Found here. And don't forget to like Don't Stand There Gawping! on Facebook.
Monday, October 31, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: HALLOWEEN
Halloween (1978) trivia:
The movie was shot in early spring in southern California, not Illinois in late October. The crew bought paper leaves from a decorator and painted them in autumn colors, then scattered them around the filming locations. To save money, after a scene was shot, the leaves were collected and reused. However, there are still green trees visible in the movie, along with some palm trees.
This is Jamie Lee Curtis' first feature film.
All the actors wore their own clothes for the film since there was no money for a costume department. Jamie Lee Curtis bought her wardrobe at J.C. Penney and spent less than a hundred dollars. She shot the movie while on hiatus from the sitcom Operation Petticoat.
Half of the $320,000 budget was spent on Panavision cameras so the film would have a 2:35:1 scope. Actor Donald Pleasence was paid $20,000.00 for 5 days work and is on screen just over 18 minutes.
John Carpenter approached Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee to play the part of Sam Loomis, the role that eventually went to Donald Pleasence, but both turned him down. Lee later stated it was the biggest mistake of his career.
The opening POV sequence took 2 days to film.
John Carpenter composed the score in 4 days.
PEZ-TASTIC!
It's time to start a new weekly feature here on DSTG! with "Pez-tastic!" and since today is Halloween what better way to kick-off the series than a Vampire Pez. From 2010, this bloodsucker not only has a serious set of fangs but also glows in the dark!
Also, if you'd like to read more about Pez, check out their official website and visit Pastor Pez, who makes me sin with envy at his collection.
M.O.D.O.K. TELLS HALLOWEEN STORIES
The only thing scarier than M.O.D.O.K.'s stories is seeing him dressed Elvira.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: WOLF CREEK
Wolf Creek (2005) trivia:
No scenes were written for cloudy or wet weather but the shooting schedule was so tight, the crew had to film at all times, regardless of conditions. When it was realized they would have to shoot in the rain, the script was hastily rewritten to include references to unexpected rain.
There had been no rainfall for ten years in the area where the backpackers park their car before setting off for the crater, but it started raining as soon as the crew arrived. Director, Greg Mclean, was happy it rained, as it added to the ominous atmosphere of the scene.
Unbeknown to the the crew, the abandoned mine where they chose to film had actually been the site of a real life murder of a woman. The filming prompted a protest from local citizens, who thought the film was about that event.
Composer Frank Tetaz based parts of the film score from an old funeral march, giving it a slower tempo for stronger moodiness.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: SEVERANCE
Severance (2006) trivia:
Casting lasted four months because director, Christopher Smith, wanted the perfect people for the roles.
Actor Toby Stephens wanted to do the movie because he'd never done a horror film before liked the comedy/horror mix of the project.
Laura Harris had a such fun on the set with her fellow cast member, she found it hard to reach the emotional depths needed for her character when it was time for her to shoot. To get herself out of her good mood, she began listening to dark and depressing music to help her prepare for her scenes.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: FINAL DESTINATION
Final Destination (2000) trivia:
Much of the news footage shown is actual footage from the July 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 off East Moriches, Long Island, New York.
When the students are boarding the plane, Alex looks down from the jetway and sees a luggage cart with the number 666 on it.
The story was originally the concept for an abandoned television script for The X-Files.
The original plan was to have death as a much more obvious entity in the film, as it was in Tod's death (with Tod seeing a shadow in the mirror and the water running back to the toilet to "cover its tracks") but after Tod's death, it was decided to have the deaths as accidents.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE AMITYVILLE HORROR
The Amityville Horror (1979) trivia:
The real house from the book and movie garnered too much unwanted attention. As a result, the later owners replaced the "evil eyes" windows with normal rectangle shaped ones.
At the time, the film was the highest grossing independent film of all time and American International Pictures' biggest hit.
The stars of the film, James Brolin and Margot Kidder visited the real Amityville house as part of a publicity junket.
Both stars said they didn't believe the Amityville story.
Margot Kidder later confessed she hated the film.
Honey was rubbed on Rod Steiger's head to draw the flies to him.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND
The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968) trivia:
Angelique Pettyjohn claims the love scene with John Ashley was not simulated. However, an "uncut version" of the movie has never been found.
Packets of green blood were distributed to audiences as a promotional gimmick. Patrons were instructed to drink the blood at a certain point in the film.
Friday, October 21, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: I BOUGHT A VAMPIRE MOTORCYCLE
I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle (1990) trivia:
The vampire motorcycle is a 750cc Norton Commando.
During filming, the engine sounds for Roach's bike were accidentally erased. As a result, a different motorcycle was re-recorded for the film.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE (FIRST SEQUENCE)
The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2009) trivia:
Some scenes of the movie are so strong, some audience members walked out of the test screenings.
The inspiration for the film came from a joke director Tom Six made with friends about punishing a child molester by stitching his "mouth to the ass of a very fat truck driver".
Film critic Roger Ebert refused to give the film a star rating for his review (not to be confused with a zero star rating which he hands out to the very worst films he views), saying it doesn't matter how the film is perceived, "The film is what it is and occupies a world where he stars don't shine."
Tom Six contacted a real surgeon for the medical human centipede design, thereby granting the rights to the tagline "100% medically accurate".
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE HILLS HAVE EYES (2006)
The Hills Have Eyes (2006) trivia:
The photos of the mutations during the opening credits are not of atomic mutation but rather birth defects caused by Agent Orange in Vietnam.
This film, a remake, runs 15 minutes longer than the original.
Wes Craven, director of the original The Hills Have Eyes and producer Peter Locke wanted the new version to film in the exact same desert location of the 1977 movie but when they went to scout locations, they discovered condominiums had been built in the area.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: FRANKENSTEIN
Frankenstein (1931) trivia:
Bela Lugosi was originally offered the role of the monster but refused on the grounds that his character would not speak.
A 20 minute test reel featuring Bela Lugosi as the monster and directed by Robert Florey was filmed on the Dracula sets. The footage has not been seen since 1931 and is now considered lost.
John Carradine was also offered the role but refused as well, considering himself too highly trained to be reduced to playing monsters.
The scene with Maria, the little girl, has her throwing flowers into a pond. The monster joins her in the activity but they soon run out of flowers. At a loss for something to throw into the water, he looks at Maria and moves towards her. In all the American prints of the film, the scene ends here. But originally the action continues with the monster grabbing Maria and throwing her into the lake, then departing in confusion when Maria fails to float to the surface as the flowers did. This scene was deleted because Karloff objected and felt the director had misinterpreted the the scene - He felt the monster should have gently placed Maria in the lake. The missing footage was later restored on the videocassette reissue.
The film was banned in Kansas, deemed that it exhibited "cruelty and tended to debase morals."
Monday, October 17, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: HOSTEL
Hostel (2005) trivia:
Director Eli Roth hired real street kids to play the Bubble Gum Gang.
Over 150 gallons of blood were used in the making of the movie.
When Paxton is in the slaughterhouse with the German, he delivers a speech in the German language saying, "If you kill me, it'll destroy your life. Every time you close your eyes, you'll see me. I'll be in your nightmares every night, your whole life. I'll ruin it."
Eli Roth stated on a special on Bravo that the film was inspired by a story he heard from a friend about a place in Thailand that filmed videos of a random person walking into a room and shooting someone in the head for $10,000.00 with the footage posted on the internet.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE RUINS
The Ruins (2008) trivia:
All the outdoor scenes were shot with natural light.
Director Carter Smith had just purchased a copy of the Scott B. Smith novel and started reading it, when he received a call offering him the film adaptation.
The film takes place in Mexico during summer, however it was shot primarily in Australia during the winter. Heavy coats were provided for the actors between takes with water and olive oil sprayed onto their bodies to simulate sweat.
The film rights were sold before the novel was published.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: ROSEMARY'S BABY
Rosemary's Baby (1968) trivia:
It was widely believed that Alfred Hitchcock was offered to direct the movie but this is false- he was never approached.
Another popular rumor was Anton LaVey, the Church of Satan founder, gave technical advised and portrayed Satan in the film but this is also false. LaVey had no involvement with the film.
Mia Farrow actually ate raw liver for a scene in the movie.
Rosemary's baby was born in June, 1966 (6/66).
Friday, October 14, 2011
ROBERT KIRKMAN'S AVENGER TRAILER COMMENTARY
The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman give a hilarious commentary for The Avengers trailer. He needs to do commentaries for all trailers.
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) trivia:
The film was shot in chronological order.
The movie wasn't released in Australia until the early 80's.
The character of Pam, who was hung on a meat hook, was actually held up by a nylon cord that ran between her legs causing a great deal of pain.
The original script was originally titled Leatherface but was switched to Head Cheese and finally The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The human skeleton in the house at the end of the movie was a real human skeleton. A real skeleton from India was much cheaper than a plastic one.
The soundtrack contains animal sounds from inside a slaughterhouse.
Marilyn Burn's costume was so drenched in fake blood that it was virtually solid by the end of the shoot.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: DEMON UNDER GLASS
Demon Under Glass (2002) trivia:
The novel, written by Deborah Warner (as D.L. Warner), on which the film is based, was published the same year as the film's release.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: SILVER BULLET
Silver Bullet (1985) trivia:
Filming began without a werewolf costume.
Actor Gary Busy ad-libbed a lot of his lines. Stephen King gave his approval for the improv.
A mob gathers at Owen's Bar. Owen is the name of Stephen King's son.
Early drafts of the script had the werewolf speaking. This was changed, leaving the werewolf with no lines in the film.
THE MUPPETS HATE GOING TO THE MOVIES TOO
I love movies but I'm not a big fan of going to the theater, mainly because of the annoying people around me. It's bad enough I'm forced to watch commercials before the movie (since I paid for the movie, why the hell am I watching commercials?), but the idiots with their cell phones texting and talking during the film make me want to avoid new releases all together. Theater attendance would increase if the lazy theater managers would enforce their own policies and booted these jackasses out of the cinema so the rest of us could enjoy the flick.
THE THING: THE MUSICAL
Jon and Al Kaplan are at it again, this time bringing us The Thing: The Musical.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: [REC]
[REC] (2007) trivia:
No sets were made for the movie. The film was shot in real locations.
None of the actors knew the fireman was going to fall from the stairs, the reactions of the actors are real.
The DVD wasn't released in the US until after the American remake, Quarantine, was out in theaters and a sequel, [REC]2, was confirmed.
The character of the cameraman, Pablo, is never seen in the film although he can be heard and his shadow is visible.
Monday, October 10, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: BELOW
Below (2002) trivia:
Darren Aronofsky co-wrote the screenplay and was originally going to direct the film but chose to make Requiem for a Dream instead.
Originally Frank Sinatra's "I'll Be Seeing You" was to be the song playing mysteriously on the record player but the studio couldn't obtain the rights. Benny Goodman's "Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)" was chosen as a replacement.
Some of the filming actually took place on a WW2 submarine.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: ZOMBIE HONEYMOON
Zombie Honeymoon (2004) trivia:
The movie won a Chainsaw Award in 2006 for the best low budget film.
The video clerk was wearing a t-shirt with the zombie from Lucio Fulci's classic, Zombi.
Writer/director David Gebroe inspiration for the film came from his sister and brother-in-law. In March 2002, his sister's husband died in a surfing accident. Many of the details in the movie mirror his sister's story, including her art and her plan to move to Portugal with her husband. Gebroe was inspired by his sister's love and devotion, "It's about how terrifying it is to dedicate yourself wholly and completely to a relationship in the knowledge that one day that person might be taken from you just like that."
Saturday, October 8, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: DAWN OF THE DEAD
Dawn of the Dead (1978) trivia:
The gun shop in the film was never part of the Monroeville Mall. Director, George A. Romero shot the scenes in a gun shop in downtown Pittsburgh and edited in the footage.
The two zombie kids who attack Peter in the airport chart house are played by the real-life niece and nephew of makeup artist, Tom Savini.
The zombie children are the only zombies in all of Romero's movies that run and never do the trademark "zombie shuffle".
The voice of George A. Romero's wife, Christine Forrest, can be heard on a pre-recorded announcement in the mall.
The fake blood was a mixture of food coloring, peanut butter and cane sugar syrup.
Some of the zombies are actual amputees.
This is Romero's favorite film in the "Dead" series.
Friday, October 7, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: BASKET CASE
Basket Case (1982) trivia:
When Duane checks into the Hotel Broslin, he takes out a wad of cash. According to the director, Frank Henenlotter, this was the entire budget of the film.
Most of the credits at the end of the film are fake. The crew was so small, they'd rather repeat create new names than use the same names over and over.
One of the death scenes was so disturbing, the crew walked out of the production. This would happen again in Frank Henenlotter's next film, Brain Damage.
In addition to working the puppet of the brother, Kevin Van Hentenryck also performed the voice of the mutant twin.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
BLACK C-3PO
TheDGentlemen give us "Black C-3PO":
"During the re-release of the original Star Wars movies to Blu-Ray, George Lucas had been toying with the idea of having a 'more modern, urban sounding' C-3PO. This was the result."
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE HILLS HAVE EYES
The Hills Have Eyes (1977) trivia:
The dead dog that was slaughtered was believed to be a dummy but was actually a real, although already dead, dog. Director Wes Craven purchased the deceased mutt from the county sheriff's department.
The film is inspired by actual events. The 1400's legend of Sawney Beane and his family, consisting of 8 sons and 6 daughters, roamed Scotland where they captured, tortured and ate several transients. They were captured, judged to be insane and executed without trial.
Many of the props in the family's cave is from the film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Actress Dee Wallace is terrified of spiders and had no problem acting scared in her scene with the tarantula.
Wes Craven wanted the baby killed in the film but the cast and crew threatened to quit if the scene was in the movie.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON
An American Werewolf in London (1981) trivia:
All the songs in the movie have the word "moon" in the title.
Actor David Naughton was cast because director, John Landis, had seen him in a commercial for Dr. Pepper.
Due to the the incredible makeup and effects in the movie, a new category honoring makeup and technical contributions was created by the Academy Awards. Makeup artist Rick Baker was the first person to receive an Oscar for his makeup in a motion picture.
The final look of the werewolf was based on Rick Baker's dog, Bosko.
Unlike most movies, the film was shot in sequence, with the opening scenes filmed first and the closing scenes filmed last.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
SCREAM OF THE DAY: THE EXORCIST
The Exorcist (1973) trivia:
Ellen Burstyn received a permanent injury during filming. A harness was used to throw her away from her possessed daughter but the director, William Friedkin, didn't think it looked convincing. He ordered the crew to pull the harness harder, jerking her so hard she fell on her coccyx, causing spinal damage to the actress.
Reverend Billy Graham proclaimed a demon lived in the film reels of the movie.
Three beds were used in the film to provide three separate movements.
Deemed too shocking for the UK, the movie was banned until 1999, when the British Board of Film Censors finally gave their approval.
Director Stanley Kubrick wanted to helm the film but only if he could produce it himself. The studio declined afraid he would go over budget and over schedule.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
