Phil remembers Herschell Gordon Lewis, The Godfather of Gore - September 26, 2016

Herchell Gordon Lewis 1926-2016

For fans of horror and exploitation cinema, one name comes to mind: Herschell Gordon Lewis, known to many as "The Godfather of Gore." His films have become true cult classics and have influenced many of today's filmmakers like Eli Roth, John Waters, Quentin Tarantino and John Carpenter to name a few. I've been a huge fan of his films for decades and I was hoping to one meet me hero. So needless to say that it was such a shock to read this morning's headlines: HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS, "GODFATHER OF GORE," HAS DIED AT 90. As of right now, I am beyond sad. This is such a loss to fans, friends and to everybody else he touched. It's only fitting that I pay tribute to the man in today's blog post.

Herschell Gordon Lewis was born on June 15, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennyslvania. He started off teaching English and Humanities at Mississippi State, which he later moved into the advertisement business. When Lewis bought a half interest into a small, cheap movie studio in Chicago, he started Mid-Continent Films which produced two films: THE PRIMETIME and LIVING VENUS, which was his feature film debut as a director. It was during the making of THE PRIMETIME he met exploitation pioneer David F. Friedman, who helped Lewis distribute LIVING VENUS. With the release of Russ Meyers' THE IMMORAL MR. TEAS, the next film Lewis and Friedman made was the nudie cutie called THE ADVENTURES OF LUCKY PIERRE. After a couple of years making these nudie cuties and nudest camp films, Lewis came up with a completely different idea for a movie. A type of movie that the major movie studios wouldn't or couldn't make, but theater owners could make money at the boxoffice. Then in 1963, the film BLOOD FEAST was made and everything would never be the same again.

Original Theatrical Poster (1964)

With Friedman, Lewis created what has been called THE BLOOD TRILOGY which consisted of BLOOD FEAST, TWO THOUSAND MANIACS, and COLOR ME BLOOD RED. These films introduced that famous four-letter word now forever associated with horror: GORE. The world of horror would never look the same thanks to Lewis and Friedman. After the completion of THE BLOOD TRILOGY, Lewis parted ways with Friedman and began to make a plethora of films within the exploitation genre such as MOONSHINE MOUNTAIN, JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT, SHE-DEVILS ON WHEELS, and SOMETHING WEIRD. Soon he returned to the horror genre with A TASTE OF BLOOD, THE WIZARD OF GORE, THE GRUESOME TWOSOME, and THE GORE GORE GIRLS, which was his swan song. After that film's release, he became one of the leaders in the field of Direct Marketing advertising but Lewis would return to the director's chair with the 2002 sequel BLOOD FEAST 2: ALL YOU CAN EAT and again with the UH-OH SHOW in 2009. The later would be the final film that he would make.

Original Theatrical Poster (1968)

Over the years Lewis's films gained a huge cult following thanks to midnight screening, late-night television showings and especially when his films were released by Mike Vraney, founder of Something Weird Video (which was named after Lewis's 1968 film). Thanks to Friedman who introduced Lewis to Vraney, the two began releasing a majority of his films on VHS, then on special edition DVDs and DVD-Rs. In 2012, Something Weird Video released THE BLOOD TRILOGY on Blu-Ray as well as THE WIZARD OF GORE/THE GORE GORE GIRLS double feature. Newcomer Vinegar Syndrome released THE LOST FILMS OF HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS on Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack. It included three films that were thought to be lost: ECSTACIES OF WOMEN (1969), LINDA AND ABILENE (1970) and BLACK LOVE (1971). 

Lewis has also appeared in several documentaries, such as SCHLOCK! THE SECRET HISTORY OF AMERICAN MOVIES, AMERICAN GRINDHOUSE and was the subject of Something Weird Video's HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS: THE GODFATHER OF GORE

It's hard to imagine what the landscape of horror and exploitation without the many contributions from Herschell Gordon Lewis. What he did and accomplished is immeasurable. Films Like FRIDAY THE 13th, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, HOSTEL, EVIL DEAD, SAW and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE would not look the same with BLOOD FEAST or THE WIZARD OF GORE coming before. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you for all the great memories Mr. Lewis!! We will never forget you!!

To purchase any of Herschell Gordon Lewis's films on DVD, visit the Something Weird Video website at http://somethingweird.com/. Also visit Vinegar Syndrome at vinegarsyndrome.com. Plus don't forget to visit his website at herschellgordonlewis.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil remembers horror actor and author Gunner Hansen-November 8, 2015

Gunnar Hansen (1947-2015)

This morning I awoke to read some terrible news, which has been blanketed all over the social media formats like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. From Fangoria, Dread Central, Horror Socirty and Rue Morgue to celebrities like Bill Mosley, Ari Lehma, Linnea Quigley and Rob Zombie have been talking about it. Even local Bay Area heroes like Miss Misery, Lord Blood-Rah and Peaches Christ have said their peace. News reports from CNN, Yahoo Movies, The Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly and other media outlets have also been covering this story. Legendary horror actor and author Gunnar Hansen, who portrayed Leatherface in the original 1974 film THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Maine at the age of 68.

Born in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1947. Hansen came to the states when he was five years old, living in Maine before his family moved to Texas. There he majored English and Sacandanavian Studies at the University of Texas. In 1973 he heard that a local filmmaker by the name of Tobe Hooper and others were planning on making a movie in their town. The film was called THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and he was cast for the part of Leatherface. Horror film history was made and an icon was born. 

Hansen went on to appear in other horror and cult films like HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS, FREAKSHOW, MOSQUITO, CHAINSAW SALLY, and even had a bit part in the 2013 relaunch TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D.

Gunnar Hansen as Leatherface (1974)

I had the pleasure of meeting him a long time ago. It was in February 1994 in my hometown of San Jose, before it became known as Silicon Valley. My younger brother Thomas and I were heading to our very first horror convention and they were holding a 20th anniversary reunion of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE with all the original cast. I was very excited to attend and I was really looking forward to meeting Leatherface himself. This was my very first time meeting a celebrity because, at that time, nobody came to San Jose. I stood in line and then I found myself standing in front of him. He was a warm, friendly and kind man who took time to talk to me, told me some great stories, shook my and said thanks for being a great fan. And I got a great autograph picture as well. I'll always treasure that first meeting.

We in the horror community have seen a lot of our heroes, icons, and legends pass on this year. To his family, friends and his legion of fans, I just would to send out my condolences to you all. Gunnar Hansen may be gone from this world, but he left behind a body of work that will be treasured and passed down to future generations of horror fans. And that my fellow horror hounds, is the greatest way to honor him. Thanks you Gunnar Hansen for scaring us for all these years!! You will forever be loved and missed!!

To learn more about this extraordinary actor and author and to purchase merchandise,  please visit his website at gunnarhansen.com.

Thanks for reading, and Rest in Peace Gunnar Hansen!

Phil remembers Mike Vraney, Founder of Something Weird Video-January 30, 2014

On January 2, 2014, while I was attending The Hollywood Show, I read a very shocking headline. Mike Vraney, the founder of Seattle's Something Weird Video, the home to the very best in exploitation cinema, had passed away at the age of 56 due to his long battle with lung cancer. To fans like myself, this was such a heavy blow to take. Fans of exploitation love SWS and Mike's passion to unearth these "sinematic" treasures for all of humanity to enjoy.

I was just completely shocked by this news. Still am actually. I owe an enormous debt to Mike and his company for exposing me to these great films for these past two decades. Nothing I can say can express just how terrible I feel about this. However, his wife, artist Lisa Petrucci, released the following statement on the day of Mike's passing. It is repeated here in its entirely:

In Memorium
MIKE VRANEY
Founder of Something Weird
December 29, 1957 to January 2, 2014

We regret to tell you that Something Weird’s founder, Mike Vraney, passed away on January 2, 2014 after a long heroic battle with lung cancer. He was 56 years old, way too young to leave this planet. There was still so much Mike wanted to do in his life, so many films to be found, and adventures to be embarked upon.

This sad news may come as a shock to most of you. Mike was a very private person and didn’t want anyone, except his closest friends, family and colleagues, to know about his illness. He went through aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments for over a year, but sadly the cancer spread and cruelly took him from us.

Mike had a larger-than-life personality and a genuine enthusiasm for movies. Something Weird was his heart and soul, he was obsessive in his pursuit of tracking down the weirdest, wildest movies out there. And it wasn’t enough to find a few forgotten films, he was always in search of the movie motherload. (Making 370 two-hour volumes of Nudie Cuties loops is a good example of this. Who does that?! Mike Vraney!) Even as a child, Mike loved movies. During his teenage years, he worked at the Bel-Kirk Drive-In, and then later as a projectionist at the Green Parrot and Apple Theaters in Seattle. Then around 1990, Mike went in search of as many old, unusual, obscure, and lost low budget exploitation movies as he could, and preserved them for prosperity. Mike amassed thousands of these rare movies and had them transferred to video so that people could relive the good old days of going to the drive-in or grindhouse theater, in their very own home. We have him to thank for introducing fandom to the wonderful world of sexploitation sinema, rescuing it from the dark recesses of forgotten film vaults and defunct movie theatres.

Some of you may know that prior to Something Weird, Mike was involved in the early Seattle punk rock music scene. He was a partner in Modern Productions, the group who started Seattle’s seminal rock venue, The Showbox, in 1979. Mike then went on to manage such well-known bands as The Dead Kennedys, TSOL, and Seattle’s own The Accused. Mike always seemed to be at the forefront of whatever was happening and cool.

Mike’s second greatest passion in life was collecting old comics, vintage toys, movie memorabilia, and pop cultural ephemera. He enjoyed going to the swap meet and always had a magical ability for finding great stuff. But when he wasn’t working, collecting, or telling great stories, Mike spent quality time with his beloved family. Mike adored his wife and business partner, Lisa, and two (now young adult) children, Mark and Danielle. These three were the center of his universe, and his reason for getting up each and every morning.

The folks at Something Weird fully intend to honor Mike’s incredible legacy. Mike may be gone, but his remarkable achievements will live on. One of the happiest days of Mike’s life was when legendary David F. Friedman and Dan Sonney called him “the forty-first thief,” which to him was the ultimate compliment and recognition for his work. We’d like to think that Mike’s now hanging out with his old pals Dave and Dan, reminiscing and talking shop with Dwain Esper, Kroger Babb, Barry Mahon, Joe Sarno, Doris Wishman, Bob Cresse, Dale Berry, Michael Findlay and all the other exploiteers and smut peddlers who’ve gone to the great grindhouse in the sky.

We will miss Mike with all our hearts. Goodbye dear friend, husband, father, and fearless leader…
– Lisa Petrucci, Tim Lewis, Kendall Bechtel, Mark Vraney, Danielle Vraney of Something Weird Video

Fans of Mike and of Something Weird Video are encouraged to visit the official Mike Vraney Memorial Tribute page on Facebook as well as to help make a donation to the Lung Cancer Alliance on his behalf. To Lisa Petrucci, Mark and Danielle Vraney, Kendall Bechtel, the Something Weird Video staff, and to the rest of his family and friends my deepest sympathies.

If your a hardcore fan of horror, exploitation, sexploitation, underground films, cult classics, nudie cuties, roadshow flims, burlesque features, loops, crazy cartoons, etc, please visit the Something Weird Video website at www.somethingweird.com.

Thanks for reading, and rest in peace Mike!

Phil remembers David F. Friedman, The King Of Exploitation Cinema-June 14, 2011

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