Saturday, November 29, 2014

LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT MOVIE POSTER SALE BREAKS RECORD


The uber-rare one-sheet for LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT sold to an on-floor bidder at a recent Heritage Auction event.The lucky (and apparently wealthy) collector paid $478,000 for the poster, making it the most valuable movie poster ever sold at a public auction. Now, if someone can just come up with a print of the film. . .

Sunday, November 23, 2014

BETTE DAVIS AS . . . THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN?


The October 10, 1931 issue of MOTION PICTURE HERALD proclaimed that the 23-year-old Bette Davis had been "assigned" an important role in Universal's new picture, FRANKENSTEIN. The news was a bit odd since the picture had wrapped just 7 days before and Miss Davis would not be seen in the film. It was likely that Universal thought they had a potential mega-star on their hands and didn't want to take a chance with her in a film that might flop at the box office.

Instead, the role of Henry Frankenstein's fiance who was to become Mrs. Frankenstein in the sequel four years later went to Mae Clarke, Bette's next pictures were with RKO and Columbia, and FRANKENSTEIN was a huge box office success. Clarke's career after FRANKENSTEIN was marred by a nervous breakdown and marital problems. One wonders what direction Davis' career might have gone had she been cast in the role as the bride of Frankenstein.


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

BOOKS I WANT ON MY SHELF


There seems to be a never-ending stream of books about horror films for sale these days. Two of the major publishers, McFarland and Bear Manor Media, seem to publish something at least monthly between the two of them. One technical publisher, Wiley, is publishing a collection of essays that looks excellent. But at about $200, I can only hope that it will sometime be reprinted in a less expensive edition. These titles are all available for pre-order in the usual places.





Tuesday, November 18, 2014

TOPSTONE TUESDAY: WTF?


I came across this image while surfing through the TUMBLRverse. This has got to be one of the weirdest scenarios using monster masks that I've ever seen. Other than perhaps wearing them to maintain the anonymity of the participants, I just don't see the point. I'm presuming this is from a private photo shoot, but it may be from a men's magazine. In any event, it's a weird one, don't you agree?

For those with more delicate dispositions, I have modestly covered the areas that may be considered inappropriate for general audiences. However, if you are the adventurous type, you can click HERE and view the photos sans censorship.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

THE CREEPS: UPCOMING FRAZETTA AND SANJULIAN COVERS


Determined to continue their ambitions for that classic Warren-era look, Richard Sala and the rest of Warrant Company have lined up the next two covers of THE CREEPS by a couple of Warren alumni cover artists, Frank Frazetta (above) and Sanjulian (below). According to the publishing schedule, however, we'll have to wait until next Spring and Summer to purchase them.



Wednesday, November 5, 2014

MAD SCIENTIST NO. 29 NOW SHIPPING


This nicely-produced indie 'zine has just published it's 29th issue. The cover is another beaut by Mark Maddox. Inside is a lengthy article on the making of Universal's 1931 production of Dracula by editor Martin Arlt and a few other goodies.

Go HERE to order a copy.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Sunday, November 2, 2014

MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT NO. 33 NOW SHIPPING


Now ready for ordering is the latest issue of the must-have publication from Jim Clatterbaugh, Monsters From the Vault. MFTV has been a long-esteemed independent monster 'zine that has consistently been held to the highest standard by its creator.

Every issue is teeming with in-depth articles by today's top horror writers and the layouts and photo reproductions are unparalleled in the indie monster 'zine business ... or most anywhere else for that matter.

I'm not kidding -- if you haven't yet tried an issue of MFTV, you owe it to yourself to catch up. Jim even offers the first ten issues in a digital archive format. Go to his website right now and treat yourself to something special.