Magnum, p.i. (1982) – Past Tense and Black on White

  Things are rough in Hawaii this week for Thomas (Tom Selleck) and the guys! First up is Past Tense, which originally aired 21 October, 1982 and was written by Reuben Leder. It features an appearance by Ice Pick (Walter Chotzen) but the role was later recast. When conflicting schedules cause T.C. (Roger E. Mosley)…

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) – John Frankenheimer

  No matter how bad your Monday is, it can’t be as bad as this travesty that I ventured into with the Sci-Fi Chronicles book as I continue to take a look at the cinematic interpretations of the work of HG Wells. A director, who worked on developing the film for four years was replaced…

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) – Don Taylor 

  The journey into the Sc-Fi Chronicles continues as we move onto the cinematic interpretation of the work of  H.G. Wells. A prolific author who has created some amazing tales, the next one that we take a look at is The Island of Dr. Moreau , I’d previously taken a look at the Island of…

Doctor Who (Jon Pertwee) – The Time Monster

  Season 9 of Doctor Who comes to a close with this six-part story that was written by Robert Sloman and aired from 20 May to 24 June, 1972. With a premonition that The Master (Roger Delgado) is back, the Doctor (Pertwee) warns UNIT, and the Brigadier (Nicolas Courtney) to be on the look out, but when he…

Mysterious Island (1961) – Cy Endfield

  The Sci-Fi Chronicles book continues its exploration of the cinematic Jules Verne. I’ve previously covered the highly enjoyable Walt Disney version of 20,000 Leagues, so up next is Mysterious Island, which serves as a bit of a sequel to Leagues as it sees the appearance of Captain Nemo; this time played by Herbert Lom…

Doctor Who (Jon Pertwee) – The Sea Devils

  The Doctor (Pertwee) comes across the Silurians again in this six part-story, The Sea Devils, that was written by Malcolm Hulke and aired from 26 February to 1 April, 1972. Jo (Katy Manning) and The Doctor travel to a remote island off the coast of England where The Master (Roger Delgado) is currently incarcerated. What…

Books of Blood: Volume 1 – 3 (1984 – 1986) – Clive Barker

  There are few authors that can get under my skin with their stories and nightmare imagery. In fact there is only one, Clive Barker. With the imminent arrival of The Scarlet Gospels in May, I thought I would throw some of his books back into my reading cycle, and what better place to start…

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) – Charles Barton

  The Frankenstein cycle in the Sci-Fi Chronicles books takes a quirky turn (and not for the last time) into comedy as the Monster tests out his comedy feet in this Universal classic that was my introduction to the original monsters. Costello’s brain is up for grabs as Wilbur (Costello) is watched over by Sandra…

Airwolf (1984/1985) – Random Target and Condemned

  Stringfellow Hawke (Jan-Michael Vincent) and company take to the sky again this week in this week’s double episode. First up is Random Target, which aired 8 December, 1984 and was written by Westbrook Claridge, Herman Groves, Chester Krumholz and Paul Savage. Anne Lockhart guest stars as Sgt. Anne Brennan, a cop called in to…

Toronto After Dark: Solo (2013) – Isaac Cravit

  The Toronto After Dark Film Festival screened a couple of winners last night, the enjoyable Odd Thomas and the brilliant camp thriller, Solo. Gillian (Annie Clark) is the newest camp counsellor, and as such must do a solo two night camp out on a lone island. She is driven out by Fred (Richard Clarkin), and…