Dickens’ 1843 novella and its many dramatical metamorpho­ ses—from silent films, talkies, made-for-television movies (one scripted by Rod Serling!), ani­ mated specials (would you be­ lieve, A JETSONS CHRISTMAS CAROL?) and rock ’n roll tellings (a 1983 version starring Rush and Three Dog Night!?), to audio cassette editions (including one read by Lionel Barrymore and Orson Welles). Each chapter is followed by Trivia Questions (you have our admiration if you tackle the silent TQs!), but the real meat of this volume is Sammons obvi­ ous affinity for the subject mat­ ter, which is at once appealingly sentimental, approachably schol­ arly and critically dependable. A real sugarplum, and just the right size (and price) for you stocking stuffers. (Here’s a Trivia Ques­ tion of our own: Why is Citadel the perfect publisher for this book? Answer: Because Citadel is a subsidiary of the Carol Pub­ lishing Group, get it?) Ever since we ran an excerpt


from Maitland McDonagh’s BRO­KEN MIRRORS, BROKEN MINDS: THE DARK DREAMS OF DARIO ARGENTO [VW 8:40-47], we’ve received numerous inquiries about where this British hard­ cover might be obtained. We’re pleased to report that Maitland’s book is finally available in this country as a trade paperback— also from Citadel Press ($18.95/ CJSA, $23.95/Canada). Some of the illustrations in the British edi­ tion have been rescreened or replaced altogether, and an addi­ tional seven-page update has been included, featuring the author’s thoughts on Argento’s most recent film, TRAUMA. It all serves to make an important, in­ cisive work even more indispens­ able. Maitland’s book of interviews with cult and exploitation direc­ tors is due from Citadel in February.


Conspicuous In Their Absence


Our apologies to reader Greg


Hillabrand, whom we failed to credit with his discovery of Mogul Video’s BLADESTORM, a retitling of Mario Bava’s KNIVES OF THE AVENGER [VW 25:55]. We also extend our sincere


regrets to the good Harry Nadler, who wrote to inform us that the photos of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, accompa­nying our coverage of Ted Newsom’s documentary FLESH AND BLOOD: THE HAMMER HERITAGE OF HORROR [VW 23:4-6]—including the one featured on that issue’s back cover—were taken by him.


Retitlings


BLOOD CITY (High Desert) is Peter Sasdy’s sci-fi/western WELCOME TO BLOOD CITY (1977), a Canada/UK co-pro­ duction previously available from Pan-Canadian, Inter- global and Lightning Video.


THE DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (Media) is Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Car­penter’s PRANKS (1981), a sorority slasher film with an effective twist ending and not much else.


DRAGON AND THE COBRA (Mntex) is Matthew Mallinson’s FIST OF FEAR, TOUCH OF DEATH (1980), a dreadful hodgepodge of PD Bruce Lee footage and ludicrous new sequences fea­ turing Fred Williamson, Ron Van Clief and others. Previ­ ously available from Wizard and AdventureVideo.


DONG CHENG XI JIU (Mei Ah LD; reviewed VW 24:11) is


being offered by some domes­ tic PD outlets under its alter­ nate export title THE EAGLE SHOOTING HEROES.


HOLY WEAPON (No Name Boot­ leg LD; reviewed VW 24:17) is also known as SEVEN PRINCESSES and may be offered by domestic PD labels under that name. Original HK prints carry no English title or credits.


FLESH HUNGER (label unknown) is FLESH FEAST (1970), a celluloid shack-up between Brad F. Grinter (BLOOD FREAK) and Veronica Lake. Made in Florida—where else?


FRESH AIR (Marathon) is the dire Al Adamson comedy NAUGHTY STEWARDESSES (1973), previously offered by Super Video.


HARD STICK (Mntex) is a retitling of the 1978 telefilm A REAL AMERICAN HERO, a WALK­ ING TALL sequel about no- nonsense lawman Buford Pusser, starring Brian Dennehy.


THE KILLING DOCTOR (Mntex) is actually MURDER ONCE REMOVED (1971), starring a murderous John Forsythe.


MURDER ONE (Mntex Entertain­ment Inc.) boasts a star turn by Nick Nolte (pictured in ac­ tion poses from 48 HRS. on the box art), but is in reality E.W. Swackhamer’s DEATH SENTENCE (1974), an early effort in which Nolte receives third billing.


SCALP TAKER (label unknown) is THE SCALP MERCHANT, starring Cameron Mitchell.


Thanks to John Charles, Lome Marshall and


Richard Harland Smith. & 7

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