Philippe Halsman – Jump

April 26, 2014, 3:29 pm

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Philippe Halsman (Filips Halsmans; 2 May 1906 – 25 June 1979 New York City) Philippe Halsman’s; he of the famous Marilyn Monroe portrait in a white dress, Dali’s flying cats, famous portraits of Brando, Hitchcock, and Einstein.

In the early 50′s Halsman was assigned to shoot a bunch famous comedians (Milton Berle, Sid Ceaser, Groucho, et al) He loved the way they were always moving and jumping. Halsman commented, “When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears.”^. The photographer developed a philosophy of jump photography, which he called jumpology. He published Philippe Halsman’s Jump Book in 1959, which contained a tongue-in-cheek discussion of jumpology and 178 photographs of celebrity jumpers. Here are a few of those.

Anthony Perkins

Marilyn Monroe

Martin and Lewis

Groucho Marx

Eva Marie Saint

Audrey Hepburn

Donald O’Conner

Eartha Kitt

André Breton

Dali

Duke & Dutchess of Windsor

Brigitte Bardot

Nixon

Diana Dors

J. Fred Muggs

Shirley McClaine

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Happy Mothers Day – Don’t Forget

May 9, 2014, 12:16 pm

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David Bowie and his mum; Peggy

Eric with Patricia Molly Clapton

Elton John and Sheila Eileen Dwight and dad, Stanley

Frank and Rose Marie Colimore Zappa and dad Francis

Elvis w/ Gladys and Vernon Presley

Grace Slick w/ Virginia Barnett & China Kantner (upside down)

The Jacksons – Michael, Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, Joseph (dad) & Katherine

Mick (bearded) w/ brother Chris, Eva Ensley Mary and Basil Fanshawe Jagger

Gene Simmons and Flóra Klein

Joe and Madge Cocker

Kieth and Doris Dupree Richards

Donovan w/ Winifred and Donald Lietch

Stevie and Barbara Nicks

 

The Lord’s Music – Nice Hair

May 9, 2014, 1:12 pm

≫ Next: The Best Song. Ever. – Arguably

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The Holland Trio

I’m Going Home … to Watch the Flowers Bloom

Benny and Nola

The Harmonettes*  (*Bold type choice and color)

The Christ Messengers

Sue Cole w/ Teresa and Darla

Jo and Jan

The McCance Sisters

The Calvary-aires

Beverly Messagee – Sweet Jesus (Indeed!)

The Revivelaires Trio

The Unseen Hand – Sharla and Tommy McNeely

The Bryants w/ Gospel Sax

The Faith Tones

The Singing Richey Family

Mattie McFarrin

 

The Best Song. Ever. – Arguably

May 10, 2014, 8:16 am

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Dirty old river, must you keep rolling, rolling into the night
People so busy, make me feel dizzy, taxi light shines so bright
But I don’t, need no friends
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset’s fine

And the answer is; Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks.  Released as a single in 1967, and featured on their album Something Else by the Kinks it hit #2 in the UK and top 10 throughout most of the rest of the world. It was composed and produced by Kinks frontman Ray Davies.
It tells the story of 2 lovers – Terry and Julie (thought to be Terrance Stamp and Julie Christie) be watched by the narrator/singer as they cross the river Thames

Terry meets Julie, Waterloo Station, every Friday night
But I am so lazy, don’t want to wander, I stay at home at night
But I don’t, feel afraid
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset’s fine.

What makes it the best song. Ever. I have no idea. It’s simple. It’s beautifully sung and written. It’s perfect song. A London FM radio poll in 2004 named this the “Greatest Song About London”. It holds spot #42 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.  Musicians Paul Weller and Damon Albarn cite the song as their favourite of all time and music journalist Robert Christgau has called the song “the most beautiful song in the English language”.

Millions of people swarming like flies ’round Waterloo underground
Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound
And they don’t, need no friends
As long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset, they are in paradise

Terry and Julie

Waterloo Station

Waterloo Main Entrance

Waterloo Sunset

Michael Alig is a free man

June 8, 2014, 9:01 am

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Michael Alig and friend James St. James (along w/ Rupaul, Amanda Lepore, et al) were part of the late 80′searly 90′s New York personalities known as The Club Kids.  The group was notable for their elaborate and outrageous costumes and rampant drug use.

Alig’s notoriety and influence grew, and at one point he was on the payrolls of several clubs owned by Peter Gatien for simply showing up with his entourage, since their behavior attracted customers. Alig and the Club Kids also began holding illegal “outlaw” parties in various public places, including a donut shop, a semi-truck trailer, and the NYC Subway. At the height of their cultural popularity, the Club Kids toured the United States and appeared on several talk shows, such as Geraldo, Phil Donahue and Joan Rivers (on Youtube and hilarious).

In 1996 Alig and his friend Robert “Freeze” Riggs murdered friend and drug dealer, Angel Melendez after an argument over a long-standing drug debt. Alig has claimed many times that he was so high that he hardly remembers the events. Yet he somehow managed to beat Angel to death with a hammer, leave him in his tub for a week then dismember him and throw his body in the Hudson river. Several months later, Melendez’s torso washed up. Alig was arrested, confessed and sentenced to 10-20 years. Alig was released after serving 17 years on May 5, 2014.

Check out Party Monster – the awful film starring Macauley Culkin, Seth Green and Marilyn Manson. Or the pretty good book, Disco Bloodbath by James St. JAmes.

With writer Michael Musto (sunglasses) and some ‘Club Kids’

With Amanda Lepore (Armand Lepore)

Club Kids

Angel Melendez

Macauley Culkin in “Party Monster”

2013

Ladies of Burlesque – Big Hair Edition

June 15, 2014, 3:51 pm

≫ Next: Movie Posters from Ghana part 5

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I love these Burlesque promo photos. Great names, beautiful bodies, legs, legs, legs and in this case; big fuckin hair. I always hear from people about these posts, usually the dancers families, daughters, grand kids. Just heard from one of the 50′s biggest stars – Bambi Jones, writing about friends she danced w/ on Bourbon Street in New Orleans – great! This version isn’t about the prettiest or best known (though Tempest Storm and Blaze Star were the tops), it’s about the hair.

Rita Alexander

Paula Fontane

Ronnie Bell

Sheena – The Fantastic Savage

Tanya Mitzoko – The Explosive Doll

Tempest Storm

Sintana

Natasa

Monica Kennedy – The Sexiest of them all

Linda Brigette

La Belle Violetta

Dee Angela

Candy Hart

Blaze Starr – Miss Spontaneous Combustion

Angel Blue – The Heavenly Body

Frosty Conners

Movie Posters from Ghana part 5

July 2, 2014, 3:47 pm

≫ Next: Lauren Bacall – Sept. 16, 1924 – Aug. 12, 2014

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As you can see by the title, I’ve posted a number of these before. These are hand painted large scale fabric posters used to promote traveling cinema throughout Ghana. The films will be shown anywhere available; a town center or on a barn wall, usually off the back of a truck. All you need is the film, a projector and a few of these beautiful posters and you’re in business. It would seem the people of Ghana go for the horror movie most of all. They’re violent, weird and beautiful. Most of the films are American with a sprinkling of home grown and Nigerian imports.

Wondeful Dog

Terminator 3

Steven Segal’s Marked for Death

Glitter – Starring the lovely Mariah Carey

Axe of Vengeance

Alien Vs Predator

Freddy Vs Jason

Friday the 13th – The New Blood

Married to a Witch

Ghost – Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg

Wicked Cannibal

House Party

Black is Black – Momma Mia 3

Sleep Walkers

Diamond Ring 2

Hellraiser 2

Why Should I

Cocaine Wars

 

Lauren Bacall – Sept. 16, 1924 – Aug. 12, 2014

August 13, 2014, 1:13 pm

≫ Next: God Save the Queen

≪ Previous: Movie Posters from Ghana part 5

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Lauren Bacall , born Betty Joan Perske – Lauren started her career as a fashion model in her teens where she made quite a splash w/ her “cat-like grace, tawny blonde hair and blue-green eyes”. While working as a model, director Howard Hawk’s wife spotted her on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar magazine and urged Hawks to have her take a screen test for his new film To Have and Have Not. Hawks had asked his secretary to find out more about her, but the secretary misunderstood and sent her a ticket to Hollywood for the audition. During screen tests, Bacall was nervous. To minimize her quivering, she pressed her chin against her chest and to face the camera, tilted her eyes upward. This effect became known as “The Look”, and became Bacall’s trademark. The rest is, as they say, history.

Bacall would marry her To Have and Have Not co-star, Humprey Bogart, 37 years her senior (she was 19, he 56 – way to go Bogie!), they would remain together until his death in 1957. She would star in such films as The Big Sleep, Key Largo (w/ Bogie), Dark Passage, How to Marry a Millionaire and Written on the Wind, to name just a few. She would continue to act well into the 2000’s, appearing in among other things, The Sopranos and receive an honorary Academy Award in 2009 at the age of 84. Her final role was in 2014: a guest vocal appearance in the twelfth season of  Family Guy.

Bacall died of a stroke on August 12, 2014, at her home in The Dakota, NYC. She was 89.

1st Husband – Humphrey Bogart

With Humphrey

Still cool in her late 80’s

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God Save the Queen

September 1, 2014, 10:10 am

≫ Next: Richey Edwards and The Manic St. Preachers

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Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926) is the constitutional monarch of 16 of the 53 Member States in the Commonwealth of Nations. She is also Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Elizabeth holds many titles – (who would have thought she was also the Queen of Papua New Guinea), and has appeared on more currency than any other public official. She was really quite cute at age 8, kind of hot at 29 and then basically the queen we know today – old, old, old with a huge hat and pearls.

Some quick facts; Upon her accession on 6 February 1952, Elizabeth became Head of the Commonwealth and Queen Regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon. Her coronation the following year was the first to be televised. From 1956 to 1992, the number of her realms varied as territories gained independence and some realms became republics. Today, in addition to the first four of the aforementioned countries, Elizabeth is Queen of Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. She is the longest-lived and, after her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, the second longest-reigning British monarch.

 

Canada, $20. Age 8

Canada, $1.00 Age 25

Jamaica, 1 pound, Age 26

Mauritius, 5 Rupees, Age 29

Cayman Islands, $100, Age 34

Australia, $1.00, Age 38

St. Helena, 5 Pounds, Age 40

Isle of Man, 50 Pounds, Age 50

Jersey, 1 Pound, Age 52

Australia, $5.00, Age 58

New Zealand, $20. Age 60

Gibraltar, 50 pounds, Age-66

Fiji, $5.00, Age 73

Jersey, 100 Pounds, Age 78

Canada, $20. Age 85

Richey Edwards and The Manic St. Preachers

September 3, 2014, 10:33 am

≫ Next: It’s Great to be Alive – 1950’s Safety Manual

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I came to The Manic Street Preachers both early and late. I liked some of their early Glam stuff (with Richey James), didn’t care for their middle period (without Richey) and love their current stuff. The Manics formed in Wales (?) in 1986 as a quartet – James Dean Bradfield (Guitar & Vocals), Sean Moore (Drums), Nicky Wire (Bass) & Richey James (Guitar & Vocals). They broke (sort of) big w/ their first LP, Generation Terrorists, selling 250,000 copies. When interviewed about their new sound (they started as a punk outfit) Richey James carved the words 4Real into his arm to prove his sincerity. Hospitalized w/ a bunch of stitches, the cracks in Richey’s sanity were starting to show. On February 1st, 1995 Richey left his London hotel and was never seen or heard from again.  He was declared presumed dead on 23 November 2008 by his family. Manic Street Preachers was put on hold for six months and disbanding the group was seriously considered, but with the blessing of Edwards’ family, the other members continued. Over the last 20 years the band have put aside a percentage of the royalties should he return – which they recently paid to his family as he was officially declared dead last year. To compress their music and careers into one LP and the death of Richey James is a disservice to the band. Check them out for yourselves. Special attention to their recent 2013 LP Rewind the Film, it’s great.

James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore, Nicky Wire & Richey Edwards

 

Nicky Wire – Bass

Richey Edwards

Richey & Nicky

Richey and James Dean

After Richey

Nicky Wire

The Manics – 2013

 

It’s Great to be Alive – 1950’s Safety Manual

September 27, 2014, 11:32 am

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According to this 1950’s Police Safety League booklet there is life threatening danger at every turn for the teen and pre-teen. God help you if you happen to ride a bicycle. It would appear that fear has always been a great motivator, but this is fuckin’ nuts.  Don’t play in the leaves, don’t play near parked cars, watch out for trains and power lines, beware of strangers. Good advice, all. And remember “The police are your friends”.

LPs – A Different Kind of Record

September 27, 2014, 12:53 pm

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These LPs are all from people who are handicapped, in one way or another. All are from the 60’s (1 from the 70’s) and all are on private labels. The prevailing maladies seem to be either blindness, dwarfism or lack of limbs.  And almost all are about their relationship with Jesus. Most appear relatively happy and excited to be singing for the lord. This isn’t meant to make fun of the handicapped but to show how amazing it was a few years back when anyone could make their own album, individuals, churches, etc.  Is their a corresponding market today? I doubt it – there doesn’t seem to be many CDs that come close to “No Crippled Girls in Heaven” or “Little Richard Miller – Born Without Arms or Legs – Jesus Use Me”.

Something Special from Jeff

Lanita Eversole – No Crippled Girls in Heaven

Denise – Closer to the Savior

Jerry D. Brown – A Crippled Boys Prayer

Gary Brandford – I’m not handicapped, just inconvenienced. (Gary is a ventriloquist)

The Brailettes – Our Hearts Keep Singing

Judy & Barbara the blind Slye twins – It’s Me Again Lord

Bobby Jones & the Outlaws – Lately

Short in stature, Big in talent

#1 Lowell Mason

The Crusaders of Illinois & the Singing Midget – Colorful Stylings

Lowell Mason The Singing Midget – At the Corner of Amen St. and Hallelujah Square

Lowell Mason – Promo Shot

Little Lowell Sings Praise the Lord

The Gospel Midgets – Whatcha Gonna Do

Los Pequenos Gigantes (The Little Giants) – Cuantos Cartu

Cuatitos Cantu

Richard Miller

Glenda Lee (Day) & Richard Miller – Dixie Echoes (’66)

“Little” Richard Miller – Jesus Use Me

Richard & Gail Miller – Sing Songs of Love

 

It’s that time again – Creepy Vintage Halloween Photography

October 8, 2014, 3:37 pm

≫ Next: Thanksgiving – Macy’s Parade with Betty White, 1960s

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I’ve posted a bunch of these over the last few years and I’m trying not to repeat myself. One or two may have snuck through though. For more of the same check the photography section.

Thanksgiving – Macy’s Parade with Betty White, 1960s

November 25, 2014, 3:03 pm

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We know Betty White is a hot commodity these days. Standing all of 5′ 4″ and 92 years old, Betty is seemingly unstoppable. What I didn’t remember is that in the 1960’s to early 70’s Betty hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for NBC TV (along with some joker from the TV show Bonanza – Lorne Green). In her late 40’s – early 50’s Betty was cute, irreverent, funny as hell and rocked a pretty hot pant suit.

Mondo Vinyl

December 20, 2014, 7:57 am

≫ Next: Globe Poster Company

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You may have seen Mondo’s versions of movie posters here and there – I’ve posted quite a few. They’re beautiful limited edition hand screened prints illustrated by some unbelievably talented artists. Over the last few years Mondo has started producing movie soundtrack vinyl with the same attention to detail and striking illustration. Only a limited number of these are produced, with even fewer colored vinyl version, and some have become quite expensive and rare. If your a vinyl collector seek these out as they are truly amazing.

Shaun of the Dead

Halloween

Jurassic Park

Paranorman

Maniac

Cat in the Brain

Looper – ltd Ed in a hand burnt burlap cover

Blue Sunshine

Guardians of the Galaxy

Deadly Spawn

Time Crimes

Batman the Animated Series

Pet Semetary

Gravity

Iron Giant

Oblivian

Re-Animator

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Globe Poster Company

February 12, 2015, 5:24 pm

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Globe Poster, located in Baltimore, M.D., was one of the nation’s largest showcard companies and has been telling the story of R&B and all forms of American music and entertainment through bright and iconic posters since 1929. Globe began by printing posters for vaudeville acts, movie theaters, burlesque houses and carnivals, and became known for its work with R&B and soul performers-including James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner and Solomon Burke-and later hip-hop acts. Big, bold, fat type, Day-Glo colors and distinctive lettering were hallmarks of the Globe style.

Vladimir Dubossarsky & Alexander Vinogradov

February 14, 2015, 9:15 am

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Vladimir Dubossarsky & Alexander Vinogradov are two Russian painters that somehow manage to work and paint together. Both live and work in Moscow. In the early part of their career together they adopted the style of socialist realism, an officially sanctioned art practice under the soviet regime. Their early works resembled posters for non-existent thrillers and sleazy porn flicks. In 2001, Dubosarsky and Vinogradov made a transition from the socialist fantasy to the ideals of mass media using celebrity and pop culture as a focal point and statement. The following pieces are from more recent collections; 2009 – 2012.

What the homeland begins with

Bloody Tango

Total Painting

Pink Dreams

Business with Pleasure

Under Matisse

Gentlemen

On the Block

untitled

Policewoman

For Valour 1

For Valour 6

For Valour 9

His Ever Changing Moods – Paul Weller’s Hair

February 20, 2015, 10:33 am

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John William Weller (Paul) – Born May 25 1956, Woking, Surrey England.  Paul Weller first came into the public eye in 1976 with the formation of The Jam. Although The Jam emerged at the same time as other punk bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols, The Jam were the odd band out, and being from just outside London rather than the city itself, they were never really part of the tightly-knit punk clique. Nonetheless, it was The Clash who became a leading supporter and took them along as the support act on their White Riot tour of 1977, sealing their fame. Weller would dissolve The Jam after 5 LPs to form the Curtis Mayfield inspired soul band – The Style Council, recording a couple of pretty great albums, closing shop in 1989. From 1991 on it’s been solo work for Paul, releasing critically well received albums every few years.

Now to the Hair. Sporting a good close-cropped punk haircut in the Jam’s early days, Paul quickly evolved to a sweet Mod bowl cut, to a back-combed young Roger Daltry, to a Rod Stewart Peacock with an occasional soul boy look for good measure. And then the current ‘Do’ that he’s rocked for the past 20 years. He calls it the ‘Weller Wig’. Why call it anything else? It’s indescribable. It’s his haircut. Oasis tried it, some of the guys in Blur gave it a shot for a bit. Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane – yep. But no one wears it like the Modfather. May he never go bald.

The Jam – about 1977

1977 age 19

Paul Weller, Rick Buckler, Bruce Foxton

 

 

The Style Council – Paul Weller & Mick Talbot 1983

About 1985

Looking dapper at 56

 

More Asian 45’s

April 3, 2015, 12:08 pm

≫ Next: Roar! Roar! Roar!

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Asia’s a big place and every boy band from Iran to Pakistan wanted to be the Beatles in the 1960’s. The girls wanted to be Lulu or Nancy Sinatra or any other hot anglo singer. American and British influences are everywhere, in terms of dress, style, band names and song selection. One thing they didn’t emulate so closely was their 45 rpm cover art. It’s all over the place and just plain great.

To Sir with Love – Cecilia Lim

John Yam

The Click IV

Mini Mini – Betty Chung

Nancy Sit

Nam Hong

Heather Harvey & The Thunderbirds

One to Nine – Patrina

Off Beat Cha Cha

And it’s in STEREOMONO

Huisein J. Tuah & D’Acrobats

Lily Chao

Hey, Hey, Na, Na – Julie and the Emeralds

Awas Ya – Mahani Mohd & Jasni

A. Ramlie & The Commandos

Roar! Roar! Roar!

April 17, 2015, 10:28 am

≫ Next: Irish McCalla – Queen of the Jungle

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Roar 1981 – Is an unbelievable film written and produced by married couple Tipi Hedren (The Birds) and Noel Marshall. The film also starred Tipi’s real daughter Melanie Griffith and Marshall’s 2 sons John & Jerry. Here’s the basic plot; “Hank (Marshall) lives contentedly with his wild animals: four tiger cubs, two elephants and 110 tigers, lions, leopards and cheetahs. One day his family (wife and 3 children) arrive to visit him. The only trouble is he is not at home, but all his animals are. The visiting family are in for one shocking experience.” That’s right 110 lions, tigers and cheetahs – all untrained, all wild as hell.

During filming over 70 of the cast and crew were injured. Cinematographer Jan de Bont (later director of Speed and Twister) had his scalp lifted by a lion, resulting in 220 stitches. Tippi Hedren received a fractured leg and scalp wounds. This occurred after an elephant bucked her off its back while she was riding it. She was also bitten in the neck by a lion and required 38 stitches (this can also be seen in the film). Hedren’s daughter was also attacked, receiving 50 stitches to her face; it was feared she may lose an eye but in the end the wound was not disfiguring. Noel Marshall was attacked so many times that he eventually was diagnosed with gangrene. The animals fared much better.

Tipi was and is a firm animal rights activist and has run a lion preserve in Africa for well over 30 years, continuing to this day. She felt the film would showcase the beauty and quiet majesty of these animals – she was partially right. What it actually shows is the natural danger and untameability of the animals. Why anyone would consider working with these big cats is a good idea is beyond me.

Alamo Drafthouse has rescued this movie from obscurity and released it across the country with a new print and a crazy poster campaign. It looks amazing and insane. And remember “No animals were harmed in this movie” – only the crew.

Original movie poster