WildClaw Theatre’s Deathscribe Returns!

Chicago’s own WildClaw Theatre returns next month with Deathscribe: HELLeven! If you’re not familiar with what Deathscribe is, just picture reading a short little horror story. But instead of you reading it, it is sort of like if you were listening to it on the radio! With over 200 entries, WildClaw has narrowed it down to the final five finalists, and now will take their stories and turn them into radio plays, that are brought to life in front of the audience, with full sound effects with a live Foley on stage! We were at the very first Deathscribe and it was pretty incredible. Not only were the stories really good, but hearing them come alive on stage was even more incredible.

Here are the final five:

• Floris by Ben Huffman & William Andrew Lewis, directed by Jose Nateras
• The Forbidden Room by Nikkita Duke, directed by Jyreika Guest
• Migraine by Skyler Schrempp, directed by Spenser Davis
• Subject # 9 by Tim Griffin, directed by Elizabeth Lovelady
• Whisper Trigger by Dan Finnen & Sarah Gise, directed by Tara Branham

This even takes place on Monday, December 3rd, at 8pm, at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. For all the details about the event, and to order your tickets, head over to the WildClaw Theatre’s page HERE. Hope to see you there!

 

Horror History: Bob Cobert

Bob Cobert
Born Oct. 26th, 1924

If you were a fan of Dan Curtis and his early TV work, then you are well aware of the work of Bob Cobert, even if you don’t recognize the name. He is probably best known for working on the famous Curtis TV series Dark Shadows, that ran from 1967 to 1971. He also worked on the two feature films based on the series, House of Dark Shadows (1970) and Night of Dark Shadows (1971), as well as the 1991 revival. But he also did a ton of different made-for-TV shows in the early ’70s with Curtis. Titles like The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968), The Night Stalker (1972), The Night Strangler (1973), The Norliss Tapes (1973), Scream of the Wolf (1974), Dracula (1974), Trilogy of Terror (1975), Burnt Offerings (1976), and so many more.

Working outside of the horror genre, he also composed the music for Curtis’ war epics The Winds of War (1983) and War and Remembrance (1988), as well creating his fair share of game show themes!

Cobert’s music had its own unique style that was recognizable, memorable, and always added to what we were watching on screen. Those films and shows would definitely had lost something without had it not been for his music.

Pre-Order for Screaming for Pleasure!

Our good friend and fellow horror fiend, Scott Bradley, is already to unleash his id onto the world, in his book Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy. How does that title not make you want to dig into this book? But why do you need to add this volume to your library? Simple. Because Scott has a strong voice and message about the genre and the things that lurk and linger around it.

Sure, my opinion might be a little bias because I’ve known Scott for a few years. It takes a lot to impress me, and within the first few minutes to chatting with Scott, I was more than impressed. And each time I listen to one of his podcasts on Hellbent for Horror (click HERE to get to the podcast page), I realize how much more I have to step up my own game!

Scott gives his listeners a very interesting take on different subjects. And now with this book, you’ll get the same in depth and interesting view on the many different elements and subjects of the genre.

So do yourself a favor, and pre-order your copy today. It is only $19.99, which is really less than the cost of a couple of magazines! Just click HERE to get to find out more information about where and how you can order it.

Mystery Photo 11-12

I have to say that I’m rather disappointed in a few of you out there for not getting last week’s photo. You should be ashamed. It was from Paul Naschy’s Curse of the Devil (1973). But our good friend Hoby Abernathy did recognize it, after searching for a bit, but he still got it. So congrats out to him!

Maybe today’s photo will be a little easier. Maybe. Take a peek and see what comes to mind. Gotta love those old black and white films. At least I do! As always, please remember not to post your answers here so others can have a chance. Just send them to me in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: 100 Bloody Acres

100 Bloody Acres (2012)
Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes
Starring Damon Herriman, Angus Sampson, Anna McGahan, Oliver Ackland, Jamie Kristian, John Jarrett

Horror / comedy films are a tough nut to crack without damaging the integrity of the film. Meaning making it not that funny, or just not scary, but being able to find that perfect balance. Many have tried and many have failed. But the writer/director team of Cameron and Colin Cairnes have cracked that nut just right with this film. Showing that you can have a simple story, but with some great characters, can make a very entertaining movie.

Movie Review: Child Eater

Child Eater (2016)
Directed by Erlingur Thoroddsen
Starring Cait Bliss, Colin Critchley, Jason Martin, Dave Klasko, Brandon Smalls, James Wilcox, Melinda Chilton, Andrew Kaempfer

This is another title that snuck by me when it was making the rounds a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I’m not sure it got the attention it deserved because I am just hearing about it now. So I’m trying to help either re-start the ball rolling, or at least continue it, because this little flick is more than worth your time.

Soundtrack Review: What Still Remains

What Still Remains
Released by Lakeshore Records, 2018
21 Tracks, with a Total Running Time of 41 min.
Music by Jonathan Beard

There are some scores that are in your face, with a pounding emitting from the speakers, almost like an audio assault. But personally, the ones that are more quiet and subdued, slowly creeping into your head instead of bursting in, are the ones that I’m more drawn to. It seems that is what composer Beard was going for with this score. There are a lot of strings used here, and a bit of piano, that create a perfect blend of music and sounds that while are more on the quiet side, they still can move you. Some tracks come across more like metal scraping in the distance, or some sort of wind chime from hell. But all works in creating this great ambiance.