Happy Halloween! For today’s special edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers, we are paying tribute to the great George Romero! Here are six trailers, all for films directed by the master of American horror! How many of them have you watched this October?
2. The Crazies (1973)
3. Martin (1977)
4. Creepshow (1982)
5. Monkey Shines (1988)
6. The Dark Half (1993)
For today’s edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse And Exploitation Film Trailers, we share some trailers from the maestro of Italian horror, Mario Bava!
After starting his career as a cinematographer and a visual effects engineer, Mario Bava made his directorial debut with 1960’s Black Sunday, starring Barbara Steele!
2. Black Sabbath (1963)
In 1963, Bava directed one of his most popular films, the horror anthology Black Sabbath. The trailer put the spotlight on the great Boris Karloff.
3. Planet of the Vampires (1965)
One of Bava’s best films, Planet of the Vampires, was later cited by many as an influence on the Alien films.
4. Bay of Blood (1971)
One of the first slasher films, Bay of Blood was also a social satire that featured Bava’s dark sense of humor.
5. The House of Exorcism (1974)
When it was released in the United States, Bava’s Lisa and the Devil was re-titled House of Exorcism and, after new scenes were filmed, sold as a rip-off to The Exorcist.
6. Shock (1977)
Bava’s final film as a director was Shock, which starred Daria Nicolodi as a woman who is being haunted by the ghost of her first husband.
As we reach the conclusion of our annual Horrorthon, how about another edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film trailers? Today, we pay tribute to the godfather of Halloween, Mr. John Carpenter!
Obviously, I was going to have to share the trailer for the original Halloween eventually. This is still the best of the franchise. In fact, all of the attempts by other directors to “improve” on it just serves to remind us of the fact that John Carpenter said everything that needed to be said in the first film.
2. Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
How did Carpenter get the chance to direct Halloween? Well, the producers were impressed with his previous film, Assault on Precinct 13. Also impressed by this film was Angela Pleasence, who subsequently convinced her father, Donald, to read Carpenter’s script for Halloween.
3. The Fog (1980)
Carpenter followed up Halloween with The Fog, which featured several cast members of both Halloween and Carpenter’s next film, Escape From New York.
4. The Thing (1982)
Incredibly underappreciated when it was first released, Carpenter’s remake of The Thing has gone on to become one of his most popular and influential films.
5. Prince of Darkness (1987)
Speaking of underappreciated, it would also be several years before Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness started to receive the attention that it really deserved.
6. John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998)
Finally, with Vampires, Carpenter mixed the horror genre with the western genre and came up with a hybrid that continues to be influential to this day.
With the third week of Horrorthon coming to a close and the final week about to start, I have to really ask myself, “Where does the time go!?”
Well, as I consider that, why not check out this special Horrorthon edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film trailers!
In this film from 1977, the great Piper Laurie plays Ruby, a former gun moll who owns her own haunted drive-in theater!
2. Drive-In Massacre (1976)
Ruby was not the only 70s horror film to be sent at a drive-in. There was also 1976’s Drive-In Massacre!
3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
And what were they all watching at the drive-in? Depending on the year, they could have very well have been watching the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
4. The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)
Another drive-in of the 70s was this documentary about the search for the Fouke Monster.
5. The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)
The Legend of Boggy Creek was such a hit that director Charles B. Pierce was able to follow up with The Town That Dreaded Sundown.
6. The Evictors (1979)
The Town That Dreaded Sundown was a bit enough hit that Charles B. Pierce was able to follow it up with The Evictors.
Such is the power of the drive-in!
Happy Friday the 13th! Since today is a special day, here’s a special edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film trailers! The theme today is …. DON’T GO IN THE WOODS!
Obviously, I had to start things off with the trailer for the original Friday the 13th! This trailer puts a lot of emphasis on Marcie’s dream about the rain turning into blood. I have to say that is a pretty intense dream.
2. The Burning (1981)
After Friday the 13th, there were many movies about the dangers of going to camp. The Burning is one of the best-remembered. Seriously, I’m so glad that I never did the camp thing.
3. Madman (1982)
I reviewed Madman earlier this month but I’m going to share the trailer again. Seriously, camping is bad but yelling, “Madman Marz!” is apparently even worse.
4. Sleepaway Camp (1983)
As bad as those camps are, they’re a picnic compared to Sleepaway Camp!
5. Without Warning (1980)
Of course, it’s not just camps that are dangerous. As the trailer for Without Warning shows, you never know what you might run into in the woods.
6. The Guardian (1990)
Not even the trees are safe!
As week 1 of the 2023 Horrorthon comes to a close, it’s time for me to admit that I am absolutely, 100% exhausted. Hopefully, this latest edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse Trailers will help to keep me awake!
Here’s a trailer that’s as good as any when it comes to giving you a reason to try to stay awake!
2. Bad Dreams (1988)
Freddy isn’t the only person haunting the dream world.
3. Dreammaniac (1986)
Actually, there’s a lot of dangerous things out there in Dream Land.
4. The Cell (2000)
Even Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn know better than to get lost in someone else’s dream.
5. Phantasm (1979)
And, of course, we can’t talk about sleep and dreams and nightmares without including the classic trailer for Phantasm.
6. Dreamscape (1984)
Fear not, though! If things get too intense in the dreamworld, we can always call Dennis Quaid.
Sweet dreams!
Today, in honor of Labor Day, I am very proud to present a very special edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers! I have selected six trailers for six films about six very specific jobs. Your next career might be found below!
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of your students? Why not follow the path of Rick Lattimore and become …. The Principal!?
2. The Gardener (1972)
Do you like working with plants? Do you have a green thumb? A career in gardening might be for you!
3. The Soldier (1982)
Do you love your country? Do you want to protect your nation from enemies, both domestic and international? The Soldier knows how you feel!
4. The Exterminator (1980)
Do you want to protect your community and help clean up the neighborhood? Consider pursuing a career as an urban vigilante, just like The Exterminator!
5. Moonrunners (1975)
Are you a good driver? Do you feel that the government needs to stay out of people’s personal decisions? Moonshine runner might be a career for you!
6. American Ninja (1985)
Do you have a truly unique set of skills? Were you born in the United States? Consider a career as an American Ninja!
Happy Labor Day!
Since it’s Oscar week, it seems like a good idea to devote the latest edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film trailers to 6 classic films that received not a single Oscar nomination. That’s the way the Oscars are unfortunately. Sometimes, the best films are totally ignored.
For instance….
1967 was a great year for the movie so perhaps it’s understandable that the Academy somehow overlooked Chappaqua. Still, this film was far more deserving a nomination than Doctor Doolittle.
2. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1971)
Valley of the Dolls received an Oscar nominations for its score. However, it’s unofficial sequel didn’t even receive that. Not a single nomination went to Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, not even Best Original Song. In 1970, the Academy just wasn’t ready.
3. Coffy (1973)
Ellen Burstyn certainly deserved the Oscar for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore but still, how could the Academy not nominate Pam Grier for her work in Coffy?
4. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
The Academy will probably never embrace the zombie genre. They certainly weren’t prepared to do so in 1978. That said, it’s way past time to give Tom Savini an honorary award.
5. The Warriors (1979)
The Warriors is another classic that went unnominated. Not even the music got a nomination. David Patrick Kelly was totally snubbed. The Baseball Furies should have been sitting in front row on Oscar night. It’s a true shame.
6. Death Wish 3 (1985)
Give the Giggler an Oscar!
Well, here we are! It’s the third Thursday in October and that means that it’s time for another edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers!
Since today is Boris Karloff’s birthday, I thought I would devote this edition to everyone’s favorite reanimated corpse, Frankenstein’s Monster! Over the years, there’s been a lot of movies about the Monster. Here are the trailers for six of them!
Believe it or not, there was a time when it was felt that the story of Frankenstein and his Monster has been played out. With the Universal films bringing in less and less money, many felt that the Monster’s days were behind it. Then, Hammer, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee came along and said, “No! This is what Frankenstein is all about!”
At least, I assume that’s what they said. I hope they did.
2. Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter (1965)
You can’t keep a good Frankenstein down as Jesse James discovered in this 1965 western.
3. Lady Frankenstein (1971)
In this Italian film, the Baron’s daughter continues her father’s scientific experiments! I guess Jesse James wasn’t the only one to meet Frankenstein’s Daughter!
4. Flesh for Frankenstein (a.k.a. Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein) (1973)
Udo Kier is the Baron and Andy Warhol may have been the producer of this film. Or he may have just lended his name out for the money. It depends on who you ask.
5. Blackenstein (1973)
Of course, following the success of Blacula, there was a blaxploitation take on Frankenstein.
6. Frankenhooker (1990)
And, of course, who can forget Frankenhooker?
I hope that your Halloween is full of the type of creativity and scientific curiosity that made the Frankenstein family legendary!
It’s the holiday season and you know what that means!
Or maybe you don’t. Sometimes, I forget that not everyone can read my mind. Anyway, I used to do a weekly post of my favorite grindhouse trailers. Eventually, it went from being a weekly thing to being an occasional thing, largely due to the fact that there’s only so many trailers available on YouTube. Now, Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers is something that I usually only bring out on a holiday.
Like Halloween!
So, with that in mind, here are 6 trailers for the first Sunday of October! By the way, these trailers might contain some material that some viewers might find objectionable. To be honest, if you’re reading this site in October, you’re probably used to horrific imagery and there’s nothing here that will really upset you. But, y’know …. better to pretend to care than to not care at all!
This is probably one of the best known of the classic grindhouse trailers. It features very little footage from the film (which, despite the title, is apparently fairly tame) but it does feature interviews with actors playing the people who supposedly watched it. Interestingly enough, the recent film version of Dear Evan Hansen did the same thing.
2. A Night to Dismember (1984)
Oh, Doris! This trailer for Doris Wishman’s A Night To Dismember goes on for a bit but that’s kind of the key to it’s charm.
3. Blood Cult (1985)
Blood Cult is often cited as being the first direct-to-video film. And the film definitely has a home movie feel to it …. as does the trailer!
4. Blood Beach (1981)
If Blood Cult is not your thing, how about Blood Beach? This film has the grainy aesthetic of the best low-budget grindhouse trailers.
5. Blood Feast (1963)
Since we’ve already got a blood theme going here, this seems like an appropriate place for the trailer for the first gore film, Herschell Gordon Lewis’s Blood Feast! Have you ever had an Egyptian feast?
6. 2,000 Maniacs (1964)
And finally, let’s wrap up today’s edition with another blood-soaked trailer from Herschell Gordon Lewis. 2,000 Maniacs is Lewis’s take on Brigadoon. Not surprisingly, this trailer features almost as much music as the trailer for Dear Evan Hansen.
Lisa Marie’s Grindhouse Trailers will return next week, with more trailer that may or may not be connected to Dear Evan Hansen!
Through the Shattered Lens 