Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

If you've watched the movie Juno, you probably remember one scene that shows an excerpt from an old horror movie, The Wizard of Gore. As a fan of such movies, this had piqued my interest, so I eventually picked up a box of three movies by Wizard's director, H. Gordon Lewis. The movies (his "Blood Trilogy" of Blood Feast, 2000 Maniacs and Color Me Blood Red) were schlocky but fun, motivating me to pick up a second collection which, among other movies, includes Wizard of Gore. This set is the H. Gordon Lewis collection.

H. Gordon Lewis directed and produced movies from the 1960s into the early `70s. All independently made on shoestring budgets, they hardly have the look of studio fare. In addition, Lewis knew that to make money, he'd have to cross certain boundaries of "good taste", at first with sex, then with violence. It was great stuff for teens and young adults. By the time of the movies in this set, Lewis had really carved his own little niche: he knew he was not making classics, but he also knew he was bringing in the audiences.

The first film in this set is Gruesome Twosome, a comic movie about an old lady who runs a wig shop with her demented son (she's not all there, herself). She advertises a room for rent to attract young college girls, who too late find out that they are to be killed and scalped to provide new material. I guess it's one of those things you learn about places to avoid, like those shops that offer "special meat" dishes. Along with the movie is a short on wig making.

A Taste of Blood, by far Lewis's longest horror movie (at nearly two hours), is a reworking of the Dracula story, with an heir of the legendary vampire taking on his ancestor's traits. To fully take on his dark powers, he must kill descendants of characters from the Stoker novel; fortunately, a Van Helsing descendant is catching on that there's a new Dracula about. This disc also has an "archival nudie" silent short called Nighmare at Elm Manor.

Something Weird is, well something weird. It's also the name of the video company putting out these DVDs. The story has something to do with a man who is electrocuted and takes on psychic powers, though he was scarred in the process. A witch restores his good looks in exchange for his being her lover. There's also a serial killer about, which the psychic is asked to help track down. This disc has three psychedelic short films.

She Devils on Wheels is not a gore movie (although there is one nasty killing), but rather a film about the Man-Eaters, a gang of female bikers. There's not really a plot in this one as much of a series of episodes in their lives, as they race, have sex and raise havoc. The short subject on this disc is Biker Beach Party.

Then there is the Wizard of Gore (as shown in Juno), the tale of a magician who really does saw women in half. At least that's what is seems like; there seem to be two separate realities: what he sees and what his audiences see. The women do walk off stage, but then die soon afterwards, just as in his tricks. This is the only disc of the six without a short feature.

Finally, there's the Gore Gore Girls, Lewis's last venture into the world of horror (or more technically, gore movies). He goes out with a bang, with not only over-the-top violence but plenty of topless women in this tale of a mysterious killer who's offing strippers. Unlike all the no-names in the other Lewis movies, this one does have a small appearance by Henny Youngman. The short subject is a disemboweling scene from Love Goddess of Blood Island.

All the films come with commentaries that are fun to listen to and make it clear that Lewis knew he was not making art. And certainly, by many standards, these are bad films, filled with hammy acting and cheesy dialogue, but they fit in the special category of so-bad-they're-good. Also, since Lewis was a pioneer in this field, these movies are historically interesting. They won't appeal to everyone - probably not even most people - but for fans of low budget horror, this collection is a fun set.

Nearly 40 years ago, I witnessed one of these cinematic bloodbaths, as the bottom half of an otherwise forgettable drive-in theater double feature. "Fiend" memories of THE GRUESOME TWOSOME remain with me to this day (oh well!), like the old lady asking her son to get some liver for their taxidermist-stuffed cat. Let's just say that kitty was served VERY fresh meat that night.

The originator of "slasher films," Herschell GOREdon Lewis, was truly one of a kind. His shocking schlock set the standard in this self-created genre during a nine-year run that began with 1963's BLOOD FEAST and ended with this collection's THE GORE GORE GIRLS. Author Randy Palmer's HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS, GODFATHER OF GORE provides details and insights into those momentous times. As for H.G.'s movies... they scream for themselves!


For more murderous mayhem, check out the half-dozen "classics" on the BEAUTIES & BEASTS BOX (also from IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT).


Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.
(Mr. Lewis himself provides bonus commentary tracks for all movies, except "Something Weird.")

(5.3) The Gore Gore Girls (1972) - Frank Kress/Amy Farrell/Hedda Lubin/Henny Youngman/Russ Badger
EXTRAS: Herschell Gordon Lewis Gallery of Exploitation Art
A Peek at the High Priestess of Gore From Love Goddess of Blood Island

(5.0) The Gruesome Twosome (1967) - Elizabeth Davis/Gretchen Wells/Chris Martell/Rodney Bedell
EXTRAS: Herschell Gordon Lewis Gallery of Exploitation Art
Wigs-O-Rama Short Subject
Theatrical Trailer

(4.3) She-Devils on Wheels (1968) - Betty Connell/Nancy Lee Noble/Christie Wagner/Rodney Bedell
EXTRAS: Promotional Trailer
Short Subject: "Biker Beach Party"
Herschell Gordon Lewis Gallery of Exploitation Art

(4.7) Something Weird (1967) - Toby McCabe/Elizabeth Lee/William Brooker/Mudite Arums/Ted Heil
EXTRAS: Audio Commentary by David F. Friendman
Herschell Gordon Lewis Gallery of Exploitation Art
Monsterama Nightmare From The Weird World of LSD
Psyched-Out Sing-Along With the 4-D Witch!
LSD Psychedelic Freak Out!

(4.7) A Taste of Blood (1967) - Bill Rogers/Elizabeth Wilkinson/William Kerwin/Lawrence Tobin/Ted Schell
EXTRAS: Herschell Gordon Lewis Gallery of Exploitation Art
Archival Nudie Short: Nightmare at Elm Manor
A Taste of Blood Theatrical Trailer

(5.4) The Wizard of Gore (1970) - Ray Sager/Judy Cler/Wayne Ratay/Phil Laurenson/Jim Rau/John Elliot
EXTRAS: Original Theatrical Trailer
Herschell Gordon Lewis Gallery of Exploitation Art