Discs - Reviews by Richard Vollin

Discs - Reviews by Richard Vollin

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Member	Item		Review/Comment
Richard Vollin 13th Oct 2023		Blu-ray The Blue Dahlia - Shout! Factory (2018)	Review From my Amazon.com review on April 9, 2019 Spoiler Alert - Forget all the blather about Veronica Lake, I'll tell you who steals this film - hands down...supporting actress Doris Dowling as Alan Ladd's two-timing, slutty wife Helen Morrison. Her scenes are all too brief, but she is unforgettable. Quite drunk, dressed in a slinky, shimmering cocktail dress along with a smug attitude, she spills her guts out to her husband concerning the death of their son - Helen: "I could tell you something about Dickie that would hurt you plenty". Johnny: "What about Dickie"? Helen: "It could happen to anybody. I'd been to a party. I had to take Dickie with me, I had a few drinks". Johnny: "Ah - stop the tears". Helen: "Alright hero, I was drunk. I was in a car smash, Dickie was killed. I wrote you he had died of diphtheria because I was afraid to tell you the truth. Well - how do you like it?" Helen starts to drunkenly laugh. Johnny enters the bedroom and removes his automatic from his suitcase, then a physical confrontation ensues...while astride a stool with her legs in a provocative pose, Johnny pull his gun and aims it at her (see attached images); Johnny: "That's what I ought to do, but you're not worth it". Now, I ask you, what scene in the film did Veronica Lake have that tops this? ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 26th Jul 2017		DVD To Russia With Elton - Shout! Factory (2016)	Rated 10/10 This documentary highlights Elton John's historic, and groundbreaking visit to (the former) Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in May 1979. Accompanied by percussionist Ray Cooper, they performed a series of eight shows; four in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), and four in Moscow. The concert footage was filmed 25-28 May at the (now demolished) Rossiya Hotel Concert Hall. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 5th Jul 2017		VHS The Cramps At The Napa State Mental Hospital - Target Video (1983)	Rated 10/10 The performance took place on 13 June 1978 at the Napa State Hospital, Napa, California. It was a free concert by the Mutants, from San Francisco, and The Cramps from New York City. The event was arranged by former CPS (Child Protective Services) activities specialist Bart Swain, through booking agent; Howie Klein. The band originally booked to appear on this occasion was the Readymades, a notable San Francisco based new wave/punk band, but either by divine providence or fate, The Cramps and Mutants performed the show. Video footage of The Cramps was taped using a battery powered Sony Portapak two piece camera/recorder unit (possibly the AV-3400, with a ½" U-Matic S 20 minute cassette). It is believed either Target Video founder/director Joe Rees, or associate Jill Hoffman-Kowal videotaped the show. It should also be noted that many still photographs were captured by photographer Ruby Ray, who can be clearly seen documenting the event throughout. Many of her images can be found on the Internet (mostly uncredited). Mutant band vocalist Freddy Mutant (Fritz Fox), and lead guitarist Brendan Earley both contend that their performance should have been documented on video. However, Ruby Ray did photograph them. Excerpted quote by Target Video founder Joe Rees, from an interview conducted for the L.A. Record by Chris Ziegler, entitled "TARGET VIDEO: LIKE WATCHING SOMETHING BIBLICAL", published 30 April 2009, regarding the Napa State video: "...The same with the Napa State Mental Hospital. You think that could go on today? No way! There would be like fifteen lawyers standing outside the gate licking their chops. One of the greatest things about that event—even to this day I am so moved when I watch that video over and over. But the thing of it is—those people who were going through such a heavy experience in life and were confined to that mental institution, the freedom and the happiness that they had that day during that event was almost like a miracle! It was almost like watching something biblical—something from a Cecil B. DeMille film but in a real sense, a true sense. Nobody was acting and I have never seen anything in my life so moving and I’ve been told that a thousand times. We were at the right place at the right time but we had the right thing in our hearts. We wanted to have an experience and it all came together with magic." footnote # 1: This contributor first stumbled into The Cramps traveling medicine show during their first foray outside of New York City's Bowery, (as I like to refer to as) my "Baptism by Fire" on 07 April 1978, at the Atlantis Club in Washington, D.C., two months prior to their Napa event. I had heard of The Cramps in drips and drabs, in the pages of Richard, and Lisa Robinson's Rock Scene magazine, a rag devoted primarily to NYC glam rock, and the burgeoning punk rock movement. Needless to say, The Cramps opened many doors, and left an incalculable, indelible, life long impression on me. I was now totally corrupt, and, as I won't retrace the circumstances leading up to this moment, suffice to say, it had to do with an employee of a local record store; the Penguin Feather, seeking a gig as a DJ, and my giving him a lift to the Atlantis Club that evening, and as The Cramps lay waste... footnote # 2: The Atlantis Club was located at 930 F Street, NW, in the Atlantic Building, adjacent to Ford's Theatre (where U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated). Atlantis owner Paul Parson's was quoted in the day's following The Cramps ill-fated booking with support group, The Puppets as: "...too controversial, too destructive. No club is ready for that kind of destruction. The Cramps are not healthy." The Cramps were told 'never to return.' Soon after, the Atlantis closed it's doors, and the building was purchased and re-christened the Nightclub 9:30 on 31 May 1980, and there, The Cramps enjoyed many a return engagement. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 2nd Jul 2017		DVD Inner Sanctum Mysteries - The Complete Movie Collection (2006)	Rated 10/10 "This is the Inner Sanctum. The strange, fantastic world controlled by a mass of living, pulsating flesh: the mind. It destroys, distorts, creates monsters, commits murders. Yes, even you, without knowing, can commit murder." 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 28th Jun 2017		DVD Super Fly - Warner Bros. (2010)	Rated 10/10 Harlem coke dealer Youngblood Priest (Ron O'Neal) wants to cash in and enjoy an early retirement, but before he can walk away, he has to choreograph an elaborate scheme to move 30 kilos of blow to enjoy the pimp lifestyle he's become accustomed to. Add to that, an opposing mix of partners, fair-weather friends, street pushers, thugs, his girlfriends, and even the Deputy Police Commissioner, all of whom would like to see him stay put. In the film, the streets of New York never looked better; litter everywhere, grime and graffiti, overcast skies, and everyone looks cold and miserable. It's a fairly straight portrayal for it's period, and never hokey or camp. The team of Sig Shore, and Gordon Parks, Jr. created a film that quickly became an integral part of the fabric of American pop culture. Super Fly can also attribute much of it's colatteral success to Curtis Mayfield's brilliant soundtrack, just as Isaac Hayes had done for Shaft the previous year. Mayfield and his group appeared in the film, and released two singles, both of which were Top 10 hits. He also made a large number of television appearances performing the songs Freddie's Dead, and Superfly. Those songs helped extend the film's shelf life, and keep it in neighborhood theaters well past it's expiration date. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 26th Jun 2017		DVD The Rogues Tavern - Alpha Video (2003)	Rated 8/10 Top notch Poverty Row thriller from start to finish. The always lovely Joan Woodbury as the exotic fortune teller. Director Robert F. Hill later directed Gun Crazy. 4 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 26th Jun 2017		DVD Satan In High Heels - Something Weird Video (2012)	Rated 9/10 Times Square grind house exploitation cult classic, produced by fetish magazine publisher Leonard Burton. Slut goddess Stacey Kane is a second-rate stripper in a third-rate carnival who wants more out of life. So when she finds her junkie ex-husband lurking in her dressing room with a wad of bills, Stacey promptly steals every cent, hops on a plane for New York, and auditions for a singing job at a nightclub run by a terse, wide-eyed lesbian named Pepe who is soon trying to turn the tramp into a lady. Things get quickly complicated, however, when Stacey shacks up with the club's owner, Arnold Kenyon, while also having an affair with Arnold's son. But when her ex-hubby once again pops up in her dressing room, this time with a knife instead of cash, Stacey sends him off to commit a little murder...(Excerpted from the DVD cover) Disc comes with a second exploitation feature The Wild and the Naked! (1962), and is stuffed with bonus extras including two short subject quickies, eight exploitation trailers, gallery of grind house art, and a host of radio ads. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 23rd Jun 2017		DVD Der Schweigende Stern - First Run Features (2005)	Rated 10/10 Also known as The Silent Star, and First Spaceship on Venus. Released 26 February 1960 in East Germany, 07 March 60 in Poland. Excellent full length presentation, beautiful print with vivid color. Bonus materials include newsreels, bios, set design gallery, and more. 4 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 23rd Jun 2017		DVD Classic Shorts From The Dream Factory, Volume 3, Featuring Howard, Fine And Howard - Warner Home Video (2014)	Rated 10/10 Essential viewing for fans of The Three Stooges. Disc includes the recently rediscovered Technicolor short Hello Pop!, that had been in the custody of a film collector in Australia until 2013. The films were produced following the departure of Shemp Howard in August 1932, and the introduction of his younger brother Jerry (Curly), and Ted Healy's girlfriend Marion "Bonnie" Bonnell into the act. Healy, having secured a contract with MGM, appeared in many features and short subjects with his stooges, and as a solo. Although Healy himself enjoyed a modicum of success, the relationship with Moe, Larry, and Curly was strained (they had already left him once after Shemp split). Not having a legally binding contract with MGM, in early 1934 they walked out on Healy, and signed with Columbia Pictures. They even kept the Stooges name, much to Healy's protest and threats. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 22nd Jun 2017		DVD Santo Contra Las Mujeres Vampiro - Distribuidora Virtual Digital De México	Rated 9/10 If you're not already familiar el Santo and Mexican lucha libre cinema, I would suggest doing some research. If you're seeking out a good Santo film to start off with, and need a nudge in the right direction...look no further. As I wouldn't try and sell anyone a false bill of goods, this film has it all, and worthy of your time. Dark shadows, atmosphere, beautiful female vampires, action, decent effects...it almost looks like a Mario Bava film. It's a comfortable fit with the best of Mexican horror films from that era. A gothic cult classic - you shouldn't pass up this DVD. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 21st Jun 2017		DVD Appointment With Danger - Olive Films (2010)	Rated 8/10 Border line film noir drama with Alan Ladd as a U.S. Postal Inspector investigating the murder of his partner, and a million dollar heist in Gary, Indiana. Smug crime boss (Paul Stewart) hatches a scheme to kidnap a Catholic nun who witnessed the murder of the Postal Inspector, kidnap Ladd, and pull off the robbery. Early pairing of Jack Webb, and future Dragnet partner Harry Morgan as Stewart's accomplices, give this picture a quasi-Dragnet feel. And no wonder; the film's script writer Richard L. Breen also wrote for Webb. Dragnet regular Stacy Harris turns up in a supporting role as well. Recommended. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 21st Jun 2017		DVD Raw Deal [1948] - Sony Wonder (2005)	Rated 10/10 Director Anthony Mann's quintessential film noir masterpiece. Top-notch script, acting, and atmospheric photography. Everyone loses and no happy ending. Stellar performance by Raymond Burr (who nearly steals the picture) as the malignant, sadistic mob boss Rick Coyle. In a priceless vignette, during Coyle's birthday party, underscoring his fetish for flames, a moll accidentally spills a cocktail on Coyle's suit. Angered, and ever the gentleman, he picks up a vessel of flaming cherries jubilee and tosses it into her face. Following her blood-curdling scream, Coyle casually remarks "Take her away, she should have been more careful." Essential viewing. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 21st Jun 2017		DVD Five Minutes To Live - …And More Bears (2004)	Rated 8/10 Currently the best available print of this film. Stay clear of all those cheap public domain, and gray market releases; I've seen 'em all and they're miserable transfers. With this disc you get Bear Family's impressive packaging, an illustrated 16 page booklet, and a truly decent looking film. As an added bonus, you get to see Johnny put a bullet through his girlfriend, hear him sing the title song several times to his female hostage, and the climactic ending where Johnny shoots a police officer to death while holding a young Ron Howard in the cross-fire - yea, Opie Taylor. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 21st Jun 2017		DVD The Flesh Eaters - Dark Sky Films (2005)	Rated 10/10 A terrific film because it has all the essential elements that jell perfectly, making it one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Rita Morley is especially endearing as the middle age actress Laura Winters; perpetually drunk, high maintenance, impatient, and mouthy. Martin Kosleck plays his part as the ex-Nazi, up-too-no-good researcher convincingly. The whole film works, and has a cool (albeit predictable) ending, and don't let me forget to mention Omar the beatnik. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 20th Jun 2017		DVD The Thrill Killers - Shriek Show (2004)	Rated 10/10 1964 terror gem directed by all-purpose film maker Ray Dennis Steckler. Steckler plays escaped asylum inmate Mort "Mad Dog" Click, along with three other deranged co-horts. Alone, Mort kills for the thrill, including a nightclub dancer in her dimly lit apartment. This sequence is a stand-out moment; tense and extremely disturbing. The three other crazies are involved in an axe murder spree, which terminates Carolyn Brandt's role in her husband's film. Liz Reney is the added attraction as the wife of a wannabe film actor, and film maker Arch Hall, Sr. makes an inebriated cameo as himself at a pool party gone wild. Unbelievable, unforgettable, and arguably on, or near the level of 1963's "The Sadist". 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 20th Jun 2017		DVD Bowery At Midnight - Roan Group Archival Entertainment (2000)	Rated 10/10 This Monogram classic gives new meaning to the phrase nothing exceeds like excess. Bela Lugosi juggles two personalities concurrently as Professor Brenner, and Karl Wagner. Fast-paced with a plethora of brief, but colorful characters; "Fingers" Dolan, Frankie Mills, and the unforgettable narcotic addled Doc Brooks, who keeps a sub-basement morgue packed with reanimated corpses! Not to mention a preponderance of secret rooms, stairwells, and entrances. Loaded with all the usual Monogram attachments and accessories, including the lovely Wanda McKay, and an appearance by Pat Costello (Lou's brother), as a Bowery tramp. A lot of outrageousness crammed into a short running time. This Roan Group print is (in my dismal opinion) the best anywhere. Monster Club approved. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
Richard Vollin 20th Jun 2017		DVD Voodoo Man - Olive Films (2015)	Rated 8/10 Released on 21 February 1944 to an unsuspecting public; lurid and absurd, in the true Monogram Pictures tradition. Whacked-out performances by John Carridine and George Zucco, while Wanda McKay and Louise Currie act as damage control to dignify the proceedings, and keep confusion to a minimum. Gorgeous film print and digital transfer. Monster Club approved. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?