A Night at the Family Dog 1970 (The Grateful Dead / Jefferson Airplane / Santana)

Description

Filmed on location at the Family Dog Ballroom in San Francisco in September, 1970, the show captures the heyday and diversity of the San Francisco sound with three of the most well known bands to emerge from the scene: Santana, who would release their second album at the end of 1970; The Grateful Dead, including original band member Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, who were making a name for themselves with their jam-filled performances; and Jefferson Airplane, who were at the time the biggest of the bands from the area.

San Francisco was an area of artistic creation during the mid-to-late 60's. Whether it was art, poetry or music, the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco was the place for like-minded individuals to explore and create. Noted jazz columnist Ralph J. Gleason took note of the exploding rock music scene and produced several television specials and documentaries spotlighting the music emerging from San Francisco. A Night At The Family Dog is one part of a two-part series (the other is Go Ride The Music) that aired on The National Educational Television Network in 1970.

The audio for this program has been extrapolated up to Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes from their original mono source! This show has never sounded or looked so good!

Track Listing:
Santana
-Incident At Neshabur
-Soul Sacrifice
The Grateful Dead
-Hard To Handle
-China Cat Sunflower
-I Know You Rider
Jefferson Airplane
-The Ballad of You And Me And Pooneil
-Eskimo Blue Day
A Super Jam
-All Star jam with members of all 3 bands!

Customer Reviews:

the dead at the dog.......2007-09-09

This is a little piece of history captured for our viewing pleasure...
It only makes you wish there were more old vintage performances available
on dvd... Cheers to eaglevision for keeping the past alive and relevent..

Excellent time capsule.......2007-09-04

this is an approx. 1-hour color videotape, 16-track recorded snapshot of February 1970 performances by these three bands at The Family Dog in San Francisco. Originally produced at the time for public television broadcast; see the review entitled "Amazing Performances" for details ... also disagree w/ "It's Not the 60's" review comment: Grateful Dead were still to break new musical ground from 1970-74 esp. after 1971 when Keith Godchaux joined on piano, as was Santana with even more jazz-oriented 1972-74 albums and lineups (powerhouse drumming from Michael Shrieve here).

for 58 minutes you'll be transported to a time and place in music which can't come back - savor it.

A night at the family dog.......2007-09-01

Glad to see they rereleased this dvd.Performances are great ,the music is right on,but it could have been a lot longer.Buy this dvd to see the great PIG PEN with the DEAD.Priceless.

SAN FRANCISCO'S FINEST HOUR.......2007-09-01

Beyond the film quality which is 1970's average at best, this DVD is Rock essential. Santana, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, the light show and hippie dancers is short in length, but still worth every penny. SANTANA - Carlos Santana in recent years admitted the original band was his best. They follow the Woodstock performance here playing two instrumetals proving they were no one hit wonders. "Abraxas" was not out yet, so it was still a work in progress. The musicianship is better than Woodstock, though not the fire. Gregg Rolie, "Chepito" and the rest made this more of a group than in the later years when the guitar hero was backed by... "Who's He Got This Year"? THE GRATEFUL DEAD - Why was this band never the same after Ron "Pigpen" McKernan died? He was the group's premier showstopper. Jerry Garcia was the leader, "Pigpen" the spark plug. He lets it all go on the R&B "Hard To Handle" lifting the room to peak level. The jam on "China Cat" is just a notch bellow "Europe 72". Still doggone good. The drummers sizzle. JEFFERSON AIRPLANE - Jack Casady's blistering bass solo alone on "The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil" is something to watch and hear. The guy is wired. Grace Slick, vocals and Jorma Kaukonen, guitar are in sync on "Eskimo Blue Day" even though after the song, it's apparent Slick is loaded. This was a great 60's band that splintered later into three parts. The Airplane is better here than at Woodstock and Monterey. THE ALLSTAR JAM is good only for watching. Carlos, Jerry and Jorma seem to respect each other too much rather than trying to top each other. Which band steals the show? It's a three way tie, all having shining moments that will never again will be dupliated. Now that "A Night At The Family Dog" is finally available, I hope next to follow will be the "Fillmore: Last Days" movie on DVD.

I WANT MORE.......2007-08-30

Musically this dvd is 5 star material, If it were a cd this would be a 5 star review. Problem being the brevity and editing. This dvd is much too short (about one hour). The editing flaws include slo-mo shots of a chick hippie-dancing in a sheer dress w/out a bra (even as I type this I feel wrong complaining) the problem is it'll be during peak jams where I would rather see Jerry or Santana's hands or even facial expressions than borderline soft-core porn. The material is great though, Pigpen on video alone is worth the price. It's obvious the cameraman got into the "special punch" that night and just shot whatever the hell he felt like tripping on. For completionists.

Average customer rating:

what a really good re-make...
A worthy remake that entertained me from start to finish. A solid popcorn movie.
Gran tributo a la original "Noche de los muertos vivientes"
Same Idea, Different "Night" ...
Enjoyable - Just don't take too seriously

Night of the Living Dead
Starring: Tony Todd , Patricia Tallman , Tom Towles , McKee Anderson , and William Butler
Director: Tom Savini
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000K3TO
Release Date: 1999-10-05

Customer Reviews:

what a really good re-make..........2007-04-22

this was actually a really good re-make of the original. i'm pretty sure you will recognize the black guy from the original movie. they stay pretty much to the same script as the original but you'll want to see it anyway just to see what else happens.
if you are a "BABYLON 5" fan like i am you might recognize on of the cast members in the movie. i haven't seen it in quite sometime and i just recently ordered it from amazon. i'm looking forward to seeing it again.
"They are coming to get you, BARBARA!!"... the movie that started all the zombie movies ever to come. if you want to see also another good one, the idea for this movie came from another movie with Vincent Price called "THE LAST MAN ON EARTH".
it also deserves a viewing if you are a ZOMBIE fan like me! for anyone who hasn't seen even the original movie of "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" where have you been?? rotting in a coffin or something??
enjoy!
CMH

A worthy remake that entertained me from start to finish. A solid popcorn movie........2007-04-21

I loved the original movie and this version isn't half-bad. I don't think it's worth commenting on what actually happens in the movie. If you have seen or read about the original Night of the Living Dead you know, more or less, what happens.

It cleans up the visual and audio problems of the original. There is less wooden acting. Let's not forget that the 1969 version was, afterall, made by amateurs. Also, this version has some nice twists to it and there is some subtle humor. What happens to the snaky "Cooper" at the end of the movie will have you roaring with laughter.

What prevents this from being a "great" film is that it follows the original too closely and there are a few moments where the story doesn't seem to unfold naturally because it's trying to hard to be consistent with the 1969 one. But, like I say, some things happen slightly differently. Perhaps the biggest change from the original is that "Barbara" is no longer a helpless female in need of protection from the men. By the film's end, she reminded me of the heroine Sigorney Weaver from the Alien series. She's a natural zombie killer!

I'm giving it 4 and 1/2 stars only because there's no way it deserves to be on par with the original which gets 5 stars. Still, it's a very entertaining movie and I highly recommend that horror fans get it.

Gran tributo a la original "Noche de los muertos vivientes" .......2007-04-11

Esta versión de Tom Savini es por lo menos igual de buena que la original de Romero (1968). La trama es virtualmente la misma: varias personas atrapadas en una casa por un ejército de zombies.Los zombies son escalofriantemente superiores a los originales, y se ha acentuado el gore en la acción. La heroína tiene un papel mas activo y deja de ser la muchacha desvalida y gritona de la primera.Tony Todd esta excelente como el lider del grupo.Y se mantiene oscuro el origen de tal levantamiento de los muertos.El mensaje es el mismo tanto en el film de Romero como en el remake de Savini: la fragilidad de nuestra civilización, que en un momento de locura, solo atinamos a escondernos y atacarnos entre nosotros.Los extras son interesantes tambien. Muy recomendable para cualquier amante del terror e impresindible para los zombimaniáticos.

Same Idea, Different "Night" ..........2007-04-09

Romero fans, be prepared for a few radical changes ... hopefully you can view them as reflective of a new era and not as an assault on the 1968 original (that Romero was an executive producer and had a hand in revising the script should help)!!

No longer is Barbara the catatonic, ineffectual "zombie" that she was in the 1968 version: now she has a riffle and a meat tenderizer ... and she knows how to use them BOTH!! Other alterations abound! (I am omitting the juicy stuff so as not to spoil your discovery!!) For instance, as Johnnie (as spelled at IMDB) and Barbara approach the cemetery, it is revealed that the siblings' mother is dead ... not the father. Why is this interesting? As explained in Tony Williams text The Cinema of George A. Romero: Knight of the Living Dead, "[the original deals with] domination and possession on many levels. An unseen mother manipulates Johnny and Barbara into performing a ritual neither of them shows any real feeling for" (22). A curious alteration since it is the focus of much speculation! What does this reveal about the current roles of mothers and fathers?

As a zombie fan, you probably enjoy all the minutia as much as I ... especially when it involves social commentary. Therefore, you will enjoy the commentary on modern "craftsmanship" in this version. When Ben realizes that the old farmhouse is being remodeled, he despairs. Tommy is perplexed until Ben easily puts his fist through the new door ... so poorly made. Only by retrieving the old "ugly" doors can the enclave proper steel themselves against the "zed word." Very clever!! It's a small but fun detail:D And, seriously, hearing the line "Yeah, they're dead, they're all messed up" once again ... well, that's just priceless!!

While all the acting is excellent, Tony Todd is a shining star ... not too many actors could succeed in bringing the original role "new life," but Todd does so with zest. He has easily earned his status as a horror-film icon!! (The "Final Destination," trilogy, the "Candyman" trilogy, "Wishmaster," "X-Files," etc... EPIC ACTOR!!)

A note on a minor coincidence that only a horror-enthusiast can appreciate: at 11:44 minutes watch for Tony Todd (Ben) to emerge from the car with a crow-bar. An extreme close-up of the crow-bar in his hand looks like a giant hook ... a la Tony Todd's role in "Candyman." Yes, I know Rose's "Candyman" was released in 1992 and this was released in 1990 ... like I said, it's just a neat coincidence;)

Watch this film if you love zombies, want to be a zombie, have a friend who is a zombie, or are interested in zombie-rights.

Suggested reading: Williams, Tony. The Cinema of George A. Romero: Knight of the Living Dead. London: Wallflower P, 2003.

Enjoyable - Just don't take too seriously.......2007-04-04

I suppose it's all been said, but I'll give it a shot. :)

First, the (decidedly amateur) comments:

Having seen all the Romero flicks and enjoyed the Dawn of the Dead remake, I would have to place this movie somewhere beneath these previous flicks. The makeup effects I can't fault; much better than the original. But, of course, effects do not a great movie make. The acting was all right for the most part, but a bit stilted at times; I think the leading lady was trying too hard to be rough and tough. I much prefer the efforts of someone like Sigourney Weaver, who managed to maintain her character's humanity realistically through the "crisis moments."

Okay, enough bellyaching. All in all, I'm still glad I bought this movie; I freely admit to being a zombie fan, so I guess you should take that into account. I see it as a fond "tip of the hat" to the master. It follows, for the most part, the tried and true formula of the original script; a true remake, I think, rather than a "reimagining," which puts it in a different class than the new "Dawn." I guess this is mostly what I'd expect Romero to try out if he had it in mind to "do it over again." I just think he'd do it better, that's all.

If you like the "Dead" films, do try it out. At the very least, it will inspire you to revisit the classic and see it in a new way. Just try not to over-analyze it; not much social commentary here beyond the most basic.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. ;)

Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)

Average customer rating:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)"
Not Free SF Reader
Top ten horror films of all time
The Zombie Crunch
The one ,the only.

Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)
Starring: Bill 'Chilly Billy' Cardille , Charles Craig (II) , Frank Doak , Marilyn Eastman , and Jack Givens
Manufacturer: ELITE ENTERTAINMENT
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005Y6Y2
Release Date: 2002-03-12

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We can hardly imagine how shocking this film was when it first broke into the film scene in 1968. There's never been anything quite like it again, though there have been numerous pale imitations. Part of the terror lies in the fact that it is shot in such a raw and unadorned fashion that it feels like a home movie, and is all the more authentic because of that. It draws us into its world gradually, content to establish a merely spooky atmosphere before leading us through a horrifically logical progression that we hardly could have anticipated. The story is simple: Radiation from a fallen satellite has caused the dead to walk, and hunger for human flesh. Once bitten, you become one of them. And the only way to kill one is by a shot or blow to the head. We follow a group holed up in a small farmhouse who are trying to fend off the inevitable onslaught of the dead. The tension between the members of this unstable, makeshift community drives the film. Night of the Living Dead establishes savagery as a necessary condition of life. Marked by fatality and a grim humor, the film gnaws through to the bone, then proceeds on to the marrow. --Jim Gay

Amazon.com essential video

George Romero's classic 1968 zombie-fest (shot in black and white) offers some disturbing images, even decades later. In a Pittsburgh suburb people are being stalked by zombies ravenous for human flesh. In a house whose occupant has already been slain, two separate groups of people unite and board themselves in, hoping to fend off the advancing ghouls. Through radio and TV reports they learn that radiation from outer space is thought to be responsible for the wave of zombie attacks all over the eastern United States. Once the humans are trapped, Romero shifts the focus to the internal feuding between them as they decide how to handle their dreadful situation. What unfolds is an examination of human nature, and of the fear and selfishness that keep many citizens from getting involved in the world's problems. Appropriately, both the zombies and the authorities who later hunt them are equally soulless. This film could also be read as a criticism of white males--it is not merely a coincidence that the film's two most rational, constructive characters are a woman and a black man. It is also no coincidence that the sequel takes place in a mall infested by the undead--a perfect analogy for consumer culture. --Bryan Reeseman

Customer Reviews:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)".......2007-09-17

20th Century Fox presents "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" (Released: 1 October 1968) (96 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- Night of the Living Dead is a seminal 1968 black-and-white independent horror film directed by George A. Romero --- Early drafts of the script were titled Monster Flick, but it was known as Night of Anubis and Night of the Flesh Eaters during production --- The film stars Duane Jones as Ben and Judith O'Dea as Barbra --- The plot revolves around the mysterious reanimation of the dead and the efforts of Ben, Barbra and five others to survive the night while trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse.

Under George A. Romero (Director / Screenwriter / Short Story Author / Cinematographer / Editor), Karl Hardman (Producer / Makeup), Russ Streiner (Producer), John A. Russo (Screenwriter), Vincent Survinski (Production Designer), Marilyn Eastman (Makeup), Tony Pantanello (Special Effects), Regis Survinski (Special Effects) - - - - The story line and plot, Zombies represent a slow moving enemy --- It is easy to escape them, just watch out for your own mistakes, as the zombies will capitalize on them --- One of the best aspects of this film is the lead character, as director Romero presents an intelligent non stereotypical black actor in this cult favorite ---. this is one of the best horror films ever. Romero's direction is outstanding --- His ability to take a small budget and turn it into a stratospherically giant film is unparalleled.

the cast includes:
Duane Jones - Ben
Judith O'Dea - Barbara
Karl Hardman - Harry
Marilyn Eastman - Helen
Keith Wayne - Tom
Judith Ridley - Judy
Kyra Schon - Karen
Russ Streiner - Johnny
George A. Romero - Washington Reporter
John A. Russo - Zombie in House (uncredited) / Washington Military Aide
Charles Craig - Newscaster
Rossie Harris
Bill Hinzman - Cemetery Zombie
John Simpson

Romero produced the film on the small budget of $114,000, but after a decade of theatrical re-releases it had grossed an estimated $12 million in the United States and $30 million internationally --- Night of the Living Dead was strongly criticized at the time of its release for its graphic content, but three decades later the Library of Congress entered it into the United States National Film Registry with other films deemed "historically, culturally or aesthetically important."

The culture of Vietnam-era America had a tremendous impact on the film --- It is so thoroughly laden with critiques of late-1960s American society that one historian described the film as "subversive on many levels." --- While not the first zombie film made, Night of the Living Dead influenced countless films and is perhaps the defining influence on the modern pop-culture zombie archetype --- The film is the first of five Dead films (completed or pending) directed by Romero --- It has been remade twice, in 1990 and in 2006.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

SPECIAL FEATURES
1. Includes All-New Color Version and Resored Black and White Version.
2. Audio Commentary byt Mike Nelson of TV's "Mystery Science Theater 3000"
3. "Separated at Death" - Celebrity Zombie Game
4. Vintage Horror Trailers

Legend Films can restore, colorize and release many of the classic earliest black and white films --- a patented coloring and remastering process makes each film picture perfect plus more vivd than ever --- no one can resist collecting every title that Legend Films releases --- The Legend Films edition of the film contains both colorized and black and white versions of the aforementioned director's cut and a humorous audio commentary track by Michael J. Nelson, a former writer and host of Mystery Science Theater 3000 --- The comedian mocks the low budget film's flaws in the style of an episode of the series.

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector.

Total Time: 96 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox. ~ (9/07/2004)

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Zombies! Brainssssss! Run away. Aim for the head.

You get the picture.

Top ten horror films of all time.......2007-08-11

The definitive edition of this film. Avoid colorized or "30th Anniversary Edition" versions. Sequel, Dawn of the Dead, is equal in greatness.

The Zombie Crunch.......2007-08-06

Okay, I finally reached the mountaintop, the mecca of horror, the zombie garden of Eden, the Brady Bunch of brutality...

It's the story
of some lovely ladies
who were hiding with
some very lovely guys
All of them were f&%#in' scared
and missed their mother
the youngest one will cry

It's the story
of some f%#@in' zombies
who were busy
with appetites of their own
They were once men
dead and buried
now they scream and moan

Till the one day
when the zombies smelled these people
and they knew it was much more
than just lunch
That the undead must get into that farmhouse
That's the way they all
became the zombie crunch

The zombie crunch

Okay sorry, I'm jacking around with this review, but I assure you this movie is no joke. It does have a level of humor, ("they're coming for you Barbara!") but it's a far cry from Shaun of the Dead. It shows some extremely brutal scenes, zombies devouring human flesh and a young girl zombie getting crazy with a shovel. The ending is also a disturbing suprise, especially for a film made in "68.

My horror collection feels more respectable now that I've added this to it! The gorehound led me to gory glory.

The one ,the only........2007-07-14

This is the movie that turned me into an obssesed horror fan. My friend told me about it and let me borrow it and I had no idea this movie would effect me the way it did. Ever since Iv'e been trying to get my hands on any old/underground horror flick I could find. At the beginning of the movie I was thinking "oh god,this is going to suck" and by the end I was convinced that this was one of the best horror films ever made.(*Spoilers*)The idea of somebody making a movie where a little girl eats her mother in 1968 was unbelievable to me. The extremely ironic ending was the icing on the cake and IMO is one of the best endings in horror history. My favorite in the "dead" trilogy by far.

When I first seen this colored version on Amazon I thought it was a disgrace(this movie is made to be watched in B&W and should be watched that way for the first time)but when I realized it contained both versions I had to have it. The commentary is pretty annoying and very insulting to fans of the movie(its done by the guy from "mystery science theater" and he doesn't take the movie seriously at all,it really pisses me off)but if your a fan of the movie and always thought "I wonder what color barbara's shirt is,what color is the car" ect.,ect. I highly recommend this version. If you've never seen this movie I still recommend this version but WATCH THE B&W VERSION FIRST, I repeat WATCH THE B&W VERSION FIRST, its the way it was meant to be seen for the first time.

Average customer rating:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)"
Not Free SF Reader
Top ten horror films of all time
The Zombie Crunch
The one ,the only.

Night of the Living Dead
Starring: Bill 'Chilly Billy' Cardille , Charles Craig (II) , Frank Doak , Marilyn Eastman , and Jack Givens
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005B1YC
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)".......2007-09-17

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Zombies! Brainssssss! Run away. Aim for the head.

You get the picture.

Top ten horror films of all time.......2007-08-11

The definitive edition of this film. Avoid colorized or "30th Anniversary Edition" versions. Sequel, Dawn of the Dead, is equal in greatness.

The Zombie Crunch.......2007-08-06

The one ,the only........2007-07-14

Average customer rating:

Dead of Night/The Queen of Spades
Oldie but goodie
Dead of Night/The Queen of Spades
Two fine, unsettling movies to watch late at night
Two British movies

Dead of Night/The Queen of Spades
Starring: Mervyn Johns , Roland Culver , Mary Merrall , Googie Withers , and Frederick Valk
Director: Charles Crichton , Robert Hamer , and Basil Dearden
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000844JQ
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Description

DEAD OF NIGHT A group of strangers is mysteriously gathered at a country estate where each reveals a chilling tale of the supernatural. First, a racer survives a brush with death only to receive terrifying premonitions from beyond the grave. Then a teen's innocent game of hide-and-seek leads to an encounter with the macabre. Next, a young couple purchases an antique mirror that unleashes a horrific power from its past. In a lighter vein, two competitive golfers play for stakes that may haunt the winner forever. Finally, a renowned ventriloquist descends into an abyss of madness and murder when his dummy develops a mind of its own. But even after these frightening tales are told, does one final nightmare await them all? Britain's venerable Ealing Studios brought together four brilliant directors -Charles Crichton (THE LAVENDER HILL MOB), Basil Dearden (THE MIND BENDERS), Alberto Cavalcanti (NICHOLAS NICKLEBY) and Robert Hamer (KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS) to create this classic chiller that remains one of the most influential horror films ever made. This is the uncut and complete UK version of DEAD OF NIGHT, now newly restored from original archival materials for the first time in decades.

THE QUEEN OF SPADES "Unusual And Macabre!" ~ Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide A gambling craze is sweeping 19th century St. Petersburg, yet a dashing Russian army captain (Anton Walbrook of THE RED SHOES) is too impoverished to participate. But when he learns that an aging countess (an award-winning performance by Dame Edith Evans of TOM JONES) may hold the ultimate key to gaming riches, the desperate young officer will stop at nothing to steal the sinister secret for himself. When fortunes are won and lost with the turn of a card, will one man wager his very soul on a final twist of fate? Yvonne Mitchell (DEMONS OF THE MIND) co-stars in this brilliant British chiller directed by Thorold Dickinson (GASLIGHT), featuring extraordinary cinematography by Otto Heller (PEEPING TOM, THE IPCRESS FILE) and based on the celebrated short story by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Includes AN 8-page Collector's Booklet.

Customer Reviews:

Dead of Night/The Queen of Spades.......2007-09-08

This DVD set has a good image quality. However, the sound quality especially for Dead of Night has been altered to "clean up" noise and in doing so the audio seems to cut off and on in the most annoying way. I've owned this fine classic film in the other "out dated" formats (vhs and laserdisc) and preferred the little bit of hissing and scratching to having the sound go out completely during the more quiet moments. I really wonder who decides on these choices and if they're even checking the quality (or lack of ...) on the final product.

Oldie but goodie.......2007-06-27

Black and white. 1949. Actors you may or may not know. No matter, this is a keeper!

Dead of Night/The Queen of Spades.......2007-01-14

Dead of Night is probably one of the best horror/mystery movies that I've seen. I had not seen The Queen of Spades before I bought this set as I was interested in Dead of Night and found it to be just as frightening. I would recommend these two movies to all true horror/mystery fans who can appreciate the more subtle approaches to horror and suspense produced by these British studios.

Two fine, unsettling movies to watch late at night.......2006-10-25

--Dead of Night - Dead of Night remains, sixty years after it was made at Ealing Studios, one of the creepiest and most intelligent of supernatural films. No, it doesn't have creaking coffins, or pale hands edging through a doorway, or Ruritanian vampires. It has a country home set in the warm Kentish countryside, civilized house guests with excellent manners, five stories of unhinged supernatural happenings, and one guest who suffers from nightmares. This is an anthology film, with the stories ranging from ghosts to premonitions to savage possession. They are told by the people who experienced them, and they are all wrapped around by the one guest who knows the house, knows the host and knows the other guests even though he has never seen any of them before. He knows them in his nightmare, a nightmare he has had over and over. "It always starts exactly the same as when I arrived, just now," architect Walter Craig (Mervyn Johns) says. "I turn off the main road into the lane. At the bend in the lane, the house comes into view, and I stop as I recognize it. Then I drive on again. And Foley meets me at the front door. I recognize him, too. And then, while I'm taking off my coat, I have the most extraordinary feeling. I nearly turn and run for it, because I know I'm going to come face-to-face with the six [other guests]." Four of the guests and the host, we learn, have stories of their own.

There's the race car driver's story, directed by Basil Dearden. Hugh Grainger (Anthony Baird) survives a crash but sees from his hospital window a horse-drawn hearse. The driver looks up at him. "Just room for one more, sir," he says with a smile. That's just the beginning.

There's the schoolgirl's story, directed by Alberto Calvalcanti. Sally O'Hara (Sally Ann Howes) plays hide-and-seek at a party and discovers a hidden room, a small boy crying...and an older sister.

There's the wife's story, directed by Robert Hamer. Joan Cortland (Googie Withers) buys an antique mirror for her fiancee. It's not long before he sees in the mirror another room from another age, and we learn of a crippled, jealous husband and a strangled wife.

For a chance to exhale and smile, there's the story of two golf fanatics, directed by Charles Crichton, who decide how to have the woman they both love. Elliot Foley (Roland Culver), our host, tells us this story.

And there is undoubtedly one of the most unnerving of horror tales, the story of ventriloquist Maxwell Frere (Michael Redgrave) and his dummy, Hugo, directed by Calvalcanti. Redgrave gives a tour de force performance as the dominated ventriloquist...but is he dominated by Hugo or by a separate personality. All we know for sure is that Hugo bites.

Weaving through these stories is the dread of Walter Craig (Mervyn Johns), who insists he has met the other guests. He knows that he will slap one, that another will break his glasses, that a sixth guest will soon appear. He knows he will do something terrible to someone who has never harmed him. One of the guests, Dr. van Straaten (Frederick Valk), is a psychoanalyst who has a reasonable explanation for all the stories. As the stories are told and as Craig's forecasts happen, van Straaten's rationales become shakier. This connecting story, directed by Dearden, reaches a climax in a psychedelic nightmare of leering faces emerging from the stories, of madly off-balance staircases and dark windows...and of a terrified Walter Craig.

And then a telephone rings. It's morning and we're in Walter Craig's bedroom. He wakes, realizes this was another nightmare and takes the phone. He's invited to spend the weekend looking over a house that needs an addition built. His wife asks who was calling. "Eliot Foley, Pilgrim's Farm...I wonder why that sounds so familiar," he says. "A weekend in the country? I should go." she says. Craig takes a coin and says, "I'll toss for it. Heads I go, tails I don't." Mrs. Craig looks at the coin. "Heads." He smiles and says, "I go." She gives him a hug. "That's just what you need, darling. It'll help you get rid of those horrible nightmares." But was it a nightmare? Or is it still?

Despite there being five tales, the linking narrative and four directors, Dead of Night works as one unified story. Everything fits seamlessly. Even after all these years the stories hold up, particularly those of Frere and Craig. Coming in a respectable second, for me, are the stories of the race driver and the wife. But even the weakest, the schoolgirl's story, is well done. The golfer's story is there to provide some eased tension and it serves it's purpose. The acting is all of a high order, with Michael Redgrave just about extraordinary. I've always been fond of Roland Culver's brisk competence. He's very good as the host. If you watch this movie, bear in mind that up until Dead of Night, ventriloquists' dummies in the movies had always been seen as charming, funny and harmless. Hugo's DNA changed all that forever.

--The Queen of Spades - It's comforting to think that Alexander Pushkin, had he been born a hundred years later than he was, could undoubtedly have found employment writing screenplays for Val Lewton. As it is, we'll just have to put up with all those plays, novels, poems, operas and short stories he wrote.

The Queen of Spades, based on a story by Pushkin, is a marvelously atmospheric and menacing tale of obsession and greed. It takes places in 1806 St. Petersburg. Captain Herman Suvorin (Anton Walbrook) is a poor German engineer serving in the Czarist army. Gambling has become the rage and faro is the card game of choice for all the rich, aristocratic and arrogant young officers who laugh at Suvorin. He hasn't the means to gamble and he hasn't the means to purchase advancement. Then he hears the story of Countess Ranevskaya (Edith Evans), who, a generation earlier, is supposed to have sold her soul for "the secret of the cards"...the three cards to choose which will win a fortune at faro. Amazingly, the Countess is still living, almost a recluse, with a beautiful ward. Suvorin determines to find a way to woo the young woman as a method to gain entry into the Countess' palace and to the Countess herself. He is determined to learn from her the three cards. He does, or thinks he does, and we witness madness and death. Says one character, "I believe all human beings are fundamentally good. I'm convinced of it. Yes, and I believe that evil is a force, a mighty force, that is abroad in the world to take possession of men's souls, if they will allow it to." Oh, Suvorin.

Now if Val Lewton had produced this we might have a cult classic on our hands. As it is, we have a movie which has been nearly forgotten. Too bad. The film might have been made with little money but it doesn't look it. Snow and slush cover the frigid St. Petersburg streets. Candles flicker and gutter. Deep shadows hide cubbyholes and doorways. There are ragged peasants and beggars, an ornate opera house and a dazzling ballroom filled with dancing aristocrats. There is the Countess' palace with it's decorated rooms, angled staircases, bare kitchens and cold servants quarters. There is the Countess' bedroom with it's secret passage and the stone steps leading to a hidden entrance. The black-and-white cinematography is excellent; everything shadowed might hold madness or a threat. Making everything work are the two mesmerizing performances by Walbrook and Evans. With these two actors it's a pleasure just to observe Suvorin's growing obsession and to hear the tap of the Countess' cane and the slow, steady swish of her silk gown.

Anton Walbrook was one of the great actors of his time. Sometimes he would almost teeter on the brink of mannerism, but he'd invariably deliver performances of startling quality. With his intensity, his Austrian accent and his ability to draw out a vowel for effect, it was difficult not to keep your eyes on him. At 53 he is playing 20 years younger and does so with ease. Edith Evans was 57 when she made this, her first film after years of stardom in the theater. She plays a selfish, irritable 90-year-old woman, querulous and suspicious. When Suvorin and the Countess finally meet in the Countess' bedroom, an acting student could learn much just by watching the two. Walbrook has all the lines; Evans watches and reacts. It's a toss-up as to which betters the other.

I think both Pushkin and Lewton would have enjoyed this movie.

The DVD transfer of Dead of Night is fine, although the movie shows its age a bit. The DVD transfer of The Queen of Spades is better than acceptable. It's an old film and looks it, but the picture and audio quality are satisfying. There are no significant extras. There is an eight-page booklet included in the case.

Two British movies.......2006-02-24

"Dead of Night" is a thrilling horror movie with wonderful actors. It has an episodic structure; each member of a group gathered at a country house tells an uncanny story, one more gripping than the next (with one comic exception to relieve the tension). Then the conclusion has a startling twist.

"Queen of Spades", based on a Pushkin short story, is also good, but not quite as effective. Edith Evans gives an impressive performance as the old Countess, but the direction is not as interesting as it is in "Dead of Night".

Average customer rating:

See this movie!!
This film is a whole lot of fun!!!
Why?
Stay Away

Night Of The Living Dead 3D
Starring: Sid Haig , Brianna Brown , Johanna Black , Greg Travis , and Cristin Michele
Director: Jeff Broadstreet
Manufacturer: LIONS GATE
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000TXPXC8
Release Date: 2007-10-09

Product Description

SPECIAL FEATURES*
Audio Commentary with Director Jeff Broadstreet, Screenwriter Robert Valding and Actor Sid Haig

Night of the Living Dead 3D Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

Q & A with the Filmmakers and Actor Sid Haig at the New Beverly Cinema

Filming in 3-D: A Behind-the-Scenes Special Look

Theatrical Trailer, TV and Radio Spots

3-D Still Gallery

Blooper Reel

16x9 Widescreen

5.1 Dolby Digital Audio

English and Spanish Subtitles

English Closed Captions

Customer Reviews:

See this movie!!.......2007-09-12

I saw this movie TWICE in theaters in November 2006 & in June 2007 in Los Angeles. It's not a complete remake as it has a few twists in the end of the movie that makes it original. I'm also a big fan of Sid Haig & he doesn't dissappoint! I actually like him better in this movie than all of his Rob Zombie movie roles combined.

I am definetly a fan of the original NOTLD & didn't find this movie to be bad as some have described. I really, really liked this movie alot. Specifically Sid Haig & the 3D.

Don't get caught up in reading the negative reviews, just see it for yourself! You will see! Two big thumbs up!!

This film is a whole lot of fun!!!.......2007-09-11

I saw this in Halloween 2006 when it played in theaters and overall I enjoyed it. The 3D was cool at times especially the first shot and slow motion bullet. But I'm getting the 2D version since I am not a huge fan of 3D. I think this movie is getting a lot of haters mainly for two reasons: its another remake "that didn't need to be made" and there is not that much gore for a zombie movie. So the hardcore fans of the original movie are pissed off along with fans that are sick of remakes of classic horror movies. But its not totally a remake. Sid Haig plays the insane mortician who is not from the original. And he's funny and creepy. I think the acting overall is above average especially for most horror movies. And I like the new Henry a lot too. Barbara "Barb' is hot. There's no reason Ben had to be white but I like the new Ben. The strange thing is the new Karen is black. Overall I think bad reveiws are because its "Night of the Living Dead". If it had a different title they probably would like it.

Why?.......2007-09-04

This movie isn't terrible, but it's just not good. Why then would you even try to tackle a classic such as this unless you plan to up the level? This is now the 2nd remake of the film, the 1st remake done by effects wizard Tom Savini (with Romero's blessing) was perfect & did what needed to be done to refresh the already classic original. This new one tries to add & change things here & there & really was pointless to've been made. Granted, I only watched the 2D version of the film, but I can't imagine it being in 3D making it any better. The other thing missing from this film is the political satire that made all of Romero's films so great to begin with. I wouldn't normally do this, but here's the plot of the film so you don't have to bother with it yourself:

Sid Haig plays a Mortician who's recently taken over his recently deceased father's mortuary. Apparently Sid has issues with cremating bodies & rather than doing so has been stock piling bodies in the mortuary. This is where all the zombies come from, as they're to weak to dig out from their graves as described by the film. Barbera & her brother go to meet their mother for a funeral (not their mother's funeral) & are attacked, the brother drives off & leaves Barbera who's eventually picked up by "motorcycle punching" (& very white, not that I see color LOL) Ben & then taken to an old house for shelter. This is no regular house, as it turns out the house's home owner is a "grower" & "When" (White Ben) is a drug dealer. Anyway, unfotunately there's no conflict in the house other than no one believing her & not wanting to call the police because they're drug dealers. Everyone knows everyone cause they're all hippy pot smokers, not different families trying to find shelter. This is really too bad, as this was one of the things that made the original so scary, cause you weren't safe in or outside the house. Anyway, the end of the movie winds up in the mortuary, with Sid Haig being the real villain of the film with a cheezy mad doctor kinda feel. The acting is decent, but nothing to write home about, and the make-up/special effects are amatuerish at best. If you're a fan of the original, I strongly suggest staying away from this & just pretend it doesn't exist. There maybe something special to get out of the movie with the 3D glasses, but judging from the other reviewer I very much doubt it. If you want a truely great new Zombie film destined to be a classic check out "Fido". Aproach "NOTLD3D" with extreme caution!!! It really & truely bites (get it:P)

Stay Away.......2007-09-03

I was unfortunate enough to see this when it was in theaters. I love horror movies. I love bad horror movies. This isn't a fun sort of bad movie. It's a horrible dragging wreck of a movie that I wish I had walked out on. Do yourself a favor and research reviews of this movie before you think about watching it, let alone buying it.

Average customer rating:

Zombies and Porn
Great film that has it all!!
sleazy zombie cheesefest
Laura Gemser fan
Horror? More like "Horrible"

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
Starring: Laura Gemser , George Eastman , Dirce Funari , Mark Shannon , and Lucia Ramirez
Director: Joe D'Amato
Manufacturer: Shriek Show
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001Z3IB2
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Customer Reviews:

Zombies and Porn .......2007-07-09

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead aka Sexy Nights of the Living Dead (if you get the uncut version). Came out in 1980 and was filmed back to back with many other Joe D'Amato (Aristide Massaccesi) classics like Porno Holocaust, Hard Sensations, and Porno Esotic Love. Erotic Nights of the Living Dead starred many Joe D'Amato originals (who are also all in the other three films above), Laura Gemser (Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals), George Eastman (Antropophagus), Dirce Funari (Unleashed Perversions of Emanuelle), Lucia Ramirez (Blue Paradise), and Mark Shannon (Emanuelle in the Country).

Joe D'Amato (Aristide Massaccesi) did the Cinematography as well for the film. The script was written by actor George Eastman. Erotic Nights of the Living Dead in my mind was a very good film. it had violence, blood, gore, sex, and hard core penetration scenes. This is a most have for any Joe D'Amato (Aristide Massaccesi) fan or any one who likes zombie movie movies.

Special features for Erotic Nights of the Living Dead include:
Uncut Uncensored XXX Footage Restored!
Erotic Sunny Afternoons of the Living Dead (Alternate Footage)
Production Stills and a HOT and Steamy Laura Gemser Gallery!
Original Theatrical Trailer for the Movie!

Plot Line of the Movie: A hotel developer purchases a cursed tropical island where he plans to erect a luxury resort. Arriving on the god-forsaken island he finds opposition in the worm infested, flesh eating, walking corpses as they begin to rise from their graves.

Did you know: Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is among the rarest of all zombie/cannibal/sex films. This Joe D'Amato masterwork is chock full of gore FX, steamy and graphic eroticism, and an apocalyptic cannibal-zombie flesh feast you won't forget!

Great film that has it all!!.......2007-05-13

This film has it all and i mean it all. Porn, gore, horror, what more do you want for entertainment. Great film.

sleazy zombie cheesefest.......2007-02-08

joe damatos erotic nights of the living dead is another one of those italian trashy exploitation zombie flicks that while quite enjoyable is still flawed. the film is about a hotel tycoon who wants to build a new hotel on a carribean island. the island just so happens to be filled with walking corpses who dont want their home to be used for the hotels. as you can probably guess by now, the hotel guy and his group soon fall prey to the zombies. erotic nights isnt all that bad if you enjoy cheesey italian films but everyone else should beware. the film is very cheesy and the acting, special effects, dubbing and overall look of the film is pretty low quality. also the film is pretty boring and dull until the final zombie attack at the end. leading up to that part we have an un-erotic hardcore sex scene and a few cheesy simulated scenes. if your patient through the tedious sex than you will enjoy the films zombie filled climax. a good film for fans of italian horror, just dont expect the best of the genre.

Laura Gemser fan.......2007-01-07

Would have given it a '5' except for the video quality. But Laura Gemser shows her assets and that is why I bought this!

Horror? More like "Horrible".......2006-09-01

Well I am a collector of zombie movies and I do own some real stinkers such as Zombie Lake, Revenge of the Dead, to name a few, but boy this one was a huge disappointement. All of the other reviews are true, it is so bad you will find yoursef hitting the chapter skip button. I knew not to expect much going into it, but I didn't think it would be this horrible. If you are looking for zombies, you will not find satisfactions here. There are a few scenes where you see these ultra lame zombie wannabes, very weak. If you get the unrated edition and want it for the porn you will find a lot, but you will find yourself getting tired of it quick. There are so many porn scenes that it seems they were just trying to add them in, made me lose interest in the movie immedeately as it got old. I would not recommend buying this. Buy something else and steer clear off of this one.

Night of the Living Dead (Colorized / Black and White)

Average customer rating:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)"
Not Free SF Reader
Top ten horror films of all time
The Zombie Crunch
The one ,the only.

Night of the Living Dead (Colorized / Black and White)
Starring: Bill 'Chilly Billy' Cardille , Charles Craig (II) , Frank Doak , Marilyn Eastman , and Jack Givens
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002IQLGM
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com essential video

Description

A true cult classic - and one of the scariest movies of all time. The dead are walking, and hunger for human flesh. A group of panicked survivors are barricaded in a deserted farmhouse while the army of flesh-eating zombies hovers outside their door.

Now experience the bone-chilling terror in color for the first time on DVD. With a 5.1 surround sound remix, and a hilarious commentary track by Mike Nelson, this is the most fun you'll ever have with the living dead.

Customer Reviews:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)".......2007-09-17

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Zombies! Brainssssss! Run away. Aim for the head.

You get the picture.

Top ten horror films of all time.......2007-08-11

The definitive edition of this film. Avoid colorized or "30th Anniversary Edition" versions. Sequel, Dawn of the Dead, is equal in greatness.

The Zombie Crunch.......2007-08-06

The one ,the only........2007-07-14

Night of the Living Dead (Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)"
Not Free SF Reader
Top ten horror films of all time
The Zombie Crunch
The one ,the only.

Night of the Living Dead (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Bill 'Chilly Billy' Cardille , Charles Craig (II) , Frank Doak , Marilyn Eastman , and Jack Givens
Manufacturer: ELITE ENTERTAINMENT
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Horror | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

Cult Movies | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000007SI2
Release Date: 1997-07-10

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

"Night of the Living Dead (1968) ... George A. Romero ... 20th Century Fox (2004)".......2007-09-17

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Zombies! Brainssssss! Run away. Aim for the head.

You get the picture.