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Remembering Paperback Books
While loving to watch the good, the bad and the ugly in monster movies, I naturally extended my interest to paperback books. They were affordable when I was a kid and I could find all kinds of interesting ones. Through the 1960s…right though today my eyes immediately zeroed in on paperbacks with a horror or science fiction theme. The joy of finding a “good one” has never gone away.
I keenly remember finding Christopher Lee on the cover of a paperback at a mall in the early 1970s. It was the paperback edition of the motion picture SCARS OF DRACULA. Wow, what a find.
There was a Hallmark store I used to frequent. Mom might be there to buy some birthday card for a relative and I would quickly shoot to the back of the store where they had wall racks of paperbacks. I had to be quick because Mom might not be too long in getting cards. At that store is where I saw a row of the H.P. Lovecraft paperbacks that featured creepy faces with black background. So cool. I had to get one at a time…since funds for a pre-teen are not easy to come by. I had to wait for the grass to grow tall enough to mow. Ten with lawn-cutting money I would be able to get a book.
The olive green-framed covers of the DARK SHADOWS series and the super-dynamic DOC SAVAGE covers by artist James Bama were at the local newsstand in the back…along with all those Gothic romances. The Gothics were too gooey in theme for me; but what cool covers with a girl running from a castle or mansion that had only one light in a window and gnarled trees reaching for her. Ah, but no monster.
Finally, a great used book and comic store opened in State College, PA. It was run by a married couple named Joe and Asher. Later it would be sold to Lane Carpenter who’s interest in comics and spooky stuff was so welcome. The store was called Book Swap. There I latched on to every Robert E. Howard CONAN book I Could find. They had interesting purple edged pages and those Frazatta covers. I also loaded up on the Ace paperback Edgar Rice Burroughs novels. Pellucidar, Mars, Venus…and, of course, Tarzan books.
From the school Scholastic books I ordered all things spooky and was able to get classics. DRACULA by Bram Stoker, FRANKENSTEIN by Shelley, Poe collections and many others. In fact, I just re-read my copy of a collection of mummy stories: THE MUMMY WALKS AMONG US. A Scholastic book.
There was a another used book store I located in Grove City, PA when visiting my relatives. It was a concrete block, unattractive former gas station! The place was loaded with unorganized stacks and stacks of paperbacks. Thousands. What a treasure hunt that place was.
And…there’s nothing like he smell of an old, yellowed paperback or comic book. Ahhh, the memories.
Ron Adams
Ligonier, PA
May 2020
On with the show, now let’s check out the new cool stuff and classic monster news…
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New! In Shock Stock and Shipping Now…MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM on Blu-Ray or DVD
One of the greatest pre-code horror films ever….filmed in that surreal early two-strip technicolor. Restored with new bonus features too….one of the most exciting releases of the year from the Warner Studio vaults and available on Blu-Ray or DVD:
THE MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933) – Blu-Ray or DVD
Early color horror! Lionel Atwill is a sculptor who tries to save his work when a the building owner wants to burn the museum for insurance money. Atwill is knocked unconscious and left to die. He survives…now completely insane. He uses real dead bodies to mold wax over for his new exhibits. A horrifying climax with a great “unmasking” scene with help from the lovely Fay Wray. New extras: Fay Wray documentary, restoration featurette, commentaries.
It is in stock now at Creepy Classics and ready to ship immediately to your creaky door!
Get it in our New Blu-Ray & DVD Department here at Creepy Classics.
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Re-Stocked…Classic Kino DVDs!
Back, fully stocked, it’s some classic titles from the premium label Kino-Lorber! Always high quality prints with great extras. Re-stocked for you viewing pleasure:
THE HANDS OF ORLAC (1924) – DVD
Stars Conrad Veidt, Alexandra Sorina and Fritz Cortner. The hands of a killer are grafted oto a pianist. The pianist begins taking on the characteristics of the murderer in the control of his hands. A chilling, strong performance by Conrad Veidt (THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI).
MOBY DICK (1956) – DVD
The Herman Melville classic novel is presented on screen with director John Huston and screenwriter Ray Bradbury. Stars Gregory Peck as mad Captain Ahab. Ahab was disfigured by a monstrous whale and he searches for it…to meet again. The most powerful movie of revenge, perseverance, fury and amazing visions of the sea and the inner workings of the human soul.
JACK THE GIANT KILLER (1962) – DVD
A princess is kidnapped, a fierce giant monster is on a rampage and flying witch-harpies attack a ship. Sound neat? It is. Similar in many ways to THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (including star Kerwin Matthews) this made a big splash with ticket-buying monster kids of the 60’s. A bit grittier and spookier than 7TH VOYAGE, this has more horror elements. Special effects by Jim Danforth. Includes the uncut original version at 94 minutes, plus the re-edited musical version at 91 minutes. Audio commentary by Tim Lucas. Original trailer.
ON THE BEACH (1959) – DVD
Stars Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins. It’s post nuclear war and a crew aboard a submarine reach Australia were blasts and radiation haven’t reached. But, there’s a massive radiation cloud coming their way and no hope of escape. Amazing and powerful.
Get these classic Kino-Lorber releases, factory sealed in our Complete on-line DVD Catalog here at Creepy Classics for some great viewing! All of these are powerful and really great films.
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MONSTER BASH June 2020 Schedule of Events!
It’s now on-line, the schedule of events for the June MONSTER BASH! Once again, it was very hard to schedule as we simply had too many great events and features to get in there. We had to drop a few things…which will appear at our October show.
Direct link to the schedule: https://www.monsterbashnews.com/schedule.html
It’s another jam-packed, no-sleep, 3-day weekend. You won’t want to miss a single thing.
Keep in mind that events are subject to change and thankfully not one guest has canceled at this point! All systems are go.
We’ll be ready to finally get out, and what a way to start…with your MONSTER BASH friends!
All the details, vendors, and guest listings are here: www.monsterbash.us
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Rondo Creeps Into a Sherlock Holmes Film
This message in from Dave Heywood (artist of the above pencil drawing):
Hey Ron,
I just had the pleasure re-watching two Sherlock Holmes movies. I had forgotten how great these films are. I really enjoy Basil Rathbone in the role of Holmes. He was made for that character. Nigel Bruce is also wonderful as Dr Watson. The 2 movies I watched were THE PEARL OF DEATH and SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON.
THE PEARL OF DEATH introduced Rondo Hatton as The Creeper. Hatton’s character brutally murders his victims by snapping their spines. Truly a “spine” tingling movie! In the SECRET WEAPON movie, my favorite Lionel Atwill played Professor Moriarty. What a great villain!
So today for fun, I did a colored pencil drawing of Holmes and The Creeper. I highly recommend these movies as well as the other Sherlock Holmes movies. It’s a “mystery” to me as to why everyone doesn’t own these movies!
Take care… Dave Heywood, FL
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Cover by Monster Bash alumni Mark Maddox.
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New! Hammer Studios on Blu
Two more great Hammer Films are now available on crystal clear Blu-Ray…it’s Oliver Reed in THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF and Suzanna Leigh in THE LOST CONTINENT (1968):
THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961/Collector’s Edition) – Blu-Ray
Stars Oliver Reed, Clifford Evans and Yvonne Romain. One of the most ferocious looking werewolves ever. A glossy Hammer production of a boy cursed to be a werewolf. New 4K scan of the original film negative, documentary, featurette, commentaries…packed to the full moon with extras.
THE LOST CONTINENT (1968/Hammer Films) – Blu-Ray
Hammer studios take you on a boat trip to The Lost Continent! A group of travelers are washed to a lost world island in a storm. They encounter giant crabs and various monstrosities! New scan of original film elements from the Fox vaults, commentaries, features, TV show, trailer and more!
Get these new Blu-Rays in our special Hammer Studios Department here in the crypt at Creepy Classics!
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The Latest Issue…MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #39, Basil Gogos Cover!
Get your copy of the latest MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE right now! Don’t miss out on getting it right away from Creepy Classics…home of MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE.
This is it….what a cool ghoul issue:
MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #39 – Magazine
Wow! This issue is packed with great articles: Bela Lugosi’s Ygor, Lon Chaney’s Inner Sanctum series, Jack Pierce and THE WOLF MAN, Tom Weaver’s TERROR IN THE WAX MUSEUM interview, Monster Music stax of weird wax, Fan Flashbacks and more. Writers include Tom Weaver, John DeGarmo, Leonard Hayhurst, Thom Shubilla, Ron Adams…cover art by FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND classic artist Basil Gogos!
Order before midnight, so you don’t forget!, CLICK HERE, or call (724) 238-4317.
It’s in our “Monster Bash Magazine Department” now at Creepy Classics!
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New! WEREWOLF IN A GIRL’S DORMITORY on Blu-Ray
The best you’ve ever seen it…uncut and scanned from archival film elements recently discovered in a Rome lab vault:
WEREWOLF IN A GIRL’S DORMITORY (1961, Uncut) – Blu-Ray
A werewolf-mystery film — who’s the one turning hairy and ripping-up people’s throats?! A new instructor arrives at the all-girl’s reformatory, is he the werewolf? There’s blackmail and many suspects. This is the original uncut version. Audio: English or Italian. Packed with extras: New scan of film elements, beautiful quality, nice booklet reproduction of an original photo-comic promotional piece, bonus CD of soundtrack music, interviews, commentary, trailers and more!
A premium, limited edition Blu-Ray from the quality producer of Blu-Rays…Severin Films. You’ll find it discounted now in our New Blu-Ray Department here at Creepy Classics.
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New! More Vintage Fantastic Classic Scholastic
Throwback time. It’s 6th grade all over again and the Scholastic Book order just came in. Your teacher is calling out names for you to come up to her desk and get your book order! The excitement of getting your books…the mysteries, the ghost stories, the magic books.
More titles entering our retro hallowed halls include: STORIES OF THE SUPERNATURAL, THE GREAT HOUDINI, BEYOND BELIEF, LITTLE WITCH, SKELETON CAVE, MRS. COVERLET’S MAGICIANS, SOME THINGS ARE SCARY and more!
Re-live it all one more time…order your Scholastic Books in our Scholastic Book Department at Creepy Classics. They’ll be in your mail box or at your door fast. The wait and excitement is on…but, you won’t have to wait too long now!
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New! TARZAN GOES TO INDIA on Blu-Ray and DVD
The 1962 swingin’ adventure in full color…is back on Blu-Ray and DVD:
Get this film for your library now…
TARZAN GOES TO INDIA (1962) – Blu-Ray or DVD
Jock Mahoney stars as the Lord of the Jungle….Tarzan in this colorful 1960s feature. A beautiful princess in India summons the aid of the ape man. A massive dam is being built which will flood an elephant sanctuary. Tarzan must face the perils in the jungle land of India to save the day.
It’s in our New Blu-Ray & DVD Department here at Creepy Classics. Time for a little jungle adventure thriller to hit your home screen!
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Artist Vince Davis Checks Into Cadman’s House
The above acrylic painting picture submitted by artist Vince Davis. Here’s what Vince said:
Ron,
I’ve got another one for you. A little tribute to one of my all-time favorite b-movies, “The Black Sleep”.
I Hope you can find a place for it. Thanks!
Regards, Vin, NY
And…you can get this monsterpiece on Blu-Ray or DVD:
THE BLACK SLEEP (1956) – Blu-Ray or DVD
Also known as: DR. CADMAN’S SECRET. A star-studded monster fest. Basil Rathbone is Dr. Cadman doing nasty brain experiments. Bela Lugosi is a mute butler in his last film (PLAN NINE’s scenes were filmed before this). Akim Tamiroff is a villainous gypsy. John Carradine goes over the top as a raving loon. And — where else will you see Tor Johnson and Lon Chaney Jr. locked in mortal combat!!!
Available at Creepy Classics!
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….and now, photos of fun from past MONSTER BASH shows! Stay up-to-date with MONSTER BASH Shows:
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Monsters After Midnight 