Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 30

I checked TCM's line-up for today, hopeful that, it being the day before Halloween, they'd be showing some good horror movies. And indeed, they do have one movie listed.

You all remember that terrifying exercise in horror called Back to the Future, right?

Oh, TCM. You so crazy!

Speaking of horror movies that aren't horror movies, here's one of my all-time favorite horror comedies: James Whales' 1932 version of The Old Dark House, featuring Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Gloria "The Old Lady from Titanic" Stuart, and a hilarious Ernest Thesiger. You'll never pass the potatoes the same way again.

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 29

Not sure how you're spending this Sunday, but I sure know how I am!

I know I should probably savor it, but I'm three episodes in, and don't want to stop!

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 28

On the second day of this year's countdown, I sang the praises of David S. Pumpkins, so it seems apt that he get a second mention as the end of the countdown draws near. Tonight, he gets his own animated special, airing at 11:30pm, as part of SNL's Halloween show.

It could be terrible. In fact, odds favor that outcome. But I'm still gonna watch the hell out of it!

Musty TV's Manical Halloween Countdown - Day 27

Tonight at 7:15pm, TCM is airing a movie that I used to bribe a teacher to let me into a class that had a waiting list when I was studying film at SFSU. This was back in the days before DVDs and streaming everything, when old films were a lot harder to come by on VHS. During the first class--and for the life of me, I can't remember the topic of the class--he brought the film up as an example of something, and then mentioned how sad he was that hadn't been able to find a copy of it anywhere.

The minute he mentioned that, I knew I had my in. Once class was over, I went up to him and flat out said, "Let me into this class, and I'll give you a copy of Pretty Poison."

It's an appropriate movie to for a female college student to bribe someone with, since it's about a manipulative teenage girl who just might be a psychopath.

End of story: I'm pretty sure I got an A in that class.

As for the movie itself, it stars Anthony Perkins and Tuesday Weld in what might be her best performance, in a film that is kind of a gender swapped version of Badlands, as two screwed-up teenagers fall for each other, and one of them turns out to have penchant for murder. The trailer makes it sound like some kind of screwball comedy, and while it does have its funny moments, it's a lot darker than it looks.

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 26

I don't have a movie for you today. Instead, let's go back in time for a moment

Every couple of years, I feel it's very important to remember that there was once a creepy gnome terrorizing parts of Argentina, and he was caught on tape.

OK, fine, maybe he wasn't exactly "terrorizing" Argentina....and maybe he wasn't an actual gnome...and OK yeah, whoever it was probably knew those kids who conveniently began to film nothing a few moments before his appearance.

But I still think this is one of the most brilliant bits of fake video ever made; the scream and cut to black at the end pushes it over the edge into masterpiece territory.

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 25

One of my favorite movies is David Fincher's Zodiac. I watch it every summer around the Fourth of July, (the film's opening slaying takes place on July 4th), and I just never get tired of its 1970's aesthetic and Bay Area location.

I can safely say any fan of Zodiac should definitely be watching Fincher's new Netflix series, Mindhunter, as there is a lot in common. Aside from the serial killers (or "sequence killers," as the FBI agents first label those multi-murderers; of course, I always prefer "sequins killers" myself), the look is very similar, and the 1970's vibe is on point.

In some ways, it's a procedural drama, as the agents do help to solve more than one case during the course of the series. But I appreciate how each crime serves the series's bigger plot, which is centered on how the FBI developed serial killer profiling in the 1970's, and helped steer the agency away from some outdated modes of investigation. It's a great combination of the grisly and the scientific.

The whole series is available now, perfect for Halloween bingeing!

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 24

Looks like my morning commute!

TCM is airing one of my all-time favorite horror movies tonight at 11pm, Carnival of Souls. I've probably included it every year since I started partaking in the countdown, so I won't go on and on about it again. Instead, here's a look at a pristine trailer ...

And, if you're so inclined, the whole movie, though the print isn't quite as crisp as that trailer...

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 23

 Tonight at 5pm, Movies! is airing the original 1958 version of The Blob, starring Steve McQueen, and featuring what may be the best horror movie theme song ever, by Burt Bacharach.

I mean, how can you not love a horror movie whose monster is just a giant, red, a gelatinous mass?

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 22

Last night, Creature Features aired the movie The Milpitas Monster, a 1976, locally-shot horror movie I'd never heard of. It's about a monster created by garbage, and apparently it was inspired by Bob Wilkins, who used to make fun of the city of Milpitas when he was hosting Creature Features. He also makes an appearance in it.

It's terrible and it's great, and you can watch it right here!

Musty TV's Maniacal Halloween Countdown - Day 20

I didn't see spiders in the forecast! Damn weathermen.

Tonight the Svengoolie show will be airing the giant spider flick, 1955's Tarantula, which, for a movie about giant spiders, is actually pretty good.

Here's director Joe Dante speaking a bit about it for Trailers From Hell.