BLACK SABBATH (1963) Poster Art

 

Wild, Wild Podcast - Season 7 Ep. 8 - Danger: Diabolik (1968)

Dashing home after having stolen a country's entire gold reserve and blown up its tax offices, Rod and Adrian grab their microphones to talk about one of the greatest films to be covered on Wild, Wild Podcast - Danger: Diabolik. In this episode the latest Severin Films announcements are discussed, and Adrian potentially alienates everyone by saying something blasphemous about Morricone's score. He may need to go into hiding!

We are now halfway through our fumetti season. If you want to do some background reading on the most popular Italian comics of the sixties, there's a great resource here on Comic Vine.

We would love to hear from you if you have any favourite Italian comic or masked hero/ villain-based films, or if you have scaled a castle wall to steal priceless diaomonds. You can contact us on Twitter and Instagram or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com. You can also find our YouTube channel here.

Please also remember to rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice!

PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965) Poster Art & Lobby Cards

Video - Mario Bava Tribute

Happy birthday to Italian genre cinema maestro Mario Bava! Today would've been his 108th birthday, and even though he left us in 1980 his amazing artistic legacy only continues to grow with his influence visible in recent films such as LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, MANDY and THE NEON DEMON just to name a few. He's been name-dropped by filmmakers as diverse as Martin Scorsese, John Carpenter, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola and Guillermo del Toro - and for good reasons. We can continue to enjoy his work even as we mourn his absence. Happy Birthday, Maestro! 

Brief Thoughts - LAST OF THE VIKINGS (1961)

In the glorious 1960’s Italian filmmakers tried their hand at every genre of film imaginable. Western, horror, crime tales, melodrama, war stories and comedies were churned out as fast as financing could be obtained. The general modus operandi for gaining production cash was to capitalize on the success of a Hollywood film to make similar movies in hopes of riding lucrative coattails to big box office returns. In 1958 Kirk Douglas produced the giant sized comic book of a film called THE VIKINGS and made a boat-load of money. It wasn’t long before the Italian copies and knock-offs started to appear. None of them reached the dizzying heights of THE VIKINGS but they still entertain in a big way – and there is nothing more fun than a full (or even half) scale Viking battle scene!

THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS (1961) has all the ingredients needed for a great Viking epic - beer drinking, sword & ax fighting, pig-tailed wenches, nasty back-stabbing villains and bloody battles. The story follows the return of two brothers, Harald and Gunther, to the Viking village of their birth after ten years of travelling and raiding in far away lands. They are devastated to find their home in ruins, their people scattered and their father traitorously murdered by a rival king. Harald vows to rebuild the village and kill the man responsible. His plan involves infiltration, kidnapping and (best of all) a huge attack on a fortified castle.

This is a fun example of the genre that smartly hides most of its budget shortfalls with crafty filmmaking techniques. Tim Lucas reports that Mario Bava was brought in to do some work on the film when production went over schedule and he makes a good argument for the master's hand being discernable. Certain scenes bear a rather distinctive Bava flair for the atmospheric and creepy beyond the simple needs of hiding the edges of a small set. In an interview with Lucas star Cameron Mitchell made no bones about the fact that Mario worked on the movie and since he was the there (playing Harald) it’s hard to ignore his testimony.

I hope that one day a good Blu-Ray of the film is made available as I think a sharp, clear version would go far to raise the film's reputation.

Wild Wild Podcast Season 3: Episode 3 - RABID DOGS (1974)

This time Adrian and I take a deep dive into the formerly lost Mario Bava crime film Rabid Dogs, aka 'Cani arrabbiati', aka 'Kidnapped', aka 'Semaforo rosso', aka 'L'uomo e il bambino'. We try to unpick the tricky post-production history, and Adrian posits the controversial opinion that all Stelvio Cipriani themes sound the same. Direct all gasps of anger and disbelief at him!

The new book on Bava mentioned in the show is Mario Bava:The Artisan as Italian Horror Auteur by Leon Hunt.

We would love to hear from you if you have any favourite Poliziotteschi films. You can contact us on Twitter, Instagram, or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com. Please remember to rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice!

Wild Wild Podcast #4 - Planet of the Vampires (Terrore nello spazio, 1965, Mario Bava)

Only four episodes in and it's already time for more Mario Bava! After his first foray into space science fiction with The Day the Sky Exploded, he finally came back to the field in 1965 and this time delivered one of the all time genre greats. Join Adrian and I as we spend longer than usual discussing the next film in the season, the misleadingly titled Planet of the Vampires.

 This is the first film covered on the podcast that has been released on home video, DVD and blu ray, so grab yourselves a copy and enjoy Bava's incredibly inventive and stylish sci-fi horror.

 We would love to hear what you think of this film. You can contact us via Twitter and Instagram, or you can email us at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com

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The Bloody Pit #116 - LISA AND THE DEVIL (1973)

Mario Bava is one of the most influential European filmmakers of all time. At the time of his passing in 1980 it is doubtful that he would have thought his work would be held in high esteem but the number of cinema luminaries that praise his talent is too long to list. Certainly, by the measure of box office take Bava would have thought himself an unsuccessful director. Few of the movies we consider classics today were big hits in their day finding much more acclaim years after their initial release. And then there is his glorious masterwork LISA AND THE DEVIL. Given the opportunity after one of his rare hit films to craft a long dreamed of project, he made this film with almost complete control. Sadly, the producer was unable to find distribution for the finished movie except in one country and so demanded that new scenes be shot to make the film more commercial. The resulting film became THE HOUSE OF EXORCISM and is as messy a product as its gestation would imply. But, luckily, fans of Bava’s work can see his original vision and marvel at the beauty and joy of a master filmmaker letting his imagination take flight.

Joining me to discuss this amazing film is author Troy Howarth, the writer of many books on various film directors and actors including The Haunted World of Mario Bava originally published nearly twenty years ago. We delve into the film’s haunted palace imagery with an eye to the use of manikins and statues and corpses that seem to trade places randomly. The time-slip nature of the dream-like story is examined along with the possible ways to read the underlying meaning of what Bava was saying with this rumination on death and decay. The cast is amazing with a scene stealing turn by a grinning Telly Savalas as both family servant and devilish observer. We also note the origins of the wonderful Carlo Savina score and the producer’s feelings about being sold used goods!

If you have any comments or questions the address is thebloodypit@gmail.com or the show has a Facebook page where occasional updates are posted. Thank you for listening to this episode and we will be back soon with more.  

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Trailers From Hell - TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE (1972)

Edgar Wright talks about his love for this amazing film and it's many titles. I've always preferred BAY OF BLOOD. 

The Bloody Pit #65 - NAKED...YOU DIE! (1968)

What do you get when you combine Mario Bava, Tudor Gates, the Woolner Brothers and Antonio Margheriti? You get NAKED...YOU DIE! This is a project that started out as a Woolner production to be directed by Bava but ended up eventually being made by Margheriti. According to Tim Lucas the Gates script remained intact but he faults the film for not being as well crafted a film as Bava would have directed. He may have a point but the joys of this film shine through regardless of any possible 'what ifs'.

John Hudson joins me again to dig into this Margheriti thriller - or is it a giallo? There certainly are black gloves and a number of beautiful young ladies meet an early death. There is a semi-effective police investigation and an ersatz Nancy Drew sneaking around trying to solve the murders taking place on the gorgeous, sun dappled campus of an all girl's college. There are half a dozen possible killers with a multitude of potential motives. There are secretive sexual liaisons, hidden homosexual relationships, leering criminal habits, odd exercise regimens and even some strange vanities that point toward likely guilt. So, the film has a number of the classic elements that would make this a giallo, I guess. But which of these clues are more than simply suspicious and which ones will lead to the serial murderer in the school? If you've ever watched an Italian mystery you know that just following the breadcrumbs might not get you anywhere but this one plays fair. Mostly.

Mr. Hudson and I lounge poolside with the young girls of St. Hilda's College, skulk around the Bughouse with Professor Andre, shake our fingers at the local Peeping Tom  and fall in love with the wonderful character of Jill as she uses her new walkie-talkies to put herself in danger - or try to solve the crimes. Michael Rennie may be the cop in charge but it's Jill that eavesdrops her way into our hearts! We do take a couple of short unrelated side roads during this episode and I do apologize for the derision I heap on Marky Mark. I promise not to do that again! If you have any comments about the show or suggestions for future Margheriti films to cover we can be reached at thebloodypit@gmail.com or on the Facebook page. Thank you very much for listening to the show! And don't stand so close to me.

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Poster Art for NAKED...YOU DIE! (1968)

Including a few of the film's alternate titles! 

HERCULES VS. THE VAMPIRES - Opera, Bava Style!

I'm not a major Opera fan.  This fact is evident when I tell you that I've only been to two operas in the past 8 years. If I were more of an opera fan Nashville certainly provides plenty of opportunity to enjoy this particular performing art with a group well on it's way to major status. Still, it takes something that appeals to my odd sensibilities to get me to visit the opera.   

HERCULES VS. THE VAMPIRES is certainly not your average Opera. It was a commissioned work done by composer Patrick Morganelli and it is built around the brilliant Mario Bava film HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD (1961). The Opera was commissioned by the Opera Theater Oregon in Portland in 2009. After its successful 2010 run there it was produced a few years later in Los Angeles and now, finally, it comes to Nashville.

I was completely surprised when I read that the Nashville Opera Company was going to be producing this peace and immediately bought tickets. I had been made aware of this opera's existence by a couple of Portland area podcasting friends but never thought I'd get a chance to see it. I am incredibly glad that I did. The Opera is staged in an odd way especially if you have an idea of how an opera is usually produced. A 74 minute edited version of Bava's film is projected above the stage while  both the Orchestra and vocalists on the stage beneath perform their accompaniment, telling the story as the film plays out. I have to say that I know this film very well having watched it at least half a dozen times in the past 15 years and, while I don't like seeing it trimmed down, this version of the film is a wonder to behold. The music is incredible, matching the action onscreen and brilliantly enhancing the motional content at every turn. The fantastic music alone makes a viewing of this opera well worth the trip to the theater. The Morganelli's re-staging and clarification of the story points of the film are quite smart bringing the rather episodic tale a smoothness that it otherwise lacks. The trimming of the film is barely noticeable unless you know the film very well and can point out just how truncated certain secondary characters stories actually are.

The audience was encouraged to cheer the heroes, boo the villain and get into the spirit of things at any opportunity. It was great to be part of a huge group of people laughing, clapping and hissing at the evil Christopher Lee as the Hercules adventure played out on the big screen Surely this is what going to the opera was like a few hundred years ago before it became high culture and stodginess set in! HERCULES VS. THE VAMPIRES was a fantastic night of entertainment and if you ever get the chance to see this one yourself, I highly recommend it. I just wish it had played more than one night in Nashville so more people could get to see it. 

CALTIKI, THE IMMORTAL MONSTER (1959) Coming to Blu-Ray!

For years I have longed for a good video release of this little gem and now it appears that my begging and crying has finally paid off! 

NEW UK/US TITLE: Caltiki the Immortal Monster (Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD)

A unique and unforgettable sci-fi chiller which showcases these two legendary filmmakers at their most inventive

North American pre-orders links should be live soon!

Release Dates: 10/11 April

Arrow Video presents a collaboration between two giants of Italian cult cinema – Riccardo Freda (The Vampires, The Horrible Dr Hichcock) and Mario Bava (5 Dolls for an August Moon, Blood and Black Lace)!

A team of archaeologists led by Dr John Fielding (John Merivale, Circus of Horrors) descends on the ruins of an ancient Mayan city to investigate the mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants. However, the luckless explorers get more than they bargained for when their investigation of a sacrificial pool awakens the monster that dwells beneath its waters – the fearsome and malevolent god Caltiki.

Though Riccardo Freda received sole directing credit, a significant portion of the film was in fact the work of Mario Bava, who also served as its cinematographer and was responsible its striking special effects. Drawing on a diverse array of influences, from The Quatermass Experiment to the works of HP Lovecraft, Caltiki the Immortal Monster is a unique and unforgettable sci-fi chiller which showcases these two legendary filmmakers at their most inventive. Presented here for the first time in a newly restored high definition transfer, Caltiki shines – and terrifies! – like never before.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:

• Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations

• Original mono Italian and English soundtracks (lossless on the Blu-ray Disc)

• Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack

• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack

• New audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark

• New audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of The Haunted World of Mario Bava and So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films

• From Quatermass to Caltiki, a new discussion with author and critic Kim Newman on the influence of classic monster movies on Caltiki

• Riccardo Freda, Forgotten Master, an archival interview with critic Stefano Della Casa

• The Genesis of Caltiki, an archival interview with filmmaker Luigi Cozzi

• Archival introduction to the film by Stefano Della Casa

• Alternate opening titles for the US version

• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Kat Ellinger and Roberto Curti

Black Sabbeth!

Portishead lead singer Beth Gibbons has joined forces with stoner metal band Gonga to cover the classic Black Sabbath tune of the same name and it is fantastic! The video below is comprised of scenes from the great Mario Bava film that carries the same title and it accompanies the music very well. What a treat!

THE EVIL EYE (1963) poster art

Also known as THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. 

HATCHET FOR A HONEYMOON (1970) poster art

One of Mario Bava's underappreciated films. 

PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965) poster art

Until today I had never seen this piece of poster art for the Bava classic of science fiction horror PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. It is gorgeous, don't you think? I cannot wait for the soon to be released Blu-Ray of this underseen film and hope that it is packed with hours of extras. I know Bava expert and biographer Tim Lucas is producing a commentary track for the disc but I wish for more, of course. At the very least a look at the amazing poster art for the film from around the world would be in order. 

PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965) - PROMETHEUS style trailer!

This an excellent example of someone taking the concept of the 'mash-up' to a new level! Here we have the audio for the second PROMETHEUS trailer married to visuals from Mario Bava's brilliant PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. Words fail me.

The Bloody Pit #1 - 10 Favorite Movies

This is the first episode of a new podcast and I must say I'm excited to be bringing this to you. The plan for this show is for each episode be on a different subject depending on whatever the participants want to discuss. For the first show I've decided to do a short, solo piece about my ten favorite movies. This will let listeners know where I'm coming from as a film fan and maybe even hint at some of the topics to be covered in the future. I have hopes that this will spark some back & forth as others compose their list of favorites as well. I've also added an older review to the end that I hope will jumpstart some discussion about a certain science fiction franchise. This is short and sweet (?) so I hope you enjoy the first Bloody Pit Podcast! Drop us a line at thebloodypit@gmail.com and let us know what you think. 

The Bloody Pit #1 LINK 

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Still no CALTIKI DVD?

I was looking around for Christmas gifts this weekend and realized that CALTIKI THE IMMORTAL MONSTER (1959) is still not available on domestic DVD. WTF? Co-directed by Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava this one should have already been snatched up by some fine DVD company for Region 1 and given a bells & whistles release. There are bootlegs out there sourced from a fine Italian disc but come on- this is long overdue. Is there some question of rights?


Well, until it finally hits these shores legally I feel no shame or guilt in pointing you toward the YouTube upload of the entire English version in 10 minutes segments. Enjoy!