ISLAND OF TERROR, HORROR HOTEL, and BLOOD & BLACK LACE

BLOG ENTRY #4 ----This time at Supernatural Theater----Three thrillers from the 1960's!

Bone sucking creatures, witch sacrifices, & a demented masked killer in Italy!
First one up ----




THE ISLAND OF TERROR

NIGHT THE SILICATES CAME

Starring Peter Cushing, Edward Judd, and Carole Gray

Directed by Terence Fisher

Produced by Tom Blakeley
England --- 1966

THEY LIVED BY EATING HUMAN BONE !!!

The 1960's were boom years for films made in England. Tons of great, and not so great films were exported around the world. Spooky horror films were represented well by Hammer and Amicus Productions. Independent producers were running right behind the big boys. Example, this one, Island of Terror. A small production with big production values, delivering shudders for their audience. Once this film began, you had no idea on how it was going to end. Peter Cushing leads his cast with a stiff British upper lip, and tongue firmly in cheek.

I first saw this in 1966, at the Fort Monmouth Army movie theater. Military theaters were great back then, cause different films were shown each day. I mean that's alot of films in a year! Even small, obscure titles got their chance to be seen. Then afterward, this title was always shown on TV. We had it on Channel 7, ABC in NYC. ---- Now available on DVD.

On a remote island off Ireland, a recluse scientist wants to find a cure for cancer, along with other scientists in his project around the world. As you can see with the picture below, he blew it BIG TIME. Based on the silicate molecule, these ugly blobs called Silicates, dissolve & suck the bone right out of living creatures!!! Omg! Plus as an added story bonus, these creatures divide every few hours, so they multiply faster than horny rabbits. 

The small island population will decrease quickly, so the village doctor takes the island's only boat (what?) and goes to London to get 2 genius doctors (of course it's old genius Peter Cushing & young romantic genius Edward Judd) to help them out. Judd takes his new girlfriend Carole Gray along, getting dropped off by her Dad's helicopter.  Now they are stranded. How come they always get stranded in these pictures? Remember in 1966, there were no Ipads, no Skyping, and no cell phones. So stranded meant just that.

Livestock, then humans become fillets! Everytime someone explains the mushy body remains have no trace of bone, the other person says "No Bones?".  It becomes a inside joke. The clock is ticking, since the handful of Silicates, turned into hundreds on the remote island. 

And they keep on dividing. The scientists round up the inhabitants, and stay in one building. They try to fight the Silicates, with axes, guns, dynamite, & fire. Man those creatures are tough! Finally they try just one more idea. Will it work in time???? 

Then a surprise ending to boot with scientists in Japan.

Hey, you can't help to love this movie. Wish more could be made like this. Good for most ages too. Great acting, and I get a kick out of those strange Silicate creatures. Plus boneless bodies like goo. And it's weird when the creatures divide. Reminds me of my 8th grade science class.

Peter Cushing's best known for attacking Dracula as Van Helsing in the Dracula, Hammer Film series. Also known for co-starring in Star Wars. He had a long career with hundreds of films. Check this one out! On DVD, mastered from the original film negative. Nice restoration too.

MY RATING ----- B PLUS
B for Bones, or the lack of them.

Great technique Ed, spill wine on her, just so she can change into your shirt. That worked back in 1966, but I don't know about 2013?

Those nasty Silicate creatures. They suck the bone right out of 'ya!

They not only suck the bone right out of 'ya --- they divide every few hours.
So 50 turn into 100, into 200, into 400, etc. ----- Really nasty, huh?

They had DOUBLE FEATURES back then. 2 flicks, 1 ticket. More scares for your buck!

Both of these were great!

The creatures on the roof of the car. It's gonna get 'ya Carole Gray!

A Silicate grabs Peter Cushing.
Can you lend Peter a hand --- cause he's about to lose his!

 

This cheesy effect shot was edited out of TV viewings from the 60's to 70's.

Is it the end? Will the Silicates win?

American Drive-In theater in 1966. Great double feature! Note the Mustang below the sign. Cool.

Carol Gray. With or without silicates.

She also starred in the vampire film, Devils of Darkness, 

made by the same production company & producer as Island of Terror.

Above --- They got scared in Spain too.

 "No bones?"

Three German Lobby Cards

Up next --- JUST RING FOR DOOM SERVICE !!!!

 

HORROR HOTEL

CITY OF THE DEAD

Starring Christopher Lee

Dennis Lotis, Patricia Jessel, Betta St. John, & Venetia Stephenson

England --- 1960

Directed by John Moxey

Produced by Donald Taylor

Whitewood, Mass. --- In 1692, this wild witch, Elizabeth Selwyn was burned at the stake. But she made her pact with Lucifer to save herself.  Then............

Let's zoom forward to 1960. Very pretty Nan Barlow (Venetia Stephenson) studies a college hot topic, witchcraft, with none other than evil Professor Driscoll (horror fave Christopher Lee). For her to get a better grade (like we never heard that one before), she should go 
research in Whitewood. 
Nan's boyfriend thinks the class & the trip is a joke.
We see the nice professor sacrifice a bird to Satan, so we know he's up to no good.
Plus, look at this evil look.

Pretty Nan Barlow in a foggy, creepy Whitewood Massachusetts. 

Which is better known as witch central!

Well this is one spooky town! Always very dark and with thick, swirling fog. Looks like 1692 never went away. She stays at the creepy inn with a creepy hotel matron Mrs. Newless. 

Actually, Witch Selwyn herself. Not a day older. Run, Nan, run! Ugh oh, too late.

The townfolk of witches need a sweet girl sacrifice for old Lucifer.  
Bye bye, hottie Nan!  Then a scary knife sacrifice. 

Her professor brother, and boyfriend investigate, and discover the town of witches. 

Whitewood has only one church, with nobody going, except the elderly minister, 

and his pretty, young grandaughter (Betta St. John). She falls for Professor Barlow, 

and the witches want her for their next holiday sacrifice. 

 Nan Barlow's boyfriend comes to the rescue just in time, literally during the countdown till midnight. Large cemetery crosses come in handy, to burn up those damn witches. 

Flames shoot out when the witches hit the shadow of the cross.  Gee, I didn't learn that fact in Sunday school.  Burning witches for the finale. Even Professor Discoll gets fried. 

But where is Elizabeth Selwyn?

Filmed in misty, atmospheric Black & White, this film shows what can be done with creativity even with a low budget. The town setting was actually an indoor set. Small sets, wide angles, great lighting, and eerie fog can make one spooky town.
Solid acting from the living characters, and from the witches & warlocks too.
Available on cheap DVDs. Most mastered from the original TV negatives. Wish someone would do one from the original theater negatives. 

My Rating ----- B+++

Original artwork for U.S. release. An issue of Famous Monsters magazine. A favorite of us kids in the 1960's. That issue dedicated to Horror Hotel. The US poster below.

Pin-Ups of Venetia Stevenson, and Betta St. John.

X Adults Only ---- Did I miss a version of this???
Back in the 60's many films were suggested for adults, that would be considered tame today.
Original title in England, The City of the Dead.  Horror Hotel was on TV constantly in the 60's, especially on programs like Chiller Theater on NYC's Channel 11. or late night Channel 5.

 Now our 3rd scare fest at Supernatural Theater. This one was made way before it's time.

Probably one of the first examples of a visually violent murder mystery that 
got an international release. 

This is from Italy, made by cinema master Mario Bava.

BLOOD AND BLACK LACE

SIX WOMEN FOR THE MURDERER

FASHION HOUSE OF DEATH

Italy --- 1964

Starring Eva Bartok, Cameron Mitchell, and a bunch of sexy Italian starlets

that are all grandmothers by now!

Directed with flair by MARIO BAVA

In the 1960's, Mario Bava joined the ranks of leading directors in the horror genre.

Directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Roger Corman, and Terence Fisher were known for detailed visuals, historical or mythical overtones. Bava's known with pure, cinematic style. 

The use of strong color, mood lighting, and camerawork were his strengths.  

Bava's plots were simple, even flimsy, but his visuals were way over the top.

This film was also the first of the Italian Giallo genre. Killer mysteries with stylised violence. Some argue that Bava's earlier 1962 film, The Evil Eye (La Ragazza che Sapevo Troppo) 

was first but that was not as visually violent as this, just mysterious.

Check that one out also.

A lady's fashion house stocked with pretty models, also acts as a front for drug dealing. Then a killer dressed in black, with a featureless mask goes on a rampage of killing.  The business is run by pretty Eva Bartok (above), and husband Cameron Mitchell.

From Bava's point of view, the players are just set pieces, with no depth of character at all. 

The misogynist killer goes through the violence, and the girls react in horror, just to create the visuals of disturbing rituals. Bava is like a painter, creating a canvas of sharp photography, and strong use of film color, and the moodiest of lighting. 

The ending is very original, and unexpected. 

This is a film that has three different versions floating around. The original Italian version ran at 90 minutes, the American theatrical, at 85 minutes with a little less violence, and an American TV version was butchered down to a mere 75 minutes. But remember, the TV stations probably aired that in a 90 minute time slot, with 15 minutes of commercials.

Unfortunately. the plot of that chopped up version flew right out the window.

Years ago, I had a gorgeous I.B. Technicolor 16mm film print of this title. The old Technicolor process used before 1972, was known and enjoyed for it's deep color saturation. 

The color seemed to bounce right off the screen. Plus, with proper care, the color would stay stable for decades. Meaning, each color would stay true, as originally printed.

The 5 minutes of ultra violent footage that was cut for some Amercican viewings was inserted back in using the process, Eastmancolor. That film stock due to aging, would not stay stable. The normal rainbow of life's colors, would all be reddish. 

The term "Red print" is a nickname to film collectors.

I was very pleased that my film print was used for a video release in the US, but now finally a DVD release is out using the original Italian Widescreen (Scope) negative. Looks fabulous.

This is great for home video collectors everywhere. 

I'm happy that I helped keep it going for the many years in between.

My rating ------ B+++++  The visuals are the strength of this film.

American release poster artwork.

Think they're worried? There's a killer on the loose!

Great uses of photography with color, and lighting throughout this film.

A Mario Bava visual style trademark.

Original French poster artwork.

Odd bunch of characters, before they were done in.   

The Italian version's poster artwork below.

The finale above with Bartok & Mitchell.   Please note the bold, mood lighting, and odd camera angles below. Directors have been influenced by Bava's style for years and years.

What does a red phone & Cameron Mitchell have in common? See the finale.

Below is the British poster release.

 

 Below, a rare US one sheet used in Military theaters.

THANKS FOR READING

SUPERNATURAL THEATER!

MY BLOG IS NOW READ FROM PEOPLE IN 108 COUNTRIES!

How cool is that???? I am amazed! It took a year.
People that love weird and obscure flicks are from all over the world!
Forget politics and politicians.  Let's talk about old, corny movies !!!

A BIG HELLO GOES OUT TO ALL MY READERS FROM -----

Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, 
and Vietnam.

EMAIL ADDRESS ----- Supernaturaltheater@yahoo.com
for comments, compliments, insults, profanities, questions, or what evers.

YOU CAN READ MY OTHER BLOG ENTRIES IN THE ARCHIVE (to the right).

REMEMBER, TO KEEP AN "EYE" OUT ---- THERE'S MORE 

TRIVIAL TRIVIA TO COME.

Check out Blog Entry #19 for EDDIE CONSTANTINE Eurospy films.

BLOG ENTRY #20 ---- HORROR CASTLE and CASTLE OF BLOOD.