had, which couldn't have been much. My favorite is the stop-motion giant "land-octopus" which lays seige to the cabin of Dr. Waterman.

But the film is full of interesting quirks, such as an early appearance by Frank Bonner, who went on to play Herb Talek in the TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinatti".

The director (Jack Woods) appears in his own movie as the demon Asmodeus, doing some outrageous mugging in his disguise as a Game Warden.

I am not sure that this film is worth spending a lot of money to own. But it is worth a rent to have a look.

I checked out the IMDb entry for it and there is a lot of message board activity on it. You might want to see what others are saying about this movie.

Come back here aytime!

[–] Clockwork_Assassin 18 years ago

hello squashpants!

where do i begin? well, im 27 years old. my father is a die-hard 30's-80's horror, B-movie, schlock fan. when i was young i took to his intrests. i grew up reading his collection of 'famous monsters of film land's', 'tales from the crypts', 'vault of horror's', 'creepy/eerie's', etc. back in the early 80's, the affliated channels of fox and abc would air 50's b/w movies late at night. oh how i miss those days! i would watch them alone in the basement on the rabbit-ear'd tv in my dad's dark, windowless movie-memrobilia office. sometimes i would watch them with my dad and it would be like watching them for the first time again for him because the advent of the vcr wasn't established yet. my first 'r' movie i saw was creepshow in 1984 or 1985. i would have been 4 or 5.

well, when reading my dad's monster magazines, i came across a magazine titled "mad monsters". he only had maybe 10 issues of it. on issue 4, i believe had 'the brain that wouldn't die' on the cover, done in a wonderfull oil/gauche montage. pretty scary stuff. i then saw this movie when i was 5 or 6
on fox during the afternoon on a program that someone else quoted, 'creature-feature' or it could have been on the other one on detroit's fox (wkbd) channel, 'saturday shockers'. i tend to have a good memory, and for whatever reason, i can remember this day pretty well. i was watching the movie and it was stormy outside and in the middle of the picture, my mom and i had to go across the street to our neighbor's house for a minute for whatever reason.so i asked if i could watch the movie there. the neighbor brought me some of those candies that look like citrus slices with rinds and sugar on the back of them.

i love this movie as well as many 50's b/w horrors. so it was a given, that me and my dad would get into mst3k when it came out. and after several years, much to my enjoyment the brain that wouldn't die was on. i always liked it when a film would be on there that i enjoyed, like "squirm" and "the incredible melting man"...to see how they would make fun of it.

so there ya go.

nice talking to you.

It's ALWAYS about Nathan Grantham's undead satanic zombie powers.

[–] Squashpants 18 years ago

Welcome, C-A!

Always nice to hear from another Brain fan.

You are very fortunate to have had a Dad (as old as me) who was an obvious "Monster Kid".

You can get videocassettes or DVD's of practically any horror/sci-fi movie you would want, but when I and your Dad were kids, you either saw it first-run at the local theater, or saw it on TV.

I have fond memories of laying on the floor in the late-night dark with the old B&W console flickering the images of monsters and babes-in-distress.

I'm jealous that you had access to a bitchin' collection of Monster Mags. Lucky you!

Whenever news surfaces about "The Brain That Wouldn't Die", please come here and post it.

I do, whenever I can.

Check in every once in a while.

The Squashster

[–] voclizr 18 years ago

Info on Eddie Carmel. Very good! Mentions the movie briefly.
http://www.soundportraits.org/on-air/the_jewish_giant/
John Bowen

[–] porfle 18 years ago

Has anyone mentioned this continuity error yet? I watched it again last week and noticed that when Cortner is in the stripper bar, we see a party of people get out of their booth and leave, and Cortner sits in it. When he gets up to go into the back room, there's a cutaway shot of that same party of people sitting in the booth again.