Blog Entry #16 ---- SUPERNATURAL THEATER showcases NICK ADAMS in
DIE MONSTER DIE, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD,
and THE OUTER LIMITS, Fun & Games episode.
The 16mm Film Collector loves these three films! Read on! Read on!
and THE OUTER LIMITS, Fun & Games episode.
The 16mm Film Collector loves these three films! Read on! Read on!
Up first ---- Boris Karloff is radioactive.---- What would you do if your Dad glowed in the dark?
DIE MONSTER DIE
MONSTER OF TERROR
Starring BORIS KARLOFF, NICK ADAMS,
and Susan Farmer
Produced by Samuel Arkoff, and James Nicholson
Directed by Daniel Haller
Based on the book, The Color of Space by H.P. Lovecraft
Released by American International Pictures
US/England ---1965
US/England ---1965
Stephen Reinhart is a young American (played by Nick Adams) that travels to a rural village in England
off he goes for a long walk.
off he goes for a long walk.
As Stephen walks through the countryside near the estate, it resembles land after a huge fire. The land seems destroyed, eaten away, and barren. No life at all. Totally decayed. ---Spooky!
Finally reaching the doorway of the castle estate, Stephen is told to go away, and that he is not welcome by Susan’s father, wheelchair bound Nathum Witley (Boris Karloff).
Stephen gets in, saying he was invited by Mrs. Witley (Freda Jackson).
Susan is very obviously happy to see her fiancé, and Stephen begins to snoop around to see what is really going on.
Susan’s mother is very ill, and hides behind drapes so she won’t be seen.
The reason why she invited Stephen is to get Susan as far away from the castle as he can. Susan cannot become a part of what is happening there she warns.
Susan and Stephen discover the large greenhouse houses plant life that has grown to huge proportions. Weird frightening wails come deep below.
Witley discovered years before a meteor that crashed on his land.
It processed strange powers he thought would be good for mankind, but the radioactivity eventually destroyed the land, sickened his wife and butler,
made huge mutated creatures, and the huge vegetation.
Susan’s mother soon gets yucky scary, and attacks!
The radioactivity finally turns Witley into a glowing, evil monster for the finale!
Watch out for Boris! He not only glows in the dark, he also goes on a killing rampage!!!
My Rating ------ B Minus
American-International had another drive-in horror hit with Die Monster Die,
after all the Vincent Price-Edgar Allan Poe films they produced.
after all the Vincent Price-Edgar Allan Poe films they produced.
This was Daniel Haller’s first directorial job, after being a very capable Art Director on the Poe films. Haller made a good old fashioned, solid horror, utilizing every dollar out of a very low budget. The settings and visuals in ColorScope looked great on the big screen.
The characters portrayed by Karloff and Adams were the strength of the film. Adam’s young toughness, and Karloff’s old eeriness both rang true.
The let’s burn ‘em up finale was really predictable, taking away from an excellent opening with the creepy situations building some tension of coming doom.
After a solid theater release, this was shown on television a kazillion tim es.
It was a staple on New York
Luckily it had a great release on video in the scope widescreen format.
Die Monster Die still works today as an old fashioned creepy movie.
Die Monster Die still works today as an old fashioned creepy movie.
Nick Adams was a good actor that was very capable, but never really hit a home run. He had some solid roles in the 1950’s, including his starring role on the Civil War era TV show,
The Rebel.
He was featured in a bunch of Hollywood films like Rebel Without a Cause, Mr. Roberts, and Pillow Talk. Twilight of Honor was a great part for Nick in 1963, being nominated for an Oscar.
The Rebel.
He was featured in a bunch of Hollywood films like Rebel Without a Cause, Mr. Roberts, and Pillow Talk. Twilight of Honor was a great part for Nick in 1963, being nominated for an Oscar.
By the mid sixties he went to C and then D movies. His last roles were in 1967 & 1968, an outer space minor programmer titled Mission Mars, and a just barely released Mexican film
called Los Asesinos.
He died from an overdose of drugs prescribed for a nervous disorder on February 7, 1968.
Very sad, because he never hid his stride. He would have grown into a better actor than we saw.
called Los Asesinos.
He died from an overdose of drugs prescribed for a nervous disorder on February 7, 1968.
Very sad, because he never hid his stride. He would have grown into a better actor than we saw.
.
A classic monster magazine from the sixties! One of the best.
American and German Lobby Cards.
American and German Lobby Cards.
Pretty Pin-Ups of Susan Farmer.
Susan co-starring with Roger Moore in The Saint, which was one of the greatest series ever.
Drive-In theater ads with 3 or better yet, 5 great films in one all night fright show.
Drive in theaters would start projecting at dusk. You would drive in to a parking spot, and hook up the one speaker on top of your driver's window. You had to hit the Snack Bar a few times. The projection booth in the same building would show lots of preview trailers, then some cartoons, the main feature film, and then a second feature flick too.
The pressbook of the original double feature with Mario Bava's Planet of the Vampires.
Drive-In theater ads with 3 or better yet, 5 great films in one all night fright show.
Drive in theaters would start projecting at dusk. You would drive in to a parking spot, and hook up the one speaker on top of your driver's window. You had to hit the Snack Bar a few times. The projection booth in the same building would show lots of preview trailers, then some cartoons, the main feature film, and then a second feature flick too.
Up Second at Supernatural Theater----- Nick Adams joins the Japanese Toho Production team!
Toho made Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra household words.
Why not Frankenstein? ---- Especially when Frankie is 50 feet high!
FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD
FRANKENSTEIN VS. BARAGON
FRANKENSTEIN VS THE GIANT DEVILFISH
Starring NICK ADAMS
Akira Takarada, Kumi Mizuno, and Koji Furuhata as the monster.
Produced by Henry G. Saperstein (remember Mr. Magoo cartoons)
Directed by Inoshiro Honda (famous for Gojira aka. Godzilla)
A Toho Production (The sign of quality)
Released by American International Pictures (at a Drive In theater near you)
Japan/US ---- 1966
Japan/US ---- 1966
The heart of Frankenstein cannot die!
Get ready this is one movie that is soooo bad, it's almost good.
At the end of World War II, a scientist in war torn Europe kept the still beating heart of Frankenstein alive. The Nazis take it, and it's shipped off by submarine to Japan.
It is now safe in a lab in Hiroshima. --- Yeah, real safe.
The nuclear bomb hits Hiroshima, and the now radioactive heart goes missing for about
20 years.
A feral boy living in a cave, eats it (yummy),
then starts mutating and he starts
growing, growing, and growing!
Scientists Dr. James Bowen from America (Nick Adams), and locals Dr. Sueko Togami (Kumi Mizuno), and Dr. Yuzo Kawaji (Akira Takarada) investigate when townspeople report a missing dog, and various livestock. They discover the overly hungry boy in a cave. He growing at an alarming rate, going through a bunch of suit sizes in just a few minutes running time.
They soon learn about the missing Frankie heart, and put 2 and 2 together. ---Geniuses.
Now drink your milk, and grow up to be a good monster.
My favorite line in this Grade D film---- He obviously looks caucasian.
The flat top, and grooved forehead was a sure give away (??).
Sueko should be nervous. Bowen comes to the rescue.
Sueko attempts to housebreak the wild boy. Not much luck.
Frankie freaks out ---- Godzilla TV reruns again! Noooo!
Dr. Kawaji wants to prove the growing boy is now a mutant Frankenstein. He cuts off his hand to see if one will grow back like the original monster. Chop chop. The hand regrows, and the separated hand stays alive. Now they know for sure.
The hand is alive!!!! Looks like it's battery operated to me!
Frankie grows to giant size, and needs to be put under lock and key.
Newspaper reporters come to get the story of the year, and start taking flash pictures.
Flashes are a big no-no. Frankie flips out, busts loose, and gets out fast!
Newspaper reporters come to get the story of the year, and start taking flash pictures.
Flashes are a big no-no. Frankie flips out, busts loose, and gets out fast!
First stop, Sueko's apartment to say goodbye.
He can't come in, so he just hangs out next to her balcony to have a chat, or at the least a couple of grunts.
OMG it's... it's huge!!! says Sueko. Especially looking up from that angle.
Now since this is a Toho monster movie, a good old fashioned rubber suited monster named Baragon comes to wreck havoc. Then our new big Frankie has to fight him, or it to the death.
Let the games begin!
Oh no, what should we do? says Dr. Kawaji.
Oh no, what should we do? says Dr. Bowen.
Oh no, what should we do? says Dr. Sueko.
Dr. Bowen knows what to do! He really likes Dr. Sueko in that kimono.
Wow Sueko! I am sure hung over from all that saki I drank at your place.
Wow James! You were much wilder than these monsters last night!
What a way to earn a living. Hope I don't get typecast! ---- Take that you rubber monster!
The big fight and then fiery finale. Bye Bye Baragon! Bye Bye Frankie!
I've been waiting for a sequel, Frankenstein Conquers the World 2
to come out for over 47 years.
to come out for over 47 years.
Very disappointed. C'mon--- there have been a ton of Godzilla movies over the years.
My rating ----- D Plus
Plus, it's so awful, you just have to love it!
This had a great release from American-International Pictures in the US.
Shown for years on TV, like the 4:30 movie on Channel 7 in NYC years ago.
Had a 16mm film print of this years ago. It was an edited TV print cut down to 70 minutes from the original 93 minutes. What simple plot there was, could not be understood. TV stations would cut up film prints to fit certain time slots to make sure the commercials could be shown.
Hence 70 minutes for a 90 minute showing.
FCTW has been a favorite on home video--- Betamax, VHS, then DVD. Check it out!
My rating ----- D Plus
Plus, it's so awful, you just have to love it!
This had a great release from American-International Pictures in the US.
Shown for years on TV, like the 4:30 movie on Channel 7 in NYC years ago.
Had a 16mm film print of this years ago. It was an edited TV print cut down to 70 minutes from the original 93 minutes. What simple plot there was, could not be understood. TV stations would cut up film prints to fit certain time slots to make sure the commercials could be shown.
Hence 70 minutes for a 90 minute showing.
FCTW has been a favorite on home video--- Betamax, VHS, then DVD. Check it out!
The FCTW issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland. ---- Issue #39 in 1966.
Only 50 cents then!
Only 50 cents then!
Long before home video was even thought of, people bought 8mm movies. They actually had this for sale back in the 60's & 70's. It was just three minutes of 8mm film, in Black and White, silent with no sound, and cost about $3. ---- It was exciting to have Toho on your
home movie screen.
home movie screen.
Below, some rare production shots.
Nick Adams and the gang in happy times. --- Lovely pin-ups of Kumi Mizuno.
And Kumi today.
And Kumi today.
Originally titled Frankenstein Vs. the Giant Devilfish. This monster was featured toward the beginning of the film, but was edited out. Is there another version out there somewhere with this loveable slimy creature in it?
A scene edited out of the American theater release.
A Japanese poster, 8x10 still, 22x28 half sheet, and 11x14 lobby card poster.
I saw this originally in the US Army movie theater at Fort Monmouth, NJ. and then for
a second time (I was a glutton for punishment) in a double feature with the Jerry Lewis' comedy The Big Mouth at the now long since torn down Marine Theater in Highlands, NJ.
A fight broke out in the theater by teenagers, so they had to stop the show. --- What memories.
It's still alive! He must be Frankenstein. If not, we're in the wrong damn movie.
Nick Adams and Kumi Mizuno were together again in Monster Zero, along with the adorable monster Godzilla. Kumi was also in War of the Gargantuas, with Russ Tamblyn.
Great show! ---- 4 monster movies at the Drive-In Theater.
Families would stuff themselves with soda, hot dogs, and popcorn.
Teenagers would fog up their car windows.
Nothing better than lust & corny monsters.
Cheesy poster of Monster Zero/Invasion of the Astros. --- Kumi's & Nick's romantic
scene below.
The third Nick Adam's favorite of mine! ---- Fun and Games!
Every Baby Boomer remembers the great opening of this TV show.
Remember turning the dials on your Black and White television sets to change the channels? Those little vertical & horizontal buttons?
There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not to attempt to adjust the picture.
We are controlling the transmission.
We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical.
We can change the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity.
For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear.
We repeat, there is nothing wrong with your television set.
You are about to participate in a great adventure.
You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to ---The Outer Limits!!!
Season One--- Episode 27----1964
Of all the episodes of this fantastic program, Fun and Games probably is my favorite.
Mankind here on Earth always had it’s competitions to win, many quite violent, like the ancient Roman Gladiators.
Two unknowing humans were teleported to a far away planet Andera to compete in an advanced species version of Fun and Games. The society of Andera have progressed so far to eliminate war, jealousy, and are not driven by desires. Since they are now a very bored society, they take pleasure in watching mortal combat to the death for their amusement.
A male and female of two species, one human couple from Earth with intelligence, and the second alien couple, very monster like from a primitive, violent world named Calco would compete on an empty satellite planet.
A male and female of two species, one human couple from Earth with intelligence, and the second alien couple, very monster like from a primitive, violent world named Calco would compete on an empty satellite planet.
Nick Adams plays Mike Benson, an ex-boxer and two bit criminal
about to get caught in a another crime.
about to get caught in a another crime.
Nancy Malone plays Laura Hanley, a lonely, idealistic divorcee from the clean side of life.
They are given a choice to compete, if they say no, or if they lose, Earth will be destroyed within a five year period giving Anderans more entertainment to watch.
Mike at first, wants no part of this, since he knows what the pain of losing feels like.
Laura wants to save the world, so she agrees. Benson makes a split second decision to go, not wanting to be caged in jail again.
The planet is uncomfortably hot, even with a nearby river of boiling lava.
The beast like species have two advantages to make up for their lack of intelligence.
Each team has enough sustainable food for 5 days.
The male monster kills the female to make the food last for 10 days.
The second advantage, a razor sharp boomerang as a weapon.
Will teamwork and intelligence win over ruthless animal violence?
The Fun and Games now begin!
Mike at first, wants no part of this, since he knows what the pain of losing feels like.
Laura wants to save the world, so she agrees. Benson makes a split second decision to go, not wanting to be caged in jail again.
The planet is uncomfortably hot, even with a nearby river of boiling lava.
The beast like species have two advantages to make up for their lack of intelligence.
Each team has enough sustainable food for 5 days.
The male monster kills the female to make the food last for 10 days.
The second advantage, a razor sharp boomerang as a weapon.
Will teamwork and intelligence win over ruthless animal violence?
The Fun and Games now begin!
My Rating ----- A Minus
This episode aired in March of 1964. It was another example of the great writing of this series. Not only an intriguing plot, but a few twists right till the end.
My only wish is that they had a little more budget to make the creatures more realistic.
Ahh, the 1960's.
My only wish is that they had a little more budget to make the creatures more realistic.
Ahh, the 1960's.
Nick Adams showed a lot behind the tough guy persona. Fear and desperation showed throughout the hour show. One of his best roles.
Nancy Malone's character showed depth, in a part that could have been quite shallow.
The series is still popular almost 50 years later.
Many marathons airing multiple episodes on holidays are still getting viewers.
The whole series have been released on DVD too.
Show a marathon at your home.
Nick Adams had a great TV series called The Rebel which aired from 1959 to 1961.
He played Johnny Yuma, an angry ex-confederate soldier roaming the old west during the post Civil War period. This series put him on the map with his acting talent.
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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.
COMING SOON TO SUPERNATURAL THEATER!
TWO GREAT ROBBERY MOVIES!
TWO GREAT MARIO BAVA FLICKS!
THE CHEESIEST, BUT FUN---THE GREEN SLIME!
EDDIE CONSTANTINE AT HIS BEST.
THERE'S NO SPY BETTER ---THAN A EURO-SPY!
MORE ON JOACHIM FUCHSBERGER! ----MORE KRIMI ACTION.
1963 SCARE FEST----- HORROR CASTLE aka. CASTLE OF TERROR.
BIG EURO-STAR---- RICHARD HARRISON.
SEAN FLYNN (Errol's son)----EURO-FILM STAR, then turned photojournalist.
Went missing in Cambodia in 1971, and STILL MIA TODAY. Believed to be killed by captors.