"Jesus Died So We Could Ride"

 

 (imdb)

THE BIKER BABYLON-1969-"Something primitive and terrifying is happening".

This is a documentary about protests against the Vietnam War in DC featuring a motorcycle gang called "The Aliens", who do a lot of talking about being harassed by "The Man". Dick Gregory appears as himself. Then everyone attends a rock festival but no acts are mentioned or seen. The sarcastic narration sounds like it was written for Jack Webb! Aka IT'S A REVOLUTION MOTHER. 

Director Harry Kerwin (brother of William Kerwin/Thomas Wood from BLOOD FEAST) later made GOD'S BLOODY ACRE (1975) and BARRACUDA (1978). While he made some movies before BIKER like the comedy MY THIRD HUSBAND, GEORGE (1968), I believe some very early credits are actually for another Harry Kerwin.

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Zap!

 

 (themoviedb)

ZAPPA-2020-This documentary opens with Frank Zappa addressing a audience in Czechoslovakia right after The Velvet Revolution at what would be his last recorded concert. Then it's mostly FZ pontificating on his life, music, the record business, the government, Edgard Varese', etc. What really makes this interesting is that all the interviews are found footage. Nothing was recorded by FZ (who died in 1993) for this bio. There is also some amazing footage of the original Mothers, a young Captain Beefheart, photo shoots and concert footage. Alice Cooper, Ruth Underwood, Bunk Gardner, The GTOs, Ian Underwood, Bruce Bickford, Steve Vai, Ray White, Gail Zappa (who died in 2015), Mike Keneally and others are interviewed in new footage. 

Nice effort by director Alex Winter (BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE). He's directed a lot of movies apparently but the only other one I've seen is FREAKED (1993).

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Never Made

 

 (youtube)

JODOROWSKY'S DUNE-2013-This is a documentary about the "greatest film never made". Really, if you're interested in hearing about several happily insane individuals who all got together to try and make a film adaptation of Frank Herbert's “Dune” this is a great movie for you. Alejandro Jodorowsky Never (EL TOPO)  talks about his "dream" of making this adaptation, how he cajoled people like Salvadore Dali and Orson Welles into taking roles and other actors he wanted (David Carradine, Gloria Swanson, Udo Kier, Mick Jagger), hiring Dan O'Bannon, HR Giger, Chris Foss and Moebius to create the storyboards and scenery and how Hollywood studios liked the idea but "feared" Jodorowsky as the director. Since the humongous storyboard was shopped around so many studios, the film makes a good point that even though it was never filmed Dune influenced Star Wars, The Terminator and a whole host of others. Directed by Frank Pavich.

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The Acker-Monster

 

 (imdb)

HOORAY FOR HORRORWOOD-FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND-1991-Forrest J. Ackerman (occasionally appearing as a vampire) talks about himself, his creation "Famous Monsters of Filmland", the Acker-Mansion, Karloff, the monster, Chaney Jr. & Sr., Vincent Price, Metropolis, Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast and more. A guy named Bill Malone explains a lot about “Robby the Robot”.  

It's awesome to see all the relics in "The Acker-Mansion" but it's also sad to realize it no longer exists….

Ray Bradbury, Linnea Quigley, Robert Englund, Zacherle, Sara Karloff, Mick Garris and Bobbie Bresee also appear.

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Hammer History

 

 (imdb)

FLESH AND BLOOD-THE HAMMER HERITAGE OF HORROR-1994-In this entertaining documentary, two long segments cover all the Frankenstein and Dracula series (except Dracula AD 1972). There are many interviews: Michael Carreras, Jimmy Sangster, Roy Ward Baker, Anthony Hinds, Anthony Nelson Keyes, Hazel Court, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Veronica Carlson, Freddie Francis and Christopher Lee who narrates along with Peter Cushing. Soundtracks, Director of Photography, makeup and other aspects are covered. Also how the studio picked its leading ladies. Other movies covered include The PHANTOM OF THE OPERA remake, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE. It also tells how American Robert Lippert helped distribute their films in the US and lent stock footage and how CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN was planned as a black & white film with Karloff! Stupidly they criticize ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (Joe Dante helps them) to make their CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN look like they were saving the horror genre. Apparently, the only American they could get to run down Universal horror movies and overly praise Hammer was Dante. Director Ted Newsom made many other documentaries and some horror movies like EVIL SPAWN (1987).

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"If You Love These Blues...."

 

 (chicago tribune)

THE MIKE BLOOMFIELD STORY-2021-Excellent documentary/biography of the (now) neglected Blues guitarist. In his time playing with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Electric Flag, he was viewed as America's first guitar hero but constant touring, drugs, insomnia and the need to stay out of the spotlight took its toll. Part one is directed by Alex Wernquest and Nick Lerman. Part two is by David Dann (who wrote the whole thing).

Michael Bloomfield & Al Kooper: Albert's Shuffle:

https://youtu.be/wvA6W87lj8I?si=qapM7Ovm5uApyNDK

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Trio!

 

 (imdb)

LETHAL VIRUS-2021-Terrible, laughable nonsense about a virus that turns people into cannibalistic zombies ala 28 DAYS LATER and THE CRAZIES. The acting is terrible and the sfx are garbage. Director Daniel Hernandez Torrado should stop...Now!

 themoviedb.org)

ROBOT APOCALYPSE-2021-A bunch of stupid hackers wind up trying to stop a sentient AI that's gained control of the US army's drones. Former mixed martial artist Tito Ortiz is one of the stars, so don't say I didn't warn you. Low budget Sci Fi junk from director Marcus Friendlander.

 (Mubi)

THE MOVIES OF HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS AND THE ORIGINS OF SPLATTER-2022-Great short to the point documentary about Herschell Gordon Lewis and the rise of the gore or splatter films and the movies he made that help start it. It gives a good basic look at his "blood trilogy" and the horror movies that followed. It's a YouTube video created by Ben Simpson on his channel.

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Searchin'

 

 

 

 (imdb)

SEARCHING FOR JUNGLE HOLOCAUST-2021-This is a documentary about the notorious film by Ruggero Deodato. Director/writer/on screen narrator Calum Waddell (who's made a lot of stuff like this) interviews the lead actor Rolando Bianca and Gregory Snegoff, the voice over actor who dubbed Robert Kernan's voice. Waddell then veers off into meeting the last two surviving "cannibal" actors from Umberto Lenzi's CANNIBAL FEROX (a mother and son). There's also an interview with director Deodato before Waddell ends going on a kind of unrelated political tangent.

 If you'd call JUNGLE HOLOCUAST (also known as LAST CANNIBAL WORLD) a masterpiece then this is for you.

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It's Alive?

 

 (imdb)

THE STRANGE LIFE OF DR. FRANKENSTEIN-2018-Bizarre little documentary is not so much about the character of Dr. Frankenstein as it us about Mary Shelley's reasons and influences on writing her famous novel. Several writer-historians (and a plastic surgeon) give their opinions. Although they all don't really seem happy with it, Karloff as the monster is used a lot. Some modern-day mad scientists are also touched on like Vladimir Demikhov and his two headed dog experiments, Robert White and his monkey head transplants, Luigi Galvani's experiments with electricity and Eugenics freak Alex Carrel. This French production was directed by Jean Froment.

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Real Cannibal

 

 

 (cnn)

EXCUSE ME FOR LIVING-1993-This is a horrific documentary/biography about Issei Sagawa (who died in November 2022), a Japanese citizen who murdered and cannibalized a young Dutch woman in France. Though arrested and imprisoned, a technical glitch in the justice system freed him after a mere two years in an asylum. He's a pathetic guy who probably needed help for many years, but no one realized it and he committed a pretty heinous crime and became a minor celebrity who wrote several books and gave interviews. 

He expounds on his lifelong obsession to kill and eat someone and his fascination with actress Jean Seberg. His later life wasn't so pleasant. His “celebrity status” in Japan is blown out of proportion as most of the country were fairly outraged by his infamy.

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Tiny Tim!

 

 (youtube)

STREET OF DREAMS-1988-This grainy slapped together bio/documentary features Tiny Tim attempting to break the non-stop singing record at Luna Park, a famous amusement park in Australia. It throws in all sorts of Tiny Tim clips: myriad interviews, his marriage on "The Tonight Show", talking to strippers in a hotel room, dressing up like Mickey Mouse, even an interview with his aged mother who shows off childhood photos. Actor Ross Martin occasionally appears to narrate. 

Tim pontificates on the Bible, God, life, sex, etc. It's a cacophony of Tiny Tim, a literal overload, which turns very serious toward the end when it reports on the fire that took 7 lives and closed the amusement park down. 

Director Martin Sharp, who had a keen interest in Luna Park as well as Tiny Tim, was also an artist who drew the cover of Cream's albums “Disraeli Gears” and “Wheels of Fire” as well as writing the lyrics to two of their songs, “Tales of Brave Ulysses” and “Anyone for Tennis?”. There is a separate feature that focuses mainly on the marathon concert itself.

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Midnight

 

 (wikipedia)

MIDNIGHT MOVIES: FROM THE MARGIN TO THE MAIN STREET-2005-Pretty great documentary about the evolution and eventual demise of "the midnight movie" using by far the most successful ones ever: Alejandro Jodorowsky's EL TOPO, George Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, John Waters' PINK FLAMINGOS, Henzell & Rhone's THE HARDER THEY COME, Jim Sharman's THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW & David Lynch's ERASERHEAD. Besides scenes of the movies there are great interviews with the directors (except Lynch) and others associated with the films including Richard O'Brien, Robert Shaye, Lou Adler and Alan Douglas. Good job by director Stuart Samuels!

Puroresu

 

 (wkipedia)

THE GREAT SASUKE-2015-Nice documentary about the Japanese pro-wrestler, The Great Sasuke, covering his ups and downs in the ring, his short-lived political career, family life and helping the victims of the tsunami in Northern Japan. He's an honest hard-working guy with a never say die attitude who's devoted to his sport. Fellow wrestler Taka Michinoku also appears. Directed by Mikiko Sasaki.

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Wilburys

 

 (wikipedia)

THE TRUE STORY OF THE TRAVELING WILBURYS-2007-Great overview documentary about the last real super group (George Harrison,Bob Dylan,Roy Orbison,Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne with drummer Jim Keltner) and why it came about and how they wrote, played and recorded the album in the spring of 1988 at Dave Stewart's house. It's ultimately a little sad of course since Roy Orbison died so suddenly (and Harrison & Petty are both gone now...). Probably could have been longer but nevertheless a nice little documentary.

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.

Buster!

 

 (imdb)

THE GREAT BUSTER: A CELEBRATION-2018- Well done documentary about the lengendary Buster Keaton, produced, directed & narrated by Peter Bogdanovich. The first half which discusses Keaton's life is good but has actually been done to death in other docs recently. It's nice to hear from people that knew him like Dick Van Dyke and James Karen but do we really need the opinions of Quentin Tarantino and some guy from JACKASS? The second half where his films are analyzed is great despite Bogdanovich's rather monotone voice.

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Donovan

 

 (youtube)

THERE IS AN OCEAN-1970-This is a short film documentary about singer Donovan as he rehearses in Greece with his "Open Road" band (John Carr & Mike Thompson) preparing for a world tour. They visit several islands including Crete and give some impromptu concerts. They live on Donovan's yacht. At one point they perform "Riki Tiki Tivi" from their only album together but the rest of the songs hadn't yet been on any albums. Only released in 2005. Director Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon was known for a short film he made in 1966 called SYD BARRET'S FIRST TRIP.

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Price's Dracula

 

 (imdb)

VINCENT PRICE'S DRACULA-1986-The incomparable Vincent Price narrates this documentary on the Dracula legacy. The first part tells the true story of Vlad Dracul aka Vlad the Impaler and uses scenes from the sweeping Russian made VLAD TESPES (a film I'd like to see). It also makes an illusion to Count Chocula and compares Vlad's impaling as a peculiarity that all heads of state have. Like Ronald Reagan liking jelly beans! (Tongue in cheek). 

The second part focuses on Bram Stoker and Price reads from the novel. Then the climax to the silent classic NOSFERATU (1922) is shown. Price then presents a "vampire emergency kit". Then comes an overview of the vampire film. Scenes from VAMPYR (1932), MARK OF THE VAMPIRE (1935) (called a sequel to DRACULA here) and RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE (1943) are used. Also mentioned are Francis Lederer in RETURN OF DRACULA (1958) and John Beal in THE VAMPIRE (1957). It ends with an exorcism being performed in modern day Transylvania. 

Price as the on screen narrator and his witty and urbane dialogue are the real reason to see this. It's director John Muller's only credit.

 (letterboxd.com)

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Alice Guy-Blache

 

 (IMDB)

BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHE-2018-Very interesting if a little long, documentary about Alice Guy-Blache probably the first woman director and the first person to make a feature film. Forgotten and ignored for decades she was a pioneer making something like 1000 short films with varied subjects (THE PIT & PENDULUM; HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME; THE LIFE OF CHRIST). Much of her output was later credited to her husband. The do it all writer/director/producer/editor Pamela B. Green does an awesome job of tracking down filmed interviews, written material and relatives. Check it out!

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The Devil You Know...

 

SANANTIS: THE DEVIL'S MASS-1970-This is a documentary about Anton LeVay and his "Church of Satan". He's a slick snake oil salesman like any other phony religious leader. He talks a lot of mumbo jumbo when his whole point seems to be total sexual freedom. Satan's just a bystander. In interviews his "followers" seem high. Other people voice their opposition. The Satanic rituals shown (including nudity, boa constrictor and a whipping) seem staged for the camera. Although interviews with neighbors and priests try to make it seem like they are stupid, it's plain everyone can see through him. It ends with his wife saying "I understand he was tremendously busy during Halloween". It's the only movie director Ray Laurent who once worked with Ray Dennis Steckler, made.

                                           Some of LeVay's books...

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Apes Documentary

IMPACT OF THE APES-2008-This Fox Movie Channel production documentary is mainly about the marketing of PLANET OF THE APES merchandise. It shows that the merchandising and licensing of  the franchise really started not with the 5 classic movies but when the short lived TV series hit the airwaves! It's only around 20 minutes and very interesting. It's followed by the theatrical trailers. After that a guy named Tom Rothman (I think he was chairman of 20th Century Fox at the time) rehashes the original film's history in a bombastic narration.

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