BEN MODEL & STEVE MASSA KEEP CARRYING THE TORCH (AND FRANKENSTEIN RAKES!) FOR CLASSIC SILENT HORROR-COMEDIES!

Hello, Scared Silly fans!

The spooky season is officially upon us and I thought I'd drop in to let you know what a couple of horror-comedy stalwarts have been up to.

I've spoken about Ben Model and Steve Massa before... the dynamic duo of classic silent comedy film historians who've bedazzled countless audiences in person, in print, and online. Each has been involved in book projects, both have presented public screenings, and Ben is a brilliant keyboard accompaniest and composer of silent films of all stripes.

Through the years, they've presented both rare and reknown silent films through special series such as the "Cruel and Unusual Comedy" screenings at Museum of Modern Art, the ongoing Silent Clowns Film Series at Lincoln Center, and their YouTube series, The Silent Comedy Watch Party, among others.

I wanted to key in on a couple of things they have going on that have real appeal to horror-comedy fans, highlighting some fantastic horror-comedy templates.

I'll start with one you won't be able to partake of unless you've already ordered a ticket - it's sold out - but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it. On Saturday, October 19th as part of the Silent Clowns Film Series, Ben and Steve are presenting the original 1927 filmed version of THE GORILLA starring Charlie Murray and everyone's favorite detective, Fred Kelsey!

I've written about that one before in an article you can read when you click here. This is the one that received not one but two 1930s talkie remakes including a more well-known one starring the irrepresible Ritz Brothers, but thanks to Ben and Steve, the original has received a new lease on life!

If you live in the New York City area, you really owe it to yourself to check out some of the Silent Clowns Film Series live screenings. You can learn more about them by clicking here.

Also be sure you visit this link to check out and purchase books by Steve Massa, and this link for all things related to Ben Model!

Another classic horror-comedy template that Ben had a hand in is a new restoration of the 1926 version of THE BAT. Like THE GORILLA, it's also based on a play, and also received a talkie remake featuring Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, and Darla Hood (yes, THAT Darla!).

This is a release you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home, in a new 2k restoration from Ben's "Undercrank Productions" label. Available on both DVD and Blu-Ray, you can find out how to order a copy when you click here.

...and in the meantime, get set for a very special interview Ben Model will be giving about scoring THE BAT... scheduled to drop on October 15th!

HAPPY HAUNTINGS!!!

BE PART OF MY NEW HORROR-COMEDY PROJECT: DONATE TO ROBOT MONSTER COMICS IN 3-D TODAY!!!

That's right, Scared Silly fans... you can be in on the ground floor on a fantastic new project I'm editing and contributing some writing.

Check out all the details in this press release:

Cult Classic 3D Film Lives On in All-New Comic Book Adventures!

ROBOT MONSTER returns to its comics-inspired roots in crowd-funded graphic novel anthology from top comics, film, and pop culture creators, along with one of the film’s original stars!

April, 2024 – ROBOT MONSTER COMICS IN 3-D is here! Following a highly successful theatrical and home video release of its 70th Anniversary Restoration, the cult classic movie, ROBOT MONSTER spins off into a brand-new hardcover graphic novel.

Like the film’s restoration, the comics project is brought to life by the 3-D Film Archive. The 64-page hardbound book will be available for pre-order via a Kickstarter campaign launching on April 9, 2024.

The opening credits of the 1953 film feature a collage of images from horror and sci-fi comics that inspired it. Now, ROBOT MONSTER COMICS IN 3-D leans into those comics roots, continuing the saga of Ro-Man, Great Guidance, and Johnny, with adventure, laughs, and thrills for both longtime and new fans!

In an exciting twist, this graphic novel project features the direct involvement of the last remaining cast member of the film, Greg “Johnny” Moffett, providing story plots and autographed bookplates.

True to its pedigree, the interior pages are presented in 3D, offering a rare opportunity for readers to enjoy this unique printing technique that hasn’t been seen much since the 1950s.

Now, thanks in great part to the 3-D Film Archive restoring over thirty 3D film classics, interest in the process is at an all-time high, and not just relegated to celluloid.

“The enthusiastic response to our ROBOT MONSTER restoration was unprecedented,” says Bob Furmanek, president of the 3-D Film Archive. “Watching audiences go wild at live screenings inspired me to reach out to my good friend Paul Castiglia to see what else we could do with these charismatic characters.”

Castiglia, a veteran ARCHIE COMICS writer (notably on ARCHIE'S WEIRD MYSTERIES), editor, and historian who has also done work for DC COMICS, DARK HORSE, and others, jumped at the chance to transfer the mayhem from the screen to the page.

“What happened to Ro-Man before the events of the movie… and what happened after? Did he go on to conquer other worlds? Did he retire? Did he find true love? And what of the family? The possibilities are endless, and we’ll be presenting some of those ‘what ifs’ here,” says Castiglia.

Castiglia has assembled a team of creators from comics, film, and pop culture to concoct these tales.

Eisner Award-nominated 3D artist Charles Barnard oversees the 3-D production design, and there are two different covers for fans to choose from: one illustrated by pop-art pinup artist Mitch O’Connell; and the other painted by comics and novel cover illustrator, Jeff Slemons.

In addition to Castiglia, the writing talent is headed up by MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 writer-producer Harold Buchholz; Owen Kline, writer-director of the comics-themed indie film, FUNNY PAFES; Tom Hall, co-creator and writer of the critically acclaimed ROBOT 13; and horror podcaster and novelist, Chris Well.

Contributing artists are also an eclectic mix. Mainstream comics illustrators including Chris Allan (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES), Glenn Whitmore (DC COMICE), and Ron Williams (BIG BANG COMICS), are joined by esoteric indie comics creators Jesus Marquez, Simone Arena, Erica Well, and Nikki Powers.

Best of all, the project highlights two dynamic new talents and one very special luminary. Comics historian Carl Scheckel writes his first published comics tale here, while exciting, early work from up-and-coming artist Marley Starr is featured.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!!

...and after you've donated, enjoy this trailer for the 3-D Film Archive's 70th Anniversary restoration of ROBOT MONSTER distributed by BayView Entertainment!

DID YOU REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD... TO RONDO TIME?!

HAPPY NEW YEAR: 2024 EDITION!!!

Welcome to 2024... in the real world! Here in our world of reminiscing of decades past, welcome to 1950!:



No matter how much time marches forward, let's always remember to keep the very best of the past alive... especially when it comes to classic horror-comedy films!

HERE'S WISHING YOU EVERY BLESSING FOR THE NEW YEAR!

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN A HAUNTED HOUSE: 2023 INTO 2024 EDITION!!!

Hmmmm…. Father Time is kinda’ scary, isn’t he?

Speaking of time, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for making the past few years so much fun for me. Thank you to all those who have tweeted about my blog, chosen to “follow” the blog, have left comments on posts and told others about the project. I am especially grateful to all the blogs, podcasts, and websites who have publicized this wacky endeavor over the years.

Special mentions for 2023 go out to Bill Groves and Jim Reid of Movie Nights & Matinees, Anthony Sessa of Sessa's Corner, and Dave Hoffman of Catastrophicon for giving me platforms on their podcasts to speak about this kooky, creepy, project of mine. I truly appreciate it. You can listen to all those interviews when you click on the highlighted links above. Most of all, there's no blog without you readers out there so thank you to ALL SCARED SILLY FANS!

It goes without saying that the past few years will go down as one of the most challenging times in history for the majority of us. My hope is that no matter what you’ve gone through or what you’re going through, you have a support system to turn to, for to have friends and family help you through such times as these is a blessing indeed... and in all cases, we all should just be loving each other. If enough of us go forth each day with love in our hearts, I am confident the year 2023 will end on a positive upswing, an upward trend from all we’ve endured the past three years. So... love.

As always, it wouldn't be New Year's Eve here without Vagabond Opera performing “New Year’s Eve in a Haunted House,” composed by avant garde jazz legend Raymond Scott, the man behind many of the melodies heard in Looney Tunes cartoons - enjoy everyone in your life and all your blessings as you enjoy your New Year's Eve!