From Zombos Closet

JM Cozzoli

A horror genre fan with a blog. Scary.

Halloween 2014: Walgreens
Animated Rocking Granny
and Haunted Tree

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Found some more fun decorations for my Halloween home at Walgreens. This year, so far, has been stellar at providing decorations, blow-ups, and animatronic toys to spook the neighbors with. I’ll have a video of the Animated Rocking Granny (not a granny I’d like to have, mind you) and the Animated Haunted Tree posted soon, but they’re keepers for sure. I couldn’t resist. The large banjo playing skeleton is really cool, too, but I have a smaller version that takes up less space. But definitely a good table topper choice if you’re throwing a party.

Rocking-granny

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Halloween 2014: Walgreens
Animated Rocking Granny
and Haunted TreeRead More »

Movie Pressbook: Krull (1983)

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I love Krull. It's the quintessential 1980s movie that mashes up a little of this, a little of that. This 8.5 x 14 inches, 24 page, pressbook is surprisingly complete in promotional variety. You have the Krull-ering Contest to color in our hero and damsel in distress, the A-maze Your Audience maze activity, and two photo quizzes named Other Worlds and Heroes. Now if they only had given away the Magical Glaive as a theater promo, I'd be in heaven now, tossing it about bringing down my foes.

Krull-pressbook-1

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Double Bill Pressbook:
My World Dies Screaming
and Lost Lonely and Vicious

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Another splendidly designed folder-styled double bill pressbook from Howco International for their drive-in trade: My World Dies Screaming and Lost Lonely and Vicious. My World Dies Screaming touted using the gimmick of subliminal perception with their "The First picture in 4th Dimension, See it without glasses!" This 4th dimension consisted of using one-frame images to heighten your anxiety and fear. Needless to say, it wasn't "destined to be the most talked of picture of all time!" But you can admire the hyperbole at least, as it is attention-catching.

My-world-dies-screaming-pressbook-1

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Double Bill Pressbook:
My World Dies Screaming
and Lost Lonely and ViciousRead More »

Regarding George Baxt and His Movies

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George Baxt

George Baxt

By Jim Knüsch (Professor Kinema)

In the early 1990s I had researched background information for an article on the film Burn, Witch, Burn, which was to appear in FilmFax magazine. During my research I borrowed a 16mm print of the movie from film historian William K Everson. Everson and I got to talking about the specifics of the film and he suggested I get in touch with one of its screenwriters, George Baxt, who was, at the time, living in New York. His number was listed in the phone book. I called him and made an appointment to interview him. During two visits and a few follow-up phone calls we talked not only about Burn, Witch, Burn, but also touched upon the other genre films he was involved with. The article I eventually wrote regarding Burn, Witch, Burn ended up in Scarlet Street magazine instead of FilmFax.

My interview with this Edgar Award winning author turned into more of a general rap session where he shared his interesting insights and recollections for Circus of Horrors, Burn, Witch, Burn, Vampire Circus, The City of the Dead, and Shadow of the Cat. Within this article I’ve arranged Baxt’s insights and recollections according to each relevant movie discussed.

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Movie Pressbook: Gog (1954)

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Gog and Magog go bad. Originally shot for 3D, it was mostly shown flat due to its release during the tail end of the 3D craze. I vaguely recall seeing this movie, but not sure if it was in a theater or on television. Not bad for a budget of $250,000. Robotic and computer construction very 1950s. Premise has NOVAC, the computer, being manipulated to control Gog and Magog, the two robots, as its henchmen. Mayhem ensues.

Gog-pressbook-1

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Halloween 2014: Dollar Tree Stores
Monstrous Boxes and Floor Mats

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These floor mats at Dollar Tree stores are very thin, so I’d not expect much walking on them. But for Halloween, you could put them out as table mats, floor mats, or as backdrops for that table-top little foggy maker or zombie-head cheese dip bowl. Go ahead, be creative. And these decorative boxes (they come in three sizes), are great for displaying your candy treats for party guests.

Halloween floor mat

 

Halloween floor mat

Halloween floor mat

Halloween floor mat

Halloween candy box

Halloween candy box

 

Halloween 2014: Dollar Tree Stores
Monstrous Lenticular Decorations

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Once again, Dollar Tree Stores have some unique Halloween decorations. This year I found these lenticular monster faces. Lenticular means they’re holographic 3D, which is a really cool effect. Unfortunately you can’t see the 3D depth in these flat pictures, but they are impressive. Note that the Frankenstein Monster has his neck bolts NOT on his neck, and his Bride has neck bolts, even though she DOESN’T. I won’t even quibble about the exposed brain for Frankie. Still a treat to add to your Halloween collection.

Dracula holographic decoration

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Halloween 2014: Dollar Tree Stores
Monstrous Lenticular DecorationsRead More »