The first Video Nasty came not only before video but from the esteemed Michael Powell, whose career was sidetracked into shorts for The Childrens' Film Foundation by this much maligned and misunderstood rumination on the dark powers of cinema. In the US it was relegated to skinflick houses and grindhouse second features.

The first Video Nasty came not only before video but from the esteemed Michael Powell, whose career was sidetracked into shorts for The Childrens' Film Foundation by this much maligned and misunderstood rumination on the dark powers of cinema. In the US it was relegated to skinflick houses and grindhouse second features.

Peeping Tom

The worldwide success of Mario Bava's official directorial debut spurred the brilliant cinematographer on to a new career and made an international star of the entrancing Barbara Steele. U.S.distributor AIP changed the title and claimed it was too scary for anyone under the age of...well, 12.

The worldwide success of Mario Bava's official directorial debut spurred the brilliant cinematographer on to a new career and made an international star of the entrancing Barbara Steele. U.S.distributor AIP changed the title and claimed it was too scary for anyone under the age of...well, 12.

Black Sunday AKA-Mask of the Demon

Jack Rabin and Irving Block were a couple of indie FX mavens whose works ranged from Night of the Hunter to Robot Monster. But one of their most offbeat creations was the giant alien robot Kronos, who wanted not Our Women but Our Energy. On its own terms it's a pretty nifty little picture, with an emblematic 50s sci-fi cast.

Jack Rabin and Irving Block were a couple of indie FX mavens whose works ranged from Night of the Hunter to Robot Monster. But one of their most offbeat creations was the giant alien robot Kronos, who wanted not Our Women but Our Energy. On its own terms it's a pretty nifty little picture, with an emblematic 50s sci-fi cast.

Kronos

His 1935 "Things to Come" is more prestigious, but famed production designer Wm. Cameron Menzies reached his directorial zenith with this deliberately unreal "B" that has creeped out several generations of kids. The great Art Gilmore narrates a classic trailer for a seminal movie. In SuperCineColor!

His 1935 "Things to Come" is more prestigious, but famed production designer Wm. Cameron Menzies reached his directorial zenith with this deliberately unreal "B" that has creeped out several generations of kids. The great Art Gilmore narrates a classic trailer for a seminal movie. In SuperCineColor!

Invaders From Mars

An exploitation picture staple was the cutdown feature version of the 12-chapter serial, but they were seldom directed by filmmakers as distinguished as Fritz Lang, who fled Hitler to become a Hollywood success. But in 1960 AIP bought two elaborate 1957 German-made Lang adventures and combined them into one hectic movie.

An exploitation picture staple was the cutdown feature version of the 12-chapter serial, but they were seldom directed by filmmakers as distinguished as Fritz Lang, who fled Hitler to become a Hollywood success. But in 1960 AIP bought two elaborate 1957 German-made Lang adventures and combined them into one hectic movie.

Journey to the Lost City

Another enormous Samuel L. Bronston historical spectacle with big stars and epochal Euro production values, directed by the perennially underrated Anthony Mann, fresh from his being fired from Spartacus.

Another enormous Samuel L. Bronston historical spectacle with big stars and epochal Euro production values, directed by the perennially underrated Anthony Mann, fresh from his being fired from Spartacus.

El Cid

The truncated third US release (after earlier tries as "Mania'", then "The Psycho Killers'") of John Gilling's 1960 retelling of the Burke and Hare story that formed the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Body Snatcher". Cut by a reel and a half and aimed at the lowest of brows, this version ends with Donald Pleasence getting a torch in his face.

The truncated third US release (after earlier tries as "Mania'", then "The Psycho Killers'") of John Gilling's 1960 retelling of the Burke and Hare story that formed the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Body Snatcher". Cut by a reel and a half and aimed at the lowest of brows, this version ends with Donald Pleasence getting a torch in his face.

The Fiendish Ghouls

One of the great comic book movies of all time from the brilliant Italian director Mario Bava, whose visual dexterity was never widely appreciated during his lifetime.  An uncharacteristically elaborate 1967 pop art production for which Bava nonetheless employed his usual lovingly hand-made in-camera tricks.

One of the great comic book movies of all time from the brilliant Italian director Mario Bava, whose visual dexterity was never widely appreciated during his lifetime.  An uncharacteristically elaborate 1967 pop art production for which Bava nonetheless employed his usual lovingly hand-made in-camera tricks.

Danger Diabolik

Hammer competitor Amicus Films found their mojo with this 1964 multi-story horror omnibus, which led to countless iterations of the same formula, including their biggest hit "Tales from the Crypt". The genius of the portmanteau system was that the actors were often needed for only a few days, which allowed for casts that were almost ridiculously classy.

Hammer competitor Amicus Films found their mojo with this 1964 multi-story horror omnibus, which led to countless iterations of the same formula, including their biggest hit "Tales from the Crypt". The genius of the portmanteau system was that the actors were often needed for only a few days, which allowed for casts that were almost ridiculously classy.

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors

The subtle terror techniques that Robert Wise learned from his mentor Val Lewton are on uncanny display in the creepiest haunted house movie of them all. (The trailer's not too subtle, though.) Compare the original to the lamentable remake to see the difference between art and CGI junk.

The subtle terror techniques that Robert Wise learned from his mentor Val Lewton are on uncanny display in the creepiest haunted house movie of them all. (The trailer's not too subtle, though.) Compare the original to the lamentable remake to see the difference between art and CGI junk.

The Haunting

Trailers from Hell showcases classic previews of past movie attractions punctuated with humorous commentary by iconic filmmakers. The series includes Joe Dante (Gremlins) on horror movie The Terror and Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) praising one of his seminal influences Danger: Diabolik.

Great

Trailers from Hell

After "Young Frankenstein", this is probably the best-loved horror comedy of all time and is more elaborately produced than the previous two serious Frankenstein films. Bela Lugosi's final turn as Dracula, and his last major studio picture. Great music score by Frank Skinner turned up in numerous subsequent A&amp;C monster rallies.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Lightningin a bottle: AIP's penchant for making bargain- basement movies basedon title and poster research paid off in spades with this hugelyinfluential amalgam of juvenile delinquent and monster genres. Thesurprise hit of 1957.

Lightning in a bottle: AIP's penchant for making bargain- basement movies based on title and poster research paid off in spades with this hugely influential amalgam of juvenile delinquent and monster genres. The surprise hit of 1957.

I Was a Teenage Werewolf

Another elaborate personalized Hitchcock trailer. His "sex mystery" followup to The Birds has its adherents, but Larry Cohen isn't one of them. Nice Bernard Herrmann score though, and the star of Family Plot has a supporting role.

Another elaborate personalized Hitchcock trailer. His "sex mystery" followup to The Birds has its adherents, but Larry Cohen isn't one of them. Nice Bernard Herrmann score though, and the star of Family Plot has a supporting role.

Marnie

Take the "D-13 Test" to find out if you're too crazy to see this shot-in-Ireland axe murder thriller from fledgling director Francis Ford Coppola. The gorgeous Luana Anders has one of her infrequent leads here, and Ronald Stein's score is one of his best.

Take the "D-13 Test" to find out if you're too crazy to see this shot-in-Ireland axe murder thriller from fledgling director Francis Ford Coppola. The gorgeous Luana Anders has one of her infrequent leads here, and Ronald Stein's score is one of his best.

Dementia 13

GeorgePal's pioneering H.G. Wells adaptation updates the action to 1953 LosAngeles, with Oscar-winning state-of-the-art visual fx and soundeffects so great they're still in use today.

George Pal's pioneering H.G. Wells adaptation updates the action to 1953 Los Angeles, with Oscar-winning state-of-the-art visual fx and sound effects so great they're still in use today.

The War of the Worlds

TerenceFisher's seminal vampire triumph pits Cushing against Lee in theirgreatest Hammer pairing and sets the pace for the next two decades ofmovie horror. This is the original Universal theatrical trailer, notthe video reconstruction that appears on the Warner dvd.

Terence Fisher's seminal vampire triumph pits Cushing against Lee in their greatest Hammer pairing and sets the pace for the next two decades of movie horror. This is the original Universal theatrical trailer, not the video reconstruction that appears on the Warner dvd.

Horror of Dracula

Oneof the bigger interplanetary spectacles of the 50s, and one of thelast films shot in 3-strip Technicolor, Universal's "SupremeExcitement of Our Time" brought out the sense of wonder in ageneration of cold war tykes while scaring them half to death withthe unlikely but cool "Mutants": "similar to theinsect life on your own planet, but larger of course."

One of the bigger interplanetary spectacles of the 50s, and one of the last films shot in 3-strip Technicolor, Universal's "Supreme Excitement of Our Time" brought out the sense of wonder in a generation of cold war tykes while scaring them half to death with the unlikely but cool "Mutants": "similar to the insect life on your own planet, but larger of course."

This Island Earth

Probablythe best known of the AIP Corman/Poe series, circa 1961. WriterRichard Matheson had to concoct an almost entirely new storyincorporating Poe's central situation. The great Paul Frees narratesthe trailer.

Probably the best known of the AIP Corman/Poe series, circa 1961. Writer Richard Matheson had to concoct an almost entirely new story incorporating Poe's central situation. The great Paul Frees narrates the trailer.

The Pit and the Pendulum

It'snot exactly "The Lost Weekend", but Oscar-winner RayMilland does pretty well for himself by this low-budget butintriguingly Promethean 1963 sci-fi outing from Roger Corman, whichanticipates the alternate reality concepts of his later "TheTrip". Of course the trailer is more interested in the "X-rayspecs" aspects of the idea, like seeing through women's clothes!

It's not exactly "The Lost Weekend", but Oscar-winner Ray Milland does pretty well for himself by this low-budget but intriguingly Promethean 1963 sci-fi outing from Roger Corman, which anticipates the alternate reality concepts of his later "The Trip". Of course the trailer is more interested in the "X-ray specs" aspects of the idea, like seeing through women's clothes!

X - The Man with the X-Ray Eyes

This1953 film was a rugged five-character psychological western and thethird collaboration between James Stewart and Anthony Mann.

This 1953 film was a rugged five-character psychological western and the third collaboration between James Stewart and Anthony Mann.

The Naked Spur

Although one wag said of director Stanley Kramer's all-star Cinerama extravaganza, "it shows what happens when a man who doesn't understand drama tries to do comedy", the years have been kind to it. Nostalgia for the once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast alone would get it by, but the extravagant stunt work that seemed so unwhimsical in 1963 is now commonplace in movie comedy.

Although one wag said of director Stanley Kramer's all-star Cinerama extravaganza, "it shows what happens when a man who doesn't understand drama tries to do comedy", the years have been kind to it. Nostalgia for the once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast alone would get it by, but the extravagant stunt work that seemed so unwhimsical in 1963 is now commonplace in movie comedy.

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Thistime the Corman/Poe series moves to England for what is generallyconsidered the best film in the series. Tabloid news was made circa1964 when costar Jane Asher's boyfriend visted the set: PaulMcCartney.

This time the Corman/Poe series moves to England for what is generally considered the best film in the series. Tabloid news was made circa 1964 when costar Jane Asher's boyfriend visted the set: Paul McCartney.

The Masque of the Red Death

Aiming squarely at the allowances of moppet readers of Famous Monsters of Filmland, William Castle followed "Percepto" with a new gimmick in 1960, "Illusion-O". Paul Frees' scary narration probably got him the job as the voice of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

13 Ghosts

Whenis a movie not even a movie? When it's just a patchwork of senselessfootage cobbled together to make an unfinished project marginallyreleasable. Even the trailer for this is a mess.

When is a movie not even a movie? When it's just a patchwork of senseless footage cobbled together to make an unfinished project marginally releasable. Even the trailer for this is a mess.

Blood of the Man Devil/House of the Black Death

Thefirst coproduction between England's Hammer Films and AmericanInternational Pictures is an appropriately lurid affair, with manyheaving bosoms showing the telltale marks of Carmilla, the lesbianvampire. Not as arty as Roger Vadim's superior "Blood andRoses", this was a big enough hit in 1970 to spawn twopulchritudinous follow-ups, "Lust for a Vampire" and "Twinsof Evil".

The first coproduction between England's Hammer Films and American International Pictures is an appropriately lurid affair, with many heaving bosoms showing the telltale marks of Carmilla, the lesbian vampire. Not as arty as Roger Vadim's superior "Blood and Roses", this was a big enough hit in 1970 to spawn two pulchritudinous follow-ups, "Lust for a Vampire" and "Twins of Evil".

The Vampire Lovers

"Howdya like to drag that one to the High School Prom?" leers a horny astronaut while ogling the shapely acolytes of Queen Yllana, leader of the all-girl Venusian population. "I hate zat qveen", grumbles Chief Scientist Zsa Zsa Gabor, who doesn't appear to be in on the joke. Silly, spoofy and cheerfully chauvinistic, this one has many fans, some of them straight.

"Howdya like to drag that one to the High School Prom?" leers a horny astronaut while ogling the shapely acolytes of Queen Yllana, leader of the all-girl Venusian population. "I hate zat qveen", grumbles Chief Scientist Zsa Zsa Gabor, who doesn't appear to be in on the joke. Silly, spoofy and cheerfully chauvinistic, this one has many fans, some of them straight.

Queen Of Outer Space

A satirical labor of love from animator Charles Swenson that ended up vying with "Fritz the Cat" for X-rated grindhouse playing time. There's a lot of wit and imagination on view, but hardly anyone ever saw the picture.

A satirical labor of love from animator Charles Swenson that ended up vying with "Fritz the Cat" for X-rated grindhouse playing time. There's a lot of wit and imagination on view, but hardly anyone ever saw the picture.

Dirty Duck

Castawayson a tropical island run by Nazi fugitives who turn native girls intomonsters! If that sounds appealing to you, then this threadbare 1958drive-in cheapie is up your alley!

Castaways on a tropical island run by Nazi fugitives who turn native girls into monsters! If that sounds appealing to you, then this threadbare 1958 drive-in cheapie is up your alley!

She Demons

Agreat cast swashbuckles its way through Henry King's piraticalspectacular with an assist from Leon Shamroy's Oscar-winningTechnicolor cinematography. Splendid hokum in the overstuffed DarrylZanuck tradition.

A great cast swashbuckles its way through Henry King's piratical spectacular with an assist from Leon Shamroy's Oscar-winning Technicolor cinematography. Splendid hokum in the overstuffed Darryl Zanuck tradition.

The Black Swan

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