Obro (Gordon Mitchell) and Princess Mecede (Bella Cortez) are surrounded in GIANT OF METROPOLIS (1961)
Friday, August 30, 2024
Image of the week!
Obro (Gordon Mitchell) and Princess Mecede (Bella Cortez) are surrounded in GIANT OF METROPOLIS (1961)
Lobby cards set: REVAK THE REBEL (1960)
Extensive French lobby cards set of REVAK THE REBEL starring Jack Palance and others. Big set, much bigger than usual. I like it but it's missing most of the actresses, which is odd. The one with the elephant is my favourite.
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Musings!
Queen Gaia (Nadia Sanders) and Jason (Roland Carey) meet in THE GIANTS OF THESSALY (1960)
Jason ends up on an all-female society ruled by Queen Gaia, who explains her fate. Of course, there's something sinister underneath all of this to explain how an all female society survived. The entire scene is pretty entertaining with obvious nods to HERCULES (1958) and its Amazon scene. Are they comparable? No. The women on this island are witches while in HERCULES they were Amazon warriors. Gaia is an old woman who retains her youthful beauty by magic and potions from Apollo. According to prophecy, if Gaia is able to seduce Jason, she'll be immortal and live in eternal beauty. Of course, things do go according to plan. I like stuff like this. This film needs to be in HD already.
Behind-the-Scenes
Steve Reeves and Mylène Demongeot on a break on the set of THE GIANT OF MARATHON (1959). They look a bit glum.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
HD Alert!
I received two Blu-ray/DVD sets from Artus Films. Remarkably enough, I still haven't watched them. Very busy. I will watch them today or later on this week.
The movie on the left is THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF GUERRIN MESCHINO (1952) directed by Pietro Francisci. I can't wait to watch it. I already have it but in so so quality. Francisci directed the classic HERCULES (1958). This set has two discs.
Of course, the movie on the right is PERSEUS THE INVINCIBLE (1963; aka Medusa against the Son of Hercules). I already mentioned this but this set (it also has two discs) has the Spanish version in HD and the original Italian version on DVD. I already have these prints in my collection but I wanted the physical discs. I hope the original Italian version will be released on Blu-ray. I like the Spanish version but it's more of a curio to me than anything else. It has different scenes and special effects and added wardrobe malfunctions (yes, I'm not kidding) but the original Italian one is the best.
These Artus Films releases come with amazing booklets. The GUERRIN MESCHINO booklet has 60 pages. And the PERSEUS booklet has 31 pages by Michel Eloy (who follows me on Facebook). If every PEPLUM movie would be released this way it would be amazing! The only downside o Artus Films releases: no English audio. I'll have more in the near future.
Then & Now: Edy Vessel
Edy in THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD (1962); a current photo of Edy (born Edoarda Vesselovsky).
Monday, August 26, 2024
Musings!
Queen Leda (Gia Sandri) meets Antaeus (Giovanni Cianfriglia) in HERCULES THE AVENGER (1965)
I like this movie, even if contains numerous scenes from other movies, including HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN. My only issue (is it really an issue?) with the movie is the relationship between these two. Does the Queen like Antaeus aka Evil Hercules? It's hard to say. She seems constantly repulsed by him and yet keeps murderous Antaeus close to her, and doesn't refuse his amorous advances. She uses him or he uses her? It's a unique relationship in a PEPLUM movie, or any movie. There's a decent German copy of this film in near HD. Some scenes are stunning. Hopefully, a Blu-ray will be available soon.
Friday, August 23, 2024
Image of the week!
Hulina (Anita Ekberg) shows her special kind of love to Ogatai (Jack Palance) in THE MONGOLS (1961)
MUSCLES Inc
PEPLUM Star Ed Fury on the cover of MUSCLE POWER (April 1954). Ed's real name was Ed Holovchik.
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Musings!
Mucius (Gordon Scott) gets new bandages for his wounded hand/arm in COLOSSUS OF ROME (1964; aka Hero of Rome)
I like this film. It's one solid movie starring Gordon Scott. The movie misses just one or two extra scenes to make it a Wow! but still, it's pretty good. It's directed by Giorgio Ferroni, who worked with Scott in other equally solid movies. The only decent copy out there is the German DVD with Spartacus in the title. It's good but not great. Hopefully, it's will be available soon in HD!
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
SPFX DEPT.
Evil Antarus (Massimo Serato) getting eaten by a man-eating creature/plant in MARS - GOD OF WAR (1962)
This movie is totally different than the majority of PEPLUM movies, in tone and style. One of the biggest surprises watching it for the first time was the quite elaborate creature at the end. I like it. I think it's cool. I certainly didn't expect anything like this from it. The good copies I have are a bit too dark but you can see how detailed the creature is. No info on who created it.
BY THE GODS! magazine...yes, it's coming!
Nothing much to say except, yes, it's coming. Because of personal issues during the past months, everything has been delayed but it's coming. I can't say when specifically but it's in the works. Here's the cover!
Monday, August 19, 2024
Musings!
Lady Iolanthe Rogliano (Betta St. John) introduces Pietro Donati (Ricardo Montalban) to Elaine of Siniscola (Carolyn Jones) in THE SARACEN BLADE (1954)
This is a fun small movie directed by William Castle. The script is surprisingly fun. I wish there was a clear, uncut version of this, in HD, of course. This old 'B movies' from Columbia Pictures often get a bad treatment, even with such a good cast and a known director. The movie did have some obvious budget shortcomings. The big battle scenes are stock footage. But overall, I like this one. It's entertaining. I have it uploaded to one of my Youtube channels.
PEPLUM Movie Poster
Spanish poster of REVOLT OF THE SLAVES (1960)
Nice poster. The Rhonda on the poster looks different than the real one.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Clip of the week: MESSALINA (1960)
Assassination attempt on essa lina (Belinda Lee). Would be assassin is Giuliano Gemma.
New PEPLUM Art!
New feature here at the blog. PEPLUM inspired art.
With a few prompts, new PEPLUM art by AI.
From MEN OF PULP @ X
THE DESTINY OF ADAM AND EVE
Monday, August 12, 2024
Blog Note
Richard Harrison and cast from REVOLT OF THE PRAETORIANS (1964)
I'm taking an impromptu break! I should be back next week. If I find time I might post sporadically this week but for now I need some time off.
Friday, August 9, 2024
Image of the week!
Sappho (Tina Louise) and Phaon (Kerwin Mathews) seek counsel with the Sybil (Elena Zareschi) in SAPPHO - THE VENUS OF LESBOS (1960; aka The Warrior Empress)
