Robot Monster in 3D Screening!

While we all anxiously await the release of the new Blu-ray of this epic piece of cinematic history (Come on, you know it is!) in all of its 3D glory, if you’re in the Madison, WI area, they will be having a screening of this at the Wisconsin Film Festival on April 15th, at 11am. While it is a 2-hour drive for us at the Krypt, I am planning on making the trip up there it because the chance to see this film on the big screen, in 3D, isn’t going to come around that often.

For all the information about the screening, just click HERE. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with Bob Furmanek from 3-D Film Archive, who is one of the men behind the restoration.

This will be the 70th anniversary of this film and while most consider it one the worst films ever made, the fact that we’re still talking about it, and that a ton of people have been working very hard to bring this back to its original 3D presentation, shows you how much this piece of cinematic history is loved and cherished. There really is no other film like it, and with a budget of only $20k, I love the fact that we’re still talking about it, and more importantly, keeping the film alive!

Haunting Films and Keir-La Janisse at the Music Box

Next weekend, at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, there is going to be two screenings you don’t want to miss, with special guest presentation, Keir-La Janisse in attendance. Janisse is the author of House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films, as well as the writer, director, & producer of the award-winning and freaking amazing documentary Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror (2021).

April Ghouls Drive-In Monster-Rama

For those fans of slasher films, this is one weekend you might want to plan on heading out the Riverside Drive-In in Vandergrift, PA. Over Friday and Saturday nights, Aril 28th & 29th, you’ll have the opportunity to see 8 classic slasher films on the big drive-in screen! There are some classic titles in there, as well as some rarities that will probably be the first chance of you seeing them on the big screen! Below are the titles listed for each day, along with all the other details. We’ve been there a couple of times and it is always a blast.

Love Live the Drive-In!

Robot Monster In 3-D is Almost Here!

The official 70th Anniversary release of one of the greatest films in movie history (okay . . . stop laughing), the one and only Robot Monster will finally be hitting Blu-ray and DVD this summer. It will be distributed by Bayview Entertainment with this new smashing cover art by Stewart McKissick. All the extras are still being worked out, but they did announce that they have recorded an audio commentary with star Gregory Moffett, as well as a featurette about him. We got to meet him at a Monster Bash conference a few years ago and he had some great stories then. It is so great to see that they will now be documented in this new release.

I know I contributed to the Kickstarter to get this released in its original 3-D format, so I know these guys have been hard at work making this thing happen. Can’t wait to be able to see this in its restored form, as well as in 3-D. But until then, check out the artwork below.

House of Monsters Presents Euro-Horror Shock Show

Chicago fans are in for a real treat this April. House of Monsters is presenting a night of Euro Horror, some of which has probably never been screened in Chicago! Taking place on Saturday, April 22nd, at The Davis Theatre, they will be screening 4 different titles, two from Italy and two from Spain, but all giving fans a nice taste of Euro-Horror!

You’ll get to see Joe D’Amato’s first official directorial debut, Death Smiles on a Murderer (1973), starring the one and only Klaus Kinski. Then there is Lucio Fulci’s Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972), a dark and sweaty giallo about someone murdering the local children.

For the last two films, we travel over to Spain for a double dose of one of the most iconic figures in the horror genre, Paul Naschy! That comment won’t be a surprise to any regulars to this site. But now is your chance to see two of Naschy’s finest: Hunchback of the Morgue (1973) and then The Mummy’s Revenge (1975).

The doors open at 3pm and the features start at 4pm. There will be vendors, trailers, and free stuff! So, mark your calendars because this is an event that you will not want to miss. Presale tickets are available now and I wouldn’t wait too long because this just might sell out!

For all the latest information, check out the Facebook event page HERE.

Universal Classic Horrors at the Strand Theatre

The Strand Theatre in Shelbyville, IN, has announced this year’s Friday Night Frights schedule and once again, makes me wish I lived closer to the theater! We all know and love the Universal Classic Monsters (or at least we should!) but few fans have had the opportunity to see them in a movie theater on the big screen. Well, if you live near the Indianapolis area, now you have your chance.

’70s Argento at the Gene Siskel Film Center

If you’re a fan of Dario Argento, especially his early work, and live somewhat close to Chicago, you might want to check this out. Starting on Feb. 3rd, they will be screening Argento’s first 6 feature films over the course of 7 days. Below is the list of titles, dates, and times. If you haven’t had the chance to see these on a big screen, then now is your chance to knock out his early titles, which many would argue are his best, including the rare comedy he made, The Five Days, aka Five Days in Milan. For more details, you can go directly to the Gene Siskel site by clicking HERE.

January Giallo at the Music Box

Back in January of this year, Chicago’s Music Box Theatre offered up a series of Italian films from the giallo sub-genre, giving fans a chance to see some amazing titles on the big screen. Next month, they are continuing that tradition, giving us 5 more titles, but not just from Italy this time, showing the international influence of this intriguing sub-genre. You’ll still get 3 titles from Italy, once again showcasing some of the best gialli from that country, but also one from Spain and even one from here in the US, starring a very famous actor/director. Check out the titles and the dates below and start making your plans. These will all be screening in the main theater, with 3 from 35mm and 2 from DCP. For all the latest info about this series, just click HERE.

Invasion of Monster Bash!

Next August, Monster Bash is invading The Palace Theatre in Canton, Ohio, for what is becoming their annual film fest. And this year, the theme is INVASION! They have 8 fantastic titles lined up over two days, featuring some of the best in sci-fi / horror, that you can see all of them for only $40! That’s only $5 a movie! Plus, there will be vendors there as well, as well as plenty of the Monster Bash fun. This is taking place on Aug. 18th & 19th, 2023. Below is the lineup for each day, so start making your plans!

Friday, August 18th

Invaders from Mars (1953)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
War of the Worlds (1953)

Mystery Photo 12-5-22

Welcome to our first Mystery Photo for December! That means we’ll be in 2023 before you know it! Better get those last-minute films in to make it on this year’s list! But let’s get down to business. Last week’s photo was from José Ramón Larraz 1973 film Scream…and Die, also known as The House that Vanished. Which, depending on which version you have, it could be cut quite a bit. I know the Blu-ray release that came out here in the states is definitely cut. The copy I have from an old VHS tape under the Scream…and Die title looks to be the full version, though the print is a little less than stellar. But still worth seeing if you’re a fan of Larraz’s early work. Definitely repeating the sleaze and dark tone that he had been doing so far in his career. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Kevin Hart, Gary McGuire, and Todd Warren. Well done!

Okay, throwing everyone a bone as an early holiday gift with this week’s photo. Should be pretty easy. Or is it? Maybe I’m trying to make throw you off by making you think it is easy, when in fact, it’s an obscure film only shown in one theater in outer Mongolia back in the ’40s, that reported made people go mad. Or not. Either way, take a look and see what you think. Just send me your guess, in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. As always, Good Luck!