I Discuss an Old British TV Program... or as They'd Call it, Programme

It's Thriller, and I discuss 1974's A Coffin for the Bride: 

I discuss an episode from an old British TV anthology show. As sometimes occurs, discussion elsewhere sparked this viewing. In addition, Prime recently added Hammer's House of Horror-an episode of that will be reviewed later this month-and they recommended the show Thriller, which ran on ITV from '73 to '76 and evidently featured episodes (each a little more than an hour in length) that were horror, mystery, or yes, thriller. I knew less about that than House but I was intrigued to give an episode a shot. Thriller's Wiki page was examined and this was selected, not just due to its enticing title.

Many of the episodes featured at least one recognizable UK or American actor; this had Michael Gwynn, Tony Steedman (i.e. “So-Crates” from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure), and... a young Helen Mirren! I know some eyebrows were just raised & a few will find that appealing. Coffin is more a thriller than anything else although the idea of a dude who disguises himself & has aliases for the purpose of marrying rich women for the sole purpose of drowning them in a hot tub or bathtub & staging it to look accidental-that will be horrifying for some people.

Not everyone is oblivious to the guy known as Mark Walker for the majority of the episode; a solicitor is suspicious. Meanwhile, Walker meets both a loud, brash woman and a much more subdued Mirren. It'd be a crime to reveal much more; I can say that the production values were comparable to a Doctor Who from the period, which is a compliment as it's cozy and high production values aren't needed in either case. The plot isn't the most realistic but that wasn't the goal; the goal was to deliver a devilishly fun production, a story w/ multiple twists & surprises—in that regard, A Coffin for the Bride succeeded.

It is unknown if I'll view additional episodes of this show or if I do, they will be discussed here... however, I was happy to mention that show elsewhere to someone that was making a query about television horror anthologies... as I am happy to mention this on Letterboxd to anyone that would be interested in such programming.

 

The House that Dripped Blood

The House that Dripped Blood (1971)

Runtime: 102 minutes

Directed by: Peter Duffell

Starring: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Denholm Elliott, Jon Pertwee, John Bennett

From: Amicus

It's been too long since any horror anthologies have been viewed, especially from Amicus. For the newer readers, I enjoy most of the anthologies I've seen made before 2000, while the only one I've ever liked made in the 21st century was Trick 'r Treat... and some famous efforts were seen by me, including those terrible V/H/S movies and The ABC's of Death. Amicus made the likes of the 1972 film Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror (both were also based on the 50's EC Comics that the 90's show was inspired by) and The Monster Club... all of which I enjoyed like I enjoyed The House that Dripped Blood.

The framing story: a Scotland Yard detective is in a police station, to investigate a missing horror actor-Jon Pertwee in a part designed to be hammy, and he delivered! That was my favorite story. Overall, an officer regales him with a quartet of tales set at the eponymous house. What happened to Pertwee is the final tale-there's also Denholm Elliott being driven batty while attempting to write a horror novel in the house, recent retiree Peter Cushing being unable to enjoy a life of reading & gardening due to a wax statue, and the weird interactions Christopher Lee has with his young daughter... don't worry, it sounds gross but the scenario is frightening instead of upsetting.

One reason I tend to enjoy these older anthologies: they are usually fun, light in tone. Each segment here isn't dour or miserable; instead, while they have their chilling, frightful moments, they are also quite entertaining. As always with these, some segments are better than others but I enjoyed all four plus the wraparound segment, the expected variety that you expect in all anthologies. To my delight, not only did one segment feature some Bava lighting, the film is imbibed w/ an interesting, fitting score from Michael Dress.

The house (a mansion out in the middle of the woods) is appropriately moody, totally early 70's in that the interior is full of green. While The House that Dripped Blood ironically does not feature any blood on screen, that was irrelevant to me with the presence of a nice cast-there's also the likes of Joss Ackland & Ingrid Pitt-spooky figures associated w/ this time of year, deaths, and the macabre vibes throughout. My opinion is likely an outlier but I'll forever be salty that the 21st century anthologies are so dark & miserable, instead of being delightful like the 70's movie Tales from the Crypt or even something like Tales from the Hood.

Alice, Sweet Alice

Alice, Sweet Alice (1976)

Runtime: 103 minutes

Directed by: Alfred Sole

Starring: Linda Miller, Mildred Clinton, Paula E. Sheppard, Niles McMaster, Rudolph Willrich

From: Harristown Funding

Alice, Sweet Alice is yet another film I've known of for years but for whatever reasons I've put off the viewings until now. Shudder just including it on their platform gave me the final push to check out something I should have reviewed long ago. This was like an American giallo, inspired by Don't Look Now, Hitchcock, and Diabolique.

The main theme, though, proved to be Catholic guilt. The titular Alice is a 12-year-old girl (played by a girl who was 19! Paula E. Sheppard did not look like an adult) who is part of a family w/ divorced parents in 1961 New Jersey. Alice is a troubled girl, who treats her sister Karen (Brooke Shields!) poorly; she feels as if her mother shows favoritism towards Karen. Alice's sister is going to receive her first Communion, but-as this happens in the first 15 minutes, the revelation that Karen dies a gruesome death at church will be mentioned.

As an aside, there's a morbidly obese character named Alphonso who is not only a fat slob who eats wet cat food with his numerous felines, but is blatantly a... well, as sites like YouTube and other platforms unfortunately make people say rather than the actual term, “a PDF file.” For those that are really uncomfortable w/ a scene where an adult forces himself on a little girl, you've been warned.

I won't elaborate on the impact Catholic guilt had on the plot. I can reveal that there's a creepy clear mask of a woman wearing makeup, a yellow raincoat-the most blatant allusion to Don't Look Now-a hysterical aunt in Annie that is both funny and OOT, Alice as a viable suspect in her sister's murder, and their mother's refusal to believe the seriousness of her daughter's struggles, including w/ mental health.

Alice, Sweet Alice was an eerie tale filled w/ dread, the austere, dreary urban New Jersey setting perfect for setting the mood. The movie is punctuated with shocks and gruesome moments. Mix in a wild ending, and I am glad to finally cross this film off my figurative list.

The Abandoned

The Abandoned (2006)

Runtime: 99 minutes

Directed by: Nacho Cerda

Starring: Anastasia Hille, Karel Roden, Valentin Goshev, Valentin Ganev, Paraskeva Djukelova

From: A number of different European companies 

I wanted to view a film from the old After Dark Horrorfest and a Letterboxd mutual mentioned they were a big fan of The Abandoned.

An adopted woman returns to her homeland of Russia in her early 40's. Her family history is so murky, it took years to discover she's inherited a rural farm in the middle of the woods, totally isolated. Atmosphere is provided by both the woods and abandoned buildings, whether in the daytime or at night. After the opening act, the viewer discovers this is a tale of the weird & surreal variety; as one of the screenwriters was Richard Stanley, that in hindsight isn't too big a surprise.

The Abandoned does have plenty of moments featuring what I call “2000's horror movie green”-you know which shade I'm referring to. The film also has a measured, deliberate pace; this won't be for all tastes but when I'm interested in the plot and characters-as was the case here-my interest never wavered. I did appreciate this unique tale on the haunted house genre. Its style and vibes makes it stand out compared to the other flicks I'll view during Spooky Season this year.

The interesting story set in the woods of Bulgaria (substituting for Russia) featuring a small cast & some effects... The Abandoned & its idiosyncratic take on family will resonate better for some than for others.

The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales

The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (El Esqueleto de la Senora Morales) (1960)

Runtime: 82 minutes

Directed by: Rogelio A. Gonzalez

Starring: Arturo de Cordova, Amparo Rivelles, Elda Peralta, Guillermo Orea, Rosenda Monteros

From: Alfa Fila S.A.

I am glad to have “tracked down” a copy of this film over two years ago; about darn time I finally checked it out, right? This film is more black comedy than horror, but indeed the titular Mrs. Morales is a rather terrifying woman. Domestic/familial abuse is a real-life nightmare.

She's long been married to a taxidermist, but Pablo is no Norman Bates; Gloria treats him disgracefully. She has convinced her pals that he's an alcoholic, woman-beating lout when he's actually a cool, gregarious dude that interacts w/ children and did not deserve all her manipulations, her vile behavior while professing she's a pious member of the Catholic church... screenwriter Luis Alcoriza wrote some Luis Bunuel films so I shouldn't have been surprised by this angle. It was made clear that Pablo still has feelings for his girl despite her hideous mistreatment of him.

Whether you think Pablo's behavior in the second half of the picture is warranted is up to personal opinion. For certain, director Rogelio A. Gonzalez and cinematographer Victor Herrera do a swell job w/ their jobs, creating a lovely black-and-white film to examine, striking imagery seen throughout. The colorful characters were acted well by the talented cast. Pablo has friends of his own we see on a few occasions. Gloria's priest is the most memorable of her pals. Arturo de Cordova was a gem as Pablo, relishing this delicious part.

Skeleton is a macabre delight, especially during the great finale. It's a shame that at least in America, people have to do some digging to even find a copy for streaming purposes. It is worth the effort, IMO.

That's the Way of the World

That's the Way of the World (1975)

Runtime: 96 minutes

Directed by: Sig Shore

Starring: Harvey Keitel, Cynthia Bostick, Ed Nelson, Bert Parks, Earth, Wind & Fire

From: United Artists

How could I not watch a film starring Harvey Keitel w/ Earth Wind & Fire?

I've known of That's the Way of the World for years; it's not always been available for easy streaming online & there are only rare showings on channels like TCM. Well, on the 21st night of September-I saw what they did there-the Shout Studios YouTube channel uploaded the film. I also had to view this film before September ends.

It was only after I started the film did I realize it was an edited for TV version of the film. Despite my comments made throughout 2026, I am not against vulgarities in general. I don't mind some cursing; there was groans early on which I saw & heard some rather obvious S-bombs dubbed over. It would have been better if the upload made it clear that the print wasn't uncut & was modified, that's all. At least there didn't appear to be that much cursing throughout so that never became a major issue.

Keitel is COLEMAN BUCKMASTER (what a name) who is a great producer for A-Chord Records. He wants to continue making songs for EWF (excuse me... they are creatively known as THE GROUP here) but his bosses want him to work for The Pages, who are a bland, safe act comparable to The Carpenters... not bad and a safe act for the conservative owners but to him it's a bland, soulless pastiche. Personally, I also prefer the dynamite sound of EWF. Yes, from the bosses of the label there's rather thinly-veiled racism concerning a Black act.

That's the Way of the World (the film, not the great album of the same name which served as the soundtrack for the movie) is best when the viewer hears the songs from the album. The title track and Shining Star are the two most famous tunes. The plot itself-concerning Coleman's frustrations that he doesn't have his freedom and is forced to work on music he doesn't care for-is fine, mellow, methodical in its pace.

It was interesting to see how a song is made in the studio. However, to address a valid criticism I saw elsewhere, it's a curious irony in a film that obliquely addresses racism in music, that there isn't as much of EWF on screen or even on the soundtrack as you'd prefer. C'est la vie, for those that'd be interested in seeing Keitel either shirtless or wearing a tight top, the movie does give you that! Ol' Harvey turned 87 this year; I'm happy to give him his props while he is still alive... what a talented actor that's been enjoyed for years now. Hopefully he's alive for years to come and I'm glad he's still on screen but who know what could happen when you're not that far away from your 90's.

In any event, this was a naturally cynical look at the music business-which yes does explicitly address some horrifying predatory behavior; it is flawed for certain yet of course I would laugh at the 70's fashion-that one of the guys in The Pages wore a shirt w/ the Coca-Cola label except it says ENJOY COCAINE-or the girl in the Pages is known as VELOUR PAGE or the scene at a roller rink where The Group perform in the middle of the rink. I wasn't sure why the movie fired strays at Janis Joplin, but...

Diablo

Diablo (2025)

Runtime: 91 minutes

Directed by: Ernesto Diaz Espinoza

Starring: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alanna de la Rossa, Lucho Velasco, Diana Hoyos

From: Many different companies

I was happy to see a new to me low-budget action picture starring both British actor/martial artist Scott Adkins and Chilean actor/martial artist Marko Zaror. The former has had roles in the likes of John Wick 4 and Doctor Strange while the latter was in Machete Kills... and John Wick 4. As stated on numerous occasions, it's a shame that cinema has regressed from the good old days where martial artists like them or a Michael Jai White could have a theatrical career making entertaining action flicks for the big screen.

This project had heavy involvement from the two leads. Adkins portrays a dude who goes to Colombia (where the film was shot by a Colombian crew) to kidnap the teen daughter of a pretty bad dude. Yes, the “kidnapping” isn't as sinister as it first appears; Zaror portrays a psychopath, whose distinguishing feature isn't the hysterical balding look he sports nor how the viewer will blatantly be reminded of the T-800. Rather, it's... he has a hook for a left hand that can also be either a metal fist or a knife!

There are some silly moments, the plot doesn't reinvent the wheel and the pedantic could nitpick... which perhaps I've done with cinema a time or two before... Me, I had a pretty good time. The Colombian setting was a nice change of pace. The movie was shot well & had plenty of what I wanted... brawls, martial arts, gunfights, etc. I also wanted to see Dudes Getting Wrecked (TM) and epic fights between the two leads; Diablo delivered on those promises as well with the cinematography changing when the action beats drop. As they were filmed in a dynamic manner that made the viewer feel each impact, I was more than satisfied.

Diablo wasn't an insufferable film that was overlong or filled w/ aggravating characters or ruined by “modern humor” that isn't funny and ruins the mood nor is it nonstop cursing as if someone or everyone is John Davidson... this is the sort of action film there needs to be more of in 2027 & beyond.