From Hell it Came

 From Hell it Came is a schlocky and fun movie from 1957.

If you haven't heard about it, read this short summary.   I love the accents of the "natives."

 

My reason to share this is that you can watch it on Turner Classic Movies (TCM.com) this weekend.  I emphasize Classic here.  Watch the trailer here.

You can watch it on the Dailymotion website.

Scary papers

 I know it is a scary time in our history, but then again there is Hallowe'en.

Four papers on the subject:

Bristow, R. S., & Newman, M. (2005). Myth vs. fact: An exploration of fright tourism. In In: Bricker, Kelly, comp., ed. 2005. Proceedings of the 2004 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-326. Newtown Square, PA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 215-221. Link.

Bristow, R. & Keenan, D. (2018). Fright Tourism: a Study of Fear.  e-Review of Tourism Research (eRTR). 15(1): 63-78. Link.

Bristow, R. & Jenkins, I. (2019). Geography of Fear:  Fright Tourism Contributing to Urban Revitalization. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events. doi: 10.1080/19407963.2019.1631319 

Bristow, R. S. (2020). Communitas in Fright Tourism. Tourism Geographies. 22(2): 319-337. doi: 10.1080/14616688.2019.1708445.

 

(source:  https://giphy.com/gifs/animation-halloween-ghost-l41lZuDtMj71VOHxS)

 

 

 

Southwick Rail Trail, Westfield Columbia Greenway Rail Trail Survey

 Our local rail trail is doing another survey.  

 

 

 

Click here to participate.

 This is one of those examples when it is not a good idea to "save" your credit card information on a website.

British Airways fined £20m over data breach

"The data stolen included log in, payment card and travel booking details as well name and address information."

Remember this the next time your purchase online asks if you want to save the credit card number.

ALPINE Webinar: Faculty Collaboration in Land Conservation Initiatives

 Listened to this presentation last week sponsored by Academics for Land Protection in New England (ALPINE).  It is good to the see the efforts of academics partnering with NGOs supporting research efforts in the region.

ALPINE posted the video on YouTube if interested.

Archive.org

I know, you remembered something on the web, but when you went back to the website, the info is no longer there.

Solution?  Try the

Wayback Machine (made possible by the Internet Archive)

See this as an example for some of my pictures.

https://web.archive.org/web/20160809035524/http://www.panoramio.com/user/2492564

Happy Anniversary

 Happy Anniversary World.

For me, it is our wedding anniversary, for you you probably have a different event to celebrate.

 

 But for the moment, even in the badly needed rain here, I want to send good vibes out to everyone.

Best Hallowe'en Movies

 This is the time of the year, when everybody, including me, want to share their top ten best Hallowe'en Movies.

So here are my ten.

 

10.  Opera (1987) D: Dario Argento

Back in the day, I tried to watch all of this Italian Directors' works.  For the most part, the only way to view these movies was to get a bootleg copy from a Japanese Laser Disk, since they were never distributed in the States. Of the bunch, I thought Opera (aka Terror at the Opera) was his best, most coherent and had shocking elements.  YouTube has a trailer, but Amazon will have commercially available media for home.

9.  Zombi (1979) D: Lucio Fulci

Let me try to get this correct.  The original Zombi title was a joint effort between Romero (below) and Argento (above).  So this title is best called Zombi 2 in the States and was directed by Fulci.  Gore is found in this film, so keep away from the kiddies, though I expect they get more from playing those video games in their bedroom.  There are a boat load of sequels in title or theme, so while the whole zombie era really started a lot earlier, the late seventies are when it was born for mass consumption.

8. The Thing (from another World) (1951) D: Christian Nyby

 

Also a sci-fi film, this is a wonderful cold war fright fest.  It is fast paced and the actors display the fear and arrogance typical of the era.  Remade of course, but the original is a historic exploration of human nature facing the unknown horrors from outer space. Watch it.

7.  Dawn of the Dead (1978) D: George Romero

Filmed at night at the Monroeville Mall out side of Pittsburgh, PA (another film location I have visited while attending the Monster Bash) it is another classic that has a social message along with some severe gore.  Remade of course.  Make sure you get the 1978 version.

6.  Alabama's Ghost (1973) D: Fredric Hobbs

This one is weird and should be a cult classic.  A rare title and I challenge you to find someone who has seen it.  Hard to describe, but you will not be bored. I got my copy on DVD from Sinister Cinema.  Or watch in on Youtube.

5.   Spider Baby (1967/68) D. Jack Hill

Released on Christmas Eve (what were they thinking?) this cult classic has Lon Chaney and Sid Haig.  What more would you want?  A bizarre film with Chaney signing the opening song, so you know you are in for a treat.  Also known as The Liver Eaters, Attack of the Liver Eaters, Cannibal Orgy, and The Maddest Story Ever Told, you should get this for your DVD collection.  YouTube has a copy.

4.      The Haunting (1963) D: Robert Wise

One of the most talented directors of all time,Wise scares the audience with the film.  One time I was watching it at my brother's house on his Laser Disk; I had to turn on the lights!  Remade but find the original.  You can find this on cable this month (TCM) and probably other providers.  Here is a trailer from YouTube. (sorry for the commercial in the beginning).

3.    The Tingler (1959) D: Wm. Castle

This is a title I would love to have on 16 mm.  Most people would settle on Blue Ray, but not me. Black and white except for one scene (no, I will not spoil it for you).  This bizarre film has Vincent Price, the Tingler and LSD!  Look back at the date, we are not talking about the 60s or 70s here.

2.    House on Haunted Hill (1959) D: Wm. Castle

Another title I wish I had on 16mm, but at least it is in Public Domain so widely available to view.  Great entertainment, safe for kids but still with some creepy moments.  Vincent Price is great in this one.  I wish I had seen this in the theatre as a kid.

1.    Night of the Living Dead (1968) D: George Romero

 

This low budget film is in public domain AND I have a 16 mm print of it.  It has some scares and a significant social message that puts it at the top of my list.  A classic horror film that is a must.  I have been to cemetery in Evans City (PA).

So that is it my friends.  Grab some friends, pop some popcorn and enjoy these titles. In fact, why not make it a dusk to dawn night!

Damascus Virginia

After the crazy Tuesday night debate, enjoy this wonderful little video about a small town in Virginia.

Drying things out behind Motel in Damascus, VA.

Click here for a YouTube video.