Magic Month of Mags

 

The genre magazine business is healthy -- at least in terms of output (I don't know the rumpus on profits).

This month sees the release of the 170th (!) edition of Tim and Donna Lucas's Video Watchdog, the true successor to the French Midi-Minuit and the first decade or so of the late Frederick S. Clarke's Cinefantastique.

This issue features an extensive Lucas interview with the delicious screen siren Dalia (The Whip and the Body, Two Weeks in Another Town, The Silencers) Lavi. Also inside, and waiting to bust out, is a great piece on Almodovar's audacious The Skin I Live In by Lianne Spiderbaby. Ms. Spiderbaby explores the challenges women encounter in a man's world...a man's world seen through Mr. Almodovar's eyes, to be exact.

Nathaniel Thompson's review of the German Blu-Ray of Argento's Four Flies on Grey Velvet heaps praise on this edition's color palette and silky blacks.  Clearly an essential buy. Also reviewed are Lewis Gilbert's Paradise Lagoon, The Stranger Within (from Warner Archive) and The Boogens, the new Blu-Ray from Olive Films. The last time I saw that film, I was unsticking my foot from a floor in Detroit's 'Northgate Theater'. 

If all that wasn't enough for me, I was delighted to read Douglas Winter's 'Audio Watchdog' column on Jerry Goldsmith. The column marks the eighth anniversary of the composer's death, and the release of  the fantastic and definitive CD of his Star Trek - The Motion Picture score. Hard to believe, but there are sixty-five cues on this sucker, by crikey! 

As always, a brilliant issue that demonstrates the relevance of a serious genre magazine in an internet-dominated culture.

 

I never thought I'd be holding in my hand an entire magazine dedicated to the Dr. Phibes films and associated phenomena.  But Richard Klemensen's twenty-ninth issue of 'Little Shoppe of Horrors' is exactly that. 

It's an exhaustive look at Phibes from every conceivable angle production-wise; there are also pieces on 'The Unphilmed Phibes'(sic), Phibes in print, and Phibes on stage and on CD.

Coming up the rear is also a remembrance of Frank Darabont's first time (with Phibes, that is), and director Tim Burton pipes in with an affectionate piece on meeting Mr. Price.

Fanaticism then reaches a new peak with David Taylor's account of his hunt for Phibes' Rolls Royce(!). 

 

Justin Marriott's poem to pulpy paperback goodness hits new highs with its twenty-third issue. 

There is a terrific gallery of old Bradbury covers, a remembrance of the late Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes, a fascinating piece on 'Digit', the post-war publisher of crime author Edgar Wallace (replete with dynamic paperback cover reproductions), a colorful look at 'Eve Drum, The Lady From L.U.S.T.', a spy created to cash in on everything Bondish, and a rare look at the pulp 'Fantastic Adventures' accompanied by vivid color covers.

Published virtually simultaneously with this issue was Marriott's two-volume portrait of ace fantasy artist (and childhood hero of mine) Bruce Pennington. Featuring interviews, overviews, and amazing cover reproductions, this type of publication, dedicated to one artist, needs to be encouraged.

  

With this quarter's booty of Video Watchdog, Little Shoppe of Horrors, The Paperback Fantatic, and a slew of others (Diabolique, Mad Scientist, Mondo Cult, and Monsters From The Vault), it's a great time for the eyes!

Hot Magazine Orgy

 Mirek Lipinski's Latarnia Fantastique International #1 launches a veritable month-long orgy of great genre magazines.

"Cinema is an adventure," Lipinski writes in his maiden editorial. "it can inspire and embolden, sweeten or spice the days and the nights."

Beautifully said, I say.

He concludes: "I'm not of the opinion that every magazine should be welcome, just those that provide something others do not. Hopefully you'll find in these pages something that you've not seen or read in other magazines, something worth your time, so that you can take the journey along with Latarnia Fantastique International  -- now and into the future."

Lipinski sticks to his mantra with the first issue. It features a passionate piece about Harald Reinl's The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism -- "The start of a horror series that never was".

This piece is well researched and includes a fascinating sidebar of some gruesome special effects that were cut from the finished film.

  Sensational poster art reproduced on the first issue's back cover

Ivan Cardoso's Werewolf in the Amazon, the obscure Paul Naschy flick, is also reviewed by Lipinski. Little seen outside limited festival venues, the film is favorably reviewed, although the writer suggests that it would have a tough time finding theatrical support. A half page still of Naschy in full werewolf make-up is included.

With a sensational Barbara Steele paining adorning the magazine's cover, one would expect a Steele appearance inside the magazine. Well, Steele does appear in a photo gallery taken from An Angel For Satan and The Maniacs.

Other items of immense interest in this issue include an English translation of Gustavo Adolfo Becquer's Spirit Mountain, the short story that inspired the Blind Dead movies; and a fascinating and lengthy interview with actor Andres Resino; posters from a number of Resino films such as La Mansion De La Niebla (aka Maniac Mansion, '72) are faithfully reproduced.

This is a beautiful publication, forged with love and passion. It reminds me of early issues of FRederick S. Clark's Cinefantastique, a magazine once dedicated to obscure and delicious cinematic treasures. The magazine also bears the lycanthropian marks of the French midi/minuit Fantastique -- not surprising, really, because midi/minuit was Clark's original inspiration.

I can't wait to see where Lipinski goes with this.

Richard Klemenson's Little Shoppe of Horrors -- "The Journal of Classic British Horror Films" -- has topped itself once again with this special issue devoted to the British masterpiece The Blood on Satan's Claw (aka Satan's Skin).

From the awesome cover art by Adrian Salmon to the numerous articles about the film and its makers, this is an issue you'd be a damn fool to miss.

A piece titled "The Godfather of British Exploitation" opens the book on  genre producer Tony Tenser, the indefatigable producer of Satan's Claw, in addition to Repulsion, Beast in the Cellar, The Sorcerers, Doonwatch, The Creeping Flesh, Gutter Girls (love that title!), Witchfinder General, and As Nature Intended. It's an exhaustive look at this smart and courageous bloke, a producer of the likes of which I rarely encounter my film career.

Bruce G. Hallenbeck delivers 'Are You Afeard? The Making of The Blood on Satan's Claw', an exhaustive essay on every aspect imaginable of the film's production. Our favorite Satanic slut, Linda Hayden (and I mean that in the nicest way!), appears in original illustrations and stills throughout this issue. Her erotic contribution to the movie is discussed at length, as is her strange allure so many years later.

Jonathan Sothcott throws in with 'Remaking the Blood on Satan's Claw', a multi-part piece on aspects of the film's production not coveded in Hallenbeck's piece. Producer Malcolm Heyworth is interviewed by MJ Simpson, as is director Piers Haggard, screenwriter Robert Wynne-Simmons (a novice at the time), and supporting cast members Tamara Ustinov, Simone Williams, and Robin Davies.

As usual, the magazine's focus piece doesn't push other diamonds of genre journalism aside. In addition to a  magic article on Terence Fisher, there is "Confessions of a Hammer Lifer" (by Andy MacDougall), and a John Hamilton piece on the late, great Milton Subotsky; this emerged from an interview he conducted with the late producer's daughter Fiona.

I cannot urge you strongly enough: For God's sake, get this issue...or die screaming you fucking hellspawn!!!