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On March 30th, a special screening of THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL! was held at the CINEFAMILY Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The sold-out affair was co-sponsored by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, along with Chris Poggiali (THE TEMPLE OF SCHLOCK), Brian Quinn and Eric Caidin (of the GRINDHOUSE series at the New Beverly), and Hadrian Belove (THE CINEFAMILY). Folding chairs were quickly set up in the aisles to accommodate the last-minute arrivals. Special guests included award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, screenwriter Gary Crutcher, composer Stu Phillips, and filmmaker Joe Dante, who moderated the Q&A after the film.
(CINEMATOGRAPHER VILMOS ZSIGMOND AND DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER DANIEL GRIFFITH)
(PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS GIVEN OUT AT THE SCREENING)
Very special thanks to Chris, Eric, Brian, Hadrian, Gary, Stu, Joe and Vilmos!
Days before the screening, I filmed interviews with Vilmos and Joe for "THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL!" documentary, which will accompany the film on a future DVD release (still pending).
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ANOTHER TRIP ON THE S.O.L.
The bonus feature documentaries included on this set are my follow-up to the featurettes produced for Volume XVI. Shout! Factory secretly sent me the titles to be included on Volume XVIII, and I immediately responded to THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS. There was a film in need of an explanation. A film almost completely void of cinematic structure (and logic). Its limited narrative rests upon the shoulders of a disembodied voice-over... and a withering giant.
So, why YUCCA FLATS, as opposed to the other titles included in the set ( which includes LOST CONTINENT, CRASH OF THE MOONS, and JACK FROST)? I felt that BEAST was not only the most probable, it was also the most misunderstood film of the lot. And sometimes the most misunderstood films make the most intriguing subjects for a 'making-of' documentary.
In the end, I set out to construct a documentary which mirrored the visual style of the film itself (including a narration that mimics Francis' own disembodied rambling).
The MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Volume XVIII included:
1-NO DIALOGUE NECESSARY: MAKING THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS
2-COLEMAN FRANCIS: CINEMATIC POET OF PARKING
("NO DIALOGUE NECESSARY" TEASER POSTER)
("NO DIALOGUE NECESSARY" ONE-SHEET)
DVD REVIEWS:
"That making-of is typical of the go-the-extra-mile extras that Shout Factory has been including in these sets. It runs nearly 30 minutes and features Coniff, along with indie filmmaker Larry Blamire, B-movie historian Bob Burns, and “Yucca Flats” cinematographer Lee Strosnider talking about the movie, its stars, its place in movie history, and its bizarre audio choices, among other subjects."
"A side-splitting satirical documentary about the making of The Beast of Yucca Flats. Frank Conniff, a B-Movie filmmaker, a cult film historian, and one of the cameramen who shot the film (Lee Strosnider, friend of Coleman Francis) contribute to the dialogue about the film’s qualities (however lacking). Throughout this half-hour adventure, we are treated to a dissection of nearly every aspect of the film, from the casting (Tor Johnson ahoy), to the music (ripped from several other popular B-grade films of the time), and across numerous oddities which could only relate to a Coleman Francis production. Stuff like the uncomfortable nudity in the opening of the film (cut from the MST3K version, of course, but witnessed here in this extra) and the bizarre off-camera dialogue and action that interlace the entire movie." -Steve Schardein, DIGITAL CHUMPS
"The documentary about The Beast of Yucca Flats really illuminates the filmmaking process that went into the no budget legend. Another worthy installment in this long running series."
-Joe Corey, INSIDE PULSE
"But the best bonus features are saved for The Beast of Yucca Flats, and deservedly so. First and foremost is the new documentary featurette "No Dialogue Necessary: Making an 'Off-Camera Masterpiece." Running just shy of 30 minutes, this good-humored retrospective (written, produced, and directed by Daniel Griffith) combines narration in the style of the film and interviews with film buffs Larry Blamire and Bob Burns, director of photography Lee Strosnider, and MST's Frank Coniff. It's thorough and engaging, covering all aspects of the 1958 production, shot (shockingly!) without a script over a year's worth of weekends and assembled (as best it could be) over a lengthy editing period. "Coleman Francis: The Cinematic Poet of Parking" is an extended interview with Strosnider, who worked with Francis on The Skydivers as well, and speaks in detail of the director's, um, methodology." -Jason Bailey, DVD TALK
(WRITER/ACTOR/DIRECTOR/CULT FILM ENTHUSIAST LARRY BLAMIRE)
(BOB BURNS IN HIS WORLD RENOWNED MOVIE MUSEUM)
(MST ALUMIS FRANK CONNIFF)
The documentary premiered on June 24th, at MONSTER BASH 2010. Tom Weaver, horror film historian and Bash attendee, comments... "Hats off to doc maker Daniel Griffith, I too think he did a great job. At the most recent Monster Bash, his BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS doc was shown (also with Larry B. in the cast) and it was a big hit."
(BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS CINEMATOGRAPHER LEE STROSNIDER)
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Volume XVIII is now available thru SHOUT! FACTORY. Very special thanks to Jordan Fields and Brian Ward. It's great working with you guys! ______________________________________________
Next up are the bonus materials Ballyhoo produced/directed for VCI Entertainment's special edition DVD release of William Witney's "APACHE RIFLES", starring the legendary Audie Murphy, Linda Lawson, Michael Dante, and L. Q. Jones.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
3-PLEASE, HOLD THE SPAGHETTI: APACHE RIFLES AND THE END OF THE CONVENTIONAL WESTERN
4-CUT TO THE CHASE: MICHAEL DANTE REMEMBERS WILLIAM WHITNEY
5-MUSEUM OF LONE PINE FILM HISTORY: A RETROSPECTIVE
(SCREENWRITER/WESTERN FILM HISTORIAN C. COURTNEY JOYNER)
(HISTORIAN CHRIS LANGLEY, SHOT AT THE LONE PINE FILM MUSEUM)
DVD REVIEWS:
"There's a 23-minute making-of documentary - an effort that puts similar efforts on more major releases to shame." -Barrie Maxwell, THE DIGITAL BITS
"But where the DVD really excels is in its supplemental material. There are short pieces on Witney and the Lone Pine Museum, a still gallery and a longer documentary on Apache Rifles and the end of the conventional Western. It’s always good to see a smaller picture get this kind of attention — and I’m sure we can all come up with a list of dozens more we’d like to see treated this respectfully."
Special thanks to Kit Parker, Bob Blair, Chris Rowe, Museum of Lone Pine Film History, Chris Langely, Michael Dante and especially, my good friend, Courtney Joyner. The "APACHE RIFLES" is now available at VCI ENTERTAINMENT. ______________________________________________
IT'S HAMMER TIME!
During the post-production phase on both the DARK STAR documentary and the MST3000 Volume XIX, Ballyhoo made a quick trip overseas to glorious London to shoot interviews and B-Roll footage for three Hammer films and two British horror TV series. The journey concluded with a visit to legendary Pinewood Studios.
(ONE OF THE MANY SOUNDSTAGES AT PINEWOOD STUDIOS)
(DANIEL GRIFFITH... OUTSIDE OF JOHN HOUGH'S STUDIO BUNGALOW)
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"LET THERE BE LIGHT: THE ODYSSEY OF DARK STAR"
An all new, feature-length documentary exploring the making of John Carpenter/Dan O'Bannon cult masterpiece-from concept, to distribution. containing EXCLUSIVE interviews with actor Brian Narelle, cinematographer Doug Knapp, art director Tommy Lee Wallace, visual effects artists Greg Jein, voice artist Cookie Knapp, distributor Jack Harris, Diane O'Bannon, USC alumni Jeff Burr, as well as archival interviews with Dan O'Bannon, John Carpenter and more!
This was an absolute joy to work on, considering the tight budget and tighter post-production schedule. It's amazing how much art would imitate life during this particular project. My own struggles regarding the K. Gordon Murray documentary would eventually mirror the struggles both Carpenter and O'Bannon faced during the production of DARK STAR.
(DANIEL GRIFFITH AND WRITER/DIRECTOR TOMMY LEE WALLACE)
DVD REVIEWS:
"...one of the best documentaries you'll get on any disc, "Let There Be Light: The Odyssey of Dark Star." The 2010 documentary is almost two hours long, divided into some nineteen chapters, and includes interviews and comments from many of the film's cast and crew. It makes for fascinating viewing." -John J. Puccio, DVD TOWN
"Be on the lookout for an impressive all new feature-length documentary entitled Let There Be Light: The Odyssey Of Dark Star (116:32, it's actually longer than the film itself)... Director Daniel Griffith has definitely gone the extra mile here to track down as many people as possible involved with the film and to let them share their side of the story of its genesis." -AV MANIACS
"It's an informative and very well-edited piece on the production of the film according to everyone from Diane O'Bannon, Dan's widow, to actor Brian Narelle. All the talking heads are very articulate and bring a lot of neat information to the table." -Simon Abrams, SLANT MAGAZINE
"The extras are plentiful and chief among them is the outstanding documentary Let There Be Light by Daniel Griffith. In addition to creating an entertaining framework, Griffith manages to round up almost everyone associated with all phases of the production including the elusive Jack H. Harris. The sordid tale of the film’s lengthy shooting schedule and the battles the filmmakers fought over ownership and distribution of the film are presented with an even hand so that all parties are allowed to tell their side of the story." -Ed Tucker, RETRORAMA
Special thanks to everyone involved with this production... a list no long to mention. My deepest thanks to Diane O'Bannon, Bob Blair, Chris Rowe, the crew at VCI Entertainment, Jeff Burr, and Brian Narelle.
The "DARK STAR: HYPERDRIVE EDITION" is now available thru VCI ENTERTAINMENT.
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For Volume XIX of SHOUT! FACTORY'S MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 box sets, Ballyhoo produced four separate documentary shorts, each one containing its own set of challenges. But working on the MST sets is always an adventure!
BONUS MATERIALS INCLUDE:
6-CITIZEN WOOD: MAKING THE BRIDE, UNMAKING THE LEGEND
7-THE PUPPET MASTER: RICHARD GORDON ON DEVIL DOLL
8-LARRY BLAMIRE GEEKS OUT!: ROBOT MONSTER
9-INVENTING THE INVENTION EXCHANGE
(MST3000 CREATOR JOEL HODGSON)
(RICHARD GORDON ON HAND FOR THE BRIDE OF THE MONSTER DOCUMENTARY)
(CONTEMPORARY HORROR HOST MR. LOBO HAMMERS THE ISSUES)
(GEORGE "THE ANIMAL" STEELE CHANNELS HIS INNER TOR)
DVD REVIEWS:
"The main extra for Bride of the Monster is the 27-minute documentary "Citizen Wood: Making the Bride, Unmaking the 'Legend'"—an epic look at this B-movie classic, featuring interviews with Joel Hodgson, Larry Blamire, producer Richard Gordon, Richard Sheffield (a friend of Lugosi's), and George "the Animal" Steele, who played Tor Johnson in Tim Burton's Ed Wood biopic. Frankly, it's more exhaustive than the movie deserves." -Erich Asperschiager, DVD VERDICT
REGARDING THE BRIDE OF THE MONSTER DOCUMENTARY... "This is a much more honest portrait of Ed and Bela’s relationship than Tim Burton’s film." -Joe Corey, INSIDE PULSE
"This set’s best are bunched on Ed Wood’s Bride of the Monster, including another superbly crafted featurette (“documentary” seems too high-falutin’) called Citizen Wood: Making The Bride, Unmaking the Legend (well, speaking of pretentious and high-falutin’)." -TRIPPING THE LIGHT
"Volume XIX boasts one of the most robust selections of extras on an MST3K set to date."
Special thanks to Tom Weaver, Larry Blamire, Richard Gordon, George Steele, Joel Hodgson, Mr. Lobo, Jordan Fields, and Brian Ward.
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Ballyhoo was very proud to work with SYNAPSE FILMS on their 100th film release, as well as their first Blu-ray release. The bloodcurdling bonus features produced exclusively for this release are:
10-THE BLOODIEST SHOW ON EARTH: MAKING VAMPIRE CIRCUS
11-GALLERY OF GROTESQUERIES: A BRIEF HISTORY OF CIRCUS HORRORS
12-VISITING THE HOUSE OF HAMMER: BRITIAN'S LEGENDARY HORROR MAGAZINE
("THE BLOODIEST SHOW ON EARTH" ONE-SHEET)
DVD REVIEWS:
"The set boasts several handsome extras beginning with The Bloodiest Show on Earth: Making 'Vampire Circus'. Directed by Daniel Griffith, the short makes superb high-def use of behind-the-scenes stills and promotional art, while historian-director Joe Dante, writers Tim Lucas and Philip Nutman and especially Ted Newsom discuss the film's troubled production in great detail, praising its qualities while acknowledging its shortcomings." -Stuart Galbraith IV, DVD TALK
"Hammer fans should be pleased by simply having the film in their hands, but Synapse goes the distance, providing a wealth of bonus material including a smashing documentary called “The Bloodiest Show on Earth.” It features Hammer experts Tim Lucas and Ted Newsom, filmmaker Joe Dante and co-star David Prowse (Darth Vader himself)—along with Fango contributor Phil Nutman—jawing about the special place VAMPIRE CIRCUS holds not only in horror history, but the hearts of the Hammer faithful." -Chris Alexander, FANGORIA
"What really sets the Ballyhoo extras apart is their art direction. The circus theme is expressed in handsome background and transition artwork, and the color for some of the interviews has also been tweaked to interesting effect -- Hammer expert Newsom's shots look hand-tinted."
Special thanks to Don May, Jr., Jerry Chandler, Ted Newsom, Phil Nutman, Joe Dante, Tim Lucas, and many, many more for making all of this possible.
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THE PASSING OF STAGE AND SCREEN ACTRESS DOMINI BLYTHE, STAR OF VAMPIRE CIRCUS:
December 15. Shortly before the release of the VAMPIRE CIRCUS blu-ray, famed Canadian stage and screen actress Domini Blythe, died in Montreal after a long battle with cancer. The British born Blythe would star in VAMPIRE CIRCUS, before moving to Canada in 1972 to pursue a career in theater. She will be missed.
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COMING IN 2011:
In 2011, Ballyhoo will be producing documentaries on TWINS OF EVIL, HANDS OF THE RIPPER, RACE WITH THE DEVIL, as well as wrapping up THE WONDER WORLD OF K. GORDON MURRAY, THEY CAME FROM THE SWAMP: THE FILMS OF WILLIAM GREFÉ, and beginning production on CUT TO THE CHASE: THE SERIAL LIFE OF WILLIAM WITNEY. There's much more to come. Stay turned for more exciting announcements in the near future!!!!
IN SUMMARY....
TWELVE FEATURETTES:
1-NO DIALOGUE NECESSARY: MAKING THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS
2-COLEMAN FRANCIS: CINEMATIC POET OF PARKING
3-PLEASE, HOLD THE SPAGHETTI: APACHE RIFLES AND THE END OF THE CONVENTIONAL WESTERN
4-CUT TO THE CHASE: MICHAEL DANTE REMEMBERS WILLIAM WHITNEY
5-MUSEUM OF LONE PINE FILM HISTORY: A RETROSPECTIVE
6-CITIZEN WOOD: MAKING THE BRIDE, UNMAKING THE LEGEND
7-THE PUPPET MASTER: RICHARD GORDON ON DEVIL DOLL
8-LARRY BLAMIRE GEEKS OUT!: ROBOT MONSTER
9-INVENTING THE INVENTION EXCHANGE
10-THE BLOODIEST SHOW ON EARTH: MAKING VAMPIRE CIRCUS
11-GALLERY OF GROTESQUERIES: A BRIEF HISTORY OF CIRCUS HORRORS
12-VISITING THE HOUSE OF HAMMER: BRITIAN'S LEGENDARY HORROR MAGAZINE
TWO DOCUMENTARIES:
1-LET THERE BE LIGHT: THE ODYSSEY OF DARK STAR
2-THE WONDER WORLD OF K. GORDON MURRAY
ONE SCREENING:
1-NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL- CINEFAMILY SCREENING
DVD REVIEWS:
DVD REVIEWS:
