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Cinema Arcana presents The VHS Archives!

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

The VHS Archives: Alan Birkinshaw's INVADERS OF THE LOST GOLD (1981)

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INVADERS OF THE LOST GOLD
Alan Birkinshaw's Horror Safari (1981)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: All American Video
Catalog: AAV101
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: ?
Runtime: 87:26 (86:18 + music)
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Alan Birkinshaw
Year of Release: 1981
Country of Origin: Hong Kong / U.K. / France
Stars: Stuart Whitman, Edmund Purdom, Woody Strode, Harold Sakata, Laura Gemser, Glynis Barber
AKAs: Raiders of the Lost Gold, Greed, Horror Safari, Cannibal Safari, Safari of No Return, No Return

Verbatim Box Synopsis
Deep in the jungle of the Philippines an expedition makes camp for the night. Ten greedy people start out, but only two are to return.
The lust for gold, power and wealth drives men to madness and murder. A group of Japanese soldiers in the occupied Philippines, escorting a huge consignment of gold are attacked by natives and headhunters.
The three commanding officers hide the gold deep in a cavern, kill the porters and hide as their men are massacred.
They vow to return for the gold when the war is over...
A terrifying story of Lust and Love... Life and Death..
Ten greedy people on a safari of no return.

U.S. All American Video sleeve! (Sun-faded all to Hell...)

What it's supposed to look like! Thanks, Earl Summerfield!

U.S. All American Video reissue sleeve!

Belgian Variety Video sleeve, courtesy of Cult VHS!

Danish Filmco(?) sleeve, courtesy of Hans-Jorn Reimer and his

Danish Filmco sleeve, again courtesy of
Hans-Jorn Reimer and his DEVAG!

Swedish Video Klubben Manedens Film sleeve,
courtesy of Rolfens DVD!

German Pront-Video sleeve!

German Action Video sleeve!

Dutch Omega Video sleeve, originally scanned by "petcor80"!

Spanish Rompeolas Film and Video sleeve, courtesy of Mondo VHS!


15-second video promo, uploaded by "johnhuston1"!


The opening massacre, uploaded by "vincentneo88"!

Looking for Invaders of Lost Gold on VHS? It's not readily available, but there was a brief DVD issue from Crash Cinema's short-lived non-kung fu line, Mondo Crash.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

For a look at other labels, check out The VHS Archives!

© 2013 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

The VHS Archives: Kenneth W. Richardson's MISSION TO DEATH (1966)

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MISSION TO DEATH
Kenneth W. Richardson's Mission to Death (1966)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: Super Video, Inc.
Catalog: SV23
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1985
Runtime: 70:37
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Kenneth W. Richardson
Year of Release: 1966
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Stars: Jim Brewer, James McLarty, Robert Stolper, Jim Westbrook
AKAs: Deadly Mission, Missions of Death

Verbatim Box Synopsis
In just a matter of hours and -- at any cost -- American soldiers must destroy a secret Nazi radar station in France. The Allied Air Force strike taking place in 24 hours will be shot down if the radar isn't destroyed.
As the GI's ambush a German truck, the French prisoners escape and hide in a nearby hay wagon. The Frenchmen pose as peasants and drive the hay wagon past a Nazi patrol to get their attention.
Meanwhile, the American GI's infiltrate the German lines. Once the Frenchmen are discovered they are tortured and executed by the Nazis for helping the Americans. But it's too late! Despite bloody battles with the Nazis and many casualties, the GI's demolish the radar station in time for the full blown air strike!

U.S. Super Video, Inc. sleeve!


Original trailer, uploaded by Independent International Pictures!

Looking for Mission to Death on VHS? It's available on Amazon here. (Be careful: there was another, later VHS release not from Super Video.) You can also get it on DVD from Fox Lorber, if so inclined.

Investigate more titles with Project: SUPER!

For a look at other labels, check out The VHS Archives!

© 2013 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, March 4, 2013

The VHS Archives: Brad Grinter's BLOOD FREAK (1972)

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BLOOD FREAK
Brad F. Grinter's Blood Freak (1972)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: Regal Video Inc.
Catalog: R1025
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1985
Runtime: 75:06
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Brad Grinter
Year of Release: 1972
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Stars: Steve Hawkes, Dana Cullivan, Heather Hughes, Brad Grinter
AKAs: Blood Freaks, A Bloody Phenomena, Drug Story

Verbatim Box Synopsis
Lock your doors... check your windows... turn on all your lights... look under your bed... because the Blood Freak is on the loose. This horrifying, addicted monster is on the loose and has an insatiable thirst for addict's blood. To survive others must die a horrifying and slow death at the hands of the half-monster half-man mutant who stalks the night.

U.S. Regal Video sleeve! Apparently the company didn't feel promoting the film's turkey-headed monster was their best marketing choice...

U.S. Something Weird Video sleeve!

U.K. Midnite Movies sleeve!

Spanish Video Dimas sleeve!

French A.V.L. Production sleeve, courtesy of Nanarland!
Its key art is actually taken from Jess Franco's Manhunter (1980)!

French Colombus sleeve, also from Nanarland! This time, 
the key art is stolen from Lech Kowalski's Story of a Junkie (1987)!


Awesomely gory theatrical trailer, uploaded by Dead End Drive-In!

Looking for Blood Freak on VHS? It's available on Amazon here. An even better choice is the excellent DVD from Something Weird Video, featuring a nice transfer supplemented with a ton of related drugsploitation and turkey shorts!

Investigate more titles with Project: REGAL!

For a look at other labels, check out The VHS Archives!

© 2013 -- Bruce Holecheck.  All Rights Reserved.