To celebrate the release of The Comedy Man, on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital from 18th March, we are giving away Blu-Rays to 2 lucky winners!
Boasting a career-best performance from Kenneth More and skilfully directed by Alvin Rakoff, this often-forgotten example of the late British New Wave features an outstanding supporting cast including Cecil Parker, Dennis Price, Edmund Purdom and Billie Whitelaw.
The Comedy Man depicts the life of a struggling actor in Swinging London. Fired from his job in repertory theatre after seducing the producer’s wife, Chick Byrd (Kenneth More) moves to London. At 40 years old, he realises this is his last chance to make it as an actor. After moving into digs in London with Julian (Edmund Purdom), a fellow actor, Julian’s career soars after a successful screen test, but Chick’s meets with continued failure.
After a tumultuous event, Chick finally gets a break and finds...
Boasting a career-best performance from Kenneth More and skilfully directed by Alvin Rakoff, this often-forgotten example of the late British New Wave features an outstanding supporting cast including Cecil Parker, Dennis Price, Edmund Purdom and Billie Whitelaw.
The Comedy Man depicts the life of a struggling actor in Swinging London. Fired from his job in repertory theatre after seducing the producer’s wife, Chick Byrd (Kenneth More) moves to London. At 40 years old, he realises this is his last chance to make it as an actor. After moving into digs in London with Julian (Edmund Purdom), a fellow actor, Julian’s career soars after a successful screen test, but Chick’s meets with continued failure.
After a tumultuous event, Chick finally gets a break and finds...
- 3/9/2024
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
It’s all about the color red for the 7th day of Creepmas; blood red, to be precise. Bloody Disgusting’s 12 Days of Creepmas continues the holiday horror revelry, this time with holiday slashers that aim to paint the snow red with arterial spray and carnage. These holiday slashers demonstrate that there’s more to the realm of holiday slashers than killer Santas with a variety of Yuletide killers, from lonely security guards to mutated murderous snowmen. Save for one feel-good slasher to kick things off, today’s Creepmas offerings mainly capture the grimmer side of the holidays.
The 12 Days of Creepmas continues on Bloody Disgusting, this time with 7 holiday set slashers to paint the snow blood red.
Keep track of the 12 Days of Creepmas here.
It’s a Wonderful Knife
This It’s a Wonderful Knife meets Scream 2 Christmas slasher comes from writer Michael Kennedy (Freaky) and director Tyler MacIntyre...
The 12 Days of Creepmas continues on Bloody Disgusting, this time with 7 holiday set slashers to paint the snow blood red.
Keep track of the 12 Days of Creepmas here.
It’s a Wonderful Knife
This It’s a Wonderful Knife meets Scream 2 Christmas slasher comes from writer Michael Kennedy (Freaky) and director Tyler MacIntyre...
- 12/19/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Listening to the lyrics of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," it's easy to read a menacing tone from its warnings. Saint Nick sees you when you're sleeping. He even knows your sins. So you better watch out ... or else.
The idea of a less jolly Santa is a wellspring of humor and broken spines in Tommy Wirkola's "Violent Night," which sees David Harbour's Santa Claus doling out "season's beatings" in defense of a child on his coveted "good" list. As "Violent Night" steers its sleigh into theaters this week, moviegoers are treated to the sight of a hammer-swinging, street-fighting Father Christmas, bedecked in Celtic tattoos and crushing the heads and hearts of numerous henchmen commanded by John Leguizamo's holiday-hating mercenary Jimmy "Scrooge" Martinez. Pat Casey and Josh Miller's script ensures that nearly every holiday element finds its gruesome employment at the hands of Santa or Scrooge: tinsel becomes a garrote,...
The idea of a less jolly Santa is a wellspring of humor and broken spines in Tommy Wirkola's "Violent Night," which sees David Harbour's Santa Claus doling out "season's beatings" in defense of a child on his coveted "good" list. As "Violent Night" steers its sleigh into theaters this week, moviegoers are treated to the sight of a hammer-swinging, street-fighting Father Christmas, bedecked in Celtic tattoos and crushing the heads and hearts of numerous henchmen commanded by John Leguizamo's holiday-hating mercenary Jimmy "Scrooge" Martinez. Pat Casey and Josh Miller's script ensures that nearly every holiday element finds its gruesome employment at the hands of Santa or Scrooge: tinsel becomes a garrote,...
- 12/6/2022
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Jane Powell, who starred as an angelically visaged young actress in a number of MGM musicals including “Royal Wedding” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” during the 1940s and 1950s, has died of natural causes. She was 92 years old.
The blonde, blue-eyed Powell usually played characters with a gentle mischievous streak in her musical comedies, but she would shatter the light-hearted atmosphere of her films when she sang: A surprisingly powerful coloratura would emerge from the diminutive (5-feet-1) thesp.
Her producer and mentor was MGM’s Joe Pasternak, who had earlier developed the talents of Deanna Durbin at Universal.
Auditioning for Louis B. Mayer and for David O. Selznick, she quickly drew a seven-year contract with MGM in 1943. Her first film, on loan-out, was 1944 musical “Song of the Open Road,” in which the actress played a child film star who runs away. She took her character’s name, Jane Powell,...
The blonde, blue-eyed Powell usually played characters with a gentle mischievous streak in her musical comedies, but she would shatter the light-hearted atmosphere of her films when she sang: A surprisingly powerful coloratura would emerge from the diminutive (5-feet-1) thesp.
Her producer and mentor was MGM’s Joe Pasternak, who had earlier developed the talents of Deanna Durbin at Universal.
Auditioning for Louis B. Mayer and for David O. Selznick, she quickly drew a seven-year contract with MGM in 1943. Her first film, on loan-out, was 1944 musical “Song of the Open Road,” in which the actress played a child film star who runs away. She took her character’s name, Jane Powell,...
- 9/16/2021
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
What better way to celebrate the holidays than by watching a bunch of Santa Clauses get brutally murdered? Don't Open Till Christmas (1984) Director: Three different guys who all eventually got fired Stars: Edmund Purdom, Alan Lake, Belinda Mayne A killer is on the loose in London wreaking holiday havoc on every Santa he can find. Don't Open Till Christmas is a cult British slasher…...
- 12/24/2019
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
The Fifth Cord will be available on Blu-ray February 5th From Arrow Video
The success of Dario Argento s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage ushered in a host of imitators, seeking to capitalize on this new, modern take on the giallo thriller. Many were highly derivative, but a number nonetheless rose above the crowd thanks to skillful execution and a willingness to experiment stylistically. Once such example is The Fifth Cord ¬ which, in the hands of director Luigi Bazzoni, turns a conventional premise into a visually stunning exploration of alienation and isolation.
When a man barely survives a brutal assault en route home from a New Year s party, washed-up, whisky-swilling journalist Andrea Bild is assigned to report on the case. Before long, the maniac strikes again, this time with fatal results. As the body count rises, Andrea falls under suspicion himself, making it even more imperative that he crack the case.
The success of Dario Argento s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage ushered in a host of imitators, seeking to capitalize on this new, modern take on the giallo thriller. Many were highly derivative, but a number nonetheless rose above the crowd thanks to skillful execution and a willingness to experiment stylistically. Once such example is The Fifth Cord ¬ which, in the hands of director Luigi Bazzoni, turns a conventional premise into a visually stunning exploration of alienation and isolation.
When a man barely survives a brutal assault en route home from a New Year s party, washed-up, whisky-swilling journalist Andrea Bild is assigned to report on the case. Before long, the maniac strikes again, this time with fatal results. As the body count rises, Andrea falls under suspicion himself, making it even more imperative that he crack the case.
- 1/11/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Yes folks, it’s a Joe D’Amato double feature as the twisted minds at Severin Films have seen fit to release two of his most notorious shockers, Anthropophagous (1980) and Absurd (1981) simultaneously for the horror crowd curious and rabid (rabidly curious?) to find out what all the fuss was about when these were originally banned way back in the day.
Banned? Indeed, they were part of the first wave of Great Britain’s infamous early ‘80s “Video Nasties”, a group of horror films that were yanked from shops and prosecuted; many would return to shelves wounded and neutered, or never make it back to the storefronts at all until many years later. Bless Severin Films then, for once again bringing viewers the greasy goods uncut and restored to their former, well beauty may be a strong word. These are D’Amatos we’re talking about.
These two particular films are...
Banned? Indeed, they were part of the first wave of Great Britain’s infamous early ‘80s “Video Nasties”, a group of horror films that were yanked from shops and prosecuted; many would return to shelves wounded and neutered, or never make it back to the storefronts at all until many years later. Bless Severin Films then, for once again bringing viewers the greasy goods uncut and restored to their former, well beauty may be a strong word. These are D’Amatos we’re talking about.
These two particular films are...
- 10/6/2018
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
The first drive-in movie reviewed by Joe Bob Briggs (read Daily Dead's interview with the horror host here for more on that story), the Italian horror movie Anthropophagous is coming to Blu-ray, along with 1981 film Absurd, aka Anthropophagous 2, uncut this September from the fine folks at Severin Films, and we have a look at the cover art and full list of special features for both releases.
Press Release: On September 25th, Severin Films is regurgitating two of the gutsiest of grim grails ever forged by Italy’s most infamous anti-human maestro, Joe D’Amato. Anthropophagous (1980) and Absurd (1981) are coming to Blu-Ray fully uncut and packed with special features to make you lose your lunch! To celebrate these gut-wrenching releases, Severin has also created epically upsetting merchandise that includes an Anthropophagous plush toy with entrails that pull out of his stomach just like real innards! The toy is safe for children...
Press Release: On September 25th, Severin Films is regurgitating two of the gutsiest of grim grails ever forged by Italy’s most infamous anti-human maestro, Joe D’Amato. Anthropophagous (1980) and Absurd (1981) are coming to Blu-Ray fully uncut and packed with special features to make you lose your lunch! To celebrate these gut-wrenching releases, Severin has also created epically upsetting merchandise that includes an Anthropophagous plush toy with entrails that pull out of his stomach just like real innards! The toy is safe for children...
- 8/22/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Stars: Christopher George, Lynda Day George, Frank Brana, Edmund Purdom, Ian Sera, Paul L. Smith, Jack Taylor, Gerard Tichy, May Heatherly | Written by Dick Randall, Roberto Loyola | Directed by Juan Piquer Simón
Pieces is one of those movies that horror fans instantly fall in love with. While some would write it off as just another bad movie, others will love those moments of unintentional humour, especially from the dubbed version. This is what makes the Arrow Video Pieces: Limited Edition release on Blu-ray so much fun.
When a murderer stars killing off female students on a Boston college campus, the bodies soon start piling up. With body parts missing it seems that the killer is putting forming an interesting puzzle, but can they be stopped before they complete their work?
With a killer that is straight out of the Giallo genre, but a chainsaw that brings even more gore,...
Pieces is one of those movies that horror fans instantly fall in love with. While some would write it off as just another bad movie, others will love those moments of unintentional humour, especially from the dubbed version. This is what makes the Arrow Video Pieces: Limited Edition release on Blu-ray so much fun.
When a murderer stars killing off female students on a Boston college campus, the bodies soon start piling up. With body parts missing it seems that the killer is putting forming an interesting puzzle, but can they be stopped before they complete their work?
With a killer that is straight out of the Giallo genre, but a chainsaw that brings even more gore,...
- 3/27/2017
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Ernst Lubitsch: The movies' lost 'Touch.' Ernst Lubitsch movies on TCM: Classics of a bygone era Ernst Lubitsch and William Cameron Menzies were Turner Classic Movies' “stars” on Jan. 28, '16. (This is a fully revised and expanded version of a post published on that day.) Lubitsch had the morning/afternoon, with seven films; Menzies had the evening/night, also with seven features. (TCM's Ernst Lubitsch schedule can be found further below.) The forgotten 'Touch' As a sign of the times, Ernst Lubitsch is hardly ever mentioned whenever “connoisseurs” (between quotes) discuss Hollywood movies of the studio era. But why? Well, probably because The Lubitsch Touch is considered passé at a time when the sledgehammer approach to filmmaking is deemed “fresh,” “innovative,” “cool,” and “daring” – as if a crass lack of subtlety in storytelling were anything new. Minus the multimillion-dollar budgets, the explicit violence and gore, and the overbearing smugness passing for hipness,...
- 1/31/2016
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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You sign up for a movie. You drop out. Then the lawsuit follows...
It happens all the time. The casting of movies is such a perilous art, that actors and actresses sign up for roles, and then they're chopped and changed. Rarely does it end up anywhere near a courtroom.
Yet sometimes it does. Here are nine varied instances where someone leaving a project led to legalities ensuing...
1. Kim Basinger - Boxing Helena
I may as well start with one of the most infamous cases of an actress dropping out of a film to which they'd apparently agreed.
Director Jennifer Lynch originally had Madonna pegged to take the lead in her debut feature, Boxing Helena. The story of a woman who has her limbs removed and is kept in a box (it's as charming as it sounds), the role was then offered to Kim Basinger when Madonna passed.
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You sign up for a movie. You drop out. Then the lawsuit follows...
It happens all the time. The casting of movies is such a perilous art, that actors and actresses sign up for roles, and then they're chopped and changed. Rarely does it end up anywhere near a courtroom.
Yet sometimes it does. Here are nine varied instances where someone leaving a project led to legalities ensuing...
1. Kim Basinger - Boxing Helena
I may as well start with one of the most infamous cases of an actress dropping out of a film to which they'd apparently agreed.
Director Jennifer Lynch originally had Madonna pegged to take the lead in her debut feature, Boxing Helena. The story of a woman who has her limbs removed and is kept in a box (it's as charming as it sounds), the role was then offered to Kim Basinger when Madonna passed.
- 11/2/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
“It’s exactly what you think it is!”
“You don’t have to go to Texas for a Chainsaw Massacre!”
Indeed. It’s not often that a film will tell you exactly their intention, their mission statement, right up front. With a film like Pieces (1982), it’s a badge of honor, worn proudly, a tattered and bloodied flag waving proudly from its mast on the seas of horror. Not only is Pieces exactly what we think it is, it’s so much more – one of the most cheerfully odd, sleazy slashers to come out of the VHS era. Pull out your slickers folks, things are about to get messy.
Filmed in Spain (subbing for Boston, Mass.), Pieces was released there in August of ’82, with a North American run distributed by Film Ventures International in September of ’83. Surprisingly, it did quite well, bringing in over 2 million Us after playing only 104 theatres.
“You don’t have to go to Texas for a Chainsaw Massacre!”
Indeed. It’s not often that a film will tell you exactly their intention, their mission statement, right up front. With a film like Pieces (1982), it’s a badge of honor, worn proudly, a tattered and bloodied flag waving proudly from its mast on the seas of horror. Not only is Pieces exactly what we think it is, it’s so much more – one of the most cheerfully odd, sleazy slashers to come out of the VHS era. Pull out your slickers folks, things are about to get messy.
Filmed in Spain (subbing for Boston, Mass.), Pieces was released there in August of ’82, with a North American run distributed by Film Ventures International in September of ’83. Surprisingly, it did quite well, bringing in over 2 million Us after playing only 104 theatres.
- 8/1/2015
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Throughout the month of December, we will be highlighting a film a day that has some tie into the holiday somehow. Some titles will be obvious, others won’t be. Some films will be good and, again, others won’t be. However, we think all titles are worth your time whether to give you chills inside your home or to make you drink more eggnog until you puke laughing.
London at Christmas time. A rash of murders have grabbed headlines. Each victim has one thing in common, they were all dressed as Santa Claus. Inspector Harris (Edmund Purdom) of Scotland Yard is on the case. He contacts one of the victim’s daughters (Belinda Mayne) who he thinks could be next. A mysterious reporter (Alan Lake) may know what’s really happening.
Don’t Open Till Christmas brings a new spin to killer Santa movies by well, killing Santa. This...
London at Christmas time. A rash of murders have grabbed headlines. Each victim has one thing in common, they were all dressed as Santa Claus. Inspector Harris (Edmund Purdom) of Scotland Yard is on the case. He contacts one of the victim’s daughters (Belinda Mayne) who he thinks could be next. A mysterious reporter (Alan Lake) may know what’s really happening.
Don’t Open Till Christmas brings a new spin to killer Santa movies by well, killing Santa. This...
- 12/13/2014
- by Jeremy Jones
- Destroy the Brain
Reviewed by Chris Wright, Morehorror.com
Absurd” (1981)
Directed By: Joe D'Amato (As Peter Newman)
Written By: George Eastman
Starring: George Eastman (Mikos), Annie Belle (Emily), Charles Borromel (Sergeant Engleman), Katya Berger (Katia Bennett), Kasimir (Willy Bennett), Hanja Kochansky (Carol), Ian Danby (Ian Bennett), Ted Rusoff (Dr. Kramer), Edmund Purdom (Father), Cindy Leadbetter (Peggy), Lucia Ramirez (Angela), Michele Soavi (Biker), Martin Sorrentino (Deputy), Goffredo Unger (Machine Shop Owner)
“Absurd” is definitely absurd. This movie is truly grotesque at times. Joe D’Amato’s movies do not shy away from extremely gory moments. This Italian film is listed among the 39 prosecuted films listed on the British “video nasty” list that were banned entirely for graphic content. This film is under various names. In America, Wizard Video released a VHS big box with a new label called “Monster Hunter.” In some countries it was tacked on to the “Zombi” label as “Zombi 6: Monster Hunter.
Absurd” (1981)
Directed By: Joe D'Amato (As Peter Newman)
Written By: George Eastman
Starring: George Eastman (Mikos), Annie Belle (Emily), Charles Borromel (Sergeant Engleman), Katya Berger (Katia Bennett), Kasimir (Willy Bennett), Hanja Kochansky (Carol), Ian Danby (Ian Bennett), Ted Rusoff (Dr. Kramer), Edmund Purdom (Father), Cindy Leadbetter (Peggy), Lucia Ramirez (Angela), Michele Soavi (Biker), Martin Sorrentino (Deputy), Goffredo Unger (Machine Shop Owner)
“Absurd” is definitely absurd. This movie is truly grotesque at times. Joe D’Amato’s movies do not shy away from extremely gory moments. This Italian film is listed among the 39 prosecuted films listed on the British “video nasty” list that were banned entirely for graphic content. This film is under various names. In America, Wizard Video released a VHS big box with a new label called “Monster Hunter.” In some countries it was tacked on to the “Zombi” label as “Zombi 6: Monster Hunter.
- 8/28/2014
- by admin
- MoreHorror
By Darren Allison, Cinema Retro Soundtrack Editor
Let’s face it, 1979 was a particularly bad year for the Concord. It was the year in which the ‘Airport’ franchise were about to deliver their latest offering in the shape of the quite awful Airport ’79 The Concord. However, Airport ’79 was beaten (by several months) to the screen by a cheesy little flick from Italy, Concord Affaire '79. Directed by Ruggero Deodato, Concord Affaire '79 is more an action thriller rather than the formulated disaster flick that we have come to know. Some commentators have argued that it is actually far better than its ‘Airport’ rival, and to be honest, I would probably side with that opinion. But let’s be clear from the start, neither film will ever be described as a classic…
Deodato’s film was not a big budgeted project, the film’s restraints are apparent – mainly through the use...
Let’s face it, 1979 was a particularly bad year for the Concord. It was the year in which the ‘Airport’ franchise were about to deliver their latest offering in the shape of the quite awful Airport ’79 The Concord. However, Airport ’79 was beaten (by several months) to the screen by a cheesy little flick from Italy, Concord Affaire '79. Directed by Ruggero Deodato, Concord Affaire '79 is more an action thriller rather than the formulated disaster flick that we have come to know. Some commentators have argued that it is actually far better than its ‘Airport’ rival, and to be honest, I would probably side with that opinion. But let’s be clear from the start, neither film will ever be described as a classic…
Deodato’s film was not a big budgeted project, the film’s restraints are apparent – mainly through the use...
- 6/7/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments!
Swedish “Mondo”‑type documentary loaded with incidents to titillate voyeuristic crowd. More sex than “I Am Curious.” Big for drive‑ins, sexploitation houses. Rating: X.
The publicity attendant to Sweden’s I Am Curious (Yellow) will doubtless boost the appeal of this Avco Embassy import among those craving voyeurism, Swedish style. This is not to say that Sweden, Heaven And Hell is as explicit as Curious, but it’s definitely “dirtier” in tone and intent, and boasts even more provocative angles. The most profitable market for this obviously artificial Italian-made “documentary” (a sort of Mondo Helga) will be the drive‑ins and sexploitation grinds, but with heavy promotion, it could wedge into wider playoff and perform quite well in general metropolitan situations.
Swedish “Mondo”‑type documentary loaded with incidents to titillate voyeuristic crowd. More sex than “I Am Curious.” Big for drive‑ins, sexploitation houses. Rating: X.
The publicity attendant to Sweden’s I Am Curious (Yellow) will doubtless boost the appeal of this Avco Embassy import among those craving voyeurism, Swedish style. This is not to say that Sweden, Heaven And Hell is as explicit as Curious, but it’s definitely “dirtier” in tone and intent, and boasts even more provocative angles. The most profitable market for this obviously artificial Italian-made “documentary” (a sort of Mondo Helga) will be the drive‑ins and sexploitation grinds, but with heavy promotion, it could wedge into wider playoff and perform quite well in general metropolitan situations.
- 2/25/2014
- by Joe Dante
- Trailers from Hell
Christmas is coming and that means crappy TV commercials, awful festive songs and snotty nosed sprogs banging on your front door with a half-hearted version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and hoping to make enough money to buy a cheap bottle of wine! All this is interspersed with eating and drinking too much, and pretending to be grateful for the ill fitting Rudolph sweater Aunt Florence bought especially for you.
Okay I’m a Christmas misery, especially when it comes to festive films on TV. I’m not knocking It’s a Wonderful Life (1943) and Miracle on 34th Street (1941), but they are filled with too much sentiment for a cynical old sod like me.
So me being me, here are ten alternative efforts to keep us grumpy old men happy.
Cash on Demand (1962)
He is in reality a smooth talking thief who has kidnapped Fordyce’s family so...
Okay I’m a Christmas misery, especially when it comes to festive films on TV. I’m not knocking It’s a Wonderful Life (1943) and Miracle on 34th Street (1941), but they are filled with too much sentiment for a cynical old sod like me.
So me being me, here are ten alternative efforts to keep us grumpy old men happy.
Cash on Demand (1962)
He is in reality a smooth talking thief who has kidnapped Fordyce’s family so...
- 12/12/2013
- Shadowlocked
After blogging about my favourite Halloween movies this past October, I thought I’d impart my nerdy wisdom upon you for the holiday season and give you a rundown of just what movies I’ll be watching this Christmas. After all it wouldn’t be Christmas without the family sat round the TV watching a movie whilst the festive feast cooks in the oven (of course not everyone gets to watch the movie – someone has to cook)
For me Christmas movies are split into two categories: Christmas Mainstays and Christmas Madness. Mainstays are those films that you always watch during the festive season, those movies that are constantly shown on TV during the holiday. And then there’s what I call Christmas Madness – these are the movies that only the seasoned holiday movie veterans choose to watch at this time of year. Beware you have to be strong-willed (and strong-stomached...
For me Christmas movies are split into two categories: Christmas Mainstays and Christmas Madness. Mainstays are those films that you always watch during the festive season, those movies that are constantly shown on TV during the holiday. And then there’s what I call Christmas Madness – these are the movies that only the seasoned holiday movie veterans choose to watch at this time of year. Beware you have to be strong-willed (and strong-stomached...
- 12/11/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Rossana Podestà dead at 79: ‘Helen of Troy’ actress later featured in sword-and-sandal spectacles, risqué sex comedies (photo: Jacques Sernas and Rossana Podestà in ‘Helen of Troy’) Rossana Podestà, the sensual star of the 1955 epic Helen of Troy and other sword-and-sandal European productions of the ’50s and ’60s — in addition to a handful of risqué sex comedies of the ’70s — died earlier today, December 10, 2013, in Rome according to several Italian news outlets. Podestà was 79. She was born Carla Dora Podestà on August 20, 1934, in, depending on the source, either Zlitan or Tripoli, in Libya, at the time an Italian colony. According to the IMDb, the renamed Rossana Podestà began her film career in 1950, when she was featured in a small role in Dezsö Ákos Hamza’s Strano appuntamento ("Strange Appointment"). However, according to online reports, she was actually discovered by director Léonide Moguy, who cast her in a small role in...
- 12/10/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Ann Blyth movies: TCM schedule on August 16, 2013 (photo: ‘Our Very Own’ stars Ann Blyth and Farley Granger) See previous post: "Ann Blyth Today: Light Singing and Heavy Drama on TCM." 3:00 Am One Minute To Zero (1952). Director: Tay Garnett. Cast: Robert Mitchum, Ann Blyth, William Talman. Bw-106 mins. 5:00 Am All The Brothers Were Valiant (1953). Director: Richard Thorpe. Cast: Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Ann Blyth. C-95 mins. 6:45 Am The King’S Thief (1955). Director: Robert Z. Leonard. Cast: Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom, David Niven. C-79 mins. Letterbox Format. 8:15 Am Rose Marie (1954). Director: Mervyn LeRoy. Cast: Ann Blyth, Howard Keel, Fernando Lamas. C-104 mins. Letterbox Format. 10:00 Am The Great Caruso (1951). Director: Richard Thorpe. Cast: Mario Lanza, Ann Blyth, Dorothy Kirsten, Jarmila Novotna, Richard Hageman, Carl Benton Reid, Eduard Franz, Ludwig Donath, Alan Napier, Pál Jávor, Carl Milletaire, Shepard Menken, Vincent Renno, Nestor Paiva, Peter Price, Mario Siletti, Angela Clarke,...
- 8/16/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Ann Blyth today: Light songs and heavy drama on TCM Ann Blyth, a 1940s Universal leading lady best remembered for her Oscar-nominated performance as Joan Crawford’s cute-but-sociopathic teenage daughter in Warner Bros.’ Mildred Pierce, is Turner Classic Movies’ "Summer Under the Stars" star on Friday, August 16, 2013. Note: Today, Ann Blyth, one of the earliest surviving Oscar nominees in the acting categories, turns 85 years old. (See: “Ann Blyth Movies: TCM Schedule.”) (Photo: Ann Blyth ca. 1955.) First, the good news: Ann Blyth is a likable, talented actress and singer, and it’s great that TCM is dedicating a whole day to her movies. The bad news: As mentioned above, Ann Blyth was mostly (1944-1952) a Universal star; TCM is presenting only one of Blyth’s Universal movies, Brute Force (1947), which has been shown before. In other words, not a chance of finally having the opportunity to catch Ann Blyth in B...
- 8/16/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Warner Archive Collection 4th anniversary DVD / Blu-ray releases The Warner Archive Collection (aka Wac), which currently has a DVD / Blu-ray library consisting of approximately 1,500 titles, has just turned four. In celebration of its fourth anniversary, Wac is releasing with movies featuring the likes of Jane Powell, Eleanor Parker, and many more stars and filmmakers of yesteryear. (Pictured above: Greer Garson, Debbie Reynolds, Ricardo Montalban in the sentimental 1966 comedy / drama with music The Singing Nun.) For starters, Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds play siblings in Richard Thorpe's Athena (1954), whose supporting cast includes Edmund Purdom, Vic Damone, frequent Jerry Lewis foil Kathleen Freeman, Citizen Kane's Ray Collins, Tyrone Power's then-wife Linda Christian, former Mr. Universe and future Hercules Steve Reeves, veteran Louis Calhern, not to mention numerology, astrology, and vegetarianism. As per Wac's newsletter, the score by Hugh Martin and Martin Blane "gets a first ever Stereophonic Sound remix for this disc,...
- 3/27/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Reviewed by Chris Wright, More Horror
Don’t Open Till Christmas (1984)
Directed By: Edmund Purdom
Written By: Derek Ford
Starring: Edmund Purdom (Inspector Harris), Alan Lake (Giles), Belinda Mayne (Kate), Mark Jones (Sergeant Powell), Gerry Sundquist (Cliff Boyd), Kelly Baker (Sherry), Kevin (Gerry), Wendy Danvers (Housekeeper), Pat Astley (Sharon), Laurence Harrington (Mr. Brioski), Caroline Munro (Herself)
“Don’t Open Till Christmas” is one of those films that a slasher fan will either love or hate. It is the typical formula that has been done before in the Christmas slasher tradition. Unfortunately, this movie pales in comparison to some of its predecessors but managed to keep me entertained none the less. This UK based slasher movie was released in the United States same year by Vestron Video, known for releasing anything from great to sleazy videos to the market.
The plot is that a masked killer is going around killing people...
Don’t Open Till Christmas (1984)
Directed By: Edmund Purdom
Written By: Derek Ford
Starring: Edmund Purdom (Inspector Harris), Alan Lake (Giles), Belinda Mayne (Kate), Mark Jones (Sergeant Powell), Gerry Sundquist (Cliff Boyd), Kelly Baker (Sherry), Kevin (Gerry), Wendy Danvers (Housekeeper), Pat Astley (Sharon), Laurence Harrington (Mr. Brioski), Caroline Munro (Herself)
“Don’t Open Till Christmas” is one of those films that a slasher fan will either love or hate. It is the typical formula that has been done before in the Christmas slasher tradition. Unfortunately, this movie pales in comparison to some of its predecessors but managed to keep me entertained none the less. This UK based slasher movie was released in the United States same year by Vestron Video, known for releasing anything from great to sleazy videos to the market.
The plot is that a masked killer is going around killing people...
- 12/19/2012
- by admin
- MoreHorror
To the tune of “Here Comes Santa Claus”: “Let’s kill Santa Claus, Let’s kill Santa Claus in so many ways.”, “There’s lots of knives and guns galore, let’s murder him today.”
If you’re looking for more of that song, sorry I’m not a lyricist, but I tried. Please don’t tell Santa to put coal in my stocking! Oh wait. Santa’s dead!! “From the Producers of Pieces” the DVD box art screams. Well, I guess they know their audience because the only people I could imagine enjoying this movie would be people who genuinely like Pieces.
I will say that at least Pieces is so bad that it’s good, where as Don’t Open Till Christmas just isn’t very good, or even interesting. It’s another bandwagon film to ride the coattails of many holiday themed horrors kicked off by...
If you’re looking for more of that song, sorry I’m not a lyricist, but I tried. Please don’t tell Santa to put coal in my stocking! Oh wait. Santa’s dead!! “From the Producers of Pieces” the DVD box art screams. Well, I guess they know their audience because the only people I could imagine enjoying this movie would be people who genuinely like Pieces.
I will say that at least Pieces is so bad that it’s good, where as Don’t Open Till Christmas just isn’t very good, or even interesting. It’s another bandwagon film to ride the coattails of many holiday themed horrors kicked off by...
- 12/26/2011
- by Derek Botelho
- DailyDead
Don’T Open Till Christmas
1984 Color 84mins
Directed By: Edmund Purdom
Starring: Edmund Purdom, Kate Briosky, Alan Lake, Gerry Sundquist, Kelly Baker, Caroline Munro
Mondo Macabro
Review By J. Astro
“Ho Ho Ho!” That ubiquitous jolly chuckle just might get you killed in Edmund Purdom’s Don’T Open Till Christmas, the under-appreciated holiday blood-letting that finally saw a proper DVD release this month from eclectic exploitation purveyors Mondo Macabro.
Holiday horror is pretty much entrenched as its own cozy sub-genre at this point, and there is no shortage of cinematic psycho Santas to punish the naughty. You’ve got your minor classics such as Silent Night, Deadly Night, Christmas Evil, Tales From The Crypt, and even the lovably dumb Santa’S Slay, with ex-pro wrestler Bill Goldberg bringing his own silly brand of hyper-masculine intensity to the jolly role of a nasty killer Kringle. And the internet is positively...
1984 Color 84mins
Directed By: Edmund Purdom
Starring: Edmund Purdom, Kate Briosky, Alan Lake, Gerry Sundquist, Kelly Baker, Caroline Munro
Mondo Macabro
Review By J. Astro
“Ho Ho Ho!” That ubiquitous jolly chuckle just might get you killed in Edmund Purdom’s Don’T Open Till Christmas, the under-appreciated holiday blood-letting that finally saw a proper DVD release this month from eclectic exploitation purveyors Mondo Macabro.
Holiday horror is pretty much entrenched as its own cozy sub-genre at this point, and there is no shortage of cinematic psycho Santas to punish the naughty. You’ve got your minor classics such as Silent Night, Deadly Night, Christmas Evil, Tales From The Crypt, and even the lovably dumb Santa’S Slay, with ex-pro wrestler Bill Goldberg bringing his own silly brand of hyper-masculine intensity to the jolly role of a nasty killer Kringle. And the internet is positively...
- 12/15/2011
- by Justin
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Mondo Macabro makes their return from a long silence with the Christmas themed UK slasher Don't Open Till Christmas. This somewhat obscure film is directed by and stars Edmund Purdom, and features several relative unknowns in the story of a maniac killing Santa Clauses around London in particularly nasty ways. The film itself isn't anything outstanding, but it is nice to have an excellent DVD edition from Mondo Macabro. They've prepared a perfectly watchable new anamorphic transfer from the negative and the include several very cool bonus features to sweeten the pot. If you like slashers, I'd definitely pick this one up, for both the film and the extras."Don't Open Till Christmas," directed by and starring Edmund Purdom, celebrates Christmas time in London - a...
- 12/5/2011
- Screen Anarchy
The good folks over at Danger After Dark have been busy, and the fruits of their labor can be seen in two big announcements just released today. Not only do they have two new titles they are making available to our eager, grubby hands, they have a new distribution deal in place to spread more carnage around.
Read on to get the details on Danger After Dark's release of Suicide Club, Satan Hates You (featuring Doctor Gash's favorite girl Debbie Rochon!) and a new distribution deal with Mondo Macabro. And while you're at it, head over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!
From the Press Release
Danger After Dark Releases Suicide Club and Satan Hates You
Danger After Dark is thrilled to announce that the cult-classic, unrated version of Suicide Club is available now to stream and download via Amazon.com, iTunes.com, and TLACult.com. Directed...
Read on to get the details on Danger After Dark's release of Suicide Club, Satan Hates You (featuring Doctor Gash's favorite girl Debbie Rochon!) and a new distribution deal with Mondo Macabro. And while you're at it, head over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!
From the Press Release
Danger After Dark Releases Suicide Club and Satan Hates You
Danger After Dark is thrilled to announce that the cult-classic, unrated version of Suicide Club is available now to stream and download via Amazon.com, iTunes.com, and TLACult.com. Directed...
- 10/28/2011
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine in Billy Wilder's The Apartment Shirley MacLaine on TCM: Ocean's Eleven, The Yellow Rolls Royce Schedule (Et) and synopses from the TCM website: 6:00 Am Two Loves (1961) A conservative teacher struggles with her values while teaching natives in New Zealand. Dir: Charles Walters. Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Laurence Harvey, Jack Hawkins. C-97 mins, Letterbox Format. 8:00 Am The Sheepman (1958) A tough sheep farmer battles the local cattle baron for land and a beautiful woman. Dir: George Marshall. Cast: Glenn Ford, Shirley MacLaine, Leslie Nielsen. C-86 mins, Letterbox Format. 9:45 Am Two For The Seesaw (1962) A conservative attorney considering a divorce gets involved with an emotionally fragile dancer in New York. Dir: Robert Wise. Cast: Robert Mitchum, Shirley MacLaine, Edmon Ryan. Bw-119 mins, Letterbox Format. 12:00 Pm The Children's Hour (1961) A malicious student tries to destroy the teachers at a girls' school. Dir: William Wyler. Cast: Audrey Hepburn,...
- 8/11/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Shirley MacLaine, Irma la Douce on TCM Shirley MacLaine is Turner Classic Movies' "Summer Under the Stars" star of the day today, August 10. This evening, TCM is presenting its last four Shirley MacLaine movies: Billy Wilder's Oscar winner The Apartment (1960), which is on right now; Vincente Minnelli's Some Came Running (1958), which earned MacLaine her first Best Actress Academy Award nomination; Lewis Milestone's Ocean's Eleven (1960), in which MacLaine has a mere cameo; and Anthony Asquith's omnibus feature The Yellow Rolls Royce (1964), in which MacLaine is one of about a dozen stars in several individual stories. [Shirley MacLaine Movie Schedule.] It's too late for me to recommend The Apartment, though recommendable it is. For one thing, this collaboration between Billy Wilder and screenwriter I.A.L. Diamond features what is, in my view, Fred MacMurray's best performance by far. Usually an intolerable leading man — macho, reactionary, humorless, unsexy, dull — MacMurray could be a fascinating slimeball,...
- 8/11/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
B-movie actor who could lay claim to having been the first Bond girl
The phrase "famous for being famous" could have been invented for Linda Christian, who has died aged 87. Her celebrity came from her marriages to the handsome film stars Tyrone Power and Edmund Purdom, and her liaisons with various wealthy playboys and bullfighters, rather than her somewhat limited acting ability.
Christian's extravagant, cosmopolitan lifestyle derived from her stunning beauty – she was dubbed "The Anatomic Bomb" by Life magazine – and her ability to speak fluent French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and English. She was born Blanca Rosa Welter in Tampico, Mexico, the daughter of a Dutch executive at Shell, and his Mexican-born wife of Spanish, German and French descent. As the family moved around a great deal, living in South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, she gained a taste for globetrotting.
Christian's early ambition was to become a doctor,...
The phrase "famous for being famous" could have been invented for Linda Christian, who has died aged 87. Her celebrity came from her marriages to the handsome film stars Tyrone Power and Edmund Purdom, and her liaisons with various wealthy playboys and bullfighters, rather than her somewhat limited acting ability.
Christian's extravagant, cosmopolitan lifestyle derived from her stunning beauty – she was dubbed "The Anatomic Bomb" by Life magazine – and her ability to speak fluent French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and English. She was born Blanca Rosa Welter in Tampico, Mexico, the daughter of a Dutch executive at Shell, and his Mexican-born wife of Spanish, German and French descent. As the family moved around a great deal, living in South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, she gained a taste for globetrotting.
Christian's early ambition was to become a doctor,...
- 7/26/2011
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Linda Christian, a 1940s Hollywood starlet remembered for her marriage to leading man Tyrone Power and for the distinction of being the first Bond Girl - though on the small screen - died in Palm Desert, Calif, Friday after a battle with colon cancer, say published reports. She was 87. A brunette beauty born Blanca Rosa Welter in Mexico, Christian was discovered in Acapulco by Warner Bros.' swashbuckler Errol Flynn before she eventually signed with MGM after she was spotted by studio chief Louis B. Mayer's secretary. Life magazine, in writing of her curves, dubbed her the "anatomic bomb.
- 7/25/2011
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
Linda Christian, international actress and Tyrone Power's second wife, died Friday (July 22) in Palm Springs, California. Christian, who was 87, had been suffering from colon cancer. Linda Christian was born Blanca Rosa Henrietta Stella Welter Vorhauer on November 13, 1923, in Tampico, Mexico, to a Dutch oil executive and his German-Mexican wife. As a young girl, she traveled the world with her parents, according to reports eventually becoming fluent in seven languages. Discovered by Errol Flynn while in Acapulco, Christian moved to Los Angeles where she began her film career in bit parts in Hollywood movies of the mid-1940s. Labeled "The Anatomic Bomb" by Life magazine, Christian eventually progressed to supporting roles in a handful of productions, among them Robert Florey's Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948) and Richard Fleischer's The Happy Time (1952). Leading roles, however, eluded her, while a reported seven-year MGM contract led nowhere. Though the first Bond girl...
- 7/23/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Varese Sarabande has announced a new limited edition album of the soundtrack for last year’s horror thriller Devil. The album features the original score by Fernando Velazquez performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. The soundtrack is limited to 1000 copies and is available for pre-order on the label’s website, where you can also listen to audio clips. Devil directed by John Erick Dowdle, produced by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Chris Messina, Caroline Dhavernas and Bokeem Woodbine centers on a group of people who are trapped in an elevator. The film was released last summer and is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD. Visit the official movie website for more information.
Here’s the album track list:
1. Devil (2:40)
2. The City (1:20)
3. Rosary (3:18)
4. Broken Glass (2:42)
5. Jesus In A Pancake (1:39)
6. Jellytoast (3:10)
7. Firetruck (2:38)
8. The Mechanic (5:36)
9. Blood On The Ceiling (3:20)
10. Hanging (6:00)
11. The Person...
Here’s the album track list:
1. Devil (2:40)
2. The City (1:20)
3. Rosary (3:18)
4. Broken Glass (2:42)
5. Jesus In A Pancake (1:39)
6. Jellytoast (3:10)
7. Firetruck (2:38)
8. The Mechanic (5:36)
9. Blood On The Ceiling (3:20)
10. Hanging (6:00)
11. The Person...
- 7/11/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
Well fiends, it is another week for us to plop down our hard earned dollars for some ghoulish digital entertainment. The week we have an exploitation classic hitting Blu-Ray as well as its remake plus more! Check it out beyond the break.
All Descriptions of the following titles are provided by Amazon.com unless otherwise noted. If you plan on buying a flick from this list, please click on the links provided or click on the cover as it helps us pay the bills around here. Also, unlike most sites, we provide the Netflix widget which we think is pretty convenient to add these films to your queue. If you don’t have Netflix, feel free to click on “Free Trial” and try it out!
Alice in Murderland
Format: DVD
—————————-
From IMDb.com – It’s Alice’s birthday and her sorority girlfriends throw her a themed party. Everyone comes as their favorite,...
All Descriptions of the following titles are provided by Amazon.com unless otherwise noted. If you plan on buying a flick from this list, please click on the links provided or click on the cover as it helps us pay the bills around here. Also, unlike most sites, we provide the Netflix widget which we think is pretty convenient to add these films to your queue. If you don’t have Netflix, feel free to click on “Free Trial” and try it out!
Alice in Murderland
Format: DVD
—————————-
From IMDb.com – It’s Alice’s birthday and her sorority girlfriends throw her a themed party. Everyone comes as their favorite,...
- 2/8/2011
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
British actress Jean Simmons earned an Oscar nomination early in her career for her portrayal of Ophelia in Laurence Olivier’s 1948 production of Hamlet. Years later she starred as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard in the 1991 remake of the Gothic horror soap opera Dark Shadows.
Simmons was born in Crouch Hill, London, England, on January 31, 1929. She began studying dance in the early 1940s, and made her film debut in 1944. She made an impression as Estrella, the spoiled young lady, in David Lean’s 1946 film adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectation, and her performance in Hamlet (1948) established her as a star.
Simmons continued her career as the passionate slave girl Kanchi in 1947’s Black Narcissus, and was Caroline Ruthyn in the 1947 Gothic horror Uncle Silas (aka The Inheritance). She starred in the 1952 screen adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Androcles and the Lion with Alan Young and Victor Mature, and co-starred with Richard Burton...
Simmons was born in Crouch Hill, London, England, on January 31, 1929. She began studying dance in the early 1940s, and made her film debut in 1944. She made an impression as Estrella, the spoiled young lady, in David Lean’s 1946 film adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectation, and her performance in Hamlet (1948) established her as a star.
Simmons continued her career as the passionate slave girl Kanchi in 1947’s Black Narcissus, and was Caroline Ruthyn in the 1947 Gothic horror Uncle Silas (aka The Inheritance). She starred in the 1952 screen adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Androcles and the Lion with Alan Young and Victor Mature, and co-starred with Richard Burton...
- 2/12/2010
- by Harris Lentz
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Hello to all the little goblins out there in Fangoland! Psycho Bunny here with a look back at another fabulous week in horror. It was quite a week as My Bloody Valentine 3-D finally hit theaters, Fangoria rocked iTunes, and Park City was infested by a Zombie Girl. It's the entire week, broken down by category and easy to absorb in tasty little nuggets of blood-drenched goodness.
Fangoria Entertainment News & Updates:
Fangoria is now on iTunes! Free clips from Fangoria Radio, Podcasts, and coming soon... Music! Fangoria Subscriptions - Now Use PayPal Subscribe to Fangoria and save up to 40% off the cover price! Bloody Blogs:
Chronicles of a Serial Killer- Part One from Fangoria Spooksmodel Shannon Lark! Gay Of The Dead Blog 2: 4E For Me the 2nd installment of Sean Abley's Gay Of The Dead! Tiger Beat & Torture Porn: A Reflection Troma Chief Lloyd Kaufman delivers his 2nd Blog for Fangoria!
Fangoria Entertainment News & Updates:
Fangoria is now on iTunes! Free clips from Fangoria Radio, Podcasts, and coming soon... Music! Fangoria Subscriptions - Now Use PayPal Subscribe to Fangoria and save up to 40% off the cover price! Bloody Blogs:
Chronicles of a Serial Killer- Part One from Fangoria Spooksmodel Shannon Lark! Gay Of The Dead Blog 2: 4E For Me the 2nd installment of Sean Abley's Gay Of The Dead! Tiger Beat & Torture Porn: A Reflection Troma Chief Lloyd Kaufman delivers his 2nd Blog for Fangoria!
- 1/18/2009
- Fangoria
Variety reports that veteran actor Edmund Purdom, star of numerous Eurohorror features, passed away January 1 in Rome. He died of natural causes, at age 85.
Originally a stage actor who was part of Laurence Olivier’s company, Purdom traveled with Olivier to Hollywood in the ’50s, where he had leads and key supporting roles in the likes of The Student Prince, Julius Caesar and The Egyptian. Later in the decade, he moved to Italy and began a long career in European features, including numerous actioners, Westerns and horror films. Among the latter were Luigi Bazzoni’s 1971 giallo The Fifth Cord, Paolo Lombardo’s The Devil’S Lover (1972), Jess Franco’s The Sinister Eyes Of Dr. Orloff (1973), Dick Randall’s Frankenstein’S Castle Of Freaks (1974), Massimo Dallamano’s Night Child a.k.a. The Cursed Medallion (1975), Joe D’Amato’s The Monster Hunter a.k.a. Absurd and Anthropophagus 2 (1981), Neri Parenti’s 1985 horror/comedy Fracchia Vs.
Originally a stage actor who was part of Laurence Olivier’s company, Purdom traveled with Olivier to Hollywood in the ’50s, where he had leads and key supporting roles in the likes of The Student Prince, Julius Caesar and The Egyptian. Later in the decade, he moved to Italy and began a long career in European features, including numerous actioners, Westerns and horror films. Among the latter were Luigi Bazzoni’s 1971 giallo The Fifth Cord, Paolo Lombardo’s The Devil’S Lover (1972), Jess Franco’s The Sinister Eyes Of Dr. Orloff (1973), Dick Randall’s Frankenstein’S Castle Of Freaks (1974), Massimo Dallamano’s Night Child a.k.a. The Cursed Medallion (1975), Joe D’Amato’s The Monster Hunter a.k.a. Absurd and Anthropophagus 2 (1981), Neri Parenti’s 1985 horror/comedy Fracchia Vs.
- 1/13/2009
- Fangoria
British character actor famed for his roles in The Student Prince and The Egyptian
It was the sad fate of the actor Edmund Purdom, who has died aged 84, that the best known of his films, The Student Prince (1954), is remembered more for the star who wasn't in it. After the temperamental tenor Mario Lanza was fired from the film, the non-singing unknown Purdom replaced him. Luckily for MGM, Lanza had recorded the songs for the CinemaScope production before shooting began. Thus his voice is heard bellowing incongruously out of the slender frame of Purdom.
Purdom's reputation as a surrogate is underlined by the fact that he got his first chance of stardom when he replaced Marlon Brando in The Egyptian (1954) after Brando wisely cried off, preferring to play Napoleon in Desirée instead. In addition, Purdom was married to Linda Christian, better known as Tyrone Power's first wife.
Continue reading.
It was the sad fate of the actor Edmund Purdom, who has died aged 84, that the best known of his films, The Student Prince (1954), is remembered more for the star who wasn't in it. After the temperamental tenor Mario Lanza was fired from the film, the non-singing unknown Purdom replaced him. Luckily for MGM, Lanza had recorded the songs for the CinemaScope production before shooting began. Thus his voice is heard bellowing incongruously out of the slender frame of Purdom.
Purdom's reputation as a surrogate is underlined by the fact that he got his first chance of stardom when he replaced Marlon Brando in The Egyptian (1954) after Brando wisely cried off, preferring to play Napoleon in Desirée instead. In addition, Purdom was married to Linda Christian, better known as Tyrone Power's first wife.
Continue reading.
- 1/5/2009
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
British actor Edmund Purdom has died in Italy. He was 82.
The star, best known for his title role in 1954 Hollywood blockbuster The Egyptian, passed away in Rome on Thursday.
Further details about his death were not released as WENN went to press.
Purdom's most famous films included 1954's Athena, opposite his future wife Linda Christian, and The Prodigal in 1955.
The actor was married four times and is survived by his wife Vivienne and two children.
The star, best known for his title role in 1954 Hollywood blockbuster The Egyptian, passed away in Rome on Thursday.
Further details about his death were not released as WENN went to press.
Purdom's most famous films included 1954's Athena, opposite his future wife Linda Christian, and The Prodigal in 1955.
The actor was married four times and is survived by his wife Vivienne and two children.
- 1/3/2009
- WENN
Pieces was the first “No One Under 17 Admitted” movie I ever saw back in my burgeoning horror-lovin’ youth without an older friend to help me through the doors. The additional sign over the box office reading “If You’re Not 17, You’re Not Getting In!” seemed to pose an additional challenge to my friend and I—neither one of us close to that magic age—but we paid our admissions and made it inside easily.
Then the box-office guy called out, “Hold on, you two!” and we were sure we were busted. It turned out, though, that he just wanted to be sure we had our tickets; we acknowledged that we did, he told us thanks and we scurried up the escalator before he could think again about it. So happy were we to have broached the domain of the age-forbidden that we each bought a huge tub of popcorn...
Then the box-office guy called out, “Hold on, you two!” and we were sure we were busted. It turned out, though, that he just wanted to be sure we had our tickets; we acknowledged that we did, he told us thanks and we scurried up the escalator before he could think again about it. So happy were we to have broached the domain of the age-forbidden that we each bought a huge tub of popcorn...
- 10/22/2008
- Fangoria
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