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 Ex-Rental VHS Appreciation Group!

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.

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.

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.

The VHS Archives: Jim O'Connolly's TOWER OF EVIL (1972)

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TOWER OF EVIL

Jim O'Connolly's Tower of Evil (1972)

The VHS Archives Factsheet

Label: Gorgon Video

Catalog: MP3070

Box Type: Clamshell

Year of Release: ?

Runtime: 89:14

Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs

Extras: None

About the Film

Director: Jim O'Connolly

Year of Release: 1972

Country of Origin: U.K.

Stars: Bryant Haliday, Jill Haworth, Gary Hamilton, Anna Palk, Robin Askwith, Dennis Price

AKAs: Horror on Snape Island, Beyond the Fog, The Devil's Tower

Verbatim Box Synopsis

One of the most brutal and mysterious stories ever to be released in home video Tower of Evil is a haunting tale set in and around a deserted lighthouse on fog shrouded Snape Island.

The terror begins when a nude, crazed woman slaughters a sailor who visits the island. When she is taken back to civilization and an ancient relic is discovered, an expedition is mounted to solve the mystery of the island which leads to a series of psychosexual murders.

A truly horrifying movie, which is not for everyone. 

U.S. Gorgon Video / MPI Home Video sleeve!

U.S. VCI Command Performance slipcase!

U.K. Iver Films Services sleeve, courtesy of the IFS Tribute Site!

Dutch Video Screen sleeve, courtesy of Cult VHS!

Danish Video International sleeve, courtesy of Hans-Jorn Reimer 

and his Danish Ex-Rental VHS Appreciation Group!

French Hollywood Video sleeve, courtesy of L'antre de l'horreur!

German Video Medien Pool glassbox sleeve!

German VPS Video sleeve!

German Vestrada Filmworks sleeve!

Italian Cine Club sleeve!

Norwegian CP Entertainment sleeve, courtesy of Norsk VHS!

Greek Alligator Video Enterprises sleeve!

Theatrical trailer, uploaded by "TREVOR1369"!

And the much more exploitative French trailer, 

uploaded by "braniki1"!

Looking for Tower of Evil on VHS? It's available on Amazon here. There's an early DVD release from Elite Entertainment, but real fans will want Scorpion Releasing's excellent DVD or (preferably) Blu Ray which supplies a gorgeous MGM-remastered print!

Investigate more titles with Project: MPI!

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

© 2013 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The VHS Archives: Antony Balch's HORROR HOSPITAL (1973)

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HORROR HOSPITAL

Antony Balch's Horror Hospital (1973)

The VHS Archives Factsheet

Label: Gorgon Video

Catalog: MP3069

Box Type: Clamshell

Year of Release: ?

Runtime: 90:19

Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs

Extras: None

About the Film

Director: Antony Balch

Year of Release: 1973

Country of Origin: U.K.

Stars: Michael Gough, Robin Askwith, Vanesa Shaw, Dennis Price, Skip Martin

AKAs: Computer Killers, Doctor Bloodbath, Dr. Frankenstein's Horror Clinic, Forbidden Diary of a College Girl, The Claws of Frankenstein, Human Butcher

Verbatim Box Synopsis

Welcome to Brittlehouse Manor, a "health resort" where young people are cured of all their hang-ups in one stroke. One stroke, that is, of Doc Storm's scalpel.

You see Doc Storm, a crippled demented genius in a wheel chair, has a laboratory where he performs hideous and graphic brain surgery on his young patients -- making them cooperative, brainless, zombies.

With the help of Frederick the dwarf, the "Bike Boys", and Doc Storm's infamous decapitating limousine the new patients are guaranteed all the "rest" they will ever need.

U.S. Gorgon Video / MPI Home Video sleeve!

U.S VCI Command Performance slipcase,
courtesy of reader Scott Gacek! 

U.S. VCI Home Video reissue slipcase, also courtesy 
Scott Gacek! You rock!

U.S. Bingo Video Inc. slipcase, courtesy of Jayson Kennedy's Basement of Ghoulish Decadence! Cover artist "Danilo" was responsible for a lot of Mogul Communications' better sleeves!

 U.K. Satanica sleeve!

Australian Vibrant Video sleeve, courtesy of Rolfens DVD!

 French Delta Video Diffusion sleeve, courtesy of L'antre de l'horreur!

 Dutch VC 2 Video sleeve, originally scanned by "shootgringoshoot"!

Swedish Red Baron sleeve, also courtesy of Rolfens DVD!

TV spot, uploaded by Craig Anderson!

British trailer, double-billed with 

Ted V. Mikels' The Corpse Grinders (1971). Uploaded by "anubis44"!

Looking for Horror Hospital on VHS? It's available on Amazon here. There's also a nice special edition DVD available from MPI's Dark Sky label, with commentary from producer Richard Gordon, stills, and more. (If you're a Horror Hospital completist, there's also an earlier non-anamorphic print from Elite.)

Investigate more titles with Project: MPI!

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

© 2013 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.