 |
| "Take my wife... please." Vincent Price, Elizabeth Shepherd in The Tomb of Ligeia |
And now for another capital questionnaire by that celebrated cinematic blogger, Dennis Cozzalio, up now at Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule. Visit his site to post your answers. My answers appear after the jump.
1) Favorite Vincent Price/American International Pictures release.
Damn you. Don't start off with a tough one. Tie between The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), The Masque of the Red Death (1964) and The Tomb of Ligeia (1964).
2) What horror classic (or non-classic) that has not yet been remade would you like to see upgraded for modern audiences?
Someone, please fuilfill the true potential of Clive Barker's Nightbreed (1990).
3) Jonathan Frid or Thayer David?
Jonathan Frid
4) Name the one horror movie you need to see that has so far eluded you.
Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre
5) Favorite film director most closely associated with the horror genre.
David Cronenberg
 |
| Publicity still of Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers |
Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers
7) Favorite 50’s sci-fi/horror creature.
The Blob (1958)
8) Favorite/best sequel to an established horror classic.
I don't know about best, but Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) was a exceedingly clever subversion of horror tropes and a masterful return to form for Craven.
9) Name a sequel in a horror series which clearly signaled that the once-vital franchise had run out of gas.
Freddy vs. Jason (2003) killed two franchises.
10) John Carradine or Lon Chaney Jr.?
John Carradine had better acting chops, but Lon Chaney, Jr. played the best werewolf ever.
11) What was the last horror movie you saw in a theater? On DVD or Blu-ray?
Theater: Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) DVD: Don't Look Now (1973) Blu-ray: Vampire Circus (1972)
12) Best foreign-language fiend/monster.
Raymond Lemorne, the killer from The Vanishing (1988).
13) Favorite Mario Bava movie.
Not a horror film: Danger: Diabolik (1968).
14) Favorite horror actor and actress.
Peter Cushing and Jamie Lee Curtis
15) Name a great horror director’s least effective movie.
John Carpenter's Vampires (1998). Nice idea; weak tea.
16) Grayson Hall or Joan Bennett?
Joan Bennett
 |
| What's eating Kane? John Hurt in Alien |
17) When did you realize that you were a fan of the horror genre? And if you’re not, when did you realize you weren’t?
When I was smiling during the chest-bursting scene in Alien. I was 12.
18) Favorite Bert I. Gordon (B.I.G.) movie.
The only one I've seen, which I like quite a lot, is Empire of the Ants (1977).
19) Name an obscure horror favorite that you wish more people knew about.
The Innocents (1961)
20) The Human Centipede-- yes or no?
Not for me, but yes.
21) And while we’re in the neighborhood, is there a horror film you can think of that you felt “went too far”?
Haven't seen it, but A Serbian Film (2010) sounds reprehensible.
22) Name a film that is technically outside the horror genre that you might still feel comfortable describing as a horror film.
Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal (1957).
 |
| Publicity still of Lara Parker in Dark Shadows |
23) Lara Parker or Kathryn Leigh Scott?
Angelique, of course: Lara Parker.
24) If you’re a horror fan, at some point in your past your dad, grandmother, teacher or some other disgusted figure of authority probably wagged her/his finger at you and said, “Why do you insist on reading/watching all this morbid monster/horror junk?” How did you reply? And if that reply fell short somehow, how would you have liked to have replied?
Never happened.
 |
| Oliver Reed goes furry for Forry |
I haven't really enjoyed reading about horror since the days of Forry Ackerman's run on Famous Monsters of Filmland.
26) Most frightening image you’ve ever taken away from a horror movie.
A masked intruder standing silently, unbeknownst to her, behind Liv Tyler in The Strangers (2008).
27) Your favorite memory associated with watching a horror movie.
A recent one, taking my five-year-old to see his first theatrical showing of a horror movie, Frankenstein (1931).
 |
| They don't have dentists in the Black Lodge? Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me |
28) What would you say is the most important/significant horror movie of the past 20 years (1992-2012)? Why?
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me because it is the pivot point in David Lynch's filmography. Fans (including myself, initially) were disappointed at what a departure it took from its mother TV series. But in retrospect, it reaffirms what was best about the show's fine first season, its tragiccomic sense of horror. And Lynch seems freer and more experimental than ever before, a trend which would continue in his subsequent films.
29) Favorite Dr. Phibes curse (from either film).
Pass.
30) You are programming an all-night Halloween horror-thon for your favorite old movie palace. What five movies make up your schedule?
The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), The Innocents (1961), The Wicker Man (1973), The Brood (1975) and The Strangers (2008).
Tony, thanks for the link, as always! Now for the commentary:
ReplyDelete1) I get to see The Pit and the Pendulum on the big screen next week. Very excited about that!
4) Glenn kenny rates it #2. Given his choice for #1, I think that's fair. But for sheer ability to creep into my head, it might be my #1.
10) Given your choice here, I default to your choice of Famous Monsters covers and your first choice for #30 and submit that Oliver Reed's may be the greatest werewolf of all time-- just maybe not the most iconic.
12) Good call!
16) I wonder if anyone will pick Grayson Hall!
17) I love this answer!
28) You've made me want to see this again, and I never thought I would.
And yes, I do love your choice of stills! Who could fault the one that accompanies 23)?!
Thanks for taking part again, Tony, and for helping to spread the word!
Dennis, the only reason Oliver Reed's werewolf isn't my favorite is because of its precious little time onscreen, limited by Hammer's low budget.
ReplyDeleteThe Innocents obscure?
ReplyDeleteHope your kid enjoyed Frankenstein. I was about that age when I saw King Kong (the original), and asked my mom how they were able to get that giant gorilla to climb the Empire State Building.
Peter, I don't think THE INNOCENTS is obscure among cinephiles. But ask the average layperson, and I'd give you the opposite answer.
ReplyDeleteAlas, though my son claims he didn't, I think he fell asleep before the Monster showed up. Still, the journey to the theater makes for a great memory.
We chose the same actress!
ReplyDeleteOf course, Jaime. Because you and I are right!
ReplyDelete(Kidding... kidding.)
Some truly great answers, Tony. Excellent call for THE INNOCENTS. I read 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James recently and I think the '61 film adaptation did it justice. When I finish my quiz, we may share a few answers. Thanks.
ReplyDelete