In short, Amicus’ The House that Dripped Blood is an anthology movie. It uses the vehicle of a house where various horrific things have happened to string together four short stories. All stories were written by the famous Robert Bloch (Psycho among many others).
Kids! song lyrics — performed in Bye Bye Birdie by Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde, Dick Van Dyke & Bryan Russell
A Lot of Living to Do song lyrics — performed in Bye Bye Birdie by Jesse Pearson, Ann-Margret, Bobby Rydell, Lorene Yarnell Jansson and Sweet Apple Teenagers
Bye Bye Birdie is a musical, with the songs held together by a fairly funny story. Actually, there are two or three stories interwoven together. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Albert, an unsuccessful songwriter who wants to be a successful chemist. But his controlling mother (Maureen Stapleton) pressures him into staying in the job. Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend Rosie (Janet Leigh). Rosie gets the idea of saving the song business by having them write a song. A song that’s guaranteed to be a hit.
I’m very conflicted writing this review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I loved it as a child, but I have trouble enjoying it as an adult. Time Magazine began its review saying the film is a “picture for the ages — the ages between five and twelve” and that’s probably accurate. Even as an adult, I truly enjoy the various musical numbers (especially with Dick Van Dyke at the fair, performing Me Ol’ Bamboo, and several others). As well as the first half of the movie, up until the fantasy dream sequence.
The 2001 film, Thirteen Ghosts, is a remake of the 1960 William Castle film, 13 Ghosts. The two films have the following in common:
That’s pretty much it.
Review of the Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh classic, Gone with the Wind
