"I killed her. I knew I would, the first time I said 'Hello'." - the tagline for The Fury masks the madness that is master director Brian DePalma's often overlooked film released following his massive hit Carrie. All the DePalma signature moves are on display and the blood runs gruesome red, just ask John Cassevettes. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 35 – The Fury (1978)
Doc is joined by award winning director Christopher G. Moore to discuss what many fans call Carrie 2.0, it is Brian DePalma's The Fury featuring Kirk Douglas, John Cassavettes, Carrie Snodgress, Charles Durning, Amy Irving, Fiona Lewis and Andrew Stephens. The film is typical DePalma with a variety of storylines merging into a single gory, explosive climax. The film features effects by Rick Baker, Rob Bottin and Greg Cannom and a score from the one and only John Williams. Join The Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore as they discuss this classic horror film.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"He Knows When You're Sleeping, He Knows if You're Awake, He KNOWS..." - the tagline for Black Christmas promises a holiday horror treat for fans of 1970s fans. The film is from director Bob Clark (Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things) long before he would gain mainstream fame for A Christmas Story and Porky's. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 34 – Black Christmas (1974)
Santos and Doc are joined by award winning director Christopher G. Moore to discuss the first seasonal slasher flick Black Christmas featuring Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon, Andrea Martin, James Edmond, Doug McGrath, Art Hindle, Lynne Griffin and Michael Rapport. Eventually seen on NBC during prime time under the title Stranger in the House, Black Christmas became a favorite film for Elvis Presley and would influence a generation of horror films from Halloween to When a Stranger Calls. Join The Black Saint, Doc Rotten and Christopher G. Moore as they discuss this classic horror film.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"You haven't seen Kung fu until you've seen the 7 BROTHERS and 1 SISTER take DRACULA" - the US tagline for Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires promises a mishmash of horror, kung-fu and blacksploitation with the alternate title The 7 Brothers meet Dracula. However, this cult-class Hammer film is now known and loved under its original title and without the cuts and edits the US version suffered. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 33 – Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)
Horror aficionado Bill Mulligan joins Decades of Horror to tackle another Hammer film from the Seventies, Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires. This film, one of Hammer's last, may be the studio's most bizarre film as they team up with China's Shaw Brothers to blend their Gothic horror with kung-fu action. Peter Cushing is back as Professor Van Helsing but Christopher Lee is no where to be seen as Dracula. Instead, we are treated to John Forbes-Robertson taking up the role in the only Hammer Dracula appearance that does not have Lee as the Lord of the Undead. David Chiang as Hsi Ching and his Kung-fu siblings join Van Helsing and his son to take on the 7 Golden Vampire providing the film with fangs, blood, boobies and big action battles galore. Good times!
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"He gave his critics a bloody and violent taste of their own medicine!" - the tagline for Theatre of Blood promises murder and mayhem the only way horror icon Vincent Price knows how with wit and horror. The legendary actor stars as Edward Kendal Sheridan Lionheart, a Shakespearean actor shamed to the point of suicide by a London circle of critics. Little did they know, he would return to exact his revenge. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 32 – Theatre of Blood (1973)
Much like the Dr. Phibes movies from the previous two years, Theatre of Blood from 1972 is a violent and bloody revenge caper with a dark sense of humor also starring Vincent Price. Lionhart is set on getting his revenge and he has his targets set on the nine critics that defamed him. Price has a blast in the Douglas Hickox directed feature where he dons a variety of costumes and characters while waxing poetic with famous Shakespearean dialog. While he's at it, Price also hatches elaborate ways to dispatch his victims based on the deaths in those famous plays. Lots to discuss as Doc and The Black Saint dive one of the Black Saint's favorite Price performances.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"18 Feet of Gut-Crunching, Man-Eating Terror!" - the tagline for Grizzly, along with that killer Neal Adams poster, promises the ultimate Jaws ripoff of all time. The film is helmed by a favorite 70s director William Girdler and features Christopher George, Andrew Prine, Richard Jaekel and an 18 foot grizzly bear (well, close...). The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 31 – Grizzly (1976)
For episode 31 of Decades of Horror, Doc Rotten and the Black Saint dive into the campy, gruesome fun of Grizzly and all its gory, silly goodness. The film holds the record of being the most successful independent motion picture of 1976, a distinction it held until Halloween surfaced two years later. Along with other goofy factoids and fond memories, we learn the film holds a special place in the Black Saint's heart as he shares watching the film with mother when the film debuted on TV a year or so later. Doc, of course, fixates on the many similarities between Grizzly and Jaws from the three main characters, the creature on the prowl story-line and the inclusion of actress Susan Backlinie. But, in the end, it really is all about that poster art. C'mon, seriously.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"Who are these unholy savages who hunt out their victims by sound alone?" - the tagline for Tombs of the Blind Dead (La Noche del Terror Ciego) from under-appreciated Spanish director Amando de Ossorio introduces the zombie-like terror of The Templar Knights. When a group of travelers stumble upon an abandoned, dilapidated castle, los Guerreros de Oriente rise from the grave to drink their blood. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode3 – Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971)
Excited to discuss the film he refers to as "Revenge from Planet Ape", Bill Mulligan returns to guest-host this episode of Decades of Horror. Joining us for the first time is fan-turned-guest-host Jerry Chandler, writer for Needless Things. Bill and Jerry quickly reveals they are huge fans of Tombs of the Blind Dead as they join Doc and the Black Saint in recapping and reviewing La Noche del Terror Ciego. Fun things that come up, in addition to the Planet of the Apes marketing ploy, is a debate if the creatures in the film are zombies, vampires or raging ghosts. A familiar but often forgotten gem, Tombs of the Blind Dead proves to be a terrific topic to discuss thanks to the Grue-believers from Gruesome Magazine who helped select the topic for this episode.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
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"If this one doesn't scare you, you're already dead" - the tagline for the Don Coscarelli cult classic Phantasm (1979) foreshadows an experience not to be forgotten. And, it delivers. There is nothing like Phantasm with its nightmare narrative, the Tall Man and those deadly flying spheres. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 29 – Phantasm (1979)
Thomas Mariani, co-managing editor of OneofUs.net and co-host of Horror News Radio, joins The Black Saint and Doc Rotten to discuss a bonafide classic of horror movies, Seventies or otherwise, Phantasm. In recent months the film is set to get a 4K makeover with a release shepherded by J.J. Abrams and another sequel called Phantasm Ravager. And with the passing of the film's Tall Man, Angus Scrimm (Lawrence Rory Guy), Decade of Horror is revisiting Phantasm with bitter sweet joy and a heavy heart. After all these years, the film holds up tremendously well, even if some of its tricks are beginning to show their low-budget origins. Check out that marble wall paper and glimpses of the rope used to help Angus pick up the coffin. Still the Tall Man will haunt your dreams and the flying spheres will make you piss your pants.
"Welcome to the Bottom of the Food Chain!" - the tagline for the cult classic, so-bad-it-is-good, AIP horror film from Bert I. Gordon, Food of the Gods (1976) reveals not only the theme of the film, but the level of quality as well. Boom goes the mic. Called "Worst Rodent Movie Of All Time" by Michael Medved, the film is a bit more fondly remembered now for how cheesy it is, for all its camp. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 28 – Food of the Gods (1976)
Back in 1976, Mr. B.I.G. - that's the master of shlock Bert I. Gordon (The Amazing Colossal Man, Empire of the Ants) to horror fans - adapted a "portion" of H.G. Wells The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth for AIP as Food of the Gods featuring Marjoe Gortner (Earthquake) in the lead and Pamela Franklin (The Legend of Hell House) in her last theatrical film. Ida Lupino, Ralph Meeker, Jon Cypher, Belinda Balaski and Tom Stovall round out the cast. The known for its giant rats also includes giant wasps, maggots, chickens and one pissed off rooster. While it is AIP's most financially successful film of the year, it is remembered for all the campy effects and rather lousy adaptation. Still it has its fans. Doc Rotten and the Black Saint spend an hour looking back at this nature-runs-amok Seventies classic. Remember, "One Taste Is All It Takes!"
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"Is it a phantom, a demon, or the Devil himself?" - the tagline for the cult classic, so-bad-it-is-good, Jaws-on-land Seventies horror film The Car (1977) promises something satanic behind the wheel of the custom 971 Lincoln Continental Mark III black coupe. There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no way to stop... The Car. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 27 – The Car (1977)
Decades of Horror started 2015 with The Black Saint's favorite flick, The Manitou, we end the end taking a look at Doc's most cherish thriller Universal's and Elliot Silverstein's The Car, featuring James Brolin, Kathleen Lloyd, John Marley, R.G. Armstrong, John Rubinstein and Ronnie Cox. The film is designed as a semi-rip-off of Jaws with a killer car stalking its victims in the desert outside of Santa Ynez. This film is remembered for its George Barris' car design - the man behind the Batmobile and theMunster's Drag-u-la. Santos agrees with director Silverstein that the film just isn't scary, but Doc is adamant that the film remains a terrific, fun flick from his childhood - and the Black Saint concedes that he did have a fun time watching The Car.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"Your children will die...to give me back...my...life..." - the prophetic tagline gasped by Count Mitterhouse during the 13 minute pre-credits opening for the most bizarre vampire film, the most unusual Hammer Film, sets up the curse that drives Vampire Circus (1971). The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 26 – Vampire Circus (1971)
Horror aficionado and film maker Bill Mulligan returns to co-host Decades of Horror along with The Black Saint and Doc as they dig into the vault of Hammer horror for the first time with Vampire Circus. The film is full of vampires and henchmen as the Circus of Nights invades the small Austrian village of Stetl where the curse of Count Mitterhouse has cast is black shadow onto the townsfolk - in the form of the black plague. The vampires lead by gypsy woman, a dwarf clown and Emil, Count Mitterhouse's cousin. The film is full of early 70's nudity and an unusual amount of blood and gore - even for a Hammer film - which is indicative of the changing times in cinema and horror films of the decade. In addition, there is an unexpected tie to the biggest film of the Seventies, the sci-fi classic Star Wars with Darth Vader himself, David Prowse, cast as the Strongman.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"There's no place else to go and pretty soon we'll all be dead, so forget it! Enjoy yourself! Let's sing and dance while we can! Come on, blow your mind!" - the out-of-this-world 70's tagline for the cult favorite Godzilla vs Hedorah still does not approach how unbelievably bizarre this entry into the Godzilla lexicon actually is. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 24 – Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971)
Horror aficionado and film maker Bill Mulligan return to co-host Decades of Horror to take a long, loving look at the wacky Godzilla vs the Smog Monster film from 1971. Thomas Mariani is on board to share his take of the film as well. Topics discussed tonight include but are not limited to "How does Godzilla manage to fly?", "What is a Hedorah anyway?", "Is that animation from Sesame Street?", "Are those eggs, eyes or testicles?" and "Can you sing the song 'Save the Earth' in its entirety?" Not many films earn the "got to be seen to be believed" like Godzilla vs Hedorah does. Join The Black Saint, Doc Rotten, Bill and Thomas in the grooviest Godzilla story committed to film.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"Yesterday they were cold and dead. Today they're hot and bothered!" - the tagline for the Al Adamson 1971 cult classic Dracula vs Frankenstein immediately sets up the unique tone and goofy splendor that this one-of-kind film possesses. There is literally no other film like it - and there should never be one. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 24 – Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971)
Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971) is a quirky combination of three separate films, starting off as a sequel to Al Adamson's hit biker film Satan's Sadists then morphing into The Blood Seekers before adding the titular monsters for Dracula vs Frankenstein. The result is spectacular in its awfulness, a must-see film. The film stars horror favorite J. Carrol Naish and icon Lon Chaney Jr. in their final horror film roles as Dr. Frankenstein and the Mad Zombie. Dracula and Frankenstein are played by Zandor Vorkov and John Bloom - the monster is also credited to Shelly Weiss who donned the make-up for the final scene. Bill Mulligan returns to guess-host along side Doc and the Black Saint as they take a fascinating look back as Dracula vs Frankenstein.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"She's sweet as sugar... with a voodoo army of the undead!" - the tag line for Sugar Hill (1974) sets up the premise pretty quickly as Marki Bey teams up with Baron Samedi to go up against the under-appreciated Robert Quarry with her Zombie Hit Men. Black-spoitation never had it so good as is does with Sugar Hill. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 23 – Sugar Hill (1974)
Sugar Hill (1974) is one of the few films that holds its cult following so closely to its chest. It was only recently that the film finally received proper DVD and Blu-Ray release, many of the Decades of Horror listeners probably have not even heard of this groovy little monster film. In the time between the voodoo zombies of I Walk with a Zombie and White Zombie and the ghoul zombies from Romero's Dawn of the Dead and Fulci's Zombi, as Night of the Living Dead continued to define what a zombie is, this little gem takes one last stab as a great voodoo zombie tale. And it succeeds marvelously. Check out The Black Saint and Doc Rotten's review of Sugar Hill.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"A tidal wave of slithering, slimy horror devouring, destroying all in its path!" - the tag line for FROGS (1972) promises the first eco-horror experience while the poster displays a giant frog with a human hand hanging from its mouth. While there are no giants in Frogs, there are plenty of killer critters involved from snakes, spiders, alligators and snapping turtles. And, of course, plenty of Frogs! The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 22 – Frogs (1972)
Frogs is one of the first eco-horror films from the Seventies - could be the first depending on how Willard (1971) is categorized. The film also features a young, buff Sam Elliot - without his signature mustache! Ray Milland, Joan Van Ark and Adam Roarke head up the rest of the cast. The George McCowan directed film provides plenty of thrills and excitement - sort of - as an evil gang of frogs and toads leads an island full of creepy critters on a murderous rampage: snakes, spiders, lizards, alligators and snapping turtles take out the cast one-by-one. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten share their thoughts on the film, how it holds up and debate if it is truly an overlooked classic or a glorious groovy crap-fest.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"And now with the fights, the Fuzz, the chicks and the choppers...Man, they're really in deeeeep trouble!" - the poster for THE THING WITH TWO HEADS (1972) embellishes its plot with Seventies florish. The second of two films featuring creatures with two heads, this Lee Frost / AIP cult classic features Ray Milland and Rosie Grier as the two-headed monster. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 21 – The Thing with Two Heads (1972)
The Thing with Two Heads begins by featuring marvelous gorilla costume (yes, with two heads) created by and worn by a young Rick Baker. Great stuff. The film gets increasingly nutty as Ray Milland's characters nears death forcing his assistant Roger Perry to graft his head onto the body of Rosie Grier. Rosie plays a convict on death row who wants the 30 more days afforded him by offering his body to science to prove his innocence. This leads to an elaborate and long car chase throughout the second act as the escaped Rosie with Ray's head evades police capture. Hilarious. A film from the Seventies well deserving its status as a cult classic.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"I'm not afraid of the dark, I'm afraid of what's in it." - trailer for THE DARK (1979). This is one of those head-scratching genre films that littered the Seventies. Originally a straight up monster movie, the film was re-written as a sci-fi flick at the last minute replacing director Tobe Hooper with John "Bud" Cardos. How does that happen? The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 20 – The Dark (1979)
The Dark has an extraordinary cast with everyone wondering just WTF is going on. The film features William Devane, Cathy Lee Crosby, Richard Jaeckel & Keenan Wynn in the headlining roles with Biff Eliot, Casey Kasem, John Bloom (as The Dark), Jacqueline Hydem, Vivian Blaine & Philip Michael Thomas (Miami Vice) as Corn Rows in supporting roles. The script has cop Jaeckel and writer Devane, the father of the first victim, bickering back and forth as they chase down the creature they call The Dark, a monstrous beast that shoots death rays from his eyes. Yup.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"It is as if God created the Devil and gave him… Jaws." - trailer for JAWS (1975). Steven Spielberg's classic Universal horror film is considered one of Hollywood's finest achievements in terror. The cast is phenomenal, a trio of actors that will never be equaled: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 19 – Jaws (1975)
Part 2 w/ Bill Mulligan, Christopher G. Moore & Alan G. Kelly.
Doc Rotten is joined by three film makers to discuss the making, the challenges and the achievements of the timeless classic, JAWS. Join Doc and his friends Bill Mulligan, Christopher G. Moore and Alan G. Kelly as they relive the film recounting some of the best scenes in the film - some of the best scenes in cinema history. They discuss how the tension is built with camera angles, cinematography, composition and music. The scary scenes are dissected, Quint's demise and Ben Gardner's jump scare. Alan and Chris reveal how the "Vertigo" dolly shot was done to accent Sheriff Brody's witnessing the death of the Kintner boy. And of course, no discussion of JAWS can go without mentioning the Indianapolis speech.
Japanese submarine slammed two torpedoes into her side, Chief. We was comin’ back from the island of Tinian to Leyte. We’d just delivered the bomb. The Hiroshima bomb. Eleven hundred men went into the water. Vessel went down in 12 minutes.
Didn’t see the first shark for about a half-hour. Tiger. 13-footer. You know how you know that in the water, Chief? You can tell by lookin’ from the dorsal to the tail. What we didn’t know, was that our bomb mission was so secret, no distress signal had been sent. They didn’t even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, Chief, sharks come cruisin’ by, so we formed ourselves into tight groups. It was sorta like you see in the calendars, you know the infantry squares in the old calendars like the Battle of Waterloo and the idea was the shark come to the nearest man, that man he starts poundin’ and hollerin’ and sometimes that shark he go away… but sometimes he wouldn’t go away.
Sometimes that shark looks right at ya. Right into your eyes. And the thing about a shark is he’s got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll’s eyes. When he comes at ya, he doesn’t even seem to be livin’… ’til he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then… ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin’. The ocean turns red, and despite all your poundin’ and your hollerin’ those sharks come in and… they rip you to pieces.
You know by the end of that first dawn, lost a hundred men. I don’t know how many sharks there were, maybe a thousand. I do know how many men, they averaged six an hour. Thursday mornin’, Chief, I bumped into a friend of mine, Herbie Robinson from Cleveland. Baseball player. Boson’s mate. I thought he was asleep. I reached over to wake him up. He bobbed up, down in the water, he was like a kinda top. Upended. Well, he’d been bitten in half below the waist.
At noon on the fifth day, a Lockheed Ventura swung in low and he spotted us, a young pilot, lot younger than Mr. Hooper here, anyway he spotted us and a few hours later a big ol’ fat PBY come down and started to pick us up. You know that was the time I was most frightened. Waitin’ for my turn. I’ll never put on a lifejacket again. So, eleven hundred men went into the water. 316 men come out, the sharks took the rest, June the 29th, 1945.
Anyway, we delivered the bomb.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"Anti-shark cage. You go inside the cage? Cage goes in the water, you go in the water. Shark's in the water. Our shark." - Quint to Hooper in JAWS (1975). Steven Spielberg's classic Universal horror film is considered one of Hollywood's finest achievements in terror. The cast is phenomenal, a trio of actors that will never be equaled: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 18 – Jaws (1975)
Part 1 w/ The Black Saint, Doc Rotten, Dave Dreher and Thomas Mariani
with Special Guest-Host Bill Oberst, Jr.
Joining The Black Saint and Doc Rotten are joined by their Horror News Radio colleagues, Thomas Mariani and Dave Dreher, to dive into the waters off of Amity Island as Sheriff Martin Brody, Bartholomew M. Quint and Matt Hooper battle a 25 tons of man-eating machine, a great white shark named "Bruce." Just to make sure the shark does not swim up and bite us in the ass, we have a very special guest-host joining us to discuss seeing JAWS for the first time back in 1975, the extraordinary and prolific actor Bill Oberst, Jr.
There is a creature alive today that has survived millions of years of evolution without change, without passion and without logic. It lives to kill; a mindless eating machine. It will attack and devour anything. It is as if God created the Devil and gave him… Jaws.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Be sure to catch Bill Oberst, Jr. on stage performing a one-man show of Ray Bradbury’s 1948 novella Pillar Of Fire described as "50 minutes of pure prose magic from the Master Of Imagination" by Hollywood Fringe.
Airport from 1970 was not the first "disaster film" but it was a monster box office hit that ignited a series of disaster films throughout the Seventies until the spoof Airplane (1980) would put it all to rest 10 years later. With the release of San Andreas (2015), Decades of Horror '70 takes a look at four of the major shakers and movers in this star studded sub-genre: Airport (1970), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Earthquake (1974) and The Towering Inferno (1974). The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 17 – Disaster Films
Airport – The Poseidon Adventure – Earthquake – The Towering Inferno
The Black Saint and Doc Rotten celebrate the decade of disaster by looking at the big four. Starting with Airport, the take a quick look as the box office, the filming and the cast all the way to The Towering Inferno. The films remain influential and are remarkable in how they hold up after all these years. What makes them so incredible? Is it the nature of the sub-genre? Is it the incredible cast that include a string of Hollywood greats from their time? Check out the famous faces these films include, Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Helen Hayes, Gene Hackman, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons, Ernest Borgnine, Charleton Heston, George Kennedy, Faye Dunaway, Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. Big special effects, sprawling soap opera conflicts and sensurround. Hold tight, The Black Saint and Doc Rotten are here to rescue you. "Linda! My Linda!" - Ernest Borgnine, The Poseidon Adventure.
AIRPORT (1970)
Based on the novel by Arthur Hailey and directed by George Seaton, Airport stars Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jean Seberg, Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, Helen Hayes, Van Heflin, Maureen Stapleton, Lloyd Nolan, Barbara Hale, Gary Collins. The film earns Helen Hayes an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Released on March 5, 1970 with a budget of $10 million, it grosses over $100 million.
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972)
Irwin Allen steps into the disaster film ring with The Poseidon Adventure in 1972 with perhaps the best of all disaster films. The film is based on the novel Paul Gallico and is directed by Ronald Neame. The cast is phenomenal staring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens, Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson, Pamela Sue Martin, Arthur O'Connell, Eric Shea and Leslie Nielsen. The film would earn the Best Original Song Academy Award for "The Morning After" and the Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects. Released on December 13, 1972 with a budget of $5 million, it grosses over $90 million.
EARTHQUAKE (1974)
Mark Robson directs the original screenplay from George Fox and Mario Puzo presenting what would be advertised as "An Event..." film. Known for being presented in sensurround, Earthquake stars harlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Green, Genevieve Bujold, Richard Roundtree, Marjoe Gortner, Barry Sullivan, Lloyd Nolan, Victoria Principal and Walter Matthau (as Walter Matuschanskayasky). It wins the Academy Award for Best Sound and the Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects. Released on November 15, 1974 with a budget of $7 million, it grosses over $75 million.
THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974)
Irwin Allen is back again using two books as inspiration - the novel The Tower by Richard Martin Stern and the novel The Glass Inferno by Thomas N. Scortia & Frank M. Robinson - for the block buster of all disaster films, the Towering Inferno. The film stars Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astair, Susan Blakely, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, O.J. Simson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner and Mike Lookingland. The films wins Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Music, Original Song: "We May Never Love Like This Again." Released on December 16, 1974 with a budget of $14 million, it grosses over $116 million.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
William Marshall returns as Prince Mamuwalde in SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM (1973). Decades of Horror return to early Blacksploitation horror with the AIP sequel to their hit vampire flick Blacula (1972). Along for the ride are Richard Lawson and Pam Grier. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 15 – Scream Blacula Scream (1973)
The director of Count Yorga, Vampire and The Return of Count Yorga, Bob Kelljan , resurrects Dracula' Soul Brother for Scream, Blacula, Scream. "The Black Prince of Shadows Stalks the Earth Again!" promises the tag line while The Black Saint argues the title suggests a far different film. Doc defends the movie enjoying the inclusion of voodoo and more vampirism while the Black Saint insists it is as slow as molasses. Regardless William Marshall owns the roles and keeps the film alive with another wonderful performance.
Some fun dialog:
Pimp, "Your bread, man, all of it! Or are we gonna have to become anti-social and kick your ass?"
Blacula, "I'm sorry, I don't have any 'bread' on me, and as for 'kicking my ass' I'd strongly suggest you give it careful consideration before trying"
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Nazi Zombies, Alan Ormsby makeup design, Peter Cushing and John Caradine: it is a recipe for greatness. This episode Decades of Horror dives into the bloody waters of SHOCK WAVES from director Ken Wiederhorn. The tagline says it all, "Once They Were Almost Human! Beneath the living... Beyond the dead... From the depths of Hell's Ocean! The Deep End of Horror!" The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 16 – Shock Waves (1977)
North Carolina film maker Bill Mulligan returns DoH to discuss Shock Waves along with horror fan Paul Cardullo who along with Doc Rotten recently caught the film on the big screen at the Retrofantasma film series at the Carolina Theater in Durham, NC. Along with the aforementioned Cushing and Carradine, Shock Waves stars Brook Adams and Don Stout. The film is fondly remembered for its atmospheric imagery of water logged Nazi Zombies rising from the depths. The Black Saint, Doc, Bill and Paul spend an hour looking back at the polarizing but influential cult classic, Shock Waves.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
The first and best of all "blaxploitation" horror films, BLACULA, takes a bite out of The Black Saint and Doc Rotten on episode 14 of Decades of Horror. "Are you ILL, sir?!" belts William Marshall as Prince Mamawalde as Count Dracula crosses "Dracula's Soul Brother" in the opening of William Crain's Seventies classic. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 14 – Blacula (1972)
As Blacula and its sequel, Scream Blacula Scream are released on Blu-Ray by Scream Factory (March 2015), The Black Saint and Doc Rotten dive into the film discussing William Marshall, Blaxploitation horror and the Hues Corporation. More than many of the films of the decade, Blacula is steeped in the vibe of the times from the dialog to the costumes. The film owes a lot to the imposing and dynamic presence of William Marshall as Mamuwalde and Blacula. The make up effect are decent for the time and the slow motion vampire attack still leaves a lasting impression on The Black Saint.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
Novelist, screen writer, director Michael Crichton brings the iconic Westworld to cinema screens in 1973 set in an Disneyland-inspired amusement park where robots interact with guests enabling them to live out fantasy environments long gone, Medieval World, Roman World and West World. A computer virus sends the robots on an uncontrolled path of death, destruction and mayhem. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 13 – Westworld (1973)
For Westworld, and in preparation for the forthcoming HBO series coming spring/summer 2015, The Black Saint and Doc Rotten revisit the classic science goes wrong cautionary tale that has since inspired Halloween, Terminator and Crichton's own Jurassic Park. While Richard Benjamin and James Brolin are the leads in the film, Yul Brynner steals the entire film as the rogue robot "The Gunslinger" - which is a homage to his classic "Chris" character in The Magnificent Seven.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
From the director of PORKY'S, MURDER BY DECREE and A CHRISTMAS STORY comes a tale so terrifying, to frightening, you will "piss your pants." CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is Bob Clark's under-appreciated zombie cult classic from 1973. Not widely seen, but loved by most all who have seen it, the film bridges the gap between NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and EVIL DEAD. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 12 – Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (1973)
For Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things, Doc Rotten and The Black Saint are joined by Ormon Grimsby and Joseph Fittos to discuss Bob Clark's oddball zombie flick from 1973. Ormon, the animated horror host from North Carolina, claims the film as one of his favorites, influential to both his love of horror films and his horror hosting personality. The Black Saint is not far behind him in his high praise and appreciation for this low budget must-see-film.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
"Who calls me from out of the Pit?" The tag line exclaims one Ernest Borgnine's best lines as Jonathan Corbis in The Devil's Rain (1975) where he transforms into a goat faced pagan demon. Director Robert Fuest's campy horror flick not only has William Shatner, Tom Skerritt, Keenan Wynn, Ida Lupino and Eddie Albert in its all star cast, the film also presents the first screen appearance of John Travolta. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 11 – The Devil's Rain (1975)
For The Devil's Rain, Doc Rotten and The Black Saint step back into 1975 to recap, review and remember a campy devil classic where the entire cast melts during the finale. The ending contains spectacular special effects, the movie contains the iconic Corbis make up on Ernest Borgnine and stands in a long line of 70's films with a terrific, powerful downer ending. The Black Saint spotlights the fun encounter between Shatner and Borgnine near the middle of the film while Doc points out how the film is basically broken into two films, Shatner's story followed by Skerritt's tale.
We want to hear from you - the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.
