THE GREEN HORNET TV Series Episode 01 - "The Silent Gun" (1966)

 Tonight's Wednesday Dungeon Weirdness is a wartime hero called 

"The Green Hornet!"

This first Green Hornet comic came out on December 01, 1940, and featured a guy kind of smack dab in the middle between Dick Tracy and Batman!!

"The Green Hornet" TV show came out in 1966, arguable, THE best year in pop culture!

"Batman" was on TV for the first time in January of 1966, and "The Green Hornet" and "Star Trek" both came on in September of the same year! The Billboard Hot 100 songs of the year, are still listened to today some 51 years later! Here's just a handful of the some of the unforgettable titles: "96 Tears" - ? and The Mysterians, "Paint It Black" - The Rolling Stones, "Wild Thing" - The Troggs, "Sunshine Superman" - Donovan, "Good Vibrations" - The Beach Boys, "Secret Agent Man" - Johnny Rivers, "Wipe Out" - The Surfaris, "Psychotic Reaction - Count Five, "I Fought The Law," - Bobby Fuller Four! And that's only nine out of one hundred!

The first "Green Hornet" Episode was called "The Silent Gun!" It was a big deal back then to have a gun that didn't make any noise or flash!!

Van Williams was newspaper publisher Britt Reid, aka "The Green Hornet!" Van had been one of the stars on two previous TV shows, "Bourbon Street Beat," and "Surfside 6," as Ken Madison on both shows. He was also in an episode of "77 Sunset Strip" as Ken Madison, and was on three "Batman's" as "The Green Hornet!" Van just passed away last year at the age of 82

"The Green Hornet's" Sidekick is Bruce Lee as Kato! This role was Bruce Lee's big breakout success in the United States! Pretty weird that Van Williams lived exactly 50 years longer than Bruce Lee! He was so fit, after all these years, it's still hard to believe he's dead!

You know what they say about "don't go poking a hornest's nest!" Good advice!!
"The Green Hornet" was only on for one season, but back in the 60's, one season consisted of 26 episodes!

I love the wall advertisement for "Kissin' Candy Mints" that also acts as the exit for "The Green Hornet's" car.................

..........A bitchin' tricked out 1965 Chrysler Imperial called "Black Beauty!"

Green Hornet and Kato have a lot of high-tech equipment like this!

And the show has tricky shots like this!

"Alley-Oop-Oop!"
Is Argyle to Arms what Manicotto is to Legs?

In 2011, they tried it again with Seth Rogen as "The Green Hornet" and Jay Chou as Kato! I can't tell you much more than that, because I just found out five minutes ago!

Speaking of wild things, once again, I have to tell you, only because it's true, that Lord Litter in Berlin was the guy who came up with this for me, and I hate to sound like a broken record, but really, go check out some of his radio shows, and you just might find out that there is actually still good music being made in the world since 1966! Here's the place to go!

Here's a look at issue number 07 from June of 1942 of "The Green Hornet" Just think, he was only the headliner! What about all the secondary supporting acts like "The Blonde Bomber," "Zebra," "Robin Hood," the "Mighty Midgets," and the "Spirit Of '76," and then there was those evil clowns! Damn!!!!! I hate evil clowns!

MOVIES DIRECTED BY ARTHUR C. PIERCE

Today we feature Arthur C. Pierce and the six movies he directed from 1965-78. And, we'll have much more info for you on this hard working man and the movies he was involved in...

First up is THE HUMAN DUPLICATORS from 1965, this wild flick stars George (ROBOT MONSTER) Nader, Richard (EEGAH!!) Kiel, Barbara (THE POWER) Nichols, George (COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE) Macready, Dolores (PHANTOM PLANET) Faith, Hugh (THE MOLE PEOPLE) Beaumont and Richard (GOG) Arlen!.. WOW!!

MUTINY IN OUTER SPACE from 1965 is one of my favorite flicks to watch again, This one stars William (THE NIGHT THE WORLD EXPLODED) Leslie, Dolores (HOUSE OF BLACK DEATH) Faith (48 years old at time of death), Richard (ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS) Garland (41 years old at time of death), Harold (FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER) Lloyd Jr. (40 years old at time of death), Glenn (THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN) Langan and Francine (SPACE MONSTER) York.

In 1966, Arthur directed WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET. This hard to find movie stars Wendell (THE ASTRO ZOMBIES) Corey, Keith (NIGHT OF THE WITCHES) Larsen, John (TARANTULA) Agar and Merry (HOUSE OF THE DAMNED) Anders.

Also in 1966, Arthur directs LAS VEGAS HILLBILLYS, a flick that was a real departure from his sci-fi roots! This one stars Ferlin (HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE) Husky, Jayne (THE FAT SPY) Mansfield (34 years old at time of death), Mamie (NAVY vs. THE NIGHT MONSTERS) Van Doren, Sonny (HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE) James and Richard (MOONRAKER) Kiel. It features a pile of country western stars including Del Reeves, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith and more...

THE NAVY vs, THE NIGHT MONSTERS from 1966 is another movie I like to watch again! This crazy thing stars Mamie (HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL) Van Doren, Anthony (THE WASP WOMAN) Eisley, Billy (WEREWOLVES ON WHEELS) Gray, Bobby (DOOMSDAY MACHINE) Van and Pamela (WILD IN THE STREETS) Mason.

Twelve years later in 1978, Arthur directs his last movie, THE ASTRAL FACTOR. It stars Robert (BEYOND THE STARS) Foxworth, Stefanie (THE BOATNIKS) Powers, Sue (END OF THE WORLD) Lyon, Marianna (SCHIZOID) Hill and Elke (THE HOUSE OF EXORCISM) Sommer.

What I learned from this post is that Arthur directed a pile of big stars during his time as a director. We will learn a lot more about this man in some upcoming posts, do not miss those! Eegah!! will be here on Wednesday with more Dungeon Cargo, just for you!!

STRANGER THINGS 2 - The Duffer Bros (2017)

Welcome to another Saturday Night Special in The Dungeon!

 Every once in a while, I have to check in and see what's happening in the modern world, and I think tonight's feature, for the most part, is a worthwhile effort!

"Strange Things" is an original Netflix feature, and it was successful enough, that they had to come up with a season two, and I'm glad they did, because I thought the first season was okay, but with the second season, they really kick it into gear! To me, it's a hybrid mix of "The Goonies," and "Twin Peaks" with some "Alien" thrown in for good measure!

 I had never heard of the Duffer brother twins, Ross and Matt until I saw this show, because they're young guys who have only been doing this for a handful of years, but it appears they really know what they're doing, and I say, good for them! The brothers only other major production was a TV show called "Wayward Pines" in 2015, so now I guess I need to go check that out too! So, here's a little info on some of the cast. There will be some obvious characters missing, but that's just how it works sometimes!

 Millie Bobby Brown is 11, aka Jane! This young lady is so talented, it should be a lot of fun to see where her career leads her! In 2019, you'll see Millie in "Godzilla: King Of Monsters!" After that, I'm assuming she'll be running for President! I read somewhere that the Duffer brothers really thought this was going to only be a one series show, so after killing 11 off at the end of the first season, they had to really scramble to find a way to bring her back when they were told that the show was going to continue for another season!

 David Harbour does a fine job as Sheriff Jim Hopper! David's been pretty busy over the last 15 years, and was Dexter Tolliver in "Suicide Squad," and will be the new "Hellboy" some time next year!

 

 My favourite character in the show is Winona Ryder as Joyce Beyers! She is amazing! Here's some fun stuff about Winona. Her birth name is Winona Laura Horowitz, but when asked what what name she wanted for credits on a movie called "Lucas," she chose Winona Ryder because her Dad's Mitch Ryder album was playing on the stereo! Winona grew up in a commune in Northern California that didn't have electricity, her Godfather was Timothy Leary, and she's really a blonde!

Still missing Will and Mike, but here's a good ensemble shot of a major portion of the cast that includes left to right, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, and Charlie Heaton!!!!!!

 An adorable couple!!

 Then there's Sean Astin as Bob, the big dumb smart guy!! I don't think it's a coincidence that Sean was Mikey in "The Goonies!"

 The comic book character 80's punks were an interesting change of pace!

 This creepy ass trio of scientists is led by Paul Reiser on the left! Paul started his career as a stand-up comedian!

 This combination of roots, and slimy snake worms bugs the crap out of me! On the disgusting scale, they get a 10+!

Finally, Dinner is served!!

I like "Stranger Things 2" but there's one thing that bugs me, and you know I ain't no freakin' prude, but I do think they have the young kids cussing too much, even if it is just "shit" and I guess I should be happy they're not throwing around the F bomb! It cheapens an otherwise good show, and kids these days sure don't need to be encouraged to lessen their language skills!

HORROR MOVIES KAROFF & LUGOSI APPEARED TOGETHER

Here are the seven horror movies that Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi appeared together, always good stuff to be sure!

The first movie our guys appeared together was Edgar Allan Poe's THE BLACK CAT in 1934. Travelling across Eastern Europe, Peter and Joan Allison meet Dr Werdegast (Lugosi) on the train. When the bus taking them to their destination crashes, the Allisons go with Werdegast and stay with him at the foreboding castle of famed architect, Hjalmar Poelzig (Karloff). However, the Allisons find themselves in danger when it becomes apparent that Werdegast and Poelzig have a deadly history with each other. Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.

A year later, the guys are back in THE RAVEN, another story from Poe. This time a wealthy judge coaxes the brilliant but eccentric neurological surgeon Dr. Vollin (Lugosi), who also has an obsessive penchant for Edgar Allen Poe, out of retirement to save the life of his daughter, a dancer crippled and brain damaged in an auto wreck. Vollin restores her completely, but also envisions her as his "Lenore," and cooks up a scheme to kidnap the woman, then, torture and kill her fiance' and father in his Poe-inspired dungeon. And, to do his dirty work, Vollin recruits a wanted criminal (Karloff), and turns him into a monster to guarantee his subservience!

In 1936, they star again in THE INVISIBLE RAY. In this story, a scientist, Janos Rukh (Karloff), convinces a group of scientists and supporters to mount an expedition to the African continent to locate and study an ancient meteorite of great significance. He exposes himself to the highly toxic radiation of the meteorite, and while an antidote devised by Dr. Benet (Lugosi) saves him from death by radiation poisoning, his touch causes instant death to others. Back in London, the benefits of the meteorite's controlled radiation offer Dr. Benet an opportunity to restore eyesight to the blind! The antidote's toxicity excites Prof. Rukh into paranoid rages as he seeks revenge against the members of his expedition, who he accuses of stealing his discovery for their own glory!

The boys are back in SON OF FRANKENSTEIN from 1939. Wolf von Frankenstein returns to the Baronial manor from the United States with his wife Elsa and son Peter. He's not welcomed by the locals, who are still terrified of his father's work and the monster he created. The local Burgomaster gives him a sealed briefcase left by his father and inside, Wolf finds his father's scientific notes. At the manor house he meets his father's assistant Igor (Bela) who has a surprise for him, the monster his father created is still alive, although, in some sort of a coma. Wolf's initial attempts to re-animate the creature seem to fail but when Peter says he saw a giant in the woods, it appears he's met success! When people are mysteriously killed in the village, there is little doubt that the monster is responsible!

In 1940, Boris and Bela return in BLACK FRIDAY, hey, that's today! When his friend, Prof. George Kingsley, is at deaths door, brain surgeon Dr. Sovac (Karloff) saves his life by means of an illegal operation that transplants part of injured gangster Red Cannon's brain, who was in a gun fight with another gangster, Eric Marnay (Lugosi). Unfortunately, the operation has a disastrous Jeckll and Hyde side effect! Sovac soon learns of the duel personality and of half a million dollars the gangster has hidden away. He attempts to find the money, an attempt that brings Kingsley closer to madness as he alternates between a meek professor of English and a brutal gangster out for murderous revenge! This is the movie that Bela was hypnotized in order to achieve a realistic portrayal of his horror!

Also in 1940, Peter Lorre joins in on the fun in YOU'LL FIND OUT, a musical horror comedy with band leader Kay Kyser. In this one, Kay and his orchestra are hired to entertain at the birthday party of a young heiress at a creepy old mansion, where they uncover a plot against her life. So, who's the villain?.. The sinister judge? The phony medium? The skeptical psychologist?.. Well, you'll freakin' find out!!

Our last film is THE BODY SNATCHER from 1945. In Edinburgh in 1831, Dr. MacFarlane runs a medical school where Donald Fettes is a student. Fettes is interested in helping a young girl who has lost the use of her legs, and, is certain that MacFarlane's surgical skills could be put to great use. But, Dr. MacFarlane has a dirty little secret, he has hired his cabby, John Gray (Boris) and his assistant Joseph (Bela) to supply him with dead bodies for anatomical research. Gray constantly harasses MacFarlane and clearly has a hold over him, dating back to a famous trial where Gray refused to identify the man for whom he was robbing graves.

We'll have more for you tomorrow, check in if you can... Later, dudeskis!