Sinister Cinema

aka ORGY OF THE VAMPIRES. Jack Taylor. An interesting Spanish horror film about a bus load of toursts who visit a small European town totally inhabited by vampires. Previously edited scenes of nudity have been restored in the "R" rated thriller. Color, 35mm.

Paul Meurisse, Marcel Dallo, Barbara Steele. Barbara plays a sexy villainess in this rare, French spy/comedy thriller. From 16mm.

Olivier Martin, Maurice Lemaitre, Caroline Cartier, Ly Lestrong. A beautiful "vampire" woman becomes involved with a playboy whose father is experimenting with artificial youth. As it turns out, a group of vampires is trying to save her from aliens from outer space! This is indeed a very unique erotic Euro-horror film with a thought-provoking story. Rated R for nudity. Recommended. Color, scope, 35mm.

Terry-Thomas, Alex Nicol, Honor Blackman. A man's death of smallpox at London airport sends officials into a panic as they conduct a frantic search for the carrier. Nice performances and a good script. 35mm.

What a great Euro-horror film this is! Five people travel by car through a howling storm. They end up in a nearby forgotten, shunned inn. It is occupied by a strange man and his wizened, clairvoyant mother. A seance ensues that shows in flashback the travelers' involvement in sexual depredations, crime, and murder. The clairvoyant tells them that the murdered man will soon return to exact his revenge. Then, in an amazing climax, the proceedings come to a catastrophic ending all to the sound of...

These are the kind of films we love low, low budget affairs filled with schlocky acting, inane dialogue, pitiful special effects, yet are unexplainably enjoyable. A couple of overzealous archaeologists dig up the preserved corpse of a prehistoric man, which as the film's title implies returns to life (via an electrical storm) and unleashes havoc on the locals. Lots of cheesy scientific mumbo jumbo follows in this lovable drive-in schlocker. From 16mm.

Here are four cool Poverty Row movies on two discs, all from PRC Pictures: KING KELLY OF THE U.S.A. (1934) Guy Robertson, Edward Kennedy, Irene Ware. Lots of fun in this Monogram comedy. A theatrical troupe headed by a big-headed, flashy showman (Robertson) ends up in a tiny (and bankrupt) European kingdom. Robertson falls in love with the beautiful daughter (Irene Ware) of the king. The only problem is she has promised her to another! THE OUTER GATE (1937) Ralph Morgan, Kay Linaker, Ben...

Mitchell Kowal, Wim Hollard, Lili Dawn, Vicki Carlson. In what has to be one of the campiest exploitation films ever made, the police are baffled by a series of hair-fetish murders in which the killer slays his victims and then gives them a haircut. A psychopathologist is brought in to give the police advice much like in GLEN OR GLENDA

Buchholz is released from prison six months early. Waiting for him is a taxi, which takes him to his new employer, a corrupt journalist who soon coerces him into writing a phony article about German soldiers living in a bunker. Things get sticky when Buchholz discovers his boss's ill-intentions, further complicating matters is a love triangle that evolves between him, a beautiful woman, and his boss. From 35mm.

Earth is in great peril. Invading aliens attempt conquest by taking over peoples' bodies at death. They then use them as tools for their invasion plans. A well-made, somber piece of sci-fi with a bleak outlook. There are a number of grim death scenes. The final sequence is reminiscent of Fail-Safe. From 16mm.

Vadis' first film as Hercules. Cressoy is a ruthless prince who teams up with an evil but beautiful witch (played by the stunning Moira Orfei). She sends his squad of golden warriors to unleash havoc. Can Hercules stop them? There is a TON of action in this largely forgotten Peplum epic. Watch for the great climax where Hercules is fooled by Orfei's hypnotic powers as his beloved hangs perilously from an ocean cliff. Aka Hercules and the Giant Warriors. Great color, from 35mm.

Richard Johnson, Joanna Cassidy, Edmund Purdom, Ida Galli, Nicoletta Gelmi. A filmmaker is working on a project concerning demonic paintings. When his young daughter comes to possess a mysterious ancient medallion, she falls under a terrible supernatural spell. This impressive Italian horror film obviously pays homage to thematic elements of both The Exorcist and The Omen. It boasts beautiful photography and an outstanding music score. Our special edition is a two disc set containing both the...