DVD News
Lost Skeleton Returns Again and Dark and Stormy Night, Aug. 17
By April MacIntyre Aug 12, 2010, 7:30 GMT
Cultie fans gather up, Shout! Factory has delivered two classics in remastered DVD formats for fans to enjoy the genius of Larry Blamire.
In the grand tradition of Mel Brooks and Preston Sturges, Blamire brings his zany ensemble of actors back in two hysterically funny films when the highly-anticipated sequel "The Lost Skeleton Returns Again" and Blamire’s latest send-up "Dark and Stormy Night" hit the home entertainment shelves August 17, 2010 from Shout! Factory.
Poised to deliver the cinematic chuckle-fests that loyal fans have been waiting for, both collectible DVDs boast cast and crew commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette and more. Each DVD is sold separately.
Background, from Shout! Factory:
Director, writer and actor Larry Blamire brings his unique brand of parody to life in the sequel to his 2004 mega-cult hit The Lost Skeleton Of Cadavra. The Lost Skeleton Returns Again is a perfect tongue-in-cheek celebration of the jungle adventures of yesteryear presented in the majesty of SuperSkeletoRama!
In this clever, over-the-top sequel to Cadavra, which brilliantly spoofed no-budget sci-fi movies of the Fifties, old friends and new enemies schlep into the Amazon jungle in search of yet another rare element, jerranium 90. This bigger, better, bonier Round Two ups the ante with some nifty special effects, a dynamic musical score, while retaining the original’s hilariously deadpan performances and Blamire’s trademark loopy dialogue.
Everybody wants the jerranium: Crooked importer Handscombe Draile, slimy Gondreau Slykes, cheap crook Carl Traeger and evil scientist Dr. Ellamy Royne. So when government agent Reet Pappin is sent on a mission vital to national security to find Dr. Paul Armstrong (Blamire himself) — now a bitter alcoholic disenchanted with science — he may have his work cut out for him.
Especially when joined by Armstrong’s loyal wife Betty and the mind control–susceptible twin brother of Dr. Roger Fleming, who’s carrying a familiar sinister skull belonging to none other than the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra himself. As the parties converge in the dreaded Valley of the Monsters (at which point the movie switches from B&W to color, a la The Wizard Of Oz), other familiar faces begin to pop up, as well as a variety of monsters and an ancient race known as the Cantaloupe People, led by their haughty queen, Chinfa. Who will get what they want? And who will not get it?
Directed and written by Larry Blamire, The Lost Skeleton Returns Again also stars Fay Masterson (Eyes Wide Shut), Brian Howe (Gran Torino), Andrew Parks (Donnie Brasco), Susan McConnell, Jennifer Blaire, Dan Conroy, Trish Geiger, Frank Dietz, Kevin Quinn and Alison Martin, plus guest appearances by Daniel Roebuck (Lost) and H.M. Wynant (The Twilight Zone).
Craving more sublimely silly shenanigans? The hi-jinks continue with Blamire’s Dark and Stormy Night, a loving lampoon of the classic “old-dark house” thrillers.
Set in the 1930s, Dark And Stormy Night begins with the family of the deceased (and very rich) Sinas Cavinder gathered for the reading of his will in a gloomy old mansion, complete with secret passageways, portraits with the eyes cut out and, of course, a gorilla. They soon find themselves being murdered by a mysterious hooded phantom, while two fast-talking rival reporters compete for the story (and do some backstabbing of their own), somewhat hindered by the frightened Brooklyn cabbie who brought them and just wants his “toity-five cents.”
Blamire’s regular roster of spirited actors deftly delivers his laugh-out-loud dialogue at a rapid clip and with impossibly straight faces. Cast members (and kooky character names) include Daniel Roebuck (8 O’Clock Farraday), Jennifer Blaire (Billy Tuesday), Dan Conroy (Happy Codburn), Brian Howe (Burling Famish, Jr.), Fay Masterson (Sabasha Fanmoore) Andrew Parks (Lord Partfine), Jim Beaver (Jack Tugdon), Trish Geiger (Jane Hovenham), Alison Martin (Mrs. Cupcupboard) and Bruce French (Jeens).
Blamire also appears in the film as Ray Vestinhaus, and there are appearances by such Hollywood veterans as Betty Garrett, James Karen, Marvin Kaplan, Tom Reese and H.M. Wynant.
Throw in stunningly atmospheric sets by Emmy-winner Anthony Tremblay, and you’ve got the most frightfully funny blend of chills and chuckles since Neil Simon’s Murder By Death!
Mystery, suspense, screams and laughs — Dark And Stormy Night delivers it all!
