Karswell’s Night Gallery #6

Anyone know where this originally came from or who painted it? Or why the little girl is obviously trick or treating but not wearing a costume?

Trick or Treat

Well this is it, the grand finale wrap-up to our first Halloween Week here at The Horrors of it All. Did we go out with a big Silver Shamrock bang, or a weasily Fox Kids whimper? It’s your call… I guess the thing I learned the most about this past week though is this: If everyday is Halloween here at THOIA, then next year I ain’t gonna bust my ass so hard to find stories that fit into a goddamn holiday theme.

From the May 1954 issue of Weird Mysteries #10

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It’s almost time kids, the clock is ticking…

I Married A Witch

Speaking of Halloween movie classics, here’s an appropriately themed photo of gorgeous, peekaboo blonde actress Veronica Lake in a witch costume. This is most likely a publicity shot from one of her best non-noir films called I Married A Witch (1942), a great film that was supposedly the inspiration for the Bewitched TV series.

What are you watching on Halloween? (LIST)

We did the readers list, now how about a movie one? What are you watching to get in the mood for Halloween? Most of us here typically watch fright films all year round, but what are the films that sum it all up for you and really get you excited around the end of October? My tastes are old school: Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Fly, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Curse of the Demon... I do so love the first Phantasm film, Evil Dead and The Thing though too of course. So let’s hear it, your TOP FIVE FAVORITE HORROR FILMS for Halloween.

Halloween Nightmare

Countdown to Halloween: Post #6! I had 4 people email me about this story last week because everyone was trying to help me find Halloween tales to include for All Hallows Week. Typically, if you use GCD then you know that the keyword search engine makes it easy to find specific subject matter contained in specific back issues. Brian Hirsch knows this too, he even has the scans to prove it--- and here they are! Thanks BH! And thanks again to everyone else who made the attempt! One day to go!

From the April 1952 issue of Black Cat Mystery #34

Monster Ads

Some silly monster fun from the Nov 1961 issue of Archie Comic's Tales Calculated to Drive You Bats #1

I Was Locked in a Haunted House!

Countdown to Halloween: Post #5! I’ll say it before someone else does, technically this is not a Halloween story. But! This story contains a theme that happens alot on Halloween night, kids daring each other to go up to, or into a spooky old abandoned house, one that may or may not actually be “haunted.” I had one in my neighborhood as a kid, it was Halloween 1979, I was indeed guilty of trespassing, and it was SCARY. To make matters worse I was dressed up like Paul Stanley from KISS, and part of the costume I was wearing included my mom’s black go-go boots with 4 inch heels. Folks, these are not good shoes to go haunted housing in...

Originally presented in the April 1953 issue of Uncanny Tales #7

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (NEWS)

Legendary actress, and iconic Bride to The Monster, Elsa Lanchester, born this day in 1902, Lewisham, London, England. Died December 26th 1986. R.I.P.

What Are You Reading on Halloween? (LIST)

List time! Besides the obvious pre-code comic books, what else do you read that really gets you in the mood around Halloween? I tend to stick with the short horror story collections, anything really, but those especially by M. R. James or E. F. Benson. Call me old fashioned but I like the way the scholarly antiquarian gents from 'Ol England do up the scares better than anyone else. So let’s hear it, your TOP THREE FAVORITE READS for Halloween.

Karswell ’71b (ANOTHER PHOTO)

Digging around in a different box of old photos I found another one from Halloween 1971. As you can see here I’m conducting a Black Mass with my beautiful Princess Bride at my side. Also, my two most loyal witch servants are onhand, as well as my Hellhound Snoopy and 3 succulent babies ready for the midnight sacrifice. If memory further serves me correctly, the Frankenstein monster (as usual) showed up totally uninvited, so everyone just casually ignored the ‘ol crybaby blockhead.

Scarecrow’s Revenge

Here in the midwest scarecrows go hand in hand with Halloween as much as ghosts, goblins, black cats, and toilet paper in the trees. And if it’s a Rudy Palais story with a tricky killer scarecrow then you know you’re in for a spooky treat.

From the Sept 1952 issue of Witches Tales #14

4 Covers

While we’re at it let’s give credit to four great Modern Age Halloween comic book covers, three from Eclipse (love that Dave Stevens!), and one from Fantaco Publication.

The Wishing Hour

Countdown to Halloween: Post #4B! Our second post for today also comes from the Modern Age. I hope you don’t mind, but as previously mentioned it was a real struggle to find Halloween themed stories worthy of posting here for an entire week since the golden era is pretty dry on the subject… but I’m sure you’ll agree, this tale fits the bill nicely.

I can still remember the first time I ever saw a fully painted story by John Bolton... totally blew my mind. From the 1993 issue of Millennium Publication’s Asylum #1

Karswell '71 (PHOTO)

1971 was the year I found Satan, or vice versa. It’s all quite a blur in my memory really, but the picture of me (below) on my first day of school is indeed a testament to my endless, continued devotion to not only the one true Dark Lord, but also to the mystic black arts that I practice and abide by daily.

Kidding! This picture is actually just me in costume on Halloween. Everything else I said though is true.

All Hallows

Countdown to Halloween: Post #4A! In the 80’s and early 90’s there were several excellent attempts by independent comic book publishers to re-capture the spirit of Golden Age pre-code horror. Some were successful; many were not, but what matters most is that at least someone gave it a shot. And with that here's two Modern Age halloween horror story posts, our first for today from Bruce Jones’s terrific Twisted Tales #1, released by Pacific Comics in November 1982.

Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-Up (No. 147)

Need some help with that werewolf disguise this Halloween? We’re here to help!

From Gory Stories Quarterly #2 ½

The Zombie Factory (NEWS)

This came out last summer but slipped by me until now so I thought I’d better mention it. From IMP, the demented minds that brought you the excellent Monster of Frankenstein book comes a wild collection of classic 70's horror reprints. Count 'em! 27 gruesome tales from the black and white pages of TERROR TALES, TALES FROM THE TOMB, TALES OF VOODOO, and THE WITCHES' TALES! AIEEEEEEE!! It's great stuff, and thanks again to Awesome Ed Robinson for sending me a copy too!

Click HERE to order yours now!

Hoof Beats of the Devil’s Horse

Countdown to Halloween: Post #3! GCD currently has no entry for this issue so my link below merely takes you to the main Black Magic cover gallery instead. To makes things even more frustrating my own copy of this issue is also missing it’s cover! So until everything gets updated let’s just hang on tight with a chilly night ride into Sleepy Hollow territory instead.

From the October 1952 issue of Black Magic Vol. 2 #11

The Day Vincent Price Died (R.I.P.)

Vincent Price, one of the greatest actors of all time, died on this day in 1993 of lung cancer and emphysema at the age of 82.

"I sometimes feel that I'm impersonating the dark unconscious of the whole human race. I know this sounds sick, but I love it."
---Vincent Price

October Shadows (ART)

Creature Features has an amazing online gallery of artwork from some of today’s most gruesome talent, showcasing and celebrating Halloween in it’s many natural and unnatural forms.

Check it out HERE!

The Vampire Cat

Countdown to Halloween: Post #2! More beastly, feline transformations for you today from the ghouls at ACG. Why is it anytime some jealous dame wants a guy she goes running off to the nearest witch for help?

From the March 1953 issue of Forbidden Worlds #15

Venus #19 (EBAY)

I just noticed that someone is selling a Venus #19 on ebay, click HERE. As the item description claims, I too rarely ever see this one offered for sale here, or anywhere for that matter. It's practically a "holy grail" for Bill Everett collectors, definitely one of his best and most horrific covers of all time... I'm sure this Atlas classic will be well beyond my limited price range within just a few days, even in this lower grade.

SOLD FOR $350.00 with 27 bids!

Trick 'r Treat (NEWS)

Warner Brothers keeps changing the release date on this new film for whatever reason (click HERE for more IMDb info) but for those of you who can’t wait the movie book is now available and you can find out more about it HERE. I’m really hoping this flick is good, it seems promising with it’s Amicus / Creepshow type horror feature structure of 4 different Halloween story segments arranged in the ever influencial pre-code horror comic manner.

See the trailer HERE.

The Dead Dance on Halloween

Here we go, Countdown to Halloween: Post #1! What I’m going to try and do with the comic book posts for the next 7 days is present to you stories set on or around Halloween, or stories that at least contain Halloween themes. Strangly enough, in preparing for this week of posts I discovered that while there are of course thousands of 50’s horror comics in the world, there are actually very few stories that take place within a Halloween setting?! Go figure…

From the Oct 1954 issue of Web of Mystery #14

Countdown to Halloween (UPDATE)

Tomorrow the 24th is exactly one week until Halloween Eve, and tomorrow I also officially begin posting the Halloween themed pre-code stories, including whatever else I find that is fun and in the “spirit” of all things hallow. If you have suggestions, links, scans, or anything else relevant and spooky to the greatest holiday of them all then please email me at karswell@hotmail.com …or of course post your thoughts in any current comment section. Thanks!

The Beautiful Dead

Dick Briefer’s legendary Frankenstein series ran for 33 issues from 1945 to 1954. The first 17 issues were fun, silly stories drawn in a very cartoony manner (an example of this era Frankenstein to be posted here in early November), while the remaining issues of the series turned somber and grim, and more realistic to fit in with the darker 50’s pre-code horror tone that was all the rage at the time. Our post today is from this vengeful era, featuring one of the more disturbing and violent glimpses into the tortured existence of Briefer’s infamous Frankenstein creation. (Thanks to The Monster of Frankenstein co-author Ed Robinson for the scans!)

From the August – Sept 1954 issue of Frankenstein #32

Zombies vs. Corman (NEWS)

This Friday Oct 26th, TCM returns from the dead with a full day of old school, undead action: Voodoo Island (’57), Zombies on Broadway (’45), King of the Zombies (’41), Revenge of the Zombies (’43), Zombies of Mora Tau (’57), and White Zombie (’32.) Then hang around as Roger Corman splatters his own crypt with A Bucket of Blood (’59), Creature from the Haunted Sea (’61), The Pit & the Pendulum (’61), and The Terror (’63.) And to end the night on an extra spooky note, Herk Harvey’s cult classic Carnival of Souls (’62.)

As usual, visit TCM for all the details!

The Deadlander (NEWS)

Kevin Ferrara's The Deadlander is an interesting new four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics that came out a few weeks ago, and I finally got around to reading the first issue last night and really enjoyed it. It's a horror western best described as "a wicked zombie tale about a supernatural killer escaping damnation ---one bullet at a time!" The artwork is especially well done, a bit like Bernie Wrightson or Gene Colan with just the right amount of Graham Ingels thrown in to make it even more relevant here. If only the writing was up to the same level as the art this would be a total winner... but overall it's still a recomended read for those of you looking for something new and horrific on the shelves.

Mad Monster Party (TRAILER)

You don’t get invited… you get commited!

Man Who Died Again

As promised last week here’s an Atlas horror classic from Dick Briefer about a man-made killer returning from the grave--- and I’m not talking about Frankenstein! You’ll just have to come back tomorrow for an example of that masterful dark chapter in Briefer’s amazing legacy.

From the April 1954 issue of Uncanny Tales #19

Spider in the Hairdo! (URBAN LEGEND)

With Halloween quickly approaching one thing that's fun to do is get together with your friends and tell spooky stories to really get into the mood. And what better tales are there than the ones based completely in 100% reality. Like the one about the guy in the backseat of the car with the axe! Or the one about the stoned babysitter who microwaved that baby!! Yeah, all of these stories, or “urban legends” as the faithless label them, believe it or not, really did happen… uh, to a friend of a friend. Like this one, courtesy of Mitch O'Connell…

Where Monsters Dwell

The Basil Wolverton posts this week were a big hit and garnered a request for today’s post which we are undeniably happy to unleash upon you and your puny planet. Thanks again to “Anti-Atlas Guy” for a monstrously entertaining weekend of scans!

Originally presented in the Dec 1951 issue of Adventures into Terror #7

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Legendary actor Bela Lugosi, born this day in 1882, Lugos, Austria-Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania.) Died August 16th, 1956. R.I.P.

The Fanged Freak (70's RE-MAKE)

This is the 70’s re-make of The Greatest Horror of Them All (see previous post), with a new title and pretty much new everything except of course for all of the obvious similarities. Thanks again to “Anti-Atlas Guy" for sharing!

From the February 1975 Eerie Publications issue of Tales From the Tomb Vol. 7 #1

The Greatest Horror of Them All!

It’s NEW! It’s DIFFERENT! Yes, today we have a submission from “Anti-Atlas Guy” who presents an interesting duel post comparison of an original Golden Age story from Prize versus a 70’s black and white re-make version from Eerie Publications. They do it with movies, so why not comics right? We think it will be fun to post some of these re-makes occasionally, so make sure to let us know what you think. Our first story was originally presented in the March – April 1954 issue of Black Magic Vol. 4 #5, and comes from the killer claw of King Kirby himself! (Our next post The Fanged Freak is the 70’s re-make.)

Shaker Maker Hairy Bunch (VIDEO)

More kooky kid fun from my childhood! These things were alot of fun to make, even more fun to freak out my sister with!

Frankenstein: A Cultural History (NEWS)

More Frankenstein reading coming at you! Susan Tyler Hitchcock dropped me a line to let us know about her fascinating new book, Frankenstein: A Cultural History.

For more info click HERE!

Karswell's Night Gallery #5

SHADOWS WITH EYES
By Fritz Leiber / Cover Art by ???
(Ballantine Books, 1962)

Six tales of crawling horror...

The Mask of Death

Here’s a wonderfully illustrated vampire story by Jerry Grandenetti. I’d love to see more of his pre-code horror output for Standard, but according to the story bio in my reprint he only did “a half dozen or so strips” before he went on to Fiction House and created The Secret Files of Dr. Drew strip which, by the way, is also a lot of fun.

Originally presented in the April 1953 issue of Out of the Shadows #8

R.I.P. (NEWS)

We just celebrated Deborah Kerr's 86th birthday on Sept 30th, and today the sad news comes in that she passed away on Tuesday of Parkinson's disease.

To read more about this wonderful actress and her amazing life and career click HERE.

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Klaus Kinski, born this day in Zoppot, Free City of Danzig (now Sopot, Poland), 1926. Died Nov. 23rd, 1991. R.I.P.

The Monster of Frankenstein (NEWS)

This excellent collection of classic pre-code Dick Briefer’s Frankenstein stories has been available for a little while now, (longer than my blog’s been around), but I thought I’d mention it after getting a nice email from co-author Ed Robinson last night. Paperback, 246 pages, in black and white, 23 complete stories, all of which ran in Frankenstein #18-33 from '52-'54.

Highly Reccomended! Order yours now by clicking HERE!

The Flat Man

In case you haven’t noticed I’ve been posting all reprints this week. I had two golden age comics literally fall apart in my hands while scanning the other day so I’m giving the old boys (and myself) a breather. But here’s another notorious classic, originally presented in the May 1954 issue of Journey into Fear #19.

Turner Classic Monsters (NEWS)

Another reminder about Friday Horror Fests on TCM! This week, the 19th, get a full day of classic terror from the silent era all the way up to the swingin' 60's! SEE! The Brain That Wouldn't Die ('62), Soul of a Monster ('44), I Bury the Living ('58), Tomb of Ligeia ('64), Abominable Dr. Phibes ('71), Dementia 13 ('63), Berserk! ('67), Scream of Fear ('61), Die! Die! My Darling! ('65), Mark of the Vampire ('35), Freaks ('32), Devil Doll ('36), London After Midnight ('27), and The Unknown ('27.)

Click HERE for more info!

Man Who Never Smiled

How about another Wolverton classic? There’s not really much else to add after that, except this was originally presented in the April 1953 issue of Weird Mysteries #4

Witch Doctor's Head Shrinker Kit (VIDEO)

Now shrunken heads for ALL occasions! This actually looks better than the Vincent Price shrunken head kit.

The Brain Bats of Venus

I’m sure this Basil Wolverton classic has been posted elsewhere on the web numerous times over the years, but what’s any pre-code horror blog worth if it doesn’t bother to also include it at some point or another as well. This is without a doubt one of the greatest, most influencial, horror / sci-fi stories of all time.

Originally presented in the Sept 1952 issue of Mister Mystery #7

Spine Tingler! (NEWS)

Coming Soon! "Spine Tingler: The William Castle Story" chronicles the last great American showman, filmmaker William Castle, a master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks in the 50s and 60s.

For more info click HERE!

Toys of Terror

Eye gouging fun from Harvey today, with pleasing, illustrative eye candy from Lee Elias. You know, as a kid growing up in the 70’s I had legitimate store bought toys that actually ripped out your eyes too--- even without the requirement of witchcraft!

From the March 1952 issue of Witches Tales #8

The Screaming Skull (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

Udo Kier, star of Mark of the Devil ('70), Flesh for Frankenstein ('73), Andy Warhol's Dracula ('74), Suspiria ('77), and many other classic / cult horror films, born this day in Cologne, Germany in 1944.

The Fruit of Death

Does everyone worship and adore Rudy Palais yet? If not, I challenge you to show me a better example of fruit in a pre-code story that is more frightening than the ones on display here. These scans might look a little rough, they're from the absolute crummiest condition comic book in my collection... split spine, wrinkled pages and all, I still love this one.

From the Sept 1952 issue of Chamber of Chills #12.

The Sewer Monsters

The bad news was that I was out of town for Double Post Saturday so you have to get your fix today instead. All apologies... but the good news is you're getting TWO of the more repulsive stories in my collection, so it's not all bad I suppose. This yarn is apparently pretty notorious, I have seen it poorly reprinted in some 80's comic book before but in black and white. To truly appreciate this piece of work it needs to be seen in glorious gagging color.

From the July 1951 issue of Witches Tales #4

Skyview Drive-In (NEWS)

If you love drive-ins, horror movies, and live anywhere near the St Louis area then this weekend is for you! The Skyview Drive-In in Belleville IL is featuring a "Pre-Halloween Classic Horror and Slasher Fest" this Friday night Oct 12th and Saturday night Oct. 13th. Two screens, each featuring a triple threat of shivery delights. SCREEN ONE has the first 3 Friday the 13th films in chronological order. And SCREEN TWO has House of Wax ('53), The Exorcist ('73), and Carrie ('76)! For more info click HERE!

FYI: This is also the final weekend the drive-in is open for business before it officially closes for the season.

The Hidden Vampire

Interesting set of comments on yesterday's werewolf post, lots of praise and even some Atlas bashing, and though I don't wholly agree with the negatives, I do find things are much more interesting here when we have views coming in from both sides of the tracks. So with that, here's another Atlas classic... I remember reading this for the first time reprinted in Giant Sized Dracula #5 in the mid 70's and it really threw me for a loop.

Originally presented in the January 1955 issue of Journey into Mystery #21.

Universal Horror Classic Movie Archive (NEWS)

Now available! 5 classic Universal horror films on 2 discs, THE BLACK CAT (1941), MAN MADE MONSTER (1941), HORROR ISLAND (1941), NIGHT MONSTER (1942), and CAPTIVE WILD WOMEN (1943), available for the first time ever on DVD. This is an exclusive, limited run and once they're gone, they're really gone. We talked about this set before in a previous comment section, it's not a perfectly chosen set of films but it'll do the trick if you need some Universal Horror for your Halloween basket this year!

Get your copy now by clicking HERE!

Werewolf Tale to End All Werewolf Tales

Well the title says it all, and while it might not actually be THE definitive “werewolf tale to end all werewolf tales”, it is a fun story with some howling good artwork. Did I actually say that out loud? I’m not sure if I’ve posted a Paul Hodge story yet, and if not then this is a good place to start.

From the July 1954 issue of Journey into Unknown Worlds #29

Friday the 12th (NEWS)

Time for your weekly TCM reminder for the month of October! This Friday the 12th it's William Castle Night featuring 4 great fright films: Homicidal ('61), Straight-Jacket '64 (pictured below), 13 Ghosts ('60), and The Tingler ('59.) And tune into TCM earlier that day as well for a way-out selection of sci-fi favorites including The Thing From Another World ('51), Forbidden Planet ('56), The Satan Bug ('65) and many more! It's a full 24 hours of classic thrills and chills you don't want to miss!

Click HERE for more info and showtimes in your area!

Corpse in the Ice

After taking a pummeling yesterday from Brian Hirsch’s fantastic submission, I dug out another issue of Fight Against Crime (#9 from Sept 1952) for an additional excursion into the weird cross-breed genre of crime oriented comics that contain a horror slant. Hell, if EC was doing it, why shouldn't everyone else?

The Last Christmas (NEWS)

One of my favorite modern horror comic series from last year was Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan's THE LAST CHRISTMAS from IMAGE COMICS. The wild and ultra gory exploits of a fully armed and drunken Santa Claus in a post apocolyptic world overrun with zombies proved to be more fun than anyone could have imagined, and Rick Remender's pre-code-esque inspired art made it even more so! And now Variety and Fangoria are running stories saying that THE LAST CHRISTMAS is being made into a movie!

Read more about it all HERE!

Foul Ball

Brian Hirsch has submitted another great set of scans for us for today, a strange revenge story concerning (of all things) baseball! It doesn’t technically fall under my normal guidelines of “horror” but it surely contains some horrific moments! Batter up!

From the November 1953 issue of Fight Against Crime #16

Karswell's Night Gallery #4

MR. GEORGE AND OTHER ODD PERSONS
By August Derleth / Cover Art by Ralph Brillhart
(Belmont Books, 1964)

17 Derleth short stories originally printed in Weird Tales, The Arkham Sampler, and Avon Fantasy Reader.
From the Belmont Future Series.

The Invasion of the Deadlings

Like yesterday’s post, today we have yet another heroic, loving couple thrust into the blackest depths of the supernatural. And all complete with a happy or not so happy ending, depending upon how you side with ACG’s dementedly gifted writers. Ed Wood probably loved this one…

From the August 1952 issue of Forbidden Worlds #32

Welcome Foolish Mortals… (NEWS)

The Life and Voices of Paul Frees biography is now available! Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the voice actor behind many of your favorite cartoon characters, as well as the voice narrator of Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride, amongst countless other familiar and miscellaneous classic film / TV voices.

For more info, and to order your copy now--- click HERE!

The Blood-O-Rama Shock Festival '68 (TRAILERS)

The Soul Collectors

Here’s an ACG yarn that starts off with an interesting premise and then takes a bizarre twist, practically turning into a Wolff & Byrd: Couselors of the Macabre case file. (Batton Lash obviously read this as a kid.) Nicely designed ghoulies, but is that supposed to be a happy ending?!

From the Feb 1953 issue of Adventures into the Unknown #40

EXTRA! EXTRA! I spoke to soon! EMAIL FROM BATTON LASH:

Hey, Karswell- Your blog was brought to my attention and I must say two things: One, I love your blog and immediately bookmarked it. It’s right up my alley. And two, I have to say that I have never seen that ACG story “The Soul Collectors” until I read it on your blog! I appreciate your mention of Wolff & Byrd. I agree with you the “happy ending” is questionable. Alanna Wolff wouldn’t have rest until she convinced the judge her man’s soul was unjustly collected! Regardless, I liked the artwork and am curious who the artist is. Anyone know? Keep up the good work and keep digging up those cool gems!
Batton Lash

PS= Anyone wanting to learn more about Wolff & Byrd, can go to http://www.exhibitapress.com and http://www.supernaturallaw.com. Thanks!

Man Who was Scared Out of His Skin!

More rotted creeps from the dirty deep coming at you today as promised, once again courtesy of Atlas legend Joe Sinnott!

From the Oct. 1953 issue of Uncanny Tales #13

Zombie at Large

Double Post Saturdays are here again, bringing you a twin shot of Uncanny zombies, graveyards, and Atlas fan favorite Joe Sinnott!

From the Jan 1954 issue of Uncanny Tales #16

Happy Birthday! (NEWS)

The late, great, 'A' #1, Donald Pleasence, born this day in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, 1919. R.I.P.

The Voice from the Grave

For the last couple posts we’ve had great examples of how violent and excessive pre-code comics could be, so here’s an example of how cold and ruthless they were minus the gore but no less effective, and this time with artwork from Gene Colan to apply just the right amount of icing upon your spine.

From the March 1952 issue of Marvel Tales #121

The Gossips

Brian Hirsch takes the horror reins again today and unearths another disgustingly excellent Mister Mystery treat for us, thus giving me and my overheated scanner a much needed break. But I’ll be back for the attack tomorrow unless some other good hearted person out there has some scans they’d like to share as well.

From the Sept 1953 issue of Mister Mystery #13

Dementia 13 (TRAILER)

NOW PLAYING in TODAY'S RECCOMMENDED MOVIE SECTION!

Modern Design

Here’s a gruesome story submitted by one of my favorite ebay sellers of pre-code horror--- Mr. Brian Hirsch! Tomorrow I’ll have another one from Brian too so let’s all say thanks for sharing and give him a big hand! Not a glory hand, please just clap your hands...

From the March 1953 issue of Mister Mystery #10

The Viy (NEWS)

The Viy (1967) from Russia is one of my all time favorite foreign horror movie classics. Not to give anything away for those who haven't seen it, a young priest accidently kills a witch and is then forced to perform last rites over her corpse for three consecutive nights inside a haunted church populated by an endless array of supernatural horrors. Based on Nikolai Gogol's classic story, The Viy was recently remade again in Russia though I have not yet seen this new version. And now Fangoria is running a story that it's being remade yet again (click HERE for the story), this time starring Christopher Lee and directed by Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund. Not sure what to think about that... but see the original!

The Glory Hand

Eh? What’s that? Never heard of a Glory Hand? No no no, it’s not the same thing as a glory hole… I say now old boy, have you ever seen The Wickerman movie? No, not the Nicholas Cage version, I mean the ORIGINAL Christopher Lee version of course!! The Hand of Glory, well it’s a… oh good god man, just read the story already, gor!

From the March 1953 issue of Forbidden Worlds #15

Vampires vs. Val Lewton (NEWS)

This Friday October 5th on TCM--- it’s an entire day of great classic horror! First you get 7 vampire films: The Vampire (’57), Return of Dracula (’58), Dead Men Walk (’43), The Vampire Bat (’33), Last Man on Earth (’64), My Son the Vampire (’52), and Return of the Vampire (’44.) Then later that night it’s Val Lewton’s turn to scare you to death with Curse of the Demon (’58), Cat People (’42), I Walked with a Zombie (’43) and The Leopard Man (’43.)

Click HERE for more info and times in your area!

The Living Slime!

Welcome to October! This our favorite month of course with the countdown to Halloween beginning today---31 days to go! So, jumping back into Harvey terrority now after someone mentioned The Blob the other day, I remembered this icky quickie from the October 1952 issue of Tomb of Terror #5 …and don’t forget your barf bag!