Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

One of my favorite actresses ever, Deborah Kerr, star of classic thrillers like The Innocents ('61), Eye of the Devil ('66), I See a Dark Stranger ('46) and of course some of the greatest Powell / Pressburger films of all time like Black Narcissus ('47) and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp ('43), born this day in Scotland in 1921.

Karswell's Night Gallery #3

ASYLUM by William Johnston / Cover Art by ???
(Bantam Books, 1972)

Book version of the 1972 Amicus film classic of the same name, based on stories originally written by Robert Bloch.

Ghost Town

Let’s stay put within the unsafe pages of Mysterious Adventures #18 for yet another story to neatly wrap up our weekend as well as the month of September. This is a seriously great issue from front cover to back, chock full of wildly excessive tales of terror, and our story here today is no exception... uh, that is unless you’ve read EC’s Midnight Mess which came out a year before with the same exact plot! Who was it that said “blatant plagerism is the sincerest form of flattery?” Oh yeah, it was one of the writers for Mysterious Adventures.

From the February 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #18

Crime Suspenstories Vol. 1 HC (NEWS)

Just in time for xmas! EC Archives: Crime Suspenstories Vol. 1 hardcover collection is coming December 20th. Collecting 24 full color stories from the first six landmark issues, and of special note to pre-code horror fans (if you were wondering why I'm mentioning a crime series here) this is also where the Old Witch's "Haunt of Fear" stories began with issue 3.

String ‘Em Up!

Yep, it’s two-for-one day here at The Horrors of It All, we’re featuring a double shot from Mysterious Adventures #18, so once again sit back and enjoy yourselves with today’s back-UP feature, it’s a killer little puppet show that won’t leave you hangin’...

Bottom’s Up

If yesterday’s story didn’t deliver enough blood soaked impaling panels and severed heads for you gore fiends then how about a skull splitting axe swung right upside your drunken noggin’ instead? (Thanks to Brian Hirsch for the scans on this one!)

From the February 1954 issue of Mysterious Adventures #18

Boris Karloff (PHOTO)

Found this neat photo on Jay Stephen's excellent MONSTERAMA blog, and thought it would make a good companion post with the Comic Book Confidential clip from yesterday. Not only does it feature Boris Karloff holding a cute little girl (I wonder if he threw her into a lake after this photo was taken?) but it also features a metal spin rack loaded with pre-code horror comics from EC, Atlas, and Fawcett. The easiest issue to completely identify is the Beware! Terror Tales #6 which would mean this photo was taken in 1953, but to me Boris looks much older in the photo than he actually was that year. Plus the display card on top of the spin rack clearly shows the Comics Code stamp though none of the comics in the rack have the code on their cover. Anyone know what's going on here?

POST UPDATED w/ COMPARISON PHOTO TRICKERY REVEALED:
MYSTERY SOLVED! My friend Dr. Phibes found the original version of this photo online which clearly shows someone out there is a wicked little photoshop devil!

Headless Horror!

Here’s a terrific terror tale from the same issue of Chamber of Chills as yesterday's post, featuring insanely brutal panels of extreme violence and bloodshed--- just the way we like it!

From the May 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills #8

Comic Book Confidential excerpt (VIDEO)

A highlight from Comic Book Confidential showing firsthand the affects of pre-code horror comics on a group of young boys! Be sure to rent or buy the DVD and see the rest. (Thanks to John Angelo for the link!)

The Fly Classic Collection DVD (NEWS)

The Fly Classic Collection is also out now and contains The Fly (1958), The Return of the Fly (1959), The Curse of the Fly (1965), plus The Fly Collection Bonus Disc which features a biography of Vincent Price, Fly Trap: Catching a Classic short film, stills, all 3 trailers, pressbook, poster art and more!

Click HERE for more info!

Formula for Death

Time for another disgustingly putrid Rudy Palais classic! You gotta love how much slime and bubbly ooze this guy can pack into a crackin’ four page mad scientist fest like this.

From the May 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills #8

From Beyond the Grave (NEWS)

Pre-code horror fans take note, From Beyond the Grave (1973) is now on DVD! It's a great anthology horror film adapted from four classic short stories by R. Chetwynd-Hayes about a sinister antique dealer and the fate that befalls his customers who try to cheat him. Stars Peter Cushing, Diana Dors, Donald Pleasence, and David Warner.

Get yours now by clicking HERE!

Don't Marry a Dead One!

Here’s one of the better Dark Mysteries tales I’ve read... it seems that most of the issues from this series have one or two well written / illustrated stories (like this one) while the other half of their issues are frustratingly bad, bottom barrel junk. This is also one of the more expensive golden age comics to buy these days (in any condition), which proves equally frustrating for a collector like myself. Live and learn, take the good with the bad, or let someone else with a pre-code horror blog and a scanner do it all for you.

From the Aug – Sept 1952 issue of Dark Mysteries #8

Die! Die! My Darling / Spiderbaby (NEWS)

In case you don't already know, the Turner Classic Movies channel on Friday nights becomes TCM UNDERGROUND and they show a great late night double dose of cult horror. This Friday Sept 28th they're premiering the director's cut of Jack Hill's 1968 kookball masterpiece Spiderbaby, followed by another guilty pleasure of mine, Die! Die! My Darling (1965) starring Tallulah Bankhead and Stefanie Powers.

For more info click HERE!

This Corpse is Mine

Another typically eerie Atlas horror tale... Stan Lee probably used this same plot a million and half different times, but I’ll be damned if I ever get tired of it no matter what the variation.

From the May 1952 issue of Mystery Tales #2

Mario Bava Vol. 2 DVD (NEWS)

It's coming October 23rd, hot on the heels of the Tim Lucas book, it's The Mario Bava DVD Collection Volume 2, featuring BAY OF BLOOD , BARON BLOOD, LISA & THE DEVIL, FOUR TIMES THAT NIGHT, 5 DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON, KIDNAPPED, and ROY COLT & WINCHESTER JACK.

For more info click HERE!

Surprise!

A spooky Jack Keller classic from the March 1953 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #16, this issue also has one of my all time favorite pre-code vampire girl covers!

Karswell's Night Gallery #2

WEIRD TALES, Leo Margulies, ed / Cover Art by Virgil Finley
(Pyramid Books, 1964)

Great paperback horror collection with a fantastic Virgil Finley cover, the inside features all the major pulp heroes of the 30's and 40's like Howard, Bloch, Derleth, Leiber, Lovecraft, Long etc...

Prey for the Vampire Horde

This wasn’t the story I had originally planned here, but since everyone appears to be in love with Lou Cameron art (and vampires) I dug this one out for you instead, and it wraps up our week-long tribute to Ace Comics nicely too. Tomorrow it’s back to the mad mix of pre-code horror from all the other shamelessly ignored publishers not named EC. But for now, let’s bring on the bloodsucker action and prey for the vampire horde! [Insert lightning sound FX here.]

From the September 1953 issue of The Beyond #22

Satanic Rites of Dracula (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!
(aka Count Dracula And His Vampire Bride)

Arise, O Undead Druids!

A mine explosion unleashes an ancient druid terror in today’s nifty Ace double feature story. Nice art here from what looks to me like Lin Streeter moonlighting on inks away from his normal ACG gigs of the time… anyone know for sure?

From the September 1953 issue of The Beyond #22

Greed’s Grisly Treasure

If you wanna see someone get his block knocked clean off “Rock’em Sock’em Robot style” then you came to the right place. And in close-up... grisly indeed!

From the January 1953 issue of Baffling Mysteries #13

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Stephen King, aka Jordy Verrill, aka Lunkhead, born this day in 1947.

Dr. Gueux’s Nightmare Monsters

Time for another MonsterFest from ACE Comics, featuring a nutty Nazi scientist trying to (what else?) rule the world with living nightmares. A really wild entry here, a few moments on the last page are very reminicent of the climax from Curse of the Demon.

From the January 1953 issue of Baffling Mysteries #13

Karswell's Night Gallery #1 (NEW FEATURE)

Like my hero Rod Serling (he's not really my hero) I thought I'd create a Night Gallery section of my own here in this dark, forgotten corner of our blog to display horrific and sometimes beautifully painted classic paperback cover art. Take a stroll down any isle in any bookstore these days and you'll see what a forgotten art form the painted paperback cover really is (kind of like movie posters too!) So here for you now I present an occasional reminder on how great and terrifying books actually used to be.

From "The Vault of Horror" by Jack Oleck (Bantam Books / 1973)

Cover Art by Lou Feck

Invitation to Your Wake

Chuggin’ right along in the midst of our week-long tribute to ACE Comics, here’s your own invitation to another great yarn from Hand of Fate, (and thankfully no ghost narrator in this one!) Featuring lots of creepy monsters, a cat with a woman’s head, and [SPOILER ALERT] a nice explosive suicide ending to warm the cockles of your bloody beating little hearts! BOOOM!

From the December 1953 issue of Hate of Fate #21

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (NEWS)

Yeah yeah I know, this is a horror blog, but I had to give a big Batday salute to one of my all-time favorite actors as he turns 79 years young today. You keep on being a jerk at celebrity conventions Mr. West and I'll keep on lovin' ya anyway, have a good one!

Revenge of the Haunted

I’ll admit up front that Hand of Fate is my least favorite ACE series, mostly because of the occasionally intrusive, overly yappy, hooded ghost narrator who has the annoying habit of popping right into the action at the last minute and affecting the story outcome. It’s a shameful, weak plot device, but thankfully Lou Cameron saves the day here with his always gorgeous art and non-stop monster pummlin’ thrills!

From the December 1953 issue of Hate of Fate #21

Werewolf in a Girls' Dormitory (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!

From the Graves of the Unholy

Here’s a great Lou Cameron tale with a spooky haunted carnival setting. There are some really stunning visuals here, two panels in particular are my favorites, one with the dilapidated old carousel in silhouette, and the other with the grisly witch’s skeleton smoldering on top of the old lady’s corpse. This is one story you won't soon forget...

From the February 1953 issue of Web of Mystery #17

Name From the Nether World

Today marks the start of a week long tribute to ACE Comics. I haven’t posted many examples of their great 50’s horror output here yet so I guess it’s time to catch up and give these devils their due. Let’s kick things off with a neat vampire tale from the February 1953 issue of Web of Mystery #17.

The Day of the Triffids (NEWS)

One of my favorite films of all time is The Day of the Triffids (’63), but the only way to currently see it on DVD is from the astoundingly crappy version put out by Westlake Ent. so until a better version comes along we'll just have to wait it out. In the meantime thankfully Warner / BBC Video are releasing the equally excellent 1981 BBC version to DVD on November 6th which is a very good, possibly closer / darker adaption of John Wyndham’s classic novel. Starring John Duttine, Emma Relph and Maurice Colbourne, the disc includes a 12-page booklet and sells for $24.98.

Click HERE for more info and to order yours now!

The Terrible Trophy

Our Matt Fox story the other day was such a hit that I just had to give you another one before we dive into my Ace Comics Tribute this week. So here it is, an appropriately gruesome Atlas selection, (“appropriate” in that I had to sit and listen to a relative go on and on the other day about deer season opening this week--- so yes, this one’s for you!)

From the November 1953 issue of Adventures into Terror #25

Black Sunday (TRAILER)

With the release of the Mario Bava book last week it's time to revisit some of the greatest horror movies ever made! Bava's first and arguably best film ever, starring Barbara Steele and John Richardson.

Demon Flies!

What’s that? Did you forget that Saturdays are now “Double Post Days?” Well they are, just ask Joe Certa who illustrated this gruesome little creepy crawly over 50 years ago! Time flies--- as the demon flies!

From the March 1952 issue of Witches Tales #8

A Shriek in the Night

For those of you who didn’t learn your lesson from yesterday’s pre-code post, here’s another reason why you should absolutely stay away from the opposite sex. Written by Chauvinistic Stan Lee and from the January 1953 issue of Adventures into Weird Worlds #14

(Reprinted in the September 1973 issue of Beware #4 )

Fay Wray (NEWS)

To celebrate Fay Wray's 100th birthday, TCM is airing some of her best fright films this Saturday night, September 15th, including: King Kong, The Most Dangerous Game, Doctor X, Mystery in the Wax Museum, and more! See the films that most definitely inspired many of your favorite pre-code comic horror stories!

Click HERE for more info and showtimes in your area!

I Was a Vampire

Lucky for us Matt Fox didn’t care about drawing realistic, and like Basil Wolverton he’s fondly remembered to this day as someone who definitely stood out among the Atlas crowd. Unique in every aspect, his distinct line style and exaggerated design provokes an oddly surreal, otherworldly atmosphere, as in this fine example originally presented in the March 1953 issue of Uncanny Tales #6.

(Also reprinted in Giant Size Dracula #3 )

All The Colors of the Dark (NEWS)

No, not the Sergio Martino 1972 film classic--- it’s the Mario Bava book by Video Watchdog’s Tim Lucas, and it’s finally available! Want to know every single bit of info in the world about Italy’s greatest horror director of all time? Or maybe you’d just like some rare and never before published photos of Barbara Steele to drool over? Well look no further, it's all here and it's amazing!

Click HERE for more info and order yours NOW!

Satan’s Love Call

Another Don Heck classic from the same Weird Terror issue as yesterday. Ya know, scanning this story only reminded me how badly I need more Heck stories in my collection. It also reminded me that I need more stories about SATAN on this godless blog o’mine too. And you gotta love the way Heck draws the ladies!

From the May 1954 issue of Weird Terror #11

The Soul of a Monster (NEWS)

Just when I thought I knew about, or had at least thought I'd seen all the major Columbia horror releases from the 40’s, along comes one from out of the musty great beyond to surprise me. TCM airs The Soul of a Monster (1944) in October on Friday the 19th, and with only 2 reviews on IMdb (one not so glowing and the other calling it “Lewton-esque”) I’m assuming not many other people know about it either, but it does sound intriguing. Anybody have anything to add?

For more info click HERE!

THE BEAST OF HOLLOW MOUNTAIN (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!

Mark of the Brute

How about a couple tales from Don Heck for the next few posts? Great art here, not sure if Heck scripted it, but what I am sure of is this sort of “hardboiled horror” meets “damsel in distress (in a haunted house)” type story could only have come out of the ever amazing 50’s. Where the heck is time machine technology when we really need it? No pun intended…

From the May 1954 issue of Weird Terror #11

Dinner For One

Here’s another great story from Sterling Comic’s issue of The Tormented #1 (see yesterday’s post too), and gorgeously penciled by legendary all-pro Mike Sekowsky!

Midnite Movies / Vincent Price (NEWS)

Just a quick reminder about all the amazing horror films making their way to DVD tomorrow on Sept 11th, many for the first time ever!

For more info click HERE!

Caterpillar House

Sterling Comics only released two issues of The Tormented in ’54 before the Comic Code steamrolled them over, and thus forced them to change their name to the surprisingly bland “Surprise Adventures.” Zzzzzz. But before they went down for the count, they managed to produce a handful of well written / illustrated horror knock-outs, like the next two posts here from the July 1954 issue of The Tormented #1.

A Grave Mistake

Still milling about in this misty, mystic graveyard? Let’s stick with the same issue from yesterday and check out the chilling entry from Vicious Vic Carrabotta… and keep repeating to yourself, “It’s only a comic… it’s only a comic…”

Also from the February 1954 issue of Mystic #27

Who Walks With a Zombie?

So starting today I’m officially naming Saturdays as “Double Post Days” (give ya something else to look forward to for the weekend.) And as long as we’re still hanging around the cemetery let’s see what the Atlas zombies are up to for a few posts too shall we? Presenting another fine, Rollickin’ Russ Heath classic if there ever was one!

From the February 1954 issue of Mystic #27

Flowers on Deborah’s Grave

Adventures into Darkness #9 starts off with a great Alex Toth story called The Hands of Don Jose… but it’s been re-printed so many damn times over the years in other horror comic collections that I’ve opted instead for this other hauntingly ignored Toth-esque styled tale from the same issue. Anyone know the artist? I’ll also admit I think this is actually the better story of the two, if not for the sole reason that it features someone taking out their pent-up anger on an entombed corpse--- with a live lobster! Yep, learn something new (and grisly) everyday…

From Adventures into Darkness #9 (1952)

Bloody Pit of Horror (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!

Mirror of Doom

Though ACG’s Skeleton Hand series only ran 6 issues before it folded, it was a decent title with plenty of classic weird horror tales from the talented likes of Lin Streeter, Harry Lazarus, etc... and today’s creaky little tale about a mirror that bridges the gap between the awful dead and the awfuller living proves yet again what an asset King Ward was to ACG too.

From the March / April 1952 issue of Skeleton Hand #4

Voodoo Vol. 1 (NEWS)

Olympian Publishing has another volume from their “Chamber of Mystery” line coming out later this fall, featuring more selections of pre-code horror tale reprints and naming itself after Ajax / Farrell’s classic Voodoo series. Back in August I mentioned Olympian’s first collection of color horror reprints called Witchcraft (still available), and though I wish the story selection had been a little juicier it was still worth the fair price. Hopefully this volume of Voodoo will be better. 88pp, perfect bound, FC $13.99

For more info click HERE

The Return of the Brain

I totally forgot I even had this story until I was looking around through my silver age horror comics. Sure enough, lurking there in the back of Giant-Size Werewolf #4 was the surprising reprint bonus sequel to our post from yesterday! Two issues later Russ Heath apparently bounced The Brain back for more spooky thrills and chills in the October 1951 issue of Adventures into Terror #6! Bump! Bump! Aaaaaa again!

The Brain!

As long as we have the June 1951 issue of Adventures into Terror #4 sitting in the scanner (well actually it’s my less brittle copy of the Crypt of Shadows #11 reprint), let’s take a look at a great Russ Heath classic--- The Brain! I suppose if WWII proved anything it was that insane Nazi scientists make great subject matter for pre-code horror comics. Wha-what’s that sound? Bump! Bump! Aaaaaa!

Creepshow DVD (NEWS UPDATE)

More info coming in on the UK Region 2 DVD release of Creepshow on October 22nd! Click HERE to read about the exciting bonus features revealed!

(Thanks again to The Eye for this update!)

The Munsters Color Pilot (VIDEO)

Received a comment from a Munsters fan that was unaware of the original unaired COLOR pilot with a different, sexier lead actress in the Lily role (as Phoebe.) Here’s a clip of the first few minutes including the intro with a different theme song as well, plus Happy Derman as a very vicious looking Eddie! And after all these years you thought Herman was green too!

Vampire Brats

Time to switch gears a little and go from “Toddlers in Terror” to “Toddlers OF Terror”…think I’m kidding? With a title like Vampire Brats how can ya go wrong?

Originally presented in the June 1951 issue of Adventures into Terror #4

Return Of The Sorcerer (VIDEO)

One of the best and scariest episodes from Rod Serling’s Night Gallery television series, starring Vincent Price and Bill Bixby. Based on the great short story from Clark Ashton Smith too! Enjoy!

Battle of the Monsters

Reading an older comment from last month I realized someone requested a story from Black Cat Mystery that I never got around to… and luckily I found one that not only features a moody Frankenstein type tale but also more “Toddler in Terror ©” thrills! Somebody stop me!

From the June 1952 issue of Black Cat Mystery #36

When Death Comes A-Calling

No, it's not a new Danzig song, it’s more “toddler in terror ©” chills from Atlas (boy, they sure loved to terrorize the kiddies back then didn’t they?) This one features some really crisp, creepy art from possibly Jazzy Jay Scott Pike. Anyone know for sure? Whoever did this, his rendition of Death is both fun and frightening.

From the March 1954 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #25

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Yvonne De Carlo (Sept 1, 1922 - Jan 8th, 2007) R.I.P.

Dracula (NEWS)

If you live in or around St Louis MO, the Repertory Theatre brings Dracula to the stage October 10th - November 4th, 2007, just in time for Halloween! Synopsis: "It is a tale of an evil ages old and yet forever new. The creatures of the night terrorize both Transylvania and Victorian England as a mysterious, seductive count courts a frail young woman to be his eternal bride. Chilling adventure springs to frightening life as danger lurks in the fog. A story of peculiar power, twisted passion and hypnotic fascination, guaranteed to get your blood flowing!"

For more info click HERE!

Alone in the Dark!

Wow, fifty posts total in August! Looking back I guess that was a pretty good second month for our blog considering the first month only had 22 posts. Grinding on now into September (month 3), and sticking with the “toddlers in terror ©” theme where we left off yesterday, comes the Spring 1952 issue of Suspense #16 with an eerie tale courtesy of Sicko Stan Lee and Freaky Fred Kida.

[WARNING! Under 17 Not Admitted Without Parent or Legal Guardian.]