Halloween Month is flying by! Here’s another seasonal post.
A BLACK MASS (1966) – This short horror/ mythological play was written by LeRoi Jones aka Amiri Baraka and has nothing to do with Satanism. The writer played on words, meaning “black” as in his skin color, not as in the Satanic masses enacted by larping geeks trying to be edgy. (Longtime readers may remember my contempt for the fools who call themselves Satanists.)
Whenever I review works by film director Jean Rollin I always point out that his creations run the gamut from brilliant to So Bad They’re Good. In the same spirit, I’m pointing out that Jones/ Baraka’s writings have been called racist, antisemitic, misogynistic ravings as well as artistic expositions on black thinking and culture.
In A Black Mass Baraka fused elements of the Frankenstein story and zombie lore with the Nation of Islam’s myth about the black mad scientist/ evil magician Yakub. Continue reading
THE RESURRECTED MONSTER (1953) – Directed and co-written by the trailblazing Chano Urueta, this film is regarded as Mexico’s first sci-fi/ horror blend. A plastic surgeon named Dr. Hermann Ling (Jose Maria Linares-Rivas) has been driven mad by a lifetime of scorn over his grotesque, misshapen (yet hilarious) appearance. He has spent years working in isolation at a remote castle. 
LIBERTY VS LYNX: GAME FIVE – The NEW YORK LIBERTY hosted the MINNESOTA LYNX as this series went the full five games. 
KNOCKING OFF NUMBER ONE – In NCAA Division Two, the 11th ranked OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TIGERS played host to the nation’s number 1 team – the HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON. A 7-7 1st Quarter tie became a 13-10 Halftime edge for the Bison. After the break, the Tigers scored the only points of the 2nd Half to win the game 17-13. 
DOWN GOES NUMBER SIX – In NCAA Division Three, the 16th ranked UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS took the field against the visiting number 6 WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE PIONEERS. The Pioneers were on top 10-3 by the break, but the 3rd Quarter ended in a 17-10 Titans lead. The 4th saw UW-Oshkosh triumph 24-17. 
NUMBER SEVEN TAKES A FALL – Back up in D2, the CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS welcomed the number 7 team in the land – the SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY ROCK. The Vulcans led 7-0 in the opening Quarter and 17-7 at the Half. From there Cal (PA) shut out the Rock while adding 11 more points for a 28-7 Upset win. 
LYNX VS LIBERTY: GAME FOUR – In this 4th game of the best of 5 series, the MINNESOTA LYNX welcomed the NEW YORK LIBERTY. 
DETECTIVE COMICS Vol 1 #400 (June 1970)
The anguished Langstrom realizes he must go into seclusion until he can devise a cure for his condition. That night he happens by as Batman interrupts the Blackout Gang’s attempt to rob a Gotham museum. 
LIBERTY VS LYNX: GAME THREE – The NEW YORK LIBERTY visited the MINNESOTA LYNX as this best of five series stood at 1 game apiece. 
THE WERWOLVES (1898) – Written by Honore Beaugrand, this story features fairly unique werewolf lore. The tale is not structured in a traditional way but instead expands upon accounts of lycanthropy in campfire tales as if they really, truly happened. 
FRANKENSTEIN (1910) – This first ever cinematic depiction of the classic horror story was produced by Edison Studios, as in Thomas Edison. Luckily Frankenstein has survived, and existing copies run from 11 minutes to 16 minutes. 
Edison Studios efforts were known for their slipshod, seat of their pants nature, and Frankenstein serves up my all-time favorite back-to-back dialogue boards. “Frankenstein leaves for college.” followed by “Two years later Frankenstein has discovered the mystery of life.” (… And Frankenstein Created Cram School) 
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