Welcome to the site's new section! In here you'll find "bite sized" nuggets of info on a variety of topics pertinent to horror! Also, the section emphasizes raw text and info over the usual image-heavy layouts. Entries are dated.

5/15/02: WHAT'S UP WITH THE CHINESE AND SNAKES?

-For many readers of this site, you have probably watched a Hong Kong horror film and wondered to yourself "just what is it with the Chinese and snakes?" Well, as you might have assumed, the relationship between the Chinese and snakes is far more profound than just nasty shock value. I have included some enlightening factoids below that should increase your respect and understanding of this vast culture's fascination with the slithery fellows and how it pertains to some of our favorite Hong Kong horrors. Read this along with my Killer Snakes capsule review for maximum effect!

-The snake is one of the "five noxious creatures" (the others, most interstingly, are centipedes [ring a bell?], scorpions [ditto!], geckos and toads). Interestingly, the Chinese are often found covering their cups of tea, because they are afraid that the centipedes will drop their poisonous eggs in there!

-The mandarin term for snake is "She" (pronounced "Shuh").

-Snakes are viewed as clever, wicked and treacherous.

-Snakes are so hated in China because they are seen as fallen dragons (as most of you know, dragons are beloved in Chinese folklore and modern culture). The snake was once a dragon, but is now merely a serpent not to be trusted.

-Treacherous people are said to have "snake hearts" in China.

-Believe it or not, snakes were once worshipped in China!

-This is very interesting. There are snake gods in Chinese mythology, just as there is the mythical "Snake Queen" in Indonesian mythology and film. And both versions need human sacrifices.

-It is believed that men's penises will shrivel up and be rendered useless if they eat snake fat!

-Strangely, keeping snake skin is considered good luck!

7/11/02: BLIND DEAD SERIES EXPOSE´

This piece is divided into three sections: (1) Amando de Ossorio biography (2) Blind Dead series video release guide and (3) Blind Dead series alternate titles guide.

Amando De Ossorio was born in Portugal in 1918 and, contrary to rumor, died in 2001 (not 1996) at the age of 83. Although he is most revered as a stylish horror director, de Ossorio’s talents extend to painting (often surreal landscapes featuring the templars or "blind dead" prominently featured in his films), producing radio dramas, journalism and photography. De Ossorio’s extraordinarily keen eye for artistic detail may perhaps be the reason why he was the first Spanish director to utilize the widescreen process. After moving to Madrid (where nearly all of his subsequent film work would occur) during the forties, de Ossorio entered the film business as a script writer and assistant director. He has also starred in various Spanish dramas and westerns. His first film behind the camera was La Bandera Negra (1956). However, it was in 1968 that the director hit his stride, with the release of his first bona-fide horror film, Malenka the Vampire (also known as a censored US release, Fangs of the Living Dead). Although somewhat clumsily constructed, the film’s sporadic use of striking photography set the atmospheric template for the director. Interestingly, de Ossorio’s first horror film may have been a collaboration with Spain’s other leading macabre authority-Jacinto Molina (Paul Naschy). Molina requested that de Ossorio direct his script (which would turn out to be 1967’s La Marca del Hombre Lobo), but de Ossorio turned him down, citing that there simply was no market for a Spanish horror film!

De Ossorio’s horror career ignited with the release of his 1971 film Tombs of the Blind Dead (La Noche del Terror Ciego). This film, the first in a series of four, featured ancient Spanish templars brought to hideous, musty life. The series is renowned for its liberal use of poetic imagery, such as the rotting, skeletal Templars riding their ancient horses across the Spanish countryside. De Ossorio’s obvious cinematic talent was stretched even further as he completely took over the special effects and makeup tasks after the 1971 original (José Luis Campos and Julio Garcia Soria did most of the work in the original). Although the films do not function primarily on graphic violence, the films have been truncated throughout various world releases. The most often cut sequences are the scenes of the Templars drinking the blood of nubile, sacrificial female victims. The most common cut print runs approximately 86 minutes (NTSC). The films proved so popular that an unofficial sequel was made in Spain in 1975 by a famed Hammer horror director-John Gilling-entitled La Cruz del Diablo. The only connection to de Ossorio’s series was an extended dream sequence in which the Templars make an appearance.

Although de Ossorio is perhaps remembered most fondly for his blind dead series, his other horror output must not be overshadowed. In addition to Malenka the Vampire, de Ossorio’s horror catalogue includes the 1973 masterpiece Night of the Sorcerers (Le Noche de los Brujos), 1974’s The Possessed (La Endemoniada-an occasionally intriguing Exorcist clone) and 1972’s Lorely’s Grasp. He also made a forgettable B-movie style film entitled The Sea Serpent in 1984. Perhaps the greatest point of interest for European horror fans concerning de Ossorio’s horror work is the wealth of established Euro stars. Jack Taylor (born George Brown Randall), already an established American tv star (appearing on such talk shows as the "Jack Benny Show"), moved to Spain and appeared in a wealth of Spanish horror films, including de Ossorio’s own Ghost Ships of the Blind Dead and Night of the Sorcerers and many Jess Franco films. One of de Ossorio’s favorite leading ladies, Helga Liné (born Helga Lina Stern in Berlin, 1932), was an acrobat for a circus in Portugal before climbing to tremendous stardom in Spain in the 60’s and 70’s. She gave perhaps the greatest performance of any de Ossorio film as Lorely, the mythical sea creature seductress in de Ossorio’s Lorely’s Grasp.

***NOTE: All runtimes are in NTSC unless otherwise noted! Only the feature is timed; FBI logos/warnings and non-feature items are not counted!***

---"Tombs of the Blind Dead"/"Return of the Blind Dead" (double feature)
-Anchor Bay, Region 0 dvd. Released 1998.
-Both films 1:66 widescreen.
-"Tombs" is complete. "Return" is cut. See Midnight Video for cuts
-"Tombs" is subbed in English. "Return" is dubbed in English.
-Runtime: "Tombs": 1hr, 41m, 28 secs (exact-NTSC). "Return": 1hr, 26m, 56 secs (NOT the stated 90 mins on the box).
-Dvd also states WRONG info about de Ossorio’s birth and death! NOT 1926-1996!

---"Tombs of the Blind Dead"
-Elite Entertainment, Laserdisc.
-Widescreen, 1:66
-Presumably same transfer used for the AB dvd release.

---"Return of the Evil Dead"
-Bingo Video
-91 mins.
-Dubbed in English
-full screen

---"Tombs of the Blind Dead"
-Paragon Video
-86 mins
-Fullscreen
-Dubbed in English

---"Night of the Death Cult"
-Sony Video
-88mins, 34 secs
-Full screen
-dubbed
-complete
-Rated "R" (mpaa.org has no record of film!)

---"Horror of the Zombies"
-Vid America/Supervideo
-90 mins
-full screen
-dubbed

---"Return of the Evil Dead"
-Midnight Video (www.midnight1.com)
-Widescreen and complete (a composite)!

---"Horror of the Zombies"
-Midnight Video
-90 mins
-Full screen
-complete
-English dubbed

---"Night of the Seagulls"
-Midnight Video (www.midnight1.com)
-full screen
-complete

---"Return of the Blind Dead"
-Genesis video

---"Horror of the Zombies"
-Video Tours

---"Terror Beach"
-Playtime
-PAL format. This is a very early European release! From 1987

---"Tombs of the Blind Dead"
-Redemption Video
-PAL
-97m,13sec
-Widescreen

---"Return of the Evil Dead"
-Redemption Video
-PAL
-83m, 43 sec
-Widescreen

---"Tombs of the Blind Dead"
-Redemption Video
-PAL
-95m, 22sec

---"Return of the Evil Dead"
-Precision Video
-PAL

---"Return of the Blind Dead"
-8mm
-Marketing Video

"La Noche del Terror Ciego"
AKA
"Tombs of the Blind Dead", "The Blind Dead", "Tombs of the Blind Zombies", "Those Cruel and Bloody Vampires", "Night of the Blind Dead", "Crypt of the Blind Dead", "La Noche de la Muerta Ciega", "La Revolte des Morts-Vivants", "Die Nacht der Reitenden Leichen", "Le Tombe dei Resuscitati Ciechi"

"El Ataque de los Muertos sin Ojos"
AKA
"Return of the Evil Dead", "Return of the Blind Dead", "Revenge of the Evil Dead", "El Returno del Terror Ciego", "Attack of the Eyeless Dead", "Die Rückkehr der Reitenden Leichen", "Attack of the Blind Dead", "Le Retour des morts-Vivant", "La Cavalcata dei Morti Senza Occhi", "De Terugkeerder Gemaskerde Lijken"

"El Buque Maldito"
AKA
"Horror of the Zombies", "Ghost Galleon", "Ship of Zombies", "La Noche del Buque Maldito", "Ghost Ship(s) of the Blind Dead", "Le Monde des Morts-Vivants", "Das Gheisterschiff der Schwimmenden Leichen"

"La Noche de Las Gaviotas"
AKA
"Night of the Seagulls", "Night of the Death Cult", "Bloodfeast of the Blind Dead", "Terror Beach", "Das Blutgereicht der Reitenden Leichen", "Don’t Go out at Night", "Night of the Blood Cult"