Wednesday, June 30, 2021

R.I.P. ROBERT SACCHI...

When it came to Bogart impersonators, you resided at the top of the chain, making the Man with Bogart's Face a quirky, cult favorite.

You also brought Bogie's persona to Tales from the Crypt's "You, Murderer"; Fantasy Island's "Hard Knocks"; Sledgehammer!'s "Play it Again, Sledge"; Pointman's "the Psychic"; Cybill's "In Her Dreams"; the comedic Blast From the Past; Phil Collins' "I Wish It Would Rain Down"; and the novelty record and video, "the Jungle Queen"; as well as loaning your reminiscent, hard-boiled panache to Another Chance; PulpFunland; and The French Sex Murders (aka the Bogey Man). 

In addition, you infiltrated such movies as Die Hard 2; the Naked Truth; Cold Heat; Shhh; E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind; and Across 110th Street, while making the rounds in such series as Katts and Dogs; Burke's Law; Simon and Simon; and Oh, Baby. 

You gave us lots of nostalgic joy, Mr. Sacchi, paying homage to one of the iconic greats. Thanks for the memories, my reflective friend. 

Saturday, June 26, 2021

SCARY MONSTERS #122: DORIAN GRAY & OTHER ETERNAL SEEKERS

 

Scary Monsters #122 is here: a lavish tribute to Albert Lewin's tip-top adaptation of Oscar Wilde's the Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), as Scott Jackson's vivid cover conveys. 

And to keep in tune with Jackson's grand back cover, SM #122 presents other filmed examples of immortal ambition, including the Leech Woman; the Man Who Could Cheat Death; the Man with Nine Lives; the Unearthly; as well as the Twilight Zone's profound assessments on the ageless topic. 

And the excitement doesn't end there! SM #122 also contains content on Carla Laemmle; Connie Stevens; the Blind Dead franchise; the Exorcist; silent-film rarity, LolaKing Kong vs Godzilla; Godzilla vs Kong; the Six Million Dollar Man's Bionic Bigfoot trilogy; Star Trek's "Gamesters of Triskelion"; Logan's Run; the Corpse Vanishes; the Three Stooges; spectral stories; menacing magic; mutant creations (Moreau, anyone?); mummified curses; vampiric domination; undying lycanthropy; and all the good ol' monster-kid memories that could hope to accompany the affluent aforementioned.

What an amazing, packed-to-the-brim issue! At 146 pages, this one is bound to give readers hours of eerie, eternal escape (tee hee). 

Order SM #122 at 

https://www.mymoviemonsters.com/store.php/mymoviemonsters/pd10088932/scary_monsters_122__never_say_die_issue__preorder_coming_end_of_june#images

Thursday, June 24, 2021

STEVE SHIPLEY'S SPACE SHERIFF #2: THE SAGA CONTINUES

I praised Steve Shipley's Space Sheriff #1, and I'm doing the same for #2. In fact, the sequel holds even more engrossing, fish-out-of-water melodrama than the first, thanks to Shipley's sardonic storytelling and expressive artwork.

This time our space traveler, aka Captain Davis, rejoins Sarah and Grand Dad after his laser blaster falls into the hands of vile men. The mishap prompts those of Davis' galactic league to intervene, but not without further peril ensuing. 

To seize this exciting continuation, send $2.50 via Paypal (to steveshipley7@gmail) or snail mail (per check or money order to 1160 S. McCord Rd. #J-2, Holland, OH 4352B). No matter the payment method you choose, you'll be mighty pleased with Steve Shipley's Space Sheriff #2. 

R.I.P. JOANNE LINVILLE...

Among science-fiction and fantasy fans, you were celebrated for your roles on Star Trek ("the Enterprise Incident"); the Twilight Zone ("the Passersby"); One Step Beyond ("Moment of Hate"; "the Dead Part of the House") and the Invaders ("Moonshot"; "the Pit"), but these comprise only the tip of your quality queue. 

You held prominent roles in Alfred Hitchcock Presents; the Fugitive; the Holy Ground; the F.B.I.; James Dean '01; A Star is Born '76; the Goddess; Kojak; Ben Casey; Dr. Kildare; Route 66; Deadlinethe House on Greenapple Road (Dan August); Bonanza; LancerHave Gun - Will Travel; the SeductionScorpio; I Spy; the Naked City; the Bold Ones; Medical CenterHawaii Five-0; Barnaby Jones; ColumboMrs. Columbo; Switch; Charlie's Angels; L.A. Law; C.H.I.P.S.; and the Streets of San Francisco

You were a familiar, comforting presence to so many of us, Ms. Linville, a true talent who never failed to please; and you and your contributions will continue to do so far beyond your departure. 

Saturday, June 19, 2021

AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (JUNE '21): READY FOR LIFTOFF

June is ripe with New Pulp updates, and Ron Fortier and Rob Davis layer them on in their latest podcast. 

Focus falls on Fred Adams Jr's gritty, gumshoe epic, C.O. Jones: Hometown - U.S.A (bolstered by Rob's stylish artwork), as well as such progressing titles as Marshal Horne Vol 1Wu Dang, Vol 3; Doc Atlas, Vol 1; Bulldog Drummond, Vol 3; and Sherlock Holmes, Vol 17.

The fellows also discuss pulp history's greatest female crusaders, covering the sexy and resourceful likes of Domino Lady and Athena Voltaire; plus announce a possible Radio Rita anthology!

In addition, Ron shares details on his upcoming prostrate operation. His optimism (abetted by Rob's affable support) is most inspiring. 

Enjoy this terrific New Pulp engagement at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hgd4SUFZRk

SUMMER READING: THE DEAD SHERIFF & THE BLACK STONE

It's summer time, when the need to read rides high on those long, warm days at the beach or within one's favorite, air-conditioned seclusion. It's also time for me to honor my publishers by promoting titles that I've penned.

My most recent entries are (drum roll, please):

Mark Justice's the Dead Sheriff, Vol 4: Purity, which continues the (mis)adventures of Sam, O'Malley and their puppeteered corpse, the Dead Sheriff, this time pitted against the evil Princetonian, Palmer Perdifious. 

In addition to my participation in Mark Justice's sardonic lore, I'm part of Eighth Tower (Records) Publishing's massive, Lovecraft-tribute anthology, the Black Stone: Stories for Lovecraftian Summonings. My story, "Tentacled", is featured among the twenty-seven enclosed tales, brought to H.P. connoisseurs by some of the most demented writers on the dark-fiction scene. 

"Tentacled" details the anxious struggle of police officer Kelton Wyndham, who claims to hold a symbiotic relationship with a weird, petulant thing from another dimension. 

Dig in, folks, and enjoy. You'll not only receive my utmost appreciation for your purchases, but also that of Airship 27 Productions and Eighth Tower Publishing, as well. 

Order Mark Justice's the Dead Sheriff, Vol 4: Purity at

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Justices-Dead-Sheriff-Purity-ebook/dp/B08NRNMTW6/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=michael+housel&qid=1624051758&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

and

The Black Stone: Stories for Lovecraftian Summonings at

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XWHMHD8?pf_rd_r=32N51M09ZZ8YRF7SC08X&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=98173cf9-1460-4f3c-93a5-8f0eccb62a96&pd_rd_w=l6odR&pd_rd_wg=ujqbT&ref_=pd_gw_unk

Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia (Brain That Wouldn't Die)

The latest release in the Alpha DVD Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia collection is a tried-and-true classic of gruesome proportions: The Brain That Wouldn't Die. That it's adorned by Alan Landron's sensational artwork makes it all the more aesthetically brain-tingling.

Directed by Joseph Green and co-scripted by Green and Rex Carlton, Brain deserves its "misunderstood" label, though it's misunderstood primarily by snobs and not its adoring, macabre-cinema connoisseurs. Brain is, in truth, a masterpiece of impetuous experimentation, known for its sentimental depiction of keeping a severed head alive (and moreover, cognitive), but also for its sexploitation and splatter elements. 

The movie stars Jason Evers as Dr. Bill Cortner and Virginia Leith as Jan Compton, aka "Jan in the Pan", as fans have come to coin her. After a horrific, auto accident, the doc grabs Jan's head and well, it's not hard to figure out the rest. Also, to increase the weirdness, there's a creepy colossus kept in a closet, portrayed by the towering Eddie Carmel. (In addition, Playmate Marilyn Hanold, of Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster, appears along the way, among other curvaceous cuties, including smokin'-hot model, Adele Lamont.) Rank this one up there with such eye-catching, freakish delights as The HeadThe Frozen Dead and Re-Animator.

And in sticking to tradition, the charismatic Mr. Lobo offers a spellbinding (blood-o-vision) wraparound, accompanied by wacky, related additives, which keep the thematic strand streaming strong.

But that's not all! As an extra-special treat, there's Mr. Lobo's gratifying interview with the legendary Bruce Campbell and a lead-in Q & A for Campbell's Man with the Screaming Brain. Wow! 

Don't let this sensational selection slip by. Purchase Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia: The Brain That Wouldn't Die at 

https://www.oldies.com/product-view/1154D.html