Legacy of Blood (1971)

I was trying to get some rest in before heading out into the final 48 hours of Chief transition and decided to throw something on to help pass the time. My decision was Legacy of Blood (AKA Blood Legacy) from 1971 and Elvira's Movie Macabre.  

Plot/ In order to qualify to inherit the family fortune, the four heirs must spend the night in the family estate. However, during the night someone starts killing them off.

When I decided to watch this the other night, I do so on the strength of seeing John Carradiine’s name. Man, was that a bad idea. This mystery/thriller/horror truly had little to offer except some vivid colors and a tolerable storyline (albeit pretty cliché except for the incest). Other than that, this flick was awful. It had terrible acting, a horrid script, below average effects, and a little blood or gore. Honestly, it is just that bad and definitely is not recommended in any way, shape or form.

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973)

I still have not got back in the swing of blogging since we returned from Pennsylvania. Maybe it is the fact that my house is cluttered with boxes as we pack, or maybe it is just that I have not found the right movie. My choice to get back into it was the 1970s campy fun, The Boy Who Cried Werewolf from 1973.

Plot/ Little Richie Bridgestone (whose parents are divorced) goes to spend the weekend with his father at his secluded mountain cabin, and witnesses his father being attacked by 'a creature' that the boy recognizes as a werewolf. He spends the rest of the film trying to convince his mother, and his therapist that his father is now a werewolf.

To me, this flick cried for a Horror Host. It is a fun, campy low budget gem that is actually more good than bad. Yes, it is nothing great with subpar acting and a totally unbelievable plot. Yet, there is something creepy that pops up from time-to-time. When you couple that with a fun looking werewolf and some awesome characters, you have a B-Movie gem that is definitely worth watching! If you enjoy camp, you will enjoy this!

Elvira's Movie Macabre: Untamed Women (1952)

The other night I was catching up with my DVR and decided to watch another installment of Elvira’s Movie Macabre. This one, the 1952 drive-in flick Untamed Women.

Plot/ An Air Force officer encounters a strange band of females from a lost civilization inhabiting a remote South Seas island.

There are bad movies, then there are BAD movies, and this one may be even bad for an Elvira Episode. Actually, this is not just bad, it is the double whammy of bad and boring. The plot is choppy, the pacing off and really there is not much to see with most of it being random stock footage spliced together. In the end, this does not offer much and should be ignored (unless like me, you occaisionally suffer from insomnia).

Elvira's Movie Macabre: I Eat You Skin (1964)

After a long day, it was time to settle down and enjoy some more Elvira’s Movie Macabre. This installment was the 1964 low-budget zombie flick from Voo Doo Island, I Eat Your Skin.

Plot/ A cancer researcher on a remote Caribbean island discovers that by treating the natives with snake venom he can turn them into bug-eyed zombies. Uninterested in this information, the unfortunate man is forced by his evil employer to create an army of the creatures in order to conquer the world.

Being a fan of the drive-in era, I always sit in amazement at some of the low-budget flick made to meet the demand. This movie definitely falls into the so-bad it is almost good category. While there are the usual flaws, bad acting, poor editing, and a misplaced sound track. However, all is not lost. The pacing is decent, the scenery is beautiful and the zombie make-up is better than expected. Originally titled Zombies, which may make more sense because there is no flesh eating, this B-Movie is far from great, but if you love the cheese factor, check it out.

Elivira's Movie Macabre: Werewolf of Washington (1973)

Last night, I decided to check out an episode of Elvira’s Movie Macabre, as the Mistress of the Dark is always good for some entertaining moments. This installment was 1973s Werewolf of Washington. This weeks installment on THIS is Don’t Look in the Basement (if interested).

Plot/ A reporter who has had an affair with the daughter of the U.S. President is sent to Hungary. There he is bitten by a werewolf, and then gets transferred back to Washington, where he gets a job as press assistant to the President. Then bodies start turning up in D.C.

I am not sure whether this was supposed to be such an over-the-top horror comedy, or if it is just that bad. One thing is certain it is definitely perfect for Elvira’s Movie Macabre. I will admit that there are some funny moments, with a pretty witty script. However, some of it was just too far out there to even be entertaining. The pacing was slow, the acting uneven and there was no gore or blood during the kills. Overall, it was definitely more political satire than horror flick. If you are into odd 1970s flicks, check this one out, if not…

Don't Look in the Basement (1973)

After a rough day on the fishing charter it was nice to settle back into my comfort zone. Time to continue  with Cult Horror Collection. Tonight’s entry is Don’t Look in the Basement (AKA The Forgotten from 1973).

Plot / Dr. Stephens runs a secluded sanitarium with a small group of mental patients, one of whom uses the ax that was supposed to be for therapeutic wood-chopping to cut down Dr. Stephens. Now, Dr. Masters is running the asylum alone with her brand-new nurse, who does her best to befriend the eclectic group of patients. The pretty young nurse was eager to work with the forward-thinking Dr. Stephens, but finds his successor to be less than welcoming and the hospital to be less than wholesome.

As many of you know, these sets are very hit and miss. I was happy to see that I could watch this as a follow-up to the last movie of the set that I reviewed (Kill Baby Kill). This is actually a pretty good flick that suffered with what must have been a sub-minimal budget. Everything else, while not top notch it is done rather well. The script is solid, the acting decent and the direction is good. Even the story offers some twists to go along with some gore and suspense. Overall, it was enjoyable and a movie that I recommend.