It’s hard to believe that Jason has been slashing his way arcoss the big screen for nearly 30 years. The latest entry in the series (a reboot? a remake? I dunno.) hits theatres today. In honor of all that cinematic carnage, let’s take a look back at the original Friday the 13th (1980).
Blood Freak (1972) Warning: A movie about a murderous, drug-addicted, monster turkey may sound like fun… well, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
In The Velvet Vampire (1971) a young couple (Sherry Miles and Michael Blodgett from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls) meet a woman at an art opening and then agree to visit her desert home where they willingly fall prey to her blood-thirsty seductions. The Velvet Vampire is neither fish nor foul. It’s not scary, so it doesn’t succeed as a horror film. There is some nudity, but it’s not graphically sexual so it doesn’t succeed as a sexploitation flick either. So why should you watch? Sherry Miles’ empty headed performance as Susan is a genuine treat. Her “acting” style and flat line readings make it pretty clear that she’s not just playing a dumb blond. Below is a trailer in which it’s paired with Scream of the Demon Lover (1970).
We love Susan George! In honor of her birthday (as if we ever need an excuse to post crazy clips on CCT) here are the trailers for The House Where Evil Dwells (1982) Fright (1971) the deadly dull shark epic Tintorera (1977) and the southern-fried melodrama Mandingo (1975).
Could there possibly be anything better than the vehicular insanity of 1977’s The Car? I think not. James Brolin (complete with 70’s porn stache) plays the sheriff of a southwestern town that’s being terrorized by a car from hell. No, the driver isn’t a manic. No, the car isn’t possessed. It’s literally a customized Lincoln from hell that can stop killing 70’s era character actors. Borrowing liberally from Jaws (1975) and The Exorcist (1973), The Car is a laugh riot from start to finish. Even the moments that are car-free are hilarious thanks to the screen-time spent on the melodramatic lives of the small towns citizens.
Could there possibly be anything better than the vehicular insanity of 1977’s The Car? I think not. James Brolin (complete with 70’s porn stache) plays the sheriff of a southwestern town that’s being terrorized by a car from hell. No, the driver isn’t a manic. No, the car isn’t possessed. It’s literally a customized Lincoln from hell that can stop killing 70’s era character actors. Borrowing liberally from Jaws (1975) and The Exorcist (1973), The Car is a laugh riot from start to finish. Even the moments that are car-free are hilarious thanks to the screen-time spent on the melodramatic lives of the small towns citizens.
I don’t know about you, but my DVR is already set for late night Friday 6/6 at 2AM when TCM Underground will be airing the ultra-rare Wicked, Wicked (1973) a half-baked horror/thriller filmed in the wonder of “Duo-Vision”. The theme song alone makes this one a must see!
Easter comes early this year when TCM Underground airs the killer rabbit classic Night of the Lepus (1972) late this Friday night (3/14). If you haven’t yet seen Janet Leigh, Stuart Whitman, Rory Calhoun and DeForest Kelly battle the giant bunnies, now is your chance!
Cranky Critters, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), camp, cult, horror, programing note, trailer
Usually cast in supporting roles, Diane Baker always delivers memorable performances. For proof, just check out two of CCT’s favorite films, The Best of Everything (1959) and The Stolen Hours (1963). It’s especially hard to ignore her her performance as Joan Crawford’s daughter in the William Castle shocker Strait-Jacket.
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