THE FALL SERIES : Yvonne de Carlo (guest post by Irene)

Yvonne de Carlo:

Isn't this just beautiful?

Monty, I hope that you'll have a safe travel home today!

Have a great Sunday, you all!

Yours

Irene

THE FALL SERIES : Judy Garland (guest post by Irene)

For Monty is visiting his family - I am posting this picture of Judy Garland for him - and for you..

A very "autumnesque" publicity still for MGM, don't you agree?

Have a great day!

Yours

Irene

Classic Horror Films: Day 30 (THE RAVEN - 1963)

This, my friends, will be the last of my short classic horror film posts for Monty’s Horror Film Fest. So for that post I chose one of my favourite films ever – with two of my all-time favourite actors: Vincent Price and Peter Lorre – and the film that I want to tell you about today also contains one of my favourite animals – actually it’s called after that animal – and also is reminiscenting the famous poem of one of my favourite authors - Edgar Allan Poe:

The Raven (1963)

Magician Dr. Craven (Vincent Price) is mourning about the loss of his wife Lenore (Hazel Court) when not so very talented but poisoned-tongued magician Dr. Bedlo (Peter Lorre) appears, who was changed into a raven.

With Dr. Bedlo’s not so bright son Rexford (Jack Nicholson) and Dr. Craven's daughter Estelle (Olive Sturgess) they go on a trip to mean magician Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff) who had done that magical change – and who apparently is in the company of not-as-dead-as-thought Lenore.. Soon there is a magic duel going on between Dr. Scarabus and Dr. Craven..

Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff were - as you hopefully might know - not only geniuses when it came to horror films but also when it comes to comedy. This film just is fun to watch and I imagine the actors had a great time performing.

For lovers of beautiful women we have the gorgeous Hazel Court and Olive Sturgess.

I love the little horror film gimmicks like a tarantula and other “creepy” animals appearing.. And Jack Nicholson's change from easy minded to possessed and back again is really worth a look.

This film was one of my favourites when I was a child - and I still adore it.

Well.. thank you all for reading my posts and commenting on them in this festival.

I hope you all have a wonderful spooky Halloween!

Yours

Irene

“This it is – and nothing more..

… ...

Quoth, the Raven ‘Nevermore..' ”

Classic Horror Films: Day 28 (BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE - 1958)

You are looking for a film you could watch with persons who are not so easy with (classic) horror films?

I think I have one for you:

Blood of the Vampire (1958)

Late 19th century: Mad scientist Dr. Callistratus (Donald Wolfit) is reanimated after is death (the town's folk has made sure he's death by driving a stake into his heart..) with a "donor heart" - but because his blood is now infected he starts to explore blood transfusion - with the "help" of some defenseless inmates of a prison hospital - and the new inmate Dr. John Pierre (Vincent Ball) - who is not that helpless - and not at all embracing these experiments..

This film is quite cute. The female lead is Barbara Shelley, who some will know as "the First Leading Lady of British Horror" - and believe me: she looks gorgeous.

Die-hard Horror fans will be disappointed because the "vampire" is no real vampire and that spookiest things are some doberman pinschers and the "Igor"-like assistant of Dr. Callistratus Carl (Victor Maddern) - with a very obvious make-up.. well.. I won't recommend this film for little children because there are definitively some deaths - but it is really a cute film.

The story line is nice and if you have problems with falling asleep after watching this film - honestly: I think you should visit a doctor then - because that won't be caused by this film.

Classic Horror Films: Day 26 (DEAD OF NIGHT - 1945)

Do you like spooky films with several episodes which start rather nice and light and have kind of a surreal finale? Films without gore and such?

Well - in that case one of my alltime favourite films might be just your cup of tea:

Dead of Night (1945)

A man stays for a weekend in a house he never was before - and mets six persons he didn't meet before - though he knows them all: He dreamt of them in his returning nightmares.. And he is sure that something horrible will happen - though he can't remember what. When he tells his companions about his dreams they start to tell him some supernatural stories, too..

This is just a wonderful film - with a great cast: e.g. the magnificent Googie Withers. And the episodes are quite entertaining - and reaching from a wide range: there is kind of a ..uhm.. "gentlemen's joke"-episode about a haunted wedding night - and who ever saw this film will never forget the haunting performance of Michael Redgrave (yes, I have a soft spot for him..) as a ventriloquist driven mad by his dummy..

Please, make sure to get the "full" version: I have heard that for the US market back then two episodes were cut out..

Classic Horror Films: Day 23 (THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - 1945)

Though most of us will never have to face horrors featured in so many scary films – well, I really hope so.. - there is one “horror” each and every one has to deal with – some will have problems when they have to face it themselves – others when their love ones are affected: Mortality.

And that’s the theme of the film I am going to present today – based on the book by my adored Oscar Wilde:

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

Victorian London: Dandy Dorian Gray (Hurd Hatfield) has his portrait taken by artist Basil Hallward (Lowell Gilmore) - and wishes for immortal youth and beauty.

When he later notices that his wish came true and all the wickedness he does is not affecting his looks but those of his portrait there is no more self-effacement for him – unwittingly encouraged by cynical friend Lord Henry Wotton (George Sanders).

But after some years Dorian plans to marry Basil’s niece Gladys (Donna Reed) and when Basil wants to re-visit his masterpiece – soon there will be blood dripping of the hand of the pictured Dorian Gray..

Wonderfully done –I especially love Angela Lansbury’s performance as sweet Sybil Vane – she looks of course gorgeous – her acting is just wonderful. Oh, and Peter Lawford is in this film, too.. And I am happy that they took some of the witty Oscar Wilde lines from the book - so you might catch some nice phrases to show your friends how witty/intellectual (based on the knowledge of your audience..) you are..

As a nice gimmick in my opinion the whole film is done in b/w – just the famous picture is shown in Technicolor. Very effective, I must say!

This might not be your classical monster film (anyway – seems like I am here for doing the not so scary films, Monty – ain’t I? ...) – but as often quoted in this film - and maybe the motto of at least my life:

“I myself am heaven and hell.”

And I think that is not only true but from times to times quite scary..

..and so is growing old..

..excuse me now: I need moisturizer..

RIGHT NOW.

Classic Horror Films: Day 20 (THE BAT - 1959)

Usually women in horror films are poor little creatures just screaming their souls out - chased by some maniac killer, aren’t they? You have the picture, right?

Great. Now take the lady from your imagination – and insert one of my all-time favourite actresses: Agnes Moorehead. Does the lady still look weak? Not really.. Endora from Bewitched wouldn't give in, would she?

That sassy woman (as gorgeous as always) now needs an equal partner, doesn’t she? So – we just take the crush of my life: Vincent Price – and we have what? Sure! The film of the day:

The Bat (1959)

Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead) is a popular author of crime stories. With her housekeeper Lizzie (Lenita Lane) she just moved into the mansion of shortly diseased John Fleming (Harvey Stephens) – who had embezzled $ 1 Mio. from his bank and hidden somewhere in his house.

Dangerous situation – because also serial killer “The Bat” is searching the house for the money – and leaving some dreadful killed victims. Chauffeur Warner (John Sutton) is very suspect – and so is Dr. Wells (Vincent Price).. Will Lt. Anderson (Gavin Gordon) get “the bat” in time?

What can I say? I love it. Gorgeous cast – and for those who like to see what happened to former child actors: Darla Hood - yes, sweet Darla from Our Gang - has a part in this film, too..

Classic Horror Films: Day 18 (THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - 1960)

Do you like silly, a bit over the top comedies – in which the characters have just great names?

And you would like to have that combined with a little monster?

How about my Horror film of the day?

The little Shop of Horrors (1960)

Seymour Krelboyne (Jonathan Haze) is working in the flower shop of Gravis Mushnick (Mel Welles). Seymour is a kind-hearted, clumsy guy – and he has a soft spot for his pretty work-mate Audrey Fulquard (Jackie Joseph).

Seymour grows a plant he calls Audrey Junior - in the beginning poor little Audrey Junior is a bit weak – but soon Seymour finds out how to make her grow: She likes blood. But soon the fast growing plant causes a sensation - and she needs more and more blood.. So she causes Seymour to bring her death bodies – fresh death bodies..

I love the musical remake of 1986 – but I love this version even a bit more - to me it seems to be a little bit more acid-tongued.

For “What did they before they were Stars?”-fans: Here you can see Jack Nicholson in his fourth film as Wilbur Force (“My first name is Wilbur. My last name is Force.”), a masochistic patient on his way to sadistic dentist Dr. Phoebus Farb (John Herman Shaner) – oh.. don’t you just adore those names?

Classic Horror Films: Day 16 (FREAKS - 1932)

Has anyone ever laughed at you? Made fun of you? Because you were too tall/ too small/ too fat/ too skinny/ too whatsoever?

If you answered this with “No.” : congratulations! You’re Mary Poppins. (As you know: “Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way.” ... In that case: I am not so sure whether I like you or not. ..)

If you answered the questions above with “Yes.” : don’t worry – you’re one of us. - “One of us. One of us..”

Maybe this is why I can relate that much to the film I am presenting today – and which I ask you to watch whether you were or weren’t laughed at - and especially if you get your kicks out of hurting other people’s feelings:

Freaks (1932)

During the early 1930’s in a side show circus: Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova), the beautiful trapeze artists, called “Peacock of the air”, finds out that her small fellow artist Hans (Harry Earles) is about to inherit a great amount of money – so she takes advantage out of his soft spot for her and makes him marry her. Now she tries to intoxicate him slowly – but the other “freaks” notice that and they will take care of their friend..

Amazing film – and though I hate those “oh, you MUST see this or that”-stuff: I highly recommend this film to all of you!

Classic Horror Films: Day 14 (SCREAM OF FEAR - 1961)

What do almost all horror flicks have in common?

Yes, you’re right: a beautiful girl in danger.

Well – and how can we put that situation on a higher level?

Right again: Give the beautiful girl a handicap.

Like in

SCREAM OF FEAR (1961)

- The original UK title is TASTE OF FEAR –

After they haven’t seen each other for about ten years Penny Appleby (Susan Strasberg) - who is bound to a wheelchair - travels to Nice to visit her father after he invited her. To her surprise her stepmother Jane (Ann Todd) and her father’s friend Dr. Pierre Gerrard (Christopher Lee) are telling her that her father isn't around.

Then our young girl sees daddy's death body - which mysteriously disappears.

Apparently the only one who believes her is the young chauffeur Robert (Ronald Lewis) - the only remaining friend of our heroine..

This film – made in gorgeous black and white – is another one of my all-time favourites. It’s full of suspense - and has just an amazing plot.

This one strikes a chord with me - without throwing bowel or blood at my face. Hope it'll be the same for you..

Classic Horror Films: Day 12 (The Uncanny - 1977)

To write a post for my blogs (and/or a guest post for this blog) all I need is a film I can somehow relate to, my laptop, an angle to build my post up on - and a cat sitting next to me or on my lap - and maybe a big cup of hot black coffee in reach. All these things are given in this moment - also my Mina is sitting here and looking at me - obstinately.. I.. It's a bit.. hm..

Anyway.. Let's start:

All one needs for a nice horror film is:

Donald Pleasence, Peter Cushing, Ray Milland, at least one pretty girl - and many, many cats..

Of course I am talking about:

The Uncanny (1977)

Montreal ca. 1977: Wilbur Gray (Peter Cushing) tries to sell his book to Frank Richards (Ray Milland) - it is about cats.

Gray's theory is that cats are EVIL but Richards isn't convinced - so Gray tells him three stories about the diabolicalness of cats..

What can I say? I love that film.

I love that Ray Milland's character lives with a fluffy white persian (tom) cat called Sugar.

I love that Peter Cushing is talking to Sugar (that man is sooo marvellous..) - and explains to Ray Milland that cats are controlling people.. (... ...)

You'll see a little blood and some not so pretty death bodies..

- speaking of prettiness: I think Susan Penhaligon is certainly one of the prettiest girls of the mid to late 1970's - well in the beginning of her sequence she is.. ahem..

Anyway.. ...

I.. ..I gotta go.. ..gotta feed my cats.. ..gotta feed them real good food.. ..

Classic Horror Films: Day 10 (Berserk - 1967)

Sometimes a film is considered a horror film because it shows kind of drastic deaths. I think this is why the film I am presenting today is called a horror film:

Berserk (1967)

Several cruel murders happen to take place in the circus of Monica Rivers (Joan Crawford)..

Watch out for of course my beloved Joan Crawford (in extreme unicolored outfits) and some others of my favourites: the unmatched Diana Dors, the lovely Judy Geeson and the one and only Robert Hardy.

If you’re not so easy with suspense (this one really isn't much of a scare..) – but have a soft spot for really trashy fun stuff: this might be just your kind of film..

Have a bit of the real poetry you’re going to hear in this flick:

“ Kill! Kill! Kill! That’s all I feel inside me!”

- ..sigh.. that is pure beauty, isn’t it?

Classic Horror Films: Day 8 (The Undying Monster - 1942)

Maybe some of you have (like me..) a soft spot for horror films set in the past – like the one I want to present today – it’s one of my favourites:

The Undying Monster (1942)

England ca. 1900. Is a werewolf terrorizing the apparently cursed Hammond family and the folks in the nearby village? Inspector Curtis and his chatty assistant Miss Christopher try to find out..

Wonderfully done flick with a few spooky scenes. It features the lovely Heather Angel as Helga Hammond. Most of you will know her as Kitty from Pride and Prejudice (1940)..

Classic Horror Films: Day 6 (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde - 1920)

Some of you may be just bored with all those scream queens and the cries: “Look out! – He’s behind you!” or the whispered “No one ever came back - alive..” stuff..

So this film about the most popular shizophrenic personality of literature and film might be right up your alley - it's a silent movie:

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1920)

Dr. Jekyll is a goodhearted scientist who finds a method to split his personality – with horrible outcome..

Maybe I am a bit obsessed with the Barrymore clan.. I adore them.. Here we have a dashing young John Barrymore in the lead – he is maybe not so dashing as Dr. Jekyll’s alter ego Mr. Hyde.. And he is doing quite an impressive performance – well, the first time he turns back into Dr. Jekyll it looks like they put Jerry Lewis in charge to do that: Jump up... ...fall down - flat on the floor..

But it’s no silly film.. Not really scary either – just shortly before the end of the film there is kind of a human giant spider.. really creepy looking.. And because I am not able to describe it properly you simply have to watch it, haven’t you? [insert vicious giggle here]

Oh - and you can find it completely on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho8-vK0L1_8&feature=related

Classic Horror Films - Day 2 (Tarantula - 1955)

To begin with: I am very happy to help Monty out in this series – he asked me to do some short posts – and those of you who ever happen to read a review by me on my blog And then they start to sparkle know: “short” is not the word that would come in mind first when you look at them.. So I try to behave. (- and save thoughts for epic reviews on my blog then.. ahem..)

Let’s start with one very nice classic:

In the little town Desert Rock two scientists are experimenting with food – on a radioactive base. The active substance makes the test subjects (in the main these are animals..) grow rapidly. Then the laboratory is destroyed by a fire – and a tarantula escapes – still growing as it’s appetite is, too..

Great work by makeup department – the active substance doesn’t have pretty effects on humans.. Speaking of looks: Mara Corday as the female lead looks gorgeous. She plays an avid scientist - which is always nice – and she is called Steve!!! I love that!

A giant plus (unless you’re suffering from arachnophobia..): There is a real tarantula impersonating the monster – no papier-mâché! Yay for that!!

At the beach: Summer is on the run.. (guest post by Irene Palfy)

A last "At the beach" post by me - for Monty:

Cary Grant and Betsy Drake

Have a good time!

Yours,

Irene

At the beach: Having a fun time.. (guest post by Irene Palfy)

... with Doris Day and Rock Hudson!

Enjoy your weekend!!

At the beach: Miss Tuesday on Tuesday.. (guest post by Irene Palfy)

Yes, Tuesday again...

and Irene wishes all of you a nice week!

..together with lovely Tuesday Weld

At the beach: Just Thank you, Monty.. (guest post by Irene Palfy)

Yay! Marilyn Monroe is happy, too!

Thank you so much for that LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD, Monty!!

(- and anyone who wants to know which blogs I pass it on to - look here, please.)

For all of you who have to work this week-end.. (guest post by Irene Palfy)

Many of you don't have a free week-end I guess.. So you'll need something to look at and relax..

Most people think that water has a relaxing effect - well, and I believe in smiles and laughter.. so - how about the perfect mix for you? (this obviously isn't an "At the beach-picture"..)

Anouk Aimée enjoying herself and some fresh looking water..

- m-hm.. yes, LA DOLCE VITA... ;")

So - whatever your plans are /have to be for the week-end:

Have a great time!!