BLOOD OF DRACULA'S CASTLE - Gil Bernal - "The Next Train Out" (1969)

Well, here's a real dichotomy for you, a very interesting film that is both hated and revered, directed by Al Adamson, another contender for worst film maker ever, and yet the music and especially this song were made by people of a completely different ilk! The lyrics for "The Next Train Out" were written by Bob Russell, a renowned songwriter for the movies who was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame in 1970, the year of his demise. He had worked with some small time talent along the way, virtually unknown names like Duke Ellington, & Quincy Jones. "Next train to the moon," now that's some good writing!!! And, check this out , Bob's brother-in-law was legendary songwriter Bud Green who wrote the more than classic "Sentimental Journey." Can you imagine what those holiday family get togethers were like?? 

 

After extended research, we can still only guess that the singer on this song, Gil Bernal is the same Gil Bernal who was a vocalist, but was noted mostly as a saxophonist, who, among many other things, was the featured sax man with The Spike Jones Orchestra for like 6 years. If it's not the same guy, it should be! (Hey Gil, if you're out there, please write & clear this up for us!) Bottom line is, this is a Great song, and a very interesting movie that we will talk about again later. In the meantime, go get your own copy! Next Train Out

MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE - Huddleston/Smith Jr. - "Cat Fight" (1966)

Leave it to Harold P. Warren to have a vision of Manos' dead siren wives having a cat fight on a secluded beach, and then actually doing it with an incredible pounding jazz score driven by manic piano, bass & drums & some super cool searing alto sax. Man, Oh, Man, "this foolishness must stop!" It's the day of ladies dancing, & the only way you can dance effectively to this music, is to wrassle, so, Go, You Glow Manos Gals, Go-Go! 

 

"The Women Are Fighting"

IT'S ALIVE - "I Was Trapped" (1969)

Tommy Kirk looking cool as always but with a new look for this film, a white straw hat!

 

The Stern couple played by Corveth Ousterhouse, possibly one of the worst actors you'll ever see, but he does play a jackass to perfection and the stunning in yellow shades Shirley Bonne. 

 

Well, I'm sure this movie or one of Larry Buchanan's other fine feature films would probably qualify as the 'Goose A Layin' day, ya know what I mean? "It's Alive" has a great soundtrack that I'm sure is bits & snippets Larry found in a trash can or laying around in a corner somewhere, and most of it is fairly normal orchestrated soundtrack type stuff, then suddenly, there's this opus as this lady goes on & on about why she is in this ridiculous situation, and there's lots of sweeping, churning, swirling strings, and right after she says "I Was Trapped", there's this kettle drum call & response by clarinet & el distorto guitar, followed by a sweet little short guitar piece that should appeal to all! There are no musical credits on, or for this film. It ain't dead,.....It's Alive!

 And let's not forget to give Billy Thurman some credit here, no stuntman, and for a big guy, one of the best 'roll down the stairs' ever captured on film. What an unbelievable talent, and he plays a great madman to boot!! 

 

Does she look like her husband just got killed by some horrible monster?? 

 

No matter what else, this is a very cool location!! Nice shot Larry!!! 

 

EL COLECCIONISTA DE CADAVERES (Cauldron Of Blood) - Ray Ellis - "It Takes All Kinds" (1968-1970)

CHEERS!!

 Tabonga threw me one of them grenades, so I had no choice but to throw what's left of my body on it, and this is the result, an 11 minute and 37 second monsterpiece from "Cauldron Of Blood." Just lay your head back, close your eyes, and listen to the glory of what it is! You might just wake up & all this Christmas stuff will be over, but then again, maybe not! Now, theoretically, this film should not even be included on this list because of it's release date in the 70's, but since it's the season to be merry & to give you a chance to see what might me coming in the future, and the fact that it was one of Boris Karloff's last films, and since Boris left us in 1969, and he's our hero for evermore, this movie makes the list. Sue us if you don't like it! Ray Ellis does a phenomenal job on the music for this film, & it was my pleasure to edit it down into one listenable piece for you. I can say, honestly, and without a doubt, it cooks!! Don't forget to check it out where the music just suddenly slows down as we hear the party music from Pablo's drunken perspective. Possibly the most perfect last minute gift for that hard to please person on your list! Happy Merry Ha Ho!!, Here ya go...

Blind Man's Bluff

 Boris is looking classy right to the end!!!!!! 

 

Some fun costume party, anybody for a game of darts?? 

 

One Evil Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho!!

RING OF TERROR - James Cairncross - "Opus" (1962)

Just like in that song, what day of X-Mas was it when they gave away the 5 rings of terror? Must have been a Friday or Saturday night cause the joint, I mean the cafeteria is jumpin', and the "Campus Cool Cats" are wailing. It's 1962, and you have "Ring Of Terror," with super swinging music by James Cairncross, his only credit ever, by the way. You got rattlesnakes, sick jokes, 23 cents, and let's not forget about Ragdoll & Tiny!!! Whew!!!!! They just don't make movies like this anymore, & that's not really a good thing now is it?? Dorky and cool all at the same time. Ring-A-Ding

  Can you say Aaah-TOP-sy????????? 

Can you say "Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!?????

THE ASTRO-ZOMBIES - Nico Karaski - "Opening Credits" (1968)

Okay All You Misfits! This one's for you! Keepin' in the holiday spirit, this here's the cool & groovy music from the opening scene of "The Astro-Zombies." This music composed by Nico Karaski aka Nicholas Carras just screams 1968!! Nicholas was the composer for "She Demons", "Missile To The Moon", "Frankenstein's Daughter" & also some early cool JD flicks. 

The Gorgeous Jean Pirie was in this one scene, gets killed in the garage & her acting career is over!

This movie's worth watching just to see this ultra-exotic couple, Tura Satana & Rafael Campos as Satana & Juan. You'll probably remember Tura from her earlier work in "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!", & the Dominican born Rafael had been around since 1955 playing characters like Angel Chavez, Carlos, Hussein, Half Arrow, Pachito, Swift Cloud, Valdez, Paco, Alonzo, Luis, Felipe, Pee Wee, Nacho, Chico, Santo, et cetera, etc. What an amazing talent, and so very well schooled in the use of a switchblade.

 

Barabara Richards only other roles were as a waitress in "Spirit Of The Wind" in 1979 & "Backsteet Dreams" in 1990. I guess she was able to live off the royalties she got over the years for appearing as 'the girl strapped to the table' in The Astro-Zombies

 

13 GHOSTS - Von Dexter - "Opening Credits" (1960)

Today is December 13! It's 13 days til X-Mas, if you count today! On the 13th day of X-Mas my true love gave to me, William Castle's 1960 "13 Ghosts" DVD! Here's the opening credits, How lucky can you get? It's a true classic, & the careers of the actors involved reads like a Who's Who of TV and movies. The music was composed by Von Dexter, who had himself quite a run with "House On Haunted Hill", "The Tingler", "13 Ghosts" & "Mr. Sardonicus," then he didn't seem to resurface until 1999! This isn't as much about music as it is about a lot of cool screaming and scary sound effects! 

 13 Burn!

 

13 Book!

 

Martin Milner who was especially creepy in this role went on to do 175 episodes of "Adam-12" among a host of other things. 

 

"13 Ghosts!" SOUNDCLIP NOT AVAILABLE