KISS ME DEADLY (1955) – Episode 192 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 12/14/2024
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew head back to 1953 to tackle a film from the first wave of 3D films, THE MAZE (1953), featuring one of the most bizarre twist endings of the decade. If you haven't seen this movie, you won't see it coming. While the films looks great and the cast, featuring Richard Carlson, Veronica Hurst, and Katherine Pate, is solid, the story and pace are snooze-inducingly plodding. If ever a film needed 3D, it may be this one. Yet, with all its flaws, the film has a B-movie charm to it. Catalog THE MAZE for "only the curious." Enjoy! THE MAZE (1953) Episode 234 - Decades of Horror: The Classic...
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PRIMAL RAGE (1988) is a horror movie that gets very little mention, accolades, or fanfare. Many horror fans may not have heard of the film, instead maybe they recall the 1995 video came or 2018 movie of the same name. For this episode, Bill steps up and declare "The Grue-Crew shall watch Primal Rage!" And so we did. What did we find: Mad scientists, crazed baboons, a rage virus turning college students into rampaging zombie-like monsters, and a gore-soaked Halloween party. Let's party! Enjoy! PRIMAL RAGE (1988) Episode 316 - Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: “Trust me, she’s more than your...
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Is this even a real movie? Ed Wood? The Grue-Crew set out to find out, reviewing the schlock fest known by many names: THE REVENGE OF DR X (1970), BODY OF THE PREY, THE DEVIL'S GARDEN, and VENUS FLY TRAP. Which ever title it is under, the result is the same: the most bizarre and god awful film of all time; yet, somehow, it is entertaining in its terrible glory. James Craig is a mad NASA scientist who seems to take up botany and creates a hybrid creature as if he were Dr. Frankenstein. WTF? Check out what the Crew think on this one. You have been warned. Enjoy! THE REVENGE OF DOCTOR X (1970)...
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Bill picks one of his favorite British Sci-Fi/Horror classics, DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1954). Yup, Plan Nyah from Outer Space is on our streaming devices... and we love it. Sure, it is low budget. Sure, it is campy. This little gem is pure B-movie gold. An obnoxious, yet oddly beautiful, nutzo alien woman from Mars lands in the Scottish Highlands looking for men. Odd choice, but let's go with it. It's not long before she realized this was a mistake and she's ready to disintegrate them all.... all 7 or 8 of them. Poor, misguided alien. Hijinks ensue and the Grue-Crew are here to share their...
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The Grue-Crew revisit PSYCHO II (1983) - a horror movie sequel that shouldn't exist but does... and it's fantastic. Anthony Perkins returns to the franchise along with Vera Miles. They are joined by Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, and Dennis Franz. Richard (Patrick, Road Games) Franklin directs from a Tom (Fright Night, Child's Play) Holland screenplay. The tables are turned and Norman Bates is now the prey... or is he? Mystery, plot twists, and mayhem ensue. Check out what the Crew think of this one as they discuss their first reactions, the cast of characters, and the stories behind the filming,...
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For this episode of Decades of Horror 1970s, the Grue-Crew cover the fourth film of the Blind Dead saga, NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975). To make this episode even more special, we've invited Patreon fan, Crew friend, and Templar Knights champion Jerry Chandler. The Crew, discuss if the film is the best made of the four or if it is the best Blind Dead film of the series. Regardless, the film wears a Lovecraftian coat and pulls back on the gore and nudity. Still good? The Crew will let you know, listen now! Enjoy. NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975) Episode 271 - Decades of Horror 1970s Tagline: "THEIR...
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Daphne mysteriously drives the crew back to 1965 to catch an early South Korean horror film, A BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER. With hints of Poe’s classics, Bava’s cinematography, and Murnau’s expressionistic scenery, writer/director Yong-min Lee blends together a rich thriller with strong early Asian horror themes and rich Korean lore. Follow the crew and guest-host Scott Wells in the depths of fear with killer cats, supernatural spirits, and gore galore. You won’t want to miss this. Enjoy! A BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER (1965, SALINMA) Episode 231 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Quote: “Grandma...
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The 3D craze was brief in the 1980s and the output quality was questionable, but the run was fun for all the wrong reasons. Among Friday the 13th part III, Jaws 3D, and Parasite, was AMITYVILLE 3D and the Grue-Crew are ready to investigate all the shenanigans. The film is from accomplished director Richard Fleisher and the cast includes Tony Roberts, Tess Harper, Candy Clark, and Robert Joy. And, in an early role, Meg Ryan appears alongside Lori Loughlin. The film has an unjust bad reputation, but it's much better then you'd expect. Some of the effects are laughable, while others are downright...
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For this episode, Doc picks MADHOUSE (1974), an Amicus / AIP horror film with a notorious reputation. Who knew? On set conflicts, heavy editing from the production team, Dr. Phibes director drops out with a celebrated editor taking the reins, and a script that was being rewritten every day are just some of the things that troubled this shoot. But what does the film have going for it? At it's core, it is a splendid idea, the locations and designs are often well done, and the cast is remarkable: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, and Adrienne Corri. And then there's the "horror icon"...
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The Grue-Crew tackle the American pre-Code mystery-horror film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, and Frank McHugh. That film is MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933). Jeff invites a special guest-host and DoH Grue-Believer, Chris (ManCaveMan), to help better understand the special color process utilized to make this early color film. We also deep dive into the cast of characters, the taglines, marketing, and cast and crew. This episode (and this movie) should not be missed! Enjoy! MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933) Episode 231 - Decades of Horror: The...
info_outline“Look, Mike, I like you. I like the way you handle yourself. You seem like a reasonable man. Why don’t we make a deal? What’s it worth to you to drag your considerable talents back to the gutter you crawled out of?” Wow. Where would you want him to drag himself if you didn’t like him? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr along with guest Bill Mulligan – as they take a deep, deep dive into Kiss Me Deadly (1955), a horror-adjacent, science-fiction film noir.
Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 192 – Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL
Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era!
Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website.
Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.
https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/
Synopsis: A doomed female hitchhiker pulls Mike Hammer into a deadly whirlpool of intrigue, revolving around a mysterious “great whatsit.”
- Directed by: Robert Aldrich
- Writing Credits: A.I. Bezzerides (screenplay); Mickey Spillane (novel)
- Cinematography by: Ernest Laszlo (photography by)
- Produced by: Robert Aldrich (producer); Victor Saville (executive producer) (uncredited)
- Selected Cast:
- Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer
- Maxine Cooper as Velda Wickman
- Cloris Leachman as Christina Bailey
- Gaby Rodgers as Lily Carver
- Wesley Addy as Lt. Pat Murphy
- Albert Dekker as Dr. G.E. Soberin
- Paul Stewart as Carl Evello
- Nick Dennis as Nick Va Va Voom
- Jack Elam as Charlie Max
- Jack Lambert as Sugar Smallhouse
- Mort Marshall as Ray Diker
- Marian Carr as Friday (as Marion Carr)
- Juano Hernandez as Eddie Yeager
- Marjorie Bennett as Manager
- Fortunio Bonanova as Carmen Trivago
- Strother Martin as Harvey Wallace
- Mady Comfort as Nightclub Singer (as Madi Comfort)
- James McCallion as Horace
- Jesslyn Fax as Horace’s Wife
- Robert Cornthwaite as FBI Agent
- James Seay as FBI Agent
- Silvio Minciotti as Mover
- Paul Richards as Attacker
- Percy Helton as Doc Kennedy
- Leigh Snowden as Cheesecake
- Jerry Zinneman as Sammy
- Kitty White as Club Vocalist
- Ben Morris as Radio Announcer
- Sam Balter as Radio Announcer (voice)
- Joe Hernandez as Radio Announcer (voice)
- Bing Russell as Police Detective (uncredited)
- Charles Lane as Doctor (uncredited)
- Eddie Beal as Sideman (uncredited)
- Leonard Bremen as Man in Parked Car (uncredited)
- Yvonne Doughty as Receptionist (uncredited)
- John George as Popcorn Vendor (uncredited)
- Art Loggins as Bartender (uncredited)
- Mara McAfee as Nurse (uncredited)
- Leonard Mudie as Athletic Club Clerk (uncredited)
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) might not be a certifiable horror movie, but this extraordinary film noir is certainly horror adjacent. Director Robert Aldrich, cinematographer Ernest Laszlo, and screenplay writer A. I. Bezzerides do themselves proud in this adaptation of the Mickey Spillane novel. Ralph Meeker, as antihero Mike Hammer, is supported by superb performances from a long list of recognizable character actors. Film noir — even horror adjacent science fiction film noir — is not for everyone, and indeed, the Classic Era Grue Crew are divided. Either way, Kiss Me Deadly must be seen, and there is much for the crew to discuss. Where else will you find a search for a “great whatsit?”
At the time of this writing, Kiss Me Deadly (1955) is available to stream from the Classic Sci-Fi Movie Channel and on physical media as a Blu-ray disc from Criterion.
Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by Daphne – is Earth vs. the Spider (1958), aka The Spider! Yes, it’s time for a B-I-G movie, as in Bert I. Gordon! The Grue Crew can’t wait!
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To each of you from each of them, “Thank you so much for watching and listening!”