tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230123682024-03-07T00:50:01.560-05:00The Klaus Kinski FilesNews, reviews, web sightings and information about the world's greatest actor.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-43265501526488030132013-03-14T14:16:00.002-04:002013-03-14T14:16:54.742-04:00Widescreen CREATURE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbHhUr45ToPWZSgaxKtGPThvlQo20-TSxkjTMAvHiLJojZhpWSu0DTb_J4rrwy_XqKVyJp5hZWPIiYLPgXY2H7JFSG7TOcONvhsoIIHwcmdTgAAh9kR5IXlI3PfEVGC6Kzay2WA/s1600/titan-find.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbHhUr45ToPWZSgaxKtGPThvlQo20-TSxkjTMAvHiLJojZhpWSu0DTb_J4rrwy_XqKVyJp5hZWPIiYLPgXY2H7JFSG7TOcONvhsoIIHwcmdTgAAh9kR5IXlI3PfEVGC6Kzay2WA/s1600/titan-find.jpg" /></a>Been a little quiet here of late thanks to my BIG annual catalog project that keeps me busy for the first few months of the year. But I actually held a copy of the printed product in my hands today and breathed a big old <i>sigh</i> of relief.<br />
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We'll be back with more reviews and news soon, but I had to share this tidbit... our pals at Diabolik DVD just announced that they have the self-released, widescreen director's cut of William Malone's <a href="http://www.diabolikdvd.com/category/Horror-[sl]-Thriller/Creature-DVD-(aka-Titan-Find)-(NTSC-Region-1).html" target="_blank">CREATURE</a> (aka TITAN FIND) in stock!<br />
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If you've never seen it (or have only seen the full-frame versions that have been around on dollar DVD labels for years) this is a fun ALIENS rip-off with Kinski as Hans "Rudy" Hofner, a lounge lizardy alien explorer with lines like "zoom kind uv collactive intelligence" and the awesome "THIS CREATURE IS SLY!"<br />
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I can't wait to get my hands on it and see it properly presented for the first time as well as enjoy what I'm sure will be illuminating commentary from Malone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-83308328948813546712013-01-18T09:06:00.000-05:002013-01-18T09:06:01.070-05:00SPY AROUND THE WORLD (1966)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSYQ0Jxy0gaUSmKVS4mZ2r47UN42uTR3Arl-4GMRxMHZ7IyBuKytMNV_NZvx3S0C2BMTKpYU66Ve-TmWr5QIAIzp1TJHyzAGQ2gWx6UWNW5_vI_oW83SRgCMRCkCIHiE5b7jA/s1600/spy-around-the-world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSYQ0Jxy0gaUSmKVS4mZ2r47UN42uTR3Arl-4GMRxMHZ7IyBuKytMNV_NZvx3S0C2BMTKpYU66Ve-TmWr5QIAIzp1TJHyzAGQ2gWx6UWNW5_vI_oW83SRgCMRCkCIHiE5b7jA/s320/spy-around-the-world.jpg" width="230" /></a>When police track Wendt (Peter Vogel), a suspected ladykiller, to the home of Professor Alden (Richard Munch) it's up to the good doctor to keep the suspect occupied until he can formulate a plan to turn the tables. Naturally, the psychiatrist's plan includes showing the criminal the folly of his ways... by relating a trio of tales designed to illustrate that crime does not pay.<br />
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Yes, you've got that right, SPY AROUND THE WORLD (aka KILLER'S CARNIVAL) is an espionage anthology with each segment unspooling in a different exotic-ish locale (hence the title).<br />
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In the first segment (set in Vienna), a desperate woman seeks out suave man of mystery David Porter (Stewart Granger), a debonair detective who is the only one that can solve her journalist brother's murder. With the help of his dutiful butler Karl (Walter Giller), Porter works his sources, runs afoul of a nefarious nightclub owner and trips up the killer just as he tries to eliminate the detective. The lighthearted segment succeeds largely thanks to Granger and Giller, who have a fun crimefighter/sidekick dynamic that feels like they're two guys who have spent way too much time together. In fact, I was a bit disappointed when their segment ended – I could have taken a whole Porter and Karl flick.<br />
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If you think the first story sounds a tad lightweight, SPY's Rome segment is downright comedic, complete with wacky sound effects, an identically-dressed gang of mismatched thugs, a Rosa Kleb-esque female villain, double agent Margaret Lee ('natch) and 60s-era spy gags like a record pressed on pasta that our hero, Agent Brice (Pierre Brice), eats to destroy.<br />
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Your overall appreciation of SPY AROUND THE WORLD is likely to go as far as your willingness to dig this middle segment. Once I took a deep breath and remembered that by 1966 the tide of espionage cinema had turned from the rough-and-tumble FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE to the jokier, gadget-filled world of THUNDERBALL I had a much better time with the flick.<br />
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The third, and perhaps best segment, features handsome, imposing Lex Barker (<a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/t_reviews/doctor-sadism.html" target="_blank">THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM</a>) as hard-drinking detective Glenn Cassidy. After uncovering a plot to assassinate the Brazilian president during Carnivale in Rio, Cassidy hightails it south of the border and impersonates the assassin. Klaus Kinski (complete with tiny moustache) turns up in a couple scenes as "Gomez", a sweaty Brazilian rebel.<br />
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(By the way, what is it with these guys? Kinski, of course, made headlines recently after his daughter Palo accused him of abusing her when she was an adolescent. While checking out details for this review I was surprised to learn that Barker, who died of a heart attack at the age of 54 while walking down a NYC street, was accused of similar horrors by Cheryl Crane, the daughter of third wife Lana Turner.)<br />
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Directed in workmanlike fashion by a quartet of directors, SPY is about as light and fluffy as 60s Eurospy gets. It has all the trappings of the genre – exotic locations, colorful characters, double-crossing babes, convoluted denouements, a cast of familiar faces – delivered up in a series of bite-sized nuggets. Like a series of uninspired but pleasant sandwiches I consumed SPY over three lunch breaks and that may have been the best way to digest it. Certainly not required viewing, unless you're a Eurospy or Kinksi completist, but you won't hate yourself if you do end up downing it.<br />
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<i>Poster image via <a href="http://emovieposter.com/">emovieposter.com</a>.</i><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-79539162053394999092013-01-13T08:07:00.004-05:002013-01-13T08:07:56.615-05:00The Kinski Files Will Go OnIn the wake of the recent disturbing – but not altogether shocking – <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/376950/klaus-kinski-s-daughter-alleges-legendary-german-actor-sexually-abused-her" target="_blank">news</a> that Klaus Kinski's daughter had accused him of molesting her between the ages of 5-14, I wrestled with the future of this blog and, to be frank, my fascination with Kinski.<br />
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I've spent years acquiring his films, buying books and magazines, loading up on Turkish posters for largely-forgotten <i>krimis</i>. Would I be able to watch the films the same way again? Or, as <i>The Spiegel</i> <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/sexual-abuse-revelations-change-our-view-of-klaus-kinski-a-877039.html" target="_blank">posited in a recent article</a>, was it possible to still be a fan of someone that was accused of something so monstrous?<br />
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At least one Kinski-related blog – the excellent <a href="http://dudummesau.com/2013/01/12/du-dumme-sau-retires/" target="_blank">Du Dumme Sau!</a> – decided to pull the plug and retire, though I find it hard to believe anyone who had looked so closely at his life could truly be "shocked" by this news.<br />
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Kinski himself had alluded to such activities over the years, daughter Nastassja implied there existed an underlying real-life villainy to his reel-life madness, and in a book about 80s cinema one director mentioned the actor boasting of an illicit relationship with Pola. So it's not as if this information wasn't there if you wanted to look hard enough.<br />
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In the end, this blog and my interest in Kinski has largely been about his on-screen persona and the crazy energy he brought to his film appearances.<br />
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And that's the side of the man that I'll continue to explore, though I can't help but think that a darker vision will take shape as my eyes inevitably hunt for clues in his performances.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-21915778804402216602012-12-28T07:59:00.000-05:002012-12-28T07:59:02.342-05:00Four Kinski Flicks Crack Top 20 Spags List<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aB_3sGzCZV2hsp3vY4QsM6_9mTZzqodurGQvVFa-wox1Y3cREDa43miKdxsnQnJVElKvXOYTB8cHEPr4LEcdCPMQUBVpgVdpVvGOUTlRh_IJe4Xg5ZDWbQk2Pfhay9ZXJD_a/s1600/great-silence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aB_3sGzCZV2hsp3vY4QsM6_9mTZzqodurGQvVFa-wox1Y3cREDa43miKdxsnQnJVElKvXOYTB8cHEPr4LEcdCPMQUBVpgVdpVvGOUTlRh_IJe4Xg5ZDWbQk2Pfhay9ZXJD_a/s320/great-silence.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm curiously uninspired about Quentin Tarantino's new flick, DJANGO UNCHAINED.<br />
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There was a time when you couldn't keep me from the theater when a new QT opened, but I've yet to see INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (or however he spells it) and despite largely positive feedback from folks I trust, I'm pretty sure I can wait till DJANGO hits Redbox before I even consider it.<br />
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But at least when Tarantino apes a genre it ends up generating articles like <a href="http://www.hollywood.com/photo/best_spaghetti_westerns_ever_made/46816774#c" target="_blank">'The Top 20 Spaghetti Westerns'</a> which I read this morning.<br />
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Any longtime ER reader knows that Spags aren't really my thing. I find them overly long, cliched, dull and repetitive, but as a Klaus Kinski Kompletist I've had to watch more than my fair share.<br />
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That said, I was glad to see <b>four</b> Kinski flicks make the list (<a href="ttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IZVDBI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004IZVDBI" target="_blank">FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE</a>, the underrated <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TMAYG4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TMAYG4" target="_blank">THE RUTHLESS FOUR</a>, the overrated <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ATHNRW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007ATHNRW" target="_blank">A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL</a> and Sergio Corbucci's brilliant <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00012L77W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00012L77W" target="_blank">THE GREAT SILENCE</a>, which clocks in at a well-deserved #2).<br />
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Frankly, I feel like the list is complete without at least one Sartana flick (even if I have yet to see one that's all that spectacular) and I'd have thrown the unique 3-D Spaghetti Western COMIN' AT YA! on there, especially after seeing the restored version earlier this year at ActionFest. I bet ER contributor John Grace would argue that some Tony Anthony flicks belong on there and for my money the overlooked Spaghetti giallo THE PRICE OF DEATH also belongs on any such list, as does the gory CUTTHROATS NINE.<br />
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But hey, at least they didn't include KEOMA.<br />
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What Spaghetti Westerns do you think got snubbed? Answer in the comments section below.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-74219297374479281582012-10-26T16:06:00.001-04:002012-10-26T16:06:17.333-04:00Scream Factory to Go SCHIZOID in 2013!<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa0Q82mwlTQ4F1SYy9vqgfCpOutDc6WRI4SRBDMXa_tEP4bE7J4OSjV0wfBE82leGs6C32k3WqkwLJMIQ6d9fzFpXKuYZee-hD-82DbCfvNoF8PJWMRApuDYuVDW_XGD8zzHvqw/s1600/schizoid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa0Q82mwlTQ4F1SYy9vqgfCpOutDc6WRI4SRBDMXa_tEP4bE7J4OSjV0wfBE82leGs6C32k3WqkwLJMIQ6d9fzFpXKuYZee-hD-82DbCfvNoF8PJWMRApuDYuVDW_XGD8zzHvqw/s200/schizoid.jpg" width="113" /></a>If you haven't noticed, the folks at Scream Factory have been knocking it out of the park lately, thanks to releases like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089N4G50/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0089N4G50" target="_blank">HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH</a>, the upcoming <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008VF0Y0M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008VF0Y0M&linkCode=as2&tag=exploitationretr" target="_blank">THEY LIVE</a> Special Edition and recently announced titles like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0096RC5XI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0096RC5XI&linkCode=as2&tag=exploitationretr" target="_blank">THE ISLAND</a>, <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/2008/10/31-days-of-fright-childhood-trauma-and.html" target="_blank">THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN</a> and PHANTASM 2. </div>
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And today comes the news that they'll be releasing three Cannon titles on DVD (possibly Blu-Ray depending upon the elements) next year, including 1980's SCHIZOID (aka MURDER BY MAIL) starring Klaus Kinski as a suave psychiatrist.</div>
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Here's the lowdown from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScreamFactoryDVD" target="_blank">their Facebook page</a>...</div>
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** EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL "Halloween Weekend" ANNOUNCEMENT** </blockquote>
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Cannon films X-RAY (1981 - aka: HOSPITAL MASSACRE with Barbi Benton), SCHIZOID (1980 - starring Klaus Kinski) and THE GODSEND (1980 - starring Donald Pleasence's daughter, Angela) are on tap for a release late in 2013! All three have never been out on DVD before. </blockquote>
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As mentioned yesterday, these films will not show up on our schedule until later in 2013 so we cannot confirm they will be on Blu-ray as we have not seen the masters yet. We say this only to manage expectations. More details on these fun flicks will be presented next year. </blockquote>
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Have a great "Trick or Treat" filled weekend!</blockquote>
I haven't watched the flick in years so I'll be anxious to see how it fares. Here's <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/s_reviews/schizoid.html" target="_blank">my review</a> of SCHIZOID from the special Kinski issue of ER.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-79530100794950890152012-10-18T06:41:00.001-04:002012-10-18T06:41:05.049-04:00KLAUSDAY 2012: Happy 86th Birthday, Klaus!Happy Klausday readers! Today is October 18th, the 86th anniversary of the birth of The German Olivier. I'll probably be celebrating the day with a long overdue screening of CRAWLSPACE. How about you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-61994663798023763542012-09-27T12:11:00.000-04:002012-09-27T12:11:07.282-04:00Another Kinski Co-Star Bites the DustWhen I heard the news that Herbert Lom had passed away I was pretty surprised.<br />
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Not because I figured Lom, who died earlier today at age 95, was the picture of health or anything like that. It's just that I was almost positive Lom was already dead. In fact, I was pretty sure I'd already posted a tribute to him on this blog. (If I did, my apologies to the Lom estate!)<br />
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Lom, of course, is best known for his role as Inspector Clouseau's boss in the PINK PANTHER flicks starring Peter Sellers, the unused footage of Peter Sellers and to a far, far lesser extent Ted Wass. But here at The Kinski Files he'll always have a special place in our heart for his Eurotrash turns as Van Helsing in Jess Franco's <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/2008/10/31-days-of-fright-franco-does-dracula.html" target="_blank">EL CONDE DRACULA</a> and as a prison warden in Franco's sweaty women-in-prison flick <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/n_reviews/99women.html" target="_blank">99 WOMEN</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/arts/herbert-lom-frustrated-boss-of-inspector-clouseau-dies-at-95.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Check out the <i>NY Times</i> obit.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-6381110978703440342012-08-15T20:02:00.003-04:002012-08-16T06:47:46.824-04:00Kinski-Inspired Fumetti Cover<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SZ9z5X6m5Tl42YqrxH0FuGQ8yOmOhfmoznaOHpdhyphenhyphendKLDBoB-FslYUd4CJ_BDAV14_TA9BItVVCCbnEKhRyudCNQGV614_EJbY5eV9pz3cCByp6_sIO_iieci9EjNm7yjm_KZQ/s1600/k2fumetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SZ9z5X6m5Tl42YqrxH0FuGQ8yOmOhfmoznaOHpdhyphenhyphendKLDBoB-FslYUd4CJ_BDAV14_TA9BItVVCCbnEKhRyudCNQGV614_EJbY5eV9pz3cCByp6_sIO_iieci9EjNm7yjm_KZQ/s320/k2fumetti.jpg" width="236" /></a>I never knew what the heck a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_comics" target="_blank">fumetti</a></i> was until a few years ago when my buddy Curt Purcell introduced me to the term.<br />
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I suppose the simplest way to describe them is "Italian comic books" but these ain't like the "comic books" you and I probably grew up with.<br />
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Nope, instead of caped heroes rescuing damsels in distress and masked vigilantes seeking justice for the FILL IN THE BLANK killing their FILL IN THE BLANK, the <i>fumetti</i> I've seen reside largely in "not safe for work" territory.<br />
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Monsters. Big-breasted damsels. Revenge tales. Graphic sex. Hunchbacks who give birth out their ass. Um, yeah, this ain't exactly Mighty Marvel.<br />
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So while I was over perusing Curt's awesome <i>Groovy Age of Horror</i> blog the other day what did I stumble upon but the image shown at right... with a vampire definitely "inspired" by our boy Klaus Kinski!<br />
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Unfortunately, they don't carry the resemblance over to the inside panels, but damn, that's some wicked cool artwork and I'd love to find a copy of that issue or – even better – the original art used for the cover.<br />
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But until then I'll always have <a href="http://groovyageofhorror.blogspot.com/2012/06/cimiteria-n-59-due-mostri-per-un-lord.html" target="_blank">this <i>Groovy Age</i> blog post</a> to drool over.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-80559224805902512252012-07-12T16:45:00.001-04:002012-07-12T16:45:08.057-04:00Adios ErnieSad to hear about the passing of Ernest Borgnine the other day. Not only did I grow up with him thanks to endless re-runs of 'McHale's Navy' on Philly UHF channels but as I got older and dipped my toes into the trashy waters of sinema, there he was as well, in everything from THE WILD BUNCH and DEADLY BLESSING to the amazing THE LAST MATCH and with our poster-boy Klaus Kinski in Margheriti's CODENAME: WILDGEESE.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9BX2DBq0vdk" width="300"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-83931048043593077842012-06-25T07:21:00.003-04:002012-06-25T07:48:08.853-04:00BARREL FULL OF DOLLARS (1971) with Klaus Kinski, Jeff Cameron, Hunt Powers and Gordon Mitchell<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjdk31DxiMlk19SiG8o0YteSGDWvOG0QgfRx52mA57TJq0mOxExj6xmTaOVhH35bqRyoleWLulNvkEv24pKWhJ_3abCttdPaoLsQ0X8sPPjFN-qWnNkxGp3DO6yvwbARiG15ecA/s1600/51lCk6bvi9L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjdk31DxiMlk19SiG8o0YteSGDWvOG0QgfRx52mA57TJq0mOxExj6xmTaOVhH35bqRyoleWLulNvkEv24pKWhJ_3abCttdPaoLsQ0X8sPPjFN-qWnNkxGp3DO6yvwbARiG15ecA/s200/51lCk6bvi9L.jpg" width="200" /></a>Who says technology is a worthless intrusion on our everyday lives?<br />
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Was puttering around after an awesome dinner of beer can chicken and roast veggies (plus homemade apple pie for dessert) trying to figure out what I was in the mood to watch. Frankly, I <i>really</i> wanted to watch <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZGN220/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007ZGN220" target="_blank">ZOOM IN: SEX APARTMENTS</a> which I got in a review package the other day, but I wasn't sure I wanted my five-year-old walking in during a Japanese <i>giallo</i> in which victims get their genitals set on fire!<br />
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With ARACHNOQUAKE saved for a viewing with with my wife later this week my brain started going through my review stack and Netflix queue to see if there was anything that caught my fancy. While I was floundering for a title, my buddy Bob (of VIDEOOZE zine fame) texted to inform me that Comcast Multiplex was currently carrying 1971's BARREL FULL OF DOLLARS, a Miles Deem western with Klaus Kinski and Gordon Mitchell! (Thank God he scans these free movie channels because I <i>always</i> forget to. The flick is also <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022S5ANA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0022S5ANA" target="_blank">available from Amazon as a Region 2, PAL DVD</a>.)<br />
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The title was vaguely familiar but I couldn't remember if I'd seen this one before. A quick check confirmed that I had not and was probably more familiar with it as SHOWDOWN FOR A BADMAN or COFFIN FULL OF DOLLARS.<br />
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Kinski stars as Hagen, the "brains" (and bangs) behind a gang of desperadoes operating near the Mexican border. When his two brothers are killed he flips out, spasmodically shoots one of his own men for the news ("You deserve to die like a rattlesnake!") and sends off frequent Miles Deem star Hunt Powers (aka Jack Betts) as Tamayo to exact revenge on those responsible.<br />
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The gang sets fire to a ranch, killing everyone, but not before Tamayo leaves behind a piece of evidence – the musical watch that Hagen had given one of his brothers. The watch is found by Sam (Ray Saunders) and given to Nevada Kid (Jeff Cameron) when he returns home to find his family slaughtered.<br />
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From there BARREL/COFFIN FULL sets off on its textbook Spaghetti Western course with Nevada Kid teaming up with a cackling bounty hunter (a welcome Gordon Mitchell) to find the owner of the watch. Yawn.<br />
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Like 90% of the Spags I've ever seen this is how I viewed BARREL FULL OF DOLLARS: settle in to enjoy myself (this time also excited to be watching a Klaus Kinski flick). Realize, usually about 30 minutes in, that the flick is nothing special and succumb to boredom-induced sleep. Wake up about 30 minutes later and decide to watch till the end, then rewind so I can make sure I didn't miss anything earth-shattering. Find out I didn't. The end.<br />
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In its defense I'll admit that BARREL isn't incompetent like many Miles Deems flicks have a reputation for being. Kinski zeroes in on a spot that's somewhere between cameo indifference and over-the-top shenanigans and settles on a style that uses a lot of spasmodic running about, gun thrusting and outrageous bangs. Gordon Mitchell provides a nice counterpoint to Jeff Cameron's snooze-inducing Nevada Kid (Cameron looks like Bobby Sherman playing Western dress-up) and the Joe D'Amato cinematography looks good given what must have been a fast and cheap production.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, BARREL goes strictly from points A to ZZZ without much ingenuity. The gunfights are plentiful but unexciting and the finale is the very definition of anti-climactic. But if you love fake mustaches, painfully bad musical interludes and Spastic Kinski, this is the flick for you.<br />
<br />
Check out a <a href="http://www.fistfulofpasta.com/index.php?go=reviews/barrel" target="_blank">review of BARREL FULL OF DOLLARS</a> from the <i>Fistful of Pasta</i> blog.<br />
<br />
Trailer (don't be fooled... pretty much every good part is in this):<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="206" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gYj8kJrvwRQ" width="275"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-3913347976612842812012-04-17T11:04:00.003-04:002012-04-17T11:07:16.756-04:00Cockerham Fuel Center Yields Trove of Spags!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ5R-CXDCA9cNKDE9EajrHXTt7h6jim79ztKE6sqI6cEgAGswWac7W-e5FGP4JYQjqlqsOA9975DR7EoEzFJtelryst4uPWkBXIIssx6Bblt7k8fViolk58rexgh3jiUu8zxKRQ/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ5R-CXDCA9cNKDE9EajrHXTt7h6jim79ztKE6sqI6cEgAGswWac7W-e5FGP4JYQjqlqsOA9975DR7EoEzFJtelryst4uPWkBXIIssx6Bblt7k8fViolk58rexgh3jiUu8zxKRQ/s320/IMG_0501.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
I spent this past weekend making what has become an annual trek down to Asheville, NC for <a href="http://www.actionfest.com/" target="_blank">ActionFest: The Film Festival With a Body Count</a>. This year's festival was fun, with screenings of the profane and bloody hockey comedy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0079ZWTWQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0079ZWTWQ" target="_blank">GOON</a>, the kick-tastic THE RAID and rejiggered 3-D spaghetti western <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6305564345/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=6305564345" target="_blank">COMIN' AT YA!</a> highlighting the event. (For a complete rundown of the films we saw keep an eye on the <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>Exploitation Retrospect</i> blog</a>.)<br />
<br />
Speaking of Spaghetti Westerns, the return trip to MD ended up featuring a worthwhile stop to get gas. After laughing like Beavis and Butt-head at the name "Cockerham Fuel Center" we decided to swing in and get gas before we went too much further.<br />
<br />
Turns out that the Power of Kinski must have been compelling me to stop there as we discovered a bevy of cheapie Spaghetti Western collections clogging the shelves next to the country ham and DEA baseball caps.<br />
<br />
Granted, I already have most (all?) of these Kinski flicks on burns and other public domain formats but I couldn't pass up covers featuring Klaus and Gianni Garko, not to mention some additional flicks that will supplement my upcoming reading of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1903254612/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1903254612" target="_blank"><i>Any Gun Can Play</i></a>.<br />
<br />
Turns out you can get these all on Amazon as well and the price is actually a few bucks cheaper, plus you have the benefit of some user reviews indicating which flicks look decent, which are poorly cropped and even the ones that are just piss poor PAL-to-NTSC conversions. Buyer beware!<br />
<br />
Here's the breakdown of the four volumes:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YCL14A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003YCL14A" target="_blank"><b>SPAGHETTI WESTERN COLLECTION</b></a><br />
A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe (Kinski, Widescreen, 116 minutes)<br />
Massacre at Grand Canyon (Widescreen, 86 minutes)<br />
Boot Hill (Widescreen, 91 minutes)<br />
Can Be Done... Amigo! (98 minutes)<br />
This Man Can't Die (90 minutes)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YCL122/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003YCL122" target="_blank"><b>DEAD OR ALIVE WESTERN COLLECTION</b></a><br />
Black Killer (Kinski, Widescreen, 94 minutes)<br />
His Name Was King (Kinski, Widescreen, 73 minutes)<br />
There's a Noose Waiting for You...Trinity! (Kinski, Widescreen, 81 minutes)<br />
They Call Me Halleluja (94 minutes, Widescreen)<br />
The Moment to Kill (Widescreen, 89minutes)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ID097Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ID097Q" target="_blank"><b>GUNSLINGER WESTERN COLLECTION</b></a><br />
If You Meet Sartana, Pray for Your Death (Kinski, Widescreen, 94 minutes)<br />
Run, Man, Run (Widescreen, 119 minutes)<br />
The Strangers Gundown (Widescreen, 97 minutes)<br />
I Am Sartana, Trade Your Guns for a Coffin (91 minutes)<br />
Blindman (Widescreen, 83 minutes)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ID097G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ID097G" target="_blank"><b>VIGILANTE WESTERN COLLECTION</b></a><br />
Keoma (Widescreen, 100 minutes)<br />
The Four of the Apocalypse (Widescreen, 101 minutes)<br />
And God Said to Cain (Kinski, Widescreen, 94 minutes)<br />
The Fighting Fist of Shanghai Joe (Kinski, 94 minutes)<br />
White Commanche (with William Shatner in a dual role! 93 minutes)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-55201622640671189612012-04-11T06:52:00.000-04:002012-04-11T06:52:06.933-04:00Get More Decadent Feral Sensuality in Your Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCWxu1I0i0pnA1MA-oLhIjZrEU-w3pYZPbW-ZN_44kcIFNij9tBbG0Nj1hbKGkSMrHuNyDYuwlTRAuUNG84gKzYMFiSys9u7Q7C0Ybn-1RuRC2fwULs3n-5oVlpej-Yf2jm1Alw/s1600/kinskifragrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCWxu1I0i0pnA1MA-oLhIjZrEU-w3pYZPbW-ZN_44kcIFNij9tBbG0Nj1hbKGkSMrHuNyDYuwlTRAuUNG84gKzYMFiSys9u7Q7C0Ybn-1RuRC2fwULs3n-5oVlpej-Yf2jm1Alw/s1600/kinskifragrance.jpg" /></a>I've watched a lot of Klaus Kinski movies in my day. And never once did I see him on screen and think to myself, "I wonder what Klaus Kinski smells like?".<br />
<br />
Thinking about it now I assume his natural "musk" was a mix of cigarettes, rich food, hair product, expensive soap, old books and money.<br />
<br />
Luckily, this is a problem we no longer have to ponder thanks to the Kinski Estate. Produced under license to mark the 20th anniversary of his death in 1991, the fragrance KINSKI is available from the <a href="http://www.harveynichols.com/beauty/e-boutiques/exclusive/s401474-kinski-100ml.html" target="_blank">Harvey Nichols website</a> for 86£ (that's about $137 at the current exchange rate).<br />
<br />
Described as "richly decadent" with "heady" and "oceanic" notes (inspired by Kinski's love of the sea), the fragrance also mirrors his "almost feral sensuality".<br />
<br />
Whatever it smells like I must admit that the packaging is great.<br />
<br />
For more on the fragrance and other Kinski sightings check out the great <a href="http://dudummesau.com/2012/04/10/smells-like-klaus-kinski/" target="_blank"><i>Du dumme Sau!</i> blog</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>(Thanks to <a href="http://vokesfolks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Neil Vokes</a> and <a href="http://hammerandbeyond.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Holger Haase</a> for the tips!)</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-14781185705214491232012-03-31T09:42:00.001-04:002012-03-31T09:42:06.170-04:00A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL Blu-Ray Specs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZYHnjT1DXSnkc9visV56zyvWbnKbJZzqgJpvASs_C3RhDrdfCnEB7__ioEmd8RkOYyL-t9GjwQ4eVVd07gEuazGymvJOMc_T7fDS6hRTbE2LUnMPTEN2QmLzvQrfa9kQ7A0zBw/s1600/bullet-for-general.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZYHnjT1DXSnkc9visV56zyvWbnKbJZzqgJpvASs_C3RhDrdfCnEB7__ioEmd8RkOYyL-t9GjwQ4eVVd07gEuazGymvJOMc_T7fDS6hRTbE2LUnMPTEN2QmLzvQrfa9kQ7A0zBw/s1600/bullet-for-general.jpg" /></a>Though it's not my favorite Kinski flick, Damiano Damiani's 1967 spaghetti western A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL does include one of my all-time favorite Klaus Kinski <i>moments</i>.<br />
<br />
A wild-eyed Klaus stands atop a fortress, dressed as a monk and lobbing grenades at the enemy as he recites the Lord's Prayer. It's a dazzling moment and the site of the icy-eyed Kinski framed against the blue sky is spectacular. (Read more about the film and this scene in our entry from the <a href="http://thekinskifiles.blogspot.com/2007/10/close-up-blog-thon-creature-is-sly.html" target="_blank">Close-Up Blog-A-Thon</a>.)<br />
<br />
Now, the flick is coming to Blu-Ray thanks to Blue Underground and will include not one but two cuts of the movie and a boatload of extras...<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A Bullet For the General (BR) includes two cuts of the film (U.S.: 115 Mins., International: 118 Mins.), and an additional disc featuring a behind the scenes documentary. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The disc will be presented in 1080p, 2.35:1 widescreen with both English and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, with English SDH, French, Spanish and English subtitles for Italian Version.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Extras will include:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">A Bullet for the Director - Interview with Director Damiano Damiani</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">U.S. Trailer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">International Trailer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Poster & Still Gallery</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Documentary: Gian Maria Volonté: Un Attore Contro (112 Mins, on a second disc)</span></span></blockquote>
<i>Thanks to <a href="http://dantenet.com/er/chats/interviews/wildside/brian-harris.html" target="_blank">Brian Harris</a> of <a href="http://wildsidecinema.com/" target="_blank">Wildside Cinema</a> for the tip! The </i><i>A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL Blu-Ray will be released on May 22, 2012 but you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ATHNRW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007ATHNRW" target="_blank">pre-order at Amazon now.</a> </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-67943696661944229042012-02-27T06:37:00.000-05:002012-02-27T06:37:09.059-05:00Kinski Co-Star Wins Overdue OscarHung in there for about an hour of the Oscars last night, and from what I saw the telecast seemed disjointed and odd. Even go-to über-host Billy Crystal seemed like he was in the midst of a final dress rehearsal, not, you know, a live show being watched by millions.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I tuned out around 9:30 when the documentary GOOSE – about original Harlem Globetrotters star Goose Tatum – started over on ESPN. I missed all the "big" awards but was happy to see Christopher Plummer take home a statue (no surprise there) for his work in the film BEGINNERS.<br />
<br />
I've been a Plummer fan since the old days when the whole family would plunk ourselves down in front of the tube for the annual, pre-VHS showings of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. I have not heard his whole speech but I'm guessing Plummer didn't give a shout out to Kinski for their work in NOSFERATU IN VENICE.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="205" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jkjpKFoUHrA" width="364"></iframe></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-25491922251114887292012-02-24T18:57:00.003-05:002012-02-25T08:34:54.419-05:00More on Lina Romay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8Ddrwkf35MJsjnRyHrdzkTmQD0OG5iSph7yRHhO8u9cLPIkjhqnz93wOppVHtgMXC7F-jJFyUae22Hf3-sH_gJxF92bQJc35M1vAB_lZs5bAJsm9Y4PfqchySIHizkT-vKtV/s1600/klaus-lina.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8Ddrwkf35MJsjnRyHrdzkTmQD0OG5iSph7yRHhO8u9cLPIkjhqnz93wOppVHtgMXC7F-jJFyUae22Hf3-sH_gJxF92bQJc35M1vAB_lZs5bAJsm9Y4PfqchySIHizkT-vKtV/s1600/klaus-lina.jpg" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6648:rip-lina-romay&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167">news of Lina Romay's death</a>
at the tragically young age of 57 has certainly had an impact on those
who appreciate "genre" cinema. Facebook and various blogs/sites have
been filled with thoughts, remembrances and reflections from writers,
directors, historians, critics and fans alike about the passing of the
charismatic charmer. (Just try watching her cabaret dance scene in
1976's JACK THE RIPPER with Klaus Kinski and not end up with a smile on
your face.)<br />
<br />
I won't pretend that I was a huge fan of Romay or even Jess Franco's. My feelings about Franco's work tend to run <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/b_reviews/bloody-moon.html">hot</a> and <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/d_reviews/devil-hunter.html">cold</a>
and I've only seen a small sampling of the man's massive cinematic
output, but I always had a soft spot in my heart for him thanks to what
appeared to be a genuine appreciation for my boy Klaus. (I'll have to
dig around for the great <i>Shock Xpress</i> interview in which he talks about making <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/2008/10/31-days-of-fright-franco-does-dracula.html">EL CONDE DRACULA</a> with the German Olivier.)<br />
<br />
As for Franco and Romay, theirs appeared to be a unique and
inspiring relationship, thriving even after the two had passed their
creative peaks. Not only was Romay the director's muse and partner, but
also a creative collaborator who led more than one mourner to remark
that the two had become like one over the course of their relationship.
Frankly, one couldn't watch the footage of Franco receiving his lifetime
achievement award a year or so ago without seeing the love, devotion
and pride in Romay's eyes.<br />
<br />
For a true fan's perspective be sure to check out our good buddy and longtime Franco/Romay buff David Zuzelo's <a href="http://david-z.blogspot.com/2012/02/rest-well-and-thank-you-lina-romay.html?zx=b23f0f788cd000d5">appreciation</a> at his <i>Tomb It May Concern</i> blog.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-43336568073795020912012-02-23T15:37:00.000-05:002012-02-23T15:37:02.144-05:00Lina Romay Passes AwayNever a good sign when you get home and see that several friends are using the same actress' face for their profile picture.<br />
<br />
News coming out of Spain is that Lina Romay – Eurotrash star and the muse of Jess Franco – lost her battle with cancer back on February 15th.<br />
<br />
Romay was a fixture in Franco's flicks, appearing in everything from <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/s_reviews/sinister-eyes.html">THE SINISTER EYES OF DR. ORLOFF</a> and WANDA THE WICKED WARDEN to <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/b_reviews/barbed.html">BARBED WIRE DOLLS</a> and more recent efforts like <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/2011/12/12-reviews-of-xmas-giving-thanks-i-dont.html">SNAKEWOMAN</a> and <a href="http://www.dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/p_reviews/paula-paula.html">PAULA PAULA</a>.<br />
<br />
Kinski fans will probably best remember her as Marika, the comely cabaret dancer in Franco's <a href="http://dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/j_reviews/ripper.html">JACK THE RIPPER</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-3168317607453709242012-02-23T07:48:00.003-05:002012-02-23T07:48:46.823-05:00Five Posts? For Shame!I have to admit to being more than a little embarrassed at the neglect The Klaus Kinski Files has received lately. And not just since the start of 2012 like my other blogs. Nope, I went back and tallied the number of posts I made to TKKF in 2011 and, well, it took about ten seconds.<br />
<br />
Five posts? FIVE?!<br />
<br />
Well, now that I'm done hanging my head in shame I promise that 2012 will be a better year of Klaus-related posting. Heck, I might even surpass 2011's entire output by the end of this weekend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-2741946810001838982011-12-03T08:19:00.001-05:002011-12-03T08:30:36.405-05:00Kinski on Cover of New Spaghetti Western Guide from FAB Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvraUQtkUKa2nHh2uYgZ47c38YTl1V2GfM5EkrlTHprVrNXZHdCgJPVNEcv6FSNi_9qigpWrznYTf39dDgvj5uf-O1gVJ9SmzHhbN-zkxWzZdVWNjApaa9vPob2oiL5GC7C05uiQ/s1600/AnyGun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvraUQtkUKa2nHh2uYgZ47c38YTl1V2GfM5EkrlTHprVrNXZHdCgJPVNEcv6FSNi_9qigpWrznYTf39dDgvj5uf-O1gVJ9SmzHhbN-zkxWzZdVWNjApaa9vPob2oiL5GC7C05uiQ/s1600/AnyGun.jpg" /></a></div>
I haven't had a chance to pick this one up myself, but good pal, <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/"><i>Exploitation Retrospect</i></a> and <a href="http://hungovergourmet.blogspot.com/"><i>Hungover Gourmet</i></a> contributor, and author (check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786433817/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0786433817"><i>Sixties Shockers</i></a>, his new book with Mark Clark) Bryan Senn is already recommending it after just a few days.<br />
<br />
The book in question is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1903254612/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1903254612">Any Gun Can Play: The Essential Guide to Euro-Westerns</a></i> from Kevin Grant (and published by FAB Press) and our boy Klaus Kinski graces the cover – and rightly so – along with other Spags icons Clint Eastwood and Franco Nero.<br />
<br />
Even though I'm not a huge Spaghetti westerns fan this looks like a must-have book for fans of all Eurotrash thanks to its chronological look at the history of the genre, the major players, filmography and rare photos.<br />
<br />
Add it to your holiday wish list today!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-89926023015399964772011-09-10T08:39:00.000-04:002011-09-10T08:40:18.204-04:00Mya PAGANINI DVD Set Available for Pre-OrderI picked up the 2-disc Region 2 PAL set of Klaus Kinski's directorial debut (and swan song) PAGANINI a few years back at a horror film convention. The long-gestating film was Kinksi's dream project and at times he even tried to get longtime collaborator/frenemy Werner Herzog on board to direct.<br />
<br />
Eventually, Klaus got behind the camera and directed himself as the fiery composer and violinist. It's a wild flick, I'll say that, with Kinski delivering an intense performance that's hard to take your eyes off... even when the flick around him falters.<br />
<br />
Now the folks at Mya Entertainment, who brought us <a href="http://thekinskifiles.blogspot.com/2009/11/evil-face-vs-hand-that-feeds-dead.html">EVIL FACE</a> (aka THE HAND THAT FEEDS THE DEAD) a couple years ago are finally making PAGANINI available in the United States and it appears that the two-disc DVD set due out in early November contains most if not all of the material found on the Region 2 PAL set.<br />
<br />
Here's what the <a href="http://shop.tcm.com/">TCM website</a> has to say:<br />
<blockquote>
At last-see the Klaus Kinski movie Werner Herzog refused to make! Who
else could direct his final performance but Kinski himself, in this
crazed and erotic biopic of Italian violinist Niccolo Paganini? As
daring and innovative as its subject, writer/director/star Kinski's film
about the controversial musician (and the demons he battled while
astonishing the world with his artistry) is equal parts maddening,
baffling, and unforgettable. Co-stars Nicola Caprioglio and Nikolai
Kinski (his wife and son), Eva Grimaldi. Theatrical version; 84
min./Director's cut; 98 min. Standard; Soundtracks: Italian Dolby
Digital stereo, English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital
stereo; behind-the-scenes footage; deleted scenes; photo gallery;
theatrical trailer. In Italian; no subtitles/Dubbed in English.
Two-disc set. </blockquote>
You can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GP7E8A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=exploitationretr&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005GP7E8A">pre-order the set now at Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(The Klaus Kinski Files receives a small commission for purchases made through Amazon. Thanks for your support!)</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-90971831213544587722011-09-03T09:20:00.001-04:002011-09-03T09:23:10.590-04:00Blogus Interruptus<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5nY7wnNcOWX2oK-W9aUeqFeY-4gOlqNpLL344mo8TxdVz4GPRzs9EO_ygk6avvhmmzBh_zM2el1JDyzu3UBRgJJoTo4Qh9zWR7GglcbYo7PQ2IpOSy3XHQqFGld8TYCKhEc4SQ/s1600/DSC00081.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5nY7wnNcOWX2oK-W9aUeqFeY-4gOlqNpLL344mo8TxdVz4GPRzs9EO_ygk6avvhmmzBh_zM2el1JDyzu3UBRgJJoTo4Qh9zWR7GglcbYo7PQ2IpOSy3XHQqFGld8TYCKhEc4SQ/s320/DSC00081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many branches and limbs <br />
deposited in our yard by Irene.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hoping all of our readers made it through
Hurricane Irene ok. I was feeling pretty bold on Saturday night. After
six-plus hours worth of rain and tropical storm winds that were shaking
the 60-year-old trees around our house like maracas I finally went to
sleep with power, cable TV, Internet, etc.<br />
<br />
When my
4-year-old woke me out of a deep sleep on Sunday morning with a series
of taps on the shoulder I discovered that sometime during the night we'd
lost our cable and cable-powered Internet connection. We still had
power – and only lost it for a brief moment on Sunday afternoon – but
cable and Internet never returned.<br />
<br />
In a house with a 4-year-old, one spouse who works in news and
another who runs two companies from a home office, the lack of cable and
Internet can make things a little tense. Thank god for local fast food
joints, coffee shops and office supply stores who willingly supplied
free Internet access (big shout outs to Office Depot, Starbucks and
Caribou Coffee).<br />
<br />
That was almost a week ago and as we left yesterday for an end-of-season weekend at the beach, power was <i>finally</i> being restored to the unfortunate souls in our area who had gone without since the storm peaked on Saturday night. <br />
<br />
But we still didn't have cable/Internet, despite Comcast's
optimistic message – displayed since Sunday – that the "temporary
disruption" in our service would be fixed "momentarily".<br />
<br />
Apparently, Comcast and I have different views of what "momentarily" means.<br />
<br />
Now, I know that when your neighbors are <i>sans</i> power and the UPS guy is confessing that he bought 60 lbs. of beef on Saturday only to watch his power go out that night it's hard to bitch that your kid can't watch <i>Max & Ruby</i> and you're unable to send e-mails to customers or thank PR people for the latest care packages of DVDs and BBQ Sauce.<br />
<br />
But now that power has been restored to our 'hood is it ok for me to bitch? Just a little?<br />
<br />
For now, though, I'll enjoy the sun, sand and surf, hoping that when I return home I'll find a working cable connection.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-4787633641346864472011-05-10T14:34:00.002-04:002011-05-10T14:40:01.088-04:00THE RUTHLESS FOUR TrailerHad a great time this past weekend when I trekked up to Philly for the <a href="http://exhumedfilms.com/">Exhumed Films</a> exFest... a 12-hour marathon of exploitation sleazery featuring seven films from seven genres. (Look for a full write-up at <a href="http://eronline.blogspot.com/">Exploitation Retrospect</a> soon.)<br /><br />Alas, no Kinski but I did get to see CUT-THROATS NINE and Alain Delon's NO WAY OUT on the big screen in all their bloody glory. We did get one <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span> dose of Kinski, though, when they showed this trailer for the excellent THE RUTHLESS FOUR before CUT-THROATS started...<br /><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bm9UqGEdz0Q" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="212" width="340"></iframe></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-27368996466024648572011-01-23T20:38:00.004-05:002011-01-23T20:46:43.301-05:00TIMESTALKERS (1987) on Netflix Instant ViewBeen awhile since I've been able to post anything. Hope to have much more to report on soon.<br /><br />In the meantime, check out <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Timestalkers/70160385?trkid=1992199#height1340">Netflix Instant View</a>... now airing the very fun 1987 time travel TV movie TIMESTALKERS with William Devan, Lauren Hutton and Klaus Kinski sporting a ponytail and duster.<br /><br />Check out this scene. It should definitely make you want to see it. Now. And you can!<br /><br /><center><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="350" height="213" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kAacBPu-axM" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-71887768481919847482010-11-06T08:59:00.002-04:002010-11-06T09:07:22.088-04:00Awesome Herzog Shirt Spotted at Exhumed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTxBgFVLsXtrr271_byg50Md0mR-ghdAAAnVPeQe_UdtKo45e9bdzrxfuLtupG5VBHtgGN4ZpBjAC6oe08Z2aVS9c4rrJpckYGtUBHGcIO98wZECRWmV2Dp7hL_mpBl_YCookBQ/s1600/herzog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTxBgFVLsXtrr271_byg50Md0mR-ghdAAAnVPeQe_UdtKo45e9bdzrxfuLtupG5VBHtgGN4ZpBjAC6oe08Z2aVS9c4rrJpckYGtUBHGcIO98wZECRWmV2Dp7hL_mpBl_YCookBQ/s320/herzog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536422284576409122" border="0" /></a>Spent last weekend parked in a seat at the Exhumed Marathon IV where we watched everything from THE HOWLING and William Castle's BUG! to the mind-blowing BOARDING HOUSE and Fulci's HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (full wrap-up to come). Alas, no Kinski (again) but I did see this awesome Herzog shirt while we were finding our spot in line. You can order it – and other great tees – from <a href="http://www.mondotees.com/view_category.asp?cat=11">MondoTees</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-28332155532912590272010-10-19T10:40:00.004-04:002010-10-19T10:51:03.877-04:00Belated Birthday Wishes to The Klaus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVGM5_Y7zHUGL3g1PAghyzSJ9isKe2CsVwd6Kl7EeL_v9MGcJm5gv-lJkQqB-LGulhOCHSEDv_kqkE1etMWN_aLZXLQVgVBWgKWR-4NnKbV2rk1yzSWADcRa0JBsPa-2xC1jxiQ/s1600/titel.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVGM5_Y7zHUGL3g1PAghyzSJ9isKe2CsVwd6Kl7EeL_v9MGcJm5gv-lJkQqB-LGulhOCHSEDv_kqkE1etMWN_aLZXLQVgVBWgKWR-4NnKbV2rk1yzSWADcRa0JBsPa-2xC1jxiQ/s200/titel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529769628488825010" border="0" /></a>Somehow I think Klaus would actually be <span style="font-style: italic;">happier</span> that I forgot to mention his birthday yesterday. He never seems like the guy who would be up for warm and fuzzy birthday wishes.<br /><br />Anyway, the irascible Eurotrash star would have been 84 years angry yesterday and like Beavis & Butt-head oh how I wish that Klaus had stuck around long enough to experience the internet, blogs and reality tv.<br /><br />If you've got a lot of time on your hands and want to practice your German translation skills, here's a <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-43160095.html">1961 cover story on K2</a> from <span style="font-style: italic;">Der Spiegel</span>.<br /><br />If you're just looking for some great images of our man here's a link (NSFW) to <a href="http://bxzzines.blogspot.com/2010/10/klaus-kinski-cine-girl-n1.html?zx=b84f30ef5c573a5a">some scans</a> from <span style="font-style: italic;">Cine Girl</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks to <a href="http://hammerandbeyond.blogspot.com/">Holger Haase</a> and <a href="http://vokesfolks.blogspot.com/">Neil Vokes</a> for the links.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23012368.post-83478965697149286492010-09-30T07:47:00.000-04:002010-09-30T07:48:12.156-04:00RIP Tony Curtis<a href="http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/09/30/tony-curtis-dies/"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KMqThQUppqTyoSHUmFisivb3AIvGDKMVU4sVnzQhSF7Ksm-eQuQ27ip15oMuVOWMJfgpLE_YzSldu0GXoZHuzNoTT6ZMmyqIj8jm5eV21e7mmnnMlM0Yd0Q8eC97HxHdKp27/s200/tony.curtis.001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522671344569554370" border="0" /></a><a href="http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/09/30/tony-curtis-dies/">Farewell, Tony Curtis</a>. Though I'll always remember you for your performances in HOUDINI and SPARTACUS, I'll never forget/forgive you for driving me from a room during OTHELLO, THE BLACK COMMANDO.<br /><br />Bonus points for not being able to star in <a href="http://dantenet.com/er/ERchives/reviews/r_reviews/revenge.html">REVENGE OF THE STOLEN STARS</a> due to whatever was "ailing" you at the time. After an unsuccessful bid to have Ernest Borgnine play the part, director Uli Lommel turned to his idol – irascible Eurotrash star Klaus Kinski – and cast him without benefit of a script rewrite as Barry Hickey's ghostly uncle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0