Saturday, December 29, 2018

"White Lace & Promises" Celebrates the Words and Music of Paul Williams

Andrew Curry's Portland-based label Curry Cuts has previously released the stellar tribute albums Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock, Here Comes The Reign Again: The Second British Invasion and Songs. Bond Songs:The Music Of 007. All of these excellent compilations feature a group of talented indie rock and pop artists focusing their talents on a specific musical genre. For the latest Curry Cuts project, Andrew decided to pay tribute to the music of singer-songwriter-actor Paul Williams, with White Lace & Promises: The Songs Of Paul Williams. He graciously took some time out of his schedule to talk with me about the album.

Q: Past projects from Curry Cuts have focused on the music from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the themes from the James Bond films. Why did you select the work of Paul Williams for this album? Are you a fan of his work?

A: Paul was one of those pop culture fixtures when I was growing up in the ‘70s, and I was always fascinated by him. I mean, he was everywhere. I used to see him telling funny stories on talk shows, or singing on variety shows, or acting in movies. I was always struck by how famous he seemed to be, especially since he hardly fit the mold of a conventionally handsome movie star. It was only years later, when I paid a little more attention to songs and songwriters, that I discovered how many era-defining hits he had been a part of writing. All of those gigantic Carpenters hits. All the Muppet songs that he helped write. It was a real eye-opener for me. And it was then when I realized that I was a big fan of his music, not just his talk show persona.

Q: You have a stock company of talented performers (including Eytan Mirsky, Cliff Hillis and Minky Starshine) who’ve appeared on multiple Curry Cuts releases, and appear again on White Lace & Promises. There are a few new faces this time around, such as Sitcom Neighbor and The New Empire. Do the artists featured on your projects seek you out, or do you have a wish list of people you want to work with?

A: I had never thought of it as a stock company, but I suppose it really is. Cliff Hillis has been on all four of my compilations. Minky Starshine, Eytan Mirsky, Lisa Mychols, The Corner Laughers, The Davenports, and Brandon Schott have each appeared on three. Plenty of others have appeared on two of them. I always like working with people whose original music I love, so it’s no surprise that I gravitate towards those folks again and again. But I’m conscious of wanting to work with new people on each project I do. To use the examples that you did, Sitcom Neighbor put out one of my very favorite records of 2017, so I knew I wanted them involved. The New Empire is one of Fernando Perdomo’s many projects, and he’s a longtime favorite of mine, so I was happy when he expressed an interest. I do get approached by musicians interested in appearing on my projects, but I generally go into the planning process with a list of people to invite.

Q: The song selection on White Lace & Promises is excellent, and effectively demonstrates the depth and eclectic nature of Paul Williams’ musical output throughout his long career. I was thrilled to see two songs from Phantom of the Paradise (a film that Williams starred in, and for which he composed the score) on the disc. Did you have a tough time picking out which songs to include on the album?

A: There were so many to choose from! I didn’t want to lean too heavily on his work with the Carpenters or the Muppets, but I’m also well aware that those two acts are how many people got to know Paul in the first place. So leaving off any of those songs just felt arbitrary. But what that meant is that a record I originally envisioned as having 10-12 tracks quickly become one with 23. And I still didn’t get some on there that I wanted, like his recent work with Daft Punk or the songs he did for Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas. But that’s the peril of all the records I put out: the instinct to put more and more songs on there. At a certain point, you just have to say, “That’s going to have to be enough.”

Q: The music of a gifted singer-songwriter like Paul Williams lends itself to a variety of interpretations. On White Lace & Promises, I enjoyed hearing the beautifully done cover of “You & Me Against The World” by Lisa Mychols, and I also dug Ballzy Tomorrow’s energized version of “To Put Up With You.” Were there any different takes on songs contributed to the project that surprised you when you first listened to them?

A: Those two tracks are both so fantastic. I was thrilled that XNYMFO and Indy Neidell were able to take a song like “Dangerous Business” from the notorious (and, frankly, undeserved) flop, Ishtar, and turn it into a fully realized track. I mean, the Ishtar soundtrack isn’t just floating around out there. So they had to piece it all together from clips they found on YouTube and the like. That’s just one example, though. The joy of putting these things together is that I could tell you similar stories about virtually every song on the records I’ve put out. The musicians I work with are just so creative.

Q: Unlike your previous releases, White Lace & Promises focuses on the work of one particular artist. I have to ask: Is Paul Williams aware of the project, and has he heard the album? 

A: He is aware of it! In fact, he reached out to me via email a few weeks back to thank me for putting it together. It was the nicest note, and it was entirely unexpected, as I had not written to him first. And then, he tweeted out the first review that we got! It was a legitimate thrill. In putting this record together, I’ve gotten to communicate with a few people who have met or worked with Paul, and to a person, they all say that he’s one of the most genuinely friendly and caring people they’ve met. My very limited dealings with him bear that out. As for whether he’s heard the record, I know for a fact that he’s heard several of the tracks. I sent him the full record a week or two back. I’m waiting for the right time to ask if he’s gotten the chance to hear it all and what he thinks.

Q: Congratulations on the release of another fantastic record. Can you give us any hints about what’s coming up next from Curry Cuts?

A: You know, I had the ‘80s compilation in mind well before the release of my Lite Rock tribute. The Paul Williams idea was swimming around before I even started work on my James Bond record. In other words, my next ideas are always brewing well before I commence working on them. Which is why it’s sort of curious to me that, as of this moment, I don’t even have a vague notion for what might be next. Which is okay. I never want to force anything. But I know that once inspiration hits, I’ll jump right back in. Here’s hoping that I can convince more great musicians to sign up with me!

I'd like to thank Andrew for taking the time to discuss White Lace & Promises with me. For more coverage on the album, you can read my review of the disc at the arts and entertainment website CultureSonar, by following this link:https://www.culturesonar.com/white-lace-promises-evergreen-covers-of-paul-williams/. To learn more about the Curry Cuts albums, or to order any of their releases, you can head over to: https://currycuts.bandcamp.com.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Swinging "Into The Spider-Verse"

Superheroes are flying, jumping and smashing their way across the big screen on a regular basis these days. We don't seem to have reached the saturation point with these films yet, and there are many more on the way. There have been ups (Black Panther, Wonder Woman) and downs (Justice League, Venom) in terms of quality, but one of the best superhero films of 2018 stars everyone's favorite web-slinger: Spider-Man. What's that you say? You've already seen several Spidey films in recent years, including two entries starring Andrew Garfield (a reboot of the series following the three films with Tobey Maguire) and then yet another reboot with Tom Holland, in Spider-Man: Homecoming? And now there's another one? I truly understand your trepidation, but the animated feature Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is one of the best Spider-Man movies ever made.

The film focuses on Miles Morales, a bright New York teenager, who has just started attending a new boarding school. He also indulges in his passion for creating graffiti artwork, much to the chagrin of his police office father. One night, when drawing some graffiti in an abandoned subway station, Miles is bitten by a radioactive spider, and develops superhuman abilities, similar to those of Spider-Man. When he tries to trace the spider back to its point of origin, he encounters Spider-Man himself, who's fighting the Green Goblin and The Prowler. It turns out that they're working for Wilson Fisk (aka the Kingpin), who's trying to open a doorway to an alternate reality. During the battle, Spider-Man (Peter Parker) is critically injured, and he asks Miles to stop Fisk, because the city will be destroyed if the Kingpin succeeds with his plans.

Miles begins an incredible journey, in which he encounters several spider-characters from other universes. One of these heroes, Peter B. Parker, is an older, embittered version of Spider-Man from an alternate universe, one where he is divorced from his wife, Mary Jane. This Peter Parker has essentially given up on his life as a superhero. Miles bonds with Peter, who becomes a reluctant mentor to him. The other Spider Verse characters, including Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Woman, band together with Peter and Miles to battle Fisk and his team of super-villains, which includes classic villains such as Doctor Octopus, the Scorpion, and Tombstone. But Miles begins to doubt his own abilities, and starts to question whether he wants to wear the mantle of Spider-Man. Will Miles find the hero within himself? Will Fisk succeed with his plans and ultimately destroy the city?

The movie is an energetic, well-crafted tale filled with action, thrills and humor. The writers have found clever ways for the characters to break the fourth wall and quickly relate their origins, so the film never collapses under the weight of too much backstory or exposition. The script features a surprising amount of emotional heft, as Miles embarks on a quest to find out what really makes someone a hero, and ultimately discovers that person within himself. This theme is very much in keeping with the essence of the original Stan Lee-Steve Ditko Spider-Man stories of the 1960s. The film stays true to the character's iconic background, yet still manages to find a fresh and unique spin on its story.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is a loving valentine to the world of Spider-Man, featuring heroes, villains and supporting characters from throughout the web-slinger's long history. There are recent creations like the Gwen Stacy version of Spider-Woman, and more vintage variations such as the wall-crawling super pig, Spider-Ham, who debuted back in 1983. The animation is a brilliant mixture of computer-generated and hand drawn styles, which really gets the look of a comic book just right. There is a  true wealth of information in every frame. You're sure to want to see the film a second time in order to catch the wealth of Easter eggs and references you might have missed the first time around. The voice cast, which includes Shameik Moore as Miles, Lily Tomlin as Aunt May, Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir and Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, do an amazing job with their roles.

The excellent screenplay is by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman, from a story by Lord. You might recognize Lord's name as one of the co-authors and directors of The Lego Movie, and this film has some of that successful movie's pop culture awareness and savvy humor. The movie is expertly directed by Lord, Rothman, and Bob Persichetti. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is a fantastic adventure that pays homage to all the versions of Spider-Man that have appeared in printed and onscreen media since his 1962 debut. Longtime fans will not be disappointed, and newcomers to the Spider-Verse will have a grand time as well. Make sure to stay through the closing credits for the now obligatory post movie scene, which is well worth the wait. Here's a link to the trailer for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg52up16eq0.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Will Otto Kruger "Escape in the Fog?"

What if you had a dream about a murder that seems to be coming true, and no one will believe your story? That’s the premise of the noir-tinged 1945 thriller Escape in the Fog. The story focuses on Eileen Carr, a nurse who’s recuperating from a breakdown she suffered after the ship she was serving on was sunk during a battle. One night, she has a nightmare about witnessing two men attack another man while she’s walking on the Golden Gate Bridge. Eileen wakes up screaming. When several people enter the room at the inn where she’s staying to make sure she’s all right, one of the people who’s at her bedside is the intended murder victim from her dream!

The two have breakfast the next morning. Even though Barry is skeptical of Eileen’s story, he likes her and agrees to help her. The new friends head to San Francisco together. Barry has some business to attend to, though he doesn’t divulge the true nature of that work to Eileen. His boss, Paul Devon, has a new assignment for him. It turns out he’s an undercover agent helping ferret out a network of Nazi spies. But when he disappears during the mission, can Eileen convince Devon that Barry’s in danger, just as she saw in her dream? Or is the likable Devon a double agent out to eliminate Barry?

Otto Kruger in Escape in the Fog
Escape in the Fog is a well-crafted B-movie that’s very typical of its era. The fast-moving tale features a couple of faces that will be quite familiar to classic film fans. Leading lady Nina Foch is probably best remembered for her roles in Executive Suite and An American In Paris, but she also appeared in a number of genre movies such as the thriller My Name Is Julia Ross and the horror outing Return of the VampireThe most recognizable face in the cast may be character actor extraordinare Otto Kruger, who portrays Paul Devon. Kruger was born in Ohio in 1885, and was trained as a musician from an early age. He was studying engineering in college when he decided to try acting as a career. Kruger made his Broadway debut in 1915, where he often played romantic leads, and became something of a matinee idol.

When Hollywood came calling, Kruger quickly established himself as a reliable supporting player. He had a knack for portraying witty, sophisticated villains (and sometimes heroes) in a variety of genres. Kruger was featured in a host of well-known movies throughout his long career, including Duel in the Sun, High Noon and Magnificent Obsession. You’ll likely recognize him from his turns as the suave but deadly Jules Anthor in Murder, My Sweet or the evil Charles Tobin in Alfred Hitchcock's Saboteur. He was also the psychiatrist hero entranced by the title character (played by Gloria Holden) in Dracula's Daughter. Kruger even battled Johnny Weissmuller's jungle lord in Tarzan's Desert Mystery, a film in which he played a villainous Nazi. He gave an excellent performance as a mob boss in the film noir 711 Ocean Drive, which also starred Edmond O'Brien.

Otto Kruger worked steadily in films through the mid 1960s. He appeared frequently on television in series such as Perry Mason, Dr. Kildare, Bonanza and The Rebel. Sadly, he suffered a stroke later in life, which forced his retirement from acting. His final roles were in the 1964 films Della and Sex and the Single Girl. He passed away in 1974. Otto Kruger brought charm, humor and a stylish sense of menace to his many memorable roles. I never fail to smile when I see him turn up in the cast of a movie I'm watching, and he adds a touch of class to Escape in the Fog whenever he is onscreen. The film is available on DVD and occasionally shows up on Turner Classic Movies and other cable channels. It’s worth a look if you enjoy these types of old school thrillers, and at 65 minutes, it never wears out its welcome. This post is part of the What A Character! Blogathon, hosted by my fellow bloggers at Once Upon A Screen, Outspoken & Freckled and Paula's Cinema Club. I'd like to thank them for letting me join in on the fun! You can find out more about the blogathon, and view the other entries here: https://aurorasginjoint.com/2018/11/03/announcement-what-a-character-blogathon-2018/.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

The Story of Queen is "Rhapsodic"

The biography of Queen and their flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mercury would seem a natural fit for the big screen, but it’s taken a while for the project to reach fruition. The film has been in the works for years, with actors like Sascha Baron Cohen and Ben Whishaw, and directors such as Tom Hooper and David Fincher reportedly attached to the movie. Filming finally began in 2017, with Bryan Singer behind the cameras, and a screenplay by Anthony McCarten. Then Singer was suddenly fired from the project several weeks before completion, reportedly due to ongoing absences from the set and several clashes with the cast and crew. Dexter Fletcher was brought in to complete the film, though Singer eventually received sole onscreen credit for his direction.

Bohemian Rhapsody (photo courtesy 20th Century Fox)
Bohemian Rhapsody tells the story of the band from their early days in the 1970s through their triumphant performance at the Live Aid benefit concert in 1985. Despite it’s troubled production history, the movie is an entertaining rock biopic that features Rami Malek (of Mr. Robot) as Freddie Mercury. He's simply terrific in the role. When Malek is onscreen, the film crackles with electricity. He’s got the moves, the gestures and the rock star swagger of Mercury down perfectly. Malek isn’t just acting; he becomes Freddie Mercury. Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy and Joe Mazzello also do fine work as Mercury's band mates Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. Gwilym is especially good as guitar hero May.

The movie plays fast and loose with some of the facts, and there are some factual inaccuracies, which have already been noted by fans. But Bohemian Rhapsody gets somethings right, especially when displaying the raw power of Mercury’s magnetic stage presence and boundless energy, highlighted in the film’s powerful recreations of the band’s live shows. The strong bond (and eventual discord) between the group members is portrayed in some excellent sequences showing them at work on several of the band's most well known songs, including “We Will Rock You” and “Another One Bites The Dust.” There’s an amusing scene with a record company executive (portrayed in a nice bit of irony by Mike Myers of Wayne’s World fame) who refuses to release “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a single.

The film also touches on Mercury’s doubts and insecurities about his own sexuality. While his soul mate and longtime love, Mary Austin (nicely played by Lucy Boynton) remains a loyal friend to him, as time goes on, it becomes clear to Freddie (and those around him) that he’s gay. Although the subject of Mercury’s sexuality is handled in a relatively delicate manner, the history and the music of Queen remains the film’s main focus. The movie culminates in an exhilarating recreation of the band’s appearance at Live Aid. It’s a fantastic sequence that ends the film on a triumphant note.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a mesmerizing rock and roll story driven by a transcendent performance from Rami Malek as Mercury, and the iconic power of the band’s music. Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor were consultants on the project, and the final product definitely does justice to Mercury’s (and the band’s) legacy.  If you’ve ever stomped your feet and hand clapped your way through “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” at a sporting event or sang along with the classic “Bohemian Rhapsody” you’ll truly enjoy Bohemian Rhapsody. The film is finishing up its theatrical run, and a home video release should be announced soon. Here’s a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP0VHJYFOAU.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Cooper & Gaga Power an Electric "Star"

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
There are certain stories that seem to be re-told (or get re-made) regularly in the movie world. The classic Hollywood tale A Star Is Born, about an older star whose career is on the wane, and a young star whose career is on the rise, was first filmed in 1937, featuring Janet Gaynor and Frederic March. In 1954, a splashy wide-screen musical adaptation was released, starring Judy Garland and James Mason. A third version, starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, came out in 1976. The latest re-telling of A Star Is Born features Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, and it’s a well-made, contemporary update of this often-told tale. 

Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a hard living country/rock singer who meets a waitress and aspiring songwriter named Ally (Lady Gaga) after one of his shows. He hears her sing, and her raw talent impresses him. The two end up having a conversation about Ally’s struggles to make it into the music business. She even makes up some song lyrics on the spot. Jackson asks her to perform with him the next night. When she decides to show up for the concert, Jackson tells her he’s written music for the lyrics she composed the night before, and that she needs to sing the song. Of course, the audience loves Ally’s performance, and Jackson invites her to go on tour with him.

The two fall in love, but Jackson is on a downward spiral due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He's also got some family issues with his brother that he needs to work out. Meanwhile, Ally’s star is on the rise. A record producer approaches her about working with him, and he starts to mold her into a pop artist. As Ally becomes a star, Jackson’s addictions begin to overwhelm him. Is their love strong enough to survive Jackson’s personal demons? If you’ve seen previous versions of the story, you may know the answer to this question, but this remake brings a fresh spin to this show business saga. This remake has been in the works with various director and star pairings over the last few years (including Clint Eastwood and Beyonce) but Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are the true heart of the film.

The two leads have wonderful chemistry; you can almost feel the electricity crackle between them. Lady Gaga’s performance feels natural and unforced. She does a fine job, underplaying rather than overplaying as Ally. Bradley Cooper (who learned to play guitar and sing in a different vocal register) inhabits the role of Jackson, making it truly his own. The strong supporting cast includes Sam Elliott (terrific, as always) playing Jackson’s brother, Andrew Dice Clay (in a nice, understated turn as Ally’s father) and Dave Chappelle. The songs, by Gaga, Jason Isbell, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, among others, are fantastic. They fit the style of the country/rock and pop worlds the story is set in perfectly.

The film manages to tell an emotional and compelling love story while making a commentary on how the pop music machine can remake stars in a new image, sometimes losing what made them special in the first place. In addition to starring in and producing, Bradley Cooper also directed the film, and he does a fine job behind the camera. While A Star Is Born doesn’t break any new ground, it’s an entertaining story that‘s well worth seeing. The combination of the strong performances, great songs and excellent direction make the movie a sure bet for move and music fans. The film is finishing up its run in theaters, and a digital and video release date should follow soon. Here’s a link to the trailer for A Star Is Born: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSbzyEJ8X9E, and a video for the song "Shallow:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo_efYhYU2A.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

The Songs and Stories of The Cowsills

Who are The Cowsills? You might recognize their most well-known songs: "The Rain, The Park, And Other Things" and "Indian Lake," or their playful cover of the title tune from the musical Hair. But there's much more to the story of this band, who rocketed to stardom for a brief time, then faded from view. The documentary Family Band: The Cowsills Story (2011) tries to shed some light on the rise and fall of the group that was the inspiration for the hit television series The Partridge Family. It's a story filled with twists and turns, and it's not without it's darker moments. The band was formed in 1965 by siblings Bill, Bob and Barry Cowsill. A bit later, their brother John, their sister Susan and their mother Barbara joined the group. Their first album, The Cowsills, was released in 1967 and the single "The Rain, The Park, And Other Things" rose to Number 2 on the charts.

Soon, The Cowsills were everywhere; performing on television shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show, as well as headlining successful concert tours and appearing in ad campaigns for organizations like The American Dairy Association. But there was a downside to fame. Their father, Bud, ruled the family with an iron hand, and could be argumentative and abusive. He regularly clashed with his wife and children, and often sabotaged the group's chances at further success by arguing with television and record company executives. When Screen Gems approached the family to portray themselves on a sitcom, the deal fell through when they were told actress Shirley Jones would play their mother on the show, instead of Barbara. The resulting series, The Partridge Family, co-starring teen idol David Cassidy, aired for four years on ABC. 

Family Band: The Cowsills Story is an insightful retelling of the rise and fall of the group, featuring interviews with the surviving members of the band and their extended family, musicians Tommy James and Waddy Wacthel, and some of the producers and songwriters who worked with them. It's obvious that the band's sunny pop facade hid some troubling secrets, and the film is fairly frank in its recounting of those moments, including an argument between Bud and Bill which ended in Bill being fired from the group, and Bud's arrest. The documentary also recounts the difficulties some of the band members had adjusting to life after their success ended. The film does manage to give us an update on what the various siblings were doing at the time of the film's release, but I wish there had been a bit more about their current successes. For example, Susan is now considered something of an indie rock icon for her work with groups like The Continental Drifters.

There are some wonderful vintage clips of the band included in the movie, as well as footage of some more recent reunion performances. If you're a devotee of 1960's pop, and like behind the scenes stories, then you'll probably enjoy Family Band: The Cowsills Story. But be prepared to see the down side of fame and fortune; no family is without its secrets, and The Cowsills certainly had their share. Their angelic harmonies and memorable songs have stood the test of time, and their story is fascinating, powerful, compelling and ultimately moving. The film was written by Louise Palanker, and directed by Palanker and Bill Filipiak. Family Band: The Cowsills Story is now available on DVD, and you can currently stream it on Amazon Prime. Here's a link to the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btTbG0UZfXE.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Welcome to the "House of Dracula"

John Carradine & Martha O'Driscoll
Fans always enjoy seeing fictional characters interact, whether it’s in graphic novels like Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, blockbuster films like the recent Marvel and DC superhero franchises, or TV series like John Logan’s Victorian era horror saga Penny Dreadful. In 1943, Universal Pictures began combining their successful horror characters in Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man, with Bela Lugosi as the Frankenstein Monster, and Lon Chaney, Jr. in his signature role as The Wolf Man. Even though the two “titans of terror” seemingly perished at the end of the movie, they returned in 1944’s monster mash-up House of Frankenstein. That film also featured a mad scientist, played by none other than Boris Karloff and Dracula, portrayed by John Carradine. Once again, in the story’s finale, it looked like most of these characters had met their end. But you can’t really keep a good monster down, can you?

House of Dracula (1945) brings together Dracula, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein’s Monster, as they all end up at the castle of Dr. Franz Edelmann, who’s researching a plant called clavaria formosa, which he hopes can be used to cure a variety of medical issues and illnesses. He has two assistants, Miliza (Martha O’Driscoll, in a role tailor made for Evelyn Ankers) and the hunchbacked Nina. Edelmann hopes to treat Nina’s condition following the completion of his research. But two visitors to the castle will change all that; a distinguished looking man named Baron Latos, who claims to be a vampire, and Lawrence Talbot, a troubled soul who insists that, during each full moon, he turns into a werewolf and kills people. Latos is of course, Count Dracula and Talbot is The Wolf Man. Both men want Dr. Edelmann’s help in ridding them of their conditions; for Latos/Dracula it’s his vampirism, and for Talbot, it’s the curse of the werewolf. Edelmann examines and diagnoses them, and concludes that they can be scientifically treated, and possibly even cured!

Onslow Stevens, Glenn Strange & Lon Chaney, Jr.
But the best-laid plans of men (even well-intentioned ones) often go awry. After rescuing a distraught Talbot from a suicide attempt, the two men discover the still living Frankenstein Monster beneath the castle, and Edelmann has the creature brought to his lab. He’s tempted to fully revive the monster, but is warned not to by Talbot. Edelmann applies his cure to Talbot, who anxiously awaits the results. Meanwhile, Dracula has set his sights on the lovely Miliza, and his darker impulses cloud his desire for a cure. When Dracula reverses the flow of a blood transfusion from Edelmann, the doctor becomes infected with the vampire’s blood, and temporarily transforms into a creepy Mr. Hyde like fiend, who then murders one of the castle’s workers. He also revives Frankenstein’s creation. The template is set for death and destruction, as angry villagers seeking revenge for the murder storm the castle, and the local police inspector heads there to find the killer. Of course, it all ends in a fiery finale, in true Universal fashion.

House of Dracula has several elements that make it worth watching. The film is fast-paced and briskly directed by Erle C. Kenton, which helps viewers overlook some of the inconsistencies with earlier entries in the series. Carradine is an effective Dracula, combining charm and a subtle sense of menace. He makes the most of his screen time here, after having what amounted to an extended cameo in House of Frankenstein. The rest of the cast is also strong; aside from Carradine and Chaney (who’s very good in the film) there’s Onslow Stevens as Edelmann, Jane Adams as Nina and the one and only Lionel Atwill as Inspector Holtz. What’s also interesting about House of Dracula is the concept that the monsters (specifically Dracula and The Wolf Man) have afflictions that can be medically diagnosed, treated and cured. The story mingles the classic origins of these characters with science (even psychology), and suggests there is another way to look at the cause of their “curses.” It was (and is) an intriguing idea. In fact, while Larry Talbot seemed to be cured by the end of the story, he’d be back to his lycanthropic ways in 1948’s classic comedy/horror hybrid, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, which is the last time the classic monster line-up appeared together.

While no one will likely place House of Dracula among the best of the Universal series, it’s a fun film that will reward Universal horror fans with a great deal of enjoyment. How can you go wrong with a movie that features Lon Chaney, Jr., John Carradine, Lionel Atwill and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein’s Monster? The old adage “they don’t make them like this anymore” certainly applies here. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray in several configurations and collections, so check out your online retailers for details. Here’s a link to the trailer for House of Dracula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KLf-PjcxQg.

Monday, November 5, 2018

"Hill House" Haunts the Crain Family

Carla Gugino in The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has long been considered one of the true classics of horror fiction. The frightening novel (which counts authors like Stephen King among its most ardent fans) has been adapted for the screen twice. The first version was director Robert Wise’s The Haunting (1963), a well-received adaptation featuring Claire Bloom and Julie Harris. The 1998 remake, directed by Jan de Bont, starred Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta-Jones. That special effects laden film strayed significantly from the original story, and was a box office failure. Now writer-director Mike Flanagan has created a new version of the story for Netflix. The 10 episode series, The Haunting of Hill House, is an atmospheric, chilling tale of the disintegration of a family, and the devastating effect that the evil title dwelling has on them.

The series tells the story of Hugh and Olivia Crain. They temporarily move into Hill House, a Massachusetts mansion, with the intention of fixing the place up and later selling it. Their five children, Steven, Shirley, Theo and twins Luke and Eleanor, come along for the journey. What should have been a relatively simple opportunity to flip a house turns into the most terrifying experience of their lives. The house seems to be alive, and preys on the fears and insecurities of the family; multiple ghosts appear, strange events occur, and each time they happen, the paranormal events become more and more disturbing. It all leads to a horrifying night on which Olivia ends up dead under mysterious circumstances, and the family is forced to flee the house. This series of events continues to haunt the Crains throughout their lives.

Michael Huisman and Timothy Hutton
Olivia’s death (and the pervasive influence of the house) fractures the family in ways that resonate across the years. Each member of the Crain family deals with the events that occurred in the house in different ways. Luke ends up a drug addict to numb his pain. Steven (despite not believing in ghosts or the occult) becomes a best-selling author of true-life ghost stories, including one based on the family’s experiences. Theo works as a therapist helping abused and traumatized children. Shirley operates a funeral home with her husband. Their father becomes a recluse who doesn't stay in touch with the family. But Eleanor (Nellie) is perhaps the most traumatized by her experiences, suffering from night terrors and sleep paralysis. She may hold the key to freeing the family from the house's dark influence.

The casting is perfect, and the performances are excellent across the board. The actors portraying the younger versions of the characters are well matched with their older counterparts. The stars include familiar faces such as Timothy Hutton, Carla Gugino and Annabeth Gish, as well as Michael Huisman, Henry Thomas (of ET fame) and Elizabeth Reaser. There are a number of “jump” scares throughout the series, but there’s also an unsettling atmosphere throughout each episode that builds to a crescendo of uneasiness, dread and real terror. The intensity level ramps up as the series moves forward, and the ultimate confrontation between the Crain family and the evil that lurks within Hill House will frighten you, amaze you and perhaps even bring a tear to your eye. And if you love ghosts, the show is tailor made for you, as there are multiple spirits, both good and evil, which appear throughout the story.

The carefully structured story of this "re-imagining" of the book moves around in time, flashing back and forth in a puzzle box style reminiscent of the series Lost. The transitions between the different time periods are cleverly done. Writer-director Flanagan (Oculus, Hush) and his crew deliver a brilliantly executed look and style to the series, especially in the startling sixth episode, which is built around several long continuous shots. There are also some clever callbacks and Easter eggs for fans of the original novel. I’ve tried to avoid revealing too much about the show, so that those who like to binge view their series spoiler-free can thoroughly enjoy the experience of watching the story and its twists and turns unfold. I highly recommend The Haunting of Hill House to fans of intelligent, well-crafted horror tales. Here’s a link to a trailer for the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9OzG53VwIk.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

The Awakening: A Flawed Ghost Story

I love a good, well-produced ghost story. Movies like The Haunting (1963), The Legend of Hell House (1973)The Sixth Sense (1999)The Others (2001),) and Guillermo Del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and Crimson Peak (2015) are some fine examples of what can be achieved in this sometimes overdone genre. The Awakening (2011) tries to evoke the feeling of those films, but only partially succeeds. Rebecca Hall (The Town) stars as Florence Cathcart, a woman in 1920s London who debunks fake spiritualists. It’s clear from the outset that she’s suffered a loss of her own, and that loss is what drives her on her quest to expose these charlatans. She believes in rationality and science, and not ghosts or the spirit world.

One day, a history teacher at a boy’s school asks for her help. The recent death of a student has been attributed to the sightings of a ghost; the staff wants her to investigate. Florence travels to the school, and rather quickly solves the mystery…or does she? Most of the students and staff depart for a holiday break, but Florence stays behind, feeling there’s more to the story. Strange events that can’t be explained start to occur. It appears that there may actually be a haunting at the school. Aided by the teacher, the school’s matron, and a boy who stays behind because his parents are away, Florence begins to unravel the mystery.  But the answers she find just may change her beliefs forever.

Directed by Nick Murphy and co-written by Murphy and Stephen Volk, the movie is handsomely filmed and has some eerie moments, courtesy of the cinematography by Eduard Grau. But we’ve seen this all before, and sharp viewers are likely to figure out the plot twists before the story’s conclusion. The metaphors (World War I’s horrors haunting the history teacher, for example) in the story don’t quite work; they aren’t fully explored. There are also a couple of characters that aren’t as well developed as they could be; the creepy groundskeeper is pretty much a stock villain. The movie is well acted (especially by Hall and Imelda Staunton, as the matron) but it can’t make up for the faults in the storytelling, or an inconclusive ending that wants to have it both ways.

The Awakening is an admirable, albeit flawed try at an old-fashioned ghost story. We’ve seen more successful attempts at this type of tale in films like the ones I mentioned above. It’s not a bad film, but it could have been so much better. If you’re looking for a more recent spooky tale to view on movie night, try The Woman in Black (2012), starring Daniel Radcliffe. It’s an effective chiller that has some good scares, and a solid, well-turned story. As for The Awakening, the film is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray and for digital download. Here’s a link to the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYtj9lpzC1Q.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

"The Witch" is a Dark, Terrifying Tale

It’s a difficult task in today’s cinema to create a truly unique horror film, but that’s just what writer-director Robert Eggers  accomplished with the 2015 thriller The Witch: A New England Folktale. This eerie tale concerns a Puritan family who is banished from their colony because of their too strict religious beliefs. The family sets up a farm, which is located not far from a wooded area. William, the father, works hard to make their crops bear fruit, but they are failing. Strange things begin to occur. The family’s youngest child disappears while being watched by the oldest daughter, Thomasin. Was it a wolf that spirited the infant away, or something more sinister? The mother, Katherine, is inconsolable at the loss of her infant child, believing supernatural forces may be responsible. Her sanity begins to fray at the edges, and she focuses her ire (and the blame) on Thomasin, who claims she's innocent.

Caleb, the oldest son, goes hunting with his father, and confides that he is struggling with his faith. Young twins Mercy & Jonas claim the family’s goat, which they call Black Philip, speaks to them, and they sing songs to him. Caleb disappears one night, only to return feverish & in a coma, after a terrifying ordeal. Paranoia begins to set in, and everyone starts to distrust one another. A witch appears to be the cause of all their woes, but is this evil being among them? Katherine believes it to be Thomasin, since most of the strange events seem to center upon her. Things go from bad to worse, and ultimately the true face of the evil that haunts the family is revealed.  I don’t want to spoil the film, so I won’t say more about the plot. This is a story where the terror builds at a slow burn, and reaches a crescendo by the film’s climax.

The family’s religious beliefs are very real to them, and this threat tears those beliefs, and their bonds, asunder. The Witch: A New England Folktale is as much a story about the unraveling of the family unit & a challenge to its core values, as it is a supernatural thriller. Anya Taylor-Joy gives an assured & layered performance as Thomasin, whose gentleness, curiosity & humor seems at odds with the more stern, restrictive nature of her parents. The excellent cast also includes Ralph (Game of Thrones) Ineson who is solid & effective as William, Kate Dickie, who delicately portrays Katherine’s spiraling descent into madness, and Harvey Scrimshaw as the loyal Caleb, who powerfully conveys the boy’s questions & conflicted emotions regarding the severity of their spiritual beliefs, and the nature of sin.

Writer-director Eggers and his crew have done an excellent job with this carefully crafted, exquisitely produced film. The accurate period details, costumes and sets really make you feel as if you’re living with this family in the 17th century. The kind of terror this family faces wasn’t just the stuff of bedtime stories; the demons of their religion & folklore were very real to them. The Witch: A New England Folktale is a creepy, unsettling film that does not go for “jump scares” or cheap shocks, but uses atmosphere, sound effects & lighting to convey a sense of unease & dread. If you like intelligent, well-crafted tales of spine-chilling terror, The Witch: A New England Folktale is truly one of the best recent films in the genre. The movie is now available for streaming & on Blu-ray and DVD. The disc versions include some fascinating interviews and a Q&A with the filmmakers. Here’s a link to the trailer for the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXmlf3Sefg.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

A Trio of Horror Icons on "Route 66"

The stars of Route 66 meet the monsters
The television drama Route 66 aired for four seasons from 1960-1964. The show concerned the adventures of two young men who roamed the United States in a Corvette convertible, showing up in different locations every week.  Like Richard Kimble on The Fugitive, our heroes interacted with various people, helping them out of trouble, and often getting into some difficulties themselves. The initial co-stars were George Maharis and Martin Milner. Maharis later left the show, and was replaced by Glenn Corbett. The series was very popular with fans, and featured a host of stars to be in various roles, including Lee Marvin, Julie Newmar, and Walter Matthau. But on the night of October 26, 1962, longtime horror fans were given a very special Halloween treat, with the premiere of an episode entitled "Lizard’s Leg and Owlet’s Wing."

In this entry, our heroes Todd (Milner) and Buz (Maharis) are temporarily working as staff liaisons at a Chicago hotel, which is hosting a secretarial convention. Meanwhile, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney, Jr. (playing themselves) arrive at the hotel to discuss a new project. They register with their first names reversed (Peter Lorre is Mr. Retep, for example) and once they’re together, Lorre and Chaney try to convince Karloff that old style scares can still be successful, even in a world where there is a more graphic "new" type of horror film. This leads to the trio causing all kinds of havoc at the hotel, including Chaney wandering the halls in his Wolf Man makeup, hoping to frighten the convention attendees! As Todd helps the titanic terror triumvirate with their shenanigans, Buz falls for one of the secretaries, and the two stories end up intertwining in more ways than one. Karloff even ends up helping fix the broken relationship of the object of Buz’s affections!

The best part of this enjoyable show is seeing Chaney and Karloff suit up as some of their most famous horror characters. Chaney gets to play the Wolf Man, The Mummy and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Karloff dons the makeup of the Frankenstein Monster one last time. Lorre, as always, has some great moments, including a funny scene at the hotel desk when he checks in under his “assumed” name. Karloff, Chaney and Lorre play off each other to great effect, and are clearly having a grand time. Martin Milner seems to be enjoying himself interacting with these iconic actors, and the story wisely focuses on their antics. The only truly outdated aspect of the episode is that (for modern audiences) there are some decidedly un-politically correct moments in the depiction of the secretaries, but that is a sign of the era in which the show was produced.

"Lizard’s Leg and Owlet’s Wing" was penned by Stirling Silliphant (who co-created the series) and directed by Robert Gist. Even if you’re not a familiar with Route 66, this episode is worth seeking out if you are a fan of Karloff, Lorre and Chaney, and their classic films. You may even find yourself opting to check out more episodes of the series; it's a well-written and handsomely-produced show, almost like an anthology series. As I mentioned earlier the show features a number of familiar faces in guest star roles, including William Shatner, Suzanne Pleshette and Edward Asner. The series is available for purchase on DVD, for viewing on Amazon Prime and also on the free streaming website TubiTv.  Here’s a link to a trailer for the DVD release of the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaT4pQDSWZw.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

A Book Lover's Devilish Journey

In The Club Dumas (1993) by Arturo Perez-Reverte, rare book "finder" Lucas Corso is hired to authenticate a lost chapter of the Alexandre Dumas classic, The Three Musketeers. This eventually leads him on a journey to find two copies of a rare book called “The Nine Doors to the Kingdom of Shadows.” This book can supposedly be used to contact the devil himself. Corso becomes embroiled in a chase for this unearthly tome, as various allies and enemies try to either aid him or hinder his progress. It's a search that may just bring Corso more than he bargained for in the beginning.

Perez-Reverte’s novel features many in-jokes for bibliophiles and lovers of classic literature. Chapter sub-headings include quotes from famous fictional characters, including Poe’s famous detective, Arsene Lupin. As Corso tracks down the book, many pages features drawings, quotes and clues that aid Corso in his search.  We find out information as Corso does, along the way. Much of the trivia and in jokes revolves around The Three Musketeers, as characters and situations reflect those in the famous adventure story. The novel has elegant settings and interesting characters, including obsessive book dealers, forgers, devil worshippers and a mysterious girl whose origins (and true motives for helping Corso) are unclear.

The most well drawn character is Corso. He is a lover of books, but he's been corrupted by the nature of his work. We get inside his head, and understand how he thinks. He’s been an unscrupulous man, and, as the search goes on, he starts to doubt if he’s taken the right path in life. The plot keeps you intrigued as the search for the book goes on, with trips to Spain and Portugal along the way, colorfully rendered by the author. The novel is a treat for mystery fans that like working out all the angles of a puzzling story. Portions of the novel were turned into the movie The Ninth Gate (1999), starring Johnny Depp, but significant changes were made to the story for that screen adaptation. The Club Dumas is an intriguing book, and fans of literary mysteries will enjoy Perez-Reverte’s thinking man’s thriller. Perez-Reverte is the author of several other historical and literary themed thrillers, including 1990's The Flanders Panel, but The Club Dumas is one of his best.

Sunday, September 16, 2018

An Eerie, Haunting "Carnival of Souls"

Candace Hilligoss and friend in Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls (1962) is one of those films that truly fits the definition of the term “cult movie.” Made on a small budget, it retains its reputation as an offbeat exercise in horror. The story concerns Mary Henry, who survives a terrible car accident after a drag race. She then heads to Utah to begin working as a church organist. But as she settles into her new surroundings, a ghostly man keeps appearing to her and haunting her. She also has moments where she feels disconnected from reality, and it seems like no one can see or hear her. Why is she being drawn to an abandoned carnival outside town? Is she being pursued by an otherworldly presence? Or is there an even more terrifying reason why these strange events are centered on Mary?

The ultimate twist in the movie will seem less shocking to today’s audiences, who have seen a host of similar reveals on TV shows like The Twilight Zone, and in modern films like The Sixth Sense. The "surprise" ending works very well in the context of the story. It’s a tribute to the cast & crew that they get so much out of so little in this eerie thriller. There are some truly spooky sequences that really stay with you after seeing the movie. Producer-director Herk Harvey, who had previously worked on educational and industrial films, shot the movie on location in Utah. He employed mostly local actors, except for lead Candace Hilligoss. Amazingly, Hilligoss (who’s excellent in the role of Mary) only made one other film. She also did a handful of television appearances and some stage work. However, it's this film for which genre fans most fondly remember her.

While it was not a success on its original release, Carnival of Souls gained fans from countless late night TV showings and occasional festival screenings over the years. The movie has influenced many filmmakers, including George Romero and David Lynch. I remember seeing it on late night television as a kid. It was unsettling, and it left you feeling uneasy, like you'd just seen something very different from the usual horror fare. This is a strange, offbeat film that plays more like a meditation on life and death than a straight ahead terror tale. The movie had fallen into the public domain for many years, and inferior video copies were available in bargain bins at video stores and discount outlets. In 2000, the outstanding specialty label The Criterion Collection released an excellent two-disc edition of the film that includes two versions of the movie, a retrospective documentary and other extras. Criterion also released an updated version of their disc on Blu-ray in 2016. The movie is also available for digital download and viewing on various sites. Here's a link to the trailer for Carnival of Soulshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqMEbW7Pe2I.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

The Dark Truth Behind "The Locket"

As a dedicated film fan, I’ll often seek out the movies that have slipped through the cracks, the ones that I’ve missed viewing over the years. I recently caught up with the 1946 film The Locket, starring Laraine Day, Robert Mitchum and Brian Aherne. It’s an intriguing, noir-flavored story of a woman named Nancy, and her relationships with three very different men. As the story begins, Nancy (played by Day) is going to marry her fiancĂ© John. But a man bursts into the house, and demands to speak to the groom. The man is Dr. Harry Blair (Brian Aherne) and he wants to warn the groom about the woman he’s about to marry. In fact, Blair says that HE was married to her, and it led to his ruin. He begs John to listen to his story. And what a story it is!

Robert Mitchum and Laraine Day
Thus begins the puzzle-box flashback structure of the film, as Blair relates the details of his relationship with Nancy. But it isn’t just his story. As his tale unfolds in flashback, we move into another flashback showing the story of the man Nancy was with when she met Blair, an artist played by Mitchum. During that story, we flashback even further, to a pivotal moment in Nancy’s childhood, which involves the locket of the title. So it’s a flashback within a flashback, within a flashback. Confused yet? It all works marvelously well in this moody tale of love, lies, deception and murder. Nancy appears to be the woman of these men’s dreams. But she’s a far more complex character than she seems on the surface.

Director John Brahm (who also helmed 1944’s The Lodger) does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere filled with dread and impending doom. He’s aided by master cinematographer Nicholas Musaraca, who also displayed his masterful talents on such classics as Cat People (1942) and Out of the Past (1947). The cast is perfect; Mitchum (who’s on the cusp of stardom here) is good in an atypical role as the artist who falls in love with his idealized image of Nancy, but realizes too late that his image of her is not the real person. Aherne is marvelous as Blair, who doesn’t heed the Mitchum character’s warnings about Nancy’s true nature, and comes to regret it. Laraine Day is excellent as Nancy, whose almost coquettish persona hides the darker shadings of her real self.

The offbeat structure actually works in the film's favor, as each flashback reveals a little more of the truth about Nancy, leading to a twist I won’t reveal here. Suffice it to say that you’ll be asking yourself at the conclusion of the film if her experiences are caused by fate or coincidence. The Locket is something of a “psychological noir,” a trend that was in vogue around the time of its release, along with films like Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound (1945) and the later Robert Taylor vehicle High Wall (1947), featuring psychoanalysis as a pivotal plot point. If you’re in the mood for an old-fashioned thriller, featuring a solid cast and an impressive visual style, seek out The Locket. It’s available on DVD from Warner Archive, and has also aired on Turner Classic Movies, most recently as part of host Eddie Muller’s Noir Alley series.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

The Ten Best Albums From Elton John

Here's another recent piece I did for CultureSonar, the arts & entertainment website. This time out it's a look at the top ten albums from Elton John. See if you agree with my choices. Follow the link below the picture to access the article, and thanks for reading! You can find my other articles using the search function. Also, please check out the other fine writing from my colleagues on the site!





Sunday, August 19, 2018

Retro Scary Movie: The Sentinel

Did you know the doorway to Hell was located in New York City? No, we're not talking about the plot of Ghostbusters (1984). Let's take a look at the 1977 thriller The Sentinel. Released toward the end of the occult movie cycle which began with films like Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Exorcist (1973), the movie tells the story of fashion model Alison Parker, who moves into an apartment in a converted brownstone. She's a distraught young woman who has survived a suicide attempt. The other occupants of the building all act strangely, including an eccentric old man named Charles, who keeps trying to ingratiate himself with her, and insert himself into her life. Weird and disturbing events begin to swirl around Alison; she sleepwalks, has intense nightmares and flashbacks to her suicide attempt. When she complains about the constant noise her neighbors are making, she discovers there really aren't any other people in the building except herself and a blind priest named Father Halliran, who lives on the top floor. But what is causing these odd disturbances?

Alison's boyfriend Michael does some research on the building, and makes a startling discovery. The house is owned by the Catholic Church, and has an odd history. But who is Father Halliran? Is he trying to help Alison or harm her? And what about Michael? A cop keeps visiting Alison and telling her Michael may have been involved in the death of his wife. As the secrets of the building come to light, and the evil forces that are haunting her reveal themselves, Alison's true role in these events becomes clear. One thing is for certain; she has a very important part to play, and her life will never be the same. The Sentinel is perhaps not the best of the 1970s wave of satanic-themed horror tales, but it has some frightening and eerie moments. Directed by Michael Winner (best known for his work on several Charles Bronson films) the movie has what they used to call an "all-star" cast, including Burgess Meredith, John Carradine, Ava Gardner, Eli Wallach, Beverly D'Angelo, Chris Sarandon and Cristina Raines as Alison. You can also spot Jerry Ohrbach, Christopher Walken & Jeff Goldblum in minor roles.

The movie is based on a novel by Jeffrey Konvitz, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He did pen a sequel to The Sentinel, entitled The Guardian, which has not been adapted for the screen. If you're a fan of these types of movies, The Sentinel is worth a look. The location filming in New York City truly adds to the film's overall effectiveness. I remember seeing it on late night TV back in the early 80s, and it definitely creeped me out. It's sort of a combination of the haunted house and demonic sub-genres of horror. The Sentinel would make perfect October/Halloween themed viewing. It is available on Blu-ray from Scream Factory with some fine extras: three different commentary tracks, including one by author Konvitz as well as one by star Raines, and another by director Winner. There's also a video interview with the film's assistant director, and some trailers and ad art galleries. Here's a link to the original trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMIssiMkt04.