The VHS Archives: Chan Hung-Man's LITTLE HERO (1978)

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LITTLE HERO

Chan Hung-Man's Zhu Ge Si Lang da dou shuang jia mian (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet

Label: Ocean Shores Video Limited

Catalog: OS-132

Box Type: Clamshell

Year of Release: 1983

Runtime: 88:55

Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs

Extras: None

About the Film

Director: Chan Hung-Man

Year of Release: 1978

Country of Origin: Taiwan

Stars: Polly Shang-Kuan, Barry Chan, Lo Lieh 

AKAs: Little Hero Wins the Masks

Verbatim Box Synopsis

When Sergeant Chu-ko went riding through the dense forest, he heard continuous yells for help. He rushed to detect and found that it was his disciples Ching Feng and Ming Yueh who were hanged on the branc. He saved them immediately. However, he was entangled by the ropes set by villain. Happily he was smart enough and also superior in kungfu. He finally turned peril into safety.

The villain hurriedly returned Fort Skeleton to report to Smiling Mask. In knowing that his scheme for stopping sergeant Chu-ko to go to Feihsien Village was in failure he ordered his men to rob Dragon and Phoenix treasure swords. Just at the time, it was reported that Chin Hsiao-Yu and Chin Liang would bring Phoenix Sword to return Feihsien Village tomorrow noon. Smiling Mask thought that it was the best chance to fulfill his plan. He appointed Hsueh Yen-Niang and some men to rob. They captured Chin Hsiaoi-Yu. Chin Liang was forced to fall down the cliff by Crying Mask. Nevertheless, he gave the Phoenix Sword to the boy Lin while he was in danger...

U.S. Ocean Shores Video Limited sleeve!

Hong Kong Ocean Shores Video Limited VCD cover,

courtesy of View from the Brooklyn Bridge!

Rare original poster, part of a retro Taiwanese theatrical display,

as covered by Zaphkiel's Journey!

Some screenshots, originally captured by "Beavis"!

Polly vs. the legendary kung fu octopodes in an amazingly ridiculous

scene, uploaded by Kenneth Brorsson!

Looking for Little Hero on VHS? Good luck. No DVD, either!

Investigate more titles with Project: Ocean Shores!

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

© 2013 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Masayoshi Nemoto's BUDO: THE ART OF KILLING (1978)

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BUDO: THE ART OF KILLING

Masayoshi Nemoto's Budo (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet

Label: Prism Entertainment Corp.

Catalog: 1752

Box Type: Clamshell

Year of Release: 1985

Runtime: 89:38

Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs

Extras: None

About the Film

Director: Masayoshi Nemoto

Year of Release: 1978

Country of Origin: Japan

Stars: The Grand Masters of the Martial Arts

AKAs: The Art of Killing, Budo: Self-Defense Skills

Verbatim Box Synopsis

The techniques of budo -- kendo, karate, aikido, judo -- are explored in an astonishing look at the oriental "art of killing." Everything you see in Budo is real: the amazing action is performed by the master practitioners of these spiritual and physical skills.

In ancient Japan, the sword of the samurai knight ruled the land. The average citizen was not allowed to be armed, so the art of hand-to-hand fighting -- BUDO -- was invented to combat the sword.

This fascinating one-of-a-kind history penetrates the martial arts' deep roots in Eastern philosophy, the religious thought that animates the master's fearless self-confidence, and the eternal spirit of fighting protection. The myths and legends surrounding the warring arts are finally dispelled in a definitive picture of the truth about life and death in battle.

U.S. Prism Entertainment sleeve!

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

Great montage, uploaded by "JJOhanzee"! The real trailer is tacked on the beginning of Prism's Legend of the Eight Samurai tape; someone should post it -- it's not even on the DVD!

Looking for Budo on VHS? It's available on Amazon here. A better choice is the great-looking DVD release from Synapse Films. 

Investigate more titles with Project: Prism!

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

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Andy Milligan's LEGACY OF HORROR (1978)

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LEGACY OF HORROR

Andy Milligan's Legacy of Blood (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet

Label: Gorgon Video

Catalog: MP3064

Box Type: Clamshell

Year of Release: 1985

Runtime: 82:54

Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs

Extras: None

About the Film

Director: Andy Milligan

Year of Release: 1978

Country of Origin: U.S.A.

Stars: Elaine Boies, Marilee Troncone, Chris Broderick, Kathryn Capofari

AKAs: Legacy of Blood

Verbatim Box Synopsis

There was only one condition the three feuding Handley sisters had to meet in order to inherit their father's massive estate. They had to spend three days and nights in harmony at the family mansion on a private island, where they are met by the caretakers -- a sub-human male and his two sisters.

Almost immeditately they are subjected to sinister blood stains, strange symbolic ceremonial artifacts, and a series of ominous events which lead them to fear that occult forces are at work.

Soon, a reign of terror and death begins, finally revealing the sordid secret of Handley Mansion in a sudden, surprise twist. A strange and brutally haunting tale. 

THEY INHERITED ONLY Bloodshed & Madness

 U.S. Gorgon Video / MPI sleeve!

Misprinted U.S. Gorgon Video / MPI sleeve, courtesy of Earl Summerfield! The spine gives the catalog number of MP3065, when in fact it's release MP3064 -- a number verified on my scan above and on both physical tapes. I'm honestly surprised MPI bothered to print new covers and didn't just add a sticker (or leave it be). 

U.K. Replay Video / Video Programme Distributors United pre-cert sleeve, courtesy of It's Only a Movie!

Investigate more titles with Project: MPI!

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

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Alfonso Brescia's REACTOR (1978)

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REACTOR

Alfonso Brescia's La guerra dei robot (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: Mogul Communications, Inc.
Catalog: MOG1008
Box Type: Clamshell

Year of Release: ?

Runtime: 95:31
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Alfonso Brescia
Year of Release: 1978
Country of Origin: Italy
Stars: Antonio Sabato, Yanti Somer, Malisa Longo, Giacomo Rossi-Stuart, Patrizia Gori, Venantino Venantini
AKAs: War of the Robots, Cosmos Invasion, Stratostar

Verbatim Box Synopsis

A young space explorer embarks on the trail of two kidnapped scientists who have discovered the secret of eternal life. His ship is attacked by alien craft, hit and badly damaged, the crew have to land the ship on a nearby satellite ... There is more to his mission than saving the scientists and their formula ...

THEY'VE LEFT A GIGANTIC ATOMIC REACTOR ACTIVATED ON EARTH ... AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO STOP IT.

 U.S. Mogul Communications sleeve!

 U.K. ADB Video Distribution Pre-Cert sleeve, found at Rolfens DVD!

Danish Dana Sound Video Sleeve, originally scanned by Rare Cult Cinema!

French Horizon Home Video sleeve, found at Nanarland! 

French Dynasty Films sleeve, also from Nanarland! 

Japanese Funai sleeve, courtesy of Bill Knight!  Be sure and check out his rare VHS auctions!

U.K. sleeve, courtesy of VHS Wastleland! Reactor is one of a few films Mogul released on both sides of the pond. 

Bonus clip, uploaded by "brujaria"!

Looking for Reactor on VHS? It's not readily available, but Retromedia Entertainment did issue a 16mm transfer of it on DVD, paired with Brescia's War of the Planets, as The Italian Science Fiction Collection.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

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

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Carlos Puerto's DON'T PANIC (1978)

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DON'T PANIC

Carlos Puerto's Escalofrio (1978)
 
The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: Mogul Communications, Inc.
Catalog: MOG1039
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1987
Runtime: 79:31
Print: 1.44:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None
 

About the Film

Director: Carlos Puerto
Year of Release: 1978
Country of Origin: Spain
Stars: Angel Aranda, Sandra Alberti, Marianna Karr, Jose Maria Guillen, Luis Barboo
AKAs: Satan's Blood

 

Verbatim Box Synopsis

Don't PANIC ... a terrifying journey into a forbidden world.

And for two young people it is a journey that will twist and scar their minds forever.

The powers of darkness gather, and nothing can stop the orgy of devastation they will unleash.

Evil satanic rites. Human sacrifice. The ancient secrets of the occult.

And as their fear reaches its shattering climax, the horrifying final blow is delivered.

Don't PANIC ... pure evil.

 

 U.S. Mogul Communications sleeve!

 

For alternate VHS covers, check out our Satans Blood listing!

 

(Above cover courtesy of VHS Wasteland.)

In one of their more outrageous bait and switch jobs, Mogul appropriated their entire ad campaign from Ruben Galindo, Jr's ouija board possession slasher Don't Panic (1987)!  I imagine they must've thought they had a deal set for the film, promoted and solicited it, and then run into a snag on the home stretch.  Rather than cancel the title, they simply dusted off their Satan's Blood master and video-burned a new title card.  Viola!  New product!  The real version of Don't Panic can be found on BCI Eclipse's great Mexploitation set, Crypt of Terror: Horror from South of the Border, Vol. 1. 

While not readily available on VHS, Puerto's Don't Panic has been issued on DVD twice as Satan's Blood, once by Mondo Macabro and later by Scorpion Releasing. Both use the same master, but the Mondo Macabro release has more supplements.

 
Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!
 
For a look at other labels, check out The VHS Archives!
 
© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Carlos Puerto's SATANS BLOOD (1978)

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SATANS BLOOD 
Carlos Puerto's Escalofrio (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: All American Video
Catalog: AAV104
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: ?
Runtime: 79:33
Print: 1.44:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Carlos Puerto
Year of Release: 1978
Country of Origin: Spain
Stars: Angel Aranda, Sandra Alberti, Marianna Karr, Jose Maria Guillen, Luis Barboo
AKAs: Satan's Blood, Don't Panic, Shivers

Verbatim Box Synopsis

Anna and Andres, a young innocent married couple are lured into the forbidden world of the occult ... without realizing it Anna and Andres find themselves participating in evil satanic rites.

The final terror awaits them just when they think they are safe.

U.S All American Video sleeve!

U.S. All American Video sales sheet, courtesy of Critical Condition!

For info on this release, check out our Don't Panic listing!

Spanish-language U.S. MGS Films, Inc. slip cover, courtesy of Mike Schack!  Be sure and check out his eBay auctions as GalleryOfTerror!

German Super Video sleeve, originally scanned by "Operazione Bianchi"!

Spanish Exclusiva 79 sleeve, originally scanned by "Tom Savini"!

Spanish RF Video sleeve (with key art cribbed from Vittorio Rambaldi's Primal Rage)!  (Does anyone have a better quality scan of this?)

French Sodisci sleeve!

Figuring no one on this side of the Atlantic would ever know, Mogul recycled the Satans Blood artwork from their 1984 UK pre-cert release of L. Scott Castillo Jr.'s Satan's Blade (1984)!  While Prism Entertainment adopted different (and pretty awful) artwork for their domestic VHS of the film, North American labels Trend and Galaxy appropriated this design, simply masking out Mogul's information and pasting in their own!  This led a lot of people to assume the companies were somehow related, but I'm pretty sure it was a simple case of theft.

While not readily available on VHS, Satan's Blood has been issued on DVD twice, once by Mondo Macabro and later by Scorpion Releasing.  Both use the same master, but the Mondo Macabro release has more supplements.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

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

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Lu Po Tu's BIG BOSS II (1978)

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BIG BOSS II

Lu Po Tu's Jie quan da dong kau (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: All American Video
Catalog: AAV105
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1985
Runtime: 91:43
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Lu Po Tu
Year of Release: 1978
Country of Origin: Hong Kong
Stars: Dragon Lee, Lik Cheung, Bolo Yeung
AKAs: Dragon Lee Fights Again, Bruce Lee Fights Again, Big Boss 2, Chinese Goliath, Muscle of the Dragon

Verbatim Box Synopsis

In the dark ages of the Chinese Republic, Warlords in the north hired fierce and brutal Japanese as assassins in their fight against revolutionaries and insurgents, led by the honourable and brave, Fok. When Fok saves the life of Lee Hansang, the two join forces to fight the notorious Warlords and their despised Japanese mercenaries. Hiding out in rice fields and learning all aspects of Kung Fu, they are continually hounded by the evil Tailong and his warriors. Having tortured and then murdered a young girl, Tailong now knows the hideout of the young revolutionaries, and sets out on his mission of destruction. Only the wisdom and skills of Kung Fu can save Lee and Fok, and together they plan a final ambush for their hated enemy.

U.S. All American Video sleeve!

Looking for Big Boss II on VHS? It's not readily available, but it is presented in VHS quality as part of VideoAsia's Dragon 4-Pack.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

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

© 2012 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Jose Maria Forque's FURY (1978)

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FURY

Jose Maria Forque's La mujer de la tierra caliente (1978)

The VHS Archives Factsheet
Label: Mogul Communications, Inc.
Catalog: MOG1026
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1987
Runtime: 76:43
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs
Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Jose Maria Forque

Year of Release: 1978

Country of Origin: Spain / Italy
Stars: Laura Gemser, Stuart Whitman, Pilar Velazquez, Gabriele Tinti, Paola Senatore
AKAs: Woman from the Torrid Land, Emotional Exchange

Verbatim Box Synopsis

Two wild mysterious strangers cross paths in the primitive danger of the tropical jungle.

A young woman whose life has been nothing more than that of a prostitute.  A man with so much to hide that nothing can unlock his past.

But as they begin their journey together, their deadly secrets are exposed as they grow closer and closer.

And soon trey are locked in a consuming, passionate affair.

As the stunning reality dawns, the action moves towards its final twist.

Their lives will never be the same again.

U.S. Mogul Communications, Inc. sleeve!

U.S. Mogul Communications sales solicitation, courtesy of
Spaghetti Cinema's William Connolly!

Original Variety announcement, also courtesy Bill Connolly!

Looking for Fury on VHS? It's available on Amazon here, if you can afford it.

Investigate more titles with Project: MOGUL!

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

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.