Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 11
June 19, 2025
The Day The Earth Blew Up
Just finished watching "The Day The Earth Blew-Up - A Looney Tunes Movie" released by Warner Brothers.
"The Day The Earth Blew Up" is actually the first, original full-length Looney Tunes movie ever made. The previously released Looney Tunes movies were just compilations of previous Looney Tunes that had aired on television, and had a few new scenes of animation made to link the stories. It is also a hand-drawn 2D animation movie which starts out as a reimagining of the origin stories of Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. These unlikely friends are adopted as babies by a friendly farmer and raised as brothers; and a highlight is an amusing early scene that establishes how Porky develops his trademark stutter.
Petunia Pig also makes her big screen debut in this movie. She's as adorable as she is quirky. And together with Porky and Daffy, the really are the trio you would least expect to save the world from an alien invasion and yet they somehow get the job done.
Some scenes had the feel of a "Gold Key" comic and Gold Key Comics did print hundreds of issues of Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Tweety, and other Looney Tune Comics.
Now without giving too much away, there is a "Ray Bradbury" type of twist where the alien took over the Earth for a completely different reason then why aliens usually want to take over the world.
Ironically, if I'm remembering correctly, Warner Brothers almost did not release "The Day The Earth Blew Up" in theaters and/or Blu-ray. Fortunately, Warner Brothers did. Now if only Warner Brothers will release "Coyote vs Acme."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Day-Earth-Blew...
"The Day The Earth Blew Up" is actually the first, original full-length Looney Tunes movie ever made. The previously released Looney Tunes movies were just compilations of previous Looney Tunes that had aired on television, and had a few new scenes of animation made to link the stories. It is also a hand-drawn 2D animation movie which starts out as a reimagining of the origin stories of Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. These unlikely friends are adopted as babies by a friendly farmer and raised as brothers; and a highlight is an amusing early scene that establishes how Porky develops his trademark stutter.
Petunia Pig also makes her big screen debut in this movie. She's as adorable as she is quirky. And together with Porky and Daffy, the really are the trio you would least expect to save the world from an alien invasion and yet they somehow get the job done.
Some scenes had the feel of a "Gold Key" comic and Gold Key Comics did print hundreds of issues of Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Tweety, and other Looney Tune Comics.
Now without giving too much away, there is a "Ray Bradbury" type of twist where the alien took over the Earth for a completely different reason then why aliens usually want to take over the world.
Ironically, if I'm remembering correctly, Warner Brothers almost did not release "The Day The Earth Blew Up" in theaters and/or Blu-ray. Fortunately, Warner Brothers did. Now if only Warner Brothers will release "Coyote vs Acme."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Day-Earth-Blew...
Lost Everything
Just finished watching "Lost Everything" released by Breaking Glass Pictures back in 2011.
While I still receive review copies of movies, books, music and audio drama CDs from time-to-time, I never make any direct promises as to when I will get around to reviewing a book, movie, music, and/or audio drama. Sometimes it does take me awhile to get around to actually to read, listen to, and/or watch - in this instance nearly 14 years. When you got over 1,500 DVDs that you haven't watched yet, it does take some time to watch them all.
And again, I must add another disclaimer - if you feel offended and/or morally outraged by anything I review, keep in mind that as long as the book, music, movie, audio drama isn't x-rated, I will review it with an open mind. If that offends you, feel free to move on, but if you post hateful comments on my social media, you will be blocked and reported.
"Lost Everything" was/is an independent movie that won at least four major awards at various film festivals. It is a modern day crime noir novel which centers on the arrival of actor Brian Brecht who arrives in Miami to promote and start production of his latest movie. Only Brecht has a secret that is only known to him and his agent/manager. He's deep in the closet, and his manager's acquisition of an actress/hooker to play the role of his girlfriend sets off a a chain of interconnected events that upends the lives of all those in his orbit with deadly consequences.
"Lost Everything" still holds up quite well, despite the passage of time since its initial release
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Everythin...
While I still receive review copies of movies, books, music and audio drama CDs from time-to-time, I never make any direct promises as to when I will get around to reviewing a book, movie, music, and/or audio drama. Sometimes it does take me awhile to get around to actually to read, listen to, and/or watch - in this instance nearly 14 years. When you got over 1,500 DVDs that you haven't watched yet, it does take some time to watch them all.
And again, I must add another disclaimer - if you feel offended and/or morally outraged by anything I review, keep in mind that as long as the book, music, movie, audio drama isn't x-rated, I will review it with an open mind. If that offends you, feel free to move on, but if you post hateful comments on my social media, you will be blocked and reported.
"Lost Everything" was/is an independent movie that won at least four major awards at various film festivals. It is a modern day crime noir novel which centers on the arrival of actor Brian Brecht who arrives in Miami to promote and start production of his latest movie. Only Brecht has a secret that is only known to him and his agent/manager. He's deep in the closet, and his manager's acquisition of an actress/hooker to play the role of his girlfriend sets off a a chain of interconnected events that upends the lives of all those in his orbit with deadly consequences.
"Lost Everything" still holds up quite well, despite the passage of time since its initial release
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Everythin...
June 16, 2025
Ice Trials
Just finished reading "Ice Trails - Book Two of The Time Trials" by M.A. Rothman and D.J. Butler, released by Baen Books.
What attracted me to "Time Trails" was that it promised to be an old fashioned tale of modern adventurers thrown back in time similar to the late Robert Adams "Castaways In Time" series - that sadly wasn't finished due to his untimely death.
The basic premise behind M.A. Rothman's and D.J. Butler's Time Trial series is this: Marty Cohen, is a brilliant linguist turned woodworking shop owner who thought he had left behind the politics and rivalries of academia for good.
But when his woodworking business takes a hit, an offer he can't refuse pulls him back into the world of Egyptology. Marty is summoned to an off-the-grid archaeological dig, where ancient texts may hold the key to Earth's past and future.
As the texts unlock the secrets of protohistoric North Africa, a land plagued by horrors and in desperate need of heroes, Marty and his team are thrust into a battle against otherworldly overlords who resemble the gods of Ancient Egypt. Behind this perilous war lies a greater challenge: they are chosen to be champions of all Earth and must undertake a harrowing gauntlet to save humanity from extinction.
"Ice Trials" picks up the story from where the "Time Trials" left off, with Marty and his team arriving in a new key point in the past where a group of ancient humans are at risk from melting glaciers and Grey Aliens who see the humans as a potential food source. And then unknown to Marty and his team, their actions are being judged by mysterious beings who can bring about the end of humanity across all of time and space, and their seems to be a mysterious ally who is on the side of Marty and his team for their own purposes.
Great hard science fiction? No. Simply a great adventure story that is fun to read.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982193808/...
What attracted me to "Time Trails" was that it promised to be an old fashioned tale of modern adventurers thrown back in time similar to the late Robert Adams "Castaways In Time" series - that sadly wasn't finished due to his untimely death.
The basic premise behind M.A. Rothman's and D.J. Butler's Time Trial series is this: Marty Cohen, is a brilliant linguist turned woodworking shop owner who thought he had left behind the politics and rivalries of academia for good.
But when his woodworking business takes a hit, an offer he can't refuse pulls him back into the world of Egyptology. Marty is summoned to an off-the-grid archaeological dig, where ancient texts may hold the key to Earth's past and future.
As the texts unlock the secrets of protohistoric North Africa, a land plagued by horrors and in desperate need of heroes, Marty and his team are thrust into a battle against otherworldly overlords who resemble the gods of Ancient Egypt. Behind this perilous war lies a greater challenge: they are chosen to be champions of all Earth and must undertake a harrowing gauntlet to save humanity from extinction.
"Ice Trials" picks up the story from where the "Time Trials" left off, with Marty and his team arriving in a new key point in the past where a group of ancient humans are at risk from melting glaciers and Grey Aliens who see the humans as a potential food source. And then unknown to Marty and his team, their actions are being judged by mysterious beings who can bring about the end of humanity across all of time and space, and their seems to be a mysterious ally who is on the side of Marty and his team for their own purposes.
Great hard science fiction? No. Simply a great adventure story that is fun to read.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982193808/...
Enter Dameron
Just finished listening to "Imagination Theatre - Enter Dameron" released by Radio Spirits.
"Dameron" is/was an original radio series by Jim French Productions and originally aired KVI AM radio back in 1972, and I may not be correct in this assumption, but I believe "Dameron" was the first ongoing radio series produced by Jim French Productions.
Now as frequent readers of of my review here on Facebook and other social media outlets know, here is where I would usually lament on how Radio Spirits does not provide any booklets detailing the history of the show in its releases from Jim French Productions; and I finally got an answer as to why they don't - but it didn't come from Radio Spirits. The answer came from someone associated with Jim French Productions - who, I won't say to protect their anonymity and confidence It simply comes down to the fact that it's not in Radio Spirit's contract with Jim French Productions. Mystery solved, but still I wish Radio Spirits would take the same effort to preserve the history of Jim French Productions as they do with shows from Radio's Golden Age.
"Enter Dameron" reminds me of an Quinn Martin television series. Roy Dameron is a jack of all trades who travels the world resolving problems for people - for a price - along with his sidekick Emile St. Clair and his mysterious secretary who lives in London.
My favorite episodes are: "A Guy Could Die of Thirst In the Middle of a Brewery," " "Uncle Albert," "The Short Sweet Life of Lee Chow Soon," "The Sweet Job," "If You Eat Bananas You Gotta Expect Spiders," "Some Days You Get The Bear, Some Days the Bear Gets You," and "The Ground Glass Incident."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://store.radiospirits.com/imagin...
"Dameron" is/was an original radio series by Jim French Productions and originally aired KVI AM radio back in 1972, and I may not be correct in this assumption, but I believe "Dameron" was the first ongoing radio series produced by Jim French Productions.
Now as frequent readers of of my review here on Facebook and other social media outlets know, here is where I would usually lament on how Radio Spirits does not provide any booklets detailing the history of the show in its releases from Jim French Productions; and I finally got an answer as to why they don't - but it didn't come from Radio Spirits. The answer came from someone associated with Jim French Productions - who, I won't say to protect their anonymity and confidence It simply comes down to the fact that it's not in Radio Spirit's contract with Jim French Productions. Mystery solved, but still I wish Radio Spirits would take the same effort to preserve the history of Jim French Productions as they do with shows from Radio's Golden Age.
"Enter Dameron" reminds me of an Quinn Martin television series. Roy Dameron is a jack of all trades who travels the world resolving problems for people - for a price - along with his sidekick Emile St. Clair and his mysterious secretary who lives in London.
My favorite episodes are: "A Guy Could Die of Thirst In the Middle of a Brewery," " "Uncle Albert," "The Short Sweet Life of Lee Chow Soon," "The Sweet Job," "If You Eat Bananas You Gotta Expect Spiders," "Some Days You Get The Bear, Some Days the Bear Gets You," and "The Ground Glass Incident."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://store.radiospirits.com/imagin...
Doctor Who - The Return of Jo Jones
Just finished listening to "Doctor Who - The Return of Jo Jones," released by Big Finish Productions.
Jo Grant was the second Companion of the Third Doctor in the original Classic Doctor Who series, and she only left the Third Doctor and her role at UNIT, when a young research scientist, Professor Jones, proposed to her and Sarah Jane Smith took over the role of the Third Doctor's Companion.
Yet Classic Doctor Who never really brought back any of the Companions except for anniversary episodes "The Five Doctors" and "The Two Doctors;" and the only real success New Doctor Who had in bringing back a Companion was in "School Reunion" when the 10th Doctor is reunited with Sarah Jane Smith. Jo Jones nee Grant would return for "The Sarah Jane Adventures" episode "The Death of the Doctor."
Still, I was more than a bit hesitant to listen to "Doctor Who - The Return of Jo Jones" because the role of the Third Doctor, at least for Big Finish Audio Productions, has been taken over by Tim Treloar from the late Jon Pertwee; though Katie Manning has returned in the role of an older Jo Jones nee Grant.
Three adventures compose this collection of Third Doctor Adventures:
"Supernature" by Matt Fitton (2 parts) - After a spate of terrifying bird attacks, Jo Jones is called to the Isle of Wight by an old friend. Something has thrown the natural order out of balance – but Jo’s own world has also changed forever. It turns out she is not the only one investigating. Soon it’s like old times, facing down arrogant scientific ambition, as danger grows. The Doctor and Jo have been reunited just when they need each other most.
"The Conservitors" by Felicia Barker (2 parts) - On the planet Viltris in the 49th Century, a regime obsessed with statistical analysis of risk has created a force of robots to protect its citizens. But when Jo Jones arrives with the Doctor on her first space-time voyage for decades, she discovers that long-held grudges from a past conflict are about to bubble over into outright rebellion."
"The Iron Shore" by Lizzie Hopley (2 parts) - Landing on the troubled, sea-faring planet Mercator, the Doctor and Jo encounter Callis, a ‘cursed man’, the last surviving member of his family line - and the curse is keen to find new victims. Nearby, a condemned wet dock, a deep rectangle of unmoving water, is the source of mystifying rumours. As Jo lifts the lid on the tensions within the local community, the Doctor finds himself in deep trouble.
"The Iron Shore" is the best story in this outing for it's terrifying take on why some of the Doctor's companions have died.
Yet, I'm reminded of something, just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you can. I'm not sure this reunion, which takes place after "The Death of The Doctor" was needed and it seems out of cannon - something unusual for Big Finish Productions.
Recommended for the Classic Doctor Who Team-Up.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Thi...#
Jo Grant was the second Companion of the Third Doctor in the original Classic Doctor Who series, and she only left the Third Doctor and her role at UNIT, when a young research scientist, Professor Jones, proposed to her and Sarah Jane Smith took over the role of the Third Doctor's Companion.
Yet Classic Doctor Who never really brought back any of the Companions except for anniversary episodes "The Five Doctors" and "The Two Doctors;" and the only real success New Doctor Who had in bringing back a Companion was in "School Reunion" when the 10th Doctor is reunited with Sarah Jane Smith. Jo Jones nee Grant would return for "The Sarah Jane Adventures" episode "The Death of the Doctor."
Still, I was more than a bit hesitant to listen to "Doctor Who - The Return of Jo Jones" because the role of the Third Doctor, at least for Big Finish Audio Productions, has been taken over by Tim Treloar from the late Jon Pertwee; though Katie Manning has returned in the role of an older Jo Jones nee Grant.
Three adventures compose this collection of Third Doctor Adventures:
"Supernature" by Matt Fitton (2 parts) - After a spate of terrifying bird attacks, Jo Jones is called to the Isle of Wight by an old friend. Something has thrown the natural order out of balance – but Jo’s own world has also changed forever. It turns out she is not the only one investigating. Soon it’s like old times, facing down arrogant scientific ambition, as danger grows. The Doctor and Jo have been reunited just when they need each other most.
"The Conservitors" by Felicia Barker (2 parts) - On the planet Viltris in the 49th Century, a regime obsessed with statistical analysis of risk has created a force of robots to protect its citizens. But when Jo Jones arrives with the Doctor on her first space-time voyage for decades, she discovers that long-held grudges from a past conflict are about to bubble over into outright rebellion."
"The Iron Shore" by Lizzie Hopley (2 parts) - Landing on the troubled, sea-faring planet Mercator, the Doctor and Jo encounter Callis, a ‘cursed man’, the last surviving member of his family line - and the curse is keen to find new victims. Nearby, a condemned wet dock, a deep rectangle of unmoving water, is the source of mystifying rumours. As Jo lifts the lid on the tensions within the local community, the Doctor finds himself in deep trouble.
"The Iron Shore" is the best story in this outing for it's terrifying take on why some of the Doctor's companions have died.
Yet, I'm reminded of something, just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you can. I'm not sure this reunion, which takes place after "The Death of The Doctor" was needed and it seems out of cannon - something unusual for Big Finish Productions.
Recommended for the Classic Doctor Who Team-Up.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Thi...#
June 9, 2025
Miracles and Wonder - The Historical Mystery of Jesus
Just finished reading "Miracles and Wonder - The Historical Mystery of Jesus" by Elaine Pagles, published by Doubleday.
Back in 1967, when I was about five years old, two of my friends informed me that their parents told them that they could no longer play with me because I killed Jesus. Now I'm going to be honest here, I can't remember the names of those friends except for the fact that they were a boy and girl and they were not related. Christian hate has fascinated me ever since - especially since Jesus himself never espoused hate in any of his teachings, though there is an argument to made that Jesus practiced violence against those who did not follow G_D's commandments when it came to practices in the temple.
Ever since that day when I first experienced Christian hatred, I have studied Christianity and other religions seeking insight as to why being different and having an entirely different belief system is so hated by a majority of the world's religions. My finding after nearly six decades is that the concept of the Other is feared and despised because it sets you apart from people. Not exactly a ground breaking revelation.
Pagels writes about how Jesus' followers were ridiculed, and questioned about Jesus' birth, life and crucifixion, as if it were nothing more than a hoax. Many were forced to flee Judah for their safety. What they didn't stop doing was writing about how their relation with Jesus continued to comfort and support them in their grief. Many of these ideas would be revealed in the Gnostic Gospels, which are comprised of fifty ancient texts discovered in 1945, including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. Amazingly, these Gospels claimed to offer "the secret words of the Living Jesus" -- that have startled and intrigued Bible scholars throughout the world.
Pagels does something very few Christians will do - acknowledge that the Gospels were written decades after the death of Jesus and are not reliable sources about his life. She goes further by acknowledging the Jesus was born illegitimately and may have been the result of his mother Mary being raped by a Roman legionnaire. She also brings up the fact that Jews of his era, including his own family - and a vast majority of Jews today still do - believe that Jesus was mentally ill.
Pagels explores how the Gospels helped the Jesus Cult survive and eventually thrive and, yes, I'm going to dare use this word, evolve into a global religion embraced by billions today, and does explore her personal journey as a Christian.
Now Pagels does state what the Jewish concept of Messiah is, and I guarantee that Christians will not like it when they read it since the Messiah would not be divine.
Oh, and nope, I'm still a Conservative Jew who believes that Jesus was, and still is, a false messiah.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Wonde...
Back in 1967, when I was about five years old, two of my friends informed me that their parents told them that they could no longer play with me because I killed Jesus. Now I'm going to be honest here, I can't remember the names of those friends except for the fact that they were a boy and girl and they were not related. Christian hate has fascinated me ever since - especially since Jesus himself never espoused hate in any of his teachings, though there is an argument to made that Jesus practiced violence against those who did not follow G_D's commandments when it came to practices in the temple.
Ever since that day when I first experienced Christian hatred, I have studied Christianity and other religions seeking insight as to why being different and having an entirely different belief system is so hated by a majority of the world's religions. My finding after nearly six decades is that the concept of the Other is feared and despised because it sets you apart from people. Not exactly a ground breaking revelation.
Pagels writes about how Jesus' followers were ridiculed, and questioned about Jesus' birth, life and crucifixion, as if it were nothing more than a hoax. Many were forced to flee Judah for their safety. What they didn't stop doing was writing about how their relation with Jesus continued to comfort and support them in their grief. Many of these ideas would be revealed in the Gnostic Gospels, which are comprised of fifty ancient texts discovered in 1945, including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. Amazingly, these Gospels claimed to offer "the secret words of the Living Jesus" -- that have startled and intrigued Bible scholars throughout the world.
Pagels does something very few Christians will do - acknowledge that the Gospels were written decades after the death of Jesus and are not reliable sources about his life. She goes further by acknowledging the Jesus was born illegitimately and may have been the result of his mother Mary being raped by a Roman legionnaire. She also brings up the fact that Jews of his era, including his own family - and a vast majority of Jews today still do - believe that Jesus was mentally ill.
Pagels explores how the Gospels helped the Jesus Cult survive and eventually thrive and, yes, I'm going to dare use this word, evolve into a global religion embraced by billions today, and does explore her personal journey as a Christian.
Now Pagels does state what the Jewish concept of Messiah is, and I guarantee that Christians will not like it when they read it since the Messiah would not be divine.
Oh, and nope, I'm still a Conservative Jew who believes that Jesus was, and still is, a false messiah.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Wonde...
The Silversmith's Puzzle
Just finished reading "The Silversmith's Puzzle" by Nev March, released by Minotaur Books.
I'm glad that I decided to take a chance on Nev March's first novel, "Murder in Old Bombay" when I discovered it on the shelves of the Barnes & Noble just down the road from me where I live. Of course, after perusing through a few pages, I ordered it on Amazon.com and once it arrive, I promptly placed on one of my ever growing piles of unread books, as my sister, Selma Franz, and minions Zack and Jeff will attest to, I do have several large stacks of unread books throughout my house.
"Murder in Old Bombay" introduced Captain Jim Agnihotri and Lady Diana Framji, who ultimately married at the end of the mystery novel, and March provided interesting insights in the Parsi Zoroastrianism on a personal, family, and societal level that fascinated me since I am a student of religious studies as well as a practicing Conservative Jew.
Narrated by Capt. Jim, who goes by surname O’Trey for simplicity, the story finds him helping Diana’s brother Adi, whose partner in a silver instrument factory has been killed, with Adi accused of the murder. Jim investigates, with the tenets of Sherlock Holmes always in mind. The plot is wonderfully complex and appealing to this longtime fan of mysteries and Holmes.
What elevates this series is March’s beautifully descriptive prose, providing a great sense of place and historical atmosphere. I felt at times like I was on the streets of 19th Century Bombay. The tone and tenor of the prose is appropriate for the time period, with colloquialisms imbedded in the narrative.
The characters and local customs are also of the times, and, over 100 years later, it is sometimes difficult to see Jim and Diana struggle for respect due to race and/or social custom. Diana strains against the restrictions of caste and society, and ultimately they again realize why they relocated to the western world.
One of the reasons why the Captain Jim and Lady Diana series interests me is that it parallels the own struggles my own family had in the military caste system where we were the outsiders because of being Jewish.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Silversmiths-P...
I'm glad that I decided to take a chance on Nev March's first novel, "Murder in Old Bombay" when I discovered it on the shelves of the Barnes & Noble just down the road from me where I live. Of course, after perusing through a few pages, I ordered it on Amazon.com and once it arrive, I promptly placed on one of my ever growing piles of unread books, as my sister, Selma Franz, and minions Zack and Jeff will attest to, I do have several large stacks of unread books throughout my house.
"Murder in Old Bombay" introduced Captain Jim Agnihotri and Lady Diana Framji, who ultimately married at the end of the mystery novel, and March provided interesting insights in the Parsi Zoroastrianism on a personal, family, and societal level that fascinated me since I am a student of religious studies as well as a practicing Conservative Jew.
Narrated by Capt. Jim, who goes by surname O’Trey for simplicity, the story finds him helping Diana’s brother Adi, whose partner in a silver instrument factory has been killed, with Adi accused of the murder. Jim investigates, with the tenets of Sherlock Holmes always in mind. The plot is wonderfully complex and appealing to this longtime fan of mysteries and Holmes.
What elevates this series is March’s beautifully descriptive prose, providing a great sense of place and historical atmosphere. I felt at times like I was on the streets of 19th Century Bombay. The tone and tenor of the prose is appropriate for the time period, with colloquialisms imbedded in the narrative.
The characters and local customs are also of the times, and, over 100 years later, it is sometimes difficult to see Jim and Diana struggle for respect due to race and/or social custom. Diana strains against the restrictions of caste and society, and ultimately they again realize why they relocated to the western world.
One of the reasons why the Captain Jim and Lady Diana series interests me is that it parallels the own struggles my own family had in the military caste system where we were the outsiders because of being Jewish.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Silversmiths-P...
June 4, 2025
Fear No Evil/Ritual Of Evil
Just finished watching "Fear No Evil" and "Ritual of Evil" released by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray.
It's almost hard to believe that original horror movies that were made for television audiences were almost a weekly staple in the mid-1960s and throughout the 1970s, and more than quite often these movies - which were psychological tales with deep Gothic and supernatural overtones - were book door pilot episodes for purposed television series. For example, there were four original "Man From Atlantis" movies before NBC gave the greenlight for the short-lived 13-episode series of the same name.
"Fear No Evil" and "Ritual of Evil" were pilots for an NBC-TV series that was to be called "Bedeviled." Dr. David Sorell is a psychiatrist to rich California people, who is also an expert in The Occult. He often consults with his mentor, played by witty Wilfred Hyde-White. Jourdan believes in the powers of the supernatural, but approaches them as a rational scientist. He also has a way of meeting beautiful women and wicked people while pursuing the truth. Both films are well produced with fine acting, directing, photography, and music. TV scholar Gary Gerani provides interesting and informative commentaries to each film, and there are also two vintage Paul Frees-voiced trailers.
In "Fear No Evil," Sorell must discover why gorgeous Lynda Day George is being haunted by her late fiance, played by Bradford Dillman, who keeps appearing to her in an "infinity mirror." It is very cool the way black-clad Dillman invites Lynda into the mirror for torrid (for television) lovemaking. This leads Sorell to the Bradbury Building (seen in "Bladerunner" and many other movies) and a "Metaphysical Investigation Institute." This is all very rich in shadowy atmosphere, so important to an occult yarn. Think of The Bramford in "Rosemary's Baby." At the bottom of it all is the ancient demon Rakashi, summoned up by a cult of affluent weirdos, who has possessed one of the members. The movie takes care to make the various settings interesting. Sorell likes to surround himself with devil masks and supernatural bric-a-brac. All together, this is an enjoyably spooky yarn within the limits of a prime-time television movie. With Carroll O'Connor and Marsha Hunt.
"Ritual of Evil," made a year later, is much less absorbing. It does have splendid views of Santa Barbara with its amazing cliff-front mansions and magnificent Pacific view. Sorell investigates the death of a beautiful patient, found dead in the surf beneath the home of her aunt, an alcoholic society lady. Jourdan meets a beautiful witch , who tries to seduce him to join "The Dark Side." Generally, this movie lacks the dark atmosphere of its predecessor and plays more like a soap opera with witchcraft thrown in. Sorrell's office is conservative looking and lacks the occult trappings of his home. A small devil statue with boringly repeated red glowing eyes is way less intriguing than the ornate 'infinity mirror" in "Fear No Evil." So the proposed series "Bedeviled" never materialized, but in 1972, ABC had a similar-type series called "The Sixth Sense."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Ritual-Do...
It's almost hard to believe that original horror movies that were made for television audiences were almost a weekly staple in the mid-1960s and throughout the 1970s, and more than quite often these movies - which were psychological tales with deep Gothic and supernatural overtones - were book door pilot episodes for purposed television series. For example, there were four original "Man From Atlantis" movies before NBC gave the greenlight for the short-lived 13-episode series of the same name.
"Fear No Evil" and "Ritual of Evil" were pilots for an NBC-TV series that was to be called "Bedeviled." Dr. David Sorell is a psychiatrist to rich California people, who is also an expert in The Occult. He often consults with his mentor, played by witty Wilfred Hyde-White. Jourdan believes in the powers of the supernatural, but approaches them as a rational scientist. He also has a way of meeting beautiful women and wicked people while pursuing the truth. Both films are well produced with fine acting, directing, photography, and music. TV scholar Gary Gerani provides interesting and informative commentaries to each film, and there are also two vintage Paul Frees-voiced trailers.
In "Fear No Evil," Sorell must discover why gorgeous Lynda Day George is being haunted by her late fiance, played by Bradford Dillman, who keeps appearing to her in an "infinity mirror." It is very cool the way black-clad Dillman invites Lynda into the mirror for torrid (for television) lovemaking. This leads Sorell to the Bradbury Building (seen in "Bladerunner" and many other movies) and a "Metaphysical Investigation Institute." This is all very rich in shadowy atmosphere, so important to an occult yarn. Think of The Bramford in "Rosemary's Baby." At the bottom of it all is the ancient demon Rakashi, summoned up by a cult of affluent weirdos, who has possessed one of the members. The movie takes care to make the various settings interesting. Sorell likes to surround himself with devil masks and supernatural bric-a-brac. All together, this is an enjoyably spooky yarn within the limits of a prime-time television movie. With Carroll O'Connor and Marsha Hunt.
"Ritual of Evil," made a year later, is much less absorbing. It does have splendid views of Santa Barbara with its amazing cliff-front mansions and magnificent Pacific view. Sorell investigates the death of a beautiful patient, found dead in the surf beneath the home of her aunt, an alcoholic society lady. Jourdan meets a beautiful witch , who tries to seduce him to join "The Dark Side." Generally, this movie lacks the dark atmosphere of its predecessor and plays more like a soap opera with witchcraft thrown in. Sorrell's office is conservative looking and lacks the occult trappings of his home. A small devil statue with boringly repeated red glowing eyes is way less intriguing than the ornate 'infinity mirror" in "Fear No Evil." So the proposed series "Bedeviled" never materialized, but in 1972, ABC had a similar-type series called "The Sixth Sense."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Ritual-Do...
Walt Disney's Mars and Beyond - A Science Feature From Tomorrowland
Just finished reading "Walt Disney's Mars and Beyond - A Science Feature From Tomorrowland" published by Dell Comics back in 1957.
"Walt Disney's Mars and Beyond" was part of Tomorrowland's original envisioned purpose of promoting science, technological innovation, and exploration at space exploration's infancy when no artificial unmanned satellites had been launched and landing on the moon wasn't even a stated goal of any nation.
It's an interesting time capsule of the International Geophysical Year back in 1957 and it captures the actual science, as it was back then. What is perhaps most interesting about "Walt Disney's Mars and Beyond" is that it speculates that life on other planets may be dangerous to humans and other life on Earth.
Recommended for it's historical value.
Five Stars.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226688097907...
"Walt Disney's Mars and Beyond" was part of Tomorrowland's original envisioned purpose of promoting science, technological innovation, and exploration at space exploration's infancy when no artificial unmanned satellites had been launched and landing on the moon wasn't even a stated goal of any nation.
It's an interesting time capsule of the International Geophysical Year back in 1957 and it captures the actual science, as it was back then. What is perhaps most interesting about "Walt Disney's Mars and Beyond" is that it speculates that life on other planets may be dangerous to humans and other life on Earth.
Recommended for it's historical value.
Five Stars.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226688097907...
June 2, 2025
You've Had It, Charlie Brown
Just finished reading "You've Had It, Charlie Brown," by Charles M. Schulz, published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston Inc.. back in 1969.
I discovered this collection of Peanuts comic strips that originally appeared in newspapers from 1968-1969 at Chamblin's Bookmine.
What is notable in this collection is that it introduces Snoopy's first owner Lila, who in a series of strips is introduced and is in the hospital, though it is without the drama of the "Snoopy Come Home" movie. Lucy also throws Schroder's piano up into the Kite-Eating tree and the hijinks the ensue from that. We also get to see Snoopy competing with Lucy in the "advice" market.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Youve-Charlie-...
I discovered this collection of Peanuts comic strips that originally appeared in newspapers from 1968-1969 at Chamblin's Bookmine.
What is notable in this collection is that it introduces Snoopy's first owner Lila, who in a series of strips is introduced and is in the hospital, though it is without the drama of the "Snoopy Come Home" movie. Lucy also throws Schroder's piano up into the Kite-Eating tree and the hijinks the ensue from that. We also get to see Snoopy competing with Lucy in the "advice" market.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Youve-Charlie-...
