Witchcraft (1964)

This is a very obscure and charming old 60's gothic horror called "Witchcraft." Directed by Don Sharp, and starring Lon Chaney junior, Jack Hedley and Yvette Reese. (Note here that not all of the actors are mentioned but just a couple of them. You can find them on Internet Movie Database cast). 

This is quite a sinister story, and not just a zombie/undead theme of a 17th Century witch from the grave. The witch in the subject of the movie is seeking revenge, also to assist frightening people to death. I don't want to explain too much as it will spoil it for all those who've not seen it. 

Blood Strawberry's rating: 7/10

Fun facts: The film contained a coven of 13 witches. There were 13 cast members. A real house was used that was going to be demolished anyway. 

Info: Alone this horror flick wasn't successful so in 1964 it was double-billed with a black comedy film called "The Horror of It All." It was also double-billed with a supernatural mystery called "House of the Damned."

Warning: It can give chills.

Howls ^^ 

The tree dead

Two grisly accounts of dead bodies found inside trees is the subject for today's "creepy facts" post. 

Okay the first is the famous "Stuckie", a mummified dog who was found inside a tree. In 1980, Georgia, USA, a chestnut oak was being cut by loggers when they were horrified to meet the remains of a dead dog staring at them from within the hollow of a tree. It's assumed the dog might've chased a squirrel and found itself stuck within the tree, unable to escape. Its sounds of distress would've been muffled by the wood. Tests done on the corpse estimated it died between 50 and 60 years ago. The tree creates a natural fluid called tannin that kept the dog from decomposing. 

The second story is famous and concerns a woman's skeleton inside a tree. In 1943, four boys were out in Hagley Wood, Worcestershire, for hunting (actually foraging or even poaching, whatever they could get during wartime Britain). They came to a wych elm tree and hoped to find a birds nest with eggs or mushrooms, but instead were in for a shock when they discovered a human skeleton. The body was really in pieces, for the skull was separated from the body, with taffeta stuffed in the mouth, and the hand was nearby with finger bones around the tree. What followed was graffiti relating to the skeleton that appeared, which said "Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?" It's still a mystery today.

Blood Strawberry ^^

Spider Baby

This is a very kooky film, in black-and-white, called "Spider Baby". It was made in 1967 directed by Jack Hill, and stars Lon Chaney Junior, Carol Ohmart, Quinn Redeker and Jill Banner. 

It's basically about a girl named Virginia that thinks she's a spider, and so she eats bugs and kills people. It's more than that. She lives in a rundown manor house, and has a sister and brother. Virginia, her brother Ralph and sister Elizabeth, are all very disturbed because they're inbred and suffer Merrye Syndrome. They behave like children even though they're adults. A chauffer is also a butler and carer of these three bizarre siblings, who raised them all since their parents died. The house itself is full of hidden secrets and dangers. 

While this is a dark comedy, it also comes across as a thriller, but falls back into manic daftness. A gothic insane film that deserves 7 stars for its sheer popcorn entertainment. 

Fun facts: This film was adapted into a musical on theatre in 2004. The film was given a number of other titles such as "Cannibal Orgy," "The Liver Eaters" and "The Maddest Story Ever Told" but I much prefer the quaint "Spider Baby" as it gives the film extra charm. 

Info: A remake of "Spider Baby" has been considered but it's been in the pipeline for almost fifteen years now. So far there isn't any mention about it. The original was a sheer gem and maybe not all films can have remakes. 

Warnings: Anyone with arachnophobia shouldn't watch this flick.

Howls ^^