HAPPY NATIONAL GORILLA SUIT DAY 2024 (1/31)

 

Terrific Team-up Image/Collectible Time: KNIOIL's Universal Classic Monsters Tin Sign

My friend, Leslie Foster, sent me a splendid, birthday gift: KNIOIL's Universal Classic Monsters 12" x 8" tin sign. 

As one can see from the post's headlining image, several, big "baddies" are teamed in this stylish, black-and-white, red/brown-bordered image: Boris Karloff's Frankenstein Monster; Elsa Lancaster's Bride of Frankenstein; Bela Lugosi's Count Dracula; Lon Chaney Sr.'s Phantom of the Opera (Erik); Lon Chaney Jr.'s Wolfman (Lawrence Talbot); Claude Rain's Invisible Man (Dr. Jack Griffin); Rico Browning's Gill-man; and Karloff's Mummy (Imhotep/Ardeth Bey). Yes, quite a rogues' gallery!

What can I say? I already have this fine piece on display. I thank Leslie for her insightful generosity and will think of her whenever I gaze upon this superb collectible; and trust me, that'll be often. 

PIN-UP TIME: GALACTICA BEAUTY, SHEBA (ANNE LOCKHART)

GOODBYE, NORMAN JEWISON

You were a director/producer who excelled in each genre you tackled, and your queue proves it. 

Fiddler on the Roof; The Cincinnati Kid; The Thomas Crown Affair 1968; Jesus Christ Superstar; Ice Man; The January Man; F.I.S.T.; In the Heat of the Night; A Soldier's Story; The Thrill of It All; Send Me No Flowers; ...And Justice For All; Agnes of God; 40 Pounds of Trouble; Best Friends; The Hurricane; Bogus; The Art of Love; In Country; The Dogs of War; Billy Two Hats; Moonstruck; The Landlord; Only You; The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!; Dinner with Friends; The Statement; and Other People's Money made you a legend. 

My favorite of your pictures (and believe me, this proved a hard call) is Rollerball, in which you (through William Harrison's prophetic screenplay) depicted a dystopic world not far removed from the one we now occupy. I'm not exaggerating in saying that I ruminate upon this bold, dark wonder several times a day. It resonates with me that much. 

Whatever you did, however you did it, the results were always golden. Thanks for the smiles, thrills and adventures, Mr. Jewison. Our lives would be far less enriched without you and your provocative works.  

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

R.I.P. DAVID EMGE

You acted in one of the most important, horror movies of the past century, which is also regarded as one of cinema's best sequels: George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. 

As pilot, Stephen "Flyboy" Andrews, you presented a range of identifiable emotions, sealing your fate as a fan favorite, which in turn justified your character's representation as action and resin-model figures. 

Your contribution to living-dead lore was enough to grant you roles in Basket Case 2 and Hellmaster. The Booby Hatch, aka The Liberation of Cherry Jankowski (directed by Romero's pals, John Russo and Rudy Ricci) and The Devil and Sam Silverstein (directed by Russell Streiner [Johnny from Night of the Living Dead] and Russo, with the former as director) emerged earlier in queue, and because of your participation in them, they grew all the riper for re-discovery.

Beyond your movies, you were just one of the guys: laid-back, honest and kind. You'll be missed, Mr. Emge, as will those engrossing chats you spurred in the many packed auditoriums you dignified over the years.

PHOENIXVILLE'S PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET VALENTINE'S EVENT (ROOT DOWN BREWING CO)

Collectible Time: Diamond Select 10" Wolverine/Marvel Gallery Figure

As a companion piece to the Diamond Select/Marvel Gallery/PVC Laura X-23 Wolverine that Mel gifted me for Christmas, depicted in vibrant yellow and blue (see early, Jan '24 post), my dear friend has now surprised me with a matching Logan for my birthday.   

This Diamond/Gallery Wolverine stands 10" tall, with the grimacing protagonist poised atop an apocalyptic base, each section sculpted by the masterful Jean St. James and designed by the astounding Alonso Acensio.  

Wolverine's pose is nothing short of uncanny (ha ha), and I dig the fine detailing of hair on his formidable arms and jutting jawline. (This fine collectible also comes packaged in a pleasing, window-box "display case," for those who prefer the MIB approach.)

The Diamond/Gallery Logan Wolverine is another great addition to my X-Men collection and of course, an ideal partner for the stunning, Laura version. Thank you, Mel, for making it so!

PIN-UP TIME: GALACTICA BEAUTY, HELENA CAIN (MICHELLE FORBES)

I saw Werewolf Castle

Director/writer Charlie Steed's Werewolf Castle is a raw, relentless prequel to his cult favorite, A Werewolf in England. 

Werewolf Castle is a medieval, lycanthrope variant which references Come and See, Excalibur, Pathfinder, The Seven Samurai, The Last of the Mohicans, Lord of the Rings, Predators, Army of Darkness and The Company of Wolves, though played straight, in contrast to Werewolf in England, as it promotes its Brothers Grimm brutality, steered throughout by Simone Cilio's epic, Trevor Jones/Randy Edelman-styled score and Steeds' picturesque photography.  

Werewolf Castle is the tale of young Thorfinn Garstang, rendered with great range by Peter (Vampire Virus/The Mummy 2017) Lofsgard, who starts off timid enough, but once his village is ravaged by the wolf men, joins a group of knights to stop the lustful creatures from assaulting the king's abode. This prompts our tenderfoot protagonist to tap unbridled courage, as we, a captivated audience, make his noble transformation our own.

Werewolf in England cast members comprise Werewolf Castle's ensemble, including Tim Cartwright as the supportive Sir Hamelin Wiltshire and as the wolf men's vanguard, the glib Wolfstan, Reece Connolly. (BTW, as with Werewolf in England, the lycanthropes consist of agile, old-school, costumed performers. Ah, how nostalgic and in the age of intemperant CGI, most refreshing!) 

Jay O'Connell depicts the towering and determined, lead knight, Hal "Skullsplitter" Balfager, who we learn has fallen from the king (his father)'s favor, but is still willing to purge the countryside of the ferocious infestation, all the while doubting Thorfinn's heartfelt abilities. Greg Draven plays their burly cohort, Thomas "The Huge" Fairhurst, and David Simcock is the inflexible King Vortigern. Rounding out the voguish assembly we have Richard Rowden, Ricardo Freitas, Jake Watkins, Megan Tremethick, Rick Carter, Jamie Jellard, Derek Nelson, Emma Spurgin Hussey and James Swanton.

While many current movies take a Mary Sue approach to characterization (i.e. serving leads who are flawless to a boorish fault), Werewolf Castle earns its success via identifiable trial-by-error. Werewolf Castle, on this basis, should capture followers as any worthy, character-driven monster movie should. A destined classic! 

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (JAN '24): READY FOR LIFTOFF

The new year comes with a new Airship 27 Podcast, led by our inspiring leaders, Ron Fortier and Rob Davis.

The fellows commemorate the latest Nancy Hansen Jezabel Johnston adventure, Captain Johnston, and treat listeners/viewers to a recap of 2023's queue of Airship 27 titles, which includes (I'm so proud to report) two anthologies that feature my stories: The Purple Scar, Vol 4 and The Phantom Detective, Vol 2. 

Ron and Rob also tease fans with upcoming Airship 27 titles to cover such characters as Sherlock Holmes, Radio Rita, Bass Reeves and Domino Lady, plus the gents express their anticipation for this year's Windy City Con.

Dial in for the plentiful details at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw1wTNk-iSk&t=8s