TWO BAVAS AND AN ARGENTO

 

Euro Horror has a deeply dedicated fan following, and for good reason: the films from the genre have a decidedly different look and feel compared to films made, say, in the U.S. and UK. There are also a long list of directors who have developed a unique style to their work; Dario Argento and Mario Bava immediately come to mind.

Another Bava, Lamberto, is the son of his late father, Mario, and created his own horror oeuvre over the years, including working as assistant director of many other films, including the now-infamous, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST.

The UK fanzine shown here today is a tribute to the Euro Horror genre. Included in this issue is a bio of Lamberto Bava and his filmography, a review of Mario Bava's PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (Lamberto was assistant director to his father in this one), an editorial about UK film censorship and coverage of Joe D'Amato's sex romp, 11 DAYS, ELEVEN NIGHTS. The lead feature is on Dario Argento.

FRIDAY FEMME FATALE: MYLENE DEMONGEOT

In the period between the late 50s and mid-70s, Europe supplied many beauties for appearance on the silver screen with portrayals as Greek goddesses, spy girls and eye-candy in giallo films. Mylene Demongeot was one of them. She played in precious few of our beloved genre films, but is nevertheless more than worthy of attention. 

Perhaps her most popular role in this regard is playing Andromeda opposite Steve Reeves in the 1959 peplum film co-produced by France and Italy, THE GIANT OF METROPOLIS (La battaglia di Maratona).

Jaques Tourneur, who had directed a series of very effective horror films in the 1940s (CAT PEOPLE, etc.) bowed out in the middle of directing this film after declining a contract extension. Mario Bava, who was the cameraman, was asked to step in and finish the directorial duties. Galatea Film rewarded Bava's efforts by allowing him to develop his own project. The name of the film would be BLACK SUNDAY (1960).

In her biography, Miss Demongeot claimed that Steve Reeves was only making films to earn the money for a ranch and horses. She also said that Reeves physical appearance was "show muscle", and he barely had the strength to lift her. According to her, Tourneur seemed to be not interested in working on this film and gave most of the directorial work over to Bruno Vaïlati.

Shown below is a photo spread of the then very popular Mylene Demongeot from the October, 1965 issue of CONTINENTAL FILM REVIEW.

CALTIKI IS COMING!

Looking like Italy's answer to THE BLOB, CALTIKI THE IMMORTAL MONSTER was influenced more by Hammer's THE QUATERMASS EXPERMIMENT than by AIP's crawling mass of grape jelly.

Legendary Italian director Riccardo Freda received screen credit, buy many reliable sources site Mario Bava as having directed most of the film.

In any event, CALTIKI is an unusual (and unusually good) entry in the "Big Monster" movie canon that deserves memorializing with a good print. The U.K.s Arrow Video appears to have done it with a Blu-ray version poised for release on April 10.

Caltiki The Immortal Monster 1959 Special Edition Blu-Ray:

Arrow Video presents a collaboration between two giants of Italian cult cinema Riccardo Freda (The Vampires, The Horrible Dr Hichcock) and Mario Bava (5 Dolls for an August Moon, Blood and Black Lace)!

A team of archaeologists led by Dr John Fielding (John Merivale, Circus of Horrors) descends on the ruins of an ancient Mayan city to investigate the mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants. However, the luckless explorers get more than they bargained for when their investigation of a sacrificial pool awakens the monster that dwells beneath its waters the fearsome and malevolent god Caltiki.

Though Riccardo Freda received sole directing credit, a significant portion of the film was in fact the work of Mario Bava, who also served as its cinematographer and was responsible its striking special effects. Drawing on a diverse array of influences, from The Quatermass Experiment to the works of HP Lovecraft, Caltiki the Immortal Monster is a unique and unforgettable sci-fi chiller which showcases these two legendary filmmakers at their most inventive. Presented here for the first time in a newly restored high definition transfer, Caltiki shines and terrifies like never before.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:

-Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative

-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations

-Original mono Italian and English soundtracks (lossless on the Blu-ray Disc)

-Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack

-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack

-New audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark

-New audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of The Haunted World of Mario Bava and So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films

-From Quatermass to Caltiki, a new discussion with author and critic Kim Newman on the influence of classic monster movies on Caltiki

-Riccardo Freda, Forgotten Master, an archival interview with critic Stefano Della Casa

-The Genesis of Caltiki, an archival interview with filmmaker Luigi Cozzi

-Archival introduction to the film by Stefano Della Casa

-Alternate opening titles for the US version

-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys

-FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing by Kat Ellinger and Roberto Curti.

BONUS! CALTIKI was previewed way back in FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #10 (January 1961).

EXTRA BONUS! CALTIKI Lobby Card Set.

 

 

 

IT'S BLACK SUNDAY!

Now accepting bids at auction is this set of lobby cards from Mario Bava's Italian horror classic, BLACK SUNDAY. With plenty of Barbara Steele depicted, this would be an excellent addition to any Monsterologist's collection.

Hope your Sunday a bright one...