Wednesday, August 19, 2026
THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE
When it comes to Amicus anthologies, The House That Dripped Blood summons maximum scares. As such, the always attentive Nige Burton & Jamie Jones have fashioned an adoring, 36-pg, Classic Monsters of the Movies edition for this famed, creepy, star-studded curation.
The House That Dripped Blood was produced by Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg, directed by television's prolific Peter Duffell and written by Robert (Psycho) Bloch (adapted from his published works). Their collaboration weaves a wicked blend of moralistic fright and sinister comedy.
The authors do a fine job critiquing the tales, each of which springs from a mysterious, old home, as relayed by a concerned police sergeant to a hardened, Scotland Yard inspector. The accounts include a horror author whose fictional character begins to influence his behavior; two gents drawn to a wax, Salome figure, which resembles a shared, lost love from their past; a girl who uses witchcraft on her callous father; and an arrogant, horror star who obtains an antique cape that transforms him into a veritable vampire.
The cast is phenomenal, and Burton & Jones supply informative bios on the participants. They include Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Ingrid Pitt, Jon Pertwee, Denholm Elliott, Joanna Dunham, John Bennett, Joss Ackland, Chole Franks, Tom Adams, Geoffrey Bayldon and Nyree Dawn Porter: indeed, a tip-top queue and (obviously) with a few who've more than made their mark in the imagi-field.
In so many ways, Burton & Jones' effort is as enjoyable as watching the actual film, but in the least, the edition works as a handy and fun, photo-laden supplement to it.
Order yours at
I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES SALUTE
The "ultimate edition" of Classic Monsters of the Movie's I Was a Teenage Frankenstein has landed, and the 36-pg release performs as an ideal companion piece to the publisher's I Was a Teenage Werewolf edition (see January 2024 post), thanks to the detailed-oriented Nige Burton & Jamie Jones and their creative production team.
As fans are aware, Teenage Frankenstein launched Gary Conway's career, much in the way that Teenage Werewolf launched Michael Landon's. Burton & Jones acknowledge Conway's prevalent presence in this respect, capped by his portrayal of Captain Steve Burton in Irwin Allen's sci-fi classic, Land of the Giants.
Though Conway's impressive resume is emphasized, the authors also give credit to others who brought Teenage Frankenstein to life, including director Herbert L. Strock, writers Herman Cohen and Abel Kanden and composer Paul Dunlap.
Additionally, they supply a rundown on the movie's superb, supporting cast, headlined by Whit Bissell, aka Professor Frankenstein, who portrayed the hypnotic Dr. Alfred Brandon in Teenage Werewolf, as well as having costarred in Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Time Machine (1960 & 1978), The Time Tunnel and Soylent Green. Plus, the authors add pleasing bios on Phyllis (The Adventures of Superman/Panther Girl of the Congo) Coates, Robert (The Slime People/Invasion of the Animal People/The 50 Foot Bride of Candy Rock) Burton, George (The Werewolf/Adventures of Captain Marvel) Lynn and John (The Siege of Red River/The Asphalt Jungle) Cliff, among others.
Teenage Frankenstein was designed to be gruesome, and the authors acknowledge its jarring tapestry, in particular the creature's unsettling assembly. (Of course, the monster's mangled appearance speaks for itself: the utter stuff of nightmares.)
I sure do hope that Burton & Jones tackle How to Make a Monster, Blood of Dracula (aka Blood Is My Heritage), and Invasion of the Saucer Men for future editions, but for now, their terrific tributes to Teenage Frankenstein and Teenage Werewolf should more than stoke one's adolescent quirks and primal desires:
Monday, August 17, 2026
SO LONG, SCREAMING MAD GEORGE
You were one of the avant-garde greats, a maestro of the wicked and absurd, all made beautiful through your skillful hands.
Your contributions are staggering, with your creations featured in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors; A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master; Bride of Re-Animator; Beyond Re-Animator; Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation; Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker; Children of the Corn 3: Urban Harvest; Curse 2: The Bite; Big Trouble in Little China; Tales from the Hood; Freaked; Space Truckers; Progeny; Society; Don't Panic; The Abyss; Predator; Arena (1989); Hide and Go Shriek; The Guyver; Faust: Love of the Damned; Tokyo: The Last War; and Boy in the Box, which you cowrote and directed.
Your punk-rock panache and colorful zeal were always a treat to behold, Mr. George. You were unique, talented and beyond debate, an irrefutable king of your kind. As with any great artist who leaves our realm, your loss cuts deep, but your mad dreams shall prevail.
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