You're (still) so cool, Brewster!

From a distance, FRIGHT NIGHT looks like an innocuous little movie. It was neither a smash nor a bomb, placing it firmly in a position of cultural mediocrity among its peers in 1985. FRIGHT NIGHT performed only marginally better than the much-less-expensive FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING, but not quite as well as the wretched A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE. (And I'm singling out those films because Columbia Pictures probably didn't think their vampire movie was competing against Sylvester Stallone or Harrison Ford that year.)

Looking back at a list of the movies released in 1985, though, it's clear that FRIGHT NIGHT is easily one of the year's best. Sure, it's was the kind of Steven Spielberg-esque 'boomer fantasy that was in vogue during the 1980s, made of equal parts Ray Bradbury/Richard Matheson/Hammer Horror, but it was a breath of fresh air for horror. I loved it at first site in 1985 and continue to think it's a pretty swell film.

Back in March, much of the cast of FRIGHT NIGHT was present at the Mad Monster Party convention in Charlotte, N.C. For about an hour, actors Chris Sarandon, Amanda Bearse, William Ragsdale, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark, Art Evans, and SFX supervisor Steve Johnson spoke in depth about the making of the movie. I want to say it was like watching a live DVD commentary track, only it was better. The conversation went places that commentary tracks actively avoid, usually for (bullshit) legal reasons.

Which is why I'm excited about YOU'RE SO COOL, BREWSTER!, a documentary about the making of FRIGHT NIGHT. It's in the process of securing funding through Kickstarter and is promising a thorough roster of guests to talk about the film on camera. Having already heard part of this story from the film's cast, it's seems unlikely the YOU'RE SO COOL, BREWSTER! won't result in a compelling piece of cinema.

You can learn more about YOU'RE SO COOL, BREWSTER! at the official Kickstarter campaign site by clicking HERE.

Horror in Clay returns with the INNSMOUTH FOGCUTTER TIKI MUG

In 2012, Jonathan A. Chaffin conjured up a successful Kickstarter campaign with HORROR IN CLAY, which gave the world the Cthulhu Tiki Mug. Somehow, the world survived the return of this elder god, possibly because Chaffin was wise enough to summon Great Cthulhu in a portable 30 oz. size.

Not having learned his lesson the first time, Chaffin is once more tampering with eldritch horror, threatening us all with the tyranny of the INNSMOUTH FOGCUTTER TIKI MUG. Here's what he has to say about the latest project:

"The backstory for the mug is supported by artifacts and ephemera I designed around an outline for a romantic tragedy set in Innsmouth. This romantic tragedy flows from fan theory; if you and your beloved were both raised knowing you were special and really would be together forever, what would happen if you couldn't be?"

The project has numerous pledge levels, which include such unspeakable oddities as The Gilman House Hand Towel, Esoteric Order of Dagon Fez, a screen-printed Evolution of a Deep One shirt and more! You can read more about the project by watching the video above, or contribute by visiting the INNSMOUTH FOGCUTTER TIKI MUG's official Kickstarter page HERE.

Find HORROR IN CLAY at Facebook at www.facebook.com/horrorinclay, or follow them at Twitter at @CthulhuMug.

The campaign ends Monday, March 10, at 5 p.m. EST.

SPIDORA sweetens the pot

LACY

Filmmaker FRED OLEN RAY has "revamped" the rewards offered to contributors to his next film, SPIDORA. Ray is seeking $15,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to fund the short film, and is now offering a signed photo from star JERRY LACY to donors of $35 and up. The campaign has 17 days left to go, and has already collected more than half its campaign goal.

SPIDORA tells the story of Dr. Graves' Palace of Illusions, a Museum of Human Oddities where mysterious creatures like Electra, Spidora, and Mora the Lobster Girl command the stage. Lacy, who played a variety of roles in DARK SHADOWS, is set to appear as Dr. Graves.

JERRY LACY Vs SPIDORA

FRED OLEN RAY has launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance a short film titled SPIDORA.The cult film icon behind movies like HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS and BIKINI DRIVE-IN has convinced DARK SHADOWS alumnus JERRY LACY to appear in the film, which is seeking a modest $15,000 in funding (though any money beyond that goal would go toward promotion.) Here's the summary:

"SPIDORA is a dark journey inside the world of Dr. Graves' Palace of Illusions; a Museum of Human Oddities where mysterious creatures like Electra, Spidora and Mora, the Lobster Girl, command the stage. It is a world trapped between light and shadow where anything can happen... and does."

You can read more about the project at SPIDORA's official Kickstarter page, which you can find HERE.

Collinsport News Bulletins

* ROSEMONT BAY is a tabletop RPG of "supernatural relationship drama" aimed at fans of shows like DARK SHADOWS, AMERICAN GOTHIC and TWIN PEAKS. At least, it will be if it's funded. The game's creators have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help finance the project, and is a little more than half-way toward meeting its $6,000 goal. Check it out!

* The latest installment of DAVID-ELIJAH NAHMOD's new BARNABAS' COLUMN is now up at the FANGORIA website. David takes a look at the career of Jerry Lacy, his lengthy tenure with DARK SHADOWS and his dramatic readings.

* Now is the time to stock up on several DARK SHADOWS books. Amazon currently has LARA PARKER'S first novel, ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT, for a mere $6, while her follow-up, THE SALEM BRANCH, is a stunning $5.20. Meanwhile, KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT and JIM PIERSON'S DARK SHADOWS: RETURN TO COLLINWOOD, is $1.99 on Kindle.

* ANSEL FARAJ, LARA PARKER and KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT participated in the FAMOUS MONSTERS "Stake of the Union" panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif. Footage from Faraj's next feature, DOCTOR MABUSE: ETIOPOMAR, was screened at the event, and the director shared a new photo from the film online (below.)

Lara Parker as Madame Carrozza, Jerry Lacy as Dr. Mabuse, Bahia Garrigan as Christina Novello, Kate Avery as Maria, and Nathan Wilson as Lohemann.