Army Archerd, whose name is synonymous with Hollywood gossip reporting, has died at age 87 from a form of cancer relating to asbestos exposure he endured during his service in the Navy during WWII. Archerd began covering Hollywood in 1945 and had been with Variety since 1953. His columns reflected a time before gossip got to the ugly state it is in today. Archerd generally wrote friendly pieces about celebrities, though he sometimes broke big news such as the fact that Rock Hudson was suffering from AIDS. Archerd respected his subjects and they held him in esteem as well. For full details on his life and career click here
Fans of the acclaimed comedy series Psychoville have launched an on-line petition to convince the BBC to renew the show for a second season. We at Cinema Retro admit we are biased toward the show, since the madmen who created it, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton were kind enough to feature our magazine in one recent episode, which was a spoof of Alfred Hitchcock films. In an age of dumbed- down TV, you can make a difference and cast your vote to renew one of Britain's most innovative comedy shows clicking here. Click here to read coverage of Cinema Retro's "debut" on the series.You can also view on line video regarding the petition on YouTube by clicking here
Although
the name Norman J. Warren may not be familiar to some of you, in the UK,
amongst cult horror aficionados, his name is synonymous with horror and
exploitation. Mostly working in the 1970s, he produced such dubious classics as
Satan’s Slave and the Stephanie
Beacham-starring Inseminoid.
Moscovitch
Music are a new independent British music label working to release some great
lost film music, and have produced a lavish CD, and limited edition vinyl LP,
featuring the soundtracks to two of Warren’s best loved movies; Terror (1978) and Prey (1977).
The
composer was the classically-trained composer Ivor Slaney, who at the time was
best known for creating orchestral music. He worked with Warren on both films to
create an unusual, experimental sound using mostly electronic instruments. They
also mixed sound effects into the music track on Terror, creating an odd, slightly discomforting experience. This
means that some tracks on the CD contain screams, wind effects, moaning, and
even dialogue. Along with the helpful track names, such as Carol Runs for Her
Life, Blood is Leaking From the Upstairs Room and Orgasmic Stripper, you can
really follow the plot even if you have never seen the film.
Prey, notorious for its
explicit lesbian sex scenes and cannibalism, is a somewhat neglected film, and
so this soundtrack release is very welcome. The music helps recreate the
claustrophobic atmosphere of the film, which essentially revolves around three
people; two lesbians and the alien invader. What begins as a possible love
triangle soon escalates to something altogether more sinister.
This
is a highly recommended release, both for the curious and those fans of 1970s
British horror. I am also reliably informed that Moscovitch are next planning a
release of film score music from the prolific jazz musician and composer John
Scott, which is eagerly anticipated. You can find the CD and vinyl edition on www.moviegrooves.com, click here for the specific page to order from.
