I grew up in Suffolk, UK, one of the old stamping grounds of Matthew Hopkins, the nefarious witch-hunter whose zealotry would one day be captured on screen by Vincent Price in the 1968 horror movie "Witchfinder General." As a fan of legends and lore, I once researched a piece on local witchcraft for my A-Levels, spending many an afternoon in the Suffolk Records Office. It was a delightfully eerie experience, sitting in a darkened room peering down the lens of a microfilm viewer at 300-year-old accounts of bewitchment, familiars, and curses.
One story still sticks in my mind. A witch took a dislike to a man in her village and sent an army of spiders to torment him. Eyewitnesses supposedly saw hundreds of the things swarming his house and weaving their webs. His frightened neighbors responded by burning the place down.
The thing that struck me most about these stories was...
One story still sticks in my mind. A witch took a dislike to a man in her village and sent an army of spiders to torment him. Eyewitnesses supposedly saw hundreds of the things swarming his house and weaving their webs. His frightened neighbors responded by burning the place down.
The thing that struck me most about these stories was...
- 2/20/2023
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Outer Banks, Snowfall, Hello Tomorrow and Super Bowl festivities.
The Consultant premiere
Prime Video held a special screening event in L.A. on Monday for its new series, starring Christoph Waltz, Nat Wolff, Brittany O’Grady and Aimee Carrero.
Andrew Mittman, Steve Stark, Brittany O’Grady, Christoph Waltz, Nat Wolff, Aimee Carrero, Tony Basgallop and Matt Shakman
Hello Tomorrow premiere
Billy Crudup debuted his new Apple+ series in NYC on Wednesday, alongside costars Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, Dewshane Williams, Hank Azaria and Nicholas Podany, as well as partner Naomi Watts.
Matthew Maher, Dewshane Williams, Haneefah Wood, Nicholas Podany, Billy Crudup, Amit Bhalla, Lucas Jansen, Annie McNamara, Hank Azaria and Michael J. Harney Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts
Snowfall premiere
The sixth and final season of Snowfall premiered in Los Angeles on Wednesday,...
The Consultant premiere
Prime Video held a special screening event in L.A. on Monday for its new series, starring Christoph Waltz, Nat Wolff, Brittany O’Grady and Aimee Carrero.
Andrew Mittman, Steve Stark, Brittany O’Grady, Christoph Waltz, Nat Wolff, Aimee Carrero, Tony Basgallop and Matt Shakman
Hello Tomorrow premiere
Billy Crudup debuted his new Apple+ series in NYC on Wednesday, alongside costars Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, Dewshane Williams, Hank Azaria and Nicholas Podany, as well as partner Naomi Watts.
Matthew Maher, Dewshane Williams, Haneefah Wood, Nicholas Podany, Billy Crudup, Amit Bhalla, Lucas Jansen, Annie McNamara, Hank Azaria and Michael J. Harney Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts
Snowfall premiere
The sixth and final season of Snowfall premiered in Los Angeles on Wednesday,...
- 2/17/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s a case of cold-blooded, premeditated nostalgia: Abbott & Costello’s fantasy musical is innocent comedy rooted in early ’50s kiddie entertainment — a vein perfectly suited to the duo’s talents. Lou Costello makes a fine underdog fantasy hero, too. The feature restoration is quite an achievement for the 3-D Archive, as cine-archeology was required to understand the arcane color process ‘SuperCineColor.’ But the show’s slapstick action, clever songs and dippy dancing are finally back and looking great. The labor of love extends to the extras: excised scenes, background material, some words from the only surviving actor, a learned piece on the color process and a surprise guest appearance by the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Blu-ray
ClassicFlix
1952 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 78 min. / 70th Anniversary Limited Edition / Street Date July 26, 2022 / Available from ClassicFlix / 49.95
Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Buddy Baer, Dorothy Ford, Barbara Brown, David Stollery,...
Jack and the Beanstalk
Blu-ray
ClassicFlix
1952 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 78 min. / 70th Anniversary Limited Edition / Street Date July 26, 2022 / Available from ClassicFlix / 49.95
Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Buddy Baer, Dorothy Ford, Barbara Brown, David Stollery,...
- 7/23/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
All hail the memory of Stanley Donen. We also appreciate the razor-sharp satire of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, whose genius Donen preserved in this hilarious Faustian comedy. Poor pitiful Stanley Moon bargains with the Devil for seven chances to win the woman of his dreams, which naturally turns out to be a big mistake. Who could make a wise decision with Raquel Welch’s ‘Lillian Lust’ climbing into their bed?
Bedazzled
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 104 min. / Street Date February 19, 2019 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Eleanor Bron, Raquel Welch, Barry Humphries, Alba, Michael Bates, Robin Hawdon, Robert Russell, Evelyn Moore.
Cinematography: Austin Dempster
Art Direction: Terence Knight
Film Editor: Richard Marden
Original Music: Dudley Moore
Written by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore
Produced and Directed by Stanley Donen
Stanley Donen took his first big screen credit at age 19, and at 28 co-directed...
Bedazzled
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 104 min. / Street Date February 19, 2019 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Eleanor Bron, Raquel Welch, Barry Humphries, Alba, Michael Bates, Robin Hawdon, Robert Russell, Evelyn Moore.
Cinematography: Austin Dempster
Art Direction: Terence Knight
Film Editor: Richard Marden
Original Music: Dudley Moore
Written by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore
Produced and Directed by Stanley Donen
Stanley Donen took his first big screen credit at age 19, and at 28 co-directed...
- 2/26/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Bill Cosby retrial judge Steven T. O’Neill is deliberating until Monday on whether or not to allow portions of a key witness’ previous deposition to be read to the jury, as the defense has requested. The witness, Sheri Williams — purportedly a close friend of Cosby’s alleged sexual assault victim Andrea Constand — has not responded to subpoenas, according to the defense attorneys, who have tried in vain to question her for Cosby’s retrial.
Cosby’s defense team believes Williams would have special insight into their allegation that Constand plotted to lie about Cosby assaulting her for money.
Witnesses that the defense did procure for the stand on Friday made for relatively brief and unrevealing interviews. Debbie Meister, a Cosby personal assistant, produced documents of his past itineraries and flight schedules. Prosecutor Kevin Steele made short work of having Meister, who began working for Cosby in 2010, clarify that she was not present in 2004 when Constand’s alleged assault took place.
Cosby’s defense team believes Williams would have special insight into their allegation that Constand plotted to lie about Cosby assaulting her for money.
Witnesses that the defense did procure for the stand on Friday made for relatively brief and unrevealing interviews. Debbie Meister, a Cosby personal assistant, produced documents of his past itineraries and flight schedules. Prosecutor Kevin Steele made short work of having Meister, who began working for Cosby in 2010, clarify that she was not present in 2004 when Constand’s alleged assault took place.
- 4/20/2018
- by D.A. Weiss
- The Wrap
Bill Cosby’s attorneys want to show that the comedian wouldn’t have been in the Philadelphia area when the alleged assault of Andrea Constand took place in 2004.
This morning at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa, Cosby’s attorneys called Debbie Meister, Cosby’s personal assistant, and Kim Harjo, a former public relations assistant who worked with Cosby. Both went through travel records from late December 2003 and January 2004.
Constand, after originally telling police she believed the incident occurred in March 2004, has testified that Cosby assaulted her in January of that year at his home in Cheltenham, Pa. The exact date of the incident is unknown, but she and authorities have estimated it to be sometime before late January, when a relative visited her from Canada.
The time frame is significant because the District Attorney’s Office charged Cosby on December 30, 2015. The statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes in Pennsylvania is 12 years.
This morning at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa, Cosby’s attorneys called Debbie Meister, Cosby’s personal assistant, and Kim Harjo, a former public relations assistant who worked with Cosby. Both went through travel records from late December 2003 and January 2004.
Constand, after originally telling police she believed the incident occurred in March 2004, has testified that Cosby assaulted her in January of that year at his home in Cheltenham, Pa. The exact date of the incident is unknown, but she and authorities have estimated it to be sometime before late January, when a relative visited her from Canada.
The time frame is significant because the District Attorney’s Office charged Cosby on December 30, 2015. The statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes in Pennsylvania is 12 years.
- 4/20/2018
- by Mark Dent
- Deadline Film + TV
Cinema’s Hidden Pearls – Part II
By Alex Simon
One of nature’s rarest items, a pearl is produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. Truly flawless pearls are infrequently produced in nature, and as a result, the pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.
Hidden pearls exist in the world of movies, as well: films that, in spite of being brilliantly crafted and executed, never got the audience they deserved beyond a cult following.
Here are a few more of our favorite hidden pearls in the world of film:
1. Massacre at Central High (1976)
Dutch director, and former cameraman for the legendary Russ Meyer, Rene Daalder was hired by producers to direct an exploitation...
By Alex Simon
One of nature’s rarest items, a pearl is produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. Truly flawless pearls are infrequently produced in nature, and as a result, the pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.
Hidden pearls exist in the world of movies, as well: films that, in spite of being brilliantly crafted and executed, never got the audience they deserved beyond a cult following.
Here are a few more of our favorite hidden pearls in the world of film:
1. Massacre at Central High (1976)
Dutch director, and former cameraman for the legendary Russ Meyer, Rene Daalder was hired by producers to direct an exploitation...
- 6/29/2015
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Review Andrew Blair 30 Sep 2013 - 08:15
Andrew checks out the DVD release of Tom Baker story Terror Of The Zygons...
This review contains spoilers.
It's aptly named, is Terror of the Zygons. Its opening episode is a slow-build towards one gloriously unexpected shock moment. Even now, when you know it's coming, it's a brilliant moment of jarring editing. A sudden reveal, a scream, a zoom into a shadowy monstrous face, cue credits. You don't quite have time to process it before its over.
That's after some enjoyably ripe Hammer horror scene-setting in the north-east of Scotland. Tales of ancient horror are spun to incredulous newcomers, and we occasionally cut away to ineffable alien eyes. Most formidable of all, of course, is Tom Baker. Here he's in prime unnerving form amidst a lot of competition. Perhaps there was a competition between him, Lillias Walker and Robert Russell. That would certainly explain a lot.
Andrew checks out the DVD release of Tom Baker story Terror Of The Zygons...
This review contains spoilers.
It's aptly named, is Terror of the Zygons. Its opening episode is a slow-build towards one gloriously unexpected shock moment. Even now, when you know it's coming, it's a brilliant moment of jarring editing. A sudden reveal, a scream, a zoom into a shadowy monstrous face, cue credits. You don't quite have time to process it before its over.
That's after some enjoyably ripe Hammer horror scene-setting in the north-east of Scotland. Tales of ancient horror are spun to incredulous newcomers, and we occasionally cut away to ineffable alien eyes. Most formidable of all, of course, is Tom Baker. Here he's in prime unnerving form amidst a lot of competition. Perhaps there was a competition between him, Lillias Walker and Robert Russell. That would certainly explain a lot.
- 9/30/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Witchfinder General
Stars: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies, Patrick Wymark, Robert Russell | Written by Michael Reeves, Tom Baker | Directed by Michael Reeves
When England was going through the civil war between the Royalists and Roundheads what is the last thing you would think the country needs? That’s right witches. That’s why they needed the self-appointed Witchfinder to scour the countryside hunting down the people with the devils mark, the witches that are ruining the country with their wicked ways and their evil work against God. Well that’s what people like Matthew Hopkins wanted to be believed anyway.
Witchfinder General takes the historical and infamous figure of Matthew Hopkins and his partner in crime John Stearne as they move from village to village creating fear and paranoia in the people as they hunted down the “witches”, which normally meant torturing a confession out of them leading to...
Stars: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies, Patrick Wymark, Robert Russell | Written by Michael Reeves, Tom Baker | Directed by Michael Reeves
When England was going through the civil war between the Royalists and Roundheads what is the last thing you would think the country needs? That’s right witches. That’s why they needed the self-appointed Witchfinder to scour the countryside hunting down the people with the devils mark, the witches that are ruining the country with their wicked ways and their evil work against God. Well that’s what people like Matthew Hopkins wanted to be believed anyway.
Witchfinder General takes the historical and infamous figure of Matthew Hopkins and his partner in crime John Stearne as they move from village to village creating fear and paranoia in the people as they hunted down the “witches”, which normally meant torturing a confession out of them leading to...
- 6/28/2011
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
Odeon Entertainment:England is in civil war as the Royalists battle Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads for control. This conflict distracts people from rational thought and allows unscrupulous men to gain power by exploiting village superstitions. One of these men is Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price), who tours the land offering his services as a persecutor of witches. Aided by his sadistic accomplice John Stearne (Robert Russell), he travels from town to town and wrenches confessions from "witches" in order to line his pockets.Witchfinder General finds two incredible talents crossing paths and creating a work that stands out among the oeuvres of both. Wunderkind director Michael Reeves took on Witchfinder General as his third directing project at the age of twenty-four. He'd already made two films that stand out...
- 6/18/2011
- Screen Anarchy
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