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.

A Sexplosion of Grab Bag Goodies!

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So, I may have recently purchased a few hundred more promotional photos.  And I may not have any idea what most of them are.

You see, they've had their captions trimmed off.  The birth of yet another new feature here at the ol' Arcana.  It's sort of like Name that Movie Monday, except I don't know if you're right or not.  (Also, I need a catchy title.  Bad puns and alliteration accepted.  Any ideas?)

I've identified a few myself, and plenty more I know I recognize but just can't quite place.  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 first batch is below; let's see what you've got!

#1: TS-12

Turns out this photo (along with still #17) 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?

#2: S-4

This one's for James Landis' excellent The Sadist (1963), a must-see JD flick starring Arch Hall, Jr.  Available on DVD from All Day Entertainment or an alternate special edition from Legend House, who also issued it on Blu-Ray.

 #3: WTO-7

#4: No markings!

Chris Poggiali identified this as John G. Avildsen's Okay Bill (1971), a counterculture character study about a conformed businessman trying to relive his wilder days by pursuing an underground film actress.  I've never personally seen it; was it ever issued to home video?

#5: WM-107

Thanks go out to Giles, who identified this photo as Michele Lupo's The Weekend Murders (1970)! An unusual, almost parodic giallo, the film plays out as an Edgar Wallace or Agatha Christie-styled thriller dealing with a family gathering centered around the reading of a will, and the bodies that pile up soon after. For years you could only see its tantalizing trailer, but Code Red eventually gave the film a needed rescue, issuing it on DVD. (See also: #101.)

That's all for now! 

In other Arcana news, be sure and keep your eyes peeled later this week for the next installment of In Search Of, this time profiling a legendary lost sexploiter!  Plus the Mondo Digital Top Ten o' '10 round-up is right around the corner!  And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and preorder some cool stuff!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

It's Name that Movie Monday! Challenge #20!

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Welcome back to Name that Movie Monday!

It's time for Challenge #20 here at the ol' Arcana! Can you identify this week's mystery photo, scanned direct from The Holecheck Archives? If you think you recognize it, post a comment below. As the week goes on, if no one guesses correctly I'll begin adding some pretty useless hints. Easy, right?

Here ya' go -- good luck!

UPDATE:

Solved at last! After seven long months, our reigning champion has finally been identified! Thumbs up to "docvoltage" for recognizing Jess Franco's The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969). The fifth and final entry in Harry Alan Towers' series of pulp adventures featuring Christopher Lee as the titular villain, this one details a preposterous plotline involving heart transplants, frozen oceans and the usual world domination attempts. Not a great film by any stretch, it's still fun enough Saturday afternoon filler, and is helped a bit in the eye candy department by co-stars Rosalba Neri and Maria Perschy, who pretty much steal the show.

Belatedly hitting U.S. screens in 1972 courtesy of International Cinema Corporation, as compared to the Warner Bros.-handled earlier efforts, it didn't exactly light the box office on fire and producer Towers has been quoted saying director Franco effectively killed the series. Obscure label Electric Video Inc. released the film to VHS in 1981 with silly cover art and a transfer that didn't do many favors to its already-questionable reputation. In 2003 Blue Underground performed a minor rescuing act and dropped Castle and its immediate prequel The Blood of Fu Manchu in their Christopher Lee Collection box set, which also house the superior Circus of Fear and a restored uncut The Bloody Judge. All four films look great, are complete, and are packed with a wide array of supplements including featurettes, stills collections, commentaries, trailers, etc. It's well worth picking up.

VHS cover courtesy of Jayson Kennedy's Basement of Ghoulish Decadence.

For a look at our last entry, click here. And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and preorder some cool stuff!

 
© 2010 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.