Sinister Cinema: The Golem

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Don

And for the theme of today’s Autograph Hound Super-Sunday, Brian Leno digs another signature from the clay. . . .

“I love the German silents,” Brian tells me, “right now a signed postcard of Paul Richter (Siegfried) is on the way from Germany.”

(I wonder if Brian has a Max Schreck? I wonder how much loot a Max Schreck would suck out of your bank account. . . ?)

Brian now proclaims:

Paul Wegener is one of the greats of German silent films.

His portrayal of the monster in The Golem: How He Came into the World (1920) inspired many filmmakers, most notably James Whale and his Frankenstein (1931).

Wegener is also remembered for his role as the mad scientist in the film adaptation of Hanns Heinz Ewer’s Alraune (1928). It’s another great movie, and the performance of Brigitte Helm is not to be missed.

A somewhat obscure figure except for those who love silent German movies, Wegener is a rare signature and so somewhat pricey.

Posted in Film | Tagged , , , , |

Sinister Cinema: Caligari

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Don

For Autograph  Hound Super-Sunday what other Halloween offerings could Brian Leno pull from the crypt? You just know he’s got an iron-bound door in the wall of a sub-basement, and over the door to that crypt the stark name: John Hancock. 

Looks as if today he’s hauling out signatures from German silents, beginning with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari — Caligari, a flat-out masterpiece of world cinema.

Take it away, Brian:

Conrad Veidt is internationally known for being cast as Major Strasser in Casablanca (1942). It’s one of the great movies, no doubt about it.

But long before running into Humphrey Bogart, Veidt made a name for himself in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) as Cesare, the somnambulistic killer. He also appeared in The Man Who Laughs (1928), and his huge never-ending grin in that movie was perhaps an inspiration for Batman’s deadly foe, the Joker.

Dying at the age of 50, Veidt is a collectible, and somewhat rare, signature — a good catch for the autograph hunter.

Lil Dagover is perhaps not a name that rolls off the tongue when speaking of Halloween movies, but she was in one of the great silent ones. Who can forget the scene when Cesare, portrayed by Conrad Veidt, steals into her bedroom, knife drawn, and stands over her sleeping body?

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), a silent masterpiece, is perhaps not viewed as much today, as it would seem attention spans of the average filmgoer are getting shorter and movies without sound are no longer in favor.

But find a good copy of the movie and settle back for an hour or so. It’s worth it.

Ms. Dagover lived to be 92, so her signature is not too rare, and it’ll probably cost less than what some people spend on Halloween candy.

Posted in Film | Tagged , , , , |

Sinister Cinema: Scream Queen

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Don

To get you in the mood for Halloween this Autograph Hound Saturday, Brian Leno has brought forth from his vault signatures by Candace Hilligoss, Barbara Steele — and now wraps it up with a true icon of the Pop Culture.

Here’s Brian:

There aren’t many movies as great as King Kong (1933) and Fay Wray helped ensure the immortality of the film. Her screams, and the roars of Kong, still resonate with fans after all these years.

Ms. Wray lived a long life, attaining almost 97 years of age, so while her signature isn’t rare, autographed photos of her and Kong don’t come cheap.

Signed copies of her autobiography can be purchased for a decent price, but nothing beats a photo of the lady in the clutches of the big ape.

Mention should also be made of her earlier film, The Most Dangerous Game (1932), another favorite of mine.

The lady was beautiful and boy, could she scream!

Posted in Film | Tagged , , , |

Sinister Cinema: Black Sunday and Others

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Don

For the second offering in his latest Trilogy of Terror, Brian Leno provides a glimpse of the signature of Barbara Steele. Horror icon. Lots of movies, from Black Sunday on down.

One of that relatively small group of actors where you must admit that you’re watching the movie if for no other reason than that it is a Barbara Steele movie.

Here’s Brian with his remarks: 

Roger Corman’s The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) is usually one of those flicks that hits the television screen every Halloween, and I make a point of watching it, if only to catch the performances of Vincent Price and Barbara Steele.

One movie not shown so much is Black Sunday (1960), and that’s a pity because it is Steele’s greatest role. If you’ve never seen it, check it out — it’ll haunt you.

Her autograph is not too rare, but a signed photo from Black Sunday won’t be cheap — me, I settled for a index card signature.

Posted in Film | Tagged , , |

Sinister Cinema: Carnival of Souls

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Don

To further prep his fellow Autograph Hounds for the arrival of Halloween, that most eldritch of holidays, Brian Leno jumps back into action with another triple-threat spread of Heroines of Horror.

Today he kicks off Autograph Hound Saturday with a signature related to that stone-cold classic of creepy atmosphere, Carnival of Souls.

Here’s Brian, to get you in the trick or treating mood:

While the scan isn’t perfect, knocking off most of the inscription, the photo is a classic shot of Candace Hilligoss rising from the muddy river in Carnival of Souls (1962).

Ms. Hilligoss won’t be found in too many other movies as her filmography is very limited, but Carnival of Souls is now considered a cult favorite and her signature is much sought after by fans.

She has published her memoirs, and, a few years ago when I picked up this photo, her website was running strong and taking orders for signed items. 

Carnival of Souls is one of those movies that has to be seen at least once every Halloween.

Posted in Film | Tagged , , , , |

Hammett: Jumpin’ Jeopardy!

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Don

Jeez.

Jeopardy! strikes again!

The Final Jeopardy round for S36 E33 for October 23, 2019 brought Hammett back into the mix yet again. Man, those clew-meisters are relentless, and I have to think they must like Hammett as much as I do.

Category: 1930s Novel Characters.

Statement: Prior to a murder in a 1934 book, he says he hasn’t been a detective since 1927 & that his wife inherited a lumber mill.

The lowest scoring contestant asks: Who is Dick Tracy?

Next contestant — getting closer — then asks: Who is Sam Spade?

Finally we get: Who is ?

Yep, they all bombed out.

Alex Trebek said, that touch of regret in his voice, “No, it’s Nick Charles. Nick and Nora Charles. The Thin Man series.”

Of course specifically he meant Hammett’s 1934 release from Alfred A. Knopf, The Thin Man, which led into the series of movies, radio shows, and a notch in Pop Culture.

Hammett’s daughter, Jo Marshall, has long said that Hammett will never be forgotten as long as there are Crossword Puzzles, and the need for Nick, Nora, Charles and Asta to fill in the blanks.

I’m starting to think we’ll have to include Jeopardy! in that equation. . . .

Posted in Dash | Tagged , , |

Rediscovered: More 1565 Siege of Malta

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Don

The theme of the island of Malta suddenly jumped up and took over the week here on These Mean Streets. By luck, Kevin Cook had a Malta appropriate signature in, and ready to show off on Autograph Hound Saturday.

But for Autograph Hound Super-Sunday I had nothing. I was thinking of just skipping the John Hancocks for today, when out of the blue yesterday Autograph Hound Supreme Brian Leno demonstrated, yet again, exactly why he is the champion of this domain.

Here’s Brian:

Far be it for me to sit on my beanbag when you guys are having all the fun with the Siege of Malta.

This inscription is from The Knights of St. John (1932), a novel by Paul L. Anderson which — while I haven’t read it — undoubtedly deals with the siege. Just check out the Dedication. 

Anderson of course is well-known for his stories of prehistoric man which appeared in issues of Argosy during the early 1920s. These stories were obviously enjoyed by Robert E. Howard, and influenced him when he wrote tales such as “Spear and Fang.”

Anderson was also a sought-after photographer, but I remember him especially for his series of books dealing with Rome that were written for a young adult audience. I spent a lot of study hall hours in middle school reading Pugnax the Gladiator — or With the Eagles — instead of doing my homework.

The Knights of St. John seems like it should be another fine read by Anderson, and one of these days I’ll get to it.

Anderson’s signature is, I think, fairly rare — this is the only example in a book I’ve ever found. I will keep looking; it’s the least I can do for a study hall buddy.

 

Posted in Lit, REH | Tagged , , , , , |

Rediscovered: The 1565 Siege of Malta

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Don

For Autograph Hound Saturday let’s keep the theme of Malta going, which kicked in over the last few days.

Never know where the Winds of the Blog will take you, that’s what I always say.

For the John Hancock, noted pulp and book collector Kevin Cook pulls a novel signed by Tim Willocks off his shelves. When he did his own trip report a couple of years ago about taking a cruise ship to Malta Kevin referred to this novel: “Quite a few of us who still read historical fiction today consider him the best, and The Religion is based on the siege of Malta in 1565.”

Kevin no doubt could knock out a longer blurb on Willocks, since he’s a huge fan. But he told me before he does that — if memory serves — he wants to reread the two or three novels already out and soak up the upcoming title, and after adequate digestion and contemplation express his best judgment. I’m guessing he’s going to remain a huge fan.

If you refer to the pics Nathaniel Mills sent in the other day, you might especially appreciate another observation Kevin made: “The neat thing was that the original sea walls of the city are still standing, and you can understand why the Muslims at the siege had to attack from the land.”

Posted in Lit | Tagged , , , , |

Rediscovered: CrimeReads Discovers Willeford

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Don

Nathan Ward just alerted me to the news that today CrimeReads put up an article on the late, great Charles Willeford. A little something for Willeford’s centennial year.

Not a bad introduction for people who don’t know Willeford (which is to say people who haven’t read my book Willeford).

The guy doesn’t seem to know that Dennis McMillan is the publisher who moved to the Miami area largely to hang around with Willeford, but then maybe he didn’t want to go too deep into the background. It’s hard enough  trying to sketch in Willeford without dragging an equally outrageous figure like DMac into the story.

And of course it features the occasional puzzling statement of “facts,” such as: “When Betsy Willeford met her future husband, he was twice divorced” — really, he thinks Willeford had divorced his second wife before he met Betsy? Jeez.

But if you need a quick intro, surf on over.

Posted in DMac, News, Willeford | Tagged , , |

Noir: On the Prowl

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Don

One intriguing pic Nathaniel Mills sent along from his trip to Malta, he noticed later,  “unintentionally captured this Maltese blonde, there on the bench, checking me out as I walked by.

“Did she think I was handsome or was she hired to tail me by someone who thought my store-bought falcon might’ve been the real thing?”

The shot instantly recalled for me some of those Paperback Original covers of the 1950s and early 60s, Gold Medal and company, something that could have served as the top wraps for a novel by Charles Willeford — or more likely, one of the many books by the prolific sleaze merchant Orrie Hitt.

Sure, the cover painting — by Bob McGinnis or another pro — would have softened details with quick brushstrokes, jumped up the color palate a bit, maybe moved the blonde a little closer. . . .

The kind of novel I always think of — courtesy a contemporary blurb for an early Willeford — as a tale of the Male Animal on the Prowl.

Or perhaps in this case, the Female Animal.

Posted in Lit, Tour, Willeford | Tagged , , , , |