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HORRORHOUND #33

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    So how well do you know your Horror History?  One of our goals here at the Krypt is to help educate horror fans out there.  And one way we are hoping to do that is by bringing attention to certain people that you might not have heard of before.  If you have, that's great.  You're already on your way.  But if you haven't, just take a few minutes to read about these people that had a lasting effect on the horror genre.
    Each week, we will be adding a new name to this list below.  So we hope that you will be back each week for the next installment.  If there might be someone that you think should be noted as having an important part, please send us an email by clicking HERE.  We'll pass the name onto our Kryptic Research Department for a detailed investigation.  And if we decide to use your suggestion, we'll give you credit.
    And now, let's begin....

Andrew Keir
Born April 3rd, 1926 - Died Oct. 5th, 1997

    Andrew Keir took on difficult task of portraying Professor Quatermass in Hammer's 3rd film in their series, QUATERMASS AND THE PIT, this time in color.  In the previous two films, the role had been played by Brian Donlevy.  But here, Keir gave the character a lot more heart, but still held onto his firm beliefs and had no problem letting his adversaries know what he was thinking.  Also for Hammer, he appeared in DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS, BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB, as well as a couple of their pirate movies.  He even appeared along Peter Cushing in his take on the famous Dr. Who character (though very different from the series).
    No matter what role Keir was in, he was always memorable, not to mention great character actor.  He appeared in many other films, with only just a few in the horror genre.  Playing Prof. Quatermass was one of his favorite roles.

Tom Chantrell
Born Dec. 20th - Died July 15th, 2001

    Its a very old story how Hammer CEO would take a poster art of a new film to the distributors and sell the picture, only to then give the poster to the screen writer and tell them to write the movie!  One of men responsible for those posters was Tom Chantrell, who turned out over 7000 designs in his career, averaging about 3 posters a week!  If you're a fan of Hammer films then you are well aware of his work, even if you didn't know it.  His designs highlighted the selling points of what Hammer was trying to do...sell tickets!  Just try doing a google image search of his name and see the hundreds of works of art that this man did in his career.
    His first film poster was for the 1938 film THE AMAZING DR. CLITTERHOUSE, and he continued to work well into the late '70s.  When the '80s came, that style of poster art seemed to be replaced by cheap computer photo shop works of "art".  He did work a bit designing video covers, but it just wasn't the same.
    But at least that before his death, he was able to learn and realize that his artwork, as well as many other great poster art, was now being regarded as great works of art and had become highly collectable.  Never one to give himself the credit he deserved, Chantrell was very modest, calling a good poster a "ripsnorter".
    Maybe one day this style of poster art will come back.  We can always  hope.
    For a great interview with Chantrell, along with some great examples of his work, as well as many other Hammer posters and celebrities, head over to Hammer Horror Posters.

Willis H. O'Brien
Born March 2nd, 1886 - Died Nov. 8th, 1962

    When thinking of stop motion animation in movies, most fans usually think of Ray Harryhausen.  But Willis O'Brien was one of the people that taught Harryhausen his craft.  Starting as a cartoonist, he later made the move to movies when he was hired by the Edison company to make some short films that had a prehistoric theme, featuring dinosaurs.  This is one thing that O'Brien seemed to excel at, which would later lead to him working on the two famous early classics THE LOST WORLD (1925) and of course, KING KONG (1933).
    He would work on other films such as THE SON OF KONG (1933), MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949), THE BLACK SCORPION (1957), THE GIANT BEHEMOTH (1959), and the remake of THE LOST WORLD (1960).
    He was awarded an Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 1950 by the Academy Awards.  While he might not have made as many films that made the impact that KING KONG did, what he did work on still lives on today and still makes a impact on the viewers that watch it.

Arthur Grant
Born 1915 - Died 1972

    One of the things that Hammer Films are most known for is their look.  And one of the reasons for that is due to the cinematographer.  Working with the director, they are the ones that created the way a scene looks on film.  And one of the most prolific ones for Hammer was Arthur Grant.  He started in the film business at the age of 14 and working his way up to director of photography, or DP as they were called.  His first Hammer film was THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (1957) and worked on many of their most popular films of the '60s and into the '70s, such as CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961), PARANOIAC (1963), PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES (1966) and FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED (1969).  His last film was DEMONS OF THE MIND (1972).
    The cameraman is one person that very seldom gets the credit they deserve.  Sometimes what we seen on the screen might be more due to them than the director.  Whether it be one of their black and white classics to their colorful Frankenstein pictures, Grant could make them look even better.  And when you have films like the ones that Hammer was making, the look of the film is extremely important.  And he never seemed to let Hammer, or their fans down.

Stelvio Cipriani
Born Aug. 20th, 1937

    For some reason this name might not be that familiar, but if you're a fan of Italian movies, then you've heard his work.  Cipriani is a composer that has written music for over 200 films.  Working in many different genres, he created his share of horror film scores.  He worked with Mario Bava on quite a few films, such as TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE (1971), BARON BLOOD (1972) and would later score RABID DOGS (1974).  He also did the music for TRAGIC CEREMONY (1972), TENTACLES (1977), GREAT ALLIGATOR (1979), NIGHTMARE CITY (1980), PIRANHA 2 (1981), and a few more.
    When he scored TENTACLES, he re-used the main theme from one of his earlier movies, LA POLIZIA STA A GUARDARE (1973).  And apparently a young filmmaker named Taratino liked the film so much that he used it in this film DEATH PROOF.
    With all the great Italian films out there, the music is usually very effective as well as important to the whole feel of the movie experience.  That is why these hard working composers, like Cipriani need to be noticed and remembered.

Victor Israel
Born June 13th, 1929 - Died Sept. 19th, 2009

    If you've watched any Spanish horror films of the '70s, then I'm pretty sure you've seen Victor Israel before.  This guy is like the Spanish version of England's Michael Ripper.  Making well over 150 films, he usually was cast as little bit parts, but was always so recognizable, that it would always make you think "hey...I've seen that guy before".  He played in several different genres, like appearing along side Lee Van Cleef in Sergio Leone's THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (1966).  Of course, for us, it was the countless horror movies that he appeared in that had us remembering that face of his.  With his pudgy appearance, balding and strange eyes, he was always easy to spot.  It is actors like this, that never make it as a top-billing star, but are the ones that fill out the colorful pallet of the movie, making it so much more interesting to watch.  I know that is definitely the case for me when it comes to horror films.
    Some of his most noteworthy appearances were in films like THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (1969), or GRAVEYARD OF HORROR (1971), Paul Naschy's NIGHT OF THE HOWLING BEAST (1975), and of course as the baggage clerk in HORROR EXPRESS (1972).  He even appeared in Bruno Mattei's HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD (1980).

Bill Rebane
Born Feb. 8th, 1937

    If you've heard of Bill Rebane, it is probably due to his movie THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION.  But that is a good start.  Rebane made quite a few lower budgeted films, all made in Wisconsin, usually has his Shooting Ranch studio, a full fledge film production studio that not only made several feature films, but tons of commercials, industrial films, and much more.  Rebane came here to the US in 1952 at the age of 15, coming from Estonia.  While he speaks 5 languages, he learned to master the English language by watching American movies, which helped fuel his love for the cinema.  He started his media career at WGN-TV in Chicago, working his way up from the mailroom to eventually executive producer.
    In the late '60s, he started his film range in Wisconsin which would be the first full-time feature film studio in the Midwest, which ran for over 30 years.  during those years, he made such films as RANA: THE LEGEND OF SHADOW LAKE (1975), THE ALPHA INCIDENT (1978), THE CAPTURE OF BIGFOOT (1979), and THE DEMONS OF LUDLOW (1983).
    In 2003, Rebane even tried to run for Governor for the state.  He didn't win.
    While his films might not be the best made films, they are usually entertaining, even if in a MST3K sort of way.  And he made the most entertaining giant spider movie ever made!  So for that fact alone, everyone should know and remember who Bill Rebane is.

Franz Waxman
Born Dec. 24th, 1906 - Died Feb. 24th, 1967

    Waxman was a young boy who knew what  he wanted to do, no matter what he was told.  Starting to learn the piano at age 7, he knew that was what he wanted to do with his life.  After his father told him that he wouldn't be able to make a living with music, made him get a job at a bank.  But while working at the bank, Waxman was talking more piano lessons and studying music.  After a couple of years at the bank, he quit and moved to Berlin to advance his studies, working in nightclubs to help pay for them.  While working in a band, he started to work in orchestrating musical scores for the movies.  A short time later, he moved to Hollywood, and worked on his first American film, THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935), which is probably one of his most famous scores.  You can't hear his Bride theme and not be filled with memories from that film.  Classic stuff indeed.
    Over his career, he would be nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning 2 times (back to back).  While he did compose music for a few other horror pictures, such as THE INVISIBLE RAY and Spencer Tracy's version of DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, it is the theme from BRIDE that most fans remember him by.  At least, us in the horror fandom we do.
    If you want to learn more about this great composer, head over to his official website by clicking HERE.

Amando de Ossorio
Born April 6th, 1918 - Died Jan. 13th, 2001

    I know serious horror fans know this man's  name, and even the ones that don't at least know some of his movies.  de Ossorio started his career making short films and industrial documentaries, but it was't long before he was making feature films, which he started in 1956.  But in 1969, de Ossorio gave us his first forte in the horror genre, with FANGS OF THE LIVING DEAD (also known under about a dozen other titles).  But his next film is the one that he will be remembered for.  He took something from history, using the Knights Templar and the shrouded history of them, or at least some of them, with reports of devil worshipping and sacrifices, and used this theme to created one of the most memorable characters from Spanish cinema: The Blind Dead.  The first of four films, LA NOCHE DEL TERROR CIEGO (typically known as TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD, but also a bunch of other titles), came out in 1971 and was followed by three other Blind Dead films over the years.  Each one features the eyeless zombified Knights seeking out new victims.  Each film is filled with slow and brooding atmosphere.  Granted, they might not be the most fast paced films, they are a huge chapter in the Spanish horror history.
    de Ossorio would also direct other horror titles in his career, usually between the Blind Dead movies.  Titles such as LORELEI'S GRASP, NIGHT OF THE SORCERERS, and DEVIL WITH CHILD, but never had the success he did with the Templars.  His last film, THE SEA SERPENT, was a disaster and he retired shortly there after.  He moved into painting, doing several Blind Dead portraits that he would sell to his fans.
    Regardless of how good these films are, he should be remembered for not only creating an original and fascinating new type of monster, but he did it with style.

Hazel Court
Born Feb. 10th, 1926 - Died April 15th, 2008

    The gorgeous Hazel Court really first took horror fans notice when she appeared in Hammer's CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957), opposite Peter Cushing.  She had appearred in DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1954) a few years earlier, but it was CURSE that made her known as a horror star.  She appeared in quite a few horror movies over the years, such as Hammer's THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH (1959), DOCTOR BLOOD'S COFFIN (1961), and three films with Roger Corman: PREMATURE BURIAL (1962), THE RAVEN (1963), and THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH 91964).
    Not only very appealing to the eyes, Court was a fine actress that could play the villainess just as easily as the heroine.  In 2008, she released her autobiography entitled Hazel Court: Horror Queen.

Brian Donlevy
Born Feb. 9th, 1901 - Died April 5th, 1972

    Brian Donlevy is not known for his work in the horror genre, mainly because he didn't do that many films in the genre.  He did appear in GAMERA THE INVINCIBLE (1966), which I'm sure he was thrilled about, as well as CURSE OF THE FLY (1965).  But the reason that we wanted to mention him here was the two films that he will always remember him from: THE QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT (1955) and it's sequel QUATERMASS 2 (1957).  Playing Professor Quatermass with such conviction and dedication, very reminiscent of one Dr. Frankenstein, where reaching his goal was the only important part, even at the cost of lives.  Not that he killed anyone, but if someone died, it was all for the cause.
    After an impressive stint in the armed forces, he fell in love with acting.  He started in films in the early '20s and stayed working until his last film in 1969, which was PIT STOP, directed by cult genre director Jack Hill.  So yea, he might not be at the top of the class in our horror history lessons, but just give his Quatermass films a watch and you'll see why we enjoy his so much.

Ben Nye Sr.
Born Jan. 12th, 1907 - Died Feb. 9th, 1986

    Anybody who has dabbled in doing make up effects, has heard the name Ben Nye.  Nye Sr. started working in the make up field in 1935 through an apprenticeship program.  Slowly learning the tricks of the trade, which was difficult work if you wanted to actually learn the trade.  Starting out on the 'B' pictures, he slowly made his way to the 'A' films and worked on films such as GONE WITH THE WIND.  In 1957, he was given the job of creating his first movie monster for the film THE FLY.  But what he came up with very memorable, obviously since the look of the creature is one of the reasons for it's popularity 50+ years later.  He also worked on the original PLANET OF THE APES, along with John Chambers.
    But he created his own line up make up that is still running to this day, being run by his grandson.

Roy Ward Baker
Born Dec. 19th, 1916 - Died Oct. 5th, 2010

    Fans of British horror films of the '70s will probably know this man, since he between working with Hammer and Amicus, he was cranking out some entertaining films in a  very short time.  Starting his career at the bottom and working his way up, even as an assistant director on Alfred Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES (1938), he eventually became a director.  He even hit some critical fame with A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (1958), a film about the Titanic.  His first film for Hammer was the 3rd of their Quatermass movies, QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (1967).  Then in 1970, he made a huge hit with horror fans with THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970), starring the lovely Ingrid Pitt.  After that, he continued working with both Hammer and Amicus turning out great films, like SCARS OF DRACULA (1970), DR. JEKLYLL & SISTER HYDE (1971), ASYLUM (1972), THE VAULT OF HORROR (1973), AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (1973), and THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (1974).
    Baker's films were simple.  They had all the elements to make a great movie, which is what he continually turned out.  He has quite a few films in his filmography that some horror fans would call classics, and I don't think you'd get too much of an arguement.

Carlo Rustichelli
Born Dec. 24th, 1916 - Died Nov. 13th, 2004

    There are a few Italian composers who's names are pretty common amongst horror fans, such as Ennio Morricone for one.  But there were quite a few talented people that were helping to create the mood and atmosphere of these gothic pictures with their music.  And Carlo Rustichelli was one of them.  Depending on your source, he scored anywhere from 250 to 400 movies!  Even at the low side, that is a pretty impressive resume.
    Of the work of his that we know, it is his scores for the gothic horror films that we enjoy the most, a favorite being for THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH, starring Barbara Steele.  But he also scored 3 of our favorite films of Mario Bava: THE WHIP AND THE BODY (1963), BLOOD AND BLACK LACE (1964), and KILL BABY KILL (1966).
    As horror fans, and film fans as well, we have to make sure we pay attention to the music to these films, since they can make quite a difference in our viewing experience.  So next time you're watching a movie, old or new, make sure you're paying attention to what you're hearing and well as what you're seeing.

Cameron Mitchell
Born Nov. 4th, 1918 - Died July 6th, 1994

    Mitchell is a face that most fans will recognize, especially if you're either an older fan or at least have watched a lot of movies.  Mitchell made a career usually playing the villain, bad guy, heavy, or whatever you want to call it.  Sure...it might be because he got type cast, or maybe just because he was really good at it.  He worked all over the world, in just about every film genre out there.  He made tons of westerns, sword & sandal films, and of course his share of horror titles.  He starred in what some call the very first giallo, Mario Bava's BLOOD AND BLACK LACE.   And of course, let's not forget some other fun titles like THE TOOLBOX MURDERS (1978) or ISLAND OF THE DOOMED (1967).  Mitchell had said he enjoyed doing low budget films because it gave him a chance to experiment with his acting.  A real talented guy.
    No matter what kind of movie he appeared in, we have always enjoyed his performance.  Even when he is chewing the scenery, he's a real joy to watch. 

Pamela Franklin
Born February 3rd, 1950

    The first movie I rented after buying my first VCR was THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE (1973) and it has remained one of my favorites to this day.  One of those stars of the film was Pamela Franklin.  I would later learn of the many genre films that she appeared in, the first being when she was only 11 years old.  Her first movie roll was that of the little Flora in Jack Clayton's THE INNOCENTS, based on the Henry James' novel The Turn of the Screw, which is still considered a classic.  But she would also appear in several other genre titles over her career, including THE NANNY (1965) for Hammer Studios, NECROMANCY (1972) and FOOD OF THE GODS (1976) both for Bert I. Gordon, and the original versions of both AND SOON THE DARKNESS (1970) and SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
    Franklin always played the women in peril, mainly because of her beautiful innocent eyes and face.  But no matter what she was in, we have always found her very memorable and is one of our favorite actress from that period.  We highly recommend you seeking out her films if you haven't seen them already.

Akira Ifukube
Born May 31st, 1914 - Died Feb. 8th, 2006

    Anybody who has ever seen a Godzilla movie in their lifetime, then you have heard the work of Ifukube.  He was the composer who not only created the highly memorable theme for Godzilla, but also would go on to score most of the Kaiju films in Japan.  In the beginning, he would compose music as a hobby in his spare time, while he studied forestry at Hokkaido University.  Near the end of WWII, he had to study the elasticity and vibratory strength of wood, appointed to do this by the Japanese Imperial Army.  But because of the shortage of lead at that time, they were using x-rays without the proper protection, he suffered radiation exposure.  Because of this, he left the forestry job and became a full-time music composer and teacher.  He taught at the Nihon University College of Art from 1946 to 1953.  But in 1947, after some encouragement, he got into film and composed his first film score, SNOW TRAIL, for Toho Studios.  A few years later, when director Ishirô Honda created his giant monster movie, not only did Ifukube score the film, but he was also responsible for creating Godzilla's famous roar.  He did this by "rubbing a contrabass with a resin-coated leather glove, and then reverberated the sound that was produced."

Larry Fessenden
Born 1963

    While we generally try and cover people that have passed away or are no longer working, we thought it would be a nice change to get this guy's name out a little more often.  Fessenden is a director, actor, producer, writer, cinematographer, and just about anything and everything else you can do in the film business.  And what is even more important about Fessenden is that he champions the up-and-coming young talent.  He created Scareflix, a low budget horror banner of Glass Eye Pix, to "exploit hungry new talent and inspire resourceful filmmakers to produce quality work through seat-of-the-pants ingenuity."  And for that alone, not only does this many get our respect, but also that he has turned out some mighty fine pieces of work.
    As a director, his film HABIT is a favorite of ours.  As a producer, Ti West's HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and Jim Mickle's STAKE LAND, he has helped give us some damn fine cinema, that has learned that it doesn't have to play by Hollywood's rules.  Yet another reason to applaud this man.  Pay attention to his name and the films he's involved with.  They will be something special.

Phil Leakey
Born May 4th, 1908 - Died Nov. 22nd, 1992

    Phil Leakey was the man responsible for the look of Hammer's Dracula and Frankenstein.  Much like Jack Pierce did for Universal decades before, Leakey help created two of the monsters that would help put Hammer on the map.  In fact, he had already started doing that with THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT two years eariler.  Basically just stumbling into the make-up profession, he learned as much as he could from whoever would teach him.  And the stuff he would create for Hammer was just amazing, especially at what he had to work with.  With very little time and even less money, Leakey always created something special.
    So the next time you're watching one of the early Hammer Films, and see an great looking make-up effect, chances are, it probably came from the mind and talent of Phil Leakey.

Paul Birch
Born Jan. 13th, 1912 - Died May 24th, 1969

    This square-jawed, barrel-chested actor appeared in quite a few of Roger Corman's early pictures, such as BEAST WITH A MILLION EYES (1955), DAY THE WORLD ENDED (1955), and the classic NOT OF THIS EARTH (1957), not to mention several other of Corman's movies.  But it was on NOT that he had a run in with Corman, even a physical one according to some reports, and walked off the set and never came back.  But none the less, he is one character actor that you can always remember.  He is always entertaining to watch in these early cheesy classic films.
    He appeared in countless TV series during his career, with bit parts in even bigger pictures.  He was one of the first humans to discover what the newly landed visitor's from Mars wanted in WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953).  He was even the very first Marlboro Man in the TV commericals.
     But no matter what he is in, he is always memorable and gives a fun performance.  It also probably helped that the dialog on those early pictures were so cheesy, that it just made them even more fun to watch today then there were back then.

William Girdler
Born Oct. 22nd, 1947 - Died Jan. 21st, 1978

    William Girdler is mainly known for his low budget exploitation/horror movies.  But what most don't know is really what this man accomplished.  Setting up his filmmaking shop in Louisville Kentucky, he was determined to make movies.  The fact that he made 9 movies in 6 years before his untimely death is a fact that is amazing compared to today's directors.  Girdler not only directed this films, but also wrote most of them, produced some of them, and even composed some of the music for some.  He simply loved making movies.  Granted his budgets were low, but he made entertaining films.  And with each film, he was becoming a better filmmaker.  While his EXORCIST rip-off is more comical than serious, one can't say that it isn't entertaining.  But his last films really showed his potential.  His JAWS rip-off, GRIZZLY (1976) is actually pretty entertaining, even though it really is basically JAWS on land.  But the audiences didn't care and it did really well at the box office.  Keeping in the animal theme, DAY OF THE ANIMALS was another fan favorite, showing a completely different side of soon-to-be comedic actor Leslie Nielsen.   But his last film, THE MANITOU (1978), starring Tony Curtis, would be a huge hit, and might have started his path down a bigger and better production road.  But this was cut short when he died in a helicopter accident in Manila, while scouting out locations for his next film project.  Damn shame to see someone with drive and passion for movies is cut short.

André Morell
Born Aug. 20th, 1909 - Died Nov. 28th, 1978

    André Morell is a British actor that made his name in the horror genre thanks for Hammer Films.  Appearing in such titles like THE SHADOW OF THE CAT (1961), SHE (1965), THE MUMMY'S SHROUD (1967), and of course, he role as Sir James in PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES (1966), made him a very familiar face to Hammer horror fans.  Of course, he played in other classics like playing Dr. Watson to Peter Cushing's Sherlock Holmes, he co-starred with Cushing before as O'Brien  in the live BBC broadcast of George Orwell's 1984 (1954), and many other great roles.  Years before Hammer would make their film version, Morell played the famous Dr. Bernard Quatermass in the BBC broadcast of Nigel Kneale's QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (1959).
    Morell was always there to give a memorable characterizations as the typical prim and proper British man.  Always the gentleman, whether in the hero role or as the villain, as always a joy to watch him perform.

Karl Freund
Born Jan. 16th, 1890 - Died May3rd, 1969

    Karl Freund was a German cinematographer that worked with some other top names in the business: Robert Wiene, F.W. Murnau, and Fritz Lang.  When he finally made his way over to the states, Universal quickly put him under contract, where he would photograph several of their films, including a few horror films like DRACULA (1931) and MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932).  He would eventually director a few films, 2 of them being horror, and those 2 being classics.  The first one was THE MUMMY (1932), the second one, being the last film he would direct, was MAD LOVE (1935).
    Freund went back to being a cameraman, because that is what he knew best.  He won an Oscar for Best Cinematography for THE GOOD EARTH (1937), nominated again for BLOSSOMS IN THE DUST (1941), and was given an Oscar in 1955 in the Technical Achievement department for the design and development of a direct reading brightness meter.  He eventually went to work in television, specifically on the I Love Lucy Show, and helped developed the 3-camera system for filming TV shows, which is still being used today.  He also developed a new way of lighting the sitcoms, making them look a lot better than what they had been.
    So while he was obviously a very talented cameraman, and gave the industry some technical advances, he also gave us horror fans some great movies to watch, which the fans are still doing today!

Patrick Magee
Born Mar. 31st, 1922 - Died Aug. 14th, 1982

    Patrick Magee was one of those characters that was hard to forget.  With his beady eyes and that strange voice, you always remembered him.  Like a few actors who seemed to get typecasts in horror roles, Magee didn't mind it at all.  Not only did it keep him working, but it also let him afford to do his true love and that is work on the stage.  But for us horror fans, we've always enjoyed his little roles in a wide variety of films that he has appeared in over the years.  And he has worked with numerous directors, from Roger Corman to Lucio Fulci to even Stanley Kubrick.
    If you want to check out Magee's work, here are a few of the films that we've always enjoyed that he appears in:  DEMENTIA 13 (1963), SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON (1964), THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (1964), THE SKULL (1965), DIE MONSTER DIE (1965), A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971), TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972), ASYLUM (1972), DEMONS OF THE MIND (1972), and more.  Do yourself a favor and look more into this man's work.

Robert Florey
Born Sept. 14th, 1900 - Died May 16th, 1979

    Director Robert Florey is almost as famous for the movie he DIDN'T direct as the ones that he did.  He was originally hired to write and direct the original FRANKENSTEIN, which at the time was going to star Bela Lugosi as the monster.  Florey was writing the script, which several elements of the story would stay in the final draft that Whale ended up doing.  But after the famous test footage (that was lost) with Lugosi in Golem-type makeup, the project was giving to Whale.  Florey didn't read his contract good enough...it said he could write and director A picure...not FRANKENSTEIN in particular.
    But Florey would go on to give us a few great films in the genre, as well as working in just about every other genre out there.  The film he did instead of FRANKENSTEIN, was MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (1932) with Lugosi.  While Lugosi does chew the scenes a bit, the film is still a classic.  Florey would also direct another two great films with Peter Lorre, THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK (1941) and THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS (1946).

R.G. Armstrong
Born April 7th, 1917

    R.G. Armstrong is another one of those character actors that you might not remember their name, but you will damn sure remember him.  With some of the most intense and beady eyes in the business, Armstrong made quite a few appearances in the horror genre, usually playing a character that is not the nicest guy.  One of our personal favorites was in EVILSPEAK, as Sarge, who threatens to show Clint Howard how to make a little boy into a little girl.  Classic stuff.
    But Armstrong is one of those unique actors that have never been a huge leading man, but was always working, and always entertaining to watch.  Other genre films featuring him are RACE WITH THE DEVIL (1975), THE CAR (1977), THE BEAST WITHIN (1982), and even PREDATOR (1987).

Thorley Walters
Born May 12th, 1913 - Died July 6th, 1991

    This time out, we go across the pond to pay tribute to another great actor.  But Mr. Walters wasn't really a headlining start as much as a great little character actor.  Though he was mainly known for comedic roles, he appeared in quite a few Hammer films, such as THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1962), DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1966), FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN (1967), and VAMPIRE CIRCUS (1972), not to mention a few other British horror films.  Usually as a victim, not as the heavy.  Though he did play Ludwig, a sort of a Renfield-type character to Christopherr Lee's Dracula.  And speaking of Lee, he even played Dr. Watson a couple of times, once with Christopher Lee as Sherlock Holmes.
    But no matter what role Walters was in, or how big or how small, he was always entertaining to watch.  Usually playing a Burgomaster or doctor, or assistant, he always gave a strong performance and one that Hammer fans have always remembered.  He is one of those faces that people always remember, but never sure who he is.  So now you know.  And the next time you're watching a British movie and his face pops up, you can proudly stand up and say, "Hey!  That's Thorley Walters!"

Robert Quarry
Born Nov. 3rd, 1925 - Died Feb. 20th, 2009

    Robert Quarry would have been a horror star, had he been given the chance, or if gothic horror pictures had lasted a little longer in the '70s.  AIP was grooming him to be the next Vincent Price, but when there horror films just weren't making any more money, they stopped making them.  Unfortunately, Quarry was under contract with them still, making it harder for him to get any work.
    But us horror fans will always remember for the few roles that he did appear in, especially that of Count Yorga in COUNT  YORGA VAMPIRE and it's sequel, THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA.  But he also had roles in MADHOUSE, DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, and the southern zombie film SUGAR HILL.  He always had a great screen presents and is a real shame that he wasn't allowed to show us more of his great talent.

James H. Nicholson
Born September 14th, 1916 - Died December 10th, 1972

    After starting in the movie business by first running a couple of movie theaters, Nicholson soon was working for Realart Pictures in their advertising department, coming up with new ad campaigns for old movies that they were re-releasing, sometimes with new titles.  He eventually met up with lawyer Samuel Z. Arkoff and became good friends, and eventually partners.  They first created their film distribution company called American Releasing Corporation.  But once they changed it to American International Pictures, and started producing and releasing their own films, there was no stopping them.  Nicholson was the creative part of the team, coming up with movie titles and complete ad campaigns, would pre-sell the movie, and then would have the script written and film made, all within a very short time.  With the help of talented directors like Roger Corman, AIP really made a name for themselves.
    Nicholson left the company and started his own production company, Academy Pictures Corporation, and produced a few films before dying suddenly of a brain tumor.

Mel Welles
Born Feb. 17th, 1924 - Died Aug. 19th, 2005

    Welles is another one of those guys that came out of the Roger Corman school of filmmaking.  Granted, he came in a little later, mainly because he was good friends with Dick Miller and Charles Griffith.  But Welles would go on to wear so many hats in the filmmaking world.  As an actor, he became immortal for playing the wonderful Mr. Mushnick in the original LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960).  But he also had roles in THE UNDEAD and ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS (both 1957).  But he also wrote and directed films like ISLAND OF THE DOOMED and one of our personal favorites LADY FRANKENSTEIN (1971).
    Welles had many different careers in his life, such as a clinical psychologist to producing big orchestral concerts in Southeast Asia, not to mention all the things he did in the film business.  But no matter what he did throughout his life, we will also remember him and be thankful for the special contributions that he made to the horror film genre.

Allison Hayes
Born March 6th, 1930 - Died Feb. 27th, 1977

    Allison Hayes appeared on quite a few television shows and movies, mainly B-movies, in her short career, but never seemed be able to break into the big time.  But because of the films that she did make, cult horror fans have always remembered here.  With films like Roger Corman's THE UNDEAD (1957) or THE HYPNONTIC EYE (1960), or probably her most famous, ATTACK OF THE 50th WOMAN (1958), she has made a definitely impact on the horror genre.  One that will never be forgotten.
    Unfortunately, her life was much more dramatic than the movies she appeared in.  The last decade of her life, she was battling severe health issues, even having to walk with a cane.  The pain was so bad, there were times that she had even thought of taking her own life.  It didn't help that the doctors didn't seem to take her symptoms seriously.  But after some of her own research, she discovered that the calcium supplements that she had been taken for some time, contained high levels of lead, which was causing her to suffer from lead poisoning.  She was later diagnosed with leukemia.  But before passing away, she had mounted a campaign to have the FDA ban the import and sale of this supplement that she had been taking, and eventually won in 1976.  There are many reasons to remember Allison Hayes.  So please do.

Victor & Edward Halperin
Victor: Born Aug. 24th, 1898 - Died May 17th, 1983
Edward: Born May 12th, 1898 - Died March 2nd, 1981

    Victor and Edward were a director/producer team that made several films in the '30s.  But these two have the honor of bringing to the screen the very first zombie film, WHITE ZOMBIE (1932), starring Bela Lugosi.  After the publication of William Seabrook's book, The Magic Island (1929), about his experiences in Haiti and of the voodoo rituals, it didn't take long for Hollywood to use this for new ideas.  And it was the Halperin brothers that got their first.
    They continued to make movies, but none of them would bring them more notoriety than that of WHITE ZOMBIE.  They hired Lugosi for $800 a week, though he worked less than 2 weeks, and the film grossed over $8 million at the box office.  Not a bad deal for a small production team.
    So while their output might not have been a lot, they at least will always be known as the first.

John Ashley
Born Dec. 25th, 1934 - Died Oct. 3rd, 1997

    John Ashley was one of the up and coming teenage stars of those popular beach movies in the '50s and '60s, which he made quite a few of.  But for us horror fans, when he started making more of those types of pictures, especially once he moved to the Philippines, he was responsible for giving us cult horror fans a lot of hours of enjoyment with the films that he was involved with, such as the Blood Island trilogy: BRIDES OF BLOOD (1968), MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND (1968), BEAST OF BLOOD (1971).
    He later would become a successful TV producer for series like The A-Team and Walker, Texas Ranger.
    But besides all the entertaining films that he made, this quote is one of the reason why we admire him so much:
    "This is a terrible thing to admit, but maybe the key to my success with exploitation films is that I always like those movies, and I never had any real reason to turn them down.  I just enjoyed doing them."

Herbert Lom
Born Sept. 11th, 1917

    Even though Herbert Lom only made a few horror films, it is because of his look and his voice (as well as his acting ability) that he is a very memorable actor.  Whether we remember him as the Phantom of the Paris Opera in Hammer's version of this classic, as Van Helsing doing battle against Christopher Lee's Count in Jess Franco's COUNT DRACULA (1970), or the work he did with Amicus like ASYLUM (1972) and AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (1973), or even Michele Soavi's THE SECT (1991), Lom is always easy to remember.  From the deep and ever-present voice, to his evil looking scowl, he gets our attention.
    And of course, as the Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther movies also showed us another side to this very talented actor.
 

James Carreras
Born Jan. 30th, Died June 9th, 1990

    James Carreras was the son of Enriqué Carreras, who along with William Hinds, would form the company that would later evolve into Hammer Films.  First starting as a distribution company, Hammer Films was created to make their own films that they could distribute.  And James Carreras would be the head of that division until he retired.
    The great thing about Carreras was that he knew little about the actual making of films.  He left that up to the people who knew what they were doing.  But he knew how to sell the movies.  And his policy was about as simple as you could get: make films that are guaranteed to make a profit.  In those days, with these smaller film companies, sometimes your financing on the next film would rest on how well your last one did at the box office.  And this is something that Carreras seemed to excel at.  He was always bringing in fresh female faces to appear in their newest films.  Starting the trend that would become known as Hammer Glamour.  Again, he knew what would sell.
    He was the head of the company until 1971, when he gave control over to his son Michael.

George Bau
Born Dec. 22nd, 1905, Died in March of 1974

    Bau is another name in the movie industry that is pretty much an unknown.  But had it not been for him, the world of movies would have been quite different.  Back in the late '30s, it was Bau was developing and creating new types of make ups, such as foam latex, that would be still used to this day.  The stuff that he was inventing at the time was used by Perc Westmore on the film THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAMN (1939), allowing them to do wonders with Charles Laughton's makeup.  Bau also developed the first plastic bald cap, a method to preserve plaster molds so they could be used more than once, the pressure injection method of inserting foam latex into large size molds, and many more.
    He worked on films such as ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944), HOUSE OF WAX (1953), and FRANKENSTEIN 1970 (1958) to name a few.  But without his discoveries and the inventions that he created, the world of monsters might not have looked as good as they did then, or do now.

Michael Pataki
Born Jan. 16th, Died April 16th, 2010

    Pataki is one of those actors that you have seen a million times, sometimes not even realizing who it is, but you have seen him.  The man had worked on TV and in movies for over 50 years, usually playing the villain, which he did so well.
    For the horror genre, he appeared in such films as  THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA (1971), THE BABY (1973), GRAVE OF THE VAMPIRE (1974), THE BAT PEOPLE (1974), DRACULA'S DOG (1978), GRADUATION DAY (1981), DEAD & BURIED (1981), and many more.  He even tried his hand at directing a few times, his first being MANSION OF THE DAMNED  (1976), starring a young Lance Henriksen.
    So next time you're watching a low buget horror film from the '70s, don't be surprised if you see Pataki's face in there somewhere.  But no matter where you see him, he will be giving a performance that is always good and always memorable.

Jack Arnold
Born Oct. 14th, 1916 - Died March 17th, 1992

    Arnold is another unsung hero in the horror and sci-fi film genre.  He started his movie career as a documentary filmmaker, even being nominated for an Oscar for his work.  After a couple of feature films, he directed the one that would start his rise as a great sci-fi / horror film director, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953).  While very creepy, this alien invasion was much different than the other films at the time since this wasn't really an "invasion" film at all.  His next film would make him an even bigger name, creating another classic Universal Classic Monster, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954).  He would later go one to direct it's sequel REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955), TARANTULA (1955), THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957), and a couple other minor titles.
    With his films, Arnold tried to show audiences that maybe these aliens, creatures, and strange people were not as threatening as we'd like to think.

Val Guest
Born Dec. 11th, Died May 10th, 2006

    Val Guest started his film career as an actor, then writer, then director, and never stopped.  His filmography is not massive, especially when it comes to the horror genre, and even when some of his films are not the greatest ones ever made.  But he was partially responsible for a film that helped a British film studio to get their foot in the door and become a very successful production company.  That company was Hammer Films, and the movie was THE QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT (1955).
    Based on the very successful teleplay that was written by Nigel Kneale and was being broadcast on the BBC, Hammer thought it would be a great piece to make into a movie, which they had been doing so far with some success.  Buying the rights to the series, and hiring Val Guest to direct the film, started the film studio down a very successful production run that would go on for over 20 years.
    Guest would direct the sequel, QUATERMASS 2 (1957) and THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (1957) for Hammer,  as well as a couple of war dramas.  Granted, WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH (1970), the sequel to Hammer's very successful ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. was a total flop.  But non the less, when he hit the high mark, it was very memorable.  And for that reason, he needs to be remembered.

Ericka Blanc
Born July 23rd, 1942

    Born as Enrica Bianchi Colombatto, she changed her name to Ericka Blanc when she got into movies.  Fans of Euro horror may recognize her face, since she has worked on some great films with some great talent.  Blanc was the first woman to play the famous character Emmanuele in the 1969 film LO, EMMANUELLE, which would later be played by several other actresses over the years.
    For for us horror fans, it was her work in films like Mario Bava's KILL BABY, KILL (1966), THE NIGHT EVELYN CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE (1971), working along side Paul Naschy in A DRAGONFLY FOR EACH CORPSE, and one of our personal favorites, Jean Brismée's THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE (1971).  So don't be surprised if you're watching a classic Euro horror films from the '60s or '70s and see this lovely lady's face appear on the screen.  If it does, the film just got a little better.

Hans J. Salter
Born Jan. 14th, 1896, Died July 23rd, 1994

    Salter was a classically trained composer who fled his native land because of Hitler and came to work for Universal during their horror heydays.  Between Salter and Frank Skinner, they would create some of Universal's most famous monster movies, such as THE WOLF MAN (1941) and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954).
    Working in the "factory" at Universal, they would have to crank out score after score, for just about every type of genre pictures that were being made.  And even though he wasn't the biggest fan of the horror films, he was able to create some highly memorable scores that fans still remember to this day.  And that is because they made an impact then, and they still are doing it today.  Salter would be one of the inspirations for many upcoming film composers, even to this day.
    Other genre films that he worked on was THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS (1940), THE MUMMY'S HAND (1940), GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942), THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1942), FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943), and many more.

Richard Denning
Born March 27th, 1914, Died October 11th, 1998

    Richard Denning is one of those actors who you usually either recognize or at least think he looks familiar but just can't place him.  Even more so since he really only made about a half dozen or so genre films.  But his first one, which was probably his biggest, was CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954).  Usually he would play the hero of the picture, but in CREATURE, he wasn't the nicest guy around.  While he would have a successful career in non-genre films and a lot of television, he still appeared in some fun movies that still hold up their entertainment value today.  Films like BLACK SCORPION (1957), DAY THE WORLD ENDED (1955), or CREATURE WITH THE ATOMIC BRAIN (1955).
    Denning had married one of the genre's early scream queens, Evelyn Ankers, who starred in films like THE WOLFMAN (1941) and SON OF DRACULA (1943).

Paul Blaisdell
Born July 21st, 1927, Died July 10th, 1983

    Any fans of the monster movies of the '50s have probably the work of Paul Blaisdell.  He was the man responsible for creating a lot of those early AIP films, usually done with very little time and even less money.  But he always came up with some incredible and very memorable designs.  He started his career after graduating from the New England School of Art and Design, he started to work for Douglas Aircraft as a technical illustrator.  He would also send in his drawings to sci-fi fantasy publications like 'Spaceways' and 'Otherwords'.  His work was noticed by a very important figure in the horror/sci-fi genre fandom, that of Forrest J. Ackerman.  He became Blaisdell's agent and introduced him into the world of movie making.
    Blaisdell would go on to create some of the most memorable monsters from that era.  Films like THE BEAST WITH  A MILLION EYES (1955), THE SHE-CREATURE (1956), IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1957), INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN (1957), FROM HELL IT CAME (1957), and many more.
    In the early '60s, he even started his own magazine called Fantastic Monsters of the Film, with Bob Burns.  Unfortunately, the magazine was short lived.
    With all of his creations being still remembered today by dedicated fans, its a shame that he still does not receive the recognition that he should.  So if you're not familiar with Blaisdell and his work, look some of his films up and take a look at some of the fun stuff he was coming up with, just with a few dollars and a lot of creative talent.

Kenneth Strickfaden
Born May 23rd, 1896, Died Feb. 29th, 1984
    While Strickfaden might not have worked on tons of movies over his career, in fact only a handful, but because of his work on James Whale's FRANKENSTEIN, he had a helping hand in bringing the creation to life.  Strickfaden was the man responsible for building all the electrical equipment seen in Frankenstein's lab, with all the flashing lights, popping charges, and loud noises.  His work gave credibility to what the mad doctor was doing.  With all of those strange and fantastic machines, maybe what we were seeing on the screen could happen!
    Worked on a few more films over the years, mainly helping with electrical effects  When Mel Brooks was making his parody/homage to the Frankenstein films with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, he even had the original equipment brought in that was used in the original film.

Jimmy Sangster
Born Dec. 2nd, 1927
    While staying in the Hammer family, Jimmy Sangster was there at the start of their rise, not to mention having a big part of it.  He started with Hammer at the bottom, working his way up through the ranks, as second unit director, assistant director, production assistant, production manager, then finally into writer, producer and director.  But while he may have held many different titles in the industry, it was as a writer where he made his real mark.  He was the one that had the responsibility of adapting Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for the screen, without getting in trouble with Universal and any copyright issues.  All said and done, he gave us THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957).  Would go on to write many of the classic Hammer films, like X: THE UNKNOWN (1956), HORROR OF DRACULA (1958), as well as writing some other great movies like BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE (1958) and THE CRAWLING EYE (1958).  Then in 1970, he was asked to help doctor a script, where the offer was then added to produce, and finally direct.  The film was HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970).  He would go on to direct two more movies for Hammer: LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (1971) and FEAR IN THE NIGHT (1972).
    Sangster continued to work as a writer on tons of movies and TV during his career, even publishing some novels.  Had it night been for his creative thinking, Hammer might not have ever grew to the studio that dripped blood.

Barbara Shelley
Born Aug. 15th, 1933
    Barbara Shelley was a staple in the British horror cinema for about 10 years, starting in the late '50s.  The fact that she only made a handful of horror pictures during that time, and is so remembered shows the real talent that she was.  Starting with films like CAT GIRL (1957) and BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE (1958), before appearing in one of the genre classics, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960).  Then she would work with Hammer Films on her next four pictures, which shows some of her best work: THE GORGON (1964), DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1966), RASPUTIN: THE MAD MONK (1966),  and QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (1967).  Her role as the uptight Helen, once transformed into a vampire is one of the highlights of that film.
    Her last role for the genre was the 1974 film GHOST STORY (aka MADHOUSE MANSION), and moved to working more in television, even having a small stint in the Doctor Who series.
    So the next time you're in the mood for a British horror film, and maybe even a Hammer Film, think about choosing one of the ones that feature the lovely Shelley and see just what she gave to the genre.

Sergio Salvati
Born June 16th, 1938
    This is another name that you might not recognize, but if you're a fan of Italian horror films, especially that of Lucio Fulci, then you know Salvati's work.  He was a cinematographer that worked on Fulci on most of his famous films.  Such as THE PSYCHIC (1977), ZOMBIE (1979), CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (1980), THE BLACK CAT (1981), THE BEYOND (1981), and HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (1981).  There's no doubt that his work had something to do with the look of these Fulci's films.  They stand out as his most memorable ones.  I'm sure the gore might have something to do with it, but it also has to do with how it was shot.
    He would also go on to work with Charles Band on films like CRAWLSPACE (1986)

Charles B. Griffith
Born Sept. 23rd, 1930 - Died Sept. 28th, 2007
     If you are a fan of the work of Roger Corman, then you are most likely a fan of Griffith's work.  He's mainly known for his writing, but has done a few other things in the film industry.  He was the guy that Corman would turn to when he needed a script knocked out fast.  And Griffith would always deliver.  Some of the movies that he wrote were IT CONQUERED THE WORLD (1956), ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, THE UNDEAD, NOT OF THIS EARTH (all 1957), BUCKET OF BLOOD & BEAST FROM THE HAUNTED CAVE (bot 1959), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960) and many more.
     We had the chance to meet Mr. Griffith and interview him at a Cinema Wasteland show, back in April of 2007, a few months before he passed away.  If you want to check out our interview, just click HERE.

Anthony Hinds
Born in 1922
    Anthony Hinds was one of the men behind Hammer Films.  His father William Hinds, along with Enrique Carreras, started Exclusive Films Limited, which was a film distribution company.  Later, when they decided to start producing their own films, they created Hammer Film Productions.  When this started Anthony Hinds was in charge of film production.  It was Hinds idea to buy the rights for the TV serial THE QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT and make it into a feature film.  This huge success was one of first steps to make Hammer a name to be reckoned with.
    Over the years, Hinds would produce most of the more well known titles form Hammer, such as CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957), HORROR OF DRACULA (1958), BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960), CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961), and many more.  He also wrote many films for them as well, under the name John Elder.
    He left Hammer in the late '60s and many have said was one of the reasons for the downfall of the studio in the early '70s.

Tod Slaughter
Born March 19th, 1885 - Died Feb. 19th, 1956
    Slaughter was a late bloomer when it came to movies.  He was a stage actor who had been working for years before finally getting the film bug.  But even before that, one of the characters that he played frequently, was that of the crazed murdering barber, Sweeney Todd.  Before his life was over, it was rumored that he had played the character 4000 times.  But the film version where he plays the title character, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (1936), he really shines.  Some say that he may be over acting a bit, but coming from the stage, that is what they were use to.  But to me, I think it fits perfectly here in this film.
    Slaughter would go on to play in quite a few other dark melodramas, but also continued to do stage work at the same time.  He actually died shortly after a performance of Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn.  A performer truly to the end.

Bert I. Gordon
Born Sept. 24, 1922
    Bert I. Gordon got his nickname Mr. BIG from a combination of his initials, as well as due to the type of films that he was making that generally had some sort of oversized creature.  It started in 1955 with KING DINOSAUR, where he used real animals, like an alligator and iguana posing as prehistoric creatures, battling each other to the death.  He then moved onto giant grasshoppers attacking Chicago area in BEGINNING OF THE END (1957).  From there he made other films specializing in using real creatures and super imposing them over footage with the actors, making them seem of gigantic proportions.  He continued these types of films through the '50s,'60s and even into the '70s with films like THE FOOD OF THE GODS (1976) and EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977), occasionally making non-BIG movies with some degree of success.
    For fans of horror & sci-fi, he is always remembered for his oversize creatures and imagination!

Vic Diaz
Born in 1932
    If you have watched any movies from the Philippines, especially in the exploitation genre, then you've most likely seen Vic Diaz's face somewhere.  He has been a staple of the Philippine film industry since the late '50s and had continued to work quite a bit through the '90s.  Whether he was just a bit player or given a bigger role, he was always recognizable and memorable.
    He made 12 movies alone with director Eddie Romero, titles like BEAST OF THE YELLOW NIGHT (1971),   BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA (1973), with Pam Prier, BEYOND ATLANTIS and SAVAGE SISTERS (1974), both with Sid Haig and John Ashley.  Not to mention other cult titles like BLOOD THIRST (1971), THE BIG BIRD CAGE (1972) which was directed by Jack Hill, SUPERBEAST (1972), DAUGHTER OF SATAN (1972), co-starring Tom Selleck, VAMPIRE HOOKERS (1978), and many other titles.
    So the next time you're watching a movie from the Philippines, keep your eye out for our pudgy little friend, Mr. Diaz.  I'm pretty sure he will be in there somewhere.

Les Baxter
Born March 14th, 1922 - Died January. 15th, 1996
    Baxter was a composer that started in the film business in the early '50s cranking out score and score in record time.  In 1957 alone, he is credited for 15 different movies.  In his career, he has score more than 120 films.  He worked in many different genres, but for us horror fans, we remember him from the films he did for AIP, especially the Roger Corman / Edgar Allan Poe films.
    Baxter started his musical career at a very young age, learning the piano at the age of 5.  In his early 20's, he joined Mel Torme's band, worked on radio shows including Bob Hope's show, and even had a hit record in the 50's.
    But it is for his film scores that I learned of his name.  Since these movies will always live on for fans like us, so will his music.  Baxter always gave us something different and unique but always highlight the film even more.

Larry Buchanan
Born Jan. 31^st, 1923 – Died Dec. 2^nd, 2004
    Many people thing that Roger Corman is king of the low budget filmmaking, but they have never heard of Larry Buchanan.  He was based in Texas and was making films at a fraction of the cost Corman was getting.  And while his films may not have been "good" films, they usually turned a profit.  One of his first films, The Naked Witch (1961) was made for only $8,000 and made $80,000 the first month it was release.  Not a bad investment.
    He was hired to make remakes of four AIP movies for TV.  Again, with a considerable lower budget and only one "star", he cranked them out in no time flat.  A good number of his films are available on DVD, and one of them usually finds it's way in my annual Turkey-Day marathon.  As we said, they might not be good films, but they are entertaining.
    Here are some of Buchanan's titles to seek out.  THE EYE CREATURES (1965), ZONTAR: THE THING FROM VENUS (1966), CURSE OF THE SWAMP CREATURE (1966), MARS NEEDS WOMEN (1967), CREATURE OF DESTRUCTION (1967), plus many more.

John Agar
Born Jan. 21st, 1921 - Died April 7th, 2002
    Though he started his film acting career doing westerns, it's the films he did in the ‘50s that made John Agar so memorable to horror fans.  Agar was a staple when it came to battling giant monsters, aliens, and mad scientists.  He always gave it his all, even when the script wasn’t the greatest, or even the monster that he was fighting against.  He always gave a fun and entertaining performance, even when working with uber-low-budget king Larry Buchanan on a couple of films.  He would even make appearances in more modern day films in titles like Clive Barker’s Nightbreed and the Tope Hooper directed episode of John Carpenter’s anthology Body Bags.
    Of few of his highlights (and lowlights, depending on your feelings) would be REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955), TARANTULA (1955), and THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS (1957), as well as Larry Buchanan's  ZONTAR: THE THING FROM VENUS and CURSE OF THE SWAMP CREATURE (both 1966).

Jack Taylor
Born Oct. 21, 1936
    Fans of Spanish cinema, especially the works of Jess Franco, might recognize this name.  If not, then you should recognize his face.  Taylor’s glassy blue eyes and the usual handle-bar mustache was an easy way to spot him.  He worked with Franco on at 10 films, such as Succubus (1968), Eugenie (1970), Count Dracula (1970), Female Vampire (1973), among many others.  He also worked with other directors specializing in the horror genre like Leon Klimovsky’s Orgy of the Vampires (1973), Amando de Ossorio’s Night of the Sorcerers (1973) & The Ghost Galleon (1974), and even with Paul Naschy in Dr. Jekyll vs the Wolfman (1972) and The Mummy’s Revenge (1974). And let’s not forget his performance in the 1982 Juan Piquer Simón film Pieces. He had even worked with Johnny Depp in Roman Polanski’s The Night Gate (1999).
    He had started his career in Mexico in the early ‘60s before moving to Spain, where he continues to work to this day.  He was always memorable with his performances, and very easy to spot.  So the next time you're watching a Spanish film, don't be surprised when old glassy-blue eyes shows up!

Roy Ashton
Born April 16th, 1909 - Died Jan. 10th, 1995
    You can not be even the slightest fan of Hammer Films and not have seen the work of Roy Ashton.  He started as an assistant makeup artist back in the 30's, before starting to work with Hammer Studios, where he created some of their most memorable monsters.  But Ashton wasn't just a makeup man, and almost had a career as a musician and opera singer.  But the hours of devotion needed to learn the makeup craft pulled him away from his true love of music.  He was the assistant makeup man to Phil Leaky for Hammer, who was the man behind the Quatermass films and Curse of Frankenstein.  But after Leaky and Hammer had a falling out, Ashton became their head make up man.  He created the look for their films like Curse of the Werewolf, The Reptile, Plague of the Zombies, as well as doing Peter Cushing's zombie makeup for Amicus' Tales from the Crypt.
    For more information on Ashton, there is an excellent book on him called Greasepaint and Gore, which is filled with great stories and plenty of artwork and photos of his work.

Michael Gough
Born Nov. 23rd, 1913
    Gough is an actor you might remember or recognize his face, or even his voice, but can't place him.  Or you might even know him as Alfred from the Batman movies that Tim Burton started in 1989.  But not only has he has been in tons of great horror movies, he's been in some not-so-great movies that are still entertaining.
    Gough started his acting career in 1946, but it wasn't until he was in Hammer Films Dracula, as Arthur Holmwood when we would start to remember that face.  He was great as a supporting actor in films like Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Terror's House of Horror, The Skull, and even playing a corpse in The Legend of Hell House.  Even in the more recent films like Wes Craven's Serpent and the Rainbow and Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, he was making an impression.  But he wasn't just a supporting actor either.  He was the lead performer in films like Konga, The Corpse, The Black Zoo, Horrors of the Black Museum, and our personal favorite, Horror Hospital.
    So now the next time you see this face that looks familiar, now you'll know who he is.  And maybe those titles will give you some films to add to your "To-Watch list".

James Bernard
Born: Sept. 20th, 1925  Died: July 12th, 2001
    There is not a fan of British horror films out there that has not heard of Bernard's work.  Most notably for giving Hammer Films their sound, with such famous scores for Curse of Frankenstein, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Plague of the Zombies, and the Quatermass films, Bernard also worked on countless other horror films.  But probably his most well known score was the one he did for Hammer's Horror of Dracula.
    For soundtrack fans, a lot of his work has been put onto CD for us, and fans to come, to have the opportunity to enjoy this great talent for years to come.
    So the next time you're watching a Hammer movie, pay a little more attention to the music you're hearing.  Most likely, it came from the mind and talent of James Bernard.

Alan Ormsby
Born 1944
    Here's another name that you might not familiar with the name, but you know is work.  Alan Ormsby first started his film career with a low budget film called Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things, which has become a cult classic.  Ormsby wrote the film, acted in it, and also was in charge of the makeup effects.  Which, if you've seen the movie, and realize the budget they had, the effects are outstanding.
    But then he also went on to write some other incredible films like Deathdream and Deranged, both of which he also contributed the makeup effects and the latter he co-directed.  He also did the makeup work on the Nazi zombie movie Shock Waves, which was the last film he did makeup for.  He spent most of his time writing, like for Paul Schrader's remake of Cat People.
    So while the number of genre films he's been involved with are limited, especially as of late.  But the films that he did work on, with such low budgets, the talent there help keep them alive many years later.

Eddie Romero
Born July 7th, 1924
    Are you familiar with Blood Island?  Films like Beast of Blood or Mad Doctor of Blood Island?  Then you've seen the work of Filipino director Eddie Romero.  Romero started as a journalist at the age of 12, where his writings brought him to the attention of filmmaker Gerardo de Leon.  Shortly there after, he was writing screenplays.  He directed his first film in 1947.  But it wasn't until he started making horror films that his cult status became cemented.  Making several  pictures with John Ashley, Romero's films were always creative and wildly entertaining.  Other such great titles that he directed are The Twilight People and Beast of the Yellow Night.  A good chunk of his horror films are available on DVD, so you have no excuse not to check out his work.

Sheila Keith
Born: June 9th, 1920  Died: Oct. 14th, 2004
    If you are a fan of the films of Pete Walker, then you probably know who Sheila Keith is.  Since you couldn't see a film of his that she starred in and not remember her.  Keith was this wonderful older lady who seemed to excel in playing twisted and demented characters.  In Walker's Frightmare, she plays a cannibalistic matriarch, with such zest and conviction, she is one of the scariest women you'd ever want to come across.  She also was in Walker's House of Whipcord, The Confessional (aka House of Mortal Sin), The Comeback, and House of Long Shadows.
    Keith's performance is so strong and powerful, it's amazing to me that she did not get tons of other movie roles.  I'm sure it might have something to do with the fact that Walker's films were not thought too highly of.  Damn shame really.

Abel Salazar
Born: Sept. 24th, 1917  Died: Oct. 21st, 1995
    Salazar was the Mexican equivalent to say someone like Peter Cushing or Vincent Price.  He starred in several Mexican horror films in the late 50's and early 60's.  Titles such as The Curse of the Crying Woman, The Vampire and it's sequel The Vampire's Coffin.  And of course, one of the most famous of the Mexican horror films, The Brainiac, where Salazar starred as the title creature.
    But besides starring in these films, Salazar also produced them.  He seen the kind of money that these films can bring in and did just that.
    Sure, some may consider these films a little silly, especially The Brainiac, but most of them are filled with creepy atmosphere that is well worth the look.

Michael Ripper
Born: Jan. 27th, 1913  Died: June 28th, 2000
    You couldn't watch too many Hammer Films and not start to recognize this face.  Michael Ripper has been in more Hammer films than any other actor, with more than 25 under his belt.  Never really a leading role, but he was always there as a bartender, the constable, or even the local drunk, but he was always memorable.  Watching a Hammer film could even get to be like playing "Where's Waldo?", except it was "Where's Michael?"
    But this isn't to say that Ripper wasn't a talent actor.  Or even just playing in Hammer films.  But no matter who he was working for, even with the smallest of roles, he was always giving a great performance.  For some of the films where he has more of a substantial role, check out Hammer's Night Creatures and The Mummy's Shroud.

Tony Tenser
Born: Aug. 10th, 1920  Died: Dec. 5th, 2007
    Tenser was a producer that realized the type of films that could always make money.  Ones that dealt with sex and horror.  And he was right.  Tenser produced some good films, some even great.  Titles like Polanski's Repulsion, Michael Reeves' The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General, and other great titles like Beast in the Cellar, The Creeping Flesh, and Blood On Satan's Claw.
    Sure, all of the films he made weren't classics.  But they usually were entertaining.  And that's what it all comes down to.  This great quote from Tenser really sums up his filmmaking beliefs:  "I'd rather be ashamed of a movie that was making money than proud of one that was losing it.  And us horror fans are glad you did just that.

Helga Liné
Born: July 14th, 1932
    If you are familiar with Spanish horror films, then you've probably at least seen Helga Liné.  And while you may not know her name, her face is hard to forget.  Born in Germany, but she worked in the circus in Portugal, as a dancer and acrobat.  She moved to Spain in 1960 and quickly started her career in films, working on such films as Paul Naschy's Horror Rises From The Tomb and Mummy's Revenge, Amando de Ossoria's Loreley's Grasp, Leon Klimovsky's Vampire's Night Orgy and Dracula Saga, José Ramón Larraz's Black Candles, and Eugenio Martin's Horror Express.
    No matter what film she was in, whether the film is forgettable or not,  it's hard to forget her.

Ovidio G. Assonitis
Born: Jan. 18th, 1943
    So why should we know who Ovidio Assonitis is?  Did he make great films?  No.  Did he make entertaining films?  Definitely.  You might have even seen some of his films, possibly under one of his pseudonyms like Oliver Hellman.  He directed films like Beyond the Door and Tentacles, and produced titles such as Sonny Boy, The Curse, Piranha 2, Amok Train (aka Beyond the Door 3), and many more.  Sure, these aren't great movies, but you will have a good time.
    His best film just happened to his directorial debut, and was a so-called rip-off of The Exorcist, called Beyond the Door.  Sure, it's similar to The Exorcist, such as it's about demonic possession, and it's also pretty scary.
    So Assonitis should be known for his constant work in the genre, both as a producer and writer, and always turning out fun movies.

Nigel Kneale
Born: April 18th, 1922  Died: Oct. 29th, 2006
    While some may consider his work to be more in the science fiction genre, Kneale's stories always had creepy and scary elements to them, eve if the story was about aliens or rocket ships.  Kneale really came to the forefront when his character of Professor Quatermass hit the radio airways back in the mid 50's.  While some of this tales would go on to be turned into movies, with quite a few of them being done by Hammer Films, he was more known for the TV films that he wrote.  Titles such as The Stone Tape or The Woman in Black, were scary when the first came out, and continue to scary new audiences today.

William Gaines
Born: March 1st, 1922  Died: June 3rd, 1992
    For horror fans, Gaines is known for the creator of EC Comics, which published Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Weird Tales, and a few other titles.  He was publishing these comics in the early 1950's.  Each issue contained tales of murder, zombies, vampires, and other strange things that go bump in the night.  But there were messages in these tales.  Bad people always got what was coming to them.
    But the parents in those days, with the help and guidance of Dr. Fredric Wertham, considered these comics to take their children over to the dark side, causing them to become juvenile delinquents.  It even ended Gaines in front of the Senate Committee hearing on Juvenile Delinquency.  The fight that Gaines gave, even though he eventually lost, is a fight that all supporters of free speech should be proud of.
    Horror fans should know Gaines and be thankful for the incredible work that he did with his comics, that have inspired fans for the last 50+ years.

Dean Cundey
Born: March 12th, 1946
    If you area  fan of horror movies from the 70's and 80's, then you have most likely seen the work of Dean Cundey.  Especially if you are a fan of the early works of John Carpenter.  Dean Cundey is now one of the top rated cinematographers in the business.  But before he became a top name in Hollywood, he was working quite often in the horror genre, making some classic films look even better than they should have.
    Just by looking at his early resume, you will see a lot of favorite cult titles listed in here.  Titles like The Witch Who Came From The Sea, Creature From Black Lake, Ilsa: Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, Satan's Cheerleaders, Without Warning, Jaws of Satan, and the list goes on.  But his work with John Carpenter is really where his talent shined.  He worked with Carpenter on five films, all of them being held as classic films: Halloween, The Fog, Escape From New York, The Thing, and Big Trouble in Little China.
    So even while he may have gone on to work more in the bigger budgeted Hollywood films, we owe this man a lot of thanks for the way that some of these great films turned out.

Lionel Atwill
Born: Mar. 1st, 1885  Died: Apr. 22nd, 1946
    If you are a fan of the old Universal classics, then you've seen Lionel Atwill.  Unfortunately, not too many people know him other than "that guy from the Universal films".  Unfortunate since Atwill was a great at playing intelligent and authoritative figures.  Granted, some of them were mad as a hatter, but that's besides the point.
    Atwill could carry the lead in films, such as the original Mystery of the Wax Museum and The Vampire Bat, but could also made the same impact when he was playing second fiddle in films like Man Made Monster or Son of Frankenstein.  He was always memorable with his distinct voice and glare, always leaving an impression.
    In the early 40's, he was sentenced to 5 years probation after being found guilt of perjury after he refused to testify as to who had attended a "wild sex-party" held in his home.  While he did work a little after this scandal, his career was pretty much done with.  But he should at least be remembered for the fine work that he did give us.

Bernard Robinson
Born: 1912  Died: Mar. 2nd, 1970
    If you are a fan of the work of Hammer Studios, then you know the work of Bernard Robinson.  Robinson started with Hammer on the film Quatermass 2 as the Art Director, and later became the Production Designer for most of their films.  He was the guy responsible for creating those amazing sets used in Curse of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula, Night Creatures, Plague of the Zombies and many, many other films.  And in addition to that, he was the guy that was re-dressing these same sets, or having them built in a way where they can be easily re-used on the next film.  And all of this with very little money or time.
    So the next time you're watching one of the Hammer films, take a moment to notice the set, the props, and everything that you seen in the film besides the actors.  That is the work of Bernard Robinson.
    We search the internet and our Hammer library to find a photo of Robinson, but just couldn't find one.  But then we realized it would be better to show his incredible work instead.  That still is from Horror of Dracula.  Thanks to David L. Rattigan and his wonderful site Dictionary of Hammer Horror for the photo

John Chambers
Born: Sept. 12, 1923  Died: Aug. 25th, 2001
    All horror fans know the names of Dick Smith, Tom Savini, Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, and quite a few others that became famous in the 70's and 80's. But what about John Chambers?
    Chambers is probably best known for his creation of the makeup effects used to turn Roddy McDowell and other actors into ape-creatures in The Planet of the Apes.  He also worked on horror films like Sssssss, Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), and even Halloween II.
    But it wasn't just here that his work is held in high regards. Chambers helped invent and create new types of makeup and helped advance the industry with his talent.
    And if that wasn't enough to appreciate the man, before he got into the movies, he worked for the Veteran's Hospital (and many others) creating prosthetic limbs for wounded soldiers. He also was creating other artificial parts like noses, ears, and some entire faces, to help those soldiers who came back scared or deformed by the horrors of combat.
So either from his work in the movies, or for our wounded soldiers, John Chambers is a name that you should know.

Georges Méliès
Born: Dec. 8, 1861  Died: Jan. 21, 1938
    We thought that Méliès would be a good person to start with, since he really was the one responsible for the birth of the fantastic cinema.  While he didn't invent the cinema or movies, he was one of the first to witness it's display and realized the future of it.  Coming from a background of stage magic, and also by accident, he discovered this new invention can be used to thrill audiences.
    He realized by stopping the camera, he could create magic tricks with ease.  A woman could disappear into thin air, just by stopping the camera and having her walk off the set, and then start the camera again.  He also experimented with double exposure and other camera tricks.  His most famous film was A Trip to the Moon, made in 1902, which features the shot of a rocket sticking out of the moon's face.  But for horror fans, he film Le Manoir du diable (aka The House of the Devil) was released in 1896.  And while it was only two minutes long, it is considered by many to be the very first horror film.