WILLIAM SMITH...VAMPIRE-SLAYER by Dave Goode

 

For years I've imagined some American movie producer back in the 1960s making masked wrestler flicks. The heroes portrayed most likely by the stars of the European sinew & sandal movies.The American bodybuilders who traveled from Muscle Beach to Italy to play Hercules, Maciste, and Ursus. Actors like Steve Reeves, Rock Stevens (Peter Lupus), and Mark Forest. But especially Gordon Scott, Dan Vadis, and Brad Harris.

 

 

Recently I was watching GRAVE OF THE VAMPIRE (1972) again and thought the perfect name taking, butt kicking answer to Mexico's Blue Demon could have been "Big" Bill Smith, King of the Biker Flicks, who would play a professional wrestler in the 1978 sports drama BLOOD AND GUTS. But without a mask.

 

 

 

 

GRAVE OF THE VAMPIRE directed by John Hayes from a screenplay by Hayes and David Chase (Kolchak) has gained a cult following over the years. The story has actor Michael Pataki playing Caleb Croft a rapist/murderer who rises from his grave a vampire after being electrocuted 30 years earlier. He brutally attacks a young couple who are making out in a parked car in a grave yard. And maybe it's just me. But can you think of a less romantic place to make love than in a grave yard? Killing the man the vampire rapes the woman in an open grave.

 

 

The woman gives birth to a strange gray hued baby. It of course is the child of her undead attacker. But she is a bit unhinged after her attack. And believes the baby to be the child of her murdered boy friend. This is the reason she continues to carry the child after she is told the baby is a parasite draining her of blood from within. After giving birth she continues to feed him with her own blood. Sending her to an early grave. There is one very eerie seen that shows the child watching from the shadows as other children play in the sun.

 

 

 

 

 

The grown son James Eastman played by William Smith tracks down his vampiric father who is now teaching night courses in the occult under the name Professor Lockwood. The climax of the movie has father and son throwing down against each other in a battle of good vs. evil. Not quite as good as the fight Smith had in the movie DARKER THAN AMBER (1970). But then what is? And it does make you think of Smith opening a can of whup @#$$ on other supernatural menaces. 

 

 

 

 

Art by Vance Capley

 

 

 

QUEEN OF THE DRIVE - IN by Dave Goode

If you're a fan of B - Movies and Drive - In fare of the 70s then the name Claudia Jennings isn't unfamiliar to you. Born Mary Eileen Chesterton on December 20 , 1949 she would sta in flicks like THE UNHOLY ROLLERS ( 1972 ) , TRUCK STOP WOMEN ( 1974 ) GATOR BAIT ( 1974 ) and THE GREAT TEXAS DYNAMITE CHASE ( 1976 ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

After graduating from high school in 1968 she joined the Hull House theater company in Chicago while taking a job as a receptionist at Playboy. There she was discovered by noted photographer Pompeo Posar. The titian haired beauty with her 5' 6" 35 - 23 - 36 115 lb. measurements was the epitome of Hugh Hefner's " girl next door " ideal. And she became Playmate of the Month ( Nov. 1969 ) and Playboy of the Year for 1970.

In 1971 she would make her film debut in fifth billed in JUD , A small film about a Viet Nam vet returning home at Christmas to a reception he wasn't expecting. From there she would become a star in exploitation movies. In 1973 she had a role as a talent agent on an episode of THE BRADY BUNCH titled  " Adios Johnny Bravo ". Aaron Spelling had wanted Claudia to replace Kate Jackson on CHARLIE'S ANGELS. But the network was afraid of casting the former Playmate. And the part went to Shelly Hack.

Tragically Claudia Jennings would die in an automobile accident at 29

SON OF STONE by Dave Goode

 

Cowboys and Dinosaurs are cool. And have appeared in comic books and movies like THE BEAST OF HOLLOW MOUNTAIN ( 1956 ) and THE VALLEY OF GWANGI ( 1969 ). But still cooler were Indians and Dinosaurs. Specifically the heroes of the comic book feature Turok , Son of Stone from Dell Comics and Gold Key Comics.

The feature first appeared in Four Color Comics No. 596 ( Oct. - Nov. 1954 ). The second appearance  would be a year later in Four Color Comics No.656 ( Oct. 1955 ) before receiving it's own title Turok , Son of Stone No. 3 ( March - May 1956 ). The comic followed the adventures of Turok and his younger brother Andar. These two pre - Columbian Native Americans find themselves lost in one of those isolated lost valleys populated by dinosaurs and cave people. A standard comic book and B - Movie cliches. The concept was reportedly inspired by writer Gaylord Du Bois visits to the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.

More than once I've imagined Jay Silverheels ( 1912 - 1980 ) starring in a movie adaptation of Turok , Son of Stone. The Canadian - Mohawk was born Harold J. Smith on the Six Nations of The Grand River the grandson of Mohawk Chief A. G. Smith. An outstanding lacrosse player Silverheels was best known as portraying the Lone Ranger's faithful Indian companion Tonto on television and in the movies.

Of course the other star of any Turok movie would be the head of the special effects department. And in my 1950s Turok , Son of Stone that would be the Wizard of Dynamation Ray Haryhausen.

THE CANARY IS A PRETTY BIRD by Dave Goode

In my mind the original Black Canary had the sexiest costume of any comic book heroine. Perfect for an Artists & Models Ball. Or for a night out at the local fetish bar. Okay so the buccaneer boots with the 4 inch heels may not have been practical for guerilla warfare against crime in the streets. But most super-heroines wore heels in the fight for truth , justice and the American way. Especially at the time when Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino created her. And like the other heroines of the period who didn't posses powers and abilities beyond those of mere mortals she was a " judo expert ".

 

 

 

 

Making her first appearance in Flash Comics No. 86 ( August 1947 ) the Black Canary was a supporting player in the Johnny Thunder back - up feature. A female Robin Hood who took a page from the Green Hornet's  playbook. She would infiltrate criminal gangs to smash them from within. Soon she was the most popular character in the feature. The Johnny Thunder strip was cancelled. And the Black Canary was awarded her own strip in Flash Comics No. 92 ( Feb. 1948 ) where she was given the secret identity of flower shop owner Dinah Drake. She would also take Johnny Thunder's place in the Justice Society of America. When I first found these Golden Age Black Canary stories with her and her Phillip Marlowe - like detective boy friend Larry Lance I thought they may have made a good series of B - Movies from Monogram.

I first learned about the Black Canary during the Silver Age in Justice League of America No. 29 ( August 1964 ). She had made her first Silver Age appearance in a flashback scene in The Flash No. 129 ( June 1962 ). That was followed  by appearances in Justice League of America No.21 (August 1963 ) and Justice League of America No. 22 ( Sept. 1963 ) . Later she would team with her Justice Society teammate Starman in The Brave and The Bold No. 61 ( August 1965 ) and The Brave and The Bold No. 62 ( Sept. 1965 ) with stories by Gardner Fox and art by Murphy Anderson. By this time she and Larry Lance were a married couple.

 

 

 

 

I would imagine Anne Francis who portrayed " private eyeful " Honey West on television in 1965 starring in a Black Canary movie. As I imagined Veronica Lake as the Canary in a 1940s movie. It's been said that Veronica Lake was actually the model for the character. Of course since Dinah Drake's blonde hair was a wig ( part of her disguise ) it really wasn't necessary to have a natural blonde play the role.

I enjoyed the Black Canary's appearances in the Justice League up until she became a member of that team and given an unnecessary super - power. But what I got a real kick out of was Marvel's Silver Age Black Widow. Changing her from a Russian spy to a full fledged super - villainess she was given a second - hand Black Canary costume.