All roads lead to Ray Harryhausen…

ray-harryhausen_1616704c

When I was growing up, our town (like many at the time) had it’s own local theater. It wasn’t one of those big multiplexes you see today but rather a one screen wonder offering standard-sized viewing and a small popcorn machine/soda fountain serving as concessions. I remember the lobby having a musty odor and being adorn in red velvet; the theater seats so old you’d invariably be sitting at an angle. I also recall my grade school friends and I snickering at nude, Greek statues (missing their heads) that stood at opposite sides of the entrance.

The Homewood Theater was already in it’s decline when I was a kid back in the ’70s but, one Saturday during summer months, would provide throwback experiences once commonplace during my parent’s youth. On these occasions, they’d offer affordable “all day” movie experiences featuring family friendly films along with cartoons, Three Stooges shorts, and old serials in between.

Continue reading →

Some content on this page was disabled on July 5, 2022 as a result of a DMCA takedown notice from Martin McNeil. You can learn more about the DMCA here:

https://wordpress.com/support/copyright-and-the-dmca/

The Aurora Monster Model Kits: Gone But Certainly Not Forgotten!

auroramodelkits_collection

Growing up I wasn’t actually a monster fan until I was in my early teens. I will always remember though around when I was 7 I received an Aurora Dracula model kit (and my brother got the Frankenstein kit). These kits had the glow in the dark feature and there were times I would lay in bed at night watching them glow, wondering if they would attack me when I fell asleep. Thankfully they did not and these kits may have actually have been what lead me to my love of all things monsters.

Continue reading →

Svengoolie Hosts Digital 3D “Creature from the Black Lagoon” on the Big Screen!

*
After getting only a few hours of sleep (due to being out so late the night before at the amazing Nightmare on Chicago Street), it was time to embark on yet another Sven-adventure! This final stop on the “Svengoolie 2012 Halloween Tour” took place up in Rosemont, Illinois at The Muvico Theater. It was here that national horror host, Svengoolie, would present the Universal classic, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, in 3D and on the BIG screen!

Godzilla and The Horror Host Connection!

????????

G-FEST (Godzilla Festival) is the quintessential celebration of Godzilla and all his fellow Kaiju (Japanese Monsters). I’ve been a fan of Godzilla and Gamera ever since I was a kid. Growing up in the 1970’s, it was via shows like Creature Features or The Son of Svengoolie to bring those movies to me. People who did not grow up with a horror host usually have a hard time understanding why some of us adult fans get so weepy with adulation at the mere mention of our childhood ghoul. Well, when you’re a “monster kid,” surrounded by more “normal” kids who want to play baseball or watch The Dukes of Hazard, the person faithfully delivering your favorite films becomes more than just a TV star, he becomes your idol…one of Godzilla proportions. In my case it also helped that I found my host’s corny humor hilarious and his less than stellar singing voice pitch perfect.

Continue reading →

Monster Movie, “Hypothermia,” left me COLD!

affiche-hypothermia-2010-1

I have to say, this is one of those blogs that I almost hate myself for writing. Generally when I critique a movie I try and keep it focused on the mainstream/bigger budget stuff because, in my view, it’s open game. People have assumed that this means I turn a blind eye to Independent films or that I don’t support them. Nothing could be further from the truth! I have a great deal of respect for Independent films which is why I hate criticizing them. Especially in this case when its a rare modern “monster movie” that features old school FX.

Continue reading →