A BRIEF SCARY HISTORY OF NURSERY RHYMES

Just because I'm thinking of horror movies right now with the passing of Wes Craven, I thought I would share some scary thoughts.

One of the great elements of a scary movie has always been (to me at least) creepy nursery rhymes. The late great horror master Wes Craven knew this all too well.

This goes back to the very origins of some nursery rhymes.

Most people don't realize the nursery rhyme "RING-A-RING OF ROSIES" is about the Bubonic plague. The rosies in the verse are the red boils around the neck of those infected with the Black Death. The posies are the herbs people carried, hoping it would protect them from becoming infected. Ashes, ashes, all fall down refers to the burning of the bodies of the infected.  

In "NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET," Wes Craven created one of the most memorable scary nursery rhymes: "One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, better stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again."

That's pretty classic.

It even inspired the nursery rhyme I came up with for the rocker who sold his soul to the Devil in my novel "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY." "Play it backwards, summon him back. The Demon Jeremy will attack. Through the soul or through the flesh, the front man eternal will not rest. One night only to find your sin. One soul out, another soul in."

Anyway, hope you're sufficiently creeped out.

The Demon Jeremy

MYTHOLOGY OF A BLACK ALBUM

"Five members who could not be tamed, sold their souls for fortune and fame. Formed their spell-circle in Satan's name. In the pit of Hell, they burn by flame.

MATHALUH LIVES!

IMAGES FROM A CURSED MOVIE

With production of the "POLTERGEIST" reboot and interesting little horror films like "IT FOLLOWS" hitting theaters (I enjoyed it), my thoughts now more than ever turn to the little horror film I directed that went horribly horribly wrong in the Arrowhead Mountains of California.

It was just supposed to be a micro-budget shocker based on the Urban legend of a Rock band that quite literally went to Hell. 

Images have been invading my thoughts and dreams - or rather nightmares - as of late and I wonder to myself does the curse of The Black Album still go on.

I thought when I buried the movie and saw to it that it never saw the light of day, the curse would be over.

And it was... for awhile.

So, if I have to suffer, I figure I'd give you some images to haunt your dreams.

Resurrection of the Demon Jeremy

Images courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM"

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

This FRIDAY THE 13TH you can download a free copy of "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY." 

The promotion starts Friday and runs throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the horror that was INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS.

GET YOUR FREE COPY

Rise of the Demon Jeremy.

HORROR NEVER SLEEPS

It seems that this is as true a thing as anything for horror fans. HORROR NEVER SLEEPS! 

Horror doesn't hibernate until Halloween, hiding in the shadows like a timid groundhog.  Even in a crazy season like this, when peace on earth, good will to man is the central theme.

For a true horror fan everyday is a good day to see a horror movie. Case in point, last night I watched a new release on Netflix, "RAGNAROK," a Spielbergian style action adventure/ horror film from Norway of all places. I enjoyed it and had my fix for the evening. It wasn't cheesy. The directing and the acting was very very good. It's PG-13, so not much gore. But a lot of fun.

Right about now, I'm tempted to surf the Web for a Santa Claus slasher film. You know, the ones where ole' Saint Nick takes a chainsaw or hatchet to a bunch of naughty college kids (oh what fun).

Or... if I'm in a really sickly sweet yuletide kinda mood tonight , I'll dig out "THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS." Or maybe some horror hi-jinx with Johnny Depp in the demented "ED WOOD."

Which brings me to "THE BLACK ALBUM: A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY," inspired by true events.  I'm pulling edited scenes from the original movie now to use in the documentary I'm producing with Beauregard Freidkin. I'm also trying to get ahold of some necessary stock footage. After that, I will track down the participants in the original movie and get interviews for the documentary.

There are a couple of things in the works for the new reboot movie that I'm excited about, but it's way too early for me to say anything yet.

Enjoy your holidays, grab a beer, get a scare. 

I know I will.

Footage courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM"
The scariest movie you'll never see.

POSSIBLE NEW POSTER FOR THE REBOOT MOVIE

Just thought I'd share this new image a very talented graphic designer came up with for my producer. It's a possibility for the reboot movie poster.

What do you think?

THE DOCUMENTARY

Well, hell, I have been moving slow on my documentary about "THE BLACK ALBUM." But it is coming. 

Being both boss and employee, I am spread a little thin these days.

As I said before, it will be made as part of the "MIDNITE REVIEW" documentary series, produced by myself and my partner Beauregard Freidkin, who will also serve as documentary narrator. He's a little camera shy, so I don't know if we'll actually get him in front of the screen.

I'm almost finished pre-production. Aside from that, I only need one more camera lens, a headset, and a sun hood for my camera... then we're off and running.

This weekend I helped a friend shoot something of his. I forgot how much I love production. I love writing, but to me writing seems like one piece of the equation. Since I always see my writing visually in my head, shooting is the next logical step in the process. 

I can't wait to get back out in the field. True it's not a movie (yet), but it should do for now.

Images courtesy of "THE BLACK ALBUM,"
the scariest movie you'll never see.