CineFocus Vintage Movies

The Sadist (1963) Three people driving into Los Angeles for a Dodgers game have car trouble and pull off into an old wrecking yard where they are held at bay by a bloodthirsty psycho and his crazy girlfriend. Director: James Landis Writer: James Landis Stars: Arch Hall Jr., Helen Hovey, Richard Alden Trivia Star Arch Hall Jr. was a sharpshooter, and when some of the attempts to fire "fake" bullets from his gun failed, he suggested that he fire live ammunition above the heads of the other actors. They agreed and a number of gunshots in the film are quite authentic. Goofs Charlie has a crippled walk which comes and goes throughout the film. Quotes Opening Narration: The words of a sadist, one of the most disruptive elements in human society. To have complete mastery over another, to make him a helpless object, to humiliate him, to enslave, to inflict moral insanity upon the innocent. That is his objective, and his twisted pleasure! Connections Featured in TCM Underground: The Sadist/Wild Guitar (2006)

The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe read by Basil Rathbone

Curse Of The Swamp Creature (1968) While searching for oil in the deadly swamplands of the Florida Everglades, members of a geological expedition meet an insane doctor who is working on an experiment to create a creature that is part man and part alligator. Director: Larry Buchanan Writer: Tony Huston (screenplay) Stars: John Agar, Francine York, Jeff Alexander Trivia The titular creature doesn't actually show up until the last six minutes. Quotes Tom: Doctor, I was thinking... just the work that you've done with the crocodiles and taking them back along the evolutionary path and making them into fish would be enough to win you world acclaim. Dr. Simond Trent: Yes, but acclaim... that's nothing. To create life, to move it up and down the evolutionary path... that's something. Something I don't you quite appreciate, Tom. Connections Featured in Son of Svengoolie: Curse of the Swamp Creature (1966) (1981) Soundtracks Music cues (uncredited) from It Conquered the World (1956) Composed by Ronald Stein

Silence by Edgar Allan Poe, read by James Mason

Bloody Pit Of Horror (1965) A photographer and models go to an abandoned castle to shoot some sexy covers for horror novels. Unbeknownst to them, the castle is inhabited by a lunatic who believes himself to be the reincarnated spirit of a 17th century executioner. Director: Massimo Pupillo Writers: Romano Migliorini (story, screenplay and adaptation), Roberto Natale (story, screenplay and adaptation) Stars: Mickey Hargitay, Walter Brandi, Luisa Baratto Trivia The film was refused a UK cinema certificate in 1967. Goofs When Raoul's supposedly dead body laying tied to the bed next to Rick, you can see him blink multiple times. Quotes Travis Anderson: Mankind is made up of inferior creatures, spiritually and physically deformed, who would have corrupted the harmony of my perfect body. Crazy credits Filmed in PSYCHOVISION! Alternate versions The film has 2 main versions. The original Italian version, "Il Boia Scarlatto" ran 83 minutes. The full length version was released on VHS by Something Weird under the title "A Tale of Torture" (1993). Connections Edited into Rifftrax: Bloody Pit of Horror (2012)

The House That Would Not Die (1970) A woman and her niece move into an ancestral house in the Amish countryside haunted by two ghosts from the Revolutionary War. Director: John Llewellyn Moxey Writers: Henry Farrell, Barbara Michaels (novel "Ammie, Come Home") Stars: Barbara Stanwyc, kRichard Egan, Michael Anderson Jr. Trivia Based on the Novel by Barbara Michaels, Ammie Come Home. Goofs A boom mic is briefly visible on the windshield of Richard Egan's car when he meets Barbara Stanwyck and Michael Anderson Jr. outside the Hall of Records. Connections Featured in Elvira's Halloween Movie Schlock-A-Thon (1993)

Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí present 16 minutes of bizarre, surreal imagery. Director: Luis Buñuel Writers: Salvador Dalí (scenario), Luis Buñuel (scenario) Stars: Pierre Batcheff, Simone Mareuil, Luis Buñuel (uncredited) Trivia At the Paris premiere, Luis Buñuel hid behind the screen with stones in his pockets for fear of being attacked by the confused audience. Nothing of the sort happened. In fact, the audience loved its mysterious and incomprehensible plot. Alternate versions The film was re-released in 1960 with soundtracks. Connections Edited into Avant Garde Cinema (1960) Soundtracks Tristan und Isolde: Liebestod (Opera) Written by Richard Wagner

The House On Haunted Hill A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife. Director: William Castle Writer: Robb White Stars: Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long

Edgar Allan Poe The Tell Tale Heart with subtitles Read by Christopher Lee

Carnival of Souls (1962) From Imdb Mary Henry is enjoying the day by riding around in a car with two friends. When challenged to a drag, the women accept, but are forced off of a bridge. It appears that all are drowned, until Mary, quite some time later, amazingly emerges from the river. After recovering, Mary accepts a job in a new town as a church organist, only to be dogged by a mysterious phantom figure that seems to reside in an old run-down pavilion. It is here that Mary must confront the personal demons of her spiritual insouciance. Director: Herk Harvey (directed) Writers: John Clifford (written), Herk Harvey (story) Stars: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger Taglines She Escaped Death. Now It Wants Her Back! Trivia According to director Herk Harvey, one reel of footage for the film was ruined during processing. He said it was a long series of shots that was supposed to take place just before Mary sees the "souls" dancing in the ballroom. In the shots the ghouls were supposed to slowly appear from behind the rotting dock pylons on the salt flats and slowly walk across the prairie to the ballroom, where they would begin to dance. Sadly, the footage was overexposed during processing and couldn't be included in the film. Goofs When Mary picks up to drink the coffee Mrs. Thomas gave her, the mug is full. Very next shot, right before she sips it, it's empty. Quotes Mary Henry: It's funny... the world is so different in the daylight. In the dark, your fantasies get so out of hand. But in the daylight everything falls back into place again. Crazy credits The opening credits fade in and out, scattered across the footage of the flowing river. Alternate versions When originally released in 1962, the distributors cut four minutes from the film making it only 80 minutes long. When the film was rereleased in 1989, the filmmakers restored the four minutes and 84 minutes is the official, complete running time. Connections Edited into People Who Die Mysteriously in Their Sleep (2004)

Spooks Run Wild (1941) The boys are stranded in a small rural town, they hear about a "monster killer" roaming the countryside. At night, they sneak out. Peewee is shot by a grave-digger, and they are forced to seek aid at an old mansion. Director: Phil Rosen Writers: Carl Foreman (original story by), Charles R. Marion (original story by)J, ack Henley (additional dialogue) Stars: Bela Lugosi, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan Trivia Last feature film of Donald Haines (Skinny). He enlisted in the USAAF as an aviation cadet in December, 1941 and attained the rank of first lieutenant before being killed in action in the North African theater. Goofs When various characters are moving around carrying candles or lit matches in otherwise dark rooms, the upraised arms, candles and matches are lit, casting shadows of them on the walls behind. Quotes Danny: How can you read in the dark? Glimpy: What'd you say? Danny: I said how can you read in the dark? Glimpy: I went to night school. Connections Featured in Horrible Horror (1986)

Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968) (info from Imdb) Astronauts landing on Venus encounter dangerous creatures and almost meet some sexy Venusian women who like to sun-bathe in hip-hugging skin-tight pants and seashell brassieres. Director: Peter Bogdanovich Writer: Henry Ney (screenplay) Stars: Mamie Van Doren, Mary Marr, Paige Lee Trivia Director "Derek Thomas" is actually Peter Bogdanovich. Goofs The "U.S." rocket-ships journeying to Venus bear the red star of the USSR. Quotes Narrator: Venus... Venus... the planet named after the Goddess of Love. This is... where I left her... 26 million miles away. Because I know she exists. I know she does! I know it! All the time we were there I heard her. Her and that sweet, haunting sound she makes, like the Sirens that tempted Ulysses... You may think I'm crazy back there on Earth. Crazy and still intoxicated by the atmosphere back there. But, wait a minute, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me tell you the whole story. All of it from the beginning and see what you think. You be the judge! Connections Edited from Battle Beyond the Sun (1959)

Ghost Diver (1957) (info from Imdb) Rico, a South American diver, seeking the lost treasure of the Paracas, finds a Paracan idol, with its eyes of sun and moon, and realizes he has found the key to a fortune. He tells Manco, the sweetheart of his daughter Pele, and the greedy Manco cuts the lifeline to Rico's diving gear and watches the old man sink to the ocean floor. Directors: Richard Einfeld, Merrill G. White Writers: Richard Einfeld (original screenplay), Merrill G. White (original screenplay) Stars: James Craig, Audrey Totter, Nico Minardos

Bury Me Dead (1947) (info from Imdb) Barbara Carlin attends her own funeral and returns home suspecting that her husband, Rod Carlin, had tried to do away with her, and is also (rightfully) curious as to just who was the woman buried under her name. She learns that the victim was glamor girl Helen Lawrence, with whom her husband had been having an affair. Director: Bernard Vorhaus Writers: Dwight V. Babcock (screenplay), Karen DeWolf (screenplay), Irene Winston (radio play "Bury Me Dead") Stars: Cathy O'Donnell, June Lockhart, Hugh Beaumont Trivia Re-titled and edited down to less than 30 minutes, it was sold to television in the early 1950s as part of a syndicated half-hour mystery show. Quotes Barbara Carlin: My death doesn't seem to have dulled your appetite. Strangely enough, it hasn't dulled mine.

Hollywood: the Golden Years Pt2 (info from Archive.org) Hollywood: The Golden Years Traces the growth of the motion picture industry from nickelodeon days to the advent of sound. Features such stars as Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Rudolph Valentino, and Greta Garbo, and points out the important contributions of directors such as D.W. Griffith. Includes clips from the Mack Sennett comedies and from the films Flesh and the devil, Wings, and The Big parade. Ends with All Jolson in The Jazz singer, a film important in the beginning of the sound era.

That Woman Opposite (1957) (info from Imdb) A series of daring robberies has taken place on Rue des Anges, a quiet street in the town of La Bandelette. Standing by an open window in his study, Sir Maurice Lawes sees a gendarme beaten to death and the killer, who also sees Lawes, escape in a car. The next evening, the residents hear a shattering scream from Janice Lawes when she finds her father murdered. Director: Compton Bennett Writers: Compton Bennett (screenplay), John Dickson Carr (novel "The Emperor's Snuffbox") Stars: Phyllis Kirk, Dan O'Herlihy, Wilfrid Hyde-White

The Face At The Window (info from Imdb) Set in France in 1880. A series of murders is attributed to a Wolf Man. Director: George King Writers: Brooke Warren (based on the play by), A.R. Rawlinson (scenario and dialogue) Stars: Tod Slaughter, John Warwick, Aubrey Mallalieu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, this film is dated. Yes, it is muddled with every possible plot contrivance imaginable in a mystery-melodrama. But, this film stars one of the kings of the horror screen - a forgotten king named Tod Slaughter.

Dangerous Game (1941) (info from Imdb) Detectives Dick Williams and Andy McAllister find themselves trying to solve several crimes at an isolated mentally-ill hospital, where the patients range from slightly daffy to criminally insane, and they don't know which is which. A gang is out to steal a fortune inherited by one of the patients and, before Dick and Andy solve the case, several patients are transferred to the cemetery. And 'tiddlie-winks" are indeed involved. Director: John Rawlins Writers: Larry Rhine (original story), Ben Chapman (original story), Maxwell Shane (screenplay) Stars: Richard Arlen, Andy Devine, Jean Brooks Release date: August 22, 1941 (United States) Country of origin: United States Language: English Also known as: Who Killed Doc Robin? Filming locations: Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA Production company: Universal Pictures

Twin Husbands (1933) (info from Imbd) Chesterfield - John Miljan, Shirley Grey, Monroe Owsley, Hale Hamilton. Miljan plays a famous crook who awakens in a posh mansion... Director: Frank R. Strayer Writers: Robert Ellis (original story), Anthony Coldeway (screenplay) Stars: John Miljan, Shirley Grey, Monroe Owsley

Dangerous Paradise (1930) (info from Imdb) Heyst, a hermit on his own tropical island, plays unwilling host to red-headed stowaway Alma. Danger looms... Director: William A. Wellman Writers: Joseph Conrad (novel "Victory"), William Slavens McNutt Grover Jones Stars: Nancy Carroll, Richard Arlen, Warner Oland

The Count Of Monte Cristo (1934) (info from Imdb) After greedy men have Edmond Dantes unjustly imprisoned for 20 years for innocently delivering a letter entrusted to him, he escapes to get his revenge on them. Director: Rowland V. Lee Writers: Alexandre Dumas (novel "Le comte de Monte-Cristo"), Philip Dunne (screenplay), Dan Totheroh(screenplay) Stars: Robert Donat, Elissa Landi, Louis Calhern Trivia This is the version that "V" in "V for Vendetta" claimed to be his favorite film. Goofs During the fencing duel between Dantes and Mondego, in one brief shot near the end Sidney Blackmer holds his sword in his left hand instead of his right, which he does in the rest of the scene. This was obviously a shown in reverse as is often done to add footage. Quotes Edmond Dantes: [to Mondego after defeating him in a duel] It was not my sword, Mondego, but your past that disarmed you! Crazy credits Prologue: "1815--Napoleon had achieved an empire and lost it again. Exhausted by years of revolution and war, France strove to make peace with her neighbors under the rule of King Louis XVIII....while the "Little Corporal," now in exile, reigned over only a few square miles of land--Elba. But the memory of his colorful career still endeared him to the hearts of the people, and his loyal followers were actively conspiring to return him to power." Alternate versions Also available in a computer-colorized version. Connections Featured in V for Vendetta (2005) Soundtracks The World is Mine Written by E.Y. Harburg and Johnny Green Sung by Clarence Muse

Old Spanish Customers (1938) (info from Imdb). Bill, a bumbling, dim-witted fellow and his shrewish wife win a holiday to Spain at a Whist tournament. Along the way, he and a famous Matador named Tormito get into an altercation, leaving Bill in the bullfighter's clothes. Seperated from his wife, he's taken for Tormito by the natives, and forced into a match at the local arena. Director: Lupino Lane Writers: Syd Courtenay (story and scenario), Edwin Greenwood (scenario), Lola Harvey (story) Stars: Leslie Fuller, Binnie Barnes, Drusilla Wills Release date: December 19, 1932 (United Kingdom) Country of origin: United Kingdom Language: English Filming locations: British International Pictures, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK Production company: British International Pictures (BIP)

The Royal Bed (1931) (info from Imdb) The hapless king of a small European nation must put up with a domineering queen, a daughter who wants to elope with her boyfriend, a peasant revolt, and a scheming son who wants to be king himself and is plotting to take advantage of the situation. Director: Lowell Sherman Writers: J. Walter Ruben (screenplay), Robert E. Sherwood (play "The Queen's Husband") Stars: Lowell Sherman, Mary Astor, Anthony Bushell Trivia Nancy Lee Blaine's only film. Quotes Princess Anne: She's furious now because father is going out. Mother tries to boss everything - well, she not going to boss me! I'm not her husband. I'm going to lead my own life! Granton: And may I ask when do you intend to start? Princess Anne: As soon as she's safely on her trip to America. One of these days, Mother will pick up a New York paper and discover her daughter has eloped. You *are* going to elope with me, aren't you, Freddy? Granton: Oh yes, Anne. I wouldn't let you elope alone. Crazy credits Opening card: Truly, there is no reason why all kings and queens should not be human beings, even though there is every reason why all human beings should not be kings and queens. ...... Louis XI Connections Version of The Queen's Husband (1946)

Sierra Leone Greets the Queen (1962) A short British documentary about Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Sierra Leone in 1962

North Wales Welcomes Royal Visitors (1949) A very short clip of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh two day visit to Wales in 1949.