Mariposa's Musings

I never suffered from Triskaidekaphobia as some people do. In fact my oldest was born on Friday 13 th .   Besides what’s not to like about Fridays? Though I might feel differently if I lived in a house with 13 Ghosts. The film opens with the Zorba family having to leave yet another house due to financial difficulties. When young Buck Zorba wishes for a house with furniture when he blows out his birthday cake candles, he has no idea what his family will be in for.   Shortly after Buck’s wish, Uncle Plato Zorba dies leaving his ramshackle fully-furnished mansion to Buck’s family.   The house includes a mysterious housekeeper, a hidden fortune and an assortment of ghosts. By the way if the housekeeper looks familiar to you, she is none other than Margaret Hamilton , the actress best-known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz. Though apprehensive of residing in spook central, the Zorba family remains in the house. According to the...

One rainy Saturday night I decided to cook up a bowl of Cincinnati chili and enjoy my own creature double feature- The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and The Shape of Water (2017).  While both movies have a distinct styles, they are both visually stunning-Creature debuted as a black & white 3D flick while Water shimmers with color particularly green, the “color of the future” alluded to in the movie.  As the Creature (aka the Gill-man) in the water scenes in the original champion swimmer and diver, Ricou Browning appears to glide effortlessly through the Creature’s watery habitat. Differences in appearances aside, both films share the same central conflict,     The villains in both movies don’t hesitate to drive home their point with a big stick. Creature’s Mark Williams (Richard Denning) always has his harpoon at the ready while Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon) wields a wicked cattle prod. the wonder of scientific discovery vs. the driv...

Claiming that he found the secret a dying Dr. Campbell hands a vial of pills to Dr. Paul Beecher who slips the pills into his pocket.  When his young daughter accidentally gives him one of the pills during a migraine, the kind family doctor finds himself swept up in horrifying events beyond his control. Can the good doctor stop the madness in time? Although the film has several flashes of iconic horror scenes, a mysterious old house, creepy laboratory with bats, lovely woman fleeing in terror, vampire fans expecting the suave elegance of Bella Lugosi will be kept waiting.  Despite a number of bodies with the tell-tale fang marks in the neck, the title monster’s transformation and storyline is more The Wolf Man than Dracula.  Those horror fans that love their monsters whether they’re fanged, furry or with fins will enjoy The Vampire even without the cape and the smooth accent. Vampire purists may prefer to stick to the classic  Dracula or even Fright Night ...

Dead Men Walk (1943) “You creatures of the light how can you say with any certainty what dwells in the oceans of the night.”  Eerie declaration by disembodied head in the fire during opening credits. Kindly Dr. Lloyd Clayton ( George Zucco ) has secretly murdered his evil twin brother, Elwyn Clayton (also played by George Zucco) to protect the town from Elwyn’s sorcery.  Unfortunately, Elwyn is more of a master of the dark arts than his brother anticipated. Elwyn returns from the dead intent on revenge by enslaving their niece, Gayle (Mary Carlisle) for eternity. This movie has some interesting similarities to a latter vampire flick, Black Sunday which also opens with the murder of a sibling. Asa is executed by her own brother for witchcraft. Both movies have the lead playing dual roles of hero/vampire.  In "Black Sunday" Barbara Steele portrayed wicked Asa and her innocent descendent Katia.  While both movie villains faithfully follow the vampire ge...

"You go down the stairs to find these characters. It's not a place anyone can go, and sometimes it's not a place you want to go." Wes Craven A career that started with Last House on the Left  (1972) led horror fans through the dark neighborhoods of the soul.  33 titles as a writer, 28 titles as a director and 44 titles as a producer. All I can say is "Thanks for a memorable and terrifying journey."

The Beast with Million Eyes (1955) "...because it will seem like I see your most secret acts, you will know me as the beast with a million eyes."  Alien  If you watch this flick expecting to see a multi-eyed creature you will be sorely disappointed. Yes, I know the movie poster and opening credit art hint at such a creature. The actual “beast” is an alien with the power to control animals (and eventually humans) to do its bidding.  The alien’s vision is expanded through the creatures it controls.  When the alien’s ship lands outside a remote date farm, the Kelley family is forced to get a grip on their various issues in order to fight the alien threat. The premise is promising but falls short in delivery.  While an all encompassing animal attack on humanity could be terrifying as in Hitchcock’s The Birds  or James Patterson’s Zoo  most of the attacks in this flick seem more silly than scary.  Maybe it is because a flock of churlish...

Black Sunday The movie opens in Moldavia 1630 with the brutal execution of Asa (Barbara Steele) and her lover for witchcraft and vampirism by her own brother.  Prior to her demise, Asa places a curse on the Vajda family and all future generations.  200 years later, a doctor and his protégé happen upon the crypt.  Through a series of misfortunes (including a run-in with a giant bat), the good doctor happens to awaken Asa who summons her lover and proceeds to wreak havoc on her brother’s descendants. Asa relentlessly stalks the lovely, Katia (also played by Barbara Steele) in hopes of draining her blood and gaining immortality. Considered exceptionally violent for its time, the film was banned in the UK until 1968. Even after so many years the film retains its chilling atmosphere and is worth watching. Filmed in central Italy, this  1960 movie has all the elements of a classic black and white vampire movie looming shadows and an eerie castle. Notable Quote...

Tagline: “At long last a motion picture with absolutely no cultural value” This theatrical feature is brought to you by Rankin/Bass, best known for their children’s holiday specials.   While intended for a young audience, MMP is no Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, opening with an atomic blast and punctuated with adult humor. The movie features the voice talents of Boris Karloff (Mad Scientist, Boris von Frankenstein) and Phyllis Diller (the monster’s mate). Having invented a potion of ultimate destruction, Baron Boris von Frankenstein invites all the monsters to a party on the Isle of Evil to celebrate his achievement.   The guest list is an impressive line-up of classic movie monsters including the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Invisible Man and Dracula.      He confides to his voluptuous assistant, Francesca his plans to retire and leave the business to his nephew, Felix Franken.   Francesca wants to take over evil empire herself and plots to g...

For those who love classic cars, Reno is the place to be during Hot August Nights    Many of the casinos host events from show & shines to drag races.   Around town during a quick run to the store, you might spot a ’67 Corvette or an antique fire engine polished to a high gloss. An unexpected thunderstorm made it a bad night to cruise the streets, but provided an excellent setting to watch a classic horror flick.   We chose The Giant Gila Monster (1959) which features hot rods, a soda shop even a sock hop.    Poor Sheriff Jeff—as the lone lawman in a small town in rural Texas-he has two missing teens, several strange auto accidents and no deputy to assist with the investigation.   He enlists the help of Chase Winstead (our hero) a rakish mechanic who loves fast cars, yet is a devoted son who supports his mom and sister.    All the mayhem has been caused by a 50 foot Gila Monster (actually a live Mexican Bearded Lizard). ...

Today at Karen Michelle Nutt 's blog, I'm chatting about a classic story which has haunted the stage and the silver screen. Do you know what 1925 silent film originally featured 17 minutes worth of technicolor?  Hope to see you there.

“Maniac hunts humans in a jungle hell!” Tagline Four teenagers sail to what appears to be deserted tropical island.   They soon discover the island is owned by Dr. Balleau who has tired of importing big game to his island opting to hunt humans instead.    What starts as a light-hearted search for pirate treasure ends up as a desperate race for survival.   The film is considered a loose adaptation of Richard Connell’s 1924 short story “The Most Dangerous Game”. The four teens are stock fright flick teen characters jock, glam gal, nerd and sporty girl. The Jock is portrayed by buff Robert Reed in his pre-Brady Bunch days. Glam gal happens to have a couple of judo moves which happens to turn (or flip) the situation in her favor later on in the film.  Like most villains of classic horror, Dr. Albert Balleau is elegant and sinister.   Typical to form, he is ruthless without mercy yet never rude.   And you have to applaud his sense of style-...

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)   At what point does ambition become an insatiable monster?  Poor Seymour Krelboyne—his carnivorous hybrid becomes his ticket to fame and ultimately his undoing.   Much like a teenager, the plant Audrey Junior comes alive at night demanding food.  Seymour accidently discovers his plant’s desire for human blood and through a series unfortunate events provides victims for Audrey Jr.  Seymour’s boss is horrified at the plant’s diet, but is reluctant to relinquish the steady stream of customers drawn to his flower shop by the monster plant. The 1960 film is populated with quirky characters and incorporates elements of black comedy and farce.   It features an early glimpse of young Jack Nicholson’s killer smile in a cameo role as a masochistic dental patient.  The film gained cult status as a double feature and later became an off-Broadway musical  which became the basis for the 1986 remake.  Even ...

Old Man Winter finally decided to visit Reno. There’s nothing better on a chilly winter evening, than hot-buttered popcorn and a classic fright flick. Five strangers are invited to a haunted house party thrown by millionaire, Frederick Loren and his fourth wife, Anabelle. The only thing the five have in common is a desperate need for money. Each member of the party who survives the night will receive $10,000. The house is reputed to be haunted by spirits of those who were murdered there. For “party favors” Loren gives a loaded gun to each of his guests. But can mere bullets offer protection against murderous spirits? Vincent Price’s performance alone makes this film worth watching. He infuses a sense of menacing grace to millionaire, Frederick Loren. The film features another notable icon. A national landmark, the Ennis House , designed by Frank Lloyd Wright makes a cameo appearance as the exterior of the haunted house. Even with the usual features of a haunted mansion (...