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WELCOME TO THE SPEAKEASY's

Anyone who is a regular reader of THE B-MOVIE Message Board or this website may have come to discover that I love a good bargain.   As the Master of Cheap-Fu, it was a no-brainer that I'd fall in love with the folks at ALPHA VIDEO and their output.

First up for review is a film that I'd wanted to see for a long time, simply because it starred Bela Lugosi, of whom I've been a fan of for what seems to be forever.  The flick, BELA LUGOSI MEETS A BROOKLYN GORILLA, had become something of a Holy Grail amongst Lugosi completionists, primarily for reasons of  availability.  For me, at least, it was one of those B flicks that I had always read about in reference books and magazines dedicated to the genre, but could never find a copy of.  Alpha's disc is really nice, a crisp, clean transfer with great sound. The plot:  Two-bit comedians Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo (a poor man's Martin and Lewis, pushing that bit to the point that Petrillo physically  resembles the caricature of Lewis that starred in the old DC Comics "The Adventures of Jerry Lewis), are stranded on a desert island, where they are befriended by the local natives.  Lugosi portrays Dr. Zabor, a mad scientist type character he'd been hamming it up as since "The Phantom Creeps".  Zabor transforms Mitchell into an ape, and "Africa Screams" style hi-jinx ensue.  In the end, it's all revealed to be a dream Petrillo's had.  The End.

Interesting side note:  Petrillo was sued by Lewis in the mid-1950s for stealing his act.  True story.  Both Petrillo and Mitchell disappeared into obscurity afterwards.  The director of "Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla", William Beaudine, went on to direct two staples of B-movie fandom, "Billy the Kid vs. Dracula" and "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter".

Another Holy Grail of sorts (for me at least) is our next test subject, the 1958 unsold television pilot for a series based on the radio and pulp hero, the Shadow: INVISIBLE AVENGER.  Airred maybe once and available only as a bootleg for decades, this little gem was another of those things I'd only heard about but never seen.  I've been tempted in the past to purchase this from one of those ads in "Comics Buyer's Guide" for years, but just never got around to it.  I'm kinda glad I did... The plot:  Richard Derr portrays the infamous Lamont Cranston, aka the vigilante known as the Shadow.  Basically, it's yer typical radio show episode, replacing Margo Lane is a hammy swami who dresses in snappy suits.  Missing are all the elements that make the Shadow cool (IMO)...the slouch hat, the cloak/trenchcoat, the blazing twin .45s..they play up the "clouding of mens minds" angle alot...but still, the imagery of the Shadow is half the fun. Hats off to Alpha, though, for finally making this available in a mass market kinda way..the quality is the best to be expected for something that's languished in obscurity as long as it has.  Worth the 7.99 I spent for it.

Then, there's 1963's THE SADIST.  A few years ago, after purchasing the Rhino MST3k disc of "EEGAH!", I became morbidly facinated with goofy actor Arch Hall, Jr..  I have a theory that prolonged exposure to the man's works will lead to some sort of serious mental breakdown.  Never has there been an actor in my mind that is such a incredible combination of goofy, terrible, and irritating in existence.  Yet, "The Sadist" surprised me... The Plot:  Three travelling motorists break down near a salvage yard and find the place seemingly deserted.  While trying to repair their automobile, they are confronted by an escaped convict (Hall) and his monosyllabic girlfriend.  An unnerving game of mental cat and mouse follows as he holds the motorists hostage. This leads to a fairly shocking climax that many won't see coming.  The End. What?  An Arch Hall, Jr. flick that's not all that bad?  I couldn't believe it......

I've made it a personal goal  to be the first person in existence to watch all the works of Archiekins and live to tell about it.  Not as easy an objective as it sounds.  But I found "The Sadist" somewhat satisfying....Hall plays against type (usually cast as a goofy teenage rock n roll star)..and I'll be damned if it doesn't suit him.  He's a believeable (if hammy) psychotic, and the story is rivetting and in no way telegraphed.  I was actually on the edge of my seat.   Damn you, Archiekins!  Damn you!!!  I'll beat you yet!