HK and Cult Film News's Fan Box

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

6:66 PM -- DVD Review by Porfle



If you liked the 2016 horror comedy "Massacre on Aisle 12", then you'll probably also like 6:66 PM (2017) since both are done by pretty much the same filmmakers and cast. I, myself, not having seen and enjoyed the earlier film, had to venture into this newer one without such blessed assurance. 

But I came through it okay, with no discernible or lasting ill effects, which is more than I can say for some horror comedies that I've had to endure.

This spoof of reality-TV "ghost hunter" shows benefits from an exuberant cast and a pretty wacky sense of humor.  Both are somewhat unrefined for the most part, but the energy given off by this highly kinetic spookfest is sort of infectious.


Autumn Federici plays Lorraine, a down-on-her-luck TV producer so desperate for a hit that she makes her cast (director Jim Klock as fake ghost investigator "Daniel" and Alexis Kelley as fake psychic "Sheryl") and crew (producer and co-writer Chad Ridgely as lone cameraman "Peter") keep filming their new ghost-hunter pilot even when the spirit of the psychotic serial killer who died in the house that they're in (Scott Burkhardt as "Jimmy Timmy Beck") returns to resume his murderous ways where he left off.

There's more to the story, including the brother of one of Jimmy Timmy's victims (Michael Buonomo as "Emmett") terrorizing all involved in a twisted plot to get revenge by invoking the killer's spirit for his own purposes (it's a long story) via a supernatural ritual. 


Naturally, this poorly-thought-out scheme goes haywire and allows Jimmy Timmy's evil entity to leap from one dead body to another, setting the whole cycle of running and screaming and hiding and getting killed into cartoonish motion.

But is it funny?  Well, let's just say 6:66 PM tries awful hard in its own blunt, mostly artless way, keeping us occupied by sheer frenetic action and giddy silliness between rare moments of actual wit and finesse.

Klock's direction is okay even though he stages much of the comedy simply by doing wide shots of everyone going bananas. The cast gets the job done, with Ridgely a standout as cowardly lensman Peter.  Robin F. Baker plays Stan, the house's current owner whose plans of cashing in on its notoriety go woefully awry.


While there aren't that many genuine chills to be had, if any, the film manages a sort of Halloween spookhouse aura that's fun.  There's a bit of pleasantly fake-looking gore as well, as some of the dead bodies reanimated by Jimmy Timmy's ghost require having their brains bashed in.  Things do get pretty wild near the end as we're kept constantly wondering just who'll get killed and reanimated next. 

6:66 PM isn't one of the best horror comedies you'll ever see, but it's just so doggoned unabashedly silly that I couldn't help having a fairly good time watching it.  And it's definitely a nice change from the same old "dead teenagers" thing. 


Tech Specs
Runtime: 82 minutes
Format: 1:78 HD
Sound: Dolby Sr.
Country: USA
Language: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Horror
Bonus: featurette, outtakes, producer/director commentary, trailers for "Massacre on Aisle 12" and other Indican releases







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"GIANT: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Edna Ferber, and the Making of a Legendary American Film" -- New Book By Don Graham



"GIANT: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Edna Ferber, and the Making of a Legendary American Film" By Don Graham

“A noted authority on all things Texas, Graham turns his attention to film with this authoritative tale of 'Big Texas Oil' and the epic movie Giant . . . A delightful work of film/cultural history for movie fans.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Lively . . . deeply researched and efficiently paced.” —Publishers Weekly

“Don Graham is a masterful storyteller . . . Just as Giant the movie was the talk of the town back in 1956, I know Don’s lively narrative will be the talk of the town today. He captures West Texas and the big screen stars perfectly.” —Mrs. Laura Bush

George Stevens's ​​Giant is one of the most iconic films in American history. It made the list for the American Film Institute's 100 best American movies announced in 2007 and in 2005 it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical significance. 


Now in Don Graham’s ​​GIANT: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Edna Ferber, and the Making of a Legendary American Film​ (St. Martin's Press / On Sale: April 10, 2018),​​​ Graham presents a larger-than-life narrative of the making of the classic film, marking the rise of America as a superpower, the ascent of Hollywood celebrity, and the flowering of Texas culture as mythology.

In this compelling and impeccably researched narrative history of the making of the film, Don Graham chronicles the stories of Stevens, whose trauma in World War II intensified his ambition to make films that would tell the story of America; Edna Ferber, a considerable literary celebrity, who meets her match in the imposing Robert Kleberg, proprietor of the vast King Ranch; and Glenn McCarthy, an American oil tycoon; and Errol Flynn lookalike with a taste for Hollywood.

Drawing on archival sources Graham’s ​​GIANT is a comprehensive depiction of the film’s production showing readers how reality became fiction and fiction became cinema.


GIANT: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Edna Ferber, and the Making of a Legendary American Film
By Don Graham
St. Martin’s Press
On Sale: April 10, 2018
Hardcover: $27.99 USD
eBook: $14.99 USD



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Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Walter Huston Breaks the 4th Wall in "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (Warner Bros., 1948) (video)




Walter Huston's character, Howard, takes time off from gold hunting in 1920s Mexico...

...to save the life of a little Indian boy.

In gratitude, he is treated like a king. And in a brief but delightful example of "breaking the fourth wall"...

...Howard shares his good fortune with us, the viewer.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!



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See Legendary, Never-Before-Released Live Concerts with Time-Life's Multi-Disc Set, "ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT" -- 4/24



"Watch out for the music. It should come with a health warning: It can and should make you think the world can be a better place." -- Peter Gabriel

THIS APRIL, TIME LIFE GIVES HOME AUDIENCES FRONT ROW SEATS TO LEGENDARY, NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED LIVE CONCERTS FEATURING THE BIGGEST NAMES IN CLASSIC ROCK

"ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT"


Available for the First Time at Retail on Any Format, the Four Hall of Fame Ceremonies Featured Include 53 Live Performances from Iconic Inductees Such as Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Journey, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ringo Starr, Rush and Yes -- Rare Artist Collaborations and More!

The DVD (4 Discs; $34.99srp) and Blu-ray (2 Discs; $39.99srp) Sets Will Be Available on April 24, 2018, Currently Available to Pre-Order Today; Also Available Day-and-Date AreFive ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT Digital Albums ($9.99srp) Available on iTunes, Amazon and Leading Digital Platforms


FAIRFAX, VA (March 13, 2018) -Each year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors rock music's pioneering figures during a prestigious, black-tie ceremony. As the Hall of Fame enters its third decade, it's these singular induction ceremonies -- featuring the biggest names in classic rock from the '60s, '70s and '80s - that have become nearly as iconic as the artists they celebrate. This April, Time Life and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame give home audiences front row seats to the four most recent incredible induction ceremonies with ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT.

Never before available at retail on any format, these four memorable live concert events are filled with the kind of collaborations and jam sessions that have made Rock Hall concerts legendary. With egos set aside -- in many cases original band lineups perform together for the first time in years -- inductees and friends take the stage to deliver once-in-a-lifetime performances, often with a truly mind-blowing combination of talent.

"From the first induction ceremony in 1986, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has sought to honor the top names in all genres of rock 'n' roll," says Joel Peresman, President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. "These ceremonies have provided unique once-in-a-lifetime moments as the inductees and presenters come together to celebrate the legacy of these artists and it's a privilege to produce this important part of music history and to share it with you!"

This ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT, 2014-2017 set - a must-have for every music lover -- features poignant reunions, moving and often hilarious induction speeches, and 53 iconic performances.


Among the unforgettable highlights on the DVD and Blu-ray sets:

Bruce Springsteen joining inductees E Street Band for the deep cut classic "E Street Shuffle" from the Boss's second album, from 1973.
Legendary grunge-rock group Pearl Jam delivering thundering performances of "Alive," "Given to Fly" and "Better Man."
The two surviving members of Nirvana joined on stage by Lorde, Annie Clark, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett for emotional renderings of the group's biggest hits.
Cat Stevens performing a spine-tingling version of "Father & Son" that turned the massive Barclay Center quiet as a church.
Journey performs three classics: "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," "Lights" and "Don't Stop Believin'."
Ringo Starr being welcomed into the Rock Hall with a little help from Paul McCartney.
Original Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos joining the band for the first time in 6 years tearing through their early hits including "Surrender" and "Dream Police."
Five of the original members of Chicago performing on stage for the first time in 25 years.
Features complete Hall of Fame Induction speeches including Coldplay's Chris Martin inducting Peter Gabriel and Metallica's Lars Ulrich inducting Deep Purple.
Day-and-date, Time Life will also release the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT Digital Album Collection. Comprised of five digital releases respectively spanning the ceremonies from 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014, 2015 and 2016-7 (each priced at $9.99), they will contain the same groundbreaking live performances from the home entertainment sets, with bonus performances from Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice Cooper, Donovan, Dr. John, Heart, The Hollies, Darlene Love, Leon Russell, Small Faces/Faces, The Stooges, Tom Waits and others. The digital releases will be available on iTunes, Amazon and all other leading digital retailers.


About Time Life
Time Life is one of the world's pre-eminent creators and direct marketers of unique music and video/DVD products, specializing in distinctive multi-media collections that evoke memories of yesterday, capture the spirit of today, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. TIME LIFE and the TIME LIFE logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's mission is to engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. The institution carries out its mission by giving voice to the stories of the people, artifacts and events that shaped rock and roll - through Museum exhibits, materials in the Museum's Library and Archives, traveling exhibitions, and a wide array of innovative educational programs and activities. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays (and Saturdays through Labor Day), the Museum is open until 9 p.m. For more information, please call 216.781.ROCK (7625), visit rockhall.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@rock_hall) and Instagram (@rockhall).

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT, 2014-2017

Type: DVD (4 Discs)/Blu-ray (2 Discs)
Running Time: 674 mins.
Genre: Music
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (16 x 9)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/Stereo 2.0



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Monday, March 12, 2018

ZBURBS -- DVD Review by Porfle



It may seem at first like it's going to be just another zombie comedy, but ZBURBS (2017) is a pleasantly different little batch of bloody goodies for fans of undead cinema to snack on.

There's no full-scale zombie invasion this time--in fact, most of the action takes place in the livingroom of Shelly and Bill's house after Bill takes care of a zombie burglar in the middle of the night and gets bitten for his trouble.

In no time, he's acting funny, as in scarfing down raw meat, eating the dead guy, and craving that most dearly-cherished undead delicacy, brains.


This is all new and unsettling for Bill's loving wife Shelly, who tries to take it all in stride while her volatile ex-Marine friend Carrie (Courtney Scheuerman) suggests more extreme solutions.  That is, until Carrie herself gets bitten (Bill was feeling a bit peckish) and goes all living-dead-with-an-attitude.

The fun gets even funner with the introduction of Shelly's conspiracy-theorist brother Charlie (Gabe Greenspan), whose nutty ideas suddenly don't seem so nutty anymore, and various mysterious government agents (including Bill Oberst Jr. of NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS and EXCISION) with very sinister designs on our living-dead protagonists who, it turns out, are the result of scientists venturing where they shouldn't have.

That's pretty much the set-up, and what writer-director Greg Zekowski (BLOODLINE: THE DEVIL'S GAME) does with it is to deliver a brisk, fast-paced comedy that, while not exactly hilarious, is consistently amusing and full of cartoonish action and all sorts of narrative curveballs.


Best of all is simply watching Shelly (Marieh Delfino, DON'T COME KNOCKING, JEEPERS CREEPERS II) trying to maintain a semblance of marital bliss as her life turns into a horror movie around her while Bill (Ian Alda) and Carrie evolve into full-bore flesheaters gnashing their way through all the meat within grabbing distance.

This includes not only expensive trips to the butcher shop, but also a big pizza delivery order that includes the delivery girl herself as dessert.  The inevitable invasion by the non-good-guy outsider zombies is limited to them showing up at the doorstep one by one and doing battle with Bill and Carrie, thus preserving the film's basic single setting (more or less, barring a visit to Charlie's place) while keeping that all-important budget under control.

Which isn't to say that the film looks particularly cheap--in fact, it's nicely-shot and benefits from a fine cast.  As for the gore effects, there are surprisingly few, and certainly not enough to make this a gorehounds' delight.


In fact, you could probably watch this with your kids without overly traumatizing them.  Bill's voracious devouring of various victims is actually depicted by a cartoony effect that recalls, of all things, the Tasmanian Devil from the "Bugs Bunny" cartoons. 

It's certainly less graphic than that Drew Barrymore TV series with a similar premise but so much gore that in earlier years it would've been rated a hard X.

After the shadowy government agents enter the fray, all bets are off and ZBURBS seems to revel in how delightfully nutty it can get.  It didn't exactly blow me away, but if everything blew me away it would get awfully tiresome. Sometimes it's nice to just sit back be pleasantly entertained for a while.


Tech Specs
Runtime: 96 mins
Format: 1.78 Full Frame HD
Sound: Dolby SR
Country: USA
Language: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Horror/ Sci-Fi

Captions: English
Bonus: behind-the-scenes featurette, trailers










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Chico Marx Forgets His Lines in "THE COCOANUTS" (1929) (video)




Chico and Harpo are breaking Bob (Oscar Shaw) out of jail because Bob's girlfriend Polly (Mary Eaton) is being forced to marry bad guy Harvey Yates.

But Chico can't remember the name "Harvey Yates" to save his life. So Bob finally has to turn psychic and say it for him.

"She's gotta have you. Because tonight she gonna be, uh, engaged."
"To who?"
"To Polly. He's engaged to Polly."
"POLLY'S GOING TO MARRY YATES?"

Nice mind-reading there, Bob!

And to top it all off, Harpo gets his foot stuck in the door on the way out.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!




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Sunday, March 11, 2018

Phantom Bullethole in "THE GODFATHER" (1972) (video)




(spoilers)

Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) must meet with Sollozzo and his bodyguard, crooked police captain McCluskey.

Michael plans to assassinate them both.

The location is an out-of-the-way Italian restaurant. Michael acquires a hidden gun in the bathroom.

He shoots Sollozzo, then McCluskey.

But look...after the first shot to the throat, there's already a bullethole in McCluskey's forehead.

That's because director Francis Ford Coppola decided to switch the order of the shots. Coppola must've figured that if we noticed it, we could live with it.

And I guess we did!


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!




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Saturday, March 10, 2018

"THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES", Never Before Available on Digital Platforms, Premieres on iTunes and Amazon on 3/9



"The crown jewels of the musical-variety show"
-- The Los Angeles Times

"The Carol Burnett Show helped define the golden age of television"
-- The New York Times

THIS MARCH, TIME LIFE WILL RELEASE THREE HILARIOUS NEW DIGITAL COLLECTIONS OF ONE OF TELEVISION'S MOST ICONIC AND GROUNDBREAKING VARIETY SHOWS

THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES, VOLUMES 1-3

Available Exclusively on iTunes and Amazon on March 9, This Trio of New-to-Digital Compilations Feature the Very Best from the First Five Years of Burnett's Beloved Series; During the First Week of Release, Each Volume Will Be Specially Priced at $9.99


Showbiz Luminaries Appearing on These Collections Include:
Lucille Ball, Eddie Albert, Chita Rivera, Bob Newhart, Jim Nabors, Bing Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Andy Griffith, Bernadette Peters, Cass Elliot, Jonathan Winters, Dionne Warwick, Joan Rivers, Sonny & Cher, Nanette Fabray, Shirley Jones, Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles, George Carlin, Lana Turner and Many More!


Fairfax, VA (March 8, 2018) - This March, lovers of landmark TV and classic comedy will be able to reacquaint themselves with one of the best hours ever on TV with the release of THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES, VOLUMES 1-3 to both iTunes and Amazon by Time Life.

Never before available on any digital platform, the three "Best of" compilations, featuring rarely-seen fan-favorite episodes from the first five years of Burnett's eponymous series, will be specially priced the first week of release at $9.99, with individual episodes available for $1.99. Following that, the compilations will be available for $14.99.

From 1967 to 1978, THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW tickled America's funny bone on CBS with a blend of comedy, song and dance that made the irreverent, hilarious program "Must See TV" decades before another network coined the phrase. Carol and her madcap, uber-talented cast of comic actors --Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and later Tim Conway and Dick Van Dyke -- took to the airwaves and entertained millions each week, joined by some of the biggest stars in the business.

Ad-libs and the occasional flubbed line brought a spontaneity to the screen that was absent from most other variety shows. Little did they know that THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW would become an Emmy® Award-winning program and survive the changing tastes of TV audiences to run eleven seasons and become one of the most iconic TV Variety Shows in history.

Each digital volume of THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES includes vintage, hand-picked shows from the first five seasons of the series, and, up until 2015, these "lost" episodes had never resurfaced - no reruns, streaming video or DVDs.


VOLUME 1 includes such classic sketches as "Carol and Sis," "The Charwoman," and "As the Stomach Turns"; among the guest stars featured are Lucille Ball, Eddie Albert, Chita Rivera, Bob Newhart, Jim Nabors, Paul Lynde, Bing Crosby, Don Adams, Phyllis Diller, Andy Griffith, Bernadette Peters, Cass Elliot and more.

VOLUME 2 features a "Salute to Warner Brothers" with Mel Tormé and Soupy Sales, Carol's tour-de-force impersonation of Joan Crawford and the classic sketch, "The Ham Actors." Showbiz icons and performers appearing include Jonathan Winters, Dionne Warwick, Joan Rivers, Sonny & Cher, Nanette Fabray, Shirley Jones, Ken Berry and a special cameo by Ronald Reagan.

VOLUME 3 includes more "Charwoman," Harvey, Carol, Lyle and Lucille Ball lampooning modern morality in their version of the hit movie Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice andTim Conway's "Oldest Man" masterminding a jewelry heist that literally has him going in circles. Guest stars featured in this volume include Ray Charles, George Carlin, Mike Douglas, Martha Raye, Lana Turner and Ricardo Montalban.

In addition to THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES, VOLUME 1-3, Time Life has also released THE BEST OF THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS: VOLUMES 1-3 on iTunes. And even more TV classics will follow on leading digital platforms in 2018!

About Time Life
Time Life is one of the world's pre-eminent creators and direct marketers of unique music and video/DVD products, specializing in distinctive multi-media collections that evoke memories of yesterday, capture the spirit of today, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. TIME LIFE and the TIME LIFE logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc.



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THE HAPPYS -- Movie Review by Porfle




I began my viewing of THE HAPPYS (2016) with both the best and worst of expectations. I knew I was going to be treading into chick-flick territory again, which can be daunting, but I also know that sometimes even films in that genre can turn out to be quite passable and, yes, even entertaining.

This one, saints be praised, falls squarely into the "yes, even entertaining" category.  I thought at first that it was going to be some kind of candy-coated farce with its Barbie-like heroine Tracy (Amanda Bauer) extolling the virtues of being the perfect wife and homemaker for her future husband Mark (Jack DePew) and positively beaming rainbow waves of happiness as her dollhouse world began to come together in pristine perfection.

But then this veneer of perfectness is tarnished, cracked, and finally shattered when she finds out Mark's gay (she walks in on him and another guy in their bed) and is only using her for a beard to preserve his budding acting career. 


And he's not even the good kind of gay like his out-of-closet friends, but the bad kind who denies his true self while having joyless, forced sex with Tracy, who is also denying her true self in ways that she has only begun to discover.

Their storybook neighborhood, Los Feliz (literal Spanish translation: "The Happys"), has its own dramas here and there, with the now aimless Tracy being drawn to some of her eccentric neighbors.  This includes a very reclusive young man named Sebastian (Rhys Ward), who never leaves the house and doesn't want to be touched (physically or emotionally). 

Naturally, they'll meet, touch, and enrich each other as we just knew they would, but even this comes with its dramatic conflicts.  Added to this is Tracy's growing friendship with a lunch-wagon guy (Arturo del Puerto) who sparks her romantic and culinary curiosity, and her continuing clashes with the equally-confused Mark which will lead to a catastrophic falling-out.


The initial feeling that THE HAPPYS is going to be a more fanciful romp carries over into the dramatic developments, making them much lighter and way less maudlin and cloyingly self-conscious than they might've been in other hands. 

Even when things are at their darkest, such as when Tracy and Mark's last painful attempt at sex turns into mutual accusations and contempt, writer-directors  Tom Gould and John Serpe (this is the feature debut for both) tread lightly and surefootedly.  In other words, the characters suffer just enough to get the point across without wallowing in bathos.  And that's a good thing.

The cast is excellent, including Janeane Garofalo as ex-child actress Luann, a sort of grounded free spirit who rents out most of the houses in the neighborhood while earnestly interacting with her tenants. 


One scene in which she's softly intoning some sage advice to Tracy ("Do no harm...listen to your spirit animal...") gave me a mysterious sort of flashback until I realized she was sounding just like the wise, big-sisterly character she voiced in the Disney dub of KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE. 

Other familiar faces in welcome bit parts include Cathy Ladman as the director of a film Mark's acting in and Melissa McBride (Carol from "The Walking Dead") as his bossy manager who contributes to his deathly fear of being "outed."

Just heavy enough to feel like it matters but light enough to not get bogged down in itself, THE HAPPYS is a straight-forward "finding yourself" tale that lets you like it instead of trying to force itself on you.  And best of all, it's even--yes--entertaining. 


Tech Specs
Runtime: 87min
Format: 1:78 HD
Sound: Dolby Sr.
Country: USA
Language: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappysMovie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHappysMovie 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappysmovie/  
Tumblr: http://thehappysmovie.tumblr.com 
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4910718/combined




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Thursday, March 8, 2018

"DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH" in Theaters November 9 -- Watch the Trailer NOW!




ILLUMINATION PRESENTS

"DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH"

IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE NOVEMBER 9, 2018  

WATCH THE TRAILER:



For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss' beloved holiday classic.  The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl's generous holiday spirit.  Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it's a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.

Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatchlends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company.  With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food.


Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations.  When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas.  To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who-a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer-plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother.  As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with the Grinch's more nefarious one.  Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus?  Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos' holiday cheer once and for all?

Find out, Christmas season 2018.  


Directed by: 
Scott Mosier, Yarrow Cheney

Produced by:
Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy

Based on the Book by:
Dr. Seuss

Official Website 
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
#TheGrinch



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Wednesday, March 7, 2018

That's Blood, Not BBQ Sauce in "GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE" To Release Through SGL Entertainment in Late 2018




Award-Winning Horror Comedy Garden Party Massacre Lands Distribution with SGL Entertainment
Hollywood, CA

(March 6th, 2018) - The crowd-pleasing screwball comedy meets slasher spoof GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE will hit the market later this year via SGL Entertainment.  This is the second film from writer/director Gregory Blair and the second collaboration with SGL Entertainment. Blair’s award-winning, slow-burn psychological thriller DEADLY REVISIONS was also released by SGL Entertainment.

GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE is a fast-paced, wacky spoof in the vein of Shaun of the Dead and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.  The fun begins when a friendly backyard gathering goes hilariously awry as an unexpected guest arrives - with a pickaxe and an attitude! 


The film has won a dozen awards on the festival circuit. Awards include: “Best Feature” (FANtastic Horror Film Festival), “Outstanding Horror Comedy” (Zed Fest Film Festival), “Best Film” (Lucky Strike Film Festival), “Outstanding Horror/Comedy Feature” (Los Angeles Academy of Film Awards), “Best Narrative Feature: Comedy” (Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Award) and “Best Comedy” (Artists and Aliens Film Festival). GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE has appeared in several film festivals, throughout 2017.

GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE’s lead cast has already earned three “Best Ensemble” awards. The awards included cast members: Andy Gates (“Grimm”), Nichole Bagby (On The Rocks), Lise Hart (Deadly Revisions), Gregory Blair (Escape The Night), Dawna Lee Heising (Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance), Matt Weinglass (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”) and David Leeper.


GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE is a PIX/SEE Productions’ film. This title will be released only on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital platforms in late 2018. The film will be available on the following platforms: Comcast, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play and more very soon.
 
GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE official site: http://www.GardenPartyMassacreFilm.com
The SGL Entertainment homepage:  https://sglmoviestore.com/
The official GPM trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELkslgjz2hE
A GPM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GardenPartyMassacre
The GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE Twitter: https://twitter.com/GardnPrtyMasacr



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She's Got MAN HANDS! "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" (1962)




In "The Brain That Wouldn't Die", Herb Evers races to his secluded country laboratory on urgent business.

Urgent MONSTER IN THE CLOSET business, that is!

But his careless driving causes a deadly accident.

The director's econony is noteworthy--we never actually see the car crash.
And later, we see only a burning car door...and a man's bulky hand and hairy arm.

Which, unbelievably, are supposed to belong to the petite Virginia Leith! MAN HANDS!

Later, two "fun girls" clash, and suddenly MAN HANDS is back!
But it isn't as obvious and we have to slow it way down.

That first one, however, is really...REALLY...obvious.

With hands like that, maybe she DOES need a new body.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!




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Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Watch Lily Tomlin Launch Her Career in "LAUGH-IN: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON", Coming to Retail DVD On 3/20 from Time Life




See Lily Tomlin debut unforgettable characters
including Ernestine the Operator and Edith Ann
and others on Laugh-In's Third Season!

ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN:
THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

Street Date: March 20, 2018
DVD SRP: $39.95


The 7-Disc Set, Available for the Very First Time at Retail, Features 26 Complete, Remastered Episodes from the Landmark Emmy® And Golden Globe®-Winning Series. Season Three Guest Stars IncludeJohnny Carson, Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Bob Hope, Diana Ross, Sonny & Cher, The Monkees, Carol Channing, Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Debbie Reynolds, Jack Benny, Engelbert Humperdinck, Peter Lawford, Phyllis Diller, Roger Moore, James Garner, Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, Andy Griffith, Carl Reiner, Ringo Starr and More!

Specially-Produced, New-to-Retail Bonus Features Include an Exclusive, New Interview with Lily Tomlin and a Tribute to Laugh-In Creator
George Schlatter!


PROGRAM SYNOPSIS
On September 15, 1969, the boffo third season of the pop culture touchstone, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, premiered to eager viewers. In two short years, through a rapid-fire assault of one-liners, skits, bits and non sequiturs, a gaggle of goofballs and the biggest stars of the day, the series had become water cooler fodder for an entire country. But, little did home audiences know that in Episode #15 (airing December 29), they'd be introduced to one of the generation's greatest and most original comic actors: Lily Tomlin. Tomlin, who'd go on to create such unforgettable characters as Ernestine the snooty phone operator and the precocious, philosophizing five-year-old, Edith Ann, would quickly become a fan favorite and her talents are on full display in ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON.

The '60s gave us "in-crowds," "be-ins" and "love-ins," and starting in 1968, the happening place for free-form comedy was "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," broadcast from beautiful downtown Burbank. Straight man Dan Rowan and wisecracking co-host Dick Martin presided over a cast of comic greats including Tomlin, Goldie Hawn, Judy Carne, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson, Gary Owens, Jo Anne Worley and Alan Sues, as they sent up everything from the "Sexy Sixties" and insurance to the generation gap.


Across the 26 memorable episodes included on the 7 discs of ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON, home audiences will be treated to such long-running classic sketches as "Sock It to Me," "Cocktail Party," and "The Fickle Finger of Fate," and Sammy Davis Jr. as the judge, as well as amusing salutes to the presidency, hospitals, organized crime, women and show biz. Season Three would also introduce viewers to the inimitable Farkle Family, as well as showcase the improbable almost wedding of Gladys (Buzzi) and Tyrone (Johnson).

Additionally, in THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON, stars continue to shine ever so brightly, as some of the 20th century's biggest headliners and personalities are prominently featured; included are uproarious appearances by Johnny Carson, Debbie Reynolds, Peter Sellers, Flip Wilson, Michael Caine, Bob Hope, Diana Ross, Sonny & Cher, The Monkees, Carol Channing, Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Debbie Reynolds, Jack Benny, Engelbert Humperdinck, Peter Lawford, Phyllis Diller, Roger Moore, Romy Schneider, Greer Garson, Lorne Greene, Ed McMahon, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Nancy Sinatra, James Garner, Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, Jim Backus, Andy Williams, Andy Griffith, Carl Reiner, Ringo Starr and many more!

The set also includes two new-to-retail, specially-produced bonus features: an exclusive new interview with Lily Tomlin and the featurette "Still Laugh-In -- A Tribute to George Schlatter".


CAST
Dan Rowan
Dick Martin
Lily Tomlin
Ruth Buzzi
Judy Carne
Henry Gibson
Goldie Hawn
Arte Johnson
Gary Owens
Jo Anne Worley
Pigmeat Markham
Chelsea Brown
Dave Madden
Alan Sues

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Format: DVD/7 Discs
Running Time: 1413 minutes
Genre: TV DVD/Comedy
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Stereo




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Monday, March 5, 2018

"THE SHAPE OF WATER" Wins 4 Academy Awards! Available on Digital, Coming To 4K, Blu, and DVD March 13



"THE SHAPE OF WATER"

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL AND COMING TO 4K ULTRA HDTM, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD ON MARCH 13


Winner of 4 Academy Awards
Best Picture
Best Director, Guillermo del Toro
Best Original Music Score
Best Production Design

WINNER OF FOUR ACADEMY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST PICTURE

WINNER OF TWO GOLDEN GLOBES
BEST DIRECTOR ~ BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

DIRECTED BY GUILLERMO DEL TORO


From master storyteller, Guillermo del Toro, comes THE SHAPE OF WATER, an otherworldly fairy tale set against the backdrop of Cold War-era America circa 1962.

In the hidden, high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.

Rounding out the cast are Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg and Doug Jones.

Add THE SHAPE OF WATER to your digital collection on Movies Anywhere beginning February 27 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 13.

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
A Fairy Tale for Troubled Times
Anatomy of a Scene: Prologue
Anatomy of a Scene: The Dance
Shaping the Waves: A Conversation with James Jean
Guillermo del Toro’s Master Class
Theatrical Trailers

4K Ultra HD™ Disc Specification
Street Date:                       March 13, 2018
Screen Format:                 Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio:                                English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Descriptive Audio 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French DTS 5.1
Subtitles:                           English SDH, French, Spanish
Total Run Time:                123 minutes

Blu-ray™ Disc Specification
Street Date:                       March 13, 2018
Screen Format:                 1080p High Definition/Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio:                                English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Descriptive Audio 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                           English SDH, French, Spanish
Total Run Time:                123 minutes

DVD Disc Specification
Street Date:                       March 13, 2018
Screen Format:                 Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio:                                English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Descriptive Audio 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles:                           English SDH, French, Spanish
Total Run Time:                123 minutes



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Sunday, March 4, 2018

Main Titles Theme From "Savage Guns" (1971) -- Lallo Gori




Main Titles Theme From "Savage Guns" (1971)

aka "His Name Was Sam Walbash, But They Call Him Amen"

Music by Lallo Gori


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!




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Saturday, March 3, 2018

"APOCALYPSIS" -- Indican Pictures Releases Sci-fi and Horror Thriller Throughout the Month of March




INDICAN PICTURES

"APOCALYPSIS"

West Hollywood, California (Friday, March 2nd, 2018) - Apocalypsis is the latest production from the Leiser Brothers. Directed by Eric Leiser, Apocalypsis envisions a world after Revelations, in which the world regenerates itself.

This indie sci-fi feature is the third in a trilogy. Imagination (2008) and Glitch in the Grid (2012) were the initial two films. This latest feature stars: Maria Bruun, Chris O’Leary and Eros Galbiati. A preview of film’s upcoming release is hosted here.

The trailer reveals more of the film’s chaos. Evelyn (Bruun) must seek shelter as a black hole swallows up her universe. On the other side, Evelyn hopes for renewal, in a different world.


Apocalypsis was acquired at the European Film Market, by Indican Pictures. It is slated for a multi-format release, including several theatrical showings. On March 2nd, this title had its World Premiere in Philadelphia, at the Whitney Museum of American Art. This theatrical release will be followed by several other theatrical showings, across the United States (LA, NYC, Chicago).

On March 20th, Apocalypsis will be available across the United States, on Digital platforms. This release coincides will a simultaneous DVD release, on this same date. Fans of sci-fi can see this mind-bending, unrated feature now!

WATCH THE TRAILER ON VIMEO  

The film’s official synopsis:
Set in a parallel universe entering a black hole, a woman reading the book of Revelation has visions of regeneration during Anthropocene. Can humans stay on top of the evolutionary chain or have we reached the point of no return…

Release Date: March 2nd, 2018 (Theatrical) and March 20th, 2018 (Digital, DVD).

Director/writer: Eric Leiser.

Cast:  Maria Bruun, Chris O’Leary, Eros Galbiati, Azumi Tsutsui, Ross Weinick, Stacy Kessler, Bill DiVita and Jenny Hutton.

More details at Indican: http://www.indicanpictures.com/indicanpictures/apocalypsis/

*available soon at Amazon.


Notes:
Apocalypsis will also show at: the Mars Gallery in New Jersey (Mar. 2nd), the Anthology Film Archives (March 2nd), the Egyptian Movie Theater, LA FilmForum (March 9th), The San Diego Regent (Mar 9th), the Upcoming: Cinema Village in NYC (March 16th) and the Mediawave Theater in Chicago, IL (April, TBA).

About Indican Pictures:
Indican Pictures acquires and distributes feature films to a broad range of entertainment outlets by providing a diverse selection of movies across: theatrical, home video, TV, VOD, PPV and streaming platforms.




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BELA LUGOSI: DEAD OR ALIVE in "Plan 9 From Outer Space" (1959)




In 1956, director Ed Wood filmed some footage of his friend Bela Lugosi.

Emoting in front of Tor Johnson's house...mourning at a funeral...and lurking in a makeshift graveyard set in his Dracula cape.

It was test footage for a vampire movie Wood was planning for Bela.

Bela died later that year. 

Ed Wood decided to use the footage and promote his next project, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, as Lugosi's final film.

But in order to pad Bela's limited screen time, Wood used his wife's chiropractor, Tom Mason, as a stand-in...

...despite the fact that the man bore no resemblance to Lugosi whatsoever.



I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!





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Friday, March 2, 2018

Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's "THE ENDLESS" Opening April 6th -- Watch New Trailer Here




THE ENDLESS 


“The Endless isn’t just terrific – it’s poised to be that breakout genre hit that It Follows and The Babadook were in past years. ” -- Jamie Righetti, /FILM

“Unique, mind-bending delights...Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson are wizards of ingenuity” -- Peter Debruge, VARIETY

“The Endless will fuck your brain...Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead deliver an enticing, mysterious genre experiment that stands to be their best work yet. ” -- Brad Miska, BLOODY DISGUSTING

                             WATCH THE NEW TRAILER


Synopsis:
Following their Lovecraftian modern cult classic SPRING, acclaimed filmmakers Moorhead and Benson return with this mind-bending thriller that follows two brothers who receive a cryptic video message inspiring them to revisit the UFO death cult they escaped a decade earlier.

Hoping to find the closure that they couldn’t as young men, they’re forced to reconsider the cult’s beliefs when confronted with unexplainable phenomena surrounding the camp.

As the members prepare for the coming of a mysterious event, the brothers race to unravel the seemingly impossible truth before their lives become permanently entangled with the cult.

Directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
Written by Justin Benson

Starring Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Callie Hernandez, Emily Montague, Lew Temple, Tate Ellington, James Jordan

TRT: 112 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English

Opening in New York April 6th and Los Angeles April 13th with national rollout to follow



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The Thumb On Roy Batty's Shoulder: "BLADE RUNNER" (1982)




(possible spoilers)

Roy Batty visit his creator, Eldon Tyrell.

They chat. Tyrell puts a hand on Roy's shoulder.
Roy kills him.

Later, Roy feels himself dying...
...and clenches his hand in pain.

While editing a much earlier scene, director Ridley Scott finds himself short a couple of shots.
So he borrows the clenching hand...
...and flips the close-up with Tyrell.

Although Tyrell's thumb is still there. 

Some people have a chip on their shoulder...
...Roy Batty has a thumb.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!




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Thursday, March 1, 2018

"LIQUID SKY" Cult Sci-Fi Classic Makes Blu-ray/Special Feature Debut April 24




Vinegar Syndrome/OCN Digital Distribution Proudly Presents 

"LIQUID SKY"

Groundbreaking Cult Film Made Indelible Impression on Pop Culture of the Day

Available on Blu-ray for the First Time Ever April 24th
Featuring an Amazing 2 ½ Hours of Special Features

“A two-hour act of imagination.” — Time Magazine (1982)

“Displays originality, color, rage, nonchalance, sly humor and ferocious fashion sense.” — New York Times (1982)


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Mar. 1, 2018 — For Immediate Release — In one of the most memorable portraits of Manhattan’s early and, ultimately, dark '80s new wave subculture, Liquid Sky (1982) is an iconic, underground science-fiction masterpiece, which had an indelible impact on pop culture, film, music and fashion.  

Available for the first time ever on Blu-ray and highlighted by an acclaimed soundtrack, Liquid Sky will be available April 24 in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, featuring an amazing 2 ½ hours of special features that make it a must for fans and collectors.

Liquid Sky stars Anne Carlisle in an outstanding dual role as promiscuous, erotic and bi-sexual fashion model Margaret and her gay rival and nemesis, the androgynous Jimmy. The most successful independent film of 1982, Liquid Sky is seen as heavily influencing a club scene called electroclash, which emerged in the early 2000s in New York, Berlin, Paris and London.  

In Liquid Sky – a term referring to heroin in the New York City slang of the day – aliens arrive in the city in miniature flying saucers in search of heroin.  However, an experiment reveals that the chemical released in the human brain during orgasm is just as powerful, even preferable to the drug they crave. Hanging around the young Margaret’s apartment, the aliens are able to achieve their desired fix. However, Margaret’s numerous casual sex partners soon each begin to die a mysterious death. 


Liquid Sky is a visually stunning film that delves heavily into the era’s world of fashion, club scene and prevalent drug use in the city that never sleeps and delivers an experience that will not disappoint.

Scanned and fully restored in 4k from the 35mm original negative, the Blu-ray edition of Liquid Sky brings back to life the visual mastery of director Slava Tsukerman and the avant-garde cinematography of Yuri Neyman.  The film is presented in full screen, with an aspect ratio of 1:85:1 and DTS-HD master audio mono.

Bonus Features:
Director’s introduction and commentary track; interviews with Tsukerman and Carlisle; Alamo Drafthouse screening Q&A with Tsukerman, Carlisle and Clive Smith (co-composer); “Liquid Sky Revisited” (2017), a 50-minute, making-of feature; behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage; never-before-seen outtakes; isolated soundtrack; alternate opening sequence; photo gallery; reversible cover artwork by Derek Gabryszak; multiple trailers; and English SDH subtitles.

About Vinegar Syndrome: 
Vinegar Syndrome is an exploitation film/distribution company and film archive located in Bridgeport, Conn. Founded by genre-film lovers for genre-film lovers, Vinegar Syndrome’s mission is to preserve, restore and release the massive number of exploitation titles in our archive. We’re always searching for the rarest and most interesting exploitation movies we can find and, with a constantly growing in-house film archive consisting of thousands of 35mm and 16mm negatives and prints, there’s always a new treasure to be discovered and released. Our goal is to as accurately as possible recreate a theatrical viewing experience and only use digital restoration tools to remove or reduce severe image damage. All film scanning, color grading, digital restoration and disc authoring is performed inhouse by our sister company, OCN Digital Labs. By constructing a completed DVD or Blu-ray, we offer these films an opportunity to have a new life on home video (and theatrically, in some cases), to find new fans and rediscover old ones.  Visit us online: www.vinegarsyndrome.com 

Vinegar Syndrome/OCN Digital Distribution 
Genre: Cult/Science Fiction
Blu-ray/DVD Combo (2 Discs)
Original Release: 1982 Color
Rated: R
Running Time: 112 Minutes (Plus 160 Minutes Special Features)
Suggested Retail Price: $32.98
Pre-Order: April 3, 2018
Street Date:  April 24, 2018
Catalog #:  VS-200
UPC Code: #814456021324
Box Lots: 30



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The Four Stooges: The Return of Curly




Jerome "Curly" Howard had been in declining health during several of his last appearances with The Three Stooges.

He suffered a career-ending stroke during filming of "Half-Wits Holiday" (1947)... ...which was completed by the remaining two Stooges--Curly's brother, Moe Howard, and Larry Fine.

Curly was then replaced by his older brother, Shemp, in "Fright Night."

The three brothers--Moe, Shemp, and Curly Howard, along with Larry Fine--appear together on screen only once.

It occurs during Curly's brief cameo in the 1947 short, "Hold That Lion."

Not only is it great to see Curly again... ...but we get to see him with a full head of hair!


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!




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