A Fistful of Grab Bag! Mystery Photos #21-25!

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Welcome back to the ol' Arcana for another round of Grab Bag Goodies!

As outlined in previous installments, I purchased a few hundred promotional stills that have had their title captions trimmed off. Some I recognize, most I don't. It's up to my faithful readership to help me decipher what they're promoting. Hell, solve enough of 'em and maybe I'll send you some of the duplicates I received!

For those not familiar with promo stills, they occasionally carry a helpful hint or two. Some are branded with a cataloging code of letters and numbers which usually signify an abbreviation of the title (sometimes a retitling) and, if you're especially lucky, maybe the year of release (not to be confused with year of production). And that's pretty much all we have to go on...

The fifth batch is below; let's see what you've got!

#21: ODN-22 

#22: No Markings!

This one's for Vincente Aranda's The Blood Spattered Bride (1972), a psychosexual and surreal Spanish shocker that remains one of my all time favorites. Currently available on DVD from Blue Underground, it was also added as a bonus feature on their superlative Blu of Harry Kumel's Daughters of Darkness (1971), though it really deserves the four-star treatment on its own.  Hopefully someday...

#23: 6323-35

Acclaimed artist Neil Vokes recognized this still as belonging to Mario Bava's classic anthology, Black Sabbath (1963).  Available on VHS and LD only in a reworked U.S. variant, the DVD age finally saw its original edit released to these shores, initially from Image Entertainment and later from Anchor Bay as part of their Bava Box or as a standalone disc.  Be sure and check out Neil's blog, That's All, Vokes!

#24: No Markings! 

#25: No Markings!

The Movie Geek speaks!  Marc Edward Heuck identified this shot from Bert I. Gordon's How to Succeed with Sex (1970), an early X-rated comedy chronicling a horny groom-to-be's futile attempts at bedding his future bride.  A how-to guide initially appears to be the answer, but only seems to work on everyone but her.  I've never seen the film, but it certainly sounds amusing enough.  I'm unsure of its domestic VHS history (I do know there are some overseas tapes), but I think I can safely say it's not on DVD anywhere.  Be sure to swing by Marc's blog, The Projector Has Been Drinking.

Like what you see? Be sure and check out Grab Bag Photos 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 & 16-20, some of which are still unidentified. Speaking of which, Name that Movie Monday Challenge #20 is still open; I've since added a few worthless hints for frustration's sake.

And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and pre-order some cool stuff! Sorry for my persistent grab-bagging in lieu of real posts; I'll try to get back in the bloggin' swing o' things soon and finish up our next In Search Of profile and the ever-tardy Mondo Digital Top Ten of '10 write-up!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Grab Bag Revenge! Mystery Photos #16-20!

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Welcome back to the ol' Arcana for another round of Grab Bag Goodies!

As outlined in previous installments, I purchased a few hundred promotional stills that have had their title captions trimmed off. Some I recognize, most I don't. It's up to my faithful readership to help me decipher what they're promoting. Hell, solve enough of 'em and maybe I'll send you some of the duplicates I received!

For those not familiar with promo stills, they occasionally carry a helpful hint or two. Some are branded with a cataloging code of letters and numbers which usually signify an abbreviation of the title (sometimes a retitling) and, if you're especially lucky, maybe the year of release (not to be confused with year of production). And that's pretty much all we have to go on...

The fourth batch is below; let's see what you've got!

#16: No Markings!

Thumbs up to "Ottobud" for identifying George McCowan's nature-goes-nuts romp, Frogs (1972).  One of the more ludicrous entries in the short-lived, much-loved subgenre, it was issued on a nice DVD in the format's early days by MGM, who managed to restore some of the more violent bits missing from previous domestic releases.

#17: TS-11

Turns out this photo (along with still #1) belongs to Graeme Ferguson's The Seducers (1962), a convoluted-sounding blackmail / psychological thriller released by Joseph Brenner Associates.  The film unfortunately doesn't appear to be readily available, though its trailer is on some old Something Weird compilations. Anyone seen it?

#18: No Markings! 

#19: No Markings! 

#20: No Markings!

Like what you see? Be sure and check out Grab Bag Photos 1-5, 6-10 & 11-15, some of which are still unidentified. Speaking of which, Name that Movie Monday Challenge #20 is still open; I've since added a few worthless hints for frustration's sake.

 

And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and pre-order some cool stuff! Sorry for my persistent grab-bagging in lieu of real posts; I'll try to get back in the bloggin' swing o' things soon and finish up our next In Search Of profile and the ever-tardy Mondo Digital Top Ten of '10 write-up!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Bride of Grab Bag! Mystery Photos #11-15!

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Welcome back to the ol' Arcana for another round of Grab Bag Goodies!

As outlined in previous installments, I purchased a few hundred promotional stills that have had their title captions trimmed off. Some I recognize, most I don't. It's up to my faithful readership to help me decipher what they're promoting. Hell, solve enough of 'em and maybe I'll send you some of the duplicates I received!

For those not familiar with promo stills, they occasionally carry a helpful hint or two. Some are branded with a cataloging code of letters and numbers which usually signify an abbreviation of the title (sometimes a retitling) and, if you're especially lucky, maybe the year of release (not to be confused with year of production). And that's pretty much all we have to go on...

The third batch is below; let's see what you've got!

#11: MH-4 

#12: OIA-5 

#13: JW-47

Thanks to reader Giles who identified this photo from Robert Fuest's debut, Just Like a Woman (1967). It's a swingin' '60s comedy looking at the escapades of an unhappy couple trying to fit into "The Scene" after their separation.  Not available on domestic DVD, there is a UK disc from Digital Classics for the curious. 

#14: VW-4

Thanks to Naschy.com's Mirek Lipinski, who recognized Patricia Haines from Ray Austin's surprisingly sleazy sorta-shocker, Virgin Witch (1971).  It's the tale of an aspiring model who accepts a photo shoot in the isolated British countryside.  Naturally, her  new employer practices the dark arts.  Nudity ensues.  The audience wins.  Currently available on DVD and Blu Ray from Redemption.

#15: TLO-13

Like what you see? Be sure and check out Grab Bag Photos 1-5 & 6-10, some of which are still unidentified. Speaking of which, Name that Movie Monday Challenge #20 is still open; I've since added a few worthless hints for frustration's sake.

 

And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and preorder some cool stuff! Sorry for the delay with regular posts as of late; it's been a bit hectic with other projects.  I'll try to get back in the bloggin' swing o' things soon and finish up our next In Search Of profile and the tardy Mondo Digital Top Ten of '10 write-up!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Farewell, Mighty Monarch: David F. Friedman (1923 - 2011)

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The Mighty Monarch of Exploitation has made his way to that great carnival in the sky, and there will never be another like him.

"Let me tell you something.  I have written pictures, I have produced pictures, I've even acted in pictures.  I've owned and operated theaters.  I've written books.  Do you know what the greatest thrill in the world for me was?  To stand in front of a theater and watch those people come in and put their money down."  -- David F. Friedman

There are a handful of people around in the b-movie world that you feel smarter coming out of a conversation with than you were going in.  Sam Sherman.  Fred Olen Ray.  And especially Dave Friedman.  I only met Dave a couple of times over the years, and never on a truly personal level, but he was always more than willing to answer whatever questions you wanted to ask; his memory was borderline uncanny and his wonderful stories of times gone by were never less than enthralling.

As they should be.  His accomplishments in the exploitation film industry were numerous, almost too many for just one being.  The titles themselves are the stuff of legend:  Blood Feast.  Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS.  A Smell of Honey, a Swallow of Brine.  Goldilocks and the Three Bares.  The Erotic Adventures of Zorro.  She Freak.  The Brick Dollhouse.  The Adult Version of Jekyll and Hide.  The Acid Eaters.  Scum of the Earth.

Thankfully, he was around long enough to preserve his legacy in a number of ways.  His autobiography, A Youth in Babylon: Confessions of a Trash-Film King, belongs on everyone's bookshelf.  Something Weird Video tapped him for audio commentaries on everything from his groundbreakingly gore-soaked Blood Trilogy to the anti-pot scare-film classic Marihuana to the birth-of-a-baby roadshow jaw-dropper Street Corner.  It's damn near impossible to find a documentary about exploitation film history that didn't have Friedman involved in some way; my highest recommendations go to Ted Bonnitt's excellent Mau Mau Sex Sex and Jimmy Maslon and Frank Henenlotter's upcoming Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore.  The latter's same team are now working on a follow-up dedicated to the man himself, currently titled David F. Friedman's That's Sexploitation. 

I can hardly wait.

For affectionate tributes from those who knew him well, be sure and read Mike Vraney's eulogy at Something Weird's website and H.G. Lewis' loving memories over at Fangoria.

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Son of Grab Bag! Mystery Photos #6-10!

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Welcome back to the ol' Arcana for another round of Grab Bag Goodies!
 

As outlined in our first installment, I recently purchased a few hundred promotional stills that have had their title captions trimmed off.  Some I recognize, most I don't.  It's up to my faithful readership to help me decipher what they're promoting.  Hell, solve enough of 'em and maybe I'll send you some of the duplicates I received!

 

For those not familiar with promo stills, they occasionally carry a helpful hint or two. Some are branded with a cataloging code of letters and numbers which usually signify an abbreviation of the title (sometimes a retitling) and, if you're especially lucky, maybe the year of release (not to be confused with year of production). And that's pretty much all we have to go on...

 

The second batch is below; let's see what you've got!

#6: 6438-1 

Thanks to William Connolly for identifying Ib Melchior's appropriately-named sci-fi romp, The Time Travelers (1964)!  I've never seen it, but it allegedly contains the world's first Forry Ackerman cameo.  Not on DVD to my knowledge, but the original Thorn/EMI VHS tape can be had for a price.

#7: C-6

Thanks to Neil Vokes for identifying Riccardo Freda's blobtastic classic Caltiki the Immortal Monster (1959). Credited with launching the directorial career of Mario Bava (who reportedly helmed much of the picture), it remains inexplicably unavailable on legit DVD Stateside.  There was a really nice edition issued overseas by the Italian arm of NoShame, but it's currently out of print and goes for a pretty penny.

#8: 6408-3

A big thanks to the Waldmeister for finally freeing the Women of Devil's Island (1962)! An Italian import directed by Domenico Paolella originally titled Le prigioniere dell'isola del diavolo (The Prisoners of Devil's Island), the film follows a group of sexy, sassy female prisoners (including French beauty Michele Mercier) on their way to the titular penal colony. Once there, they're exploited and abused; trading favors with the guards becomes a way of life. American star Guy Madison shows up as the new "warden" and tries to change things for the better -- but is he really just interested in the gold rumored to be hidden there? Without surprise, Something Weird Video issued it on VHS as part of their Historical Hellraisers series. A cheapo DVD from Synergy is also available. 

#9: No markings! 

#10: BAB-13

 

Like what you see?  Be sure and check out Grab Bag Photos 1-5, some of which are still unidentified.  Speaking of which, Name that Movie Monday Challenge #20 is still open; I've since added a few worthless hints for frustration's sake.

 

And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and preorder some cool stuff!  That's all for now, see ya' soon with our next In Search Of profile and the Mondo Digital Top Ten of '10 write-up!

 

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.