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I thought I'd kick the new year off with another movie marathon. I thought it was time to check out a few old school mystery flicks. Som...

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Click Here for the Filipino Movie Marathon

For a few years I've been talking about doing a deep dive on the horror and exploitation movies shot in the Philippines during the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Everyone from William Girdler to Jack Hill were working in what was a very friendly financial environment under the Marcos regime. This made from some quirky homegrown product as well as a few transplanted American filmmakers like I've mentioned above. I'm not going to cover everything this time around (there is a surprising amount) but will do my best to cover some of the highlights. 

To help anyone that has just jumped into this series I'll include a list of what I've covered below in the order that they were posted. This can be important as there is at least one series and I will be referring to movies that I've previously covered in some of the reviews. 

What I've covered so far in the Filipino movie series. 

Brides of Blood (1968) - The first in the Blood Island "Trilogy" (some folks disagree on that). Co-directed by Eddie Romero and Gerardo de Leon. It also stars John Ashley. 

Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968) - The second of the Blood Island Trilogy. Co-directed by Eddie Romero and Gerardo de Leon. It again stars John Ashley. This one also has Ronald Remy who I remember as a cool vampire in sunglasses in another movie I will be covering in the marathon. 

Beast of Blood (1970) - The third of the Blood Island Trilogy. Eddie Garcia returns as Dr. Lorca the Mad Doctor of Blood Island. Eddie Romero directs again and John Ashley gets to play the same character for the first time!

Terror is a Man (1959) - Not technically in the Blood Island Trilogy  but some consider this a prequel of sorts due to many of the same creative people being involved. Gerado de Leon directs with Eddie Romero in this genuinely creepy black and white gem. 

Beyond Atlantis (1973) - Patrick Wayne, John Ashley, Vic Diaz, and the late great Sid Haig star in one of my favorite drive-in movies of all time. Directed by Eddie Romero. This one is less sleazy than previous Eddie Romero flicks because Patrick Wayne insisted on a PG rating. 

Curse of the Vampires (1966) - This is one of the earlier movies that I will be reviewing for this marathon. That said I somehow managed to not notice that this is a sequel to sorts of another movie that I will be covering. Still you don't need to see that one to enjoy this quirky vampire movie. 

Twilight People (1972) - Like the earlier Terror is a Man this is a take on the Island of Doctor Moreau story. Here we have a mad scientist "improving" helpless victims by adding animal characteristics to them. Luckily John Ashley has enough sex appeal to seduce the scientists daughter and save himself. 

The Blood Drinkers (1964) - I thought I'd wrap up this first dive into the movies of the Philippines with another vampire flick, and the one that Curse of the Vampires was sort of a sequel to. Here we have a twisted tale of a vampire showing up to steal the heart from a woman to save his love who just happens to be her twin sister. 

Update 5/26/21

Night of the Cobra Woman (1972) - I found another Filipino shot movie. This time it stars Vic Diaz and Joy Bang of Messiah of Evil fame. It has an evil snake God, cheesy special effects work, and is clearly low budget. It is also a heck of a lot of fun. I'll keep adding to the list here as I find more.

© Copyright 2020 John Shatzer

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