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The Manitou (1978) - Episode 10 - Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Jan 12, 2015

"Evil Does Not Die...It Waits...to be Re-Born." The tag line for The Manitou (1978) promises the birth of a modern horror classic monster. The re-release of William Girdler's film reveals a number of its more prominent influences, "Possession marked The Exorcist. Demonaic Pregenacy arupted Rosemary's Baby. Warnings followed The Omen. And The Manitou has it all combined!" The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 10 – The Manitou (1978)

For The Manitou, Doc Rotten and The Black Saint are joined by North Carolina writer/director/fxartist Bill (400 Ways to Kill a Vampire, A Few Brains More) Mulligan to discuss THE FILM at the top of The Black Saint's all-time favorite films. The man adores this movie. Tony Curtis, Michael Ansara, Susan Stragberg, Stella Stevens, Jon Cedar and Burgess Meredith top line the film that pits Curtis' Harry Erskine and Michael Ansara's John Singing Rock against the 200 year old Medicine Man, Misquemacus.

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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The Vault of Horror (1973) - Episode 9 - Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Dec 23, 2014

"Below the crypt lies death's waiting room...the Vault of Horror." Milton Subotsky and Amicus return with another horror anthology The Vault of Horror, a direct follow up to Tales from the Crypt (1972). Roy Ward Baker steps in to take the director reigns from Freddie Francis bringing his own distinct but similar style with improved angles and composition with a more humorous tint. The blu ray also brings the film to the States for the first time uncut. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 9 – Vault of Horror (1973)

The Vault of Horror brings five new tales to the big screen inspired by and adapted from the EC horror comics from the 50's, four from Tales from the Crypt and one from Shock SuspenStories. The stories include "Midnight Mess," "The Neat Job," "This Trick'll Kill You," "Bargain in Death" and "Drawn & Quartered" with a collection of character actors from the 70s: Terry-Thomas, Daniel Massey, Anna Massey, Curd Jurgans, Michael Craig, Glynis Johns and Tom Baker. This release marks the first time the film is presented uncut where at least four scenes are restored. While the film does not feature a Crypt Keeper nor Amicus anthology mainstay Peter Cushing, the film does continue the revenge themed terror and horror that makes these films so special. "Everything that makes life worth leaving!"

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Tales from the Crypt (1972) - Episode 8 - Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Dec 15, 2014

"You were cruel and mean right from the start, now you can truly say you have no heart." Peter Cushing as Arthur Grimsdyke leaves a horrifying Valentines card for his murderers in Poetic Justice, one of the fantastic stories in the classic Amicus Anthology film Tales from the Crypt (20172). Inspired by the EC Comics in the fifties, Milton Subotsky pens a memorable, creepy tome featuring a deadly Santa, an antique with a deadly touch, a maze of death and more. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 8 – Tales from the Crypt (1972)

Tales from the Crypt is not the first horror anthology, it is not even the first from the British film company Amicus, but it may be the best remembered - if not, it should be. Drawing inspiration directly from the horror comics two decades earlier, the film ties together five short tales with a wrap around story featuring the Crypt Keeper. The Black Saint and Doc recap and review each story praising Peter Cushing in Poetic Justice and the creative revenge found in Blind Alleys. The film is responsible for inspiring two sequels, Vault of Horror and From Beyond the Grave, a loving tribute from Stephen King and George Romero with Creepshow and an HBO television that elevated the Crypt Keeper to a modern horror icon.

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The Sentinel (1977) - Episode 7 - Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Nov 29, 2014

"She Is Young, She Is Beautiful, She is Next...She's Living in the Gateway to Hell" The tag line for The Sentinel (1977) gives away the darkest secret of the big budgeted, big release horror film from Michael Winner based on the hit novel from Jeffrey Konvitz. The cast is insane and the effects are from the legendary Dick Smith. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 6 – Squirm (1976)

For The Sentinel, Doc Rotten and The Black Saint are joined by North Carolina writer/directory/fxartist Bill (400 Ways to Kill a Vampire, A Few Brains More) Mulligan to discuss the overlooked classic from 1977. If nothing else, the cast itself in impressive: Chris Sarandon, Cristina Raines, Ava Gardner & Burgess Meredith, with Martin Balsam, John Carradine, Jose Ferrer, Arthur Kennedy, Sylvia Miles, Deborah Raffin, Eli Wallach, Christopher Walken, Jerry Orbach, Beverly D'Angelo, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Berenger, William Hickey. A who's who of Hollywood then and now. The film is also notorious for the controversy surrounding the use of real "freaks" for the finale that spawned protests and discouraging reviews upon its release. Still the film has a horrific and genuinely frightening scene that places it at number 46 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments (2004).

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Squirm 1976 - Episode 6 - Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Nov 7, 2014

"...by the billions they came, swarming over the land, sucking the life from anything in their path." The tag line promises Squirm (1979) will horrify and disgust you with the killer swarm of...worms. Wait? What? Worms? Yeah, worms! Director Jeff Lieberman delivers cinemas singular horror film featuring killer Glycera worms. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 6 – Squirm (1976)

Both Doc Rotten and The Black Saint fondly recall the impression the promotion stills from Famous Monsters of Filmland left upon even before they were able to catch the film: The Black Saint in the theater upon its original release and Doc with its television premiere. Now as they re-watch the film once again in celebration of its latest Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory, Doc and Saint revel in the gruesome worm closeups as the pour out of closets and drains and burrow their way into the face of Roger Grimes. Somehow, director Jeff Lieberman manages to exploit the squeamish, slimy attributes of the titular creatures attacking a southern household in rural Georgia. Creepy drive-in madness in only the way Seventies horror can provide.

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Prophecy (1979) Episode 5 Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Sep 21, 2014

"She Lives. Don't Move. Don't Breathe. She Will Find You." The tag line promises Prophecy (1979) to be the next big "Monster Movie" with director John Frankenheimer behind the camera and David (The Omen) Selzer behind the pen. The film never lives up to that lofty goal but gives it everything it has. The film stars Robert Foxworth, Talia Shire, Armand Assante and Richard Dysart. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 5 – Prophecy (1979)

Joining The Black Saint and Doc Rotten once again is North Carolina film maker, Bill Mulligan, who lends his thespian, effects making, screen writing talents to the duo's take on Prophecy. The biggest problem with the film is the mutant bear itself, awkward and a little goofy, it draws more laughs that screams. Isely (Richard Dysart) describes the Katahdin monster was "larger than a dragon with the eyes of a cat" but it is often called the salami bear. Stephen King is known to have referenced the film as one of his favorites, Doc Rotten, The Black Saint and Bill Mulligan re-examine the film to roaring delight and cheep 70s thrills.

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The Wicker Man (1973) - Episode 4 Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Sep 6, 2014

Considered a horror classic by many genre historians, The Wicker Man (1973) is the film for this episode. Featuring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Eckland and Ingrid Pitt, the film from director Robin Hardy leads its audience on a leisurely paced path to one of the more iconic endings in horror. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 4 – The Wicker Man (1973)

Joining The Black Saint and Doc Rotten is North Carolina film maker, Bill Mulligan, who lends his thespian, effects making, screen writing talents to the duo's take on The Wicker Man. The show explores the various cuts of the film; the efforts it took to make the film from screenwriter Anthony Shaffer and headliner Christopher Lee; and, all crazy songs scattered throughout the film. Bill, The Black Saint and Doc discuss the horror - or lack of it, the iconic ending and all the...um...forward thinking ways of the pagan Island of Summerisle. Good times!

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The Legend of Hell House (1973) - Episode 3 Decades of Horror 1970s 0

Aug 25, 2014

Haunted Houses are a tough genre to film. They can easily come off hokey or silly. There are some classics though, Haunting, The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist. But many are overlooked and forgotten. One such film is The Legend of Hell House from director John Hough featuring Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill and Gayle Hunnicutt. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten are joined by award winning director Christopher G. Moore to discuss the British classic horror film.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 3 – The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Eventhough The Legend of Hell House springs from the mind of Richard Matheson, it lives in the shadows of The Exorcist and The Haunting. One film changed the face of horror overnight while the other is often seen to have done it better years before. This is a shame as The Legend of Hell House in an intelligent and often creepily effective haunted house film taking both a scientific and supernatural look at the forces behind the haunting. Christopher steps in this week to address the differences between the book, Hell House, and the John Hough directed film while Doc shares his love for the acting chops of Roddy McDowell. Santos fondly remembers seeing the film - in the theaters - when it was released. In the end, The Legend of Hell House is a film worth revisiting and reliving.

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The Brood (1979) - Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 2 0

Mar 30, 2014

Doc Rotten and The Black Saint continue their examination of the horror films of the Seventies with David Cronenberg's The Brood featuring Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar and Art Hindle. The director injects a ton of personal subtext into the script causing The Black Saint to believe Cronenberg may be exorcising some personal demons with The Brood. The film, while containing its signature shock ending, is a sign of the kind of films Cronenberg would dive into in the Eighties with Scanners, Videodrome and The Fly. Doc and The Black Saint take a look at an early entry into the body horror subgenre.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 2 – The Brood (1979)

Decades of Horror 1970s is a monthly podcast taking a look back at the genre films that shaped the co-hosts' love for horror films at an early age. The Black Saint and Doc Rotten re-examine films from the most diverse and bizarre decade of horror in the genre's history, from the decline of Hammer Horror films to the rise of summer blockbusters to exploitations films and grindhouse. Carpenter, Cronenberg, Landis, Hooper, Scott, Coscarelli, Romero, Fulci and Argento are only a few of the great directors that would rise to fame from 1970 to 1979.

We want to hear from you, our valued listeners: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorro.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.

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The Incredible Melting Man (1977) - Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 1 0

Feb 14, 2014

Welcome to the first episode of the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast with your hosts The Black Saint and Doc Rotten. Each month, the show will revisit one of the classic - or not so classic - horror films from the Seventies: b-movies, blockbusters, grindhouse gems and z-grade dreck. It's all about the films that shaped a generation of horror fans and the future of horror films as well.

For the first episode, The Black Saint has chosen the Rick Baker effects spectacle, The Incredible Melting Man from 1977. The movie was billed as "The First New Horror Creature," whatever that means. While Doc admits he walked out of the film back in 1977, The Black Saint loves the film, loves the cheese and all the zany nonsense.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 1 – The Incredible Melting Man (1977)

The Incredible Melting Man is a grand example of horror from the 1970s, ambitious, practical effects and out there - striving to reach new ground and make a lasting impression, regardless of how successful it may be at any of those goals. On the special features of the terrific Shout Factory Blu-Ray edition, director William Sachs sighs that most audiences didn't "get" the movie and its message; surprisingly, The Black Saint freely admits he too has no idea what Sachs is talking about with the film, but he still loves all the goofy plot holes and the terrific, gooey effects from legendary artists Rick Baker.

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