POPEYE THE SAILOR In "Wotta Nitemare" - 1939

Today's treat is a classic Popeye cartoon, in this one, Popeye is having a dream where Bluto takes Olive on a picnic in the clouds. Even though it's Popeye's dream, Bluto has the upper hand until Popeye pulls out his spinach!

Popeye's having a dream and he's acting out as he tries to get comfortable...

In his dream, he's with Olive in a heavenly surrounding. All is fine until Bluto drops in, he persuades Olive to go on a picnic with him, Popeye can bring the food along. Love Bluto's devilish costume!

On the way to the picnic, a steam roller shows up and collides with Popeye, whose feet are glued down! The steam roller turns into butterflies, confusing our hero.

Back on Earth, Popeye has destroyed his pillow and feathers fill in for the butterflies.

At the picnic, Popeye can't get one bite to eat and is getting frustrated. Even Jeep gets to eat!

While Bluto is choking Popeye in the dream, Popeye is actually choking himself on his bed!

It just keeps getting worse for Popeye, finally, facing the giant laughing head of Bluto, he gets knocked off the cloud...

On his way down, he grabs for his spinach, but, he keeps getting the wrong vegetable!

Finally!!.. He grabs hands full of good old spinach and chomps it down.

As he is actually eating mattress stuffing, a spring hits him in the chin, waking him up!

Still a little confused, he says... Bluto can't get away with this!! He runs down the street and finds Bluto smoking a cigar. Popeye starts swinging and Bluto gets the full force of Popeye's nitemare! Tune in tomorrow when Eegah!! will fill this slot!

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!