Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia (Nightmare Castle)

The newest, DVD (oldies.com) release of Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia is a creepy, Italian classic, starring that brooding beauty, Barbara Steele. 

Produced/directed by Mario Caiano, from a script he penned with In the Folds of the Flesh collaborator Fabio De Agostini, Nightmare Castle (aka Night of the Doomed) generates a black-and-white ambiance reminiscent of Mario Bava's Black Sunday, though with a pre-Creepshow, "Something to Tide You Over" motif, warmed over by ample Poe. 

In this instance, the Frankenstein-ish Dr. Arrowsmith (Paul Muller) murders his wife (Steele) and her lover (Rik Battaglia), only to discover that his spouse bequeathed their castle to her unstable stepsister (also portrayed by Steele). The doc weds the young lady, hoping to drive her mad, so that he may keep the estate for his own (shades of The Screaming Skull), but of course, no dastardly deed goes unpunished--or unhaunted.  

Steele's sisterly duality is the major highlight, giving her a chance to swing from brunette to blonde. In either instance, she's a visual treat. The castle's interiors are also pleasing: ornate and imposing, granting the production ghostly style, despite its modest budget.

To deepen the impassioned proceedings, Mr. Lobo and Miss Mittens (along with Steele-saluting Jessie Seeherman) engage in spoofed infidelity, which is embolden by movie-host advertisements, retro horror/sci-fi commercials and a cheery, William Castle Homicidal promotional gig.

On the whole, Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia Presents Nightmare Castle is a powerful package that belongs in every fan's "misunderstood" library.

Order a copy at 

https://www.oldies.com/product-view/1171D.html

PIN-UP TIME: BARBARA STEELE

PIN-UP TIME: BARBARA STEELE

PIN-UP TIME: VALENTINE'S DAY 2022...WITH LOVE, BARBARA STEELE

PIN-UP TIME: BARBARA STEELE

PIN-UP TIME: BARBARA STEELE

SCARY MONSTERS #123: HAUNTED HOUSES FOR HALLOWEEN

Haunted houses dominate Scary Monsters #123, as Scott Jackson's frightening, front-and-back cover artwork commemorates. His eerie expanse reveals veiled images from the beyond when viewed in its glow-in-the-dark format. Whoa! (The above/below depictions give one an idea of what's in store, but to experience the luminous effect is truly somethin' special!)

In addition to this nifty novelty, #123 contains articles on The Haunting '63 (and its famous locale, the Ettingoton Park Hotel); The Uninvited '44; Disney's Haunted Mansion; Bud and Lou's The Time of Their Lives; Poltergeist '82; The Mystery of Marie Celeste, aka Phantom Ship; Thriller's haunted-house episodes; a haunted-house movie overview; paranormal detectives, Ed and Lorraine Warren (of Annabelle/Conjuring fame); and even some spooky, spectral fiction. 

One will also find supplemental gems on Godzilla's great melees; comic-strip ghoulies (featuring hip vampires and good ol' Mr. Sardonicus); classic monster and Planet of the Apes model kits; imagi-movie mags of the 60s; Bewitched Halloween episodes; vintage Halloween collectibles; and a terrifying, Barbara Steele threesome: Castle of Blood, Angel for Satan and The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock. Now that's one helluva, spine-tingling queue!

Visit your favorite bookstore or online source today to purchase Scary Monsters #123. It's the best way to ensure your Halloween hits its proper, otherworldly peak. 

SCARY MONSTERS #113: A SCREAM QUEENS & HOUSE OF THE GORGON HOMAGE!!!

Don A. Smeraldi's Scary Monsters #113 is an absolute must for horror-vixen fans, covering such stunning scream queens as Barbara Steele (dig that striking, Scott Jackson cover), Karen Black, Carolyn Kearney, Dee Wallace, Jeanne Bates, Musetta Vander, Gloria Holden, Janet Leigh, Marli Renfro (Leigh's "Psycho" body double), Jamie Lee Curtis and many more in a comprehensive gallery that will leave readers gasping in lustful delight. 

To make the issue's 178 pages all the more enticing, dear ol' Dr. Gangrene offers an in-depth, threesome interview with the beautiful, iconic stars of my favorite film of the year, writer/director Joshua Kennedy's "House of the Gorgon". (See April '19 for full review.)

"House of the Gorgon" features Hammer sirens Caroline Munro, Martine Bestwick and Veronica Carlson; and let's not forget the dashing Christopher Neame.  (That's right--the one and only Johnny Alucard from "Dracula: A.D. 1972.")

That Scary Monsters highlights this modern classic and its stars is most appreciated and in my estimation sets the mag on an even higher, prestigious perch.

BTW: Issue #113 also offers a charming article on affable actor, Aron Kincaid, by Tim Lisanti, entitled, "The Beach Boys vs the Creature of Destruction". How's that for extra splash?

If by some crazy chance, you still need convincing, check out #113's ghoulish, video preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h-PxjyfKbI.

Grab this sensational submission today at your local bookstore or order straight from the Scary Monsters mad lab:
https://www.mymoviemonsters.com/store.php/mymoviemonsters/pd9736371/_scary_monsters_magazine_113__women_of_the_silver_scream_issue_preorder_now.

HAPPY WORLD GOTH DAY 2019!!!

Collectible Time #85: Nate "the Animal" Gonzalez's Barbara Steele Tribute

For years, I've admired the enchanting Barbara Steele and not just from her movie personas. She had an extensive modeling career, as well, with many fine, enticing images to prove such. Her "chain mail" dress series has always impressed me. Though I don't know the photographer behind those provocative images, I've always been most appreciative of the effort applied.

With this said, my dear, artistic friend, Nate "the Animal" Gonzalez, has honored me with a variation on one such image from that particular series (see above), which captures both Steele's natural, magnetic draw, along with loads of '60s sex appeal. 

Gonzalez labored hours on this one, which is no surprise. Just look at the detail. The refashioning of Steele's see-through dress, with all those little, linking loops, is an amazing accomplishment--and all done by hand. I, for one, would have been beyond intimidated to have tackled such a task, but one as bold and talented as Gonzalez seized the opportunity without an ounce of hesitation and succeeded in spades. (Below is an example of an early rendering of the piece, if only to give one some idea of its progression.)

The image, which Gonzalez was kind enough to frame, measures 11" x 17". Prints of this superb piece are available, incidentally, so please feel free to contact the artist for price and shipping details at... https://www.facebook.com/ArtByTheAnimal/?hc_ref=SEARCH. (You can also post a message below.)

BTW: Gonzalez is open to commissions, so if you have a favorite semblance in mind, don't be shy... Additionally, he'll soon be offering some of his 9" x 12" pencil, marker and sketch copic entries for sale: quite an exciting prospect for any art aficionado.