Wednesday, March 20, 2013

HARRY REEMS 1947 - 2013


Harry Reems during an interview ( CBC )


I am very saddened by this news.

Harry Reems was genuinely funny, and he was good enough to make it in so-called "mainstream" movies - had people NOT interfered.

Far too many folks running things in the "mainstream" studio system, shun people like Mr. Reems. And YET, they do NOT have a problem giving work to CHILD RAPISTS, or giving them awards!... They're the ones with NO shame!

Do any of you remember, when a studio fired a female writer for the unforgivable sin of lying about her age?!... The reaction was absurdly out of proportion.

Sadly, this is what passes for "morals" in much of HollyWEIRD.

The so-called "mainstream" studios that crank-out countless "EDGY" movies, and tv shows, owe people like Harry Reems a HUGE DEBT OF GRATITUDE!.... AND so does EVERYONE in the arts, AND the general public.

Why?... Because freedom of expression / free speech would be far LESS FREE, had he - and others - not won their battles.

I'm NOT a religious person, but I'm hoping Mr. Reems is indeed, in a far better place.....



Amber Lynn and Harry Reems in one of his films



Harry Reems during an interview ( IGN )


QUOTES FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ( March 20, 2013 )

"Harry Reems, star of legendary pornographic film "Deep Throat," has died, according to a self-described close friend, Don Shenck, who posted a personal obituary on a message board Tuesday"

"Reems was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, entered the the Salt Lake City VA Hospital March 5 due to jaundice and fell into a coma last week, Shenck wrote"

"The controversy surrounding the film led the FBI to indict Reems for conspiracy to distribute obscene material across state lines, a charge he was initially convicted of before a higher court overruled the decision"

"Reems aspired to be an actor in non-pornographic films, and in the late 1970s was cast in his first studio movie, "Grease," but was kicked off the project because of his scandalous past"

"Acting was my true love, and I buried that possibility by going into adult films," Reems told Dave Itzkoff for a 2005 New York magazine piece. "The writing was on the wall. There was no place for me in conventional entertainment"

"by the late 1980s, Reems moved to Park City and not only got sober but had a second act as a successful real estate broker. It was in Park City that he met Jeannie, his wife of the last two decades"

"He is survived by Jeannie and his brother"



Mr. Reems had a part in NATIONAL LAMPOON'S MOVIE MADNESS ( aka NATIONAL LAMPOON GOES TO THE MOVIES )


QUOTES FROM THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ( March 20, 2013 )

"Reems was charged with federal conspiracy to transport “Deep Throat” to Memphis — a city he’d never set foot in"

"The conspiracy charge was later dropped, but Reems was convicted of obscenity — setting up a legal battle on the limits of free speech"

"Hollywood came to Reems’ rescue, setting up a legal defense fund and hiring famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz to represent him"

“Initially it was seen as joke, ha, ha, porno star gets busted," Dershowitz said at the time. "But now people are going around seeing it as a very serious issue"

"Depressed, Reems turned to drink and drugs and wound up homeless in Utah"

"There, in 1987, Reems found God, got sober, and married his wife Jeanne, who was with him to the end"

"Instead of denying his past, Reems chose to keep his nom-de-porn and became a successful real estate salesman with a sterling rep in his business"

“This past, is the past,” he would tell clients"

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

LITTLE CIGARS POSTER



I really like this artwork. I think the artist did an outstanding job of portraying Angel Tompkins and the other cast members.

How can you resist a movie with a hot babe and a group of midget con-men?!..... I repeat, MIDGETS!... Sorry, I meant to say "height-challenged" Americans.....

This movie stars, the incredibly seductive and highly underrated Angel Tompkins, and Billy Curtis ( 1909 – 1988 ).



I was extremely fond of Angel Tompkins when I was young. She appeared in a lot of tv shows, and she also appeared in one of my favorite drive-in flicks, called THE TEACHER.

Mr. Curtis appeared in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER, which is one of my favorite westerns. He gave his character dignity and heart.

This movie was co-written by Louis Garfinkle ( 1928 – 2005 ), and Frank Ray Perilli.

Mr. Garfinkle was also one of the writers of THE DEER HUNTER.

Mr. Perilli, co-wrote ALLIGATOR, THE DOBERMAN GANG, and cult favorite LASERBLAST.

Anyway, the midgets run a traveling show, and steal for a living. They meet a hot blonde babe that's on the run from hit-men, and they end up joining forces.

This movie is NOT a comedy, but it does have a lot of dark humor.



LITTLE CIGARS is better than it sounds, but not as good as it could have been... However, I still like it a lot, and recommend it.

FYI: LITTLE CIGARS is also known as THE LITTLE CIGARS MOB.

I don't know if it was ever released on legit VHS in the United States.



MGM has released an MOD-DVD of LITTLE CIGARS.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

SUPERCHICK POSTER



How can anyone NOT like this poster?!

This brings back many youthful memories... and some of those memories are actually good!... ha-ha-ha...

Joyce Jillson ( 1945 – 2004 ), was in many tv shows, and I was very fond of her.

She had a long acting career, and I also remember her on local tv ( in SoCal ).



FYI: John Carradine ( 1906 – 1988 ), has a small but memorable part in this movie.

I'm NOT sure, but I think SUPERCHICK was released a few time on VHS ( by different companies ).



It's been released on region one DVD at least three times... Once as a solo disc by RHINO. Once as part of a double feature by BCI ( paired with HUSTLER SQUAD ). It's also been released as part of a twelve movie pack by MILL CREEK ENT.



QUOTES FROM THE TRAILER.....

"She's all woman and all that every woman wants to be. Forceful. Feminine. Free"

"Superbrain. Superbody. Supercharged. Superchick!"

"A swinging motion picture experience, about a super kind of woman"

"In public, she's a mild-mannered stewardess. In private, she's a mistress of the martial arts"

"SUPERCHICK, she's more than just one woman, and too much for just one man"

"SUPERCHICK!... the super kind of woman"

"Always in the middle of some kind of action"

"Always ready for new adventure"

"You can't afford to miss SUPERCHICK!"

"She's much more than you've ever had before....."

WITHOUT WARNING POSTER



Great artwork... What do you think he's going to do with those scissors?.....

The movie stars Adam Williams ( 1922 – 2006 ), Meg Randall, and others.

It's beautifully filmed.



I loved watching it on television when I was a kid, and I highly recommend it.

I don't know if this movie was released on VHS.

It was released on region one DVD by DARK SKY FILMS.

NO PLACE TO LAND POSTER



I love the artwork...

After checking-out the female character named Iris Lee LaVonne, I can think of a couple of really great places to land.... hardy-har-har....

I thought NO PLACE TO LAND was a fun movie. There's betrayal, multiple murders, seduction, blackmail, and suicide!... Sounds like wholesome family entertainment to me!... ha-ha-ha......

This movie stars, John Ireland ( 1914 – 1992 ), Mari Blanchard ( 1923 - 1970 ), Jackie Coogan ( 1914 - 1984 ), Gail Russell ( 1924 - 1961 ), and Robert Middleton ( 1911 - 1977 ).



I don't think NO PLACE TO LAND has ever been released on VHS ( at least not in the U.S.A. ).

As I write this, NO legit region one DVD has been released. So a grey-market disc is your only option.

FYI: I saw the entire movie via YOU TUBE.

THE FIREBALL POSTER



I have a soft spot for roller derby movies ( AND bowling flicks ).

I think, I saw this on television when I was a kid.

Mickey Rooney stars in THE FIREBALL.

Marilyn Monroe has a small part, and she's the main reason I still remember this movie.



I knew Mr. Rooney was short, but he looks like a munchkin from THE WIZARD OF OZ standing next to Ms. Monroe.

Speaking of Marilyn Monroe, she looks jaw-droppingly adorable in this movie.

When I was young, I loved watching real roller derby on television.

I also liked watching roller derby movies. THE UNHOLY ROLLERS with Claudia Jennings ( 1949 – 1979 ), and KANSAS CITY BOMBER with Raquel Welch, are two great examples.

There's another roller derby flick called WHIP IT, with Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore, but I have NOT seen it.



I don't know if this was ever released on VHS.

THE FIREBALL was released on MOD-DVD by WARNER BROS.

Monday, March 11, 2013

HARD CASE CRIME CHECKLIST: 2014



2014 TRADE PAPERBACKS - HARDCOVERS - MASS MARKET PAPERBACKS ( Titan / Random House )


TITLE & BOOK NUMBER -EASY DEATH ( HCC - ? )
AUTHOR - Daniel Boyd
ISBN ( 978-1-857682-579-7 )
COVER ARTISTS - Glen Orbik
NOTE: TRADE paperback?

TITLE & BOOK NUMBER - BRAINQUAKE ( HCC - ? )
AUTHOR - Samuel Fuller
ISBN ( 978-1-78116-819-6 )
COVER ARTISTS - Glen Orbik
NOTE: TRADE paperback?

TITLE & BOOK NUMBER - BORDERLINE ( HCC - ? )
AUTHOR - Lawrence Block
ISBN ( 978-1-78116-777-9 )
COVER ARTISTS - Michael Koelsch
NOTE: HARDcover & TRADE paperback

TITLE & BOOK NUMBER - TWENTY YEAR DEATH: POLICE AT THE FUNERAL ( HCC - ? )
AUTHOR - Ariel S. Winter
ISBN ( ? )
COVER ARTISTS - Charles Pyle
NOTE: mass-market paperback

TITLE & BOOK NUMBER - TWENTY YEAR DEATH: THE FALLING STAR ( HCC - ? )
AUTHOR - Ariel S. Winter
ISBN ( ? )
COVER ARTISTS - Ricky Mujica
NOTE: mass-market paperback

TITLE & BOOK NUMBER - TWENTY YEAR DEATH: MALNIVEAU PRISON ( HCC - ? )
AUTHOR - Ariel S. Winter
ISBN ( ? )
COVER ARTISTS - Joe Avery
NOTE: mass-market paperback

TITLE & BOOK NUMBER - THE WRONG QUARRY ( HCC - 114 )
AUTHOR - Max Allan Collins
ISBN ( 978-1-78116-266-8 )
COVER ARTISTS - Tyler Jacobson
NOTE: TRADE paperback

This list will be updated when needed.....

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

VHS VIXENS PART 8



PART 8 OF 8

ZALMAN'S SWEETHEARTS.....

A lot of beautiful AND talented ladies appeared in Zalman King's movies, and shows. He's responsible for TWO MOON JUNCTION, WILD ORCHID, RED SHOE DIARIES, and a lot more.


Brigitte Bako in RED SHOE DIARIES

Sheryl Lee, Sherilyn Fenn, Brigitte Bako, Ally Sheedy, and Jacqueline Bisset are just a few of his leading ladies.


Sheryl Lee in RED SHOE DIARIES



I think most folks are familiar with the RED SHOE DIARIES movie, and cable tv series. But, most folks don't know that the RED SHOE DIARIES was also released as a series of books. Zalman King was making soft-core erotica that appealed to women long before all those FIFTY SHADES OF GREY books were released.





I love TWO MOON JUNCTION. It's so wonderfully cheesy. I don't like WILD ORCHID as much as TWO MOON JUNCTION, but I still think it's worth watching.

Mr. King also directed Traci Lords in a music video.


Traci Lords in LAST DRAG... Directed by Zalman King


Zalman King ( 1942 – 2012 )

Zalman King wrote, directed, acted, and produced.

Some of Mr. King's acting credits include..... THE MUNSTERS, BONANZA, MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., GUNSMOKE, LAND OF THE GIANTS, ADAM-12, THE F.B.I., CHARLIE'S ANGELS ( original tv series ), GALAXY OF TERROR, and more!

He also appeared in one of my favorite episodes of THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR. The episode was called MEMO FROM PURGATORY. He played a character called Fish. This episode was written by Harlan Ellison, and stars James Caan and Walter Koeing. FYI: As I write this, the show has still NOT been released on legit region one DVD.


Zalman King in THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR ( episode - MEMO FROM PURGATORY )... The third photo shows James Caan holding a knife to Zalman... The fourth picture shows Walter Koeing standing in the middle, and Zalman on the right.


Zalman King in TRIP WITH TEACHER ( left ), and BLUE SUNSHINE ( right )

Zalman King did his own thing. He was a leader, not a follower, and I wonder if he knew how many people he had influenced... You are missed, Mr. King.....

VHS VIXENS PART 7



PART 7 OF 8

TRACI LORDS.....

After her porn scandal started to fade away, she became one of the most popular vixens of the VHS era.

Ms. Lords has turned into a very good actress ( watch EXCISION ).



TRACI I LOVE YOU, was her only LEGIT porno flick. I NEVER got to watch it. Why?... because it seemed to be sold out everywhere! I remember some folks selling new copies at some of the local swap-meets for over FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS each! And I still have vivid memories of seeing BOOTLEG VHS copies of TRACI I LOVE YOU on sale for HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS!... and with NO box! Can you imagine how much a "new" legit copy costs now?!















Just for the record, Traci appears in an episode of the short lived tv show called ANDY BARKER P.I.

Ms. Lords plays Geneva Marseille / Loretta Crispin. Her character is a b-movie babe that's involved in a blackmail scheme. The episode is called DIAL M FOR LAPTOP, and I recommend you watch it. See the screengrabs below.....





VHS VIXENS PART 6



PART 6 OF 8

SHERILYN FENN.....

In my opinion, Ms. Fenn is one of the greatest goddesses to ever appear on a movie or tv screen.



Most folks remember her from TWIN PEAKS ( which you could also rent at the video store ), but she also appeared in a bunch of cult films.



One of my favorite Fenn flicks is BOXING HELENA. Do NOT believe all the negative bullshit aimed at this flick. Julian Sands portrays Nick, and Sherilyn Fenn plays Helena. Nick and Helena are both emotionally damaged in different ways. This is a truly original and memorable story, and I love it.

I've only seen DESIRE AND HELL AT SUNSET MOTEL once, but I really liked it. And I'd love to get my hands on this rare movie, but I'm NOT going to pay a minimum of twenty dollars for a fucked-up VHS. As far as I know, it's NEVER been released on legit region one DVD.

TWO MOON JUNCTION is a sleazy-cheesy classic!

I also love every cheesy moment of TRUE BLOOD ( NOT to be confused with the cable tv series ).