I TRE VOLTI DELLA PAURA - Roberto Nicolosi - "The Three Faces Of Fear" (1963)

Try and imagine Halloween in this modern age without thinking of something that wasn't influenced by the mult-talented genius Boris Karloff! It's quite unthinkable if not almost sacrilegious. One word, FRANKENSTEIN! I rest my case!

The opening footage is the coolest lookin' Boris you'll ever lay your eyes on, even if his voice is dubbed in Italian, and the guy responsible for it once again, working doubletime as Director and Cinematographer is the genius Mario Bava!!!

Black Sabbath" is actually a triology of tales, and the first one entitled "The Telephone" is the only one that really has any cool music in it, and was composed by the Masestro Roberto Nicolosi, who had a long history in sword and sandal films like "La Rivolta Dei Gladiatori"(The Warrior and The Slave Girl), and "La Regina Delle Amazzoni" (Colossus and the Amazon Queen), and also gets credit for the terrific music in "Caltiki-The Undying Monster" and "Black Sunday," and above all not to forget "Costa Azzurra" aka "Wild Cats on the Beach!"

The English version has music by yet another equally swingin' cat we've spoke of many times, Les Baxter! Hey! I've got a two tone rotary phone too!!

"The Telephone" is about a woman being pestered by crank threatening calls, played by the fabulous Michèle Mercier, also known by millions of adoring fans, as "Angélique," her most famous and recurring role!

Michèle answers the phone.............

Then she has a smoke!!

Is it Milo Quesada as Frank Rainer making the calls??

Ex good friend Lidia Alfonsi comes by to lend a hand, and give Michèle a sleeping pill and some comforting words to no avail!

So, Michèle does what anyone else would do in a situation like this, have another smoke!!!

It was Frank, but that's not even close to giving away this twisted storyline!!!

Boris Karloff wasn't only the narrator but also played the role of Gorca "The Wurdalak" in the second mini-feature!!

"The Wurdalak" is a Vampire story about what Al Green would express later in 1972: "Make you do right, make you do wrong, make you come home early, make you stay out all night long, the power of love! Love & Happiness!!"

And once you sign this contract, kids, you will know the true meaning of being in love forever and ever and ever again!!!

The third story in this Ménage à trois is more like an EC Comic crossed with a Twilight Zone episode, and translates as "The Drop Of Water!"

It's a short story about a pretty ring that keeps getting stolen off of a dead person's hand, and how once you take the ring, Karma kicks in, and you're the next victim haunted to death by your very own greed!!

I'm really quite surprised that not more people have died from this affliction, but then again, maybe they're just not telling us!!!

Indeed we do, Boris, Indeed we will!! One of the funniest closing scenes in any film I've ever witnessed!!!

Z'nuther Blast From That Happy Halloween Past!

All right folks, laying it all on the line, purely for your enjoyment, when you're talkin' downright real Halloween, it don't get much better than this! I'm thinkin' the clown PJ's explain a whole lot!!

Yes! It's our fellow co-conspirator Zillagord in all his Zillaglory!! Diggin' those knee patches!!

The Tin Man costume is too cool in this picture of Zillagord joined by Baby Bro Jonny Z!!

The Hell with Trick or Treat, Gimme the candy now or rot forever in the bowels of Hades!

TALES OF TOMORROW / The Crystal Egg - TV 1951

THROW THAT SWITCH!!!

TIME FOR!.....

For you not familiar with this TV series broadcast from 1951-3, then here is great way to introduce you, classic episode written by H. G. Wells!! This story is probably precursor to WAR OF THE WORLDS. Music credit go to Lee White, Lew White, Bobby Christian and Irving Robbin.

So, here is tonight' vintage soundclip!.. TABLEAUX TO MARS!

Story start with Tall Dark Stranger interested in cheap looking glass egg in antique shop. He act like it best thing since slice bread, so shop keeper, Mr. Cave, want science friend to look at first before deciding on final price.

Thomas Mitchell star as Professor Frederick Vaneck, friend of Mr. Cave. He agree to take a look...

Now, begin by using proper scientific method, just wanting to get good look at!

Hmmm, kinda hypnotizin'...

Wait, what the!.. Izzat?.. Who?.....

Suddenly, Professor hear weird voice with ominous message from Mars!!

Pretty damn cool for 1951 TV, give youself big hand, prop department!!

Professor figure out transmission come from... MARS!!

Mr. Cave come over to listen to Professor' story of scientific importance, but grab crystal egg and make 23 skidoo out lab door!! Now he know it worth big fortune and Professor not getting grubby his little hand on!

Professor cannot believe what just happen, so he go to antique shop to get egg back. Mrs. Cave say she not see husband since he went to sell to Tall Dark Stranger!!

The Professor try to get help from government official, but where is proof?!

Tall Dark Stranger pay Professor Vaneck little visit and break 78 recording of warning from rubber Martian!!

HERMANOS GUZANOS / Halloween Tricks

HERMANOS GUZANOS was a garage band from 1986-94 that produced 20 albums during that time. Members are Gary Wray, Darrell Draeger and Brian J. Riedel. Photo is from their 1994 cable access TV show, OFFBEAT.

Here's a nice an' sleazy 'side show' piece from their album, THE WORMS' TURN.

MYSTERICAL SIGHTS!

WARNING!! This piece, BUZZSAW BASEMENT, is pretty rowdy and will definitely scare your kids, pets and visitors, so, be warned!!

This is an improv one-take live recording with only 2 guys, a keyboard and a digital delay! The Basement Master is played by Dungeon pal, Dino Bivona! From their very first 'all-live' album, SLEAZE WEASELS!

BUZZSAW BASEMENT!