CRASH! (1976) – Episode 247 – Decades of Horror 1970s

“This piece is actually an ideal marriage. Iron, the strongest metal then known to man, and the color red, the color of the planet Mars, the planet of vitality, passion, and sexual vigor.” So iron plus red equals sexual vigor. Got it! Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr, and guest Dave Dreher – as they take a ride in the possessed car from Charles Band’s Crash! (1976). There will be crashes!

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 247 – Crash! (1976)

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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Synopsis: After a woman is nearly killed in a car accident, a doctor investigates the collision, which points toward revenge, destruction, and the occult.

• Director/Producer: Charles Band
• Writer: Marc Marais
• Composer: Andrew Belling
• Cinematographers: Andrew Davis, Bill Williams
• Editor: Harry Keramidas
• Special Effects: Harry Woolman
• Stunts:
  • Norman Deming (as Von Deming) (stunt coordinator) / stunts (uncredited)
  • Rick Deming, Brent Deming, Gary Baxley, Ralph Garret, Larry Howe, Ted Duncan, Speed Stearns
• Selected Cast:
  • José Ferrer as Marc Denne
  • Sue Lyon as Kim Denne
  • John Ericson as Dr. Gregg Martin
  • Leslie Parrish as Kathy Logan
  • John Carradine as Dr. Welsey Edwards
  • Jerome Guardino as Lt. Pegler
  • Richard Band as Contractor
  • Gary Baxley as Impound Yard Officer
  • Ron Carter as Policeman
  • Barry Chase as Policeman
  • Rick Deming as Boy in Van
  • Paul Dubov as Dr. Cross
  • John Hayes as Man Driving Car
  • Dwight Krizman as Policeman
  • Reggie Nalder as Man at Swap Meet
  • Margaret O’Heron as Nagging Wife
  • Dawn Orr as Girl in Van
  • Lenny Shabes as Policeman
  • Speed Stearns as Car Driver
  • John Tilton as Policeman
  • Charles Band as Motorist (uncredited)
  • Bill Williams as Cop (uncredited)

This episode’s subject is Crash! (1976), an early Charles Band film featuring José Ferrer, Sue Lyon, John Ericson, Leslie Parrish, Jerome Guardino, John Carradine, and Reggie Nalder. Dave Dreher, co-founder and lead news reporter for Gruesome Magazine and representative of Full Moon Features at horror conventions across middle America, joins the ‘70s Grue-Crew to add his knowledge of the film and Charles Band, some of which he gained through his one-on-one interactions. There are beaucoup vehicle crashes and explosions (seriously, good luck counting them), so the crew extends their discussion to stunt coordinator Von Deming and pyrotechnic expert Dynamite Three-Finger Harry Woolman. This fun mashup is a joy to view and discuss, so be sure to check out CRASH!, and please enjoy our talkabout!

At the time of this writing, Crash! (1978) is available to stream from Full Moon Features, Tubi, and Prime. The film is also available on physical media from Full Moon Horror as a Blu-ray formatted disc. 

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next ‘70s episode, chosen by Chad, will be Dark August (1976), starring Kim Hunter. None of the Grue Crew has heard of this one, and that’s what they love: discovering new (to them) films!

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].