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6 Hidden Horror Gems from the 1970s

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You’ve seen The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Dawn of the Dead so many times that you could probably quote both entire movies. And I can only imagine how many times you people have watched The Exorcist or Halloween – because I know for me, those numbers got way too high to count a long time ago. The 1970s was an awesome time for horror. But there is so much more to the decade than just the aforementioned films! Here are six more films from the 1970s that I believe deserve much more credit. Check it out.

I Drink Your Blood (1970)

A cult of rabid pseudo-hippies inflict terror on a small American town. Gory, disgusting, violent. It’s a raw piece of 1970s grindhouse that may be too much for many viewers these days. There are no redeeming values here in this film. It’s exploitation, through and through. Anyone with a sick sense of humor and a fondness for grainy violence and demented plotlines will surely get a kick out of this film. I Drink Your Blood is one of those rare movies that should have ended up being horrible – but instead, it’s a surreal joyride for those sick enough to enjoy that kind of stuff.

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sJhdMwOtRU

The Legend of Hell House is a film based off of Richard Matheson’s 1971 novel, Hell House. Matheson’s novel was inspired by Shirley Jackson’s immortal 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House, and it just goes to show that a good story simply will not die. Though there are defining characteristics that set both stories apart, the main correlation is the exploration of a supposedly haunted house by a group of different people who take part in an experiment to prove or disprove the claims that the house is haunted.

Matheson also helped pen the screenplay, which then makes the argument for which version was superior a little more complicated. The Legend of Hell House is an interesting work of horror cinema for that reason alone – but that’s not the only one. It’s a classic haunted house movie which is able to conjure up more legitimate scares than the much more well-known The Amityville Horror, released later this decade. Oh, and it’s currently streaming on Netflix, too!

Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972)

A Spanish film, Tombs of the Blind Dead features some of the creepiest looking zombies to date. They’re much more decomposed than that of Romero’s, and the supernatural element to them adds even more appeal for those seeking something different from your typical zombie film. There’s an English dubbed version that’s quite easily attainable, so if you’re not a fan of subtitles, please don’t despair.

Though I will not, in any way, say that this is the best zombie film to come out of the 1970s, I will say that it deserves a watch to break up the monotony as to what zombie films have become in recent times. It’s not the greatest; I wouldn’t go that far. However, it’s solid as all Hell. Give it a watch. It’s worth your time.

Deranged (1974)

Much more faithful to the story of Ed Gein than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Deranged is a highly unsettling, highly strange film starring Roberts Blossom. The film was also known as Deranged: The Confessions of a Necrophile, which may have been a little misleading. There is no indication that Gein ever was a necrophile, and there isn’t a real aspect of necrophilia in the way that it is traditionally known in the movie. However, “necrophilia” can also be defined without the sexual aspect – according to Dictionary.com, it is also defined as “an abnormal fondness for being in the presence of dead bodies.” In other news, if my mother knew that I was taking time out of my day to google the definition of “necrophilia”, she would probably be incredibly disappointed in me. I’m sorry, mom. You did the best you could.

Regardless, it’s an excellent film. There’s a solitary church organ which provides the haunting soundtrack, and it makes for a very spooky atmosphere. Even stranger is the instances of a faux-documentary which permeates the film. There’s a reporter that is present throughout, narrating the events as they unfold. Deranged is certainly a strange film, and while it’s nowhere near as gory as one would expect, the aesthetics of the film are unsettling enough to make your skin crawl right off.

Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972)

Dead Things was directed by none other than Bob Clark – the same Bob Clark who gave us A Christmas Story in 1983. The allure of horror, it seems, is strong enough to get just about everybody involved. In fact, Bob Clark had an uncredited role in the movie above, Deranged. So that’s not one, but two strikes again your wholesome image, Clark! But don’t worry; I’m not judging. In fact, I think it’s quite admirable.

This 1970s zombie flick is about six theater actors who dig up a corpse in an attempt to reanimate the body. It’s got a strong element of black comedy and actually ends up becoming quite tense despite the low budget and, once again, lack of gore. It just goes to show that you don’t necessarily need lots of blood and guts for an effective movie. There’s a certain charm about this film that has been seldom captured ever since: much like The Evil Dead almost a decade later, you can really feel an indie vibe. There’s a sense of a filmmaker attempting to make something scary while having the time of his life and using limited resources. It’s a great movie for that fact alone.

Once more on the topic of Bob Clark: he also directed Black Christmas two years later. However, that film seems a little too well-known to put on the list. It gets an honorable mention, and a shout for being one of my favorite horror films, but it’s not exactly a hidden gem.

Tourist Trap (1979)

This is not only one of the best out of the decade, but also one of the strangest. I’ve seen a lot written about the film, and I would certainly be able to write even more, but I think it’s best if you go into it without knowing much. Too much research or knowledge about the film beforehand could potentially spoil the weirder scenes – just trust me on this one. It’s excellent.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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