RAY DENNIS STECKLER

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RAY DENNIS STECKLER

Sinister Cinema is proud to announce the aquisition of nine titles from cult classic director, Ray Dennis Steckler. These nine videos all come in beautiful color packaging and have personal introductions by Ray himself. In addition, the 3/4" video maste rs have all been created from film elements right out of Rays personal library. The quality is stunning.
If you have an appreciation for quality low budget films that rose far above their economic, technical, and physical limitations, then the films of Ray Dennis Steckler (aka Cash Flagg) are right up your alley. Experience the hip horror of THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES, the nail-biting terror of THE THRILL KILLERS, The absurd wackiness of RAT PFINK A BOO BOO and THE LEMON GROVE KIDS, the dark, sadistic mood of LAS VEGAS SERIAL KILLER, the low key humor an d mystery thrills of BODY FEVER, or the good old fashioned horror elements of BLOOD SHACK. Between them there's something for everybody!
Film making at its freest was probably never more in evidence than in Ray's movies. There's no denying that they have their own distinct style and a uniqueness that can only be described as, 'Stecklarian'.

BLOOD SHACK

(1971 aka THE CHOOPER) Carolyn Brandt, Ron Haydock, Jason Wayne, John Bates, Laurel Spring. A genuinely creepy film about a movie actress (Ray's real life wife Carolyn, playing herself), who inherits a ranch with a haunted shack on t he premises. An ancient indian devil god known as 'the Chooper' is believed to have committed many horrendous slayings there, including the recent murder of a young girl who spent the night trying to find out if the shack was really haunted. Will Caroly n be the next victim of the sword wielding, hooded monster? A nail biting, PSYCHO-like atmosphere prevails in many of the films more horrific moments. From 35mm. RS05

BLOOD SHACK

(1971 aka THE CHOOPER) DIRECTORS CUT! When this was made back in 71', Ray was faced with a distinct problem. He had a concept for an hour long horror film at a time when distributors weren't touching anything that ran under 70 min. Therefore, Ray was forced to pad the film with several minutes of extra footage consisting mainly of rodeo action shots and non-essential dialogue scenes. In this new edition, Ray has carefully stripped out the excess baggage and reconstructed the film to its original, intended running time of just under 60 min. The result is a much better paced and highly atmospheric production. Ray has also laid down a new music score to further enhance the mood of the picture. Completists will want to stick to the 70-plus minute original version, but for those interested in seeing what Ray originally had in mind, (and it's definitely a more entertaining version) then this one's for you. When ordering, list item number and specify, 'DIRECTORS CUT'. From 35mm. RS0 6

BODY FEVER

(1970, aka THE LAST ORIGINAL 'B' MOVIE aka SUPER COOL) Ray Dennis Steckler, Carolyn Brandt, Bernard Fein, Gary Kent, Brett Pearson. An nifty detective movie set in the sordid underworld of drug trafficking and prostitutes. The ruthle ss leader of a dope ring is after the woman who ripped him off. It's up to a Humphrey Bogart worshipping private eye named Charlie Smith, (played by Ray) to find her before the drug boss does. This was Ray's only venture into the detective film genre an d while the film is quite serious, he manages to successfully add a touch of low key wit to the proceedings. Interesting, exciting, and funny. Definitely worth a look. From 16mm. RS07

HOLLYWOOD STRANGLER MEETS THE SKIDROW SLASHER, THE

(1979) Pierre Agostino, Carolyn Brandt. Probably Ray's darkest movie. Two homicidal maniacs are on the loose. One slashing the throats of old alcoholic men, the other strangling young call gi rls. The two killers are strangely attracted towards each other which leads to a gruesome and bloody climax. Brutal, shocking, and gory. Ray directed under the pseudonym, Wolfgang Schmidt. Definitely rated 'R'. Nudity and violence. From 35mm. RS08

INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES, THE

(1964) Cash Flagg, Carolyn Brandt, Brett O'Hara, Atlas King, Sharon Walsh. Ray's most famous film is noteworthy for being the worlds first musical monster movie. U nder the alias Cash Flagg, Ray plays Jerry, a freeloader who finds himself strangely drawn to an eerie carnival sideshow where he's hypnotized by a gypsy fortune teller and turned into a murdering, hooded zombie. Hidden away in secret cages are other 'zo mbie-like' hypnosis victims whose faces have been disfigured with acid by the gypsy and her hunchback servant. At the films climax, the creatures break loose and go on a horrifying carnage of death. A beautifully photographed low budget gem which featur es several bizarre musical numbers, including the famous, "Mixed Up Zombie Stomp". Ray's real life wife, Carolyn Brandt, has a nice bit as an alcohol troubled hoofer. From 35mm. RS01

LAS VEGAS SERIAL KILLER

(1985) Pierre Agostino, Ron Jason, Kathryn Downy, Chris Cave, Tara McGowan. Although this was based in part on a true story, this grim film about a sadistic killer of young show girls and prostitutes is almost more of a f ollowup to HOLLYWOOD STRANGLER MEETS THE SKIDROW SLASHER than anything else. This time however, it's apparent that Ray (again as Wolfgang Schmidt) had more of a budget to work with as the end result is more polished and better paced. Rated 'R' for nudit y and violence. From 35mm. RS09

LEMON GROVE KIDS, THE

(1966 aka LEMON GROVE KIDS MEET THE MONSTERS) Cash Flagg, Mike Cannon, Carolyn Brandt, Coleman Francis. There was literally hours of Lemon Grove Kids footage shot by Ray back in the mid 60s. When released theatrically, it was all edited down into one long movie and circulated around the kiddie matinee circuit. Experience some of the wackiest humor ever put on film as Ray and his buddies do their amazing imitations of the Bowery Boys while battling aliens and monsters. Th ree complete shorts are featured in this complilation: THE LEMON GROVE KIDS, LEMON GROVE KIDS MEET THE GREEN GRASSHOPPER AND THE VAMPIRE LADY FROM OUTER SPACE, and LEMON GROVE KIDS GO HOLLYWOOD (much of which was not included in the theatrical release ve rsion). Ray's imitation of Huntz Hall is virtually perfect. Try to imagine him and Sammy Petrillo together. From 16mm. RS03

RAT PFINK A BOO BOO

(1966) Vin Saxon, Titus Moede, Carolyn Brandt, George Caldwell, Mike Kannon, James Bowie, Kogar the Ape. An almost indescribable film that has to be seen to be believed. Carolyn plays the girlfriend of rock singer Lonnie Lor d. When she's terrorized and kidnapped by a gang of thugs, Lonnie and his moronish gardner then swing into action as the title characters. Almost dreamlike in its moodswings from crime-suspense to psycho-terror to pure camp-comedy. Original title was RA T PFINK AND BOO BOO but the guy at the film lab blew it while making up the title cards. A black and white film with several sections shot in various sepia tones. From 35mm. RS04

THRILL KILLERS, THE

(1965 aka THE MANIACS ARE LOOSE) Cash Flagg, Brick Bardo, Herb Robins, Liz Renay, Keith O'Brien, Gary Kent, Carolyn Brandt. Considered by many (including us) to be Ray's best movie. The riveting, nail biting story of psycho killer, Mad Dog Click, (played to the hilt by Ray) who kills to satisfy his perverse hatred towards all people. Also on the loose is his equally looneytunes brother and his two ax-wielding buddies who've recently escaped from the looney bin. An aspiring actor and his wife are caught in the middle of their bloodthirsty insanity. The grueling chase scene with Carolyn Brandt is a real knuckle whitener. An excellent, low budget, black and white shocker that rises far above its budgetary limitations. Much in the tradition of THE SADIST. Look for Arch Hall, Sr. in a small cameo as himself. Our print features the opening, color introduction by well known hypnotist, Amazing Ormand, which was added to the film during its re-release. A must see. From 35mm. RS02

ALSO AVAILABLE!...

STECKLER INTERVIEWS, vol. 1 , THE

. In this first volume of an ongoing series of interviews, Ray talks all about the making of THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED UP ZOMBIES. Interviewed by California critic John Roberts, hear Ray talk about why the film was shot around the Angels Flight historical monument. Find out what it was like for the cast and crew to shoot all the films musical numbers in one day. You'll also hear many humorous stories about the product ion, including the time Ray locked Carolyn Brandt in her dressing room while he was doing closeups of young male dancers! Hear about this and many other aspects concerning the making of this cult classic, accompanied by clips from the film itself. PLEAS E NOTE: This hour long interview tape is available for the low price of only $12.95 plus $2.05 for packaging, handling, and postage. However, buy any 5 Steckler titles at the same time and receive this outstanding tape absolutely free of charge. RS10 THE FOLLOWING RAY STECKLER FILMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE:

EEGAH

(1962) Arch Hall, Jr., Marilyn Manning, William Waters, Richard Keil. A camp classic. Arch's good looking girlfriend is abducted by a giant caveman living in a desert cave. Arch comes to the rescue only to find himself threatened by the towering beast. This movie's a scream! Ray was behind the camera on this one. From 35mm. S162

SECRET FILE HOLLYWOOD

(1962) Robert Clarke, Francine York, Syd Mason. As camerman, Ray mentioned to his producers that the microphone was hanging too low in many of the scenes being shot. They told him not to worry because the aperture plates i n most theatrical projectors would mask it all out. Boy, were they wrong. Microphones are all over the place in this wildly entertaining exploitation schlocker about an ex-detective who digs up dirt for a Hollywood scandal sheet. One of his stories cau ses a tragic suicide. From 35mm. X064

SINTHIA, THE DEVIL'S DOLL

(1968) Shula Roan, Diane Webber. Weird nightmarish stuff directed by Ray under the name, Sven Christian. A young girl is lost between reality and dreams as she's haunted by a twisted, recurring nightmare of killing her father. Devil Possession?..find out when you watch. This was the closest Ray ever came to making an 'arty' horror film. Definitely rated 'R'. From 16mm. H181

WILD GUITAR

(1962) Arch Hall, Jr., Cash Flagg, William Waters, Nancy Czar, Carolyn Brandt. Ray's directorial debut finds Arch playing a young rock and roll wannabe who comes to Hollywood seeking fame. He falls in with a sleazy record producer w ho takes advantage of him, but his character is so ignorant and gullible that you really don't seem to mind. Ray (as Cash Flagg) is priceless as a strong-arm man working for the record producer. From 35mm. JS25

WILD ONES ON WHEELS

(1962) Francine York, Robert Blair, Ray Dennis Steckler, Edmund Tontini. Ray is priceless as a hip, beatnikish member of a ruthless sportscar gang. The gang members stalk an ex-con and his lady into the desert where a treas ure in stolen cash is buried. Murder and mayhem follow. Ray also served as camerman. JS20

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