Thursday, July 22, 2010

THIS JUST IN: SACH GIVES GHOSTS THE "SLIP!"

Bowery Boys Leo Gorcey Huntz Hall

Just learned about an all-day Bowery Boys marathon being shown on Turner Classic Movies on Friday, July 23d. This marathon includes one bona fide horror-comedy plus two other films that will be of interest to "Scared Silly" fans.

At 11:00 AM, TCM unleashes the 1946 "Spook Busters." I've always thought Dan Aykroyd may have had a fondness for this title. Plenty of classic horror-comedy trappings, including a gorilla... and you'll love the climactic slow-motion ether fight!

12:15 PM brings "Mr. Hex." The "fantasy" element here is a hypnotist who hypnotizes Sach into believing he is an unbeatable prize fighter. A classic plot re-used to great effect by Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby and Jimmie Walker in the 1970s laugh-fest, "Let's Do it Again."

At 1:30 PM get set for "Hard Boiled Mahoney." This one is more of a film noir spoof/homage, and a rather neat one at that. It does have one spooky touch - the fortune teller whose legitimacy is questionable at best (of course)!

Click here to check out the Turner Classic Movies site for more information and to see the rest of the schedule for the Bowery Boys marathon.

Here's the trailer for "Spook Busters" - enjoy!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

HAPPY 25th YEAR IN HOLLYWOOD, DANIEL ROEBUCK!

Daniel Roebuck Frankenstein Monster

Every now and then I have to “give props” to Daniel Roebuck, the noted character actor who has graciously agreed to write the foreword to the book version of “Scared Silly.” This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of his first Hollywood film, “Cave Girl.”

Right from the start Roebuck showed a flair for comedy as the science geek student on a class field trip discovering some mysterious crystals that send him back to prehistoric times… and into the waiting arms of the gorgeous title character!

There’s more than a hint of Lou Costello in the trailer as Roebuck essays the same kind of naïve but girl-crazy character Costello perfected in such fantasy-themed films as “Abbott & Costello Go to Mars” and “The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock.”



Also like Costello, Roebuck even met Dracula in the short family comedy film “How My Dad Killed Dracula”:



Roebuck evoking classic actors like Costello is no surprise. Perhaps more than any other performer today, Roebuck, a huge fan of vintage comedy and horror movies is carrying the torch for the classics. His love for the old films is infectious and surely has an impact on those with whom he works.

To give you an idea of just how big a fan of classic horror films Dan is, just check out the “monster museum” he installed in his house:


Exclusive Halloween Tour Of Hollywod Actor's Monster Museum, Hau - Click here for the funniest movie of the week

Not convinced yet? Okay, how about a few minutes from the documentary, “The Happy Haunting of America” that Roebuck hosted?:


7 BEST Haunted Houses And Halloween Attractions - Click here for more amazing videos

Still not buying it? Well you’ll change your mind once you see Danny and Wally Wingert in this music video tribute to 1970s' Saturday morning cartoon superstars the Groovie Goolies:



Danny is definitely into the “fun side” of horror, happy to mix his scary bits with comedy and family entertainment whenever he’s offered the opportunity. This past Halloween he was a special guest on Disney TV’s “The Wizards of Waverly Place”:



Dan also recently appeared in director Larry Blamire’s tribute to/parody of classic “old dark house” comedies, “Dark & Stormy Night”:



In addition to his many film and TV roles, Daniel has also brought back the “spook show” – the special live performances that took place at movie theaters before the feature began (read all about spook shows by clicking here). Roebuck has delighted audiences with his comedic “Dr. Shocker” alter ego in a Halloween-themed act that combines magic and monster mayhem. Here’s a piece of it:



Dr. Shocker isn’t the only live stage horror-comedy character Daniel has played. Here he is in a scene from a January, 2009 Saint Francis Stage Company performance of “Arsenic & Old Lace” playing… who else?... Jonathan Brewster, the role originated on Broadway by his hero, Boris Karloff:



So what can I say other than “Here’s to you Dan – thanks for keeping horror hysterical!"

Sunday, July 4, 2010

THE SPIRITS OF ‘76

Bud Abbott Lou Costello

Here’s a film that will be going into the “horror-onable mention” section of my book. It’s not a “horror-comedy” per se – it’s more of a fantasy-romance, but it does involve ghosts (albeit friendly ghosts) who take the opportunity to put a good scare in some folks as needed. For me, Abbott & Costello’s “The Time of Their Lives” is every bit as classic a movie as “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein;” even if it has more in common with “Topper.”

It’s also tied into the American Revolution, hence this post falling on America’s Independence Day. The film’s script is very well written. It tells the tale of Horatio Prim (Costello), a bumbling but masterful New England tinker in 1780 who longs to marry Nora, the housemaid of wealthy estate owner Tom Danbury. To that end, Horatio procures a letter of commendation from General George Washington in hopes of obtaining permission to marry Nora from Tom. Unfortunately, Horatio has a rival for Nora in butler Cuthbert (Abbott), who causes him trouble no end. But the real trouble comes from Danbury himself, who is secretly a traitor out to aid Benedict Arnold. Both Nora and Danbury’s fiancé, Melody (the luminous Marjorie Reynolds) learn of Danbury’s plot. Nora is captured and Danbury confiscates the commendation letter from her (she had been holding it for Horatio) and hides it in the mantelpiece clock, but Melody manages to escape on horseback in an effort to warn George Washington. She soon encounters Horatio, and the two are framed as traitors, executed and dumped into a well.

It’s here that the fantasy element kicks in. Horatio and Melody are now ghosts who haunt the grounds of the estate and will continue to do so until they can prove their innocence. They just need to somehow get the letter into the hands of the authorities who can rewrite the history books so the truth can be known. This becomes a more hopeful quest 166 years later when the estate is restored to its original condition, and that includes the original furniture. When the restoration is complete, the new owner invites some guests for the weekend to celebrate. Among the guests are psychiatrist Dr. Ralph Greenway, a descendent of Cuthbert (also played by Abbott). Horatio and Melody decide to have some fun “scaring” the guests. Horatio takes particular delight in spooking Greenway. A séance is held wherein the identity of the ghosts and their plight is revealed, resulting in the living doing what they can to help set Horatio and Melody free.

The film has grown in status over the years and has quite a following (and may have even inspired a line in the classic Gordon Lightfoot song, "If You Could Read My Mind"). In fact, while embraced by many Bud & Lou fans, it’s also been touted as “the Abbott & Costello movie for people who hate Abbott & Costello movies.” This is due to the exceptional dramatic acting of both Lou and Bud that full-bloodedly brings their well-written roles to life. They are both so good in this that it’s hard to say whether one outshines the other (although I might give the slight edge to Abbott whose rarely used talent for character acting is on full display here). It stands out from the majority of the team’s other films which primarily feature a variation on their con man/patsy burlesque characters. It’s one of the few films where the team stretched beyond their usual archetypes and managed to pull it off (for examples where this departure from the norm didn’t work in my opinion, catch “Little Giant” and “Dance With Me Henry.” Or don’t). It also includes a wonderful supporting cast, including horror-comedy stalwart Gale Sondergaard as the maid of the restored estate who definitely believes in ghosts. And it features beautiful sets, wonderful costume designs and marvelous special effects - a top-notch production all around.

If you haven't guessed by now, I consider "The Time of Their Lives" a wonderful film to watch on Independence Day... or any day, for that matter! Here’s the trailer for your enjoyment: