BOB WILKINS 1932-2009 A Look At TV Horror Host BOB WILKINS, The Movies He Showed And The Unique Genre Of Northern California Television Of Bygone Days!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
November 18, 1967 Schedule: "Dementia 13" 12:30AM
Bob Wilkins reruns a Francis Ford Coppola Debut Classic, DEMENTIA 13. It was last shown on September 24, 1966. This movie is currently in the P.D. and is available on numerous DVD labels such as ALPHA VIDEO, GOODTIMES HOME VIDEO, SLINGSHOT, DIGIVIEW, TROMA/ROAN, MIRACLE PICTURES, UNITED AMERICAN VIDEO, ELSTREE HILL ENTERTAINMENT, SYNERGY ENTERTAINMENT, MARENGO FILMS, MADACY VIDEO, BRENTWOOD, CULT CLASSICS and MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT and much, much more! It is available REMASTERED or NOT REMASTERED, SINGLE RELEASE or in DOUBLE FEATURES, in MOCK 3D or as part of a 20 pack, even a 50 pack. I have heard that the best one to date is the TROMA/ROAN release though I hear that even that release is flawed. It definately needs a CRITERION type of RESTORATION!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
November 11, 1967 Schedule: "Planet Of Blood (1966) 11:30PM
Bob Wilkins showed a very spooky Sci-Fi AIP movie, PLANET OF BLOOD is better known by its Theatrical Title, QUEEN OF BLOOD. Amazing how this movie went from theatres to TV within a year of its release. This movie stars, JOHN SAXON (THE EVIL EYE, ENTER THE DRAGON, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET), DENNIS HOPPER (EASY RIDER, BLUE VELVET,THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE PART 2), FLORENCE MARLEY and BASIL RATHBONE in one of his last movies. It was directed by CURTIS HARRINGTON who has directed many genre movies and tv. The production manager was GARY KURTZ who later gained fame with George Lucas as producer on AMERICAN GRAFFITI, STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK as well as produced ENTER THE DEVIL and THE DARK CRYSTAL. FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND editor-in-chief FORREST J. ACKERMAN has a cameo. Still waiting for an official Region 1 DVD Release!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
November 4, 1967 Schedule: "The Abominable Snowman Of The Himalayas" (1957) 12:15AM
Bob Wilkins showed a Hammer Films Classic from the 1950's. The plot: "A Kindly English Botanist and a Gruff American Scientist lead an expedition to the Himalayas in search of the legendary Yeti." This was written by NIGEL KNEALE who was famous for writing QUATERMASS and was directed by VAL GUEST who happened to directed the first 2 Quatermass Movies from the 1950's.
THE SEVERED ARM (1973) Running Time
Though listed as having a running time of 89 Minutes on all video boxes (Both the Uncut VIDEO GEMS VHS as well as all Cut TV Versions Videos), It is not correct. The Uncut VIDEO GEMS version clocks in at 91 Minutes while the Cut TV Version clocks in at 88 Minutes. So the Uncut Version is 3 Minutes longer. All of the Killing Scenes plus Ted having his arm cut off have been censored from the TV Version.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
THE SEVERED ARM (1973) Video History
The Severed Arm (1973) has had a very checkered video history. It was first released on video in 1981 by VIDEO GEMS in a UNCUT and UNCENSORED VERSION, not since its initial theatrical release back in 1973, has it been seen like this, since it was usually cut when it was shown on television. Unfortunately, The VIDEO GEMS release remains the ONLY way to see THE SEVERED ARM UNCUT! All subsequent video releases were derived from the same Cut TV Print. They include MEMORY LANE VIDEO, CONGRESS VIDEO GROUP and STAR CLASSICS. The DVD releases were DIAMOND ENTERTAINMENT (paired with I BURY THE LIVING ), BRENTWOOD COMMUNICATIONS (Packaged with THE UNDERTAKER AND HIS PALS, SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD and IEAT YOUR SKIN and another packaged with all but SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD) and a more recent release from ALPHA VIDEO (paired with GOOD AGAINST EVIL). THE SEVERED ARM was only released on VHS and DVD, not BETA or LASERDISC). At this rate, I don't ever see it released UNCUT again especially in a SPECIAL EDITION DVD that it deserves. Since it is a P.D. title, most other companies probably won't touch it. I appeal to DVD companies like ANCHOR BAY, DARK SKY, SYNAPSE, ELITE, MEDIA BLASTERS or CODE RED to do a Special Edition DVD of THE SEVERED ARM. It deserves to be preserved on DVD in the best most complete print possible. Until that day comes, Expect to see the VIDEO GEMS VHS version of THE SEVERED ARM to command inflated prices on EBAY and AMAZON MARKETPLACE. I lucked out recently and got a used copy for $15.01 after foolisly selling another one 4 years ago. I won't repeat that mistake again! Have a look at the various covers of the VHS and DVD's of THE SEVERED ARM. My favorite is the VIDEO GEMS version with the FOUR FINGERS of a HAND. The worst and stupid one is the Brentwood solo DVD with a Hand with the caption "THE RIGHT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE LEFT HAND IS DOING". This is THE SEVERED ARM not THE SEVERED HAND. In fact, The hand looks like something from THE ADDAMS FAMILY.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
THE SEVERED ARM (1973) Cast, Crew and Technical Specs
Next is a bit on the cast and crew and tecnical info on THE SEVERED ARM (1973), unfortunately, I don't know how reliable IMDB is, but most of the info is from them. Cast: MARVIN KAPLAN who played Radio D.J. MAD MAN HERMAN has an extensive TV resume that includes CHIPS, I DREAM OF JEANNIE, THE MOD SQUAD as well as a recurring appearance on ALICE as Henry. He also appeared in movies like IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD (1963), THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963 JERRY LEWIS VERSION) and FREAKY FRIDAY (1976) as well as other genre flicks like FANGS (1974) WITCHBOARD 2 THE DEVIL'S DOORWAY (1993) and an appearance on KOLCHALK THE NIGHT STALKER. PAUL CARR (1934-06) who played DETECTIVE MARK also has a large TV resume with such shows as STAR TREK, THE TIME TUNNEL, VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, THE INVADERS and GHOST STORY plus genre flicks like BEN (1972), THE BAT PEOPLE (1974) and SISTERS OF DEATH (1977). DAVID G. CANNON who played TV WRITER, JEFF was also associate producer of THE SEVERED ARM, but that's it. Nothing more on him. JOHN CRAWFORD who played the DOCTOR, however was a veteran of both movies, tv and serials. On TV, he appeared in LOST IN SPACE, THE WALTONS, THE DUKES OF HAZZARD and DALLAS and Serials, THE INVISIBLE MONSTER (1950) and ZOMBIES OF THE STRATOSPHERE (1952) and movies like INVASION USA (1952), THE DEVIL'S MESSENGER (1961), JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963), I SAW WHAT YOU DID (1965) and THE BOOGENS (1982). VINCE MARTORANO who played ARCHITECT BILL also did TV like STARSKY AND HUTCH and BARETTA but also did the cult film, THE CANDY SNATCHERS (1973). RAY DANNIS who played NUT CASE, TED did a bunch of genre movies like AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. (1966), THE BLACK KLANSMAN (1966), THE UNDERTAKER AND HIS PALS (1966) and THE CORPSE GRINDERS (1973). DEBORAH WALLEY (1943-01) who played TED'S equally demented daughter TEDDIE is most remembered as GIDGET in GIDGET GOES HAWAIIAN (1961) as well as other family friendly fare like BEACH BLANET BINGO (1965) and BENJI (1974) but also did genre films like DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE (1965), GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI (1966) and THE BUBBLE (1966) in 3D! Crew: THOMAS S. ALDERMAN who directed THE SEVERED ARM as well as write the screenplay only did one other movie, CO-ED DORM (1971). LARRY ALEXANDER who wrote THE SEVERED ARM is a prolific writer of TV Shows like BARNABY JONES, MATT HELM, SWAT, FANTASY ISLAND<>