VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS - Jack Nitzsche - "Giant Jam" (1965)

Snippets and bits all thrown together in one tight cohesive package for your aural convenience, that's what it's all about. Just like we wish we could hear what Jimi Hendrix would be doing if he were around today, so it is with Bert I. Gordon & Jack Nitzsche. It would have been too cool to see and hear what they would have done together if they'd been given a little more time here. Alas, it's just a pipe dream but good fodder for thought on a cold winter's night! Enjoy what you can, while you can, here's a "Giant Jam" what am!! 

 

Tommy has his game face on & is ready to rumble!! 

 

Joy Harmon To The World!! 

 

B.I.G. & Monkey Boy paying homage to Famous Monsters & Forrest J. Ackerman! 

 

Fun's over, back down to normal size!!

SHE GODS OF SHARK REEF - Sylvia Syms - "Nearer My Love To You" (1958)

It really takes a very broad stretch of the imagination to actually consider this movie, "She Gods Of Shark Reef" a 'horror' story or a monster movie, but what it does have going for it, is that it's a 1958 Roger Corman film, it's happening on a tropical island, in this case, the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai, and it has a pretty cool title song composed by Jack Lawrence & Frances Hall, that is sung by none other than the woman that Frank Sinatra said was "the world's greatest saloon singer," Sylvia Syms! The consummate performer, Sylvia died on stage at the age of 74! Other than all that, this film is pretty much dullsville, including the luau, and luau's should never be dull! Take it for what it's worth, just don't take it too far!! Nearer My Love To You

  The world famous "Bali Hai" is quite a sight to behold even in a cheap movie! 

Hey lady, you seen any turtle doves or French hens around here???

It's a bummer being buried in the sand with all these mad She Gods staring at you! 

 

This house is the scariest part of the movie!!! 

 

Aloha!!!

ZOMBIES (I Eat Your Skin) - Don Strawn's Calypso Band - "Opening" (1964)

No matter what, you've got to hand it to the guys who try and do it all, & Del Tenney definately qualifies in that category!!!! 

 

Don Strawn's Calypso Band sets the poolside opening scenes in "Zombies!" Don Strawn's Calypso Band 

 Tall Cool Drinks!! 

 

Listening to the master spin his tales of romance! 

 

And then the jealous husband shows up!!! Jealous Husband

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!!