The Talented Face Behind the Mask

I really Love the performances in various films of Peter Lorre. In High School we were shown M (1930) in my film appreciation class. I was immediately hooked! The Bulging Eyes, the Frantic Looks, everything that separates a "Star" from an Actor. Much to my pleasure, TCM recently showed THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK (1941). This little B programmer is one of the fastest paced and throughly entertaining films I have seen in a long time. Lorre plays Janos Szaby, an immigrant who arrives in New York with hopes and dreams made possible only in the U.S. In his tiny apartment building, a fire starts and Janos is horribly disfigured. When Society shuns him, he turns to Crime and becomes a Feared and Respected Boss. Then......but why ruin it. See it when you can. A very effective poster is displayed here for your viewing pleasure. I spent a LOT of time restoring this one. Enjoy!

One of the All Time Greats!

W.C. Fields made many of his best films at Universal, while in his Sixties! The Bank Dick (1940) works on many levels. It has great dialogue, slapstick and a very sarcastic look at authority. This wonderful Lobby Card features W.C. as Egbert Sousè and Franklin Pangborn as J. Pinkerton Snoopington It has my highest recommendation.

A Couple of Kongs

Here is an extremely Rare photo of two of the articulated models used in the original (And only) King Kong of 1933.

All Together in 1 Thrill Show!

No one can imagine the thrill that goes through a 10 year old's mind, when at the end of his weekly t.v. guide perusal, he finds a movie listed like HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945). Not one, not two but several of his favorite Movie Monsters in one film! Dracula played by John Carradine (Yes, it should have been Bela), Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolfman (Who is actually cured of Lycanthropy before fade out), The Frankenstein monster played by fan favorite Glenn Strange, a lovely female hunchback nurse and a kindly Doctor who turns quite Mad! WOW!

Al Jolson

I'm not going to comment on this post. Suffice it to say, Al Jolson was a very dynamic entertainer.

Ewwwwwwwwwwww!

Why is that woman so happy to be touching a Gigantic Sea Snail? Worse yet, when it grabs you underwater, It sucks out all of your vital juices and leaves a shriveled up husk in your place! It's on Dvd and is a very fun sci-fi 50s gem!

Run Wild

"The Scorching, Reckless JOY RIDES of Wild Girls of the Road!"
Need I say more then the publicity quote above?

It's just Nature's Way!

Anyone but me remember this film?

Do You Have the Nerve to Take Bela's Dare?

Here is the very rare Window Card that would sit in the box office window. In this case, it has a "Dare" by Bela Lugosi to see WHITE ZOMBIE.

Lon Chaney Jr. Stalks Again

When Lon Chaney Jr. starred in his first Sci Fi/Horror based film, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief that soon, very soon he could make the audiences of the 40s say, "That is Lon's Son!" He eventually would play Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and his greatest perfomance of Horror, THE WOLF MAN. Here is the Lobby card Title card to MAN MADE MONSTER. Here re-titled ATOMIC MONSTER to cash in on the then current Atomic Bomb craze!

Those Fabulous Monster Stomping 50s!

No doubt about it, Ray Harryhausen owned the 50s as far as Giant Creatures on the Loose Movies go. From THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (1953) on. But, that didn't stop other stop motion animators from practicing their craft. One of the lesser seen epics Is THE GIANT BEHEMOTH (1959). Like the film that was it's "Inspiration", Beast, Atomic Tests disturb a long dormant creature who rises from the Ocean Floor to cause havoc all over London. Makes a great poster. Even greater with artwork by Reynold Brown.

Francis changes Buddies

Donald 'O Connor starred opposite a Talking Mule in 6 (Yes, 6!) very successful series o comedies. When Mr. O'Connor got tired of seeing the Mule get more fan mail then he did, he called it quits.
To the rescue (?!) came Mickey Rooney as the new owner pal of Francis. Gone was the actor who supplied the voice of Francis Chill Wills. In his place, came voice master Paul Frees. Who did a very good job of approximating the original voice. Un-fortunately, the audiences of the time did not like the changes and this was the last of the classic series made.

Ray Harryhausen Hits 90!

Two weeks ago, one of my Childhood heroes reached 90. Ray Harryhausen, who created the very Special, Special effects for several Fantastic Films, reached this Ripe Ol Age. I Salute Mr. Harryhausen and am quite jealous that Ray has through his films, become Immortal. Several hundred years from now, someone will marvel at the adventures of Sinbad. Journey to Venus and bring a Ymir back to Earth. Search for the Golden Fleece with Jason etc. And as a thank you to Mr. Harryhausen, I restored this poster and present one of my favorite Earth getting Attacked films. The British Quad to EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1957). Oh, by the way Ray, next time I see you, say the word and I will do a perfect impersonation of Paul Frees providing the Alien voice from the film. John

Why Girls Leave

I know why they leave, I want to know how to get them to stay! Interesting that this film was Nominated for an Academy Award for musical scoring! I don't know of many, bottom of the barrel studios like PRC could boast that.

Bring on Bing

Here is a very unique over-sized Lobby Card from this 1936 hit. This is the kind of cool idea missing in today's bland, mostly cookie cutter posters. What a great talent ol Bing was.

The Brothers Marx go to The Circus

M.G.M. never had a firm grasp on making Comedies. And when the Marx Brothers lost their biggest supporter in Irving Thalberg, the comedy suffered quite a bit. Still, in this movie, there is some Comedy gold to be found among the Fools Gold. A very colorful Lobby Card indeed.

Dracula, I mean El Vampiro Attacks!

After the release of Dracula (1931) starring our fan fav Bela Lugosi, it wasn't until 1957 when a Mexican Film Studio released this Dracula-like thriller starring German Robles as Count Lavud. A creepy Vampire that just loves those sexy Senorita's necks. Here is the painstakingly restored one sheet for your enjoyment. El Vampiro is on Dvd and looks great!

Charlie Chan Carries On!

Made in 1931, this film really got the egg roll, I mean ball rolling at the then Fox Studios. Soon to be 20th Century Fox. Warner Oland was a terrific Chan, and it's a shame this is not part of those Great DVD sets. The problem? Charlie Chan Carries on is a LOST film! No prints have ever been found since it's original release. We can enjoy this simple, yet effective poster thou.