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On Friday 15 November 2024, Talking Pictures TV broadcasts Cellar Club with Caroline Munro!

Intro – World of Hammer Ep5 Season 1 Episode 386 Episode Summary

In the upcoming episode of *Cellar Club with Caroline Munro* on Talking Pictures TV, Caroline Munro returns for another insightful exploration into the World of Hammer. This episode, titled “Intro – World of Hammer Ep5,” takes a closer look at the fascinating theme of Wicked Women. Caroline delves into the careers of some of cinema’s most legendary actresses, including Bette Davis, Joan Fontaine, and Martine Beswick.

The episode highlights these iconic stars and their roles in films that left a lasting impression on the industry, particularly within the Hammer Horror world. Caroline offers a unique perspective on how these actresses brought complex and powerful female characters to life. Fans of classic films and Hammer Horror will find this episode a compelling watch, filled with interesting facts and memorable performances from these screen legends.

This Friday at 10:00 Pm, Cellar Club with Caroline Munro returns with a captivating episode titled Intro – World of Hammer Ep5 on Talking Pictures TV. Horror and cult film fans are in for a treat as Caroline Munro dives into the thrilling and iconic World of Hammer series, this time with a special focus on some of cinema’s “Wicked Women.” Known for bringing audiences deep into Hammer Films’ unique universe, Caroline highlights the fascinating roles that screen legends like Bette Davis, Joan Fontaine, and Martine Beswick played within the studio’s horror genre.

In this episode, Caroline celebrates these actresses who brought complex, often darkly powerful characters to life. Each actress contributed to Hammer’s legacy with unforgettable performances that still captivate audiences today. Fans of classic horror and vintage film history won’t want to miss this exploration of Hammer’s portrayal of fierce and formidable female characters.

On Monday, Hammer Films’ latest documentary, Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, had its world premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, bringing together horror icons and dedicated fans in celebration of the legendary studio’s 90th anniversary. The premiere offered an exclusive preview of the documentary, which will officially air on Sky Arts this Halloween at 9 pm, promising horror enthusiasts an inside look at the iconic British studio’s storied past and its enduring impact on the genre.

The red carpet was graced by Hammer’s beloved stars, including Caroline Munro (Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter), Madeline Smith (The Vampire Lovers), and Martine Beswick (One Million Years B.C.), who reminisced about their time with the studio that defined gothic horror for generations. Joining them was the film’s narrator, the acclaimed Charles Dance OBE, whose storied career and commanding voice bring depth to the documentary’s rich history.

Guests were also...

A playwright-turned-screenwriter, John Logan made a name for himself — and earned three Oscar nominations — working with some of the biggest names in the business, in genres ranging period dramas, sword-and-sandal epics and spy thrillers.

His credits include Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Ed Zwick and Tom Cruise’s The Last Samurai, and two James Bond movies directed by Sam Mendes, to name a few.

Logan was, in his own words, shaped by two early influences: William Shakespeare and monsters. The Great Bard led him to drama, theatre, and a career in writing. But even before that, there were monsters. He was raised on the fantastical world of Dark Shadows, the horror movies of Universal and Hammer, Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, the Aurora monster modeling kits, and Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula comic books. His...

Terence Young's 1963 triumph "From Russia with Love" was the James Bond series' first sequel, and, 60 years later, it's still considered by many 007 aficionados to be one of franchise's finest installments. It's a brisk, surprisingly brutal film. The gadgetry popularized by 1964's "Goldfinger" (and launched well over the top by 1965's "Thunderball") is kept to a sensible minimum; for the most part, this is a revenge film in which our licensed-to-kill protagonist is lured into an elaborate defection plot designed to knock him off for having killed Spectre's Dr. No in the first movie. Narratively, it's as small potatoes as the mostly maligned "Casino Royale" follow-up "Quantum of Solace" (a revenge film in the other direction), but, at the time, it had the advantage of working within an unformed universe.

"From Russia with Love" has two of the Bond series' oddest highlights: the sexualized Turkish settlement brawl between Martine Beswick and Aliza Gur,...

Yes, it’s Hammer’s grimy rags ‘n’ rock prehistoric saga, the notorious third caveman vs. dinosaurs spectacle that has no dinosaurs, leaving the ‘creatures’ of the title as a no-show. Director Don Chaffey does his best with a screenplay that Michael Carreras must have sketched on the back of a cocktail napkin. If you like rugged terrain and dusty dirty cavemen exposed to the elements — or you’re a Hammer completist — you’ve come to the right place.

Creatures the World Forgot

Region B Blu-ray

Powerhouse Indicator

1971 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 95 min. / Street Date July 25, 2022 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £18.99

Starring: Julie Ege, Tony Bonner, Robin John, Brian O’Shaughnessy, Sue Wilson, Rosalie Crutchley, Marcia Fox, Gerard Bonthuys, Hans Kiesouw, Josje Kiesouw, Beverly Blake, Doon Baide.

Cinematography: Vincent Cox

Production Designer: John Stoll

Special Effects: Sid Pearson (Sydney Pearson)

Film Editor: Chris Barnes

Original Music: Mario Nascimbene

Written and Produced by...

Veronica Carlson, the British actress and Hammer Horror Films star of such 1960s favorites as Dracula Has Risen from the Grave and Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, died Feb. 27 of natural causes at her home in Bluffton, South Carolina. She was 77.

Her death was announced on her official Facebook page and by Hammer Horror Films. “A true Hammer legend and we loved her,” Hammer tweeted.

Born in Yorkshire, England, Carlson was a model when she began her acting career with uncredited or small roles in several 1967 films including Casino Royale. When producer and Hammer Films co-founder James Carreras saw a newspaper photo of Carlson wearing a bikini, he offered her the role opposite Christopher Lee in Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968). Her performance as the vampire’s intended victim was the first of her trio of popular Hammer movies, and was followed in 1969 by Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed starring Peter Cushing...

Hello, dear readers! Before those of us in the States get ready to gobble down our Thanksgiving dinners later this week, we have a brand new batch of horror and sci-fi home entertainment releases to look forward to first. One of this writer’s favorite films of all time, Philip Kaufman’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) is getting the 4K treatment from Kino Lorber this Tuesday, and Arrow Video is resurrecting both The Snake Girl and the Silver Haired Witch and Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge on Blu-ray as well (this is also very exciting news in my world). Arrow is also re-releasing a handful of other titles—The Cat O’ Nine Tails, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, and C.H.U.D.—and the first season of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery is headed to Blu-ray as well.

Other releases for November 23rd include Chupa, Lair,...

We are pleased to announce that Cinema Retro magazine has once again been nominated for Best Magazine by the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards. (Rondo Hatton was the famed character actor who often played villains in "B" movies that are now cult favorites.) Although Cinema Retro differs from most of our worthy competitors because we are not strictly a horror-themed magazine, apparently we do cover the genre enough to impress the nominating group. It's a lot of fun participating in the awards which cover many other categories such as best film, best DVD/Blu-ray commentary, best DVD/Blu-ray extras, best restoration, etc. We'll put a blatant plug in for our own contributing writer, Tom Lisanti, whose biography of actress Carol Lynley has been justifiably nominated for Book of the Year. We're also proud of our London photographer and writer Mark Mawston, who has been nominated in the "Best Article" category...

English actress and model Martine Beswick is best known for her roles on two iconic bond films from the '60s ... Bewick played Zora the gypsy in "From Russia with Love" (1963) and the cyanide pill-popping Paula Caplan in "Thunderball" (1965). Martine shared the screen in both bond films with Sean Connery ... who is credited with seven Bond films under his super secret utility belt including "Dr. No," "From Russia with Love," "Goldfinger," "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice,...

Ever since seeing Creepshow (1982) when it first arrived on video, I’ve been enamored with anthology films; reaching back to Amicus’ ‘60s and ‘70s treasures like Tales from the Crypt (1972) all the way up to Epic Pictures’ Tales of Halloween (2015), omnibuses scratch a very particular itch for this viewer. Falling somewhere in the middle of my terrorline is From a Whisper to a Scream (1987), a proud and nasty addition to the sub-genre. This bugger does not mess around.

Released by Moviestore Entertainment stateside and by Cineplex-Odeon up here in Canada the following year, From a Whisper to a Scream (Aka The Offspring, which is what I knew it as) made back its $ 1.1 million budget plus a few dollars more, and the film received mixed reviews from critics in its limited release. Scrappy and mean, with a delightful turn from Vincent Price in the wraparound, From a Whisper to a Scream...

"Thunderball" co-stars Martine Beswick and Luciana Paluzzi.

Hammer and "Live and Let Die" actress Madeleine Smith.

By Mark Mawston

The London Film Convention, organized by Thomas Bowington was quite literally a Who’s Who of heroes and villains from the small and silver screen. The actual Who came in the shape of a Dr. himself in the guise of Sylvester McCoy, along with Who assistants Katy Manning who played Jo and Bernard Cribbins from both the Amicus film version and the TV version. There was also a rare appearance from Garial Woolf. The other key cult British film genres-the Carry On films, James Bond and Hammer horror- were all represented too, with many of the star guests appearing in all three: from the Carry On Films we had Fenella Fielding, Anita Harris and Amanda Barrie, from Hammer and Bond we had Maddie Smith, Valerie Leon, Martine Beswick, Eunice Gayson, John Wyman,...

“No one seems to love or understand me. Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me”

Melvin And Howard screens Friday, June 16th at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). This is the third film in their ‘Tribute to Jonathan Demme’ The movie starts at 8:00pm.

Paul Le Mat is an average Joe named Melvin E. Dummar in Melvin And Howard (1980) an effective combination of drama and comedy from director Jonathan Demme. Melvin often finds it difficult to make ends meet, no matter what line of work he’s in. Then, one day, it seems as if his luck might change. A stranger leaves on his desk a will proclaiming Melvin to be one of 16 heirs to the fortune of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Once upon a time, Melvin had given a lift to an aged, decrepit looking individual (Jason Robards) who claimed to be Hughes. The...

Thanks to The Omen (1976) and little Damien’s watchdog, Hollywood figured they could mine some horror from our canine friends, on the assumption that there’s something inherently evil to exploit. Except…they’re not. Are they sometimes vicious? Definitely. But I would hardly call dogs evil, especially ones allegedly in favor with Satan. Which brings us to todays’ Tube, as TV naturally had to take a shot at demonizing our four legged friends, a task at which Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978) fails spectacularly. It is however, a blast and more fun than a bowl full of kibble.

Originally airing on Halloween night of 1978 on CBS, Devil Dog was up against Linda Blair and her demonic cousin in Summer of Fear over on NBC, a true dilemma for horror fans as both satisfy in different ways. But since I’ve already covered that Wes Craven helmed Ya adaptation...

Director and documentarian Mark Hartley scores both a film history and comedy success with this ‘wild, untold’ account of the 1980s film studio that was both revered and despised by everyone who had contact with it. The ‘cast list’ of interviewees is encyclopedic, everybody has a strong opinion, and some of them don’t need four-letter words to describe their experience!

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

On a double bill with

Machete Maidens Unleashed!

Blu-ray

Umbrella Entertainment (Au, all-region

2014 / Color / 1:77 widescreen / 106 min. / Street Date April 4, 2017 / Available from Umbrella Entertainment / 34.99

Starring: Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus, Al Ruban, Alain Jakubowicz, Albert Pyun, Alex Winter, Allen DeBevoise, Avi Lerner, Barbet Schroeder, Bo Derek, Boaz Davidson, Cassandra Peterson, Catherine Mary Stewart, Charles Matthau, Christopher C. Dewey, Christopher Pearce, Cynthia Hargrave, Dan Wolman, Daniel Loewenthal, David Del Valle, David Paulsen, David Sheehan, David Womark, Diane Franklin, Dolph Lundgren, Edward R. Pressman,...

One Million Years B.C.

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1966 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 91, 100 min. / Street Date February 14, 2017 / Available from Kino Lorber 29.95

Starring: Raquel Welch, John Richardson, Percy Herbert, Robert Brown, Martine Beswick

Cinematography: Wilkie Cooper

Special visual effects: Ray Harryhausen

Art Direction: Robert Jones

Film Editor: Tom Simpson

Original Music: Mario Nascimbene

Written by: Michael Carreras from a 1940 screenplay by George Baker

Produced by: Michael Carreras, Hal Roach, Aida Young

Directed by Don Chaffey

Here’s a title we haven’t seen in a while, and that we’ve never seen at this level of quality. Hammer Films’ most successful release ever, One Million Years B.C. launched a new film star. I count myself among the zillions of kids that pinned her poster on my bedroom wall. At age fifteen, the release of a new Harryhausen film was so important to me that I begged my slightly older neighbor to take me to the drive-in,...

Cinema Retro has received the following announcement from Bondstars.com in the UK:

"In 2003, the renowned American artist Jeff Marshall (known for his James Bond work) was commissioned to create a lithograph  for Daleon Enterprises (officially sanctioned by Hammer themselves) featuring several famous Hammer actresses - Ingrid Pitt, Caroline Munro, Valerie Leon and Martine Beswicke.

· The first 100 of these limited edition lithographs were signed and numbered by Jeff himself and have never been available to buy....until now.

· We have 006 - 100 for sale, unfortunately we cannot accommodate requests for specific numbers.

· The lithograph measures 20" x 30" and is printed on museum quality acid-free paper.

· The lithograph will be shipped rolled in a sturdy poster tube."

Click Here To Order...

In 2003, the renowned American artist Jeff Marshall (known for his James Bond work) was commissioned to create a lithograph (officially sanctioned by Hammer themselves) featuring several famous Hammer actresses - Ingrid Pitt, Caroline Munro, Valerie Leon and Martine Beswick.

The first 100 of these limited edition lithographs were signed and numbered by Jeff himself and have never been available to buy....until now.

We have 006 - 100 for sale, unfortunately we cannot accommodate requests for specific numbers. The lithograph measures 20" x 30" and is printed on museum quality acid-free paper. The lithograph will be shipped rolled in a sturdy poster tube.

For more info and to order, click here. ...

Release the Kraken! They're only now releasing this Blu-ray in the U.S.. The patron saint of every special effect fan gets the royal treatment in this career overview capped with industry testimonials and rare film items from a cache of 35mm outtakes found packed away in Rh's storeroom. Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan Region B Blu-ray Arrow Video Us 2011 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date June 28, 2016 / 19.95 Starring Ray Harryhausen, Peter Jackson, Nick Park, Phil Tippet, Randy Cook, Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, Tony Dalton, Dennis Muren, John Landis, Ray Bradbury, Ken Ralston, Martine Beswick, Vanessa Harryhausen, Caroline Munro, Guillermo del Toro, Joe Dante, John Lasseter, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Henry Selick. Original Music Alexandre Poncet Produced by Tony Dalton, Alexandre Poncet Written and Directed by Gilles Penso

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

The time has long passed that Ray Harryhausen was merely a cult figure. By the release of Golden Voyage...

“There are not many men yet. Just a few tribes scattered across the wilderness. Never venturing far, unaware that other tribes exist even. Too busy with their own lives to be curious. Too frightened of the unknown to wander. Their laws are simple: the strong take everything. This is Akhoba, leader of the Rock Tribe…”

So what’s brewing at Webster University’s Strange Brew award-winning cult film series this month? It’s Raquel Welch in the movie that made her a star! Raquel teamed up with a fur bikini, special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen, fellow 60’s starlet Martine Beswick, and Hammer Studios in 1966 for One Million Years B.C., one of the very best films of the 1960’s! The sexy prehistoric fun happens at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar in Maplewood (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) next Wednesday, November 4th. The movie starts at 8pm.

Long before Spielberg...

Looking for something to really set your Halloween party offerings apart from the pack? Janine Lister has such sights to show you...

Combining her love of horror movies and cake decorating, Janine has created a set of Hellraiser cupcakes that are worth risking a visit from the Cenobites to obtain.

"I set up my sinister selection to provide cakes for those of us out there who want a change from the mainstream cakes and want macabre, bloody and, as people have said, “sick” cakes.

I decided to make Hellraiser cupcakes because when I was younger it was one of the films which scared me and introduced me to horror. The imagery in Hellraiser perfectly adapts itself to cupcake design and is easily identifiable. I have previously made cupcakes for many other films, which were simple images from the films on discs of icing atop a delicious layer of buttercream, but...

The moors of Yorkshire turned red with blood this weekend as the first ever HorrorCon took place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre this weekend in Rotherham.

Guests in attendance – signing autographs and giving talks – included Leatherface himself, Gunnar Hansen (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre); Dacre Stoker (great-grand nephew of Bram Stoker); Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead); artist Tom Hodge, aka The Dude Designs; Hammer Horror stars Caroline Munro and Martine Beswick; Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) and the legend that is SFX god Tom Savini (The Burning, Night of the Living Dead)

But HorrorCon was not just about the guests – there were plenty of activities taking place over the weekend too. Including the likes of The Pit – a “walk through event” that scared the bejesus out of all those that dare take part; the Cabinet of Curiosity, a display of weird and wonderful delights the was billed as “not...

Who needs good taste when you have plenty of enthusiasm? Fantastic new documentary Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films charts the rise and fall of two movie-obsessed Israeli cousins - Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus - after buying a financially troubled American film studio in 1979.

The duo subsequently churned out some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s... but not necessarily on the strength of their artistic merit. Buy 'em cheap and pile them high was the initial ethos that led to titles like Hospital Massacre, Enter the Ninja and a plethora of increasingly exploitational Death Wish films. Yet occasional gems and cult classics like Runaway Train and Lifeforce emerged too, plus there's the title of a breakdancing movie sequel that entered popular culture - Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.

So many fascinating revelations emerge in the documentary surrounding the genesis, production and release of the films...

Who needs good taste when you have plenty of enthusiasm? Fantastic new documentary Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films charts the rise and fall of two movie-obsessed Israeli cousins - Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus - after buying a financially troubled American film studio in 1979.

The duo subsequently churned out some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s... but not necessarily on the strength of their artistic merit. Buy 'em cheap and pile them high was the initial ethos that led to titles like Hospital Massacre, Enter the Ninja and a plethora of increasingly exploitational Death Wish films. Yet occasional gems and cult classics like Runaway Train and Lifeforce emerged too, plus there's the title of a breakdancing movie sequel that entered popular culture - Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.

So many fascinating revelations emerge in the documentary surrounding the genesis, production and release of the films...

Iconic Hammer actresses Martine Beswick, Veronica Carlson and Caroline Munro. (All photos copyright Adrian Smith. All rights reserved.)

Retro-active: The Best From Cinema Retro's Archives

(The following article was originally run in November, 2014)  

By Adrian Smith 

With around sixty special guests in attendance, the Westminster Central Hall on Saturday the 7th of November was packed to its domed roof with excited Hammer film fans.

Familiar faces including Caroline Munro, Valerie Leon, Madeline Smith and Martine Beswick were providing some glamour, but the organisers managed to make the event extra-memorable by securing the presence of Edina Ronay, George Cole, Freddie Jones and others who had not signed autographs at a fan event before. At times queues to meet them ran out of the building and down the street! Other rare UK appearances were made from Veronica Carlson and Linda Hayden, flown in from the Us to meet their fans. It was...

The title suggests a feminist take on the Robert Louis Stevenson story but director Roy Ward Baker’s 1971 thriller turns out to be a Victorian version of Roger Corman’s "The Wasp Woman." Poker-faced Ralph Bates stars as Dr. Jekyll who feeds on the blood of young women in order to transform into “Mrs.” Hyde, embodied by the intensely alluring Martine Beswicke. Brian Clemen’s ambitious script makes room for appearances by real-life ghouls Burke and Hare and even Jack the Ripper figures into the complex plot.

For the second week of September, horror fans have a ton of Blu-ray and DVD titles they can choose from, including Stan Winston’s Pumpkinhead (the latest from Scream Factory), Synapse Films’ brand new Blu-ray of the original Prom Night, and Bobcat Goldthwait’s sasquatch tale Willow Creek.

Scorpion Releasing is also giving fans their first chance to own Oliver Stone’s directorial debut, Seizure, in stunning HD and Graduation Day is also making its Blu-ray bow this week as well. And as if all that’s not enough, we’re also getting a few re-releases as well including The Amityville Horror, a groovy 4 pack of horror movies from Image and a double DVD of House and House II: The Second Story.

Prom Night Special Edition (Synapse Films, Blu-ray & DVD)

Jamie Lee Curtis (the Halloween film series) and Leslie Nielsen (The Naked Gun film and TV series, Forbidden Planet) star...

Mark Hartley's reimagining of cult '70s shocker Patrick hits UK DVD shelves today, 11 August, titled Evil Awakens. With this in mind, we recently cornered Hartley as he took a break in London to pick his brain about the film, his feature helming debut.

Until now, Mark has been most widely known for his directorial work on music videos and documentaries such as Not Quite Hollywood and Machete Maidens Unleashed. When quizzed about the circumstances that led to finally getting in the director's chair for a narrative feature film, he tells us, "Well, I had never ever planned, or had any ambition, to make documentaries."

He elaborates, "That kind of happened by accident... I had always intended to make narrative features, and it was just a very difficult process. My background is actually music videos – I’ve made like a hundred and fifty music videos in Australia prior to...

Oliver Stone’s reputation precedes him. He’s known for being notoriously difficult to work with, antagonistic toward his actors (he once told Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, “You’re just not good at all, are you?”), and occasionally downright reckless (remember that whole James Woods and a gun incident?). His directing debut, which he also cowrote, contains an appropriate amount of on-screen and offscreen menace. The 1974 film Seizure, about a horror novelist’s recurring nightmare that shockingly comes true, is a nice slice of cult weirdness. The cast is equally entertaining. Where else can you find Dark Shadows’ Jonathan Frid, Bond and Hammer Films hottie Martine Beswick, Fantasy...

Read More...

Did you know Oliver Stone's first movie was a 1974 horror quickie called “Seizure”? Probably not, especially given that he doesn't want you to know that (hell, even we skipped over it in our retrospective of the director in 2012) . The official story is that Stone got famous writing screenplays in the late 70s and early 80s — “Midnight Express,” “Conan the Barbarian,” “Scarface” — but he made “Seizure” and 1981's “The Hand” (with Michael Caine!) first. He wasn't exactly proud of the work, though, and though it did come out on VHS, “Seizure” has never had a DVD release: Stone has bought the rights to ensure it never happens. But thanks to the interwebs, you can still get a (blurry) look at the whole thing. The film “stars” Jonathan Frid (who played Barnabas Collins, in the original TV run of “Dark Shadows”), Martine Beswick (famous for “catfight” scenes in both “One Million Years BC” with Raquel Welch,...

This weekend (November 23rd & 24th) sees the McM Comic Con and Memorabilia show take place at the NEC in Birmingham. We’ll be there on the Saturday, checking out what’s happening at one of the UK’s biggest conventions. If you haven’t grabbed a ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Ok, ok, so some of you may still be undecided, so let me tempt you with a rundown of just some highlights of the guests attending the event this weekend…

Red Dwarf Reunion – Chris Barrie (Arnold Rimmer); Hattie Hayridge (Holly); Danny John-Jules (The Cat) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) from much-loved British sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. Quadrophenia Reunion – Stars Phil Daniels (Jimmy); Toyah Willcox (Monkey) and Daniel Peacock (Danny) celebrate the ultimate mod movie, based on The Who’s 1973 rock opera.

Richard Donat and Kate Kelton from popular sci-fi series Haven. Donat plays Vince Teagues, leader of The...

Martine Beswick (One Million Years B.C., Slave Girls and Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde), Caroline Munro (Captain Kronos and Dracula A.D.72), Kate O'Mara (Horror of Frankenstein and The Vampire Lovers) and Maddie Smith (Vampire Lovers and Frankenstein and the and Monster from Hell). (Photo: copyright Mark Mawston, all rights reserved.)

Saturday 9th November 2013

Report by Adrian Smith

On Saturday in the shadow of Westminster Abbey, amidst the power-hungry elite of Whitehall and Downing Street, gathered an even more sinister and corrupting influence. Darth Vader rubbed shoulders with evil twins, corrupted children, vampires, zombies and even Jack the Ripper. Overseeing this evil conclave were directors whose films were so depraved that sometimes sick bags were supplied to the audience.

Horror film buffs were of course overjoyed at the fantastic selection of stars at this Hammer and Horror Film event. Representing the Bond girls were Caroline Munro, Caron Gardner, Martine Beswick and Madeline Smith.

Hammer and Horror Film Day!

Saturday November the 9th ( 10am – 5pm )

Central Hall Westminster.

Storey’s Gate, Westminster, London SW1H 9Nh

UK’s longest running film fair and convention.

Now in it’s 40th year!

The Convention presents dealers from all over the UK, Europe, Us ,

Canada and South America.

Specialising in rare original film memorabilia and collectables.

Taking place six times a year these are truly unique events for anyone with an interest in films!

With actors and director’s signings, illustrated talks, retrospectives and film screenings taking place through out the day.

Items covering the history of cinema can be found. From the silents to the present.

From rare items of the 1920’s to new releases and the latest heart throb.

Among the many different field of cinema covered at the show is – Classic Hollywood, horror films, sci-fi, the best of British and European cinema as we as cult tv!

Olive Films has announced that it will release 1995’s Night Of The Scarecrow April 30 on DVD and Blu-ray, both in anamorphic widescreen with special features to be announced. Directed by Jeff Burr of Stepfather II and The Offspring and scripted by Reed Steiner and Dan Mazur, the film takes place in a small town where partying teenagers accidentally free an evil spirit that takes over a nearby scarecrow, which sets out on a vengeful murder spree. Elizabeth Barondes and John Mese star, and the cool supporting cast includes Office Space’s Stephen Root, veteran character actors Bruce Glover and Dirk Blocker, 2001: A Space Odyssey’s Gary Lockwood, future Oscar nominee John Hawkes and Hammer glamour gal Martine Beswick. Retail prices are $24.95 for the DVD, $29.95 for the Blu-ray.

Olive Films has announced that it will release 1995’s Night Of The Scarecrow April 30 on DVD and Blu-ray, both in anamorphic widescreen with special features to be announced. Directed by Jeff Burr of Stepfather II and The Offspring and scripted by Reed Steiner and Dan Mazur, the film takes place in a small town where partying teenagers accidentally free an evil spirit that takes over a nearby scarecrow, which sets out on a vengeful murder spree. Elizabeth Barondes and John Mese star, and the cool supporting cast includes Office Space’s Stephen Root, veteran character actors Bruce Glover and Dirk Blocker, 2001: A Space Odyssey’s Gary Lockwood, future Oscar nominee John Hawkes and Hammer glamour gal Martine Beswick. Retail prices are $24.95 for the DVD, $29.95 for the Blu-ray.

Olive Films has announced that it will release 1995’s Night Of The Scarecrow April 30 on DVD and Blu-ray, both in anamorphic widescreen with special features to be announced. Directed by Jeff Burr of Stepfather II and The Offspring and scripted by Reed Steiner and Dan Mazur, the film takes place in a small town where partying teenagers accidentally free an evil spirit that takes over a nearby scarecrow, which sets out on a vengeful murder spree. Elizabeth Barondes and John Mese star, and the cool supporting cast includes Office Space’s Stephen Root, veteran character actors Bruce Glover and Dirk Blocker, 2001: A Space Odyssey’s Gary Lockwood, future Oscar nominee John Hawkes and Hammer glamour gal Martine Beswick. Retail prices are $24.95 for the DVD, $29.95 for the Blu-ray.

Olive Films has announced that it will release 1995’s Night Of The Scarecrow April 30 on DVD and Blu-ray, both in anamorphic widescreen with special features to be announced. Directed by Jeff Burr of Stepfather II and The Offspring and scripted by Reed Steiner and Dan Mazur, the film takes place in a small town where partying teenagers accidentally free an evil spirit that takes over a nearby scarecrow, which sets out on a vengeful murder spree. Elizabeth Barondes and John Mese star, and the cool supporting cast includes Office Space’s Stephen Root, veteran character actors Bruce Glover and Dirk Blocker, 2001: A Space Odyssey’s Gary Lockwood, future Oscar nominee John Hawkes and Hammer glamour gal Martine Beswick. Retail prices are $24.95 for the DVD, $29.95 for the Blu-ray.

Ray Harryhausen:

Special Effects Titan

Written and directed by Gilles Penso

Produced by Alexandre Poncet, Co-produced by Tony Dalton

Featuring Ray Harryhausen, James Cameron, Terry Gilliam, John Landis, Nick Park, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Tim Burton, Joe Dante, Guillermo Del Toro

Release date: On DVD and Blu-ray from 11th March 2013

Running time: 97 mins (film), Cert: tbc

“I think all of us who are practitioners in the arts of science fiction and fantasy movies now, all feel that we’re standing on the shoulders of a giant. If not for Ray’s contribution to the collective dreamscape we wouldn’t be who we are.” James Cameron

The remarkable career of the movie industry’s most admired and influential special-effects auteur, the legendary Ray Harryhausen, is the subject of Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan. Described as “A continual delight” (The Observer), “the stop-motion maestro gets the respect he deserves” (Daily Express...

(L to R): Cinema Retro's Ajay Chowdhury, Matthew Field, Dave Worrall and Mark Mawston.

By Matthew Field

Last night Cinema Retro attended the world premiere of Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of OO7 in London. Bond alumni were out in force as many faces from in front and behind the camera attended the Leicester Square screening. The film was followed by a fascinating Q&A with Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, Steven Saltzman and Hilary Saltzman. They spoke affectionately about growing up together on the set of the early Bond movies, as well as the challenges faced by their fathers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in bringing and keeping James Bond on the screen. They were joined by director Stevan Riley who discussed the daunting task of navigating a story through 60 years of Bond heritage.

Guests included Charles Dance, Maryam d’Abo, former Eon publicist Jerry Juroe,...

(back row) Carol Cleveland, Caroline Munro, (front) Martine Beswick, Madeline Smith, Caron Gardner, Vera Day, Renee Glynn.

Leicester, 13th - 14th July 2012

By Adrian Smith

An impressive array of stars and an eclectic lineup of Hammer films at the Phoenix Square cinema in Leicester marked the launch of a brand new innovative collaboration between Hammer and the De Montfort University. Their Cinema and Television History (Cath) Research Centre have become custodians of the Hammer script archive, meaning they will curate and catalogue the collection and make them available for research purposes. They have also received a collection of Jimmy Sangster items donated by his widow Mary Peach, including written materials and photographs covering not only his time with Hammer but as a successful independent writer and director.

In order to celebrate this new relationship the university hosted a two day Hammer festival attended by fans and academics keen to explore...

Cinema Retro has received the following announcement:

Don't dare miss the world premiere of the definitive, completed documentary Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan! Coming in from England to premiere the film are Ray's friend and Cinema Retro photographer Mark Mawston and Martine Beswicke (star of Ray's One Million Years B.C.). A major Monster Bash Event not to be missed. Huge thanks to Mark, Martine and Vince Rotolo of the B-movie Cast webcast! See it 6:00 pm Friday evening at Bash.

Get ready to Monster Bash. June 22-24, 2012.

Cinema Retro has received the following press release:

For Immediate Release

The Cath Research Centre at De Montfort University, in collaboration with Hammer Films and Phoenix Square Independent Cinema, Leicester, proudly presents:

Hammer Has Risen From the Grave

A two-day retrospective graced with a galaxy of guests and screenings

Friday the 13th and Saturday 14th July 2012

Screenings will include Hammer favourites and rarities, plus a world premiere of the newly restored HD release of the company’s seminal Gothic horror The Curse of Frankenstein (1957). They will be accompanied by introductions from Hammer experts, and Q&As with stars such as Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Jacqueline Pearce and Madeline Smith, and film-makers such as John Hough. There will also be signings, memorabilia stalls, prizes and more. Special guest, Mark Gatiss, will close the event by introducing one of his favourite Hammer horrors.

This fantastic festival celebrates the forthcoming digitization of the...

James Bond fans have been given their first glimpse of the highly anticipated new 007 film, Skyfall - you can watch it above.

The trailer will raise even more questions as to where this takes Bond, as it shows Daniel Craig in an interrogation room, but he's the one fielding the questions from another agent, while M (Judi Dench) and another officer (Ralph Fiennes) observe.

And we hear, enigmatically, that the mention of 'Skyfall' - whatever that is - is what sends Bond out of the room, saying he's "done".

During the clip, we also see 007 stare at a row of coffins with Union Jacks, presumably his lost colleagues, M staring reflectively out over a valley, a fall from a very high building, and 007 with fire behind him, as well as the seductive bulbs of Turkish mosques. It's all very dystopian.

Finally, we hear from 007 again - that "some...

Like a flash, my Monday here in Cannes just got a lot more interesting. I was already looking forward to what was going to be my lightest day of the festival as I was planning on catching up on some much needed sleep and seeing only one movie, which just happens to be one of my most anticipated of the festival, Rodney Ascher's Room 237, which examines Stanley Kubrick's The Shining from all sides. The film screened at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is said to give "voice to the fans and scholars who espouse these theories, reworking the film to match their ideas and intercutting it with layers of dreamlike imagery to illustrate their streams of consciousness." I can't wait. Then, arriving home after a long, wet day as the sky opened up and poured down rain I was welcomed to some interesting updates in my inbox.

DVD Playhouse – May 2012

By Allen Gardner

Shame (20th Century Fox) Director Steve McQueen’s harrowing portrait of a Manhattan sex addict (Michael Fassbender, in the year’s most riveting performance) whose psyche goes into overload when his equally-troubled sister (Carey Mulligan) visits unexpectedly. Exquisitely-made on every level, save for the screenplay, which makes its point after about thirty minutes. While it tries hard to be a modern-day Last Tango in Paris, this fatal flaw makes it fall somewhat short. The much- ballyhooed sex scenes and frontal nudity are the least-interesting things about the film, incidentally, which is still a must-see for discriminating adults who seek out challenging material. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.

Being John Malkovich (Criterion) Spike Jonze’s madcap film of Charlie Kaufman’s script, regarding a socially-disenfranchised puppeteer (John Cusack) who finds a portal into the mind of actor...

Directed by: John Badham, Jeannot Szwarc, Timothy Galfas, Jack Laird

Written by: Rod Serling, Jack Laird, Halsted Welles, David Rayfiel

Starring: Rod Serling, Joanna Pettet, Burgess Meredith, Vincent Price, Bill Bixby, Geraldine Page

Rod Serling’s Night Gallery is a beloved cult series with a complicated history. It was Serling’s follow-up to his critically acclaimed Twilight Zone, which ran on CBS from 1959–64. Its eerie opening introduction featuring Serling in a dark gallery surrounded by dynamic, often disturbing paintings was the hallmark of the show. Serling would introduce new paintings (by gifted artist Tom Wright) each week, which would segue into a story that usually revolved around a supernatural or occult theme.

Night Gallery began its run with a well-received two-hour pilot on NBC in November 1969. The following year it was included as part of NBC’s Four-in-One programming wheel. It rotated every fourth Wednesday with The Psychiatrist, McCloud and San Francisco International Airport.

He made appearancs at fan conventions but after Dark Shadows went off the air in 1971, Jonathan Frid said goodbye to the cameras. He did star in Oliver Stone.s directorial debut Seizure in 1974 as a writer haunted by his demons (manifested by Martine Beswick and Herve Villachaize!) but reportedly Frid.s experience with Seizure was so unpleasant, he spent the rest of his career on the stage in Canada, his home. Jonathan Frid was of course the original Barnabas Collins on the ABC-tv soap Dark Shadows. He has a cameo appearance in the upcoming Johnny Depp/Tim Burton Dark Shadows feature film which opens in just over three weeks and I’m sure his legion of fans is looking forward to seeing him on the big screen. He posted at his website that he was hoping to attend the movie’s premiere and I’m sure he’ll be honored there.

This article originally ran here at We Are Movie Geeks in January of 2010 but with everyone gearing up for Tim Burton’s hotly-anticipated update opening May 11th, we’re re-posting and keeping our fingers crossed that this excellent 1971 feature film, based on the show, gets a long-deserved DVD release.

Dark Shadows, the gothic daytime drama that premiered on the ABC Television network in 1966, was distinguished from other soap operas by it’s presence of vampires, werewolves, witches, and ghosts. The show was a cult phenomenon and there were soon Dark Shadows board games, jigsaw puzzles, model kits, and other merchandise aimed at kids, even though it was adult women and college students who comprised it’s core audience. The breakout star of Dark Shadows was Canadian actor Jonathan Frid who played Barnabas Collins, the 200-year-old vampire and heir to the Collingswood estate (where the show took place) constantly in search...

The Celebrity line-up has been announced for this month's Winter Memorabilia Show at the NEC, near Birmingham.

Movie stars, TV personalities and sporting legends will be meeting fans and giving autographs at the UK convention.

Game of Thrones actors Finn Jones, Roxanne McKee, James Cosmo (above), Miltos Yerolemou (below) and Spencer Wilding will be among those in attendance - and they're bringing the hit fantasy series' iconic Iron Throne along with them.

James Cosmo (Braveheart, Highlander) plays Jeor Mormont, the 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and the estranged father of Ser Jorah, while Roxanne McKee (Hollyoaks) plays Doreah, a handmaid and companion of Daenerys Targaryen who schools the young princess in the art of love.

Attending Memorabilia on November 19 only, Finn Jones plays the handsome Ser Loras Tyrell, a champion jouster known as the Knight of Flowers.

Miltos Yerolemou plays Syrio Forel, former First Sword of the Sealord of Braavos,...

From sci-fi to soaps, cult TV to classic comedy, Memorabilia Birmingham is a Mecca for collectors, film buffs and sci-fi fans – and HeyUGuys has five pairs of Saturday early entry e-tickets to give away for the 19-20 November show at NEC Birmingham.

This year’s Memorabilia guest list includes Kai Owen (Torchwood); Sir Derek Jacobi (The King’s Speech, I Claudius); Colin Baker (Doctor Who); Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who); Bruce Boxleitner (Tron, Babylon 5); John Challis (Only Fools And Horses); Doctor Who companions Katy Manning, Sophie Aldred, Deborah Watling, Sarah Sutton and Louise Jameson and five of the cast of HBO fantasy hit Game of Thrones.

Other stars meeting fans and signing autographs at the show include Marshall Lancaster (Ashes To Ashes, Life On Mars); Anthony Valentine (Coronation Street); Ian Ogilvy (Return Of The Saint); Alexandra Bastedo (The Champions); Barry Howard (Hi-De-Hi!); Susan Jameson (New Tricks, Coronation Street); Peter Egan...