It’s that time of the year again friends…..Halloween, the time of goblins and ghosts! One or two of my horror films are currently on Amazon and other platforms, which may give a bit of pleasure to you horror fans – this is one I made a few years back – The Horror at 37,000 Feet .
Horror and scary films sell, Hammer Films proved this over and over. One that I made for them The Hands of the Ripper is still a huge favourite with many people and is on Amazon. Another recent ghost story, in which I appear – The Haunting of Margam Castle is also currently on Amazon.
New Chilling Tales – the Anthology also on Amazon.and is my own Production. The film is an amalgam of short Classic Horror films all taken from some of the great Classic horror writers. They were wonderful writers and these are wonderful stories and I do urge you to watch the film.
The first of the Anthology was made in England – Beware of What You Wish For aka (The Monkey’s Paw ). This Production was my introduction to the wonderful world of independently made, largely self funded, short films. I made the movie with Patricia Doyle, my close friend from RADA days, we filmed in her Victorian house (“never again”, she said afterwards) – she directed and I acted. Patricia is an experienced theatre Director, but new to film; so, as is often the case, she relied heavily on the help and advice of our Director of Photography, David Byrne. He was amazing and helped us both through what was quite a challenging experience, given the tiny dimensions of the room, in which we filmed and the modest special effects. I have said it before and will say it again, that on any film, an experienced and talented DP is indispensable, who will often get a first time Director through the experience. We turned in a very good film, with an excellent cast and true to the story. I had a comment from one viewer that it is the best filmed version of the story he had ever seen.
Three further films followed The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe filmed in the Basque Museum, Boise, Idaho,The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman Perkins (studio location) and The Damned Thing by Ambrose Bierce, filmed in old Idaho mining town: Burgdorf Springs. All are wonderful stories, by great writers, made by excellent filmmakers and now they are one – New Chilling Tales – The Anthology.
The whole experience has been fun, educational and along the way has introduced me to many excellent filmmakers working in the very challenging environment of low- budget, independent filmmaking. It is often said that the Independent film world is “dead”. It is not and will not be while there is a demand for new productions and there are daring, imaginative and innovative filmmakers willing to rise to the challenge. I should also thank our excellent Sales Company, Indie Rights, who has laid to rest some of the horror stories about the sales companies, who distribute independent films. Linda Nelson and Michael Madison have been terrific – professional and very supportive. Thank you to them.
I plan to write more about this Production and the plans to make another Anthology of New (old) Chilling Tales.
Long live Halloween and Horror Films!
