Sci-Fi Films: 1950’s Part 6

Meanwhile, at Universal, where their monsters had built an empire, the last of their famous monsters was unleashed in 1954. The Creature From the Black Lagoon spawned two sequels and remains popular to this day, but a change was on the horizon.

It was even double billed with another 3D film, It Came From Outer Space (1954)

That change came in the form of a flying saucer. Even the various Universal Abbott & Costello meet the monster vehicles couldn’t hold back the change that was landing in theaters. In fact, the comedy duo joined in with Abbott & Costello Go to Mars (1953).

Bud Abbott & Lou Costello with Mari Blanchard for Abbott & Costello Go to Mars (1953)

In 1951 both RKO & 20th Century Fox released science fiction films. RKO horrified movie goers with, The Thing From Another World, and Fox scored with, The Day the Earth Stood Still. In spite of the Thing’s resembling a jacked-up Frankenstein’s Monster, this was an invader from outer space.

The Thing From Another World (1951)

It is interesting to note the two different approaches these films took. The Thing From Another World reflected a hostile alien that was bent on destruction, while The Day the Earth Stood Still presented an alien that was on Earth to attempt to reason with the planet’s leaders about the dangers of atomic weapons. Their Federation of Planets is warning the people of Earth to find their way to peace or suffer the consequences.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Universal’s first entry in looking skyward was 1953’s It Came From Outer Space, (see Part 4 of this series of posts) based on a story by Ray Bradbury, it took a very different turn on the alien question. Richard Carlson plays John Putnam, an amateur astronomer who discovers an alien spacecraft after watching what he thought was a very large meteor, as he and his girl friend (Barbara Rush) were struggling toward a first kiss.

Lobby Card, It Came From Outer Space (1953)

Typical 50’s scientist, pipe smoking and awkward with woman, he immediately contacts a friend with a helicopter to to take them to the site of the meteor landing. Going down into the smoking crater by himself–he sees an alien ship, but when the ship door closes, it causes a rock slide that he narrowly escapes.

It Came From Outer Space (1953)

Against the advice of his girl and his pilot friend, he tells the arriving Sheriff that it was not a meteor, but a space ship. Of course, no one believes him. Even his girl friend seems to have doubts. It looks like an invasion for sure, but it is only an unscheduled crash landing and the aliens need help to get back in the sky. They seem to have no interest in the planet Earth at all.

This Island Earth (1955)

With This Island, Earth, Universal takes an entirely different approach to the alien question. Though it was science fiction, some of the aliens could have joined the parade of Universal monsters.

This Island Earth (1955) Faith Domergue, Rex Reason, Jeff Morrow & Regis Parton

This film is important because it’s not an invasion at all, but a group of alien’s asking for Earth’s assistance in repairing the protective shield around their planet which is under attack from a hostile race from another planet.

This Island Earth (1955) Faith Domergue, Rex Reason, Jeff Morrow & Regis Parton

The cast is led by Jeff Morrow, Rex Reason, (who would also the appear in the 1956 Universal production of The Creature Walks Among Us), and Faith Domergue (Cult of the Cobra also Universal 1955) rounds off the cast and is a hit with the aliens.

20 Million Miles to Earth is an entertaining spectacle brought to life largely through Ray Harryhausen’s animated special effects.

William Hopper & Joan Taylor in 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) Lobby Card & Promotional Art

William Hopper who plays Col. Robert Calder is best know for his role of Paul Drake in long running TV show, Perry Mason. Joan Taylor was in a number of westerns and guest starred in TV shows throughout the 1950’s & 60’s.

This Island Earth

It took 2 years altogether to complete the special effects – which were very expensive for the time.

20 Million Miles to Earth

The film was originally going to be set in Chicago, with the rocket crashing in Lake Michigan. Before submitting the idea, Ray Harryhausen decided to change the setting to Italy at the last minute because he’d always wanted to travel there.

It Came From Outer Space

The mutant costume originally had legs that matched the upper body. Making the legs look and work properly was so difficult, and they were pressed by studio deadlines they decided to have the mutant wear a pair of slacks. Movie posters show the mutant as it was supposed to appear.

F&TVR Profile: Nicole Kidman 1

Dead Calm (1989)

Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)

Directed by Phillip Noyce

Screenplay by Terry Hayes based on the Novel by Charles Williams

Cinematography by Dean Semier

Edited by Richard Francis-Bruce

MAIN CAST: Nicole Kidman (Rae Ingram), Sam Neill (John Ingram) & Billy Zane (Hughie Warriner)

ORPHEUS VIDEO TAPE CAST: Rob Mullinar (Russel Bellows), Lisa Collins (Cruise Girl 1), Paula Hudson-Brinkley (Cruise Girl 2), Sharon Cook (Cruise Girl 3), Malinda Rutter (Cruise Girl 4)

MAINLAND CAST: George Shevtsov (Doctor), Michael Long (Specialist Doctor)

The film begins as a train pulls into a station and we see sailors through the cars’ windows. As the passengers move from the cars to the platform, the sailors are greeted by their girlfriends, wives, and mothers. Their commander however, John Ingram (Sam Neill) stands waiting as the platform empties. We feel his anxiousness grow as he keeps checking his watch. Then, he notices two police officers in the distance surveying him. This does not set him at ease. He walks toward the officers.

Nicole Kidman & Sam Neill in Dead Calm (1989)

Rae (Nicole Kidman) has had a car accident and is in the hospital where Ingram learns that their child was killed in a head on collision. We experience the horror of it through Rae’s eyes staring up at us, as the doctor tries to bring her out of the shock by having John speak to her. When she comes out of the nightmare, she is already on the yacht.

Nicole Kidman & Sam Neill in Dead Calm (1989)

Her husband has taken her out to sea to rest and recuperate from the trauma. The calm sea is an idyllic setting. They are both hopeful that it will help them move on, but then a derelict schooner appears in the distance. Rae wants to ignore it, but John cannot.

Nicole Kidman & Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)

Then, Rae spots a dinghy approaching. They let Hughie (Billy Zane) onto the yacht. Initially, they think he is just in shock. His erratic behavior could be the result of being trapped on a sinking ship. While they wait for Hughie to calm down, they ask him questions; what happened to the other passengers, and how the ship was damaged.

Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)

Hughie’s story of food poisoning taking the lives of the 5 other passengers doesn’t hold water for John. Once he gets Hughie to go to rest, he takes the dinghy and goes out to the derelict.

Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989

Having a main cast of just 3, there is plenty of room for close-ups. One of Kidman’s strengths is that she says so much with her face alone. From her early film roles in Dead Calm (1989) and To Die For (1995) to her latest projects, Nicole Kidman has shown herself to be one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood. In addition to her talent, she has a keen sense of what she is able to achieve in a role. This profile will focus on a number of her key performances.

Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)

When Dead Calm was released, Kidman was 19 and unknown in the US. Dead Calm was her first large budget film. Instead of being fearful of the role, she embraced it. She took sailing lessons in order to be able to do the sailing herself. She was also able to do all the action scenes.

Nicole Kidman & Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)

Her preparation paid off as her seamless performance stands out as one of the highs in suspense cinema. From the moment that Hughie comes aboard, she moves from shock to suspicion to horror to determination, and even manages to seduce him to gain leverage.

Nicole Kidman & Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)

The real suspense begins once John is on the derelict and Rae is alone with Hughie. It is Nicole Kidman’s performance, the excellent direction, editing & photography by Phillip Noyce, Richard Francis-Bruce & Dean Semier that make this film a milestone in the suspense genre that even Hitchcock would love.

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

In a 2021 interview with Marc Maron, Sam Neill expressed some discomfort over the fact that he was twice Nicole Kidman’s age when they played a couple in this film.

In May 1987 as production began, Neil was 39 years of age and Kidman was 19.

Sophia Loren, Michelle Pfeiffer, Veronica Ferres, Cher & Susan Sarandon were considered for the role of Rae Ingram.

NEXT: To Die For

Goth Girls 1

Mia Goth in Maxxxine (2024)

Mia Goth as Maxine & Elizabeth Debicki as Elizabeth Bender in Maxxxine (2024)

Ti West’s sequel to X is the third film in his X Trilogy and pretty much delivers as expected. Maxine takes on a seedy Hollywood on her own terms and fights her way through a maze of obstacles that includes a knife wielding psycho, a bizarre private detective, two persistent police officers, and a demanding director.

Kevin Bacon as John Labat in Maxxxine (2024)

Goth continues her role as Maxine with a bravado that becomes her. Kevin Bacon is dead on as the shifty detective who doesn’t know when to quit, Giancarlo Esposito is her smarmy and all business agent, and Elizabeth Dibicki is her no nonsense director, and they all push her forward in her quest to be a star.

Bobby Cannavale as Dt. Ben Torres & Michelle Monaghan as Dt. Marianne Williams in Maxxxine (2024

Everything is going smoothly until people she knows begin dying and suddenly she is getting more attention than she bargained for in the form of two detectives. As Cannavale and Monaghan play their own unique version of good cop/bad cop the mystery slowly unravels.

Mia Goth as Maxine & Giancarlo Esposito as Teddy Knight, Esq. in Maxxxine (2024)

And when it finally does, so does the plot. The final reel is rushed and ill planned. It plays as though it was filmed as an afterthought. Excellent cast, performances, and production. Deserved a better dénouement.

F&TVR Profile: Vincent Price Part 1

Above: Gene Tierney and Vincent Price in Laura (1944)

Above: Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, and Ian Hunter in Tower of London (1939)

Very few Hollywood stars have had as long and varied a career as Vincent Price. A fine actor, he has made his mark in everything from Film Noir to period drama and of course horror. The type casting began early in his career though–after making, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), and Tower of London (1939) in which he co-starred with Boris Karloff, he was already on his way to becoming one of the foremost of the infamous monsters of film. In The Invisible Man Returns (1940) his unmistakable voice continued the terror in the sequel to the Universal film that starred Claude Raines. As in the original film, it is the actor’s voice that powers the performance.

Nan Gray & Vincent Price in The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

The Doctor goes to visit him in prison and after the Doctor leaves, Geoffrey is gone. The problem is that the Police inspector is aware that Doctor Griffin’s brother was the scientist that was the original Invisible Man. So Geoffrey not only has to prove his innocence but also evade the police while doing so. Price’s voice, like Raines’ in the original, is unmistakable and even more suited to mystery and suspense. Coming out as it did right after The Tower of London which starred Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff with Price in a supporting role only added to the expectation of audiences.

Vincent Price & Gene Tierney in Dragonwyck (1946)

His appearance in Dragonwyck (1946) further ensconced Price into a figure of fright and mystery; unlike most actors, he embraced the genre and became one of its most enduring stars.

Nan Grey & Vincent Price in The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

Price’s next film title sounded like a horror film, but was not even though its director was known for horror. Green Hell (1940) was directed by James Whale (Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein), and had a cast of stars including Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Bennett, George Sanders, and Alan Hale. The product of this assembly of talent was a muddled, often unintentionally comic, and tedious tale. Fortunately for Price, his character is killed early in the film.

Green Hell (1940) Price himself derided the film years later

In his next film, he’s reunited with Nan Grey (Invisible Man Returns) and George Sanders (Green Hell). Hawthorn’s novel, The House of the Seven Gables is brought to the screen successfully thanks in no small part to Price’s performance.

Nan Grey & Vincent Price in The House of the Seven Gables

In 1944 Price was in the classic noir, Laura with the beautiful Gene Tierney. This film was one of the most successful of the genre. It also played an pivotal part in Vincent Price’s career, showcasing his versatility.

Gene Tierney & Vincent Price in Laura (1944)

In 1945 he again appeared with Gene Tierney in the horrifying film noir, Leave Her to Heaven where Tierney was the monster. She plays a woman so cold that she can do the unspeakable without any sign of remorse. Another classic Noir and Price gives a poignant performance.

Cornell Wilde, Gene Tierney & Vincent Price in Leave Her to Heaven (1945)

In the 1947 Film Noir, The Web which starred Ella Raines and Edmond O’Brien, Price once again turned in a classic performance.

Vincent Price & Ella Raines in The Web (1947)

It wasn’t until 1953 that his career as the master of horror would begin with the 3D classic, House of Wax. NEXT: House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler, and House of Usher.

Phyllis Kirk & Vincent Price in House of Wax (1953)

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

Laura

Vincent Price considers Laura to be the best of his films.

This movie is famous for the haunting Laura Theme. When asked why she had turned down the part of Laura, Hedy Lamar responded, “They sent me the script, not the score.”

Tower of London

The film was released on VHS through the Universal Monsters Classic Collection in September of 1992 even though it is not a horror film.

Price later admitted the wine he drank to drunkenness in the film was Coca Cola.

House of Wax

Vincent Price enjoyed attending screenings of the film incognito. As the actor once told biographer Joel Eisner, he’d regularly go out and see House of Wax during its run. The requisite 3D glasses usually concealed his identity as he sat back of a dimly lit theater. But one night, he decided to make his presence known. At a showing in New York City, Price quietly took a seat behind two teenagers. Right after a particularly frightening scene, he leaned forward and asked “Did you like it?” In Price’s words, “They went right into orbit!”

Phyllis Kirk tried to turn the film down. Since she was under contract with Warner Bros, she had no choice but to appear in this picture. That didn’t stop her from complaining about the gig. “I bitched and moaned .., and said that I wasn’t interested in becoming the Fay Wray of my time,” Kirk confessed. The other thing was the 3-D format, which she regarded as a gimmick. In the end she decided that making the film would be preferable to being suspended. She later said that she had a good deal of fun making House of Wax.

Off-Beat Cinema Review

The Black Cat (1934) Universal

Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer

Screenplay by Peter Ruric, Story by Edgar G. Ulmer & Peter Ruric, Contributing Writer Tom Kilpatrick (uncredited), Suggested by a story by Edgar Allan Poe

Cinematography by John J. Mescall

Music by Heinz Roemheld (uncredited)

CAST: Boris Karloff (Hjalmar Poelzig), Bela Lugosi (Dr. Vitus Werdegast), Davide Manners (Peter Alison), Julie Bishop (Joan Alison), Lucille Lund (Karen), John Carradine (Cult Organist/uncredited), Symona Boniface (Cultist/uncredited).

David Manners, Julie Bishop & Bela Lugosi in The Black Cat (1934)

This pre-code Universal horror film is to this day, in a class by itself. Not only is it the best film that stars both Karloff & Lugosi, but it was Universal’s most successful film of 1934. It was also one of the earliest movies to contain a score throughout the majority of the production.

Bela Lugosi & Boris Karloff in The Black Cat (1934)

The subject matter was untried ground and was handled masterfully by Ulmer with the aid of Karloff and Lugosi’s splendid acting. A high point in both of their careers that would never be repeated, either together or separately.

Boris Karloff, David Manners & Bela Lugosi in The Black Cat (1934)

Both actors were fully immersed in their characters and it is eerie to watch them as they play a game of cat and mouse while the guests in the house remain unaware of the pending danger. Both David Manners and Julie Bishop give restrained performances that underscore the unsettling atmosphere that surrounds their host.

David Manners & Julie Bishop in The Black Cat (1934)

Lucille Lund plays an eerie part in the proceeding, but the film should be viewed with little knowledge of the story. So, for those of you who have not seen the film, suffice it to say that it is more than a little ahead of its time. This is a true must see classic.

Boris Karloff & Lucille Lund in The Black Cat (1934)

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

“I really think the reason you remember me is because I went to bed with Boris Karloff.” Lucille Lund

Boris Karloff’s character is named after the Austrian architect and art director, Hans Poelzig. Poelzig worked on The Golem (1920), and Edgar G. Ulmer was the set designer.

Censors in Italy, Finland and Austria banned the movie outright, while others required cuts of the more gruesome sequences.

Profile: Scarlett Johansson Part 3

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Written and Directed by Woody Allen

Rebecca Hall & Scarlett Johansson in Vicky Cristina Barcelona

In her last film with Woody Allen, Johansson shared the screen with Rebecca Hall, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem in a comedic love triangle. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are pursued by famous artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) while vacationing.

Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall & Scarlett Johansson in Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Allen’s casting on this film insured him of a sexually vibrant pyrotechnic powered display of musical chairs that culminates with Juan’s mentally unbalanced ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) showing up. Cristina is fire while Vicky is ice, but Juan Antonio is a seasoned lothario with the patience for the seduction of both young women. Barden is in his element as he patiently pursues both Vicky and Cristina. It is among Allen’s best efforts and manages to bring back the screw ball comedy with a delightful showcase of talented performers.

Penelope Cruz & Scarlett Johansson in Vicki Cristina Barcelona

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Directed by Justin Chadwick

Scarlett Johansson & Natalie Portman in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Released in the same year, The Other Boleyn Girl is a very different kind of triangle. Based on the bodice ripper by Philippa Gregory. Although not adhering to reality, she applies what we have learned from what Chaucer and Boccaccio have demonstrated: it’s easier to digest facts when administered within tawdry tales!

Scarlett Johansson in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Although lost in a pot boiler, both Johansson and Portman manage to pull the story out of the pot before it can boil over. Portman is in top form with a relaxed royalty and Johansson with an outward thrust of feelings in her reactions that clearly reveal the character’s complicated emotions.

Scarlett Johansson & Natalie Portman in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Javier Barden (Juan Antonio) and Penelope Cruz (María Elena) play a divorced couple in the film. In reality, they started a relationship while working on the film and married in July 2010. However, they didn’t meet on the set of this film; they met on the set of Cruz’ first feature, Jamon Jamon (1992) when she was 16.

This is the second movie Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson starred in together, the other being The Prestige

The Other Boleyn Girl

The cast includes Oscar winners: Natalie Portmen, Mark Rylance, and Eddie Redmayne as well as Oscar Nominees: Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Kristen Scott, and Andrew Garfield.

The sighting of Anne’s ghost has been documented many times in the tower of London where she was executed and also at Hever Castle, her childhood home.

TV’s Golden Age: The Twilight Zone Part 5

Two (Season 3, Episode 1, Aired on 9/15/1961)

Written & Directed by Montgomery Pittman

Cast: Elizabeth Montgomery (Woman), Charles Bronson (Man)

Elizabeth Montgomery in Two (Season 3, Episode 1, Aired on 9/15/1961)

This installment of TV’s Golden Age focuses on my favorite episode of the Twilight Zone. Please put any of your own favorite episode(s) in the comments.

Elizabeth Montgomery in Two (Season 3, Episode 1, Aired on 9/15/1961)

Two featured Charles Bronson & Elizabeth Montgomery giving the best performances of their careers in a dystopian tale of the aftermath of the Cold War gone hot. So hot in fact, that almost everyone is dead. Except for these Two, one from each side of the conflict.

Elizabeth Montgomery in Two (Season 3, Episode 1, Aired on 9/15/1961)

It begins, of course, with Serling’s introduction. Then, Elizabeth Montgomery comes out of the jungle and into the little town. Looking around, she stops and looks at a gown in a shop window, then spots a restaurant. It is food that she is looking for and finding it, begins to look for a way to open a can. As she opens the can, Bronson’s character comes through the door. She throws pots and pans at him and they begin to scuffle. It ends when Bronson punches her in the face.

Charles Bronson in Two (Season 3, Episode 1, Aired on 9/15/1961)

Possibly, one of the simplest and most powerful of all the Twilight Zone episodes. In so many cases the performances in The Twilight Zone are high water marks in the work of the performers. This reflects not only the actor’s talent, but the high quality of the writing and production as well.

Charles Bronson & Elizabeth Montgomery in Two (Season 3, Episode 1, Aired on 9/15/1961)

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

Two

Prekrasny, is the only word spoken in the episode by The Woman. Prekrasny is Russian for pretty.

The uniform of the male soldier’s uniform are all of Confederate design. MGM had a large storage of costumes from past projects and this may have been a budget decision. The Woman’s uniform is meant to be Russian.

MAXXXINE Opens July 5th

Maxxxine, both written & directed by Ti West opens today, July 5th. It is the third film in West’s X trilogy following X and Pearl which were both released in 2022.

Mia Goth in Maxxxine (2024)

Set in the 80’s, it is a bloody Valentine to Hollywood as it explores its excesses and its underbelly as a slasher terrorizes the town. Mia Goth continues her head-on performances from the first two films as Maxine stops at nothing to become a star.

Moses Sumney & Mia Goth in Maxxxine (2024)

Goth is supported by an impressive cast including: Elizabeth Dibicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Moses Sumney, Lily Collins, and Kevin Bacon.

Mia Goth & Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon in Maxxxine (2024)

Scream Queens Part 10: 1980-1988

Child’s Play (1988)

Catherine Hicks

The first subject of this installment of Scream Queens is Catherine Hicks star of Child’s Play. Taking the haunted ventriloquist dummy to new heights (or lows considering the creature’s stature), Child’s Play manages to make an impression strong enough to generate seven more films from 1990 to 2019 as well as a TV series.

Catherine Hicks in Child’s Play (1988)

Hicks was making her mark as a Scream Queen in an extraordinarily bizarre horror film: though it would be her only foray into the genre, her performance grounded the implausible concept into a more than satisfactory suspension of disbelief scenario. The franchise really took off in the 90’s with Child’s Play 2 & 3 and the inevitable, Bride of Chucky!

Catherine Hicks & Alex Vincent in Child’s Play (1988)

Hicks had a long career where she appeared in many TV movies and series. Getting her start as a regular on the TV soap, Ryan’s Hope, Hicks quickly gained recognition and began making TV movies.

Catherine Hicks in Marilyn: The Untold Story / Catherine Hicks in Star Trek: The Voyage Home

Her fourth project, Marilyn: The Untold Story (1980) won her an Emmy. She also appeared in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), Star Trek: The Voyage Home (1986), and went on to do more TV movies and guest roles on TV until 1996 when she became a regular on the hit show, 7th Heaven which ran until 2007. She has continued working in film and TV.

Kathleen Turner & Catherine Hicks in Peggy Sue Got Married / Catherine Hicks in 7th Heaven

Halloween 2 (1981)

Jamie Lee Curtis & Tawny Moyer

Jamie Lee Curtis returns in Halloween 2 (1981)

Halloween II picks up right where Halloween ended, and Laurie Strode finds herself in the hospital. Dr. Loomis is searching Haddonfield for the vanished Michael while Laurie tries to cope in the hospital along with nurse Tawny Moyer.

Jamie Lee Curtis & Tawney Moyer in Halloween 2 (1981)

Tawny Moyer worked as a model in the late 70’s and 80’s, and her first screen credit was as a stewardess in 1978’s California Suite. She made TV guest appearances in shows such as Barnaby Jones (1979), Hunter (1984), The A-Team (1984) & Knight Rider (1985) as well as films including the one that she is most remembered for, Halloween II (1981). She has just 17 screen credits from 1978 to 2001.

Tawney Moyer in Halloween 2 (1981)
Tawney Moyer in Halloween 2 (1981)

Fright Night (1985)

Amanda Bearse

Amanda Bearse began her acting career as Amanda Cousins on the day time soap, All my Children . From there want on to do small roles in two films, Protocol (1984) and Fraternity Vacation (1985) before landing in Fright Night (1985) for the first of two roles for which she is best known.

Amanda Bearse & Chris Sarandon in Fright Night (1985)

Amanda Bearse in Fright Night (1985)

After Fright Night, she began working almost exclusively in television where in 1987 she joined the cast of Married…with Children.

Amanda Bearse & Katey Sagal in Married…with Children (Season 3)

The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Beverly Randolph

The Return of the Living Dead was Beverly Randolph’s first credited feature film. Prior to her appearance as Tina, she had very little experience and most of it when she was very young. In 1965 she had two uncredited appearances in the feature films, Shenandoah as Baby Martha Anderson and in A Very Special Favor as Baby Chadwick. In 1983 she had yet another uncredited appearance in the television series, Quincy M.E. episode, Cry for Help.

Beverly Randolph in The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Randolph would not return to the screen until 2015 in No Solicitors along with Scream Queen Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp). Working mainly in the horror genre, Randolph has a total of 14 acting credits include the four films currently in production, including Death House (2017), Shriekshow (2022), and the upcoming Sacred Ground: Forbidden.

Poltergeist (1982)

Heather O’Rourke & JoBeth Williams

As Scream queens go, Heather O’Rourke is not just the youngest, but also the one with the most amazing discovery story. While waiting for her mother (a seamstress) in the MGM cafeteria, a man approached her and asked her what her name was, and she replied, “My name is Heather O’Rourke, but you’re a stranger, and I can’t talk to you.” The man was Steven Spielberg. Although she failed the first screen test, Spielberg called her back for a second round and asked her to bring a scary story book. He asked to to scream over and over and she did until she broke down in tears. “I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s got the job.” he advise her and her parents.

Heather O’Rourke in Poltergeist (1982)

She became an overnight celebrity and went on to appear TV shows popular at the time, (1974) (1982-1983), The New Leave it to Beaver (1983) (1986-87), and Webster (1983-84).

Heather O’Rourke Cat’s Eye (1985)

In 1986 Poltergeist II: The Other Side would further her fame as she delivered an astonishing performance. She would go on to appear in Poltergeist III (1988). Although she had recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and was taking medication during the filming, she showed no signs of the illness. Sadly, her condition was more serious than the doctors thought, and she suffered cardiopulmonary arrest and intestinal stenosis and died at the age of 12 on February 1st, 1988.

JoBeth Williams in Poltergeist (1982)

JoBeth Williams began her career in New York as a regular on daytime TV in both Somerset (1970) and Guiding Light (1972). In 1979, she made her big screen debut in Kramer vs. Kramer as a one night stand caught in the all together by his precocious son (Justin Henry).

JoBeth William & Robert Urich in Endangered Species (1982)

Also in 1982, JoBeth appeared in Endangered Species with Robert Urich. Continuing to work in both film and television and returning to Poltergeist in Poltergeist II: the Other Side (1986). She has continued to working and has clocked more that 120 projects and counting.

Craig T. Nelson & JoBeth Williams in Poltergeist II: the Other Side (1986)

The Shining (1980)

Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall in Brewster McCloud (1970)

Shelley Duvall has had a long and eventful career that began when she was discovered by Robert Altman and reluctantly made her first film appearance in the director’s 1970 film, Brewster McCloud.

Shelley Duvall in Thieves Like Us (1974) Shelly Duvall & Sissy Spacek in 3 Women (1977)

This was followed by her role in Altmans’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), and then Thieves Like Us in 1974. In 1975 she made a splash in Altman’s Nashville, and then in 1977, Altman’s 3 Women. Before making another film with Robert Altman, Shelley Duvall was chosen to play Wendy Torrence in Kubrick’s film based on the Stephen King novel, The Shining.

Jack Nicholson & Shelley Duvall in The Shining (1980)

Stanly Kubrick cuts loose with full tilt horror! A Steven King book, perfect casting, what could go wrong? Well, King might hate the film, but for most viewer’s–it is exactly on the mark. Duvall was sensational as the wife of the slowly unraveling madman.

Shelley Duvall & Danny Lloyd in The Shining (1980)

Shelley Duvall in The Shining (1980)

Duvall went on to a number of staring roles including Altman’s Popeye (1980),Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981), and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie (1984).

Shelley Duvall in Time Bandits (1981) Shelley Duvall in Frankenweenie (1984)

Robin Williams & Shelley Duvall in Popeye (1980)

Facts, Rumors & Hearsay

Child’s Play

Katherine Hicks & Kevin Yagher (Chucky’s creator) met on set and were married a year later.

Halloween II

Even though Jamie Lee Curtis receives top billing, Donald Pleasence has a lot more screen time.

Nurse Karen’s car is a 1965 Ford Mustang.

Fright Night

The character Peter Vincent is named for two actors well-known for their appearances in horror movies: Peter Cushing & Vincent Price.

The Return of the Living Dead

The filmmakers had to get approval from Lysol to have Frank spray away the stench of death with their product. “They liked the idea that Lysol would kill any conceivable odor.”

The film’s German title is “Verdammt, die Zombies kommen,” which is roughly “Damnit, the Zombies Are Coming” and the Danish title is “Ligene er ligeglade” which is roughly “The Dead Don’t Care” – playing up the comical aspect of the film.

Poltergeist

This was the highest-grossing horror film of 1982, and the eighth-highest grossing film of the year. It was re-released in October, 1982 to take advantage of the Halloween weekend. It was also shown in theaters for one night only on October 4, 2007, to promote the 25th anniversary DVD, released five days later. The event also included a documentary about poltergeist phenomena, which is available on the DVD.

The Shining

It is believed that Kubrick’s secretary spent weeks, if not months, typing dozens of pages “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” for the scene where Wendy discovers those pages that Jack has been typing.

Donald Sutherland

This is a tribute to one of the most amazingly talented actors we have had the good fortune to know through his many performances. Donald Sutherland’s legacy in pictures from some of his many and varied films.

Donald Sutherland in Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965)

Donald Sutherland in Kelley’s Heroes (1970)

Elliot Gould & Donald Sutherland in M*A*S*H (1970)

Donald Sutherland & Jane Fonda in Klute (1971)

Julie Christie & Donal Sutherland in Don’t Look Now (1973)

Donald Sutherland & Jenny Agutter in The Eagle Has Landed (1978)

Brook Adams & Donald Sutherland in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Donald Sutherland & Janet Suzman in A Dry White Season (1989)

Kevin Costner & Donald Sutherland in JFK (1991)

Donald Sutherland & Kristy Swanson in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Donald Sutherland in Fallen (1998)

Jason Statham & Donald Sutherland in The Mechanic (2011)

Donald Sutherland as President Snow in Hunger Games (2012)

Facts, Rumors, and Hearsay

The Hunger Games

There was a swear jar on the set. Co-writer and director Gary Ross said half of it was contributed by Jennifer Lawrence.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

The dog wandering in District 12 is Donald Sutherland’s dog, Biggles.

JFK

When Oliver Stone spoke at the National Press Club about the movie, someone asked if he meant to insinuate that the government was involved in the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy, as well as JFK’s. He replied with a simple one-word answer: “Yes.”

Donald Sutherland’s monologue, as the mysterious Washington informant known only as X, is sixteen minutes long.

M*A*S*H

Altman’s most innovative technique in the film was the almost constant overlaying of dialogue: as many as four conversations could be happening at once in a given shot. This was considered unorthodox and revolutionary at the time.

Klute

Klute was the first of three theatrical feature film collaborations of actress Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. The movies are in order: Klute (1971), FTA (1972) & Steelyard Blues (1973).

The Mechanic

Jason Statham and Donald Sutherland also worked together in 2003’s The Italian Job.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Joss Whedon found Donald Sutherland extremely difficult to be around. Sutherland re-wrote the majority of his dialogue and scenes. Whedon felt Sutherland’s rewriting made the scenes incomprehensible. Whedon praised Sutherland’s abilities as an actor, but called his behavior rude and said Sutherland was a dick.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Donald Sutherland was hit by a Volkswagen beetle while filming a shot of Matthew and Elizabeth running. He fell onto the windshield and was able to see the driver saying “Oh God, not you!”

Klute

Sutherland and Fonda developed a nonexclusive romantic relationship off screen which lasted until about June 1972. He was her date to the Oscars when she won Best Actress for this movie.

The Eagle Has Landed

To research the role of Heinrich Himmler, Donald Pleasence spent hours at the Imperial War Museum in London watching footage of him and memorizing Himmler’s gestures, walk and facial expressions.