Today’s edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers is dedicated to the memory of Sage Stallone, the founder of Grindhouse Releasing. When Sage Stallone passed away last week, most news reports concentrated on the fact that he was the son of Sylvester Stallone. However, even more importantly, Sage Stallone was responsible for helping to introduce people like me to the old grindhouse classics that would have otherwise faded into obscurity.
1) I Drink Your Blood (1970)
I know I’ve shared this trailer before but, with the news of Stallone’s passing, I felt it was only appropriate to share it again. I Drink Your Blood is perhaps the best film ever released by Grindhouse Releasing.
2) Cat In The Brain (1990)
This trailer is kinda disgusting but, at the same time, cats are just soooooooo cute, no matter what they’re doing! This film was directed by (and stars) Lucio Fulci.
3) The Swimmer (1968)
I was actually surprised to discover that this film was released by Grindhouse Releasing because it doesn’t really strike me as being a grindhouse film. That said, I haven’t seen the actual film. I’m just read the John Cheever story that inspired it and I’ve seen the trailer, which I like a lot. And so, here we go.
4) Weapons of Death (1976)
This crime film was directed by the underrated Italian filmmaker, Mario Caiano. Franco Nero is not in it but he really should have been.
5) Never Too Young To Die (1986)
Does John Stamos have a reality show yet? I thought I read somewhere that he did.
Hi there! As some of you may have noticed, I took a week off from my favorite feature, Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers. I did this in observance of the 4th of July but now that the USA has celebrated yet another birthday, it’s time to get back to the things that really matter!
Our latest installment features Wings Hauser, a psychotic housekeeper, rabid grannies, and even a little dancing. Enjoy!
1) Nightmare At Noon (1988)
This almost ludicrously violent trailer has a slight Crazies feel to it, no?
2) Deadly Force (1983)
After that last trailer, I’m in the mood for some more Wings Hauser. Here he is in yet another violent trailer, this one for Deadly Force. I want to see this film just to find out what type of person keeps a bathtub and a grand piano in the same room.
3) The Housekeeper (1986)
She cooks. She cleans. She kills. And really, judging from the trailer, who can blame her?
4) The Ghost Dance (1980)
When you disturb the dead, you might pay the price. Like the best movies, this trailer comes with a message.
5) Rooftops (1989)
I like this one because it features dancing and … well, that’s about it.
On June 20th, it was announced that the body of veteran character actor Richard Lynch had been found at his home. Richard Lynch was never a household name but, if you’re a fan of exploitation and grindhouse cinema, you’ve probably seen him at least a few times. He was the tall, blonde actor with the scarred face who was alway either killing people or having them killed. Richard Lynch was one of those actors who, as soon as he showed up on-screen, you knew he was the bad guy.
As an actor, Lynch always brought something special to even the simplest of his roles. He was always the villain who you knew would probably easily kill the hero if the two of them ever met in the real world. He was so good at being bad that you often couldn’t help but root for him.
I first became aware of Richard Lynch when I bought a movie called Premonition on DVD. This atmospheric 1976 film featured Richard Lynch in the role of a villainous yet oddly sympathetic carnival clown-turned-kidnapper. When Lynch was on-screen, I literally could not look away. Even better, the DVD included an interview with the now white-haired Richard Lynch in which he discussed his career. Imagine my surprise to discover that this rather creepy and scary-looking actor was actually a very articulate and witty man.
A few days after I saw Premonition, I watched another 1976 film on DVD. This one was Larry Cohen’s Gold Told Me To and, to my surprise, it also featured Richard Lynch. This time, he was cast as an alien messiah who inspired all sorts of mayhem in New York City. From that moment on, Richard Lynch was one of my favorite of the old exploitation actors.
After Richard Lynch’s body was found, there were several news stories that mentioned his passing. Almost all of those stories repeated the story that Lynch’s distinctive facial scars were the result of him setting himself on fire as the result of bad LSD trip in 1967. A few mentioned that he was a longtime friend of Al Pacino’s. Most of them took a rather dismissive attitude towards the majority of Lynch’s films.
In fact, it seemed like the only place that Richard Lynch got the proper amount of respect was on twitter. And that’s a shame because an actor like Richard Lynch deserved a lot more.
The sad thing is that actors like Richard Lynch are rarely appreciated because elitist (and wannabe elitist) filmgoers and critics are rarely willing to admit that it does take a certain amount of talent to be an effective and memorable villain. As an actor, Richard Lynch appeared in some good films and he also appeared in a lot of very bad films but he always gave a good performance. Unlike so many other actors, he never used subpar material as an excuse to give a subpar performance. Regardless of the films he found himself in, he always gave it his best and that’s why this super-sized edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Trailers is dedicated to Richard Lynch.
1) God Told Me To (1976)
Arguably, this film from director Larry Cohen was the best movie that Richard Lynch ever appeared in. Though he doesn’t get a lot of screen time in either the film or the trailer, he easily dominates both, if just for the fact that Lynch plays the God of the title.
2) Deathsport (1978)
Richard Lynch vs. David Carradine.
3) The Sword and The Sorcerer (1982)
Though I haven’t seen it, this film is a favorite of many of my fellow contributors here at the Shattered Lens.
4) Cut and Run (1985)
This film was directed by Ruggero Deodato and apparently, it gained a certain amount of fame after it was banned in several countries. I’ve seen it on DVD and all I can say is that this is one of the most misleading trailers ever made. However, this film also features one of Richard Lynch’s most intimidating performances.
5) Savage Dawn (1985)
For some reason, I doubt that the character being played by Richard Lynch is a real priest.
6) Invasion USA (1985)
Judging from the response to Richard Lynch’s death on twitter, this Chuck Norris movie might be the film that he’s best known for.
7) The Barbarians (1987)
This film, which appears to feature Richard Lynch in full villain mode, was also directed by Ruggero Deodato.
8) Bad Dreams (1988)
Richard Lynch is all sorts of creepy in this trailer. Knowing about his own true life story makes this trailer all the more odd to watch.
9) Trancers 2 (1992)
Helen Hunt’s in this?
10) Werewolf (1996)
Thisone looks like fun, to be honest.
11) Wedding Slashers (2006)
“Til death do us part…”
12) Mil Mascaras Vs. The Aztec Mummy (2006)
Finally, let’s finish things up with the trailer for this Mexican film in which Richard Lynch was cast as the President of the United States.
Saturday was our big sister’s birthday so me and Dazzling Erin spent almost the entire weekend hanging out in a strange city called Ft. Worth. Erin even sang the longest karaoke version of American Pie ever! (And she sang it beautifully, by the way!) It was good fun but unfortunately, I couldn’t put a trailer post together while singing and drinking. However, we are back home and, without further ado, here’s 6 more trailers!
1) The Stepfather (1987)
Almost in time for Father’s Day, here’s the original Stepfather, starring a pre-Lost Terry O’Quinn.
2) The Stepfather Part II (1989)
You can’t keep a good stepfather down…
3) The Stepfather Part III (1992)
Wait — that’s not Terry O’Quinn!
4) Double Agent 73 (1974)
This film was directed by the famous Doris Wishman. “Watch out for her booby traps…”
5) The Ghastly Ones (1968)
Speaking of famous and notorious directors, this trailer is for a film directed by Andy Milligan.
6) The Rats Are Coming, The Werewolves Are Here! (1972)
Actually, I think I’ll close this entry with yet another Milligan film. He’s been underrepresented in my trailer posts so far and that’s a shame because if any director screams “grindhouse,” it’s Andy Milligan.
I guess the first question I should ask is “Did anyone miss me?”
It’s been a week since I last posted anything and when’s the last time that happened? Seriously, even when I went up to Baltimore last year, I still managed to put up three posts a day. The only excuse I can give is that it’s just been a very busy week and I hope that y’all can forgive me and give me a second chance. And hey — what about the great job that all of our contributors did keeping the site updated while I was on my unscheduled vacation for blogging last week? That’s why I love this site. Other sites gives you only one voice and only one view. Through the Shattered Lens, however, celebrates the fact that everyone views things through his or her own individual lens.
From director Fred Olen Ray comes this film that was apparently the inspiration for Prometheus. I love how low-budget movies about spaceships and airplanes always feature some heavy-set guy going, “You are coming in too fast!”
2) House of the Devil (2009)
I’m cheating a little because this film was released just a few years ago and therefore, it’s not technically a grindhouse film. However, it’s a film that was definitely inspired by the great low-budget horror films of the past. And, yes, that is Greta Gerwig, who is like in every other worthwhile film scheduled to be released this year and who will win an Oscar in the next five years.
3) House of Wax (1953)
My sister included this film’s poster in her last artist’s profile so it seems only appropriate that I include its trailer her. I love how bombastic these old horror trailers used to get. “YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT IT!”
4) A Fistful of Dynamite (1971)
This film is better known by the title Duck, You Sucker. Though he’s not seen in the trailer, this film also features future Fulci leading man David Warbeck.
5) Twice Dead (1988)
“It’s a dream house … for nightmares!”
6) Amityville 2: The Possession (1982)
This film is part of a grand tradition of cheap Italian sequels to hit American films. I actually own this one on DVD and I had to stop watching after about an 1 hour because it was just too disturbing. Considering some of the films that I’ve sat all the way through (and if you think that I’m referring to Cannibal Ferox and Cannibal Holocaust, you might be right), that’s saying something.
Let’s start things out on a happy note with … the end of the entire freakin’ world. Apparently, this film came at out the same time as a film called 2020: Texas Gladiators. I guess what that all means is that we’ve got about 7 years until everyone starts dressing like they live in Vermont…
2) Looker (1981)
“I waaaaaaaaaant it…” Next time somebody asks me a question at work, I’m going to reply with, “I’m the perfect female type…” just to see what type of reaction I get. (Actually, it better a positive reaction or else I’ll start crying…)
3) Funeral Home (1980)
This is actually a pretty effective trailer. I think it’s atmospheric and creepy and, if nothing else, you won’t forget the title of the film.
4) Three The Hard Way (1974)
Though the trailer doesn’t mention it, the villain in Three The Hard Way is played by Jay Robinson who, two decades before, played Caligula in The Robe.
5) Savage! (1973)
I like this trailer because it rhymes. “Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee’s SAAAAAAAVAGE!”
6) Dragons Die Hard (1974)
Since we opened with a short trailer, why not close with an even shorter one? As I type this, I’m watching an old movie from the 70s called Aaron Loves Angela. There’s a scene where two characters are walking down 42nd street and they pass a grindhouse theater that has two films listed on the marquee — Three The Hard Way and Dragons Die Hard. Since I had already included Three The Hard Way in this post, I decided that this is the Grindhouse God’s way of telling me to close with Dragons Die Hard. Though this trailer is short, be sure to listen to it carefully and, after you’ve watched the whole thing, ask yourself what this film is rated.
To all of our readers in the USA, Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
To all of our readers elsewhere in the world, happy weekend!
Suddenly, after typing that, I realize that — with typical American arrogance — I have just assigned the majority of the world to elsewhere. Agck! Those obnoxious (but cute) German Marxists that I got into all those arguments with when I went to Italy were right!
But you know what? A weekend like this is a good time to acknowledge that film is an international art form. Today’s edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation trailers features an early test run for Captain America, two films from Italy, and two films starring one of my international stars, the late David Warbeck. (Did you know that Warbeck came close to being cast in the role of James Bond? Daniel Craig could learn a lot from watching a few Warbeck films.)
Enjoy!
1) Captain America (1990)
What better way to start off this memorial day edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film trailer than by featuring the trailer for Captain America? No, this is not the trailer for the film that we all went and saw last year. This, apparently, was that film’s low-budget ancestor. In this version, Capt. America is played by Matt Salinger, the son of writer J.D. Salinger.
2) The Last Hunter (1981)
This Viet Nam War film from Antonio Margheriti is surprisingly good and features an excellent lead performance from one of my favorite of the old exploitation veterans, David Warbeck.
3) Black Snake (1973)
Speaking of David Warbeck, he’s also featured in this rather uncomfortable trailer for Black Snake, a 1973 film from Russ Meyer.
4) Track of The Moonbeast (1976)
This one is included in my 50 Chilling Classics Boxset from Mill Creek so I’ll probably be watching it sometime next week.
5) Trick Baby (1972)
After I saw this trailer, I called up everyone I knew and I whispered, “Trick baby, trick baby…” to them. Most of the reactions were positive.
6) Blood and Black Lace (1963)
Finally, what better way to welcome a holiday than with a little Mario Bava? This is the trailer for his classic giallo, Blood and Black Lace.
This movie was actually on the Fox Movie Channel last night. The trailer’s better.
2) The Tenement (1985)
As this trailer makes clear, this film is also known as Slaughter In The South Bronx.
3) Enter The Ninja (1981)
It’s Franco Nero!
4) Eat My Dust (1976)
It’s Ron Howard!
5) Beatrice Cenci (1969)
Before Lucio Fulci devoted himself to making zombie films, he made this one. It tells the true story of Beatrice Cenci, an Italian noblewoman who, in 1599, conspired to murder her abusive father. Fulci considered it to be his second best film. I’ve never seen it but I hope to do so someday soon.
6) The Slams (1973)
Finally, let’s conclude this edition with Jim Brown in … The Slams!
Hi there! If you’re a mom, Happy Mother’s Day. And if you’re not, you better go do something nice for your mom or else run the risk of being given back to the gypsies that she got you from. (Incidentally, there’s no shame in being a gypsy adoptee. According to my sisters, I was left in the backyard by a wandering gypsy band and just look at me now…)
I’ve featured this trailer before but I figured that since it’s Mother’s Day…
2) The Bloody Brood (1959)
Yes, this is the same Bloody Brood that I reviewed on this website a few days ago.
3) Operation Kid Brother (1967)
Come October, we’re going to be reviewing every single James Bond film ever made here at the Shattered Lens. Until then, why not enjoy this trailer featuring Sean Connery’s kid brother Neil?
4) Lightning Bolt (1966)
Much like Operation Kid Brother, this appears to be another Italian attempt to make a Bond-style film. Apparently, Neil Connery is not featured in this one.
5) Avenging Angel (1985)
Awwww…this movie was released the year I was born. 🙂
And finally, let’s close things out with a film that’s become such a classic and is so influential that film snobs tend to forget that it’s essentially a very well-made grindhouse film…
Hola and happy Cinco De Mayo! I’m not sure if Cinco De Mayo is as big a deal up north as it is down here in the Southwest but today is going to be one of the few Saturdays that I don’t go to the movies. Instead, I will be observing this day with friends, family (I am a fourth Spanish), and cerveza. But first, here’s the latest edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Trailers…
(Be warned: Some of these trailers are a tad bit more explicit than some of the other trailers that I’ve featured as a part of this series. Watch with caution.)
1) Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971)
This is one of the first of the great Spanish horror films.
2) Return of the Evil Dead (1973)
The Blind Dead returned in this gory and violent sequel. One of my prize possessions is my Blind Dead box set, which was released (in the shape of a coffin, no less) by Blue Underground.
3) Vampyros Lesbos (1971)
This is the German trailer for Vampyros Lesbos, directed by the infamous Jess Franco. Just try to guess what this film is about…
4) Oasis of the Living Dead (1981)
In a career that has spanned over 500 films, Jess Franco has dealt with not only lesbian vampires but zombies as well…
5) Night of the Bloody Apes (1969)
From Rene Cardona comes this surprisingly bloody films about what happens when an ape’s heart is transplanted into a normal human being. Fortunately, there’s a wrestler around to save the day…
6) The Werewolf Vs. The Vampire Woman (1970)
Finally, let’s end things with a Paul Naschy film, shall we?
Through the Shattered Lens 