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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN


I actually got this movie on Tuesday, August 24th but my better half – who was out of town for the week – forbade me to see it until she returned to watch it with me. The wait was worth it.

It looks like everyone from the first film, THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA, returns for this movie although a couple of them aren’t playing their original characters.

Several years have passed since the events of TLSOC have taken place. Dr. Paul Armstrong (Writer, Director and Star Larry Blamire) has been missing in the jungle for two years. His perpetually cheerful wife, Betty (Fay Masterson), is contacted by a Government agent who talks her into going on an expedition – first to find Paul and then to search for Jerranium 90, an element of national importance.

They are later joined on the expedition by Dr. Peter Fleming (Brian Howe), twin brother of Roger Fleming. Roger had fallen under the evil influence of the Skeleton and was eventually killed in TLSOC. Peter now has the Skull, the only remaining part of the Skeleton of Cadavra. The Skull sparks to life again and takes hypnotic control over Peter and off they go to find and join Dr. Armstrong’s expedition. The Skull needs that Jerranium 90 in order to become a full skeleton again – and then to rule the world.

Mr. Blamire has a real gift for delivering his “yes, I am bitter” lines in a deliberate monotone voice that really brought to mind the wooden performance of Dudley Manlove in PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (the cinematic lesson I learned from Dudley was that someone still breathing could walk around looking like rigor mortis had already set in).

Susan McConnell and Andrew Parks return as the friendly aliens Lattis and Kro-bar. Together they have one of the biggest laughs in the movie as they “sing” the name of Fleming over and over. “Fleming! Fleming!” got stuck in my head in the same manner that Anita Ward’s 1979 disco hit “Ring My Bell” just wouldn’t go away – even for months after they quit playing it on the radio. The difference is I can live with “Fleming! Fleming!” rattling around in my brain simply because of the exquisite comic delivery of Ms. McConnell and Mr. Parks.

Special mention must be made here of Alison Martin, who plays Chinfa, leader of the Cantaloupe people. Chinfa’s “Cantaloupe Dance” is hysterical – if it doesn’t catch on as a dance craze, then there’s no justice in this world. Ms. Martin has a bright future playing off-the-wall characters as have actresses like Joyce Jameson and Jennifer Coolidge.

Jennifer Blaire reprises her role – Thank God I say! – as “Animala”, though she christens herself here as “Pammie”. I’m guessing that Ms. Blaire has some real-life dance experience because she has absolutely nailed those feline movements with dignified ease and a statuesque grace. It was a very skilled performance.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that the Skull was an on-set diva. It is easy to imagine the Skull acting very much “The Star” while on set; bossing around the extras, preferring not to eat with the rest of the cast and crew, demanding his own trailer, make-up artist, etc. He must have been insufferable. Kudos to everyone there for tolerating the Skull’s “artistic tantrums”. I'm sure that Mr. Blamire has some good stories to tell on this subject.

For those of us who loved those 1950’s creature/”what the hell was THAT?” kind of films predominant at that time period, TLSRA is truly a gift. It’s a loving tribute to the time when Bronson Canyon was used as locations to shoot films like “Robot Monster” and when Richard Carlson never really visibly expressed much surprise at any creature he came across in the movies.

Watching TLSRA was probably the most fun I’ve had (with my clothes on, that is) in a long time. Highly recommended.

Extras include a “making of” documentary and a gag reel. The movie is in both Black & White and Color at two different points.

Available for ordering through “Borders”, “Barnes and Noble” and at shoutfactory.com.

Friday, August 27, 2010

THE AWE-INSPIRING, JAW-DROPPING SPINNING AMITYVILLE HORROR HOUSE


NOW, FOR THIS TO WORK, YOU MUST ENVISION THAT THE AMITYVILLE HORROR HOUSE (ABOVE) IS ACTUALLY SPINNING ON THIS SITE. OTHERWISE, WELL, YOU’RE JUST GONNA BE SHIT OUTTA LUCK!

(WHAT WERE YOU EXPECTING….PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS THAT I DON'T HAVE?)

Monday, August 23, 2010

FRED TREKKER'S "MY MONSTER MEMORIES" BLOG

One of the pleasures of doing a blog such as this is that many people stumble across your site and are favorably impressed.

Last night I posted a review of Larry Blamire's film "Dark and Stormy Night". After doing so, I wrote of my review on Mr. Blamire's Facebook wall. He sent a very kind reply, which was quite a thrill. People who see Mr. Blamire's Facebook page now know about "The Splatting Nun" and my web counter hits are reflecting a large number of visitors since last night.

One of these visitors, Fred Trekker, left a couple of nice comments about "The Splatting Nun" and indicated that he is linking to it on his own blog, "My Monster Memories".

I will also be linking back to his blog. However, I also like to do a separate posting about things I link to just to draw some extra attention to it.

Please visit Fred's site at http://www.monstermemories.blogspot.com/. If you like comic/magazine posts, movie posters and the like, you will also enjoy his site.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

This movie is a total blast!! It helps if you’ve had some experience in watching some of the old haunted house comedy films with folks like Jack Haley, The Ritz Brothers or Kay Kyser & Ish Kabibble. However, it is still enjoyable even if you are too young to be aware of what’s being parodied.

Larry Blamire, and his wonderful regular troupe of performers hit this one right outta the ballpark. Mr. Blamire, who scripted, produced and directed the movie, has a keen ear for 1930’s film dialogue. His stars, Daniel Roebuck and Jennifer Blaire (the real-life Mrs. Blamire), have absolutely nailed the screwball banter that were prevalent in films of this type way back when. It’s a pleasure to listen to even though you may have to go back several times to the scene before you can catch it all. This really is a tribute to how well they play off each other with the tough guy/tough-as-nails-broad, side-of-the-mouth type of verbal combat.

Surprise appearances are made by Marvin Kaplan and H.M. Wynant, whom I remember from a lot of 1960s TV westerns and mob bosses in crime shows of the same era. Susan McConnell is held back until the climax of the film, but when she cuts loose she’s certainly a wonder to behold. Watch out or you will laugh over her dialogue and miss what she’s saying.

The premise of the movie surrounds the reading of a will and the events that follow over the course of one night. That’s really all you need to know.

It was filmed in black and white, but there is a color version available to see in the extras on the disc.

Without hesitation I recommend this wholeheartedly. It’s family friendly, too; even the outtakes are bleeped, so no worries there.

This movie was released on DVD along with Mr. Blamire’s “The Lost Skeleton Returns Again”, the sequel to “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra”. I don’t have yet TLSRA, even though I ordered both films at the same time, but watch this space for a review of it when I do get it.

Thanks, Larry, for the terrific, fun films you make – long may you continue to do so. And please keep those lovable oddball Blamireplayers as well.

Can be ordered online at shoutfactory.com.