CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #35: KARLOFF IN THE 1960S, BATES MOTEL & MORE

Classic Monsters of the Movies #35 is a significant one, as writer/researcher Nige Burton concentrates on the perennial Boris Karloff during his later years, with Daniel Horne's superlative portrait of Dr. Scarabus, from The Raven, prompting the reverential tone. 

Not only does Burton reference this successful, 1963, Karloff-ensemble spoof (courtesy of Poe specialists, Roger Corman and Richard Matheson), but the great actor's visitations to The Comedy of Terrors, The Terror, Black Sabbath, Die, Monster Die!, The Sorcerers, Curse of the Crimson Altar, Targets, Isle of the Snake People and Mad Monster Party?, along with his popular, guest-starring drag stint on The Girl from U.N.C.L.E and his noted, hosting gig for Thriller. 

To accompany this swell salute, Issue #35 teams John Logan's hearty study of Hammer's unsettling, Joan Fontaine/Nigel Kneale vehicle, The Witches, with David Huckvale's shrewd scrutiny of Amicus' all-star, frightfest, The House That Dripped Blood. Nige Burton, meanwhile, signs into AMC's hit, Psycho series, Bates Motel; Steve Nalton visits haunted-house movies; and Jamie Jones sails into danger via a variety of soggy sojourns. "Sweeney Todd's Cellar" adds to demented dimensions with a smattering of new, horror products and movie releases. On the whole, it's quite a spinetingling mix. 

As with all Classic Monsters issues, this one benefits from great graphics, sharp stills and dazzling, poster reproductions. 

Be smart and add this eclectic, 84-page edition to your library; it's a volume you can't live (or die!) without:

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A&E Presents a Damien/Norman Double Feature!!!

On March 7 (an already packed night in television programming), A&E will give horror fans a double-whammy treat, with a pairing of revisionist views on Norman Bates and Damien Thorn.

"Bates Motel" is now in its fourth season (as most surely know) and this hit retelling of Norman's early years (a concept presented first in "Psycho IV") has gained a following that few series can match, with Freddie Highmore embodying Anthony Perkins' most celebrated role and Vera Farmiga as his dear, domineering mother, Norma. (Nestor Carbonell is also engaging as the diligent Sheriff Romero.)

As a lifelong "Psycho" fan (which includes all the Perkins films, the ill-fated "Bates Motel '87" pilot, and Robert Bloch's superb, literary submissions), I find A&E's excursion a splendid, demented diversion. This season promises to push Norman deeper into his psychotic depths, and I'm most anxious to embrace the oncoming depravity.

On the "Omen-ous" side, Bradley ("Merlin") James enters as a thirty-year-old, war photographer version of Damien Thorn. This Damien has a fuzzy memory, having supposedly tossed his devilish urges to the side, but for how long can the Son of Satan stay stable, especially with his faithful guardian, Ann Rutledge (Barbara Hershey), encouraging the evil along? (Say, isn't Ann Rutledge the name of Abe Lincoln's first love? Ah, no matter; what's in a name?)

How this extension will measure up to the film franchise is anyone guess, but as an "Omen" fan, I'm intrigued to see what diabolical paths it may travel. (And hey, for sentiment's sake, Gregory Peck and Lee Remick will make flashback cameos. Can't beat that.)

There's no doubt A&E has a strong set-up here. Too bad the executives were unable to throw "Hannibal" into the mix, but I guess when it comes to horror team-ups, one can't have everything...well, at least not yet.