Saturday, October 10, 2026
SIMON & SCHUSTER'S NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD AUDIO PLAY (1988)
In 1988, an reinterpretation of George Romero & John Russo's Night of the Living Dead seemed special, and when Simon & Schuster released a version in the manner of an old-time radio play, now that caught folks' attention, even if NOTLD's general fanbase came to scorn it.
At the time, I had fun with the production, and after experiencing BrokenSea's Planet of the Apes & Beneath the Planet of the Apes audio editions (see early-October post), I got an itch to revisit this zombie effort.
In a way, the Simon & Schuster production reminds me more of a rapid-paced, Power Records release (albeit with harsh language) than a throwback, radio program, but no matter. The presentation (sold at the time on cassette and later CD) is a complementing though unusual diversion and on that basis deserves a listen.
The play also holds an interesting cast, led by Bill (Star Wars: A New Hope/Raiders of the Lost Ark) Hookins as Ben, Ed (U.F.O.) Bishop as the narrator and Harry Cooper, and Linda (Lynda) Hayes as Helen Cooper and Barbara.
Give the chapters a try. The reinterpretation may be a tad corny, but if you're open-minded, the dramatization might just win you over with its over-the-top, tie-in charm.
Friday, October 9, 2026
COLLECTIBLE TIME: ARROW'S FUTUREWORLD SPECIAL EDITION BOX SET
Several months back, Arrow released HD/Blu-ray box sets of one of the most prophetic, science fiction films of all time: Michael Crichton's Westworld (see March post). Now, Arrow has unleashed its popular sequel, Futureworld, also on HD/Blu-ray.
Directed by Arthur Hill and scripted by Mayo Simon and George Schneck, Futureworld was an anticipated hit in 1976. However, it swerved in a different direction than its 1973 foundation. Indeed, it acknowledged the cowboy calamity of the prior movie, but this time implanted a conspiracy motif, in which world leaders are to be replaced by androids.
As Woodward and Bernstein stand-ins, Peter Fonda's Chuck Browning and Blythe Danner's Tracy Ballard investigate the company behind the world-dominating plot: Delos. This occurs after an employee (Michael Podwell) blows the whistle on the insidious scheme and ends up murdered.
This troubling turn is conducted by the cordial but crafty Dr. Duffy, portrayed by director Hill. To expose his plans, layers are probed, along with Delos' Space Age/NASA-inspired attraction and its clandestine lairs, where a faceless robot named Clark (James M. Connor) makes an appearance, along with cooperating mechanic Harry Croft (Stuart Margolin). As a satisfying perk, Yul Brynner's Gunslinger even cameos in an electric dream. (Now, how about that!)
Along with Futureworld's stunning transfer, the Arrow release contains such spectacular supplements as an audio track by filmmaker/historian Daniel Kremer; an interview with producer Paul N. Lazarus III; a 1976, NASA fact-and-fiction documentary; a reversible sleeve featuring original, poster artwork and a revisionist take by Jeff Marshall; a collector's booklet, written by David Michael Brown, Barry Forshaw and James Rose; an image gallery; theatrical and TV trailers and radio spots.
Futureworld holds up well in light of the A.I. debate, incorporating Watergate worries with techno fears.
One can order either the HD or Blu-ray editions of Futureworld through Arrow, Amazon or any number of physical-media vendors. Like Arrow's Westworld, it's worth the pursuit.
COLLECTIBLE TIME: HALLMARK BATTLESTAR GALACTICA COLONIAL VIPER ORNAMENT
To accompany its previous Battlestar Galactica, Christmas-ornament releases (the flagship Galactica and Cylon Raider), Hallmark has released a stunning Colonial Viper for its October 2026 cycle.
The Viper was sculpted by the super-skillful Orville Wilson and measures 5.25" x 2" x 3". The ornament captures the inherent, fighting spirit of the crafts (and the Colonial Warriors who piloted them), as introduced in the franchise's 1978 feature and its expanded, television edition, "Saga of a Star World."
As one can see, the craft is laden with detail from every angle, making this one of the most splendid renditions of any ship from any space series in Hallmark's long line.
I'm proud to have this one in my collection, as it signifies Battlestar Galactica's pop-cultural endurance.
You, too, can purchase a Colonial Viper at your neighborhood Hallmark store or through the below link:
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