SAY U.N.C.L.E.! NAPOLEON SOLO WINS

A horse called Napoleon Solo won the 151st (2026) Preakness Stakes. The news outlets are ballyhooing the outcome for all it's worth, and yet it's baffling to me that few of the media's "omniscient" darlings have referenced the victorious creature's namesake. 

We're talking U.N.C.L.E. here, as in The Man from..., as portrayed by the suave Robert Vaughn and later down the line by the suave Henry Cavill (two actors associated with the Superman movie franchise, no less). Napoleon Solo, the name is pop-cultural royalty for crying out loud! It's a winning name for a winning protagonist and now a top-winning race horse.

Why then the omission? Call me petty, but I think it's infuriating that those in the alleged know either don't know or don't care.😠

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRED (2026), FROM BRO MIKE

 

LIQUOR IN NJ CINEMAS: A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

 

Thanks to some stupid-ass, New Jersey legislators, movie theaters may soon serve liquor to patrons. Without question, this is a recipe for disaster. 

The claim is that making liquor available will help encourage patrons to buy tickets. Well, if theaters owners wish to draw more patrons, how about starting the movies on time? How about limiting the advertisements and trailers? (Trailers can be fun, but who wants to sit through a string of romantic-comedy previews at a horror show? Just sayin'.)

The endless, go-nowhere construction in many NJ areas doesn't help, either, with entrances to many venues, including theaters, either blocked or traffic-jammed. Why this nonsense persists is beyond me, but believe me, it's a major dissuader. 

Despite the obvious remedies, the sale of liquor is what these nitwits are advocating. I wonder how soon the first intoxicated-prompted brawl, stabbing or shooting will occur if this becomes the ballyhooed norm. My guess is any of the above (or all) will strike pretty fast, with a ton of too-late-in-the-game, socio-political excuses (and inevitable blame games) ensuing, not to mention theaters closing for good. 

Thanks for nothin', guys. The sad thing is, this will  probably become an accursed reality. As the enraged George Taylor so aptly put it: "God damn you all to Hell!"

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: TRIPLE TERROR TREAT

 

SALLY THE ZOMBIE CHEERLEADER'S SCHOOL OF HORROR: WHITE ZOMBIE

I had a hankering for more Sally the Zombie Cheerleader's School of Horror, in particular material headlined by Bela Lugosi, since the flesh-feasting hostess' Vampire Over London tribute (see 5/13/26 post) proved such a bloody delight. And so, what should I find? Well, none other than Sally's enlightening seminar on one of the all-time greats, White Zombie. 

For the record, the episode is an older one, where Sally's ghastly origin is shared and pre-SkeleKat guest stars, Zombette, Mr. Hairy Hand and cooking guru, Morbid Stew, give their fiendish hellos and adieus. The content, however, is fresh across the morbid chalkboard, and it's amazing how well White Zombie holds up. Then again, White Zombie isn't called a classic for nothing.

The 1932, indie release was directed by Victor Halperin, who coproduced with his brother Edward, and written by Garnet Weston. To assure its success, it was filmed on leftover, Universal sets, which (beyond Lugosi's evident, magnetic draw) is likely why it captures the creepy feel of such moody influencers as Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy. 

In addition to its haunting ambiance, White Zombie introduces many tropes that still characterize living-dead pictures, though in its case, there's a macabre, Svengali-motivated marriage at its voodoo-plagued heart: A young lady is forced to die so that she may become a zombie bride.  

The cast does a wonderful job bringing the content to unnerving life, with Lugosi nothing short of mesmerizing as Murder Legendre, the undead's conniving master. He's joined by Madge Bellamy (the film's leading, zombie lady), along with Robert Foster, John Harron, George Burr Macannon, Brandon Hurst, Frederick Peters ... and Joseph Cawthorn. On the whole, the ensemble creates an urbane spookiness that further presses the implied, Universal charm. 

Sally embroiders the feature with silly skits and meritorious insights (e.g. the movie's vicious vulture isn't quite what it seems) and in so doing, keeps her studious Fleshies attentive and pleased. 

If one desires a lesson in old-school, Haitian lore, Sally the Zombie Cheerleader's School of Horror: White Zombie is formulated to hit the Lugosi-eyed spot. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVV0W3wjjXU

EQUINOX/EVIL DEAD DOUBLE FEATURE: HOSTED BY THE HOUSELS

Thanks to the success of our Magic Sword/Army of Darkness outdoors (canopy-capped) double feature, Donna and I have decided to conduct another thematic set. As with the prior event, this one will take place at the Home Base Cinema, 1300 Franklin St, Trenton, NJ, on May 19 (Tues), with the show starting at 7:45 pm.

On the agenda is Jack Woods/Dennis Muren's Equinox and Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead.

Equinox predates Evil Dead by a decade, but like the latter, the Jack H. Harris production uses a Lovecraftian book to conjure an onslaught of demons. The relentless specimens make matters quite daunting for our unwitting, young heroes, but boy, do they ever put up one helluva fight. 

The original Evil Dead is a cult trendsetter, having spawned a Necronomicon saga that still thrives to this day. The eerie effort was also a big breakthrough for Bruce Campbell and his rubbery, Ash character, who combats chaotic Deadites in an isolated cabin. The claustrophobia runs high in this one, and the demonic tension even higher!

Horror trailers from the 1970s and 1980s will open the proceedings and bridge both movies, with snacks and soft drinks available for those who show.

If you wish to attend, please email Donna at bizarrechats@gmail.com no later than May 17 (Sun), noon, to secure your seat(s). Lawn chairs will be queued, but feel free to bring your own accommodating furnishings to ensure maximum comfort. 

FOR THE FUN OF IT: