Seasonal Films – “The Unholy Three” – 1930 (100 years of Horror)

by: RFR Casket Crew Jigsaw Jim

"The Unholy Three" - 1930

Greetings Film Fiends and Deadites,

To kick off the 30s, I present “The Unholy Three” directed by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney, Sr. (in his last film), Mae Busch and Matt Moore. This 1930 “talkie” remaking of the 1925 silent film tells the story of murder and intrigue at a circus sideshow as several performers go on a crime spree.  Hard to find on Netflix but is available complete on You Tube. Drink a toast to Lon Chaney’s swan song.

Universal’s Long Awaited Halloween Horror Nights Has Arrived!

Screams will fill the darkness tonight as Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 21 officially opens at Universal Studios Florida. Starting tonight and running select nights through October 31, guests will confront extreme Halloween entertainment that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2011

Recently named “the country’s best Halloween event” for the fourth consecutive year by Amusement Today, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is not your typical Halloween event. Each year, the bar is raised as Universal Orlando creates original, horrifying experiences to entertain thousands of guests from all over the world.

This year’s event will be the most intense yet as Halloween Horror Nights 21 features ALL-NEW terrifying content. Guests will experience:

* Eight elaborate haunted houses, including the In-Between, where they’ll don 3-D glasses and enter an ominous portal filled with fiendish creatures; The Forsaken, where they’ll face the vengeful souls of a condemned ship; and Winter’s Night: The Haunting of Hawthorn Cemetery, where they’ll be haunted by the dead

* Six inescapable scarezones, like Acid Assault, where they’ll be surrounded by the vicious survivors of a city plagued with Acid Rain, and Your Luck Has Run Out, where they’ll take a chance and face the monstrous Lady Luck – the force behind this year’s event

* Two outrageous shows, including the return of the popular Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure and Death Drums, an all-new seductive drumming experience

Halloween Horror Nights 21 begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the event – or to purchase tickets – visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando. Due to the event’s popularity, tickets for weekend nights are expected to sell out and should be purchased well in advance.

Guests can get updates and exclusive details on Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights on the event’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/halloweenhorrornightsorlando) and www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com

Rotting Flesh Radio SHOW #247: Scare-A-Torium, Ashley Lawrence, The Attic and the Annual Haunt Tours!

SHOW NOTES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 SHOW #247

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THIS WEEK’S SHOW NOTES:
Alright all you Fright Freaks and Halloween Junkies, the Annual Haunt Tours have arrived! Yes, as we kick off the Annual Rotting Flesh Radio Haunt Tours by hitting the rode we have a jam packed Body Bag for you this week. To kick things off we have Kelly Collins from the Scare-A-Torium Haunted House stopping in with RFR Casket Crew’s Pierce on location during the build of the event.

In addition Haunted Europe is back and this month Mike is bringing you Micheal Bolton, the creator and brain behind Europe’s ScareCon! And Deadites, things don’t slow down yet, because Gruesome Joe is here with the Musical Morgue giving you an in-depth look at the Haunt Rocker’s newest release, The Attic.

We have a Body Bag full of Haunt Industry News and Events for the week and RFR Casket Crew Storm is here with another Halloween Rant In a Haunt Minute and Joey Blood is bringing you all the Bloody Blu-Ray releases for the week!

And Dog Soldier has a special treat for you as he brings us an exclusive interview with Hellraiser’s Ashley Lawrence! Jigsaw Jim is here with a Rancid Review of Sinister Cinema and we have all kinds of Morbid Goodies for you this week.

There are ALL-NEW Rules to Win the Screamline Studios Graverobbing Giveaway and Twisted Tunes from the Grave.

So all you Fright Freaks, Haunters and Halloween Junkies, you can…
Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away to Rotting Flesh Radio!

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Freaky Friday Film Review – “The Dark Secret of Harvest Home” – 1978

by: RFR Casket Crew Jigsaw Jim

The Dark Secret of Harvest Home (1978)

Greetings Film Fiends and Deadites,

Happy “Autumnal Equinox”! To commemorate this holiday I present a strange piece that was an NBC miniseries in 1978. Based on Tom Tryon’s 1973 novel, “The Dark Secret of Harvest Home”, directed by Leo Penn and starring Bette Davis, David Ackroyd, Rosanna Arquette and Rene Auberjonoiis, tells the story of a young couple moving to a small New England town that practices that “old time” religion.  Although the book was vastly superior to this miniseries, it is still worth a look. Hopefully it will give you some ideas at “planting time”.

Seasonal Films – “The Phantom Carriage – 1921 (100 years of Horror)

by: RFR Casket Crew Jigsaw Jim

The Phantom Carriage 1921

Greetings Film Fiends and Deadites,

Phew, I almost dropped the brain on this one! I was reminded by my friends at Rue Morgue Magazine about a 1921 Swedish film that greatly influenced future film makes (especially Ingmar Bergman). “The Phantom Carriage”, written, directed and starred Victor Sjöström; tells the tale that if you die at midnight on the last day of the year, you’re doomed to drive the carriage that reaps the souls of the dead for the upcoming year. Told in lots of flashbacks (very similar to “A Christmas Carol”) and the special effects (for the time) were superb. As stated, it has elements of The Christmas Carol redemption angle although the protagonist in this story is a real piece of sh*t. Available on You Tube and soon to be released on DVD and Blu-ray. Thanks again to all of the crew at Rue Morgue Magazine for the subtle reminder.

Grimm Fairy Tales – The Ugly Duckling

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

The Grimm Fairy Tales

When a young unattractive teen is tormented by her high school peers she makes a deal with Belinda and seeks out her own form of revenge. Now, ten years later, the once ugly duckling turned swan is living a successful life as a top model. However, on the night of her high school reunion, she’ll find that the deal she made many years ago is about to come to bite her.

He couldn’t have her as his own, so he killed her. In fact he killed many of ‘her’. Over and over and over, the swan killer has struck and he cannot be stopped. Events were set in motion years ago by Belinda, and now the psycho she helped create is loose and on the prowl. While stalking a new beautiful woman from afar, we learn of his past which will lead up to his next victim’s murder. She must die and he knows that he cannot stop himself – but maybe something else can.

Grimm Fairy Tales 36 Part 2

Those wacky people over at Grimm Fairy Tales have taken the much beloved children’s story The Ugly Duckling and twisted it for our entertainment. Actually they took the beloved story and have broken it into two parts. The first part, in issue 28, is a twist of The Ugly Duckling. The second part, The Swan is retold in issue 36. Put these two together and you have one grand twisted tale of revenge, murder and psychos – what more can a  Deadite wish for.

If you’ve never picked up a Grimm Fairy Tale, I implore you to do so. The thing I like about this series is how a innocent child’s tale can be twisted and folded and bent and come out the other side completely the same yet completely different. These books reminds me of a paper version of The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Darkside which are quite entertaining to watch. And like those TV shows, Grimm Fairy Tales continue to be quite entertaining to read.

Terror Behind The Walls Kicks Off Their 20th Anniversary with 2 ALL-NEW Attractions

The Terror Behind the Walls

Over the years of Rotting Flesh Radio doing Featured Haunt Tours all season long, a few times we have had the pleasure of experiencing The Terror Behind The Walls at the Eastern State Penn.

We have had the pleasure of seeing it behind the scenes, during the run, the after hours spooks and more. And now for their 20th Anniversary, it is ready to scare up a new generation!

Terror Behind the Walls, America’s largest haunted house, celebrates 20 years with two brand new, state-of-the-art attractions, a special Encore Night, and the return of the Eastern State After Dark VIP Tour.

Eastern State Penn's Terror Behind the Walls

Located inside the walls of Eastern State Penitentiary, a real massive abandoned prison at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, PA, Terror Behind the Walls attracts over 100,000 visitors from around the world and is consistently ranked among the top 10 haunted attractions in the country. In 2011, Terror Behind the Walls runs on select evenings from September 23 through November 12.

Two New Attractions:
For the first time ever, the event designers are launching two brand new attractions in a single year. The Gauntlet is a high energy opening attraction for the show, featuring overhead catwalks and custom props above an outdoor maze. The second new attraction, Break Out!, is a new finale consisting of an outdoor scare zone in the final courtyard before visitors leave the event.

The Eastern State Penn

20 Year Encore Night:
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Terror Behind the Walls, there will be a special encore performance on Saturday, November 12, 2011. On this night only, visitors will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with haunted house owners and operators from around the country who will be converging on Eastern State Penitentiary for a first ever postseason performance of Terror Behind the Walls. Also on hand will be paranormal celebrities talking about some of the firsthand experiences they’ve had with real ghosts inside the penitentiary complex. Admission to the event includes all six haunted attractions of Terror Behind the Walls. Tickets for Encore Night are limited and must be purchased in advance online.

Eastern State After Dark VIP Tour:
After an extremely popular first year, Eastern State Penitentiary’s “After Dark VIP Tour” returns for 2011. This ultimate Halloween experience begins with an hour-long, guided flashlight walking tour of this National Historic Landmark. Highlights include the cellblocks, Death Row, Al Capone’s cell, and the underground punishment cells below Cellblock 14. Following the tour, guests will be escorted to the front of the Terror Behind the Walls’ lines. Visitors can remember their evening with a souvenir photo, taken inside the penitentiary, and a special Terror Behind the Walls LED flashlight (included in admission).

Eastern State Penitentiary's Terror Behind the Walls

The “Eastern State After Dark VIP Tour” is $79 per person Sundays through Thursdays and $99 per person on Fridays and Saturdays. Available dates and times are listed on the Terror Behind the Walls website at www.EasternState.org/viptour . Each tour is limited to 20 people. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

A Massive Haunted House in a Real Prison:
Set inside the massive castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, the setting for Terror Behind the Walls is creepy in itself. Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. This gothic structure, with soaring 30-foot high fortress walls, is intimidating enough during the day. At night, the cellblocks fall into darkness, and the building becomes truly terrifying.

Terror Behind the Walls has grown from a single-night event in 1991 to a 29-night event with shows selling out far in advance. Nearly half of the visitors who attended the event in 2010 traveled to Philadelphia for the event, coming from as far as California, China and the United Kingdom, making this event a national and international destination for thrill-seekers and Halloween lovers.

An extraordinary theatrical production, Terror Behind the Walls features Hollywood-quality sets, custom-designed props, animatronics, and digital sound effects, all taking place within the walls of the prison. It takes an elite team of 14 makeup artists almost three hours to prepare the cast of more than 200 performers each evening.

Daytime Prison Tours:
In addition to the nighttime haunted attraction, Eastern State Penitentiary is a National Historic Landmark with a rich history that visitors can experience in the daylight. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 as the world’s first true “penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America’s most notorious criminals, including bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and Al Capone. Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone’s Cell, and Death Row. Eastern State Penitentiary is open every day year round from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for daytime prison tours. Admission includes “The Voices of Eastern State” Audio Tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi. For information on daytime historic tours, please visit www.EasternState.org or call (215) 236-3300.

About Terror Behind the Walls:
Terror Behind the Walls is located inside Eastern State Penitentiary at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, PA. Tickets for Terror Behind the Walls are available at the penitentiary box office or online at www.EasternState.org/tickets . Tickets range in price from $10-$15 for kids on family nights, to $20 on weeknights, $25 on Sunday nights, and $30 on Friday and Saturday nights. Group rates are available by calling (215) 236-5111 x16 or emailing boxoffice@easternstate.org. For more information, please visit www.TerrorBehindtheWalls.com or call (888) 763-NITE.

The Haunt Rocker’s “Headless Man” Music Video Keeping Halloween Alive

Walt Disney's Classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

The Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne recently released his newest Haunt-strumental CD, THE ATTIC and tune into the newest Rotting Flesh Radio for Show #247 to hear a full review from our RFR Casket Crew Gruesome Joe.

But until then, to kick off the Halloween and Haunt Season, back in 2007, Jerry asked me what would I like to hear to keep Halloween alive, I replied, the Bing Crosby classic Headless Man done Halloween Metal Style and he said “That’s what I had in mind too.”

So from there “The Haunt Rocker” Jerry Vayne (from Foxy Roxx) teamed up with Timm Tantrum (from Psycho Gypsy, Snake City Playboys, Fantom Black) and proceeded recreate the Bing Crosby/Disney classic “Headless Man”. It first aired on Rotting Flesh Radio and is a must to add to your Haunt and Halloween Party Mix!

To add to the fun on a song that never gets old, Here is a fun video Timm made for the track!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND KEEP IT LOUD…SIT BACK, RELAX AND ROT AWAY…

Morey’s FEARS: Terror on the Boardwalk is Coming

Morey Pier's FEARS

Imagine strolling through Morey’s Mariners Landing Pier at night without the welcoming light show of the Ferris wheel. Rides lie dark and dismantled. Somewhere in the distance there’s laughter, but it’s not the happy, carefree variety that comes with spinning the teacups too fast.

“Morey’s FEARS is designed to be one of the most intense Halloween attractions out there,” said Dino Fazio, Director of Pier Operations. “We’re putting our own twist on ten years of haunt research to make this event unforgettable.”

The Ghost Ship, having undergone numerous changes before the start of the 2011 season to make the experience more intense and immersive, will serve as a centerpiece for Morey’s FEARS.

“We’re significantly increasing the number of actors in the Ghost Ship,” said Terry O’Brien, Ghost Ship Manager. “It’s going to be a non-stop nightmare.”

Morey’s FEARS will feature a supercharged Ghost Ship experience, themed food and drink, dark versions of the Sea Serpent, Super Scooters, Teacups, Pirates of the Wildwoods, Rollie’s Coaster, Moby Dick and the Musik Express as well as a couple of all-new Morey’s FEARS only attractions, among other shocking surprises.

“Two new mazes have been designed in house by the talented team responsible for the hugely successful and ever-changing Ghost Ship,” said Jack Morey, Vice President of Morey’s Piers.

FEARS is Ready for YOU!

Walk through looming corn stalks in Cornstalkers – a horrifying corn maze situated on the beach near Mariner’s Landing featuring a custom soundtrack designed to disorient and terrify guests. In addition, clowns that no circus wanted run rampant in CarnEvil – a truly twisted carnival maze sprawling over one quarter of the pier. There will be plenty of other scream-inducing surprises packed into the pier as well.

A team of 16 makeup artists is preparing to mutate more than 50 actors into creepy clowns, living scarecrows and denizens of the undead with unique makeup looks.

“We’re working on hundreds of costumes for various characters,” said O’Brien. “Our actors will be clad in a variety of shop made and hand crafted costumes, all designed to instill fear and unease in any guest unfortunate enough to encounter them.”

Morey’s FEARS – Terror on the Boardwalk will take place on Fri. and Sat. nights, Oct. 14 through 29 from 6:30-11 p.m. This is a gated event and admission will be required. Tickets are $25 and include unlimited access to all available rides and attractions for the night.

Be warned: Morey’s FEARS is NOT for the faint of heart (or children under 8). Guests are not permitted to wear masks, costumes and/or makeup to the event.

For more information about Morey’s Fears – Terror on the Boardwalk visit: www.MoreysPiers.com/fears

Charity and Non-Profit Haunts Can Enjoy All New Halloween Banners at DPSBanners

All-New Generic Halloween Banners

Digital Pre-Press Services, Inc. has just released their Fall holiday Halloween banners and signs lineup. This year DPS has a full range of unique and creative pre-made Halloween banners to suit anyone’s personal or professional needs.

The Halloween banners created for the 2011 Halloween season are made to be bold and engaging. Many of these pre-made Halloween banner designs make use of fun cartoon-like characters to represent the many varying elements of the Halloween.

A feature DPSBanners.com also offers is the ability to add a certain level of customization to some of these pre-made Halloween banners. These semi-customizable vinyl banners are the best of the custom banner design and pre-made banner offerings. Companies and individuals get the message they want without having to design the Halloween banner themselves.

On the site, customers will be able to browse Halloween banners that are made for retail sales as well as those designed for events and general use. Many homeowners love the idea of displaying Halloween banners during the holiday or at Halloween parties and DPS makes this thought an affordable reality. Companies on the other hand, rely on Halloween banners to bring in Halloween sales such as costume and accessory sales, Halloween decor sales, general retail holiday sales and much more.

DPS understands there is a great need for Halloween banners throughout the holiday and for a short time is offering 5% off pre-made banner design orders over $50. No coupon is necessary and the discount applies directly during checkout.

For additional information and details on DPS Halloween banners, please visit http://www.dpsbanners.com.

About Digital Pre-Press Services, Inc.:
Founded in 1996, Digital Pre-Press Services, Inc. is visible online at DPSBanners.com and on location in Glendale, California. The company provides simple, affordable and professionally designed banners that can be personalized and customized exclusively online. Through the site, DPS has a wide array of products including banner stands, window clings, car magnets, retractable banner stands, sidewalk signs, pre-designed banners and more.