And Then There's Black Shampoo

I haven't watched Black Shampoo this much since I was a teen. For the next five nights I'm going to be screening Black Shampoo four times. That all begins tonight in Huntington, NY at the Cinema Arts Centre. From what I hear, I may be braving it bringing trash culture to such a classy joint but we'll see.

Impossibly Funky Book Tour - Summer 2011 Edition!

I'm happy to announce the dates for the summer 2011 Impossibly Funky book tour.

This should be my triumphant return to NYC. It'll be a little strange to go back with Impossibly Funky in tow since the first section of the book centers around my experience with the New York Underground Film Festival back in 1995. (Read all about it here).

At each of the stops I'll be screening a movie (or two) and doing an introduction of the film, Q&A, and maybe even some interpretive dance.

Date	Location	Event	RSVP
Fri 5/27	92YTribeca, Manhattan NY	Miami Blues & Shock Treatment	RSVP
Sat 5/28	It Came From Schenectady, Schenectady NY	Without Warning & Satan's Cheerleaders	RSVP
Sun 5/29	Blue Sunshine, Montreal, QC	Angel's Brigade (16mm)	RSVP
Tue 5/31	Cinema Arts Center, Huntington, NY	Black Shampoo	RSVP
Wed 6/1	reRun Gastropub, Brooklyn NY	Black Shampoo	RSVP
Fri 6/3	Brookline Booksmith, Boston, MA	Signing/Reading	RSVP
Fri 6/3	The Coolidge Corner Theater, Boston, MA	Black Shampoo	RSVP
Sat 6/4	Cable Car Cinema - Providence, RI	Black Shampoo	RSVP

HorrorHound Weekend Wrapup

It's always a nice feeling to fit in. That's not how I felt at HorrorHound Weekend.

Mondo Justin and I pulled into the Marriott East Indianapolis, loaded to the gills with copies of Impossibly Funky, postcards, and free DVDs. The plan: Justin would pass out DVDs and postcards to people waiting in line to get in to the convention while I manned the table with Greydon Clark, selling books while Greydon sold his movies, posters, and stills.

It took me a while to get over the idea that I was spending the weekend hanging out with Greydon Clark. I may have gotten a little fanboyish at times but I tried to keep my cool. Had you told me twenty years ago that I was going to work with the guy who directed Black Shampoo, my head may have exploded.

On Friday we got a little bit of a late start as we ran over to WFYI for an interview with film guru Matthew Socey. Wanna hear what happened? Easy enough -- click here.

Sitting at the table most of the weekend, I didn't see too many other celebs. As we were setting up, however, Sid Haig came up to our table. It was nice to see him and Greydon chatting; the first time they had seen each other since the release of The Forbidden Dance (Is Lambada) back in 1990.

I spent most of my weekend manning the table with Greydon and his gal pal Marlene while Justin worked the crowd and met up with a few video distributors with whom he's friends. Unlike the other celebrities, major and minor, Greydon didn't get a very good spot on the selling floor. We sat on the end of a row rather than against a wall. Maybe that's why most of the people who said they'd see me at HorrorHound via email, Facebook, or Twitter never showed up.

I didn't do much browsing at the convention. I definitely didn't want to spend any money and there were so many people around that I utilized my all access pass to wander around before the show started. That's when I saw some wonderfully-disturbing masks.

We only left the table briefly on Saturday afternoon for the screening of Without Warning. Again, this could have been better. Everything I had read put the screening in "Room B." Surprise! There is no Room B. There's Salon B but, even then, we were in Room 2. It was an adequate space with an inadequate A/V system. Rather than showing the movie on the large screen in the room, the video projector had crapped out and we ended up having to screen the movie on a 43" TV. Everyone huddled in the front of the room.

I had a blast watching Greydon work with the people that stopped by the booth. Seeing him talk up his movies and why people need to see them gave me a glimpse into how he probably got funding in the past. I tried to mimic his patter to move books but I couldn't hold a candle to him.

In all, I sold seven books and gave away three. I don't know if it was my sales technique, the content of the book, or the context of the event. There's not much horror in Impossibly Funky. Other than Greydon, I doubt that I mentioned anyone at the convention within its pages. Well, maybe Corey Feldman...

Seven books couldn't even pay for a tank of gas from Detroit to Indianapolis these days. It certainly couldn't pay for Greydon's hotel room, meals, and airfare. Fortunately, Greydon offset the outlay of cash by splitting all of the sales with me right down the middle. Still, none of us (including Justin) came close to breaking even.

Monetarily, the weekend was a bust. Socially, it was fun as I got to hang out with Greydon and Marlene, see quite a few social network pals that did manage to show up, occasionally catch up with Justin, and have dinner with my pal Richard Edwards and his wife, Sybil Brownfield.

I had a blast people-watching and interacting with some very interesting people like the guy who showed up that wouldn't buy anything but wanted to entertain us with his cartoon impersonations.

On Sunday Justin and I interviewed Greydon for an upcoming episode of The Projection Booth. Stay tuned...

Thanks again to everyone who patronized the table. If you're looking for Greydon Clark gear, be sure to check out his website GreydonClark.com.

Monday 11/22 in Harrisburg!

Monday, November 22, 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Moviate
1306 N 3rd St
Harrisburg, PA

He's bad, he's mean, he's a lovin' machine.
But when he's mad, he's mean, he's a *killing* machine.

We're talking about Mr. Jonathan, of course, owner/operator of Mr. Jonathan's salon, the hottest spot on the Sunset Strip. He's got the touch the ladies love so much. He's a Lothario who finds love working at his reception desk. But when the mob comes calling, all hell breaks loose in a fury of chain saws, pool cues, and curling irons. Blood and shampoo will flow...

Mike White, author of Impossibly Funky and Black Shampoo fanatic, will be hosting the event and shilling copies of his book. He'll talk about interviewing the cast and crew of Black Shampoo and why he finds this particular blaxploitation flick a cut above the rest.

Moviate will also show a selection of trailers and short films that tie into Impossibly Funky including Mike White's controversial short film Who Do You Think You're Fooling.

Tickets are $5 at the door.

Impossibly Funky Release Party

I wasn't in the theater when the curling iron scene hit the big screen but I could hear the moans coming from inside the auditorium from the table on the first landing. I was manning the book table and just cooling out for a bit while the screening of Black Shampoo went on.

While I'd been watching, I found myself laughing and/or reacting extra loudly a few times to the film as I think that the audience was a little stunned by the happenings on screen but when I came back in near the end I was glad to hear everyone reacting appropriately.

Seeing Black Shampoo on the big screen in a fairly crowded theater in Detroit really was something of a dream come true. That people were showing up for something that I helped put together made the experience even more of a joy.

Things started around 2PM at the Burton Theater. Rather than reading a piece from Impossibly Funky I did a brief history of the zine, doing a show & tell of old issues to show the evolution of Cashiers du Cinemart. Then it was showtime. I'd put together a two hour program: a half hour of previews and Who Do You Think You're Fooling and 90 minutes of Black Shampoo (my fan edit of the film which removed the "poodle kick" scene from the DVD), And, afterward, I rang up director Greydon Clark for a Q&.A via phone. Greydon came through loud and clear, talking about Black Shampoo and fielding questions from the audience. It was awesome!

I had expected maybe two dozen people to show up -- counting the folks who had responded via my Facebook invite along with folks who promised they'd show up -- and managed to get more than that. In all, I'd estimate that maybe 40 people came, and I wasn't the former co-worker, college chum, friend, or family friend of a lot of them! I can't thank everyone enough who made it to the event. It turned out far better than I could have hoped.

Thanks again to everyone who came out! Below are a couple of pix. I'll add more when/if I get 'em!

Andrea mans the selling table.
Books $20 in person (autographs free) and DVDs $5

Mitch Range and me express our admiration.

The infamous pool table at the Burton.
No one reenacted scenes from Black Shampoo there
(that I know of).

Me and Andrea outside the Burton
on a lovely Sunday afternoon
Photo by Dion Conflict

Dion by The Stream in the Desert, Cass Avenue

A run down palace behind the Burton
Photo by Dion Conflict

The Detroit Door at the Burton
Photo by Dion Conflict

Are You Ready, Detroit?

Are you ready for an impossibly funky good time, Metro Detroit? It's all happening Sunday 10/24 at the Burton Theater at 3420 Cass Avenue in Detroit at 2PM.

I'll be reading a selection from Impossibly Funky: A Cashiers du Cinemart Collection, fielding any questions, selling and signing books. After that, get your butts to your seats for a half hour of previews, music videos, and a short film (Who Do You Think You're Fooling?) before the feature presentation; Greydon Clark's seminal blaxploitation flick Black Shampoo. And, if all goes right, Mr. Clark will make a special cameo appearance at this Sunday's festivities! (fingers crossed).

Tickets are $7 US at the door and books will be selling for $20 ($5 off the retail price). The concession stand will be open with plenty of pop and popcorn available.

Hope to see you there!

Black Dynamite

It's the rare occasion that I've watched a movie and thought, "This was made for me." The last time I felt like that was Cory McAbee's The American Astronaut. I got that same feeling from Scott Sanders's Black Dynamite, an inspired homage to the classic Black action films of the 1970s.

Co-written and starring Michael Jai White as the titular explosive hero, White plays his part pitch perfect. He's the swaggering bad-ass former CIA agent with a dead mama and brother. He's out to make things right and becomes embroiled in a fiendish plot that goes from the streets of the ghetto to Kung Fu Island all the way up to the White House, baby. With his killer physique and masterful comedic timing, White deadpans his way through his deliciously ridiculous script with aplomb.

Black Dynamite could have been a cheesefest like earlier attempts to recapture the magic of "blaxploitation" such as Original Gangstas. Rather than trotting out the stars of old, Black Dynamite does well to pay homage to the classics of the canon subtly while telling its own tale. Masterfully weaving in lines from Disco Godfather, The Mack, etc., and scenes inspired by Willie Dynamite, Three The Hard Way, Black Belt Jones, Rudy Ray Moore's The Sensuous Black Man album art, etc.; these things don't call attention to themselves but serve as little gifts to fans of these films.

It goes without saying that I was jumping out of my skin when characters are framed like the classic poster art from Black Shampoo:

Scott Sanders has succeeded in creating a homage that can stand on its own two feet as a deadpan parody and action comedy. Black Dynamite is the best movie I've seen in years. It's out of sight!

---

Below is an early Black Dynamite preview that utilizes clips from some classic flicks as well as new bits.

Black Shampoo 2.0

I started a new fan page on FaceBook. This time for Black Shampoo. Enjoy!

B-Movie Celebration

Walking through the quiet city of Franklin, Indiana shortly after nightfall on a temperate autumn evening; the shops have closed, the traffic down the main thoroughfare light enough to give the impression that the town is abandoned. The lights change robotic despite the lack of cars to stop. A dog barks in the distance, adding perfectly to the air of loneliness that the town possesses.

I round the corner of E. Jefferson and Main and breathe a sigh of relief. I've found what seems to be the entire population of this tiny burg. The short block seems illuminated solely from the lights of the Artcraft Theater marquee. People mill about the entrance to the theater while custom cars line the street. Across the street a small screen is set up - I would later find out that this was "Franklin Beach", the venue for several music acts and outdoor screenings.

I have reached the heart of the B-Movie Celebration, a three day event of movies and the maniacs who make 'em. From Troma trash to Spaghetti sublime, the B-Movie Celebration was awash in some interesting fare.

What brought me to Franklin, Indiana was the combination of hanging out with Cashiers du Cinemart contributor Rich Osmond (Franklin's about midway between St. Louis and Detroit), meeting fave director Greydon Clark, and, of course, the movies. The initial list of films sent out in July left me salivating, especially with the promise of "many in glorious 35mm" -- a vague statement that left me a little disappointed.

The venues for the festival were a little questionable; especially the screen set up at the Benjamin's Coffee Shop. I was hoping to see Death Race 2000 on the massive screen at the Artcraft in glorious 35mm instead of projected on a tiny screen in the front of a working store where every customer was a distraction. Meanwhile, the seats at the Johnson County Museum venue were unmerciful on my bulbous behind. But, like Momma Bear's bed, the Artcraft was just right, especially when they broke out the 35mm prints of For A Few Dollars More, Fright Night, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Transylvania Twist, etc. Seeing these rarities, scare-ities, and hilarities on the big screen like they were meant to be seen was a priceless treat.

I also attended a few sidebars featuring the writers and directors of some of the films featured including a rather enjoyable romp with a handful of directors including Greydon Clark, Tom Holland, Jim Wynorski, Lloyd Kaufman, Kelley Baker, and more: definitely an eclectic group!

Many of the proceedings were hosted by horror hosts Mr. Lobo and the lovely Queen of Trash. I was afraid they'd be cringe-worthy cheeseballs but they were anything but. They did a fine job handling introductions and Mr. Lobo even ran the Director's round table for a while.

Other highlights of the weekend included hanging out with Out of the Past honcho, Richard Edwards and family for dinner; talking movies as much and as fast as we could at the local pub, and finally meeting Greydon Clark, the man behind my favorite film, Black Shampoo.

I tried my best to not be a gushing fanboy when finally face to face with Clark. He was wonderfully effusive, introducing me to Tom Holland and talking about how wonderful Cashiers du Cinemart is. I presented Clark with a rough proof of the Cashiers du Cinemart book manuscript, asking if he'd be open to giving me a back cover blurb. He was so agreeable that I hit him up with, "Oh, and how about I run some behind-the-scenes images from the movie, too? And I'll need your permission for those, of course." He was all too happy to help with whatever I asked. The next morning he handed me a stack of promotional photographs, a mini poster of Black Shampoo and a pack of ad slicks so well-preserved that they looked as though they'd been printed only the day before.

I was thrilled to see that the 2PM Sunday screening of Clark's Without Warning managed to get one of the larger turn-outs of the festival. I'd never seen Without Warning on the big screen or with an audience so both were a treat. It was wonderful seeing Jack Palance and Martin Landau facing off in an over-acting contest while being pursued by an early version of The Predator. It made me wonder what forces could come together to get a screening of Black Shampoo, Satan's Cheerleaders, or Joysticks on the big screen...

I only wish I could have stayed longer and chatted more with the fine folks behind the fest. Alas, I had to hit the road and get back to my day job the following day.

For more photos visit Flickr.com.

Meeting The Man?

I might get a chance to finally meet The Man. Greydon Clark, director of my favorite film, Black Shampoo. I just found out that Clark is going to be attending the B-Movie Celebration in September (per the updates I made to his site). Now I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to attend this event and meet the guy who helped bring so much joy into my life.

At least the drive down doesn't seem too bad.

Happy Black Shampoo Day!

It's the best day of the holiday season!

There's a formerly unseen second or two of BLACK SHAMPOO in the above preview. At 1:04, two employees of the "Western Style Ranch" observe the gay, straight, and really wild Bar-B-Que: "I told you to watch who you rented to," the one cowboy says. I thought this was from another movie but the "old crazy guy" known in some circles as "Freddy Kruger" is visible screen left!

The Mystery of BLACK SHAMPOO continues... and, hey, check out Greydon Clark's website!