RAMONA FRADON (1926-2024)

 WE'VE LOST ANOTHER OF THE COMIC BOOK GREATS. 

Making most of her mark at DC Comics in the Silver Age, Ramona Fradon was always a favourite of mine as well as being one of the few female comic book artists at the time working on 'superhero' comix such as her storied run on AQUAMAN (on which she co-created Aqualad),

the whimsical PLASTIC MAN comic in the mid-1970s,

the Saturday Morning staple comic book version of the SUPER-FRIENDS

and as co-creator of METAMORPHO THE ELEMENT MAN. 

Fradon's pencils were delightfully whimsical and were a perfect fit for lighter titles like SUPER FRIENDS and PLASTIC MAN but were also splendidly quirky which made interesting art on AQUAMAN, FREEDOM FIGHTERS and METAMORPHO. 

On hearing of her death a few days ago at the age of 97, I went and watched the documentary SHE MAKES COMICS (2014) about female comix creators through the years and Fradon gets a good chunk of screen time. 

As she says in the documentary, her first job at DC Comics was the SHINING KNIGHT (continuing after the departure of legendary artist Frank Frazetta!!!) but she also drew the Sunday funnies staple BRENDA STARR, REPORTER -- another bastion of the independent female.  She also happens to be the artist who first drew a Batman team-up story in the pages of THE BRAVE & THE BOLD:  the 59th issue featuring Batman & Green Lantern. 

Ramona Fradon was a trailblazer merely because she was a phenomenally good artist who just happened to be a woman and she made it in the male-dominated world of super-hero comix on her own terms. 

 

FORTY ACRE FEUD (1965) 35mm Trailer - 4K

FORTY ACRE FEUD (1965)

 THIS FILM WAS RELEASED 4 DAYS AFTER I WAS BORN!!! 

And yes, I went to see it in the cinema when it was first released and it twisted my diapers all to tarnation!!!! I jest HAD to go see it when I was 4 days old because it's a documentary of my best doddy Cheeks' family and, even if Cheeks wasn't born yet, his pappy Bill Anderson is singin' in the film so criminittley I jest had to set right down and watch it! 

It takes place in the town of Shagbottom, Tennessee and unfortunately when the state was re-zoned they left out this 40-acre town so they're fixin' to have an election to choose a state representative to mosey on up to the state capitol and do some representin'!  There's also a family feud goin' on that's been happenin' fer generations -- like the Hatfields & McCoys -- between the Calhoun & Culpepper families.  We find that out when we see Postmaster Amos Quint (Sam Tarpley) referree'n a shoutin' match between Paw Culpepper ((Bob Corley) and ole Foxey Calhoun in Simon Crumb's general store.  One choice insult is:  "I always said the Calhouns got strong blood; one drop can ruin ten generations!".  Simon Crumb is played by country singer Ferlin Husky in a performance that's one step below Gomer Pyle on the I.Q. scale and he's wonderful. 

Husky does sing and pluck his guitar; notably a new song he likes to call "FELL OUT OF LOVE WITH LOVE WHEN MY LOVER FELL IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND AND I TRIED TO KICK IT IN THAT PREDICAMENT BUT IT DIDN'T WORK COS SHE FELL FOR THE JERK AND NOW I'M ON THE LAM ON ACCOUNT OF HIM".  Husky actually sings this song -- it's not just a joke -- and the song's great.  He sings it to young Del Culpepper who is played by country singer Del Reeves (who also gets to sing in this movie).  Del Culpepper is in love with Nancy Calhoun (Jan Moore) in secret; a Capulets/Montagus situation a la ROMEO & JULIET.  While all this is goin' on, TV host of the SMOKEY MOUNTAIN JAMBOREE show (Eddie Hill playing himself) is lookin' to broadcast the next episode from Shagbottom so we get a whole mess'a country music stars converging on the little town and we get a TON of great performances from such stars as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Bill Anderson, Skeeter Davis, Ray Price, Roy Drusky and an uncredited Johnny Paycheck (who duets with Jones).  Also, Minnie Pearl plays Maw Culpepper.  

I'm tellin' you, this movie is wonderful is you enjoy 1960's country music.  If'n you don't, I'd steer well clear because that pert-near all this movie consists of along with some HEE HAW humour.  The flick was directed by exploitation-meister Ron Ormond and can be found in the super-duper Indicator box set "FROM HOLLYWOOD TO HEAVEN:  THE LOST AND SAVED FILMS OF THE ORMOND FAMILY".  FORTY ACRE FEUD takes places in the first half of Ormond's career when he was directing such exploitation jobs as THE EXOTIC ONES, UNTAMED MISTRESS and WHITE LIGHTNIN' ROAD. 

This is before he found himself in a crashing airplane and made a deal with God that, if he lived, he would make movies for God only.  He survived and embarked on his second directorial career making religious films; however, such was the wild & wacky nature of Ormond's 'talent' that these religious films are quite often weirder than his exploitation films.  Check out a personal favourite of mine "THE BURNING HELL" (which you can find on youtubers if'n you don't have this box set) and you'll see what I mean,  I LOVE "THE BURNING HELL".  I also love FORTY ACRE FEUD for different reasons.  For the over-the-top hayseed silliness and especially all the great music from when country music was still ACTUALLY country music before it morphed into bubble-gum pop in the eighties.  Damn, where's the soundtrack album fer this movie?!?!?!!!!!  I'll have to make up one of my own.  

• This Must Be the Bottom  -  Del Reeves
• Easy Come, Easy Go - Bill Anderson
• Three A.M.  -  Bill Anderson
• White Lightning Express  -  Roy Drusky
• The End of the World  -  Skeeter Davis
• Timber, I'm Falling  -  Ferlin Husky
• Give Me 40 Acres  -  The Willis Brothers
• Six Foot Two By Four  -  The Willis Brothers
• Nothing To Write Home About  -  Del Reeves
• Things Have Gone To Pieces  -  George Jones
• Love Bug  -  George Jones
• You Taught Me Everything That I Know  -  Skeeter Davis
• The Other Woman (In My Life)  -  Ray Price
• The Last Letter  -  Ray Price
• It's All In Your Mind  -  Hugh X. Lewis
• Blue Kentucky Girl  -  Loretta Lynn
• (My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers  -  Roy Drusky
• Happy Birthday (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)  -  Loretta Lynn
• Gone  -  Ferlin Husky

WHO VOTED FOR WHAT IN THE 2022 SIGHT AND SOUND "GREATEST FILMS OF ALL TIME" POLL? PART 2

 SEE, I TOLD YOU I'D BE BACK.  Part 2 of yesterday's post featuring some more cool peeps and their votes for the 10 greatest films of all time.

Kim Newman is an author and critic whose opinion is . . . well, let's be real here . . . his opinion is really the only one that matters.  He is the author of the excellent ANNO DRACULA as well as the non-fiction NIGHTMARE CINEMA.

• BARRY LYNDON  (1975)
• THE BIG SLEEP  (1946)
• A CANTERBURY TALE  (1944)
• CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING  (1974)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• DAWN OF THE DEAD  (1978)
• APOCALYPSE NOW  (1979)
• LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH  (1971)
• MULHOLLAND DR.  (2001)
• NOTORIOUS  (1946)

Molly Haskell is a film critic and author of FROM REVERENCE TO RAPE:  THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN IN THE MOVIES and MARY PICKFORD:  QUEEN OF THE MOVIES.

• MADAME DE . . .    (1953)
• AU HASARD BALTHAZAR  (1966)
• THE SEARCHERS  (1956)
• THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS  (1942)
• REAR WINDOW  (1954)
• THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER  (1940)
• PERSONA  (1966)
• SHERLOCK JR.  (1924)
• HIS GIRL FRIDAY  (1939)
• THE STORY OF THE LAST CHRYSANTHEMUM (1939)

Julie Delpy is a director and actor who has appeared in such films as BEFORE SUNSET, BEFORE MIDNIGHT, BEFORE SUNRISE, THE COUNTESS, 2 DAYS IN PARIS, 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and THREE COLORS:  BLUE.

• THE RULES OF THE GAME  (1939)
• AMADEUS  (1984)
• WEST SIDE STORY  (1961)
• HAIR  (1979)
• CLEO FROM 5 TO 7  (1962)
• SUNSET BLVD.  (1950)
• NORTH BY NORTHWEST  (1959)
• LE MEPRIS  (1963)
• AMATOR  (1979)
• MINNIE AND MOSKOWITZ  (1971)

Walter Hill is a director whose films include THE WARRIORS, LAST MAN STANDING, 48 HRS., SOUTHERN COMFORT, CROSSROADS and STREETS OF FIRE.

• SEVEN SAMURAI  (1954)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• THE WILD BUNCH  (1969)
• 8½  (1963)
• BELLE DE JOUR  (1967)
• THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG  (1964)
• SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS  (1941)
• HIS GIRL FRIDAY  (1939)
• WILD STRAWBERRIES  (1957)
• THRONE OF BLOOD  (1957)

Martin Scorsese is the director of such films as GOODFELLAS, RAGING BULL, THE DEPARTED, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, AFTER HOURS, THE IRISHMAN, KUNDUN and TAXI DRIVER.

• 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY  (1968)
• 8½  (1963)
• ASHES AND DIAMONDS  (1958)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST  (1951)
• IKIRU  (1952)
• THE LEOPARD  (1963)
• ORDET  (1955)
• PAISAN  (1946)
• THE RED SHOES  (1948)

Robert Eggers is the director of such films as THE WITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE and THE NORTHMAN.

• ANDREI RUBLEV  (1966)
• THE ELEPHANT MAN  (1980)
• SEVEN SAMURAI  (1954)
• THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE  (1947)
• APOCALYPSE NOW  (1979)
• 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY  (1968)
• NOSFERATU  (1922)
• FITZCARRALDO  (1981)
• THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC  (1927)
• PERSONA  (1966)

EDGAR WRIGHT is the director of such films as HOT FUZZ, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, BABY DRIVER, LAST NIGHT IN SOHO and SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD.

• 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY  (1968)
• THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY  (1966)
• PSYCHO  (1960)
• SINGIN' IN THE RAIN  (1951)
• DON'T LOOK NOW  (1973)
• TAXI DRIVER  (1976)
• MADAME DE . . .   (1953)
• AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON  (1981)
• RAISING ARIZONA  (1987)
• MAD MAX: FURY ROAD  (2015)

Guillermo del Toro is the director of such films as THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE, THE SHAPE OF WATER, NIGHTMARE ALLEY, PAN'S LABYRINTH, CRONOS and HELLBOY.

• BARRY LYNDON  (1975)
• GOODFELLAS  (1990)
• CITY LIGHTS  (1931)
• CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND  (1977)
• FRANKENSTEIN  (1931)
• 8½  (1963)
• NAZARÍN  (1958)
• NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN  (2007)
• SHADOW OF A DOUBT  (1943)
• THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS  (1942)

Mark Cousins is a documentary filmmaker whose films include THE STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY, WOMEN MAKE FILM: A NEW ROAD MOVIE THROUGH CINEMA, THE STORY OF FILM: A NEW GENERATION and THE EYES OF ORSON WELLES.

• THE INSECT WOMAN  (1963)
• PYAASA  (1957)
• TOUCH OF EVIL  (1958)
• CEMETERY OF SPLENDOUR  (2015)
• CABARET  (1972)
• THE ASCENT  (1976)
• CHEKOVIAN MOTIFS  (2002)
• A MOMENT OF INNOCENCE  (1996)
• THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG  (1964)
• FROM THE EAST (1993)

Kenneth Branagh is an actor and director whose films include HENRY V, HAMLET, PETER'S FRIENDS, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and A HAUNTING IN VENICE.

• THE GODFATHER  (1972)
• MONSTER  (2003)
• CLOUD ATLAS  (2012)
• BLACK NARCISSUS  (1947)
• RAGING BULL  (1980)
• THE EXORCIST  (1973)
• RASHOMON  (1950)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• LADY BIRD  (2017)
• DO THE RIGHT THING  (1989)

Eddie Muller is a critic, a TCM TV host and author as well as the founder and president of the Film Noir Society, author of the book DARK CITY:  THE LOST WORLD OF FILM NOIR and publisher of the magazine NOIR CITY which takes it's name from the film festivals he helps organize.

• NAPOLEON  (1927)
• THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC  (1927)
• THE RULES OF THE GAME  (1939)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• SUNSET BLVD.  (1950)
• SEVEN SAMURAI  (1954)
• AU HASARD BALTHAZAR  (1966)
• THE WILD BUNCH  (1969)
• CHINATOWN  (1974)
• MULHOLLAND DR.  (2001)

Gary Oldman is an actor/director whose films include ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, JFK, DARKEST HOUR, BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, SID & NANCY, MANK and TRUE ROMANCE.

• THE CHILDREN OF PARADISE  (1945)
• THE CONVERSATION  (1974)
• 8½  (1963)
• THE 400 BLOWS  (1959)
• DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB  (1963)
• IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE  (2000)
• THE WAGES OF FEAR  (1953)
• HUSBANDS: A COMEDY ABOUT LIFE DEATH AND FREEDOM  (1970)
• ROME, OPEN CITY  (1945)
• THE WIND WILL CARRY US  (1999)

Alexander Payne is a director whose films include SIDEWAYS, THE HOLDOVERS, ELECTION, ABOUT SCHMIDT, NEBRASKA, THE DESCENDANTS and DOWNSIZING.

• SEVEN SAMURAI  (1954)
• 8½  (1963)
• SUNSET BLVD.  (1950)
• L'AVVENTURA  (1960)
• THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY  (1966)
• VIRIDIANA  (1961)
• APOCALYPSE NOW  (1979)
• BICYCLE THIEVES  (1948)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)

Apichatpong Weerasethakul is a director whose films include CEMETERY OF SPLENDOUR, SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY, TROPICAL MALADY and UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES.

• REHEARSALS FOR EXTINCT ANATOMIES  (1988)
• GOODBYE, DRAGON INN  (2003)
• HSIMENG JENSHENG  (1993)
• THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE  (1974)
• EMPIRE  (1964)
• THE CHESS PLAYERS  (1977)
• MAD MAX: FURY ROAD  (2015)
• QUICK BILLY  (1971)
• ROSE HOBART  (1936)
• LA NEZ  (1963)

Mike Hodges is a director whose films include GET CARTER, PULP and FLASH GORDON.

• ACE IN THE HOLE  (1951)
• THE ASPHALT JUNGLE  (1950)
• THE BAD SLEEP WELL  (1960)
• CHARLEY VARRICK  (1973)
• IN A LONELY PLACE  (1950)
• THE KILLING  (1956)
• KISS ME DEADLY  (1955)
• THE PROWLER  (1950)
• LE SAMOURAI  (1967)
• SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS  (1957)

WHO VOTED FOR WHAT IN THE 2022 SIGHT AND SOUND "GREATEST FILMS OF ALL TIME" POLL?

 HERE IS A RANDOM SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE VOTERS I RESPECT & ENJOY. 

Saffron Maeve is a film critic based in Toronto who writes for FILM COMMENT (et. al) whose film criticism I enjoy.    Here are the 10 films she voted as the greatest of all time (Source:  SIGHT AND SOUND).

• NASHVILLE (1975)
• THE PARALLAX VIEW  (1974)
• CRASH  (1996)
• FIVE EASY PIECES  (1970)
• UNA GIORNATA PARTICOLARE  (1977)
• ORLACS HÄNDE  (1925)
• BORN IN FLAMES  (1983)
• L'ARGENT  (1983)
• LOLA MONTES  (1955)
• MEANTIME  (1983)

Wes Anderson is the director of such films as THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, RUSHMORE, BOTTLE ROCKET, MOONRISE KINGDOM, THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX and his latest ASTEROID CITY.

• LA GRANDE ILLUSION  (1937)
• QUAI DES ORFÈVRES  (1947)
• MADAME DE . . .  (1953)
• VIVRE SA VIE  (1962)
• L'HOMME QUI AIMAIT LES FEMMES (1977) aka THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN
• LOULOU  (1980)
• VAGABOND  (1985)
• OLIVIER, OLIVIER  (1992)
• ÇA COMMENCE AUJOURD'HUI (1999) aka IT ALL STARTS TODAY
• ROIS ET REINE  (2004)  aka KINGS AND QUEEN

Richard Ayoade is the director of SUBMARINE and THE DOUBLE as well as appearing in THE IT CROWD, GARTH MERENGHI'S DARK PLACE, TRAVEL MAN and GADGET MAN.

• THE APARTMENT  (1960)
• BADLANDS  (1973)
• BARRY LYNDON  (1975)
• CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS  (1989)
• MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW  (1937)
• LE MÈPRIS  (1963)
• ORDET  (1955)
• PERSONA  (1966)
• RAGING BULL  (1980)
• TOKYO STORY  (1953)

Bong-Joon Ho is the director of MEMORIES OF MURDER, PARASITE, OKJA, THE HOST and SNOWPIERCER.

• PSYCHO  (1960)
• HANYO  (1960)
• ROCCO E I SUOI FRATELLI  (1960) aka ROCCO & HIS BROTHERS
• FUKUSHÛ SURU WA WARE NI ARI   (1979)  aka VENGEANCE IS MINE
• RAGING BULL  (1980)
• A CITY OF SADNESS  (1989)
• CURE  (1998)
• ZODIAC  (2007)
• MAD MAX:  FURY ROAD  (2015)
• LAZZARO FELICE  (2018)  aka  HAPPY AS LAZZARO

David Thomson is one of my favourite film critics/authors whose opinions I don't always agree with but whose writing is so great I don't care!  His awesome books include A BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF FILM, "HAVE YOU SEEN. . . ?:  A PERSONAL INTRODUCTION TO 1,000 FILMS, MURDER AND THE MOVIES and THE BIG SCREEN:  THE STORY OF THE MOVIES AND WHAT THEY DID TO US.

• THE BIG SLEEP  (1946)
• CÈLINE AND JULIE GO BOATING  (1974)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• I PUGNI IN TASCA  (1965)  aka  FISTS IN THE POCKET
• MAGNOLIA  (1999)
• A MAN ESCAPED  (1956)
• PIERROT LE FOU  (1965)
• THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER  (1940)
• THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD  (2021)
• VIETNAM WAR  (2017)

Ti West is the director of such films as PEARL, IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE, THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, THE INNKEEPERS and THE ROOST.

• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• THE GODFATHER  (1972)
• 2001:  A SPACE ODYSSEY  (1968)
• APOCALYPSE NOW  (1979)
• PSYCHO  (1960)
• SUNSET BLVD.  (1950)
• CHINATOWN  (1974)
• JAWS  (1975)
• TAXI DRIVER  (1976)
• EASY RIDER  (1969)

Tilda Swinton is a director and actor who has appeared in such films as MICHAEL CLAYTON, ORLANDO, DOCTOR STRANGE, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, OKJA, CONSTANTINE, THE ZERO THEOREM and SNOWPIERCER.

• A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH  (1946)
• VERTIGO  (1958)
• M. HULOT'S HOLIDAY  (1953)
• TO BE OR NOT TO BE  (1942)
• WALKABOUT  (1970)
• JOURNEY TO ITALY  (1954)
• PICKPOCKET  (1959)
• JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES  (1975)
• MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO  (1988)
• LA DOLCE VITA  (1960)

Frank Oz is the voice of Miss Piggy and Yoda as well as the director of such films as THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD, THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS.

• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• TOUCH OF EVIL  (1958)
• SEVEN SAMURAI  (1954)
• THE CITY OF GOD  (2002)
• THE ACT OF KILLING  (2012)
• ERASERHEAD  (1976)
• ANNIE HALL  (1977)
• PULP FICTION  (1994)
• THE GODFATHER  (1972)
• SINGIN' IN THE RAIN  (1951)

Alex Gibney is an American documentary filmmaker who has directed such films as GOING CLEAR:  SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF, THE INVENTOR:  OUT FOR BLOOD IN SILICONE VALLEY, FINDING FELA, SINATRA:  ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL and MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN.

• I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO  (2016)
• À BOUT DE SOUFFLE  (1960)  aka BREATHLESS
• VERTIGO  (1958)
• SEVEN SAMURAI  (1954)
• GIMME SHELTER  (1970)
• THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL  (1962)
• THE SORROW AND THE PITY  (1969)
• ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST  (1968)
• BLADE RUNNER  (1982)
• LAWRENCE OF ARABIA  (1962)

Joe Dante is the director of such films as THE HOWLING, PIRAHNA, GREMLINS, THE BURBS, THE HOLE and GREMLINS 2:  THE NEW BATCH.

• CITY LIGHTS  (1931)
• PINOCCHIO  (1940)
• 8½  (1963)
• THE GRAPES OF WRATH  (1940)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB  (1963
• CHINATOWN  (1974)
• THE GODFATHER PART II  (1974)
• UMBERTO D.  (1952)
• A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH  (1946)

Alex Cox is the director of such films as REPO MAN, WALKER, SID & NANCY and KUROSAWA:  THE LAST EMPEROR.

• THE MATTEI AFFAIR  (1972)
• 2001:  A SPACE ODYSSEY  (1968)
• IKIRU  (1952)
• COME AND SEE  (1985)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL  (1962)
• THE WAGES OF FEAR  (1953)
• THE WAR GAME  (1966)
• FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE  (1965)
• KILLER OF SHEEP  (1977)

Nicolas Winding Refn is the director of such films as DRIVE, THE NEON DEMON, ONLY GOD FORGIVES and VALHALLA RISING.

• THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE  (1974)
• IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE  (1947)
• ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST  (1968)
• THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS  (1966)
• NIGHT TIDE  (1961)
• STALKER  (1979)
• A CLOCKWORK ORANGE  (1971)
• THE LEOPARD  (1963)
• VERTIGO  (1958)
• FAT CITY  (1972)

Pete Tombs is the author of the seminal book on "weird & wonderful cinema from around the world" MONDO MACABRO (which every person on the planet should own) and co-author of IMMORAL TALES as well as the co-founder of the video distribution company named after his seminal book . . . .yep, MONDO MACABRO.

• 2001:  A SPACE ODYSSEY  (1968)
• DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS  (1970)
• THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL  (1962)
• MODEL SHOP  (1968)
• MULHOLLAND DR.  (2001)
• THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER  (1955)
• PAKEEZAH  (1972)
• ONE NIGHT . . . A TRAIN  (1968)
• VIDEODROME  (1983)
• THE WHITE REINDEER  (1953)

Jonathan Rigby is an horror expert, actor and author whose books include ENGLISH GOTHIC, AMERICAN GOTHIC, CHRISTOPHER LEE:  THE AUTHORIZED SCREEN HISTORY, EURO GOTHIC and STUDIES IN TERROR:  LANDMARKS IN HORROR CINEMA.

• THE CROWD  (1928)
• MÄDCHEN IN UNIFORM  (1931)
• ISLAND OF LOST SOULS  (1932)
• SUNSET BLVD.  (1950)
• ORPHÈE  (1950)
• REAR WINDOW  (1954)
• LES YEUX SANS VISAGE  (1959)  aka  EYES WITHOUT A FACE
• ONIBABA  (1964)
• WITCHFINDER GENERAL  (1968)
• THE TENANT  (1976)

Ramsey Campbell is a horror author whose books include COLD PRINT, DARK FEASTS, ANCIENT IMAGES, THE HUNGRY MOON and THE NAMELESS.

• LA GRANDE ILLUSION  (1937)
• HANGMEN ALSO DIE!  (1943)
• LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN  (1948)
• LOS OLVIDADOS  (1950)
• SINGIN' IN THE RAIN  (1951)
• UGETSU MONOGATARI  (1953)
• WILD STRAWBERRIES  (1957)
• VERTIGO  (1958)
• TOUCH OF EVIL  (1958)
• MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO  (1988)

John Carpenter is a composer and director whose films include ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, THE FOG, HALLOWEEN, THE THING, THEY LIVE, IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.

• ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS  (1939)
• CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT  (1966)
• RIO BRAVO  (1958)
• THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE  (1972)
• CHINATOWN  (1974)
• BRINGING UP BABY  (1938)
• THE SEARCHERS  (1956)
• THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL  (1962)
• SCARFACE  (1932)
• VERTIGO  (1958)

Roger Corman is a director/producer whose films include HOUSE OF USHER, THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, A BUCKET OF BLOOD, X: THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES, THE RAVEN, THE HAUNTED PALACE, THE TOMB OF LIGEIA, THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CREATURE FROM THE HAUNTED SEA and ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS!

• CHINATOWN  (1974)
• CITIZEN KANE  (1941)
• DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB  (1963)
• THE GODFATHER  (1972)
• LA DOLCE VITA  (1960)
• LAWRENCE OF ARABIA  (1962)
• RASHOMON  (1950)
• THE SEVENTH SEAL  (1957)
• THE TIN DRUM  (1979)
• WAR AND PEACE  (1966)

Kat Ellinger is a film critic and editor-in-chief of Diabolique Magazine who also provides some of the best commentary tracks and special feature video essays you're ever gonna find on the blu ray of your choice!

• FRUIT OF PARADISE  (1970)
• FASCINATION  (1979)
• PINK FLAMINGOS  (1972)
• FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN  (1973)
• VISITOR Q  (2001)
• THE WORKING CLASS GOES TO HEAVEN  (1971)
• THE LAUGHING WOMAN  (1969)
• THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY  (2014)
• FASTER, PUSSYCAT!  KILL!  KILL!  (1966)
• LA GRANDE BOUFFE  (1973)

Mike Leigh is the director of such films as SECRETS & LIES, LIFE IS SWEET, TOPSY TURVY, VERA DRAKE and MR. TURNER.

• HOW A MOSQUITO OPERATES  (1912)
• TOKYO STORY  (1953)
• THE 400 BLOWS  (1959)
• SOME LIKE IT HOT  (1959)
• THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW  (1964)
• LOVES OF A BLONDE  (1965)
• HERE IS YOUR LIFE  (1966)
• BARRY LYNDON  (1975)
• SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR  (2000)
• THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU  (2005)

Who knows . . . maybe there'll be a Part 2 . . .