A. Susan Svehla Movies

In the 1950s and '60s, American film studios became enamored with flying saucers, extraterrestrials, and atomic mutants, making Hammer Films the last refuge for movie fans with more macabre tastes. Their lavish and lurid chillers appeared at precisely the right time, effectively filling the gap between the Universal Studios creature classics of the 1930's and '40s, and the big-budget horror revival sparked by The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street in the 1970s and '80s. As a result, horror fans embraced Hammer Films and the studio flourished. In this documentary Hammer luminaries such as Christopher Lee, Ingrid Pitt, Val Guest, and Caroline Munro are captured during appearances at Fanex Film Conventions, which were held in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. from 1984 to 2004. Their ability to remain cheerful and cordial despite enduring exhausting transatlantic flights endeared them to fans, and now horror hounds who weren't able to attend the conventions can still witness their favorite stars interacting with fans as they reflect on their favorite roles. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

This extended reflection on the life of work of cinema "schlock king" Samuel Z. Arkoff was culled from one of the producer's appearances at the Fanex Film Convention in Washington, D.C. - an event that catered to the fans of classic horror films over the course of 20 years (1984-2004), and featured appearances from numerous classic horror actors and cinematic craftspeople, including Arkoff. In this particular program, Arkoff turns up at Fanex 2000 to discuss his life and career as the chief B-movie mogul in the U.S. for decades; in his reflections, he receives added support from Roger Corman and others. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide