A Gahan Wilson Gallery!
If you’re a fan of Gahan Wilson’s cartoons, The Bristol Board has a gallery of some of his best.
“Panama Hattie” (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Southern and Rags Ragland / Z-View
Panama Hattie (1942)
Director: Norman Z. McLeod, Roy Del Ruth, Vincente Minnelli
Screenplay: Jack McGowan, Wilkie C. Mahoney (as Wilkie Mahoney), Herbert Fields, Mary C. McCall Jr. (uncredited), Lillie Messginer (uncredited), Vincent Minelli (uncredited), Joseph Schrank (uncredited), based on the 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva.
Stars: Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue, Marsha Hunt, Virginia O’Brien, Alan Mowbray, Dan Dailey, The Berry Brothers and Lena Horne.
Tagline: Swing as Ann Sings – Laugh as Red Clowns – Thrill to the Navy Stirring Battle-cry
The Plot…
Panama Hattie is Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner/singer in the Panama Canal Zone. Hattie has three Navy buddies, Red, Rags and Rowdy. They want Hattie to perform at big party they are organizing. Hattie is also getting ready to meet her fiancé’s young daughter for the first time. Kitty-Belle, an Admiral’s daughter also wants to marry Hattie’s fiancé. Oh, and Red, Rags and Rowdy think that they’ve discovered some Nazi spies.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Panama Hattie is all over the place. But considering the movie was based on a play, brought to the screen with eight writers and three directors, it isn’t surprising. There’s a little something for everyone if you’re looking for music, comedy and dancing.
I like Red Skelton and the under-rated Rags Ragland. My favorite parts of the movie involve them. As to the musical aspects, Virginia O’Brien has the best songs (especially about her getting drunk at the Savoy!), and The Berry Brothers the best dance. Oh, and Lena Horne made her MGM film debut in this film. Ms. Horne sings in a nightclub. Her scene was easily cut (without effecting the plot) when the film was shown in the South.
This film was made during World War II and the entire cast joins to sing the final song about the US joining the fight. The movie ends and immediately a card for War Bonds appears.
Panama Hattie (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars
“Scandal Sheet” (1952) starring Broderick Crawford, Donna Reed and John Derek / Z-View
Scandal Sheet (1952)
Director: Phil Karlson
Screenplay: Eugene Ling, James Poe, Ted Sherdeman based on THE DARK PAGE by Samuel Fuller
Stars: John Derek, Donna Reed, Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, James Millican, Jay Adler, Shirley Ballard, Don Beddoe and Harry Morgan.
Tagline: The Man From “The Mob” Is Making Another Killing!
The Plot…
Steve McCleary (Derek), ace reporter for the New York Express, reports on a murderer that is dubbed The Lonely Hearts Killer. Little does McCleary know, but his editor, Mark Chapman (Crawford) is the killer! As McCleary digs deeper into the case, all of his evidence is being presented to the killer himself. Soon McCleary will be the killer’s next target!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Scandal Sheet isn’t as well known as many other films of the era, but if you like crime thrillers, you should enjoy it.
Scandal Sheet (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars
Marv & Nancy by Eduardo Risso!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv & Nancy by Eduardo Risso!
Source: Chad Knopf.
“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster by Sam Green!
How about this Reservoir Dogs alt poster by Sam Green?
“Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” (1982) directed by Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)
Director: Carl Reiner
Screenplay: Carl Reiner, George Gipe, Steve Martin
Stars: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner; archival footage: Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, William Conrad, Charles McGraw, Jeff Corey, Brian Donlevy, Norma Varden, Edmond O’Brien.
Tagline: Laugh… or I’ll blow your lips off!
The Plot…
When Juliet Forrest’s (Ward) scientist father is killed in an auto accident, she hires Private Eye Rigby Reardon (Martin) to investigate. Searching her father’s lab, Reardon finds two lists of names. A mystery man wings Reardon and steals the lists.
More determined than ever to solve the case, Reardon will follow clues that lead him down mean streets, into dark alleys, searching for hidden truths, dealing with hard cases, low-lifes, doublecrossers and beautiful dames. What Reardon discovers is a conspiracy that could be the end of the good-old-USA.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a film noir parody that seamlessly integrates characters/scenes from classic noir films into the new story.
Director Carl Reiner says that Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is the favorite film that he’s directed.
The film is Costume Designer Edith Head’s last feature film and is dedicated to her. It was also the final film of film composer Miklós Rózsa who re-scored music from films he had worked on in the 1940s.
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars
“My Gun is Quick” (1957) starring Robert Bray / Z-View
My Gun is Quick (1957)
Director: George White, Victor Saville (as Phil Victor)
Screenplay: Richard Collins, Richard Powell, screen story by Richard Powell, based on My GUN IS QUICK by Mickey Spillane
Stars: Robert Bray, Whitney Blake, Donald Randolph, Richard Garland, Fred Essler, Booth Colman, Pamela Duncan, Patricia Donahue, Peter Mamakos, Claire Carleton, Phil Arnold, George Cisar and Jan Chaney.
Tagline: The High Society Dame Who Played It Lowdown And Dirty! – The Secretary Who “Worked” After Hours! – The Stripper Who Knew How To Tease! – The Blonde Who Left Her Bedroom Door Open!
The Plot…
Late one evening in a diner, Mike Hammer (Bray) strikes up a conversation with a young prostitute called Red. When Red’s pimp comes in and begins to berate her, Hammer roughs the punk up and sends him on his way. Feeling sorry for Red, Hammer gives her money for a bus ticket home.
The next day Hammer learns Red was killed in a hit and run. A ring she was wearing was stolen. Hammer begins to dig into the case and learns the ring was part of a cache of Nazi jewels stolen after the war. Hammer makes it his business to discover Red’s killer and finds himself up against an American Colonel and other thugs looking for the jewels.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
My Gun is Quick is a low budget adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer. Several actors have played Hammer in films/television including Mickey Spillane himself. My favorite is Armand Assante in I, the Jury.
My Gun is Quick (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars
RIP: Nicky Katt
It was announced today that Nicky Katt died on April 8, 2025. No cause of death was given. Mr. Katt was 54.
Nicky Katt began his career as a child actor. As an adult Mr. Katt worked in both television and feature films. It’s interesting that Nicky Katt’s best known television role was as a teacher on Boston Public, but in films he often played a heavy. Mr. Katt was equally adept as a leading man or character actor.
Some of the television projects that feature Nicky Katt include: CHiPs; Fantasy Island; Father Murphy (2 episodes); Code Red; Herbie the Love Bug (5 episodes); Voyagers; Trapper John, M.D.; Quincy, M.E.; V (2 episodes); The Get Along Gang (7 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; The Facts of Life; Lifestories; Dear John (2 episodes); Uncle Buck; Love & War; Knight Ride 2010; Double Rush; Friends; Kindred: The Embraced; Astoria; Boston Public (49 episodes); The Guardian (2 episodes); King of the Hill (3 episodes); Monk; Love Monkey; law & Order and Casual.
Some of Nicky Katt’s feature film appearances include: Underground Aces; Gremlins; The ‘Burbs; Sister Act; Dazed and Confused; The Cure; Strange Days; A Time to Kill; SubUrbia; Batman & Robin; One True Thing; The Limey; Boiler Room; Rules of Engagement; Way of the Gun; Waking Life; Insomnia; Secondhand Lions; School of Rock; Sin City; World Trade Center; Snow Angels; Planet Terror; Death Proof; The Brave One; The Dark Knight and Behind the Candelabra.
My favorite Nicky Katt role is in Way of the Gun. I enjoyed him in Boston Public and in so many films. Some favorites include Boiler Room, Sin City and the Grindhouse double feature Planet Terror and Death Proof.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Nicky Katt’s family, friends and fans.
“Eat Locals” (2017) starring Charlie Cox & Freema Agyeman / Z-View
Eat Locals (2017)
Director: Jason Flemyng
Screenplay: Danny King
Stars: Charlie Cox, Freema Agyeman, Mackenzie Crook, Tony Curran, Eve Myles, Blain Fairman, Rhys Parry Jones, Jordan Long and Nick Moran.
Tagline: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
The Plot…
Eight vampire overlords meet at a remote farmhouse for their semi-centennial meeting. Henry, The Duke, Peter Boniface, Thomas, Angel, Chen and Alice arrive first. Because one of them has violated rules that put all vampires at risk, he/she will be executed.
Vanessa arrives with a human named Sebastian. He has no idea that Vanessa is a vampire. The overlords plan to either turn Sebastian into a vampire or feed on him. What they don’t realize is four army squadrons have surrounded the farmhouse. The soldiers know that a vampire is there — they don’t realize that there are seven. The soldiers plan to kill the undead bloodsuckers. Perhaps they should have brought more men.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Eat Locals is Jason Flemyng’s directorial debut.
Eat Locals has a nice mix of humor and action. It’s a fun ride.
Eat Locals (2017) rates 3 of 5 stars
RIP: Ted Kotcheff
Ted Kotcheff died on April 11, 2025, just three days after his 94th birthday.
Ted Kotcheff graduated from University College, University of Toronto, with a degree in English Literature. When he was just 24, he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He was the youngest director there. Mr. Kotcheff directed Tiara Tahiti, his first feature film in 1962. Although best known as a director, Ted Kotcheff branched out and did occasional writing, acting and producing.
Some of the television projects that feature Ted Kotcheff’s direction include: On Camera; Hour of Mystery; I’ll Have You to Remember; BBC Sunday Night Play (2 episodes); ITV Television Playhouse; Espionage; First Night (2 episodes); Drama 61-67; Armchair Theater (28 episodes); The Human Voice; ABC Stage 67 (2 episodes); The Desperate Hours; ITV Playhouse; Lights Out; Play for Today (2 episodes); Performance; Red Shoe Diaries (2 episodes); Borrowed Hearts; Buddy Faro; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (7 episodes).
Some of Ted Kotcheff’s feature films include: Tiara Tahiti; Life at the Top; Of Mice and Men; Wake in Fright; The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz; Fun with Dick and Jane; Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?; North Dallas Forty; First Blood; Uncommon Valor; Weekend at Bernie’s and Folks!.
My favorite Ted Kotcheff film is First Blood. I had been a fan of David Morrell’s novel since it came out in paperback. Sylvester Stallone was (and is) my favorite actor. Ted Kotcheff at the helm made one of my all-time favorite films.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Ted Kotcheff’s family, friends and fans.
Marco Finnegan’s CALAVERA P.I. is Coming!
Marco Finnegan’s Calavera, PI is dropping on September 9th. Let me drop a dime…
In 1925, Juan Calavera died a hero. After a career spent outside the law defending the Chicano barrios where the police refused to operate, he earned a reputation for fearlessness . . . and a gunshot in the stomach. Now, five years later, on Día de los Muertos, his restless spirit has been summoned from the grave to help a desperate former colleague unravel a kidnapping all too close to home. With only days to solve the case before he is called back to the underworld, can Calavera reveal the identity of the masked human trafficker known as La Fantasma before tragedy strikes again . . . and solve the mystery of his own murder in the process?
From the desk of rising star Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, Night People), walk the shadow-shrouded alleys of Hollywoodland to solve the mystery of Calavera—a newly resurrected private investigator whose first case is about to straddle the blood-soaked boundaries between the living and the dead!
Preorders are available now.
“Dawn of the Dead” (2002) directed by Zack Snyder / Z-View
Dawn of the Dead (2002)
Director: Zack Snyder
Screenplay: James Gunn; based on Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero
Stars: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Jake Weber, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, Lindy Booth, Jayne Eastwood, Boyd Banks, Inna Korobkina, Louis Ferreira, Bruce Bohne, Scott H. Reiniger, Tom Savini, Ken Foree and Matt Frewer.
Tagline: When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.
The Plot…
At the onset of a zombie apocalypse a group of diverse strangers take refuge in a mall. In the group is a nurse, a cop, a married couple with a baby on the way, a tv salesman, a rich jerk and three mall security guards. As the zombie horde outside the mall tensions rise.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This is Zack Snyder’s feature film debut. He hit a homerun with his first at bat.
The introduction of the zombie apocalypse from Anna’s viewpoint is genius. Escaping from the zombie in her house in the early morning to seeing helicopters, neighbors getting attacked, and then driving away from the madness into more chaos is perfect.
When Ana is driving down a highway there is a nod/Easter egg to Night of the Living Dead. A truck crashes into a gas station/diner causing a big explosion. In Night of the Living Dead Ben says he was in diner parking lot when a truck crashed into the gas pumps.
Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger and Tom Savini appeared in the original Dawn of the Dead and have cameos in this one. One of the stores in the mall is named “Gaylen Ross”. Gaylen Ross was one of the stars of the original film.
Zack Snyder plays the last zombie seen at the end of the opening credits.
Scott Frank (Get Shorty) and Michael Tolkin (The Player) did uncredited work on the screenplay.
Be sure to watch through the credits!
Dawn of the Dead (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars
THE ESSENTIAL HORROR by Joe R. Lansdale is Coming!
Any time Joe R. Lansdale has a new book out, it is cause to celebrate. Get the streamers ready! On October 7, 2025, THE ESSENTIAL HORROR drops. Here’s the lowdown…
Joe R. Lansdale is known for his gritty mysteries (the Hap and Leonard series) and his eccentric horror (Bubba Ho-tep), for which he has won ten Bram Stoker Awards. He is also cited by many of horror’s most acclaimed writers as a huge influence upon them: Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Gabino Iglesias, Brian Keene, and Joe Hill, who contributes an original introduction to this collection.
Lansdale’s horror stories mash up crime, Southern Gothic, fantasy, and science fiction, filtered through a raw, violent world of dark humor and unique characters. He was one of the first horror writers to portray American racism not as abstract or impersonal, but as realistic, intimate, in-your-face, and impossible to ignore.
In Lansdale’s nightmarish visions, discover psychotic demon nuns, a god fueled by hatred, a psychopathic preacher, a weed-eater wielding blind man, cannibals, 80-year-old Elvis, undead strippers, flying ghost fish, elder gods, possessed cars, and the worst evil of all: man.
Preorders are available now.
Dan Orgill Presents “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (and Dracula and the Wolfman)!
Dan Orgill presents Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (and Dracula and the Wolfman)! Talk about gorgeous! A beautiful painting to honor a classic movie! Take a bow Dan Orgill!
“Sisu” (2022) written & directed by Jalmari Helander, starring Jorma Tommila / Z-View
Sisu (2022)
Director: Jalmari Helander
Screenplay: Jalmari Helander
Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo.
Tagline: Vengeance is golden.
The Plot…
World War II is in its last days. Aatami Korpi lives a solitary life panning for gold in the wilderness. Although a decorated vet who earned the nickname “the Immortal” because of suicide missions where he took out scores of enemy soldiers, Aatami is done with war. Aatami’s entire family was killed while he was on an assignment. Now he just wants to be left alone.
Aatami’s luck changes when he hits a vein of gold. He fills two saddlebags full and heads for the nearest town. Still in the wilderness, he encounters a platoon of Nazis. They are heading back to the fatherland with scorched-earth orders. When the Nazis discover Aatami has gold they decide to steal it.
Big mistake.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Sisu is a lean mean action film that would be at home in the 80s.
Sisu (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars
