Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
GOODBYE, GEORGE WENDT
Most think of you in a comedic way, which is understandable. You sure made a grand impression as good ol' Norm Peterson on Cheers.
Some forget, however, that you also made a quality mark on several imagi-productions, including John Landis' Masters of Horror episode, "Family," Jekyll and Hyde ... Together Again, Dreamscape, Somewhere in Time, Space Truckers, Bryan Loves You, I Lost My Body, Forever Young, House and various episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Of course, there's more than even that to your brimming resume: Santa Buddies, Christmas with the Campbells, A Colbert Christmas, Spice World, Fletch, Bronco Billy, The Independents, Anarchy TV, Thief of Hearts, My Bodyguard, Airplane II: the Sequel, Dennis the Menace Strikes Again, Sandy Wexler, Young Lust, Grand-daddy Day Care, Prairie Dogs, The Climb, A Wedding, Opposite Day, Dream Fight, Americanish, Stealing a Survivor, Gung Ho, Saturday Morning, Rupert's Land, Hostage for a Day, Guilty by Suspicion, Never Say Die, Plain Clothes, Man of the House, Unnatural Causes, The Little Rascals 1994, The Lovemaster, Wake up America!, Kids in America, King of the Ants, My Dinner with Jimi, Teddy Bears' Picnic, Wild About Harry, Outside Providence, Lakeboat, The Prime Gig and Garage: A Rock Saga.
Beyond Cheers, you became a regular on The Naked Truth (as Les Polonsky) and guest starred on Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Columbo and gained your very own series, The George Wendt Show, plus for an extra twist, you acted as the disgruntled dad in Michael Jackson's classic video, "Black or White."
For certain, you covered vast turf, Mr. Wendt: an actor who was more versatile than perceived, but for the sake of destined longevity, the proof of your talents will be appreciated far more than you know.
THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE
I obtained a copy of Classic Monsters of the Movies' salute to Hammer's next-to-the-last, Dracula movie: 1973's The Satanic Rites of Dracula (aka Dracula and his Vampire Bride in the U.S.).
Like Dracula A.D. 1972, Satanic Rites is a "modern" entry, though it doesn't play upon its gimmick in quite the manner of the former. It's deathly serious in its off-kilter nature, with Christopher Lee's Count performing a somber, Bela Lugosi impersonation from the sinister shadows at one point, all the while plotting to purge life on Earth via a bubonic-plague variant. On this basis, Satanic Rites is, without question, Hammer's darkest and most pessimistic submission.
The plot's palpable, "grown up" grimness is well analyzed by authors/researches Nige Burton and Jamie Jones, who reconstruct the movie's genesis, as well as the many artists who brought it to melodramatic life: the aforementioned Lee (in his last appearance as the Count) and Peter Cushing (reprising his next-generation, Van Helsing role of Dracula A.D.), with Joanna Lumley, Freddie Jones, William Franklyn, Michael Coles, Richard Vernon, Barbara Yu Ling, director Alan Gibson and screenwriter Don Houghton, both of whom worked on Dracula A.D.
Burton and Jones also lament Satanic Rites' lackluster advent, which gained more disdain than accolades. Today, however, its frightful, spy-steered espionage has gathered a heathy following, and this Classic Monsters offering is but one clear case in point.
The issue also contains fun facts, clever quotes and revealing trivia, as well as sharp stills and artistic promotions that can't help but entrance.
Word has it that the Satanic Rites edition is becoming scarce, so if you don't yet possess it, I advise you to move fast.
Order at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/rare-signed-the-satanic-rites-of-dracula-1973-ultimate-guide-signed-art-print/
LARRY JOHNSON'S MADAME BOOGALA, IN COLOR!
As Bizarrechats visitors are aware, I reviewed two black-and-white compilations earlier this month, headlined by Larry Johnson's tearoom baddie, Madame Boogala.
For those who've since taken the plunge into the madame's weird wonderment (per The Complete Madame Boogala, Vol 1 & 2), here's a scoop that's sure to please. For Johnson's original releases, Madame Boogala arrived in color!
For the sake of the issues' searing content, they roll as follows: Issue #1 has our crafty gypsy struggling with a translucent spirit, draped in men's clothing; Issue #2 depicts the madame's unwary son, Goomar, possessed by the fierce Poreskoro, a Land of Darkness demon; and Issue #3 reveals a young man who, for all intent, may be Goomar's gracious son, but in truth, the sly devil has something devious up his sleeve. (These prime cuts are supplemented by informative "Mysterious Myths" and other related inserts, which are certain to entertain and edify.)
Each issue (each panel) pops with such mindboggling vibrancy that one can't help but be bewitched. On this basis, every Madame Boogala fan needs this set in their collection.
BTW: Further details on this radiant series, including page counts and prices, are located at
https://sites.google.com/view/larryjohnsoncomics/home?
When you're set to order, payments can be sent to Johnson by PayPal at LewBrown1@verizon.net. It won't be long thereafter that the dear ol' madame will appear at your doorstep to cast her iniquitous spells.😊
Monday, May 19, 2025
THE HAMMER DRACULA FILMS: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE
For fans of Hammer Film Production's Dracula franchise, Classic Monsters of the Movies, courtesy of writers/researchers Nige Burton, Jamie Jones and John Logan, have a tasty treat for you: The Hammer Dracula Films (1958-1973).
The 84-page, special edition goes pretty much right down the parasitic line, covering (Horror of) Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Scars of Dracula, Dracula A.D. 1972 and The Satanic Rites of Dracula (aka Dracula and his Vampire Bride), with alas, Brides of Dracula and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (aka The 7 Brothers Meet Dracula) excluded, though that is likely due to Christopher Lee's absence in them.
Nevertheless, this Hammer Dracula homage is one of Classic Monsters' best, covering the creative likes of James and Michael Carreras, Terence Fisher, Freddy Francis, Jimmy Sangster, Anthony Hinds (aka John Elder), James Bernard, the aforementioned Lee, Peter Cushing, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Janina Faye, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt, Francis Matthews, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Kerr, Thorley Walters, Patrick Troughton, Veronica Carlson, Barry Andrews, Linda Hayden, Ralph Bates, Michael Ripper, Jenny Hanley, Michael Gwynne, Stephanie Beacham, Christopher Neame, Caroline Munro and a smorgasbord more.
All of this comes with punctilious attention to plot constructions, background information and comparisons to Bram Stoker's immortal novel.
The stills and promotional additives (a number being rare) stand as a great treat to behold, particularly printed on Classic Monsters' laudable, high-stock paper.
Classic Monsters of the Movies: The Hammer Dracula Films is an encyclopedic triumph that will work as a handy, companion piece for whenever one revisits the Lee entries of this historic series.
Order at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-hammer-dracula-films-1958-1973-magazine/
LARRY JOHNSON'S IN HIS OWN WORLD
Artist/writer Larry Johnson's In His Own World may be his most buoyant and unusual submission, where he places himself among his endearing comic-book characters. (For the record, this ten-part, 48-page sojourn was published about twenty years ago in Tim Corrigan's All Comics APA, and now the chapters have resurfaced in a stylish, trade paperback.)
The winsome plot taps Richard Matheson's Twilight Zone fable, "A World of His Own" (though perhaps as filtered through the colorful palette of Hanna-Barbera), allowing Johnson to meet Lew Brown (for all intent, Johnson's comic-strip alter ego), who wishes to conduct an interview with his creator. Madame Boogala and her son, Goomar, soon appear, along with Dr. Young, Morpho, Zooy, Rubberonliea (aka Rhonda Cry), Chano, Cloud, Fog, Zero Man, Astro Lady, the Slithering Snake, Bad Guy, Clickwa, Reform and others.
The flow of manifestations works due to Johnson's inimitable, surreal style, with one character (and related scenario) springing from the other, prompting an unrepressed stream that matches his Dream Diary offerings, though with its culminating phases reminiscent of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. (There's a swell, Earth vs the Flying Saucers component woven in, too.)
Johnson's concept reminds us that what we envision constitutes who we are. Such are our special, cerebral imprints and should always be referenced and studied, if only to confirm where we've started, where we are at present and where we're likely to go.
Order In His Own World at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7FKPYP2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Sunday, May 18, 2025
COLLECTIBLE TIME: INVISIBLE INVADERS/TALES OF TERROR/THE SPIDER LOBBY CARDS
On a fleeting, flea-market browse, I came upon additional, 11" x 14", lobby-card reproductions for my collection, presented here per stock submissions to instill prime clarity.
The first (kicking off this post) is a poster reproduction, promoting Edward L. Cahn/Samuel Newman's 1959 sci-fi/horror opus, Invisible Invaders, which depicts a greater, cataclysmic assault than seen in the subdued but creepy entry. The image is still worth possessing, and one can at least relish John Agar and Robert Hutton listed on the card, even if John Carradine is absent.😞
The second card is from Roger Corman/Richard Matheson's 1962, Edgar Allan Poe anthology, Tales of Terror, starring Peter Lorre and Vincent Price. (I love the scene where the two engage in a wine-tasting duel. When we you kids, my brother and I often emulated the melee, albeit with grape juice.😊)
The third submission is a Mexican card for Bert I. Gordon/George Worthing Yates/Laszlog Gorog's 1959, monster-teen romp, (Earth vs) the Spider (La Arana). I like the subdued, color scheme, as well as the black-and-white, photo inserts. The symbolic arachnid with skull is, of course, a common feature on most Spider posters/cards and is most welcome for its nifty, nostalgic reference.😉
Considering that I obtained all three for under ten bucks makes me feel pretty dang good. It just goes to show what one may find at one's local flea market.💓
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