Pete Walker Collection from 88 Films

If you’re one of those out there that just hadn’t made the deep dive into the films of Pete Walker, then now is your chance. That is, of course, if you have an import Blu-ray player. If you don’t, what is the hold up?

88 Films is goign to release a deluxe edtion of Walker’s films in The Flesh & Blood Show set, featuring 7 of Walker’s titles. They include Die Screaming, Marianne (1971), The Flesh and Blood Show (1972), House of Whipcord (1974), Frightmare (1974), House of Mortal Sin (1976) Schizo (1977) and The Comeback (1978). They haven’t released any price or any details of the extras, but they do say these will all be “presented in new HD remasters, and featuring a scary array of exclusive extras, including brand-new interviews with Walker himself.” This set is to be released in September.

Robert Tayman – Rest In Peace

Robert Tayman was an actor that didn’t appear in too many horror films, but a few that are worth mentioning. He appeared in Pete Walker’s House of Whipcord (1974), and even Hammer’s strange Sci-Fi / Western Moon Zero Two (1969). But it really his performance as the vampire Count Mitterhaus in Hammer’s Vampire Circus (1972) that most Hammer and horror fans remember him by. While we haven’t seen anything official announced, I’ve seen a couple of posts from reliable sources that Mr. Tayman has recently passed away, at the age of 80 years old.

His performance as Mitterhaus is a bit over-the-top, but that is one of the reasons I’ve always enjoyed it, as well as the film itself. It’s a style that I’m not sure we’ll see anytime soon, but as a young horror fan, I thought the film, and the vampires throughout the story were just so damn slick and cool.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family in this difficult time, but know that because of his performance in Vampire Circus, along with Count Mitterhaus, his life will go on for us fan.

Horror History: Sheila Keith

Sheila Keith
Born June 9th, 1920 – Died Oct. 14th, 2004

If you’ve seen more than a couple Pete Walker films, then you probably know who Sheila Keith is, or at least have seen her. And you’ve seen her work in his films, then you are definitely going to remember her! Keith was this wonderful older lady who seemed to excel in playing twisted and demented characters, even if she looked like your friendly old grandmother. While she did work a lot in other smaller roles and in a few TV series, it is her work with Walker that us deviant horror fans remember and love her for.

In Walker’s Frightmare aka Cover Up (1974), which happens to be my favorite role of hers, where she plays a cannibalistic matriarch, with such zest and conviction, that she is one of the scariest women you’d ever want to come across. She also appeared in Walker’s House of Whipcord (1974), The Confessional aka House of Mortal Sin (1976), The Comeback (1978), and House of Long Shadows (1983), where she worked alongside the likes of Carradine, Cushing, Lee, and Price!

Keith’s performances were always so strong and powerful that it amazes me that she did not get a ton of work in other movies. Maybe it was because Walker’s films didn’t receive a lot of critical acclaim.