Tuesday, February 18, 2025
THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE
A standout in folk horror is Piers (The Outcasts/Venom 1981/The Fiendish Plot of Fu Manchu) Haggard's 1971 contribution, (The) Blood on Satan's Claw.
The Hammer-styled, Cannon Film's release is commemorated by Classic Monsters of the Movies' writers/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones in a 36-page, high-stock, deluxe edition, which leaves no sinful stone unturned when covering the 18th-century-based, rustic fable. (For example, how many know that the movie commenced as an anthology?)
The plot, coscripted by Haggard with Robert (The Outcasts/The Judgment of Albion) Wynne-Simmons, underscores Burton & Jones' text, where a farmer disinters an "inhuman" corpse that the neighboring, young people believe harbors a advantageous, dark spirit. In the wake of its manifestation, a foreshadowing, demonic possession occurs, as well as a horrific, self-mutilation, underscored by a lass named Angel Blake, who harbors the corpse's "claw" and applies ritualistic telepathy to spur hideous, hairy splotches on the villagers' skin. They're compelled to cut these marks from their flesh and offer them to the reconstructing apparition. This leaves those yet unmarked to cower, but a haughty yet disciplined judge defies the supernatural coercion, marching forth to purge the community of Satan's hold.
Much of Satan's Claw's springs from its cast: Linda (Taste the Blood of Dracula/Madhouse/Night Watch/Vampira/Queen Kong) Hayden (who submits a potent, nude scene), Barry (Dracula Has Risen from the Grave/The Spy Who Loved Me/Doctor Who) Andrews; Patrick (Witchfinder General/Dr. Syn/Children of the Damned/The Skull/Repulsion) Wymark; Tamara (The Last Horror Movie/Blood From the Mummy's Tomb) Ustinov, Michele (And Soon the Darkness/Late Night Horror/The Witches) Dotrice; Howard (Berserk!/The Evil of Frankenstein/To the Devil a Daughter/Crucible of Horror) Goorney; Simon (Agony/The Uncanny) Williams; Robin (If.../Catweazle/Warship) Davies, Wendy (Doctor Who/Freewheelers) Padbury; Anthony (Doctor Who/You Only Live Twice/The Land That Time Forgot) Ainley; Charlotte (Village of the Damned/The Adventures of Black Beauty) Mitchell; as well as other, stately performers, met by pleasing biographies, including such contributors as cinematographer Dick (Twins of Evil/Dracula A.D. 1972/Phase IV/The Sorcerers) Bush and producer Tony (The Creeping Flesh/The Blood Beast Terror/Repulsion/The Sorcerers) Tenser, whose know-how accentuates the production's idyllic menace.
As with other Classic Monsters releases, Burton and Jones share insightful trivia and quotes from the entry, while uplifting their thorough text with vibrant stills and publicity tie-ins.
Satan's Claw has been too often overlooked by certain, foolhardy sectors, but despite its occasional flaws (and what movie is devoid of such?), it does deserve full, "classic" designation; many thanks to Burton and Jones for giving it the high, devilish designation it deserves.
Order at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/blood-on-satans-claw-1971-ultimate-guide-signed-art-print/
AIRSHIP 27'S THE PHANTOM DETECTIVE, VOL 3
Airship 27 Production's The Phantom Detective, Vol 3 is available for purchase.
The Phantom is a popular, masked, pulp-era crusader. In actuality, he's conscientious, Manhattan playboy, Richard Curtis Van Sloan. In the manner of Bruce Wayne, Van Loan embarks on missions after a signal is flashed atop the Clarion Building, where he meets newspaper honcho Frank Havens, who submits vexing, criminal cases that others can't crack.
For this volume, the Phantom's cases are composed by Fred Adams Jr., Carson Demmons, Michael F. Housel and Michael Black, with interiors by Kevin Broden and cover by Adam Shaw.
Plunge into the spellbinding annals of Vol 3 (as well as Airship 27's prior, Phantom anthologies) at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/195358991X?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Monday, February 17, 2025
SO LONG, KEVYN MAJOR HOWARD
Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket is your emblematic claim to fame, but your rugged persona traveled beyond your "Rafterman" role.
The Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry classic, Sudden Impact, is high on the list, as well as Death Wish II with Charles Bronson's Paul Kersey (in particular for the famous, "You believe in Jesus?" exchange), accompanied by Alien Nation; Crusade; Serial; Roadhouse 66; Livers Ain't Cheap; The Real Thing; Off the Minnesota Strip; The Big Black Pill; Scared Straight! Another Story; War Party; Freedom; and The Heroes of Desert Storm; with even an uncredited (though later acknowledged) part in De Palma's Scarface.
You accumulated a fair sum of television ventures, too, with guest spots on the original incarnations of Magnum P.I., MacGyver, The A-Team, CHiPs and Miami Vice, abetted by T.J. Hooker; Trapper John, M.D.; Cagney & Lacey; Riptide, Strike Force; 247-Robert; For Love and Honor; The Outsiders; Tucker's Witch; and Superboy. As a swell bonus, you were commemorated on the BBC series Headshot, for being a noted, face model.
You career rode the virile path, Mr. Howard, with a hard-nose guise that invariably benefitted those who stood in your presence. Your fans know it, appreciate it and won't soon forget it.
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