Wednesday, October 19, 2016

A Cinematic History of Horror for Hallowe'en On Roku - DAY 19: Zombies, Corpses & Cremations (1967-1970)





Welcome back, Boils & Ghouls...



... to 'Day Nineteen' of "A Cinematic History of Horror for Hallowe'en On Roku" in which I shall bring you my next batch of fright flicks from the enormous back-catalogue of macabre movies that have been thrilling cinema-goers for more than a century and can now be streamed to your television sets via the magic of Roku player - so, let's dim the lights... and enjoy some more frights! :-O


If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - which I published at the end of September, then you'll know that I plan to post one Hallowe'en / Horror related article each day, throughout the month of October, and to feature one horror movie per year from cinematic history, starting in 1895 and ending in 2016. This should average out at about four films per day, so you'll have plenty of choice for your macabre movie viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en! ;-)


To get things started, in the first week of this blogathon, we went all the way back to the end of the 19th century for some of the earliest horror cinema ever recorded. The movies on day one were from 1895 - 1898 (inclusive) and featured beheadings, vampires, skeletons and nightmarish dreams. For my second article on day two of this series, I shared four films (one for each year) from 1899 - 1902 (inclusive) and those featured ghostly apparitions, aliens and selenites, plus a visit from the devil to a convent. In my next post on day three, I shared four films (again, one for each year) from 1903 - 1906 (inclusive) and those featured impish devils, demons and ghost brides, plus a man who practices entomology being pinned to a cork like an insect. For my fourth article on day four in this series of posts, I shared four more films (one for each year) from 1907 - 1910 (inclusive) which featured evil spectres, haunted houses, plus the first filmed version of the story of Frankenstein's monster. Following that post, on day five, I shared four films (again, one per year) from 1911 - 1914 (inclusive) and those were all based on works of literature by either Dante Alighieri, Robert Louis Stevenson or Edgar Allan Poe. Next up, on day six, four more films were shared (one for each year) from 1915 - 1918 (inclusive) and those included one about a spooky portrait, another about the victim of a kidnapping, plus a Faustian tale told from a female perspective and another about an artificial creature produced by a mad scientist. For my next post, on day seven, I (again) shared four more films (one for each year) from 1919 - 1922 (inclusive) and those featured an epic account of the horrors of war, plus tales of vampires and phantom carriages, as well as a hypnotist who used a somnambulist to commit acts of murder!


To kick-off the second week of my month-long blogathon, on day eight of this series, I shared another four films (again, one per year) from 1923 - 1926 (inclusive) and those included tales of hunchbacks, phantoms, and a pact with the devil plus a pianist whose hands were replaced by those of a murderer (following a train accident) after which he discovered they had a will of their own! Then for my next post, on day nine, I shared four films (one for each year) from 1927 - 1930 (inclusive) and those included a truly stunning "mood piece" based on the work of Edgar Allen Poe, along with the story of a master criminal who terrorized the occupants of an isolated country mansion, plus the creepiest, spookiest, mystery melodrama ever produced, with an early animated horror short thrown in for good measure. After that, on day ten, I shared four more films (again, one for each year) from 1931 - 1934 (inclusive) and those told various tales of terror, including: two American honeymooners trapped in the home of a Satan-worshipping priest, a colossal gorilla hitting the heights in New York with a movie starlet, a tale of love between a siren, a giant and a dwarf from a circus sideshow, plus the story of the strangest passion the world has ever known! Following on from there, on day eleven, I shared four more films (one per year, as before) from 1935 - 1938 (inclusive) and those featured the story of an escaped convict who used miniaturized humans to wreak vengeance on those that framed him, more tales of the horrors of war, and a Chinese ghost story (of sorts) plus the film which, when first released, was billed as the super shocker of the twentieth century! In the subsequent post, which I made on day twelve, four more films were shared (one per year) from 1939 - 1942 (inclusive) featuring strange creatures such as Werewolves, Cat People and The Hound of the Baskervilles, as well as some light-hearted comic relief (of the horror variety) courtesy of Bob Hope! Yesterday... the four films that I shared, on day thirteen, were from 1943 - 1946 (inclusive) and there was (again) one film per year - as there has been for each of my previous posts from this series. That batch of macabre movies included films about ghosts, zombies, and severed hands, plus what is widely believed to be the forerunner of all the horror anthology films that would follow it - a British film, from Ealing Studios! Yesterday, on day fourteen, I shared four more films spanning the years from 1947 to 1950 (inclusive) with one movie per year (as previously) Those included faceless killers, hidden secrets and a tale of human avarice, plus further light-hearted comedy (of the 'tongue-in-cheek' horror variety) courtesy of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello!


Then, as we entered week three of this month-long blogathon... on day fifteen, I shared another four films (again, one for each year) from 1951 - 1954 (inclusive) and those featured a dinosaur-like beast out to destroy the world, an artist (out for revenge) who created wax sculptures from human cadavers, a woman who visited her local shaman and was turned into a white reindeer vampire, plus... the tale of the thing that turns your blood ice-cold, as it creeps and crawls, then strikes without warning! For my next post, on day sixteen, I shared four more (one film per year) from 1955 - 1958 (inclusive) and those included the tale of of a sadistic boarding school headmaster whose wife & mistress plotted to kill him, another about a doctor with a demonic curse put upon him by a devil cult leader, and one from Hammer Films involving Count Dracula, plus the extraordinary tale of the most awesome fate that ever happened to earth people... with the invasion of the body snatchers from another world! For the next post, on day seventeen, I shared another four films (one for each year) from 1959 - 1962 (inclusive) and those featured a "Haunted House" party where the guests had to spend their night with ghosts, murderers, and other terrors, and; the tale of a woman, caught in a storm while driving, who got off the highway and pulled into a remote motel managed by a quiet young man who seemed to be dominated by his mother, and; another based on a ghost story written by Henry James, wherein a woman experiencing apparitions had to confront the evil spirits & exorcise the demons head onplus one more story... "so unusual, it will burn itself into your mind"! After that, on day eighteen, I shared four more films (again, one per year) from 1963 - 1966 (inclusive) and those included tales of ravens, repulsion, The Red Death and a Gothic horror from Mario Bava! All of which brings us rather nicely to this post, in which I will share another four films (one for each year) from 1967 - 1970 (inclusive) and those are set to feature ! As with other movies shared (thus far), bearing in mind the time period in which they were made, some may have visible signs of wear and tear, but they are none the less watchable as further examples of early films whose influence can still be seen in far more modern horror movies.




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First up today... is a feature-length film from Brazil, directed by José Mojica Marins, which was first released in 1967 under the original title of "Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver"... but is (perhaps) better known to British audiences as, "This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse", which was the title used for the UK release of this film. Essentially, it was a follow-up to an earlier horror film by the same director, called "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul", which was released in 1964. Having been cleared of his past crimes (from that earlier film) this 1967 sequel picks up the story of 'Coffin Joe' who, as you might expect (if you've seen the first film), is still looking for the "perfect" woman to bear him a son. The devilish gravedigger Zé do Caixão [aka Coffin Joe] (José Mojica Marins) - aided and abetted by his loyal, hunch-backed servant, Bruno (Jose Lobo) - continues to terrorise the locals, from the small town in which he lives, with his iconoclastic ways and sadistic practices. Speaking of which... you can expect to see slightly more gore and sleaze than the first film, with 'Coffin Joe' dispatching his victims in a very "bloody" fashion... whether it's by axe, boulder, or razor! Likewise, arachnophobics and ophidiophobics (i.e. those with a fear of spiders and snakes) would do well to stay clear of this movie... unless wishing to confront those fear(s) from the safety of their couch!






Jose Lobo in Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver (1967)





Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver (1967) [DVD Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: dvd-forum.at






Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver (1967) [Alternative Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: imdb.com






Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver (1967) [Brazilian Re-Issue Poster]
PHOT CREDIT: Trashy Movie Posters






Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver (1967) [Movie Poster]




As with a lot of these early films, we are fortunate to have free copies to watch on Roku devices... and, thanks to the internet, they are available on YouTube as well as other video streaming resources. So, please feel free to watch this movie online, or else use the link to cast it from your 'YouTube' app (via Roku player) and watch on the big screen for maximum shock value! Either way, here it is...



YOUTUBE LINK:- Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver (1967) [IMDB Rating: 7.2]




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Our next film today is a feature-length film from the USA, directed by George A. Romero, and first released in 1968 as "Night of the Living Dead"... which was based on an original screenplay by the director (George Romero) and John A. Russo (as John Russo). This drama, horror, mystery follows a group of characters who barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt to remain safe from an army of flesh eating monsters, causing panic across the nation, as the dead come back to life and prey on the living. The story begins with Barbra (Judith O'Dea) and Johnny (Russell Streiner) visiting their father's grave in a remote cemetery, when they are set upon by a zombie. Barbra manages to get away and, once clear of any immediate danger, takes refuge in what appears to be an abandoned farm house. She is soon joined by Ben (Duane Jones) who stopped at the house in need of gas. Before too long they are beset by zombies, who surround the house, and Ben does his best to secure all the doors and windows to keep them safe. Soon after, they discover five more people have been hiding-out in the basement: Harry (Karl Hardman), Helen (Marilyn Eastman) and Karen Cooper (Kyra Schon), plus; a young couple, called Tom (Keith Wayne) and Judy (Judith Ridley). As they try to come to terms with what is going-on around them, dissension sets in... and it becomes clear that Harry Cooper wants to be in charge of all the decision-making within this newly-formed group. However, with the situation rapidly deteriorating, their chances of surviving the night begin to lessen minute by minute!





Zombies in Night of the Living Dead (1968) [Movie Still]
PHOTO CREDIT: imdb.com






Night of the Living Dead (1968) [Movie Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Bitch Flicks





Night of the Living Dead (1968) [Alternative Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: wickedknights.org






Night of the Living Dead (1968) [Italian Poster]


POINT OF INTEREST:- The Italian poster for "Night of the Living Dead" credits the direction of the movie to "George A. Kramer", instead of "George A. Romero", as you would expect to see listed!



Just like "Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver" [aka This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse] (1967) above, we are fortunate to have a free copies of this horror classic to watch on Roku devices... and, due to being in the public domain, it is readily available on YouTube as well as other streaming resources in both the original monochrome (black & white) as well as colourised versions. So, please feel free to watch either version of this movie online, or use the link(s) to cast from your 'YouTube' app (via Roku player) and watch on the big screen for maximum effect! Either way, here they are...



YOUTUBE LINK (B&W VERSION):- Night of the Living Dead (1968) [IMDB Rating: 8.0]


YOUTUBE LINK (COLOUR VERSION):- Night of the Living Dead (1968) [IMDB Rating: 8.0]




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Our third film today is a feature-length film from Czechoslovakia, which was directed by Juraj Herz. Released in 1969, under the original title of "Spalovac Mrtvol", it is (perhaps) better known to British and American audiences as "The Cremator"... which was the world-wide English title given to this comedy, crime, drama - set in World War II - about a demented cremator, by the name of Kopfrkingl (Rudolf Hrusínský), who firmly believes that cremation relieves earthly suffering and promptly sets out to "save the world"! One day, while at a reception, he meets Walter Reinke (Ilja Prachar), with whom he fought for Austria in WWI. During their conversation, Reinke convinces Kopfrkingl that it would be better for him to emphasise his supposedly German heritage, including sending his timid son to the German school. Reinke then goes one step further, by suggesting that Kopfrkingl's half-Jewish wife is holding back his advancement in his work...


WITH THANKS TO: Will Gilbert for his contribution to the storyline.






Rudolf Hrusínský in Spalovac Mrtvol [aka The Cremator] (1969) [Movie Still]
PHOTO CREDIT: imdb.com






Spalovac Mrtvol [aka The Cremator] (1969) [Movie Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: imdb.com




As with the two movies shared previously today, this film by Juraj Herz is also FREE-TO-STREAM on Roku devices and is readily available on YouTube as well as other streaming resources with both English as well as Spanish subtitled versions. So, please feel free to watch either one of these online, or use the link(s) to cast the video stream from your 'YouTube' app (via your Roku player) and watch on the big screen for maximum effect! Either way, here are the links to both versions...



YOUTUBE LINK (ENG SUBS):- Spalovac Mrtvol [aka The Cremator] (1969) [IMDB Rating: 8.1]


YOUTUBE LINK (SUBITO ESP):- Spalovac Mrtvol [aka The Cremator] (1969) [IMDB Rating: 8.1]





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Our last film for today, is another feature-length film from Czechoslovakia... but, this time, directed by Jaromil Jires, and first released in 1970 under the original title, "Valerie a Týden Divu", although it is (perhaps) better known to British and American audiences as "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders"... which was the world-wide English title given to this adventure, drama, fantasy. Inspired by fairy-tales such as Alice in Wonderland and Little Red-Riding Hood, "Valerie and her Week of Wonders" is a surreal tale in which love, fear, sex and religion merge into one fantastic world. As the film begins... Valerie (Jaroslava Schallerová) is awoken in the night by a thief, who steals the earrings left to her by her mother. By morning, the earrings have returned, Valerie's first period has begun, and a troupe plus a missionary have arrived in her Medieval town. The thief is Orlik (Petr Kopriva); he reports to a cloaked constable, who may also be the missionary. Attention to sexuality is everywhere: Valerie's grandmother's puritanical nature, the missionary's sermon to the town's virgins, the parish priest's attempt to seduce Valerie, and lusty adults at play. Valerie's nascent sexuality puts her in great danger. Can she manage to navigate the passage from innocence to experience: a route that is teaming with vampires, a murderer, and an obscure family tree?!





Valerie a Týden Divu [aka Valerie and Her Week of Wonders] (1970)
PHOTO CREDIT: imdb.com






Valerie a Týden Divu [aka Valerie and Her Week of Wonders] (1970) [Movie Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: imdb.com




Anyway... you probably guessed already but, if not, this film (like the others from this article) is also available online and can be easily streamed on Roku devices. As with those other movies, I was able to find this film on 'YouTube'... which (again) means we all get to enjoy it by streaming it for free on our Roku streaming media players. It also means we have the choice to watch this movie online, or else use the link to cast it from the 'YouTube' app (via our Roku players) and watch this adventure, drama, fantasy on the big screen for maximum effect! Whichever you prefer, here's the link...




YOUTUBE LINK (ALT. SOUNDTRACK):- Valerie a Týden Divu (1970) [IMDB Rating: 7.2]



PLEASE NOTE:- That, while the above video does include English subtitles, it also features an alternative audio soundtrack to the original Czechoslovakian version... which many feel detracts from what the director intended. For this reason, I am also going to provide an additional link to another version which has no subtitles... but does, at least, feature the original soundtrack:-



YOUTUBE LINK (ORIGINAL AUDIO):- Valerie a Týden Divu (1970) [IMDB Rating: 7.2]



OPTIONAL WORKAROUND:- To watch the video with English subtitles, while listening to the original audio soundtrack, you will need to run two 'YouTube' videos at the same time, as follows:-


1. Open both "ALT. SOUNDTRACK" (version with English subtitles) on Roku connected to TV + "ORIGINAL AUDIO" (version with original audio but no subtitles) on a separate device connected to another amplifier or set of speakers (in the same room), so that you can hear the audio from the original soundtrack playing on your second device via your amp / speakers, and;


2. Play both videos at the same time. Mute "ALT. SOUNDTRACK" version and watch on TV with English subtitles, while the other one plays the original soundtrack via a separate audio source! ;-)



ALTERNATIVELY... if that all sounds too much like hard work (or beyond your capabilities, either in hardware or know-how) there is also a shorter version of the film (57m) which will cost you some fifteen minutes of viewing time, versus the original movie (73m), but does include both the original soundtrack plus English subtitles. So, there's a trade-off for convenience over missing part of the film, but (for some) it may be preferable to attempting the above workaround. If that sounds like you, then here's a link to stream the shorter version of "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders" on 'YouTube'...



YOUTUBE LINK (SHORT VERSION):- Valerie a Týden Divu (1970) [IMDB Rating: 7.2]




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Anyhow, that's all I've got time for today... but do remember to come back again tomorrow, for more macabre movies from the history of horror cinema, when I serve-up another batch of four films on 'Day Twenty' of "A Cinematic History of Horror for Hallowe'en On Roku" right here on this blog. Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the Countdown To Hallowe'en website and show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza... PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' taking part this year. I know they'll appreciate it if you visit their blogs & share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made.




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BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from all the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness going on around these parts for the next month, you can always keep up with all the UK Roku action (as it happens) by following the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels where you will find that up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a daily basis (well, almost).



Until the next time, then...




That's all folks !!





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