If I could use one word to describe myself, it would be 'collector'.
Over the years I have taken on comics, action figures, video game systems, cds, computer games, TROMA films, and other treasures. Yet the one that thing that I have had the most fun with is horror films. Specifically indie and B horror. There has always been this great joy playing treasure hunter at Goodwill's, thrift stores, garage sales, and pawn shops. Experiencing that moment of a rare find and having to share it with someone. Perhaps this is the fulfillment that archaeologists have when sifting through the years of disappointing digs to find that one piece of history that, in their mind, helps piece together fragements of history.
Horror is in my blood. I grew up with it. I sometimes tell a story of the first film I ever remember seeing as a child being George Romero's Night of the Living Dead at my grandparents house. They were always supportive of my love of the genre having introduced me to such cult films as Return of the Living Dead, A Bucket of Blood, Horror Express, Web of the Spider and so many others. My grandma Bennett gave me my first TROMA VHS, Monster in the Closet. She herself owns two copies to this day.
My mother has always been a fan of the more classic style of horror films, ala. Castle and Hammer films, and having a sweet spot for the more romanticized vision of vampires (Dark Shadows). She has never quite understood mine, or my brothers, love of gore. Saying that gore does not make a movie scary, it only appeals to our sense of disgust. Which, maybe she's right. I truly can not think of an instant where added gore to a film has frightened or terrorized me.
From my dad I have gained the love and respect of the old drive in style horror, he still being a big fan of the great horror host Sammy Terry. Myself, my dad and my brother were no stranger to TNT's Monster Vision hosted by Joe Bob Briggs. They were classic and cheesy films that were timeless to ourselves. My father has always been a hard working man, and I have always respected that, so any time that I had to spend with him in instances like this I treasure.
I remember watching old episodes of The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, The Ray Bradbury Theater, and newer anthology series such as Tales From the Dark Side, Monsters, and Tales from the Crypt as a family growing up. It wasn't uncommon for my mom and myself to spend hours on the couch when I was sick wasting away to these absurd tales. Still to this day there is a feeling of comfort and safety vegging out to any of these shows. Guess it's that feeling of nostalgia.
As I am writing this I feel like I have veered off course of where I was going with this piece, yet to understand my connection to these films I feel like you have to understanding of where it came from. Every story has a history I suppose.
The popularity of DVD has helped so many lost films find their way to accessibility, and so many newer films find a home through social networking. I could sit here and list so many friends of mine who are directors who have used Facebook, blogs, and podcasts to get their names and films out there to people who may not have discovered them otherwise. Yet, even some modern film makers who share the love of VHS and see the market for them have been putting their films on VHS. Bloomington, Indiana's Arthur Cullipher and Kirk Chastain released their film COME on white VHS in a white sleeved box. Thomas Berdinski from Muskegon, Michigan released his films Zombie Abomination and Zombie Atrocity: The Italian Zombie Movies 1 & 2 in a very select number of VHS copies.
Truly not every horror film will ever see its way onto DVD. It's a select niche that most companies are not willing to put the time, effort, and money into. Making an obscure find that much more meaningful. For there are so many out there that are almost lost, perhaps hiding in a closet or in someones basement. Film makers like Todd Sheets (The Zombie Bloodbath trilogy, Dominion, and Goblin), Tim Ritter (Killing Spree, Wicked Games), and the Polonia brothers (Splatter Farm, Feeders) have made cult status via VHS. Hell even so much of TROMA's catalog is still only accessible on cassette.
Collecting VHS as a hobby is a very tedious, often expensive ordeal. Yet places like Amazon.com and Ebay.com are great places to find many rarities at an inexpensive price. It's something I can throw a few bucks at a week and the only thing it takes away from is my space. There are far worse addictions that I could have.
So when you see some goofy looking bastard sorting through the racks of VHS at some thrift store, think of me and smile. Because they might just have a story as well.
Thanks for your time,
Brandon S. Bennett
There is no greater compliment when someone reads a piece from my website only to reveal that my memory was not only relatable but reflected one of their own. Your piece did just that for me....
ReplyDeleteAs a very young boy I adored my grandmother wanting to participate in anything that interested her. This included Perry Mason murder novels. We simply couldn't get enough. Because of those novels I became advanced in reading and understanding of that which people thought of as dark... During that same time I also discovered classic horror- Vincent Price and Boris Karloff were my hero's. And somehow rather than evil they seemed misunderstood, outsiders on the fringe. And even at my young age that seemed strangely familiar. Like you mom, gore doesn't appeal to me, but that is probably a generational thing. I have a respect for the films you love. A completely different type of art form. Like you I would sit up late at night with my mom sharing what would become a lifelong bond- Horror movies.
Your sense of loss over the old VHS tapes reminds me of what so many express over vinyl. The cover art, liner notes, the magic of that time. Same with books, holding in your hands, turning pages, the smell.....
Your voice and narrative were so clear and heartfelt in this writing I became teary eyed. The little boy you talked about reminded me of another little midwestern boy. They will always we inside us... Loving their horror movies.... Keep expressing and writing your feelings come through- Thats what its all about!!!