The gothic mode in Italian horror was effectively launched, and reached its early apotheosis, with the release of Mario Bava’s Black Sunday in 1960. An ensuing tidal wave of likeminded films flooded the market throughout the ’60s, before starting to dry up in the early ’70s, as the more modernist-inclined (and frequently more graphic) giallo came into prominence. Now Severin Films has gathered together four vintage examples of the Italian gothic trend in their new box set Danza Macabra Volume One. When it comes to sex and violence, those two requisite mainstays of the genre, the films run the gamut from almost timidly titillating to unabashedly lurid.
Renato Polselli’s The Monster of the Opera, from 1964, opens with arguably its strongest set piece, which is revealed to have been a dream sequence. This allows Polselli to openly embrace a surrealist aesthetic through oneiric slow motion, tilted cameras, disorienting high- and low-angle shots,...
Renato Polselli’s The Monster of the Opera, from 1964, opens with arguably its strongest set piece, which is revealed to have been a dream sequence. This allows Polselli to openly embrace a surrealist aesthetic through oneiric slow motion, tilted cameras, disorienting high- and low-angle shots,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
Did these filmmakers have any idea how twisted a picture they were making? It doesn’t matter because this Italo torture orgy has has remained a freakout favorite ever since. Mickey Hargitay likely asked, ‘do you really want me to act this nuts?’ and then fully complied with Massimo Pupillo’s request to burn, stab, choke and roast his mostly female victims in orgasmic glee. It’s all still more than a little disturbing — or screamingly funny depending on one’s orientation. Severin’s Blu-ray sources original printing elements, lending incredible video and audio quality to this artless yet stunning exercise in sex & death insanity. We also recall an interpretation given this gem by Brit film critics. Co-starring Walter Brandi & Luisa Barrato, plus eight willing special guest torture victims.
Bloody Pit of Horror
Blu-ray
Severin Films
1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 26, 2021 / Il boia scarlatto, The Crimson Executioner / Available...
Bloody Pit of Horror
Blu-ray
Severin Films
1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 26, 2021 / Il boia scarlatto, The Crimson Executioner / Available...
- 11/25/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Renato Polselli’s vampire rally ups the on-screen babe count first and provides horror thrills second, yet Ernesto Gastaldi’s screenplay introduces an interesting wrinkle or two to the bloodsucking genre. This new bilingual release is a good presentation of what for American chiller fans has been a long-absent title.
The Vampire and the Ballerina
Blu-ray
Scream Factory
1960 / B&W / 1:66 widescreen / 85 min. / L’amante del vampiro / Street Date May 22, 2018 / available through Kino Lorber / 27.99
Starring: Walter Brandi, Hélène Rémy, Tina Gloriani, María Luisa Rolando, Isarco Ravaioli, Gino Turini (John Turner), Pier Ugo Gragnani.
Cinematography: Angelo Baistrocchi
Film Editor: Renato Cinquini
Assistant Director: Ernesto Gastaldi
Original Music: Aldo Piga
Written by Ernesto Gastaldi, Giuseppe Pellegrini, Renato Polselli
Produced by Bruno Bolognese
Directed by Renato Polselli
We’re told that all of Europe jumped on a horror bandwagon with the success of the first two Technicolor Hammer gothic films, but it took...
The Vampire and the Ballerina
Blu-ray
Scream Factory
1960 / B&W / 1:66 widescreen / 85 min. / L’amante del vampiro / Street Date May 22, 2018 / available through Kino Lorber / 27.99
Starring: Walter Brandi, Hélène Rémy, Tina Gloriani, María Luisa Rolando, Isarco Ravaioli, Gino Turini (John Turner), Pier Ugo Gragnani.
Cinematography: Angelo Baistrocchi
Film Editor: Renato Cinquini
Assistant Director: Ernesto Gastaldi
Original Music: Aldo Piga
Written by Ernesto Gastaldi, Giuseppe Pellegrini, Renato Polselli
Produced by Bruno Bolognese
Directed by Renato Polselli
We’re told that all of Europe jumped on a horror bandwagon with the success of the first two Technicolor Hammer gothic films, but it took...
- 5/26/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
An Italian castle is home to bloodthirsty secrets in The Vampire and the Ballerina, and with the early ’60s horror movie out now on Blu-ray from Scream Factory, we've been provided with three high-def copies to give away to lucky Daily Dead readers!
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of The Vampire and the Ballerina.
How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:
1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/
2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “The Vampire and the Ballerina Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on May 29th. This contest is only open...
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of The Vampire and the Ballerina.
How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:
1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/
2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “The Vampire and the Ballerina Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on May 29th. This contest is only open...
- 5/22/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Scream Factory announced The Vampire and the Ballerina (1960) is coming to Blu-ray, and as usual it's packed with special features, including a new hi-res transfer of the film, as well as an 8mm version.
The Vampire and the Ballerina Blu-ray: "Shot in and around the grounds of an ancient Italian castle, this creepy and atmospheric thriller follows a company of beautiful ballerinas on tour, when they become stranded within its sinister, stony old walls. They have no idea that a horror legend two thousand years old is about to come alive in the form of a group of vampires, all thirsting for blood ... especially their nefarious and brutal queen. "Coupled with the smooth direction of Renato Polselli is some really fantastic cinematography that uses lighting and shadow effectively to make this film really come alive" (The Telltale Mind) ... and keep you firmly transfixed at the edge of your seat!
Bonus...
The Vampire and the Ballerina Blu-ray: "Shot in and around the grounds of an ancient Italian castle, this creepy and atmospheric thriller follows a company of beautiful ballerinas on tour, when they become stranded within its sinister, stony old walls. They have no idea that a horror legend two thousand years old is about to come alive in the form of a group of vampires, all thirsting for blood ... especially their nefarious and brutal queen. "Coupled with the smooth direction of Renato Polselli is some really fantastic cinematography that uses lighting and shadow effectively to make this film really come alive" (The Telltale Mind) ... and keep you firmly transfixed at the edge of your seat!
Bonus...
- 5/21/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
After their thrilling announcement that a remastered The House That Dripped Blood Blu-ray is coming soon, Scream Factory has added two other titles to their Blu-ray release slate this May: Doctor Blood's Coffin (1961) and The Vampire and the Ballerina (1960):
From Scream Factory: "We are now taking pre-orders for our upcoming release of two early 60’s shockers Doctor Blood’S Coffin and The Vampire And The Ballerina, both which make their Blu-ray format debuts in the U.S. & Canada this May!
Doctor Blood’S Coffin (Street Date: 5/15): After being dismissed from medical school because of his devious experiments, Doctor Peter Blood returns home to join his father's practice. He still believes he can create the perfect human, so he continues his experiments in an abandoned mine where he attempts to revive a rotting corpse. But Dr. Blood needs a living "donor" to create his "perfect human" and soon people...
From Scream Factory: "We are now taking pre-orders for our upcoming release of two early 60’s shockers Doctor Blood’S Coffin and The Vampire And The Ballerina, both which make their Blu-ray format debuts in the U.S. & Canada this May!
Doctor Blood’S Coffin (Street Date: 5/15): After being dismissed from medical school because of his devious experiments, Doctor Peter Blood returns home to join his father's practice. He still believes he can create the perfect human, so he continues his experiments in an abandoned mine where he attempts to revive a rotting corpse. But Dr. Blood needs a living "donor" to create his "perfect human" and soon people...
- 2/6/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
We answer more of your letters, with topics this time ranging from bad posters to Muppets to our inability to spell.
We've delved deep into our bulging post bag to look at some more of our readers' correspondence. As usual, here's a broad cross-section of your thoughts, suggestions and other stuff, ranging from classic Italian giallo movies, Muppets questions, and lots more.
If you want to send us a letter, a painting, or even a postcard while you're on holiday, our address is at the bottom of the page. We look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, here's the latest selection of geek missives...
You Can't Speel!
Most people groan and roll their eyes when people talk about grammar and spelling but as I have to put up with the general mass bad grammar etc. that is Facebook and the internet en mass I expect better from pages such as yours.
We've delved deep into our bulging post bag to look at some more of our readers' correspondence. As usual, here's a broad cross-section of your thoughts, suggestions and other stuff, ranging from classic Italian giallo movies, Muppets questions, and lots more.
If you want to send us a letter, a painting, or even a postcard while you're on holiday, our address is at the bottom of the page. We look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, here's the latest selection of geek missives...
You Can't Speel!
Most people groan and roll their eyes when people talk about grammar and spelling but as I have to put up with the general mass bad grammar etc. that is Facebook and the internet en mass I expect better from pages such as yours.
- 10/16/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
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