Friday, November 13, 2026
Thursday, November 12, 2026
I SAW EBENEZER
Ebenezer is the newest film adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's directed by Ti (The XXX Trilogy) West, adapted by Nathaniel Halpern and stars Johnny Depp in the titular role, in what (for whatever crafty cause) is called an "untold story," but leans on traditional turf more than not. (The "untold" segments of Ebenezer Scrooge's soulful sojourns have always existed in the character's Twilight Zone-ish, life-lesson trips through time. Without them, the story wouldn't be the cautionary classic we've come to adore. Ebenezer's setup, despite the marketing ploy, is no exception, but there are several backdrop extensions and fanciful quirks to distinguish this version from others.)
And sticking with tradition, Ebenezer features a competent cast that conjures significant personas we've come to call friends, whether they're in the flesh or spectral. In addition to the dynamic Depp, we get Rupert Grint's Bob Cratchit, Charlie Murphy's Mrs. Cratchit, Freddie Lee-Grey's Tiny Tim, Ian McKellen's Jacob Marley, Imogen Carter's Fan, Sam Claflin's Fred, Daisy Ridley's Clara (Fred's wife), Ian Midlane's Fezziwig, Ellie Bamber's Belle, Andrea Riseborough's Ghost of Christmas Past, Trammel Tillman's Ghost of Christmas Present, Robert Strange's Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and Alfie Buck and Arthur Conti's young Ebenezer, among other lithesome contributors.
Semblance-wise, the actors are well suited to achieve the story's charitable goal, even though a few have rubbed me the wrong way over the years with any number of venomous discourses; ah, well, its their performances that count here, not their misinformed declarations. (BTW: With this being a West movie, it's odd that Mia Goth wasn't cast. She'd have been ideal for several, choice roles.)
This version is also promoted as "Gothic horror," but the categorization is no revelation or novelty when to comes to A Christmas Carol, whether it be the book (subtitled "A Ghost Story") or its many adaptations of stage and screen. With West considered a horror director, the expectation for an opaque, gloomy mystique makes sense, but why pretend the emphasized element is beyond the norm for Dicken's tale? Did one not perceive what came before?
Despite its alleged, newfangled angles, the movie's execution does, in fact, align more with Richard Donner's Scrooged. It's a wry comedy, and far more so than Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol or The Muppet Christmas Carol (I suppose the Grinch adaptations should be considered, too), which one would presume spew oodles of levity, but they don't. In this respect, West and Halpern's take dances around its potent pockets of menace with knowing winks, but the fable's profound message overrides its amusement (which on occasion taps Tim Burton's Dark Shadows and, to a lesser degree, A Nightmare Before Christmas) before ingraining its profound crusade.
Indeed, the swing might feel forced to casual fans of the source, but by the time the last snowflake falls, Ebenezer succeeds in delivering its full, contemplative charm. It reminds viewers that A Christmas Carol and its redeemed lead are everlasting, always there to request kindness and empathy in times of need, no matter the place, no matter the time of year. Ⱍ
SCROOGE (A CHRISTMAS CAROL) 1951: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE
"God bless us, everyone!" ... Tiny Tim
Below is a repost on Classic Monsters of the Movies' 2025 release commemorating 1951's Scrooge, starring Alastair Sim. The issue surfaced just before Christmas, which may not have given folks enough time to order it. However, the opportunity still exists; so if you didn't seize a copy then, now is as good a time as any to stake your Christmas Carol claim!🎄
Most cinema connoisseurs consider the 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, aka Scrooge, to be the definitive take on Dickens' fable. Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, scripted by Noel Langley and starring the amazing Alastair Sim as ol' Ebenezer, the movie epitomizes the remarkable power of the human spirit. That Classic Monsters of the Movies writers/researchers, Nige Burton & Jamie Jones, chose this adaptation to commemorate only substantiates its importance.
The authors probe the diligent heart of Scrooge's production, including an insightful reveal of its well chosen cast, which in addition to the headlining Sim, includes Glyn Dearman, Mervyn Johns, Michael Horndern, Patrick (The Avengers) Macnee, Kathleen Harrison, George Cole, Roddy Hughes, Carol Marsh, Francis de Wolff, Hermione Baddeley, Michael Dolan, Hattie Jacque, Peter Bull, Jack Warner, Ernest (The Bride of Frankenstein) Thesiger and other vivacious thespians who capture Dickens' character quirks and nuances with utmost respect and vigor.
The authors also essay the meaning of Dickens' novel (as reflected through the film) and that of Ebenezer Scrooge being an emblematic, cultural icon as he pivots from derisive malcontent to euphoric benefactor, spinning an endearing lesson that we can't help but hold close to our hearts.
To enrich the 36-page "deluxe edition", rare, eminent stills and promotional materials are featured, printed in outstanding black-and-white and color, on quality, paper stock, stationed between fanciful front and back covers.
Classic Monsters of the Movies: Scrooge is a must for any Dickens afficionado and/or fan of exceptional cinema, for like A Christmas Carol's 1951 film version, this special edition holds the inherent power to instill unblushing joy all year round.
Don't delay; order this sentimental salute today!
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
THE MONSTER CHANNEL/SALLY THE ZOMBIE CHEERLEADER: LADY FRANKENSTEIN 3D (11/13)
Sally the Zombie Cheerleader, in conjunction with The Monster Channel, will host a 3D conversion of director Mel Welles and writer Edward di Lorenzo's 1971, Euro-Shock favorite, Lady Frankenstein on Friday the 13th at 9pm.
An innovative company called Spacebrains processed the dazzling conversion, with Lady Frankenstein intended as the first in a bi-weekly series of Monster Channel, 3D streamings, to be helmed by Sally. Traditional, blue/red-lens, cardboard glasses are suitable to absorb the 3D effect.
For a little background on the movie, Rosalba Neri (aka Sara Bey) stars as the titular scientist, with Joseph Cotten as her genius father, joined by Mickey Hargitay as Captain Harris and Riccardo Pizzuti as the Monster. The movie was filmed in Italy and exudes a Hammer-esque ambiance, while also acting as a sexploitation forerunner to the gory, 3D hit, Andy Warhol's Flesh for Frankenstein.
Merchandise sporting the movie's fabulous, new posters (seen above in both color and b/w) will be available for purchase on The Monster Channel's prime site. Additional, poster artwork will follow for each ensuing, 3D event.
For info on how to purchase glasses and Lady Frankenstein's general Monster Channel premiere, visit
https://themonsterchannel.myshopify.com/
GOODBYE, STACY KEACH
You were outstanding as Mike Hammer in your two hit series, becoming synonymous with Mickey Spillane's gumshoe legend.
It was in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter that I first met you, though, and from there, I followed you into other fascinating ventures: The Traveling Executioner, The Ninth Configuration, Roadgames, Slave of the Cannibal God, Body Bags, Escape from L.A., Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Man with the Screaming Brain, Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return, Amanda and the Alien, Galaxy Hunter, Legend of the Lost Tomb, Rio Diablo, The Long Riders, Doc (Holliday), The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, The Pathfinder, Luther, Jesus of Nazareth, Jerusalem Countdown, Gotti, El Pedrino: The Latin Godfather, Fat City, MacBeth (1968), Brewster McCloud, The New Centurians, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Butterfly, Come Early Morning, American History X, The Bourne Legacy, Fear Runs Silent, Unshackled, Ice Breaker, Honeydripper, Chicago Overcoat, Survival Skills, W, Truth, Cell, Gold (2016), The Killer Inside Me, Street People, Watched!, Milena, Sunset Grill, Lost and Found in Cleveland, Texas, Jay Kelly, Raw Justice, The Great Chameleon, New Crime City, The Sea Wolf (1997), Sea Devils, Young Ivanhoe, Ring of Death, Planes, Planes: Fire and Rescue, Gray Lady Down, The Greatest Battle, The Gravy Train, Conduct Unbecoming, The Pixar Story, All Kinds of Strangers, Against Their Will: Women in Prison, Murder Me Murder You, The Boxer, The Duelist, Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke & Nice Dreams.
In addition, you were accessible as a regular on television's Titus, Crowded, Caribe, Man with a Plan and Prison Break and had hardy roles on The Twilight Zone (1980s version and the long-running, radio series), The Outer Limits (2000s), Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories, American Greed, Missing Reward, Blue Bloods, In the Heat of the Night, Lincoln, Dynasty, Touched by an Angel, Planet of Life, The Fitzpatricks, A Rumor of War, Saturday Night Live, Two and a Half Men, Hot In Cleveland, Blunt Talk, The Exes, Kidding, Rugrats, Tokyo Trial, The Zeta Project, Ray Donovan, Jennifer Falls, Enlisted, NCIS: New Orleans, The Blacklist and Full Circle.
You were an amazing actor, in both presence and voice, Mr. Keach, one of my all-time favorites, in fact. Thank you for your contributions, for they brightened my life, as well as the lives of so many others.
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