EARTHQUAKE - "Terremoto" (1974)

Tonight's earthshakin' Wednesday The 13th feature is a sub-genre of Horror and Science Fiction movies we haven't covered much around here, 

"The 70's One Word Title Disaster Movies!"

A few more examples are "Airport," "Meteor," "Avalanche," "Fire," and "Flood!"

"Earthquake" came out in 1974, and is a star-studded affair!

 

Between the title card and this plaque, I don't think there's any question what this movie is about!

 

"Earthquake" was filmed entirely in Los Angeles and Hollywood, California!

The incredible cast includes Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner as a dysfunctional married couple!

I'm pretty sure you all know that Charlton Heston was in "Touch Of Evil," "Planet Of The Apes," "The Omega Man," "Soylent Green" etc. etc. etc.

She was born on Christmas Eve, and at one time Ava Gardner was considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood!!

This picture of her at 15 shows what a natural beauty she really was!

Another beauty in this movie is the stunning Geneviève Bujold who was in films like "Coma" and "Dead Ringers."

It ain't my fault I tell you!

George Kennedy plays the disillusioned police officer! George was in SO many western TV shows, and he was in all four versions of "Airport."

One of the oddest appearances in "Earthquake" is that of Walter Mathau in a small non-speaking part as a drunk in a bar. To top it all off, he's credited as Walter Matuschanskayasky!
What the heck!?

Lorne Greene of "Bonanza" is also in there as Charlton Heston's boss and Father-in-law, and Ava Gardner's Father. Pretty weird since in real life, Lorne was only seven years older than Ava!

Don't forget about Barry ("Pyro...The Thing Without A Face," "Planet Of The Vampires,") Sullivan as Stockle.

Nope, not done yet! This fantastic trio is Gabriel Dell, Victoria Principal, and Richard Roundtree!

Gabriel Dell was one of the original Dead End Kids, and then went on to have adult roles in The Bowery Boys movies!

 I read that Gabriel and Huntz Hall formed a nightclub partnership in 1950 that resulted in the breakup of both men's marriages. Gabriel's wife and Mrs. Hall jointly divorced them on the same day in 1953, citing that the guy's act was an alienating factor for both of them! 

Wow! Now that's a real bromance!

If for nothing else, Miss Miami 1969, Victoria Principal will always be remembered for nine years and 251 episodes of "Dallas" as Pamela Barnes Ewing! 

And last but definitely not least, Richard Roundtree IS "Shaft," and will be John Shaft again in 2019, when the new "Shaft" movie comes out!

The weirdest role in the cast goes to Marjoe Gortner who at one time held the title as the "World's Youngest Ordained Minister." He was only four years old at the time!

So all those people interact as The City Of Angels crumbles and goes up in flames!

This shot of falling debris looks like a cool abstract painting!

Looks like footage from a Godzilla movie!!

I didn't realize there were so many ways to say
"Earthquake!"

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA / IT WILL LIVE IN YOUR MEMORY Forever! - 1943

In today's color classic, pit violinist Claudin is hopelessly in love with rising operatic soprano Christine Dubois (as do baritone Anatole and police inspector Raoul) and secretly aids her with her career. But, Claudin murders a music publisher in a fit of madness and has his face scarred with acid. Soon, mysterious crimes plague the Paris Opera House, blamed on a legendary "phantom" whom none can find in the mazes and catacombs.

It stars Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains, Edgar Barrier, Leo Carrillo, Jane Farrar, J. Edward Bromberg, Fritz Feld, and, with a cast of thousands!

Here's pit violinist Erique Claudin in his humble abode, he spends his time at home working on a concerto that he thinks will make him famous and woo his secret love, the beautiful singer Christine DuBois.

When Claudin goes to the publisher to pick up his work, they tell him that it's not there, so, he must come back later. The publisher was also very rude to him.

In a twist of fate, Claudin's friend is showing the music to the famous Franz Liszt, because, Claudin is fairly unknown and would never have it heard by a famous composer. Liszt loves it.

But, Claudin hears music being played in another room and goes berserk, claiming that his concerto had been stolen from him! He ends up killing the publisher!

The publisher's assistant grabs a pan of etching acid and tosses it in Claudin's face. In agony, he leaves the building and disappears.

With the police looking for him, Claudin goes down into the sewer system where he finds his way to the catacombs beneath the opera house.

Then, strange things begin happening at the opera! For instance, the star, Biancarolli, becomes ill (he drugged her drink) during her performance and has to be replaced by Claudin's love, Christine. She's actually a better singer too.

Anatole Garron, who's also in love with Christine, plays his part to the hilt...

Later though, Garron has a run in with the mysterious Phantom of the Opera and almost falls to his death after being conked on the head!

In order to capture the Phantom, Garron comes up with a clever plan. Franz Liszt will conduct Claudin's concerto, that should lure the menace into the open!

During the climax, Claudin cuts the chain holding the chandelier and it falls to the floor, killing a few or more people...

In the meantime, Claudin captures Christine and he takes her to his lair. There, he plays his music for Christine, she's half terrified. At one point, she pulls the mask from Claudin's face, revealing his gruesome burns. One thing I noticed... How in the Hell did Claudin get that damn piano down in that room?! Seriously!!

Anyway, check this still out, wild!.. Okay, the policeman's pistol explodes I guess...

And, it brings down the house, thus, bringing our sad tale to an end, poor demented Claudin! Christine and the men just make it out after a wall falls on our Phantom... Hey!! Check in on Wednesday when Eegah!! will get weird for you once again!

KILLER PARTY - "The April Fool" (1986)

Saturday Night is party night, so tonight's Dungeon Special is just that, a...

"Killer Party!"

I'll give them credit for a killer title!

The beginning is a movie within a movie within a music video!

It starts at a funeral, and this woman getting pulled into the casket by the dead body!

 

But that was just a movie being watched by these kids at the drive-in. This girl doesn't want to make out, so she heads on over to the snack bar, but it's strangely deserted, so she just helps herself to some free popcorn.

Her boyfriend was gone when she got back to the car, but he's back now!

Cut to heavy metal band "White Sister" back in the snack bar!

White Sister's fans are a motley crew!

On the left is Elaine Wilkes as Phoebe, Sherry Willis-Burch as Vivia is in the middle, and on the right is Joanna Johnson as Jennifer!

Anyway, that was all a video that Phoebe was watching on TV!

The real movie is about the horror this trio must endure to get accepted into a snooty sorority!

Now is this a great shot or what?

The great Paul Bartel gives this film a bit more legitimacy!

 

They like to sneak in a lot of shots like this, but it's all a ruse!

Paul's the first one to get it!

There's going to be an April Fool's Day costume party at the olde haunted fraternity house, hence the alternate title!

Costume parties are fun in horror movies because they usually give the killer a chance to hide in plain sight!

As far as horror movies go, at least this one has a sense of humor! 

For instance, the killer is dressed in a deep sea diving helmet! He's pretty destructive, despite how bad his Porfirio vision must be!

In movies like this, a Guillotine in the basement is usually mandatory equipment!

At least there's plenty of refreshments!

The soulless creature from Hell then decides to take over Jennifer's mind and body!

Joanna Johnson is a very pretty girl, and I give her a lot of credit for doing a good job as a maniacal devil!

Most movies have endings.....but this one just stops!

Time to go home! Last call for alcohol!
The party's over!