It just started, so I know that they'll be airing it again relatively soon. They seem to rotate a lot of these movies, and this one hasn't been on for some time, at least that I've noticed.
FMC has shown some nice surprises, from "Where Have All the People Gone" to "Tribes", from "The Norliss Tapes" to "Daughter of the Mind", as well as "When Michael Calls". I'm hoping other TV movies will show up!
~~MystMoonstruck~~
I'm actually watching it right now for the very first time on the ENCORE Mystery Channel . Unfortunately it's the only showing that I know of at current on this channel . Great film it almost has a Night Gallery TV Show quality to it IMPO . Thanks cynsemele for your subject post .
shareYou're welcome!
Watch the listings because it's aired on a fairly regular basis, along with a number of other movies. Most film fans are repeat-viewers, so this channel is a delight, especially when they show these obscure movies or TV movies. I rather like "The House...". One reviewer dubbed it "Blaxploitation", but it doesn't feel like a movie of that genre to me; they had a real over-the-top approach, rather tongue in cheek. This one is pretty much a straightforward occult film with a sweet, old-fashioned love story added in. It was so nice to have a romance without the leaping-into-bed that seems to be common in too many movies. The date montage is fun.
~~MystMoonstruck~~
Well put reply here cynsemele and I agree with your input on this fine classic film too . I will keep on checking the schedule for this channel to see when this movie will be on again . Thanks for the recommendation .
shareIt's the only time I can recall seeing Victor French playing a heroic, romantic leading man! Quite a difference from his projects with Michael Landon, true?
~~MystMoonstruck~~
I guess it just goes to show what a versatile actor Victor French was . Also he played in a few western shows back in the day as well in the tough guy roles lol but I agree this was quite a refreshing role he did from the norm . He was one of the exceptional and most talented of actors he will be missed .
shareMy father was a fan of Victor French waaaaay back and would point out him and other favorites when we watched TV. I learned so much about films from my second-generation film buff father, who led me into my attitude toward movies, trying to give each one a chance. He would have loved all of these movie channels and been as addicted as I am to them. He'd especially like the Encore Westerns channel though he dearly loved science fiction, too, and war movies and... He'd have loved identifying all of the old-time actors as well as more recent favorites (at least up to 1975, when we lost him at 47).
As for Mr. French: It's great seeing a character who generally gets small roles end up in a lead role and do well. Others that come to mind are M. Emmet Walsh in "Monster!", which spoofs Fifties sci fi flicks; and Strother Martin in "SSSSSSS". It's not a film, but I recall being stunned by how great Albert Salmi could be when, during a Sci Fi Channel New Year's Eve marathon, I watched the hourlong "Twilight Zone" episode "Of Late I Think of Cliffordville". Wow! The man should have been a much bigger star, even as a character actor. (Yes, I saw the episode when I was a little girl, but I doubt that I appreciated the quality of the performance as fully as when looking back at Salmi's career and the sad ending of his life.)
~~MystMoonstruck~~
It seems like your Dad had really great taste in shows and in actors too . I loved all the old shows and still do too . I'm such a retro TV Show and Movie addict as well lol . I mostly like TV Shows & Movies from 1989 and back . So in my travels when I do finally come across a movie like this one for example I just can't pass it by lol . I also use to watch all these quality shows and movies with my Dad way back when as well . I just recently upgraded my cable to digital and all these channels are just excellent ! The picture quality of the old shows look as if they were brand new - just wonderful . So I agree your Dad would have of loved all these Retro TV Show and Movie channels . I also watch the Sci Fi / SyFy Channel's TZ New Year's Eve Marathons every year too . I still own the Twilight Zone Definitive Collection on DVD too but I just can't get enough of this classic series . I also have the Night Gallery series on DVD . Unfortunately I don't have season 3 because it's still not out yet . Thanks again cynsemele for your wonderful subject post and replies .
shareIt's rather a rarity at IMDb and other movie sites, isn't it, having a polite exchange about a movie? So often, I see such harsh statements against older movies, criticizing the effects, acting, etc. I always take into account the time period it was made in, whether it had a decent budget or not (A- to Z-budgets), and if it's heart seems to be in the right place. I think many film fans can tell when a movie was made because people cared and not necessarily for a quick buck.
For example, I'm watching "The Body Snatcher" (1945) right now on TCM. It's low-budget, likely filmed in a rush, but it's an excellent film. Val Lewton cared deeply, and those around him shared his vision. Thus, this film rose to the surface to be admired after 65 years, yet many A-pictures from that year likely are forgotten or not held in as high esteem as Lewton's production(s).
Again, it's nice to have a nice chat. *giggle*
~~MystMoonstruck~~
I totally agree too ( and very well put reply here by the way ) about the good old films of times past that have gone unnoticed by most but as long as us true fans appreciate them they will never be forgotten . In my opinion sometimes it makes these films even more special when they have a smaller fan base because then they don't become too mainstream or subject to extreme criticism as you pointed out here too . Then sadly it ends up being made into a not so good remake movie lol . Although sometimes there are a few exceptions in some films like for example - " Invasion of the Body Snatchers " . I have seen every version of this film and loved them all lol because for me that storyline was so original and every version of that movie was slightly different each time - not a direct remake to the letter . I also agree it seems in this day and age there would be nothing to compare these fine films with . They have a pure self artistic quality all on there own and would be a crime to duplicate . I feel the old movies had more storyline to them as well and way less " special effects " that makes them even more enjoyable and as long as it doesn't take over the entire storyline in the first place which these films do not . A bit of the special effects are OK or depending on what movie(s) like for example Peter Jackson's - Lord of the Rings Trilogy . That to me made sense to that set of older stories because of it's elaborate scenery etc. . I never read the books but I did enjoy these movies for what they were . Thanks also for this recommendation I have surprisingly not seen "The Body Snatcher" (1945) that you watched earlier . I will have to check the TMC schedule on my new system to see when it will be on again ( the title itself sounds intriguing lol ) . If you ever want to chat again about more classic movies or TV Shows just send me a Private Message anytime . It would be a pleasure and I never get tired of chatting about the classics . It was very nice chatting with you here again cynsemele .
shareI did PM you just now while I'm watching the amazing "Mannequins of Horror" episode of "Monsters". The stop-motion work is excellent, and it really has horrific moments.
I agree about there being good uses for CGI, as in LOTR trilogy and the Jurassic Park films. "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" does a wonderful job of combining a story with lots of CGI. There has to be a strong or at least an entertaining story to attach effects to. Too often, it seems they are thinking, "We can do all of this cool stuff! They'll never notice the weaknesses." Scarily, they might not see those failings themselves because they are so blown away by their own effects. Ray Harryhausen has commented that they fail to work on the story as much as the effects; they must start with a good story then decorate it with effects. I watched "Jason and the Argonauts" again a couple of days ago, and time rolled back to when I first saw it at the drive-in when I was about 12 years old. Talos creakingly turning his head still causes chills; that whole sequence is one of my top favorites of all time, even better than the battle with the skeletons and the hydra. Many CGI creations simply aren't anywhere as effective as the old-time creatures.
I actually like "old school" effects much better because they add certain artistry; they aren't trying to look exactly as in real life. "Skull Mountain" has a very atmospheric look, with the old-style storm effects (for an example). A remake could work, but I doubt that it would have the qualities of the original.
You're right: Some remakes do work. It's just that we've had such a long stream of poorly done ones in which they completely ignore what makes the original special. I've read people suggesting that they remake lesser-known movies, which could work because most people wouldn't have as much of an attachment of the original. Only, would they take this movie and twist it into some parody/comedy? Well... Actually, if it was approached correctly, that might work! They, there would be two very different versions. Unfortunately, too often, when they try parodies, they are merely cruel. Does that make sense?
~~NystMoonstruck~~