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  • #31
    Years ago there was a cool website that reviewed horror paperback originals from the 70's and 80's. It might have been run by the same folks who did the outstanding book PAPERBACKS FROM HELL. It inspired me to acquire some of these, one of which is the 1977 novel ELIZABETH by Jessica Hamilton (a pseudonym for Ken Greenhall), which is covered in the paperback overview. I started it a while back, but I just finished it up.

    I also finished TWISTED TALES by Bruce Jones. I bought this anthology because I really liked the clever twists in the stories Jones wrote for Eclipse Comics.

    Now I'm starting on my next Laymon book, ONE RAINY NIGHT. I'm about 50 pages in, and so far it's really good.
    VHS will never die!

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    • #32
      Which TWISTED TALES anthology did you read? Or were you reading the original floppies from Pacific? Those were excellent.

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      • #33
        Originally posted by Marshall Crist View Post
        Which TWISTED TALES anthology did you read? Or were you reading the original floppies from Pacific? Those were excellent.
        It's this paperback, published by Blackthorne:

        https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...richard-corben
        VHS will never die!

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        • #34
          Wow, I'm not sure I've ever seen that before. If you feel like it, I'd love to know some of the stories that appear in it.

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          • #35
            I've never seen that before either and would also appreciate more info!
            Rock! Shock! Pop!

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            • #36
              I'm giving Joe Lansdale's THE COMPLETE DRIVE-IN another go. First book is great so far, but I don't remember the first book being the problem.

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              • #37
                Originally posted by Marshall Crist View Post
                Wow, I'm not sure I've ever seen that before. If you feel like it, I'd love to know some of the stories that appear in it.
                The contents of the paperback are as follows:

                The Waiting Game
                Roomers
                The Hollow
                Pride of the Fleet
                Jessie's Friend
                Over His Head
                Black Death
                Cycle
                Good Neighbor
                Children of the Stars
                The Apartment
                Rendezvous
                Members Only


                Just to be clear, these are short stories: prose only, no illustrations. The reason I bought the book is because, as I mentioned, I really like the sometimes horrid twists in Jones's comic book stories. I especially recall the one about the guy who goes to an island to pursue a young woman he is attracted to, despite being warned about some monster. He is greeted by a disgusting humanoid creature, which he thinks is the monster he was cautioned about. But of course, if you've already read this one, you know that - SPOILER ALERT - it's actually her last suitor, turned inside out (but somehow still able to walk around) by the real monster, a gargantuan beast patrolling the island as her protector. This worked in the way that comic stories can make outrageous premises work. Unfortunately, the tales in this book didn't work for me; most are either too conventional or feature unsatisfying, flat endings.

                Anyway, because I mentioned it, I've also started reading PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, which I had not actually read cover-to-cover yet. I'll add this to the Laymon book and SHIVERS (which I'm still getting through). I always like to be reading a novel and a short story collection at the same time, and occasionally a non-fiction book as well (in this case, a non-fiction book about fiction).

                By the way, Marshall, you may not believe this, but I had not read the "Gore Shriek" thread until after I made my post about the Jones book, so it's a total coincidence you wrote about him and his work for Pacific Comics the day before.
                VHS will never die!

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                • #38
                  Just finished "Socialism Sucks" which is a look at the economic troubles of it. The two authors/professors drink beer in such countries that practice it and its a pretty good read. Not too preachy.

                  Now I'm reading The Omen. What a little novel at only 200 pages. The demon nanny just showed up.

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                  • #39
                    Originally posted by Lorne Marshall View Post

                    Anyway, because I mentioned it, I've also started reading PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, which I had not actually read cover-to-cover yet. I'll add this to the Laymon book and SHIVERS (which I'm still getting through). I always like to be reading a novel and a short story collection at the same time, and occasionally a non-fiction book as well (in this case, a non-fiction book about fiction).
                    Paperbacks From Hell is a terrific book, Lorne. That's one I need to reread in the near future. And I think this is the blog you mentioned earlier (still being updated) - http://toomuchhorrorfiction.blogspot.com/. It seems to me there was another vintage horror fiction blog too though.

                    I'm reading my last Jack Reacher I had here - Nothing To Lose - I'm still intent on reading the Swamp Thing collection but, damn, I just love these Reacher books so I had to burn through this 500 pager. I'm down to a handful left of the 25 or so books Lee Child has written and it's going to be a sad day when I'm done. The books are such a killer combination of mystery and pure ass kicking. And Reacher's oh-so-dry sense of humor is the crowning touch. I laugh out loud all the time reading these.
                    I don't go to church. Kneeling bags my nylons.

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                    • #40
                      Originally posted by Andrew Monroe View Post
                      Paperbacks From Hell is a terrific book, Lorne. That's one I need to reread in the near future. And I think this is the blog you mentioned earlier (still being updated) - http://toomuchhorrorfiction.blogspot.com/. It seems to me there was another vintage horror fiction blog too though.
                      Yeah, I do occasionally visit the link you provided, Andrew (and I notice it's even mentioned in the book). The one that originally got me interested was indeed the defunct one you alluded to. The only thing that got tiresome about that one was the proprietor included way too much unrelated political stuff in his blog. (Don't get me wrong, I love politics; there's just a time and place for everything.)
                      VHS will never die!

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Originally posted by Lorne Marshall View Post
                        The contents of the paperback are as follows:

                        The Waiting Game
                        Roomers
                        The Hollow
                        Pride of the Fleet
                        Jessie's Friend
                        Over His Head
                        Black Death
                        Cycle
                        Good Neighbor
                        Children of the Stars
                        The Apartment
                        Rendezvous
                        Members Only


                        Just to be clear, these are short stories: prose only, no illustrations. The reason I bought the book is because, as I mentioned, I really like the sometimes horrid twists in Jones's comic book stories. I especially recall the one about the guy who goes to an island to pursue a young woman he is attracted to, despite being warned about some monster. He is greeted by a disgusting humanoid creature, which he thinks is the monster he was cautioned about. But of course, if you've already read this one, you know that - SPOILER ALERT - it's actually her last suitor, turned inside out (but somehow still able to walk around) by the real monster, a gargantuan beast patrolling the island as her protector. This worked in the way that comic stories can make outrageous premises work. Unfortunately, the tales in this book didn't work for me; most are either too conventional or feature unsatisfying, flat endings.

                        Anyway, because I mentioned it, I've also started reading PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, which I had not actually read cover-to-cover yet. I'll add this to the Laymon book and SHIVERS (which I'm still getting through). I always like to be reading a novel and a short story collection at the same time, and occasionally a non-fiction book as well (in this case, a non-fiction book about fiction).

                        By the way, Marshall, you may not believe this, but I had not read the "Gore Shriek" thread until after I made my post about the Jones book, so it's a total coincidence you wrote about him and his work for Pacific Comics the day before.
                        Thanks for the rundown on the TWISTED TALES book. It struck a very dim chord with my aged mind.

                        That story from the comics series you described ("Hooked!," if memory serves) was a favorite. Oh, how I wanted to make an anthology movie based on those stories! Would have used that one for sure.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Got the new issue of Shock Cinema today. It has a GREAT interview with P.J. Soles. She is very honest and frank about her various costars. Really interesting and funny read. She tells an awesome story about having The Ramones over to her apartment for Christmas dinner while shooting ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL. They got there and she had cooked a turkey and all the trimmings and they told her they didn't eat that stuff so she had to send Dennis Quaid out for a pizza. Lynda Day George is also interviewed in this issue, she says PIECES is one film she did that she "wouldn't want to cuddle up on the sofa and watch."
                          Andrew Monroe
                          Pallid Hands
                          Last edited by Andrew Monroe; 08-08-2020, 05:04 PM.
                          I don't go to church. Kneeling bags my nylons.

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                          • #43
                            Ha, Christmas with The Ramones and PJ Soles, what an image.

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                            • #44
                              The PJ Ramones story was told in a book or documentary years ago. For some reason I always think it was a Thanksgiving dinner.

                              I really need to just go ahead and sub to Shock Cinema. Been trying to sub to the few genre film mags left. Subbed to Phantom of the Movies Videoscope. And order every issue of Sleazefiend Magazine when they come out.

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                              • #45
                                Been rereading Albert Camus' THE PLAGUE whilst camping last week.
                                'You know, I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like. Still the same. Pissholes in the snow'

                                http://www.paul-a-j-lewis.com (my photography website)
                                'All explaining in movies can be thrown out, I think': Elmore Leonard

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