I finished four books during this week, as well as two pulp magazine issues. Books Wednesday’s Wrath, by Don Pendleton. Mack Bolan reaches the third day in his final week-long sweep against the resurgence of the Mafia, but this time he is diverted from his planned target to tackle something much bigger in scope, with …
Wednesday Pulp: Weird Tales, March 1923
One hundred years ago this week, the magazine Weird Tales debuted. The “Unique” magazine is perhaps the most famous of the pulps to readers today thanks to its publishing of horror by H. P. Lovecraft and Conan tales by Robert E. Howard, but it encompassed many more authors and works during its three-decade run. I’m …
Read the full post →“Wednesday Pulp: <em>Weird Tales</em>, March 1923”
The Fly (Twentieth Century Fox, 1958)
Rushed experimentation brings tragedy for a scientist (David Hedison) and his wife (Patricia Owens) in this well-crafted tale that begins with the discovery of a dead man. The story is largely recounted retrospectively, with the wife telling of the developments that led to the gruesome situation that kicks off the movie. Careful direction builds suspense, …
Read the full post →“<em>The Fly</em> (Twentieth Century Fox, 1958)”
The Man with Nine Lives (Columbia, 1940)
Boris Karloff shines as usual as a mad scientist, this time one committed to cryogenic research. In fact, he himself is a beneficiary, when, after being frozen alive, he and those frozen with him are revived by a younger doctor who makes use of “frozen therapy” to treat cancer. Unfortunately, the scientist’s monomania, though it …
Read the full post →“<em>The Man with Nine Lives</em> (Columbia, 1940)”
Sting of Death (1966)
This low-budget monster movie set in the Florida Everglades features mad science, college jerks, bright colors, an odd-looking creature, and the singing of Neil Sedaka (singing “Do the Jellyfish”). There’s no particular reason to see the movie, but it manages to be somewhat entertaining despite its limitations. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is …
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (Universal, 1953)
Fans of the comic duo will likely have a fun time with Abbott and Costello’s science fiction comedy, in which the pair end up accidentally setting off in a rocket ship bound (they think) for Mars, though subsequent events prove their first destination much closer to home, while they do get a longer journey later. …
Read the full post →“<em>Abbott and Costello Go to Mars</em> (Universal, 1953)”
The Invisible Ray (Universal, 1936)
Karloff and Lugosi are in fine form in this Universal picture, with the former essaying the not-unusual role of a scientist gone mad (here driven murderously so by exposure to the dreaded Radium X) and the latter a humanitarian doctor who saves the scientist’s life but must eventually face the consequence of his action. Well …
Read the full post →“<em>The Invisible Ray</em> (Universal, 1936)”
The Creation of the Humanoids (1962)
This thoughtful science fiction film deals with prejudice and what it means to be human, as a post-nuclear-war society struggles to determine just how cyborgs might fit in. Rather too much talk and an obvious twist keep this from being as good as it might be, but it’s nevertheless worth a look. Mildly recommended. Otto …
Read the full post →“<em>The Creation of the Humanoids</em> (1962)”
Beast of Blood (1970)
Dr. Bill Foster (John Ashley) is back on Blood Island in this sequel to Mad Doctor of Blood Island, again confronting its horrors and finding new opportunities for romance as well (his love interest of the previous film having been killed at the start of this one). He’s investigating whether the deranged Dr. Lorca (Eddie …
The Alligator People (Twentieth Century Fox, 1959)
A bride (Beverly Garland) abandoned by her new groom searches for him, hoping to learn the reason why he suddenly left her and went into hiding. Her investigation eventually leads her to a remote southern mansion, where she learns the horrifying truth, a truth connected with the title of the film. Entertaining overall, with Garland …
Read the full post →“<em>The Alligator People</em> (Twentieth Century Fox, 1959)”