THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN: "Another lovely day begins in Castle Frightenstein! Unearthed Films announced today, in collaboration with Frightenstein Enterprises International, Trimuse Entertainment, and The Big Pieces Company, it will release all 130 digitally re-mastered episodes of the iconic Canadian cult series THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN. The announcement kicks-off a celebration of the series’ 50th anniversary, all leading up to a digital release on major U.S. platforms and the release of special collector’s edition Blu-rays of all 130 episodes later this year.
"As a child, I loved THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN,” said Stephen Biro, Owner/CEO of Unearthed Films. “I’m thrilled to be able to give the fans what they want... the whole series to enjoy and share with their children and grandchildren the magic of a spooky kids’ show that is both entertaining and educational."
“I’ve found perfect partners with similar sensibilities to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary,” said Mitch Markowitz, Co-Producer/Co-Star aka Super Hippy, and CEO of Frightenstein Enterprises International. “We’re excited to introduce the series to a new audience, who we’re sure will appreciate its whimsical, pseudo horror approach to children’s television. FRIGHTENSTEIN is definitely not just for kids; it’s also a perfect late night ‘vehicle’ for teenagers and adults.”
Helmed by horror film legend Vincent Price (House of Wax, The Fly) and Canadian comedian/actor/singer Billy Van (The Sonny & Cher Show, The Hudson Brothers Show), THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN is one of the most iconic and influential Canadian television series of all time and the longest running kids’ TV show in Canadian history. An instant hit when it debuted in Canada in 1971, this pseudo horror kids TV series attained cult status with children, teens and adults, and is still revered today. Offering a fresh new look and feel to sketch comedy, the series first aired to an after-school audience, inspiring such stars as Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Russel Peters, Alice Cooper and SCTV’s John Candy. California's KTLA successfully aired the show opposite the king of late-night television, Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show, occasionally out rating Johnny!
THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN was also a groundbreaking format at the time. The comedic-horror format represented a different concept in children’s programs. As producer Riff Markowitz described it, it’s a modular concept with each segment roughly 5 minutes long and an entity in itself. Vincent Price linked the segments together.
In THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN, Count Frightenstein and his cohorts are banished from Transylvania to Frankenstone. The series follows the adventures of The Count, Igor, Grizelda “The Ghastly Gourmet”, The Librarian, The Wolfman, Bwana Clyde Batty, Dr. Pet Vet, The Professor, and numerous other ‘characters’ live and otherwise, not to mention ‘the horror master host himself’, Vincent Price. Each one-hour episode is a refreshing mix of humor and educational segments, all flavored with the spice of mock horror.
In celebration of 50 years on air worldwide, Unearthed Films will launch an exclusive Unearthed FRIGHTENSTEIN merchandise line, host contest giveaways, showcase archival footage and interviews and more ahead of the digital and collector’s Blu-ray releases. Additional details to be announced soon.
The Markowitz Corporation, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, created THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN in 1971. The company also produced many hundreds of hours of television series including The Hitchhiker, The Ed Allen Fitness Show, Caveat Emptor, a public affairs series, and numerous game shows and HBO and Canadian network specials featuring Red Skeleton (A Royal Command Performance), George Burns, Wolfman Jack, and many more. The FRIGHTENSTEIN series was produced by brothers Riff and Mitch Markowitz. Unearthed Films is the US distributor with The Big Pieces Company handling international sales."
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FRIGHTLAND - Chilling Tales of Terror for Kids (and Adults): "That sound you hear upstairs... the chill running up your spine... the creature coming straight for you...
Welcome to FRIGHTLAND, a scary new middle-grade series inspired by the classic books we grew up on, featuring covers by artists like genre poster creator Flavio Greco Paglia and original 90's Goosebumps artist Tim Jacobus."
Frightland is over 100% funded, with 31 days to go! To get involved in the campaign and learn more, visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bardepress/frightland-chilling-tales-of-terror-for-kids-and-adults?ref=dfnwns
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THE DEEP ONES: "With visual panache, monster movie thrills and dark humour, veteran genre filmmaker Chad Ferrin (PARASITES,SOMEONE'S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR) brings the iconic vision of the legendary H.P. Lovecraft to the screen in his acclaimed feature THE DEEP ONES.
An official selection of the Sitges Film Festival and featuring a cast of rising stars and veteran actors including a deliciously manic performance by cult film icon Kelli Maroney (NIGHT OF THE COMET, CHOPPING MALL) and score by the prolific Richard Band, THE DEEP ONES will have a limited US release across Drive-in and independent theaters beginning April 23rd before a June digital release across North America. The film is distributed by sales and distribution outfit 123 GO.
After suffering the loss of a child, American expat Alex (Gina La Piana, Black Widow) and her husband Petri (Johann Urb, TV's Arrow) decide to take a much-needed holiday. Once they've touched down in the seaside city of Oxnard, they are spirited to a gorgeous beachfront bed & breakfast where they are welcomed by the charming if enigmatic Russell Marsh (screen veteran Robert Miano). What begins as an alluring vacation from their problems soon devolves into a series of bizarre occurrences when the peculiar locals begin to show their true colors. While Alex struggles to keep a grip on her sanity, Petri finds himself increasingly drawn to the mysterious Mr. Marsh and his cabal of
scantily-clad companions.
An archaic evil has been summoned from the shores of this quiet crabbing community, one that has designs on Alex. As she is sucked into a maelstrom of murder, mind control and maternal horror, she will have to confront the abyss head on or lose everything she holds dear. In the wicked vein of Brian Yuzna's Society and the classic Rosemary's Baby, Chad Ferrin's The Deep Ones ably explores the murky depths of fellowship and motherhood through the crimson lens of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos."
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Watch the Trailer for THURSDAY THE 12TH: "Two failed film school graduates closing in on their 30's, the fearful Seth Franco and the unreliable James Rogen, are stuck working the same jobs they had in high school. Life for these two already has its fair share of complications but things are about to get a whole lot worse when the superstitions Seth has for Friday the 13th comes true, only a day early. Thursday the 12th stars Brad Leo Lyon, Brian Sutherland, Jena Sims, Marilyn Ghigliotti, and Todd Bridges."