Thanks for that review, Prof. Stokes.  I would like to see the film but it sounds as if it may go direct to DVD after a couple of special showings such as the one you attended.

G.

Footage and dialogue from Grayson's role in the 1966 film Who are you, Polly Magoo? is woven into this music video from Cosmicolor, Magnifigue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNgOZ6Pizqg

I love the shots of Grayson speaking French on the telephone and... well, really, ALL of it.

Off to collapse on my fainting couch,

G.

The Hammer films had a huge impact upon the art direction of DS, particularly after the series went to color, so it seems odd to me to find fans of the series who don't like the Hammer product.  Hammer's Horror of Dracula in 1958 was the first vampire film to show a vampire baring his fangs (first seen in a shock close-up of Christopher Lee that is one of the most iconic moments in the history of horror cinema).  Hammer also devised a style of Gothic horror drenched in lurid color that had a definite influence on certain sequences on DS.

One of my personal favorite Hammers if "The Gorgon" from 1964 with Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Barbara Shelley.  It's just so atmospheric and beautifully shot, with some really unforgettable images.  A lot of fans diss the actual Gorgon FX but I think they're missing the point.  The story is supposed to be about mythic poetry, not literalism.  But I'll spare you all that particular rant.  I do find myself thinking about how interesting it might have been had DS done a gorgon story.  One was actually done for the Innovation comics inspired by the 1990/91 NBC series.

G.

According to the Facebook page for the show, this episode is available for free streaming on the AMC website, I think through next Tuesday or so.

G.

Gerard, your story made me think of the time on DS when David and Hallie made their own Barnabas doll, I think out of a clothespin and a bit of fabric, and put it inside Rose Cottage.  Remember that?

I'm not into the figures but I feel sorry for those who were looking forward to collecting them.  I have to say that in terms of modern toys, something retailing at $20 is barely above the level of a plastic decal, so I'm not surprised to read that the result looked very cheap.

I realize that $20 is a nice chunk of change for some of us, but in terms of the collectors market, I think it's close to bargain-basement.

G.

Cool!  I wonder how old he is.  Was she playing Sci Fi broadcasts for him, or videotapes, or is he old enough to have been around to watch it back in the Sixties?

G.

The cruise isn't until October.  There has been more reporting about the San Diego thing because it is coming right up now.

I would presume, pace the cruise, that they would need to have a minimum number of bookings in place by x date to make it feasible.  If they fail to garner that minimum, presumably we just won't hear anymore about the cruise.  (I don't know any of this for a fact--it is speculation on my part.)

Best, G.

LOL.  Just imagine if Liz had shown up to join Vampilique and Eve's party wearing the "infamous roll-neck chartreuse horror" we all love and adore...

Trippy!

G.