Kickstart Your Weekend!

I'm starting a new tradition at The Shadow Over Portland, where I'll feature a different crowdfunding event that might interest Horror Fans everywhere.  And I'm going with Manos Returns as my first Kickstart Your Weekend post.

Yeah, it's a pretty bad movie, but no matter how easy it is to lampoon it, but Manos: The Hand of Fate is one of those movies that could have been better than it was.  From what I've found on the Internet (and we all now everything on the Web is true), Harold P. Warren shot the film as the result of a bet that he could make a movie.  I suspect the script was written on a few cocktail napkins at the same bar he made the bet, and he discovered he didn't have enough to make a movie, or the budget to flesh out his idea of a polygamous cult traveling though dimensions to worship a god the script refuses to elaborate upon.  So he took a bunch of community theater actors and demanded they stretch things out to achieve a feature length running time.

Of course, having women wrestling in their nighties 

fills up some time.

So, we are left with so many questions.  Who, or what, is Manos?  Why does The Master need so many wives?  And what is the ultimate goal of Manos and his cult?

And the chance to have those questions answered is why I'm featuring this crowdfunding event.  Manos Returns, created by Jackey Neyman Jones (Debbie in the original film) will be directed by Seattle, WA, filmmaker Tonjia Atomic (Plain Devil, Hobo with a Trashcan) and the script by Steve Foley (Plain Devil, Cemetery Tales) might revel the questions lingering from the original film.

So, what do you get from this?  Well, a cool frigging tee shirt.

Yeah, who wouldn't want to wear this shirt?  I've ordered mine, because who doesn't want the Master on their chest.  Okay, that sounded creepy, but still, it's a cool shirt.

The film will bring back Tom Neyman as The Master, and the funding will assure him payment for his participation.  And seriously, if The Master finally gets some money from this property, I'm fine with that.  And I'm sure some of my readers are willing to kick in $27 to $30 to help The Master get his due.  Click on the link to order the tee shirt, and be quick about it.  You have until October 15.  Visit the Facebook Event Page to order your shirt.  And you know you want one!

The Master commands you to fund this film.

A quick update of stuff I didn't get to last week, because...

Yes, I had a few events to add to the Horror Calendar, but decided to head to the festival right after work on Friday instead.  It's been over a year since my last dose of Cosmic Horror, and I needed my fix as soon as possible.

And I had a GREAT TIME!  I'll be posting more about it tomorrow, but for right now, I want to thank Brian and Gwen Callahan for the wonderful three day festival, and for allowing me to be a panelist on Sunday night.  THAT was a thrill I will never forget!

Yes, that's me!

My first ever moment as a Convention panelist!  

And at the Twentieth Anniversary Celebration, no less!!

So yes, I was a bit anxious to get there.  As mentioned above,  I'll post more about the event tomorrow.  But for now, let's get to the updates!

First, if you like your Wednesdays on the WEIRD side, head to The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway) in Tigard, OR, on October 7 for a screening of Frankenstein '80.  The management of The Joy asked me to warn you that this feature is not for the faint of heart.  It is considered one of the sleaziest, goriest update on the classic tale ever filmed, which is why it's this week's Weird Wednesday offering!  The show starts at 9:15 pm and admission is FREE, so spend some of that extra money at the snack bar.  Oh, and The Joy serves beer, so drink up while being responsible.  As with all Weird Wednesday, you must be 21 or older to attend.  Check out The Joy Cinema website for more details.  

The only thing that could make Halloween any better is a film about LUCHADORS battling Dracula, the Wolfman and their minions.  Yep, you know you have to see Santo y Blue Demon contra Dracula y el Hombre Lobo, which screens at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, on Saturday, October 24, at 4 pm.  This is an all ages screening (this version is dubbed) of pure, cheesy greatness.  The party starts in the upstairs lobby of The Hollywood Theatre before the screening, with local vendors and a face painter.  And yes, you can bring your luchador mask!  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details.  

Before there was Sam, the 80s brought us Sammi Curr, dead rock star about to be reborn thanks to a bullied metal fan, in Trick or Treat.  This fun little supernatural slasher flick, with lots of cool kills, a great soundtrack and cameos by Ozzy Ozbourne and Gene Simmons, screens at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, in GLORIOUS 35mm on October 14 at 7:30 pm.  Presented by TIMEWARRIOR-Molten Metal Merchandise, you won't want to miss this hard to find film.  Visit The Hollywood Theatre website for more details and advance ticket sales.

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But that's not all.  I'll be updating the Horror Calendar all week (I have the times for Blade and A Nightmare on Elm Street up now), with more ghoulish delights as we bask in the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!  So keep checking back!!

And remember, if you want to promote your horror/sci fi/fantasy event, send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll include it on the Horror Calendar and future updates.

Oh my, what a big update I have....

Seriously, I feel like Bigby Wolf, able to rip you apart with all the horror offerings I have, but knowing I need to temper things down....

But don't worry, that has yet to happen.

Unless you attack Portland with an army of wooden soldiers, then

WATCH OUT!

But for now, I have some cool stuff to announce...

Continuing

If you have an idea for a short horror film, consider submitting it Queer Horror: Nocturnal Submissions.  The bi-monthly horror film festival, with your hostess with the grossest, Carla Rossi, is looking to fill The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, with films that are gritty, gory, gay, sexy, scary and stupid.  In other words, almost anything goes.

There are some rules.  Nothing X-Rated (Hard R at the most) and no real-life blood or violence (animal and/or human).  Other than that, let your imagination take you to places you can photograph by camera or smart phone!

The entries may be submitted via Dropbox, Google Drive, or an e-mail attachment to thecarlarossi@gmail.com.  Submissions remain under the ownership of the respective filmmakers/copyright holders, and are screened for this engagement only.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 23, and the films chosen will be screened at The Hollywood Theatre on Thursday, October 29, at 9:30 pm.  Tickets are $8.

You can find more information about submissions, advanced ticket sales, and more at The Hollywood Theatre link.

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Halloweentown is open for business!  St. Helens. OR, celebrates the filming of the Disney Channel Original Movie with a month long celebration, including a Haunted Hot Rod/Hearse contest and an appearance of Halloweentown actress Kimberly J. Brown (Marnie) for October 10th Pumpkin Lighting Ceremony at 7 pm.  Click on the link to the Facebook Event Page for more details about this month long celebration.

Friday, October 2

The H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and Cthulhu con returns to The Hollywood Theatre for a 20^th Anniversary bash!  Yes, the stars will be ALIGNED!!!  The festival runs through October 4 and will be full of events that will test your sanity.  Guests include Herbert West himself, Jeffrey Combs, Guest of Honor author Charles Stross (The Laundry File series), author Richard A. Lupoff, author Molly Tanzer, and many more!  Check out the official website for more details and ticket information.

Oh, and I have to mention that I'll be a panelist at the event!  Stop by at 9:30 pm Sunday night for the Tainted Bloodlines panel!!  It will give you the chance to hear me gush about The Rats in the Wall, my first exposure to Lovecraft!

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Sure, this may be pushing the horror envelope, but Attack on Titan looks so many shades of AWESOME, I have to include it.  Seriously, giant monsters attacking the last strongholds of humanity has me all in, which might include you if you watch the trailer.  The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main Street) in Vancouver, WA will start screening Part One tonight.  The film plays at various times through October 5, so visit The Kiggins Theatre website for more details and show times.

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Say his name three times, and there might be wacky hell to pay.  Beetlejuice will play at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St) in Portland, OR, through October 8.  Yeah, we know the sequel is coming, but I doubt it will match the dark humor and gothic sensibilities of the original, so be sure to catch this on the big screen when you can.  The film plays multiple times throughout the week, so visit The Academy Theater website for more details and showtimes.

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And, if that's not enough horrific fun for you, head to The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave. SE) in Olympia, WA for the first of three Olympia Film Society Fright Club screenings of Rosemary's Baby.  Okay, you might have issues with Roman Polanski, but this movie is a classic of horror and worth checking out.  The show starts at 9 pm, and you can get more information, and find a link for advanced ticket sales, at the link.

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The subtitled German horror film, Good Night Mommy, opens at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave) in Portland, OR tonight.  As a pair of twin brothers greet their mother after cosmetic surgery, they begin to doubt the woman is actually their parent.  And, as expected, things go bad from there.  No showtimes are listed, so check back here, or at the Cinema 21 website, closer to October.

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Oh, thank you, Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St) in Portland, OR, for kicking off your Fright Film Month with a screening of 1985's classic, Fright Night.  This film is an amazing roller coaster ride, as young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) finds out his next door neighbor (Chris Sarandon) is a vampire, with eyes on Charley's girlfriend (Amanda Bearse).  The film starts out real slow and creepy, as Charley's suspicions about his neighbor are turn out to be true, while friends turn to a washed out horror actor (WONDERFULLY played by Roddy McDowall) to help prove Charley wrong.  

Well, it wouldn't be a classic in my mind if Charley was disproven, and the final half hour of the film contains melting bodies, giant bats, vampires turning into wolves, and a serious barrage of GREAT practical effects that should have you squealing with delight.  Oh, and Sarandon is one of the SEXIEST vampires since Lugosi, Lee and Deneuve.  The film screens at 9:30 pm, and only those 21 years of age or older will be admitted.  Visit The Laurelhurst Theater website for more details.

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The Kennedy School (5736 NE 33 Ave) in Portland, OR, kicks off THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR with a screening of John Carpenter's The Thing at 9:40 pm through Sunday, October 4.  If you need more details, visit the Kennedy School Movie Page.  

Saturday, October 3

The Gill Man emerges from Grays Harbor to visit the 7th Street Theater (313 7th St) in Hoquiam, WA, for a screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon today at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 4 at 2 pm.  Tickets are only $5 for all ages, so don't miss catching this classic Universal Monster Movie on the big screen, Grays Harbor Horror Fans!  Advance tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets, Harbor Drug, City Drug, and at the door a half hour before each screening.  But seriously, why risk missing out on this classic?  Visit the 7th Street Theater website  or the Facebook Event Page for more details and information on advance ticket sales through Brown Paper Tickets.

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VHS Uber Alles and Grand Illusion Cinema (1409 NE 50th St) in Seattle, WA, start off the most wonderful time of the year right with the slasher film Hide and Go Shriek.  A group of kids try to learn from the past and hang out in a furniture store after graduation.  And they figure this will keep a homicidal maniac from hunting them down.  RIGHT!  The film starts at 9 pm, admission is only $2 and the film is presented in GLORIOUS VHS!  For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Monday, October 5

Cannon Films released an amazing amount of B-Movies in the 80s, including the Missing In Action series, Masters of the Universe and Lifeforce.  The story of Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus is chronicled in Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, playing at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR.  Playing through Thursday, October 8, the film includes interviews with Robert Forster, Tobe Hooper, Sybil Danning, Dolph Lundgren, Franco Nero and others.  No showtime is announced, but tickets are $8, and you can purchase advanced tickets (and find more information about the film) at The Hollywood Theatre website.

Wednesday, October 7



The Halloween season is even better at The Hollywood Theatre (4211 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, as Movies in Black and White presents Blade, starring Wesley Snipes.  A half vampire, half human, supernatural being, Blade protects humanity from those that feast upon them.  After the film, join a discussion about race in the film.  You'll find more details about the panelists, and a link for advance ticket sales, at The Hollywood Theatre website.

Friday, October 9

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, pays tribute to the late Wes Craven with a digitally restored version of A Nightmare on Elm Street though Monday, October 12.  I wish it was a 35mm print (seems more fitting), but seeing this film on the big screen will be a treat for any horror fan.  No word on show time, but the screening will set you back $8.  Visit The Hollywood Theatre website closer to the screening date for more details, or check back at The Shadow Over Portland closer to October, as I'll post showtimes when they are available.

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Well, The Shining is playing again in Portland, OR, this time at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St).  I guess Portland has yet to get enough of Jack being a dull boy/axe murderer.  And if you can't, check back later, or visit The Academy Theater website, in early October for showtimes.

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The Olympia Film Society Fright Club continues to screen Rosemary's Baby at The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave. SE) in Olympia, WA.  Okay, you might have issues with Roman Polanski, but this movie is a classic of horror and worth checking out.  The film starts at 9 pm, and you can get more information, and find a link for advanced ticket sales, at the link.

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Fright Film Month continues at The Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E. Burnside St) in Portland, OR, as the original Friday the 13th screens through Thursday, October 15.  Influenced by giallo films, FX master Tom Savini introduced extreme gore into the American slasher genre (after the tamer, but more chilling Halloween), and 80s horror was never the same.  Check back for showtimes, or visit The Laurelhurst Theater website closer to opening night for more details.

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That's all I have for this week, but you'll find more events at the Horror Calendar and The 2015 Haunted Attraction Page.  But, those will be updated as often as I can, so keep checking back for more CREEPY STUFF happening in the Pacific Northwest.

As always, should you know of, or be hosting, an event that will interest my readers (and, if you've been following this blog, you know who you are), send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll including as soon as I can.

Also, should you attend any of the events I've listed above, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!

The Giant Behemoth (1959)

It’s sad that Willis H. O’Brien’s last giant monster movie was The Giant Behemoth, rather than 1957’s The Black Scorpion.  Both his, and Pete Peterson's work (Peterson worked with O’Brien on Mighty Joe Young and did most of the animation in both Scorpion and Behemoth) suffer greatly under budget constraints in both films, but their final film sees most of the work coming after the hour mark of this 80 minute feature, and contains several instances of the same scene reused, but cropped in order to give the impression of a different shot.  The Black Scorpion would have been a much better send off than this dull, lifeless film.

Yeah, you'll see this scene a lot in the last 20 minutes of the film.

The story is pretty basic giant monster stuff.  American scientist Steve Karnes (Gene Evans), delivering a speech in England on the dangers of radioactivity to ocean life, learns of a fishing village where thousands of fish washed ashore dead.  Oh, and a local fisherman died of mysterious circumstances, after describing a behemoth coming from the sea.

Convincing Professor James Bickford (André Morell) to allow him to visit the village, the two discover another fisherman suffering what they suspect are radiation burns, after he touched a strange glowing mass where the first fisherman was found. 

Though no evidence of radiation, or the behemoth, is found in the village, a family is found severely burned (okay, more char broiled), along with a giant footprint miles away.  Searching the ocean in the area of the attack, Karnes catches a glimpse of the monster, only to be called back to shore by the local Coast Guard to help with the investigation of a grounded ship.

Finding evidence the behemoth rammed into the ship, Karnes and Bickford contact a local paleontologist (Jack MacGowran), who identifies the creature and discloses that, like an electric eel, it can discharge a shock to stun its prey.  Karnes theorizes this allows the creature, which has absorbed a massive dose of radiation, to discharge radiation, resulting in the burned remains at the site of the most recent attack.  

And the images in the film are very harrowing, 

especially for British citizens with memories of The Blitz.

The paleontologist mentions that, back when these creatures roamed the Earth, they swam up the Thames River to spawn or die.  Of course, that means when the creature reaches land, the military’s first option, blowing it to bits, isn't an option, as it would spread radioactive behemoth bits over a wide part of London. 

Oh, at this point, we’ve only seen the puppet head of the behemoth once.  In place of monster attacks, the script tries to create tension with scenes of people talking seriously about destroying a monster no one, including the audience, as seen for more than a couple of seconds.  But fear not, the puppet head rears up again at about the 50-minute mark, to sink a ferry on the Thames and barbecue the passengers.  It's unfortunate that the script follows the attack up with another ten minutes of people talking about the threat before the stop motion creature emerges in London.

Oh, scary.

Alas, the effects become underwhelming in a short time.  The initial scene, with the behemoth emerging from the Thames and wreaking several large cranes, is really nice.  And a later sequence, as the monster stomps down several power lines, looks great as well.  But it’s pretty obvious O’Brien and Peterson weren’t given much money for their work, as the creature’s seams are pretty visible (and at times, open on the screen).  And directors Eugène Lourié and Douglas Hickox squeeze every second they can from the stop motion mayhem, resulting in repeated shots that are cropped in an attempt to pass them off as different shots.

Oh, you have the monster attacking the same building within five minutes.

SCARY!

And it feels, with this feature, the pupil had become the master.  Ray Harryhausen's work on The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (an inspiration for this film I'll get to in the next paragraph), as well as It Came from Beneath the Sea, 20 Million Miles to Earth and The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (all released before Behemoth) showed stop motion creatures with a sense of personality.  Most acted more like actors, rather than stomping beasts, and (with the exception of the "octopus" in It Came from Beneath the Sea), Harryhausen's creatures died in such a fashion that invoked sympathy from the audience.  His creatures were beings, actors sharing the screen with their human counterparts.  O'Brien's behemoth, on the other hand, shared more in common with his much earlier work on The Lost World, rather than his amazing animation on King Kong.

The fault could be contributed to script,  Originally envisioned to be more a Quatermass-style film, with the mysterious radioactive blob seen early in the film being the main “monster," the distributors insisted on a more Beast from 20,000 Fathoms feel (echoed in several drawings of the behemoth before it’s seen on screen), but one suspects no additional money was added to the film’s budget to compensate for the new direction.

What, this looks like The Creature from 20,000 Fathoms?

I don't see the similarity at all.

I will credit the script for taking a different direction than most creature features of the time, at least when it came to a potential love interest.  Early on, we’re introduced to the daughter of the behemoth’s first victim (played by Leigh Madison).  This fisherman’s daughter is easy on the eyes, and though she has an admirer in the town, one could see the dashing American scientist finding a flimsy reason for bringing her on his quest for the monster, and eventually romancing her.  Yet, the script forgoes this cliché and she’s gone once Karnes leaves the village.  It’s a bit of a surprise, yet the script seems intent on not letting romance get in the way of endless scenes of talking scientists and military men. 

Though a few extra scenes of her and Karnes getting to know each other

would have been more interesting than endless discussions about killing the monster.

While the underwater scenes of the monster are nice, one has to wonder if Karnes’ idea of using a torpedo to implant more radiation into the behemoth to accelerate its death (as he believes the creature is dying from it’s exposure to radiation) is really a good idea.  Blowing it up on land is considered bad, but spreading its irradiated carcass in the Thames becomes the best opinion.  Sure, one can point to the public’s naivety concerning radiation, given the time and misinformation spread by the government (duck and cover, my ass), but the bullet used in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms seems a more logical response.  But, as the audience has been lulled to sleep by the countless times the movie has talked about the monster, rather than seen it, I suspect such a dramatic conclusion was needed.

O’Brien would work on one more giant monster movie, the Irwin Allen version of The Lost World.  This could have been the capping mark of his career, working on stop-motion dinosaurs in a remake of the film that catapulted him to fame and lead to his most famous creation, King Kong.  But, trying to compensate for the over-budgeted Cleopatra, 20^th Century Fox slashed the budget of numerous other films, leading to the use of lizards with fins in The Lost World, rather than the work O’Brien had sketched out for the production. 

If you're a completist, seek out The Giant Behemoth.  But, if you'd rather watch a fitting finale to the work of a great effects artist, stick with The Black Scorpion.  Despite its faults, that film has more of O'Brien and Peterson's work on the screen, a more fitting tribute than the endless montage of cropped sequences in this feature.  

I don't think the cropping fooled audiences in the 50s, 
any more than it would now.  

NOTE: An early version of this review incorrectly identified Pete Peterson as "Pete Patterson."  My apologies for the error, and my thanks to Steve Sullivan for pointing it out.

I'd post something silly with this late update, but....

Rest in Peace, Wes Craven.

Say what you will about Scream and the sequels, but Craven had a feel for what scared people.  Exploding on the horror scene with Last House on the Left, which was frightening for me not for how the antagonists behave, but how those seeking "justice" are willing to sink to seek retribution, Craven followed up with The Hills Have Eyes, another film about how low "civilized" humanity would sink to protect/avenge their loved ones.

Eventually came Nightmare on Elm Street, introducing Freddy Kruger into the Horror Hall of Fame.  A dead pedophile killing children in their dreams, the series soon became a series of how-can-we-kill-them films until New Nightmare, where Freddy was reintroduced as a supernatural being attempting to become real through the belief of others.  Say what you will, it invigorated a dying franchise and made Freddie scary again, instead of a lame jokester,  Even Robert Englund looked tired of the franchise by Part Five.

Then came Scream, the first deconstruction of horror films I can remember.  Sure, many came after the original, and its sequel, but Craven was the first to take the rules of horror films and apply them within the script, creating the trend of "meta" horror films attempting to be self aware of the troupes of the genre.  Like Scream or not, Craven got there first.

Sure, we can debate his misfires.  But the man deserves his place in the Horror Hall of Fame, and so I say Rest in Peace, Mr. Craven.  May your eternal dreams be more pleasant than the images you leave behind.

And now, this week's belated update...

August, 2015

Continuing

Terror at Angel's Horn runs through Tuesday, September 1, at the Back Door Theater (4319 SE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR.  A live stage presentation from GuignolFest, this sci-fi/horror musical from John Marble concerns a detective searching for a missing cat, only to get mixed up in a time-traveling adventure with a "gangster-ass" Satan and luchadores!  Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Hump Day, or any day for that matter!!!  The play runs through Tuesday, September 1, and tickets are $20.  Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details and a link for advanced ticket sales.

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What We Do in the Shadows continues to delight horror fans at The Laurelhurst Theater in Portland, OR at least through September 3.  Visit The Laurelhurst Theater websites for more details.

September, 2015

Wednesday, September 2

Tonight's Weird Wednesday Actor's Spotlight falls upon Peter Cushing, as The Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway) in Tigard, OR, screens Blood Beast Terror.  Cushing is a mad scientist (is there any other kind in these movies?) that creates a blood sucking giant Death Head moth that can transform into a beautiful woman.  Really, and it poses as his daughter when in human form.  Of course, Cushing will lend an air of class, but I don't know if that will be enough to keep you from giggling at this one!  Admission is free, so spend some extra cash at the snack bar and help keep The Joy Cinema showing movies in which great actors do their best with really silly material.  Showtimes for this evening have yet to be announced, so check back here later in the month, or visit The Joy Cinema website closer to the screening date.  As always, you must be 21 or older to attend.

Friday, September 4

Well, The Olympia Film Society Fright Club keeps bringing the chills to The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave. SE) in Olympia, WA with a screening of John Carpenter's The Thing.  Trust me, Rob Botin's effects are something you don't want to miss on the big screen.  Plays at 9 pm, and you can get more information, and find a link for advanced ticket sales, at the link.

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That is what I have for now. but remember, you can email me at shadowoverportland@live.com with information on your local horror event and I'll be sure to post it.  And I'm open to sci fi/ fantasy events as well, so please send any information my way.

And remember, if you attend any of these events, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!

I know, I missed last week's update, but here's some EXECELLENT events happening Wednesday. And one on Thursday as well.

Sorry, but I didn't get last week's update posted.  It was a killer week at the day job, the hot temperatures sapped my strength, I had a busy weekend, and HONEST BABY, IT WASN"T MY FAULT.

Come on, it worked on Carrie Fisher.

Okay, it really was my fault, but I can't miss an opportunity to quote The Blues Brothers.  I will have a post this Thursday/Friday, but for now, I have to update you on some AWESOME happenings this Wednesday.

First up, Terror at Angel's Horn premieres this Wednesday at the Back Door Theater (4319 SE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR.  A live stage presentation from GuignolFest, this sci-fi/horror musical from John Marble concerns a detective searching for a missing cat, only to get mixed up in a time-traveling adventure with a "gangster-ass" Satan and luchadores!  Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Hump Day, or any day for that matter!!!  The play runs through Tuesday, September 1, and tickets are $20.  Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details and a link for advanced ticket sales.

Also this Wednesday, Re-run Theater returns to The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, for a Japanese Invasion, featuring episodes from Speed Racer, Star Blazers and Ultraman!  The show starts at 7:30 pm and admission is $8.  For more details, and advance ticket sales, visit the link.

Finally, it's not Wednesday if things don't get WEIRD at The Joy Cinema (11595 SW Pacific Hiway) in Portland, OR.  And this week's feature will not disappoint you, as The Joy presents Haram alek, AKA Shame on You, AKA Asmael Yassla meets Frankenstein!  Yes, this is an Arabic version of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and, wow, why would you EVER MISS THAT?!?.  Admission is free, so spend some extra cash at the snack bar and help keep The Joy Cinema showing such nowhere-near-a-classic films every Wednesday.  Showtimes for this evening have yet to be announced, so check back here later in the month, or visit The Joy Cinema website closer to the screening date.  As always, you must be 21 or older to attend.

Oh, and need to mention that Queer Horror returns to The Hollywood Theatre Thursday night at 7 pm with a screening of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddie's Revenge.  A teenage boy's family moves into the house on Elm Street, and he encounters a young Meryl Streep look-a-like, exploding birds and, well, enough homoerotic moments that should make for an interesting discussion with host Carla Rossi, Portland's premiere drag clown!  You'll find more information about the screening, and advanced ticket sales, at the link.

Okay, as the weather is cooling, and as I won't be liquifying at the same rate as I was when temperatures were over 90 degrees, I suspect I will be able to type without gumming up the keyboard and not end the day resting in a pool of gooey molten flesh.

Yeah, it was a messy clean up over the weekend.

So stay tuned, as I plan to kick things up as the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (October) is fast approaching!

As always, should you know of any event that might interest my readers, send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll post it on the Horror Calendar and future updates.

And should you attend any of the events mentioned above, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!

The Munster kids are coming to Portland this November!

Butch Patrick and Pat Priest, better known as Eddie and Marilyn Munster back in the 60s, are coming to the Living Dead Horror Convention at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR, this November 13 to 15!

Yep, the youngsters of the Munster family will be in Portland, part of a line up that includes Barbara Steele, Adrienne King and Ari Lehman of the original Friday the 13th, Lisa Marie, Lloyd Kaufman, Joe R. Lansdale and more!  Check back at The Shadow Over Portland for more guest announcements, or visit the official website later for more details.

Oh, and the link will lead you to advanced ticket sales, which will save you a few bucks this month.  Early bird specials end on August 31, so get your tickets now!