Review: Warner Bros. 100 Years of Storytelling

 

Readers of the Plan9Crunch blog may have realized that TCM has of late been showing a lot of Warner Bros. films. It's because the iconic film studio is realizing its centennial.

On May 30, 2023, the volume Warner Bros. 100 Years of Storytelling (2023, Running Press, NYC), will be for sale. Written by Mark A. Viera, it's mostly a compendium of photos and awards Warner Bros. appropriately boasts of each year of the century. Although a Kindle version is available for reading on the go, this 360-page, exhaustively researched tome is at its heart a "coffee-table" book. It's best suited for interested parties to glance at the many illustrations, or for a film buff to sit in his or her easy chair and read a chapter on the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and so on. 

Viera does a good, pithy job recapping the changes and evolving styles of the decades and how the studio reacted to the mores. I particularly liked his essay on the '70s, described as "The Era of the Auteur,." It talks of the young directors, inspired and emboldened to explore through film sexuality, race relations, politics and other controversial issues.

Although it's brief, TCM's Ben Mankiewicz provides an interesting forward in which he discusses being regarded as part of "Hollywood royalty" by virtue of his name. He notes that long ago, beginning in the pre-code era, Warner Bros, explored controversial topics, such as the plight of veterans in the film "Gold Diggers of 1933," and prison conditions in the film "I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang." 

The book is moderately pricey but worth a buy, particularly for film buffs. You can leaf through it for hours, enjoying Viera's recaps, the photos of the films produced, and the Oscars tally sheets for each year.

-- Doug Gibson

Three O'clock High - Don't Mess with the New Kid In School

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The year is 1986, and I've just started my Freshman year at Ben Lomond High School in Ogden, Utah. During my third period gym class, a person claiming to be a casting agent for a movie being filmed at our rival school, Ogden High, is looking for stand-in actors to be used in crowd scenes. Being the young and naive 14 year old I was at the time, I assumed that I had to have actual acting capabilities and previous acting experience, so I did not sign up to be a stand in actor. What a great mistake I made that day. The movie turned out to be Three O'clock High, released in 1987. Watching this movie today, it's fun for me to see many people I know in the movie, including a cousin.

High School reporter and bookstore clerk Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) is assigned to write a story about a tough new kid in school named Buddy Revell (Richard Tyson), who is seen as a bully and does not get along with anyone. Mitchell tries to call off the story when he confronts Revell in the school restroom, but then angers Revell who challenges Mitchell to a fight after school. Mitchell spends the rest of the film trying to figure out how to get out of the fight.

Mitchell has a knife planted in Revell's locker to try and get him suspended from school. He even steals money from the school bookstore cash register to pay off another student to threaten Revell. When that fails, Mitchell's last attempt is to try and pay off Revell to leave him alone. When Revell accuses Mitchell of being a coward, Mitchell decides to go through with the fight in the parking lot after school.

The 1980s was a time when teenagers became an important and marketable subject in film. By the mid-1980s, filmmaker John Hughes had cornered the market on the teen romantic comedy genre of films of teenagers in High School. His great classics include Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), Ferris Buehler's Day Off (1986), and Pretty In Pink (1986). Not only did these films resonate with teenagers of the 1980s, but they all included iconic soundtrack music that defines the 80s decade.

Three O'clock High director Phil Joanou perhaps saw his film as an opportunity to cash in on the success of Hughes' teenage romantic comedy films that were so popular in the 1980s. Three O'clock High focuses less on any romantic aspect and more on the conflict of teenagers just trying to make it through high sSchool, or even just trying to make it through the day. We all know what it's like to have to deal with bullies in school. Three O'clock High taps into this problem, but does it in a way that is entertaining and fun. Happy viewing.

-- Steve D. Stones

A chat with Dean Patrick, author of the Terra Drake dark horror novels

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This is Doug Gibson, of Plan9Crunch blog. We are fortunate to have an in-depth interview with Dean Patrick, author of the dark horror novels, "The Lady Mephistopheles," (reviewed here) and "Terra's Sabbath," (reviewed here). These are great novels with unforgettable characters and a uniquely evil antagonist, Terra Drake. A trilogy is planned, with the final likely in about a year. Below is our interview: The novels are published by TWB Press, Centennial, Colo.

Who is Terra Drake? What does she represent in history, mythology and theology? What is her purpose for being on the earth at this time?

DEAN PATRICK -- Terra Drake is the living Satan on earth for the modern times. But her literal presence is Lilith, the mythological character who is believed by many religions to be Adam’s first wife in the Garden of Eden, a woman who slept with Satan. Her purpose on earth is to destroy the children. In her quest in doing so she finds different specific characters who she lures into her world of witchery and Satanism. Terra specifically uses confusion to lure in her victims. She gives her victims inner thoughts of what could be, then when in her grasp, the deal is sealed with something completely different than what they thought. She also, of course, hits her victims at their weakest points. If it is sex, she owns you. If it is drugs or alcohol, she controls you. It goes from those character faults to the very worst of us via rape, murder, betrayal and chaos within religions and political power to that of the serial killer. 

The same questions for Adrian Kane. You might want to expound on how easily their demonic influence overwhelms other minor characters.

DEAN PATRICK - Adrian Kane aka Cain aka Adramelech is the literal Cain from Genesis, the first murderer. His goal on earth is the same as Terra’s. He is the rightful overlord of evil - even over Satan. 

Terra and Kane work together as a team that is an overwhelming force to anyone they lure into their lair. These are transformative figures, meaning they shape shift to what is needed with who can be tempted with what. Kane can be seen as a pervert or a gunslinger or a high priest. Terra’s power initially comes with a sexuality that can overtake any man or woman. From there, she has the power to present power itself if that is what is needed. This duo represents the core nature of our humanity when tempted with what hits us the most deeply. Whether it is sex or drugs or pure chaos, this duo has the power to take a person to levels never experienced so that an inner destruction takes place that is almost guaranteed. 

What does Marion, as an adversary of the above, represent, both in history and theology, and currently?

DEAN PATRICK - Marion is the representation of humanity as a whole who is trying to overcome sin and evil. He is a cop with fabulous instincts about the entire world of evil with all he has seen. But more than that, Marion is able to use his skills to a different level because of an unshakeable moral compass. He is the Christ figure in Terra’s Sabbath. He was first seen in The Lady Mephistopheles as Steven Paul’s brother (younger brother). Marion ended up going to Duncan to help save his brother but ended up in the hospital, which sets the opening scene in Terra’s Sabbath. 

 Who and what does John (the cowboy type) represent?

DEAN PATRICK - John is the literal figure of John the Beloved from the New Testament. Blessed with the power of immortality from Christ Himself, John has certain powers on earth. For one, Terra and Kane must listen to him and even obey his word. They have no influence over him in any way. But John does not ever use his power to completely save or take over a scene or person. He appears to those who need him when at a place where only an angel or a John can make a true difference. John always appears as as well-dressed gentleman of grace, but with enormous physical power and mental strength. 

Dean Patrick, you have overcome personal demons, such as alcoholism? How have your life experiences helped shape these trilogy novels?

DEAN PATRICK - I am a fierce alcoholic. Only by going through what I have overcome in addiction have I been able to write these books. No way I could have delved so deeply and so personally in these works’ creation had I not experienced first hand how bad things can get in life. They can get extremely bad, and as Terra would say, “They can always get much worse." Prisons. Rehabs. Death. Violence. Betrayal on every level. Ruining everything in any path and now living a life of sobriety has given me the ability to write such stories and create such characters. 

In the first book, The Lady Mephistopheles, Steven Paul is me. Almost in every way his character represents who I am at my core when spiraling out of control in alcoholism. But unlike Steve, I never allowed it to kill me. In this book, I am part of Marion Paul. But just a part.  Marion is a representation of my brother, Josh Nielsen, a man of incredible integrity and moral fiber as well as physical strength. He has all the traits needed to combat the force of Terra and Kane. 

However, in my sobriety, and those parts of me as a sober man with my own strength and skills, those, too, are pieces of Marion to stand ground against and Terra and Kane. I have faced women in my life who are far too close to Terra in reality. I have faced men like Kane in prisons. Only by facing such people in real life have I been able to create such characters in horror fiction whom I hope are characters who will scare and haunt readers and leave them with unforgettable moments. (Dean Patrick's photo is below)

What impact do current political, social, religious and moral issues, have on the narrative you present?

DEAN PATRICK - In Terra’s Sabbath, much more than the first book, I wanted to use a backdrop of the current sickness in modern culture. Terra Drake exposes this in the opening chapter in a dream sequence where she is the pure representation of how modern culture is doing everything possible to destroy our youth. From a trans movement that seeks out to force children to confuse their identity and sexuality, to a modern-day far left agenda that has declared war on every one of our personal freedoms, this is the complete package of Terra Drake. She represents anything this is confusing, anything that is contradictory, anything that is luring and tempting - all of it hangs around her waste and neck as a full armament to destroy us individually and collectively. She is written and created to offend everything and everyone regardless of consequence. 

What feedback are you getting from the Terra Drake trilogy? Share what you are doing to boost your profile?

DEAN PATRICK - So far the feedback I’ve received from almost every reader has been incredible. From being terrified and truly disturbed, to feeling they have been on a hell ride they will never forget, these works have really affected people. Especially with Terra Drake. She’s become an unforgettable villain who has the power to hit everyone’s nerve in some way. An interesting story about finding an image or graphic to portray her took place just before publishing the first book. It was my wife, Lisa, who actually found a photo from a gothic website of a model who looks exactly how I have created the character. 

I ended up needing to get permission, of course, to use her photography. The model’s name is Alfiia Mankin, and she lives in Moscow, Russia. I first received the permission needed from her husband, Sergey, who I ended up contacting through Russia’s social media platform equivalent to Facebook, called VK (Vkontakte). Alfiia herself was more than happy to give permission to use her artwork and photography, and both she and her husband have remained in contact with me from time to time over the past few years. It’s an incredible story, really, especially considering the war now going with their country and Ukraine. The photographs on both books and my website are her. I am also working this Russian story into the third book, but won’t give that away. 

In conclusion, it is my hope that Terra’s Sabbath is a novel that will take a reader on a near-biblical journey that we all face. Whether you believe in a God or not, this is a work that shows a battle that’s raging around us everywhere. We live in a world where our senses are assaulted every day, all day. This assault comes from an evil force, regardless if one believes it’s Satan or The Devil, there is an evil force our world faces that we have never seen before in history. It is completely different because it comes so fast and so overwhelming through technology. This kind of evil force, in my belief, can only be faced with an equal force of good. For me, that is God. Period. I knew early on in my sobriety that only such a force could overcome something as seemingly impossible as alcoholism. This is a God thing, and that’s what this book is about. The only way to stand our ground against such a force as a Terra Drake is to match it with something God-like.

Thanks Dean for taking the time to talk with us.

Terra's Sabbath, part 2 of a planned trilogy, is a superb dark horror novel

 

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Review by Doug Gibson

I previously reviewed author Dean Patrick's novel, "The Lady Mephistopheles." It introduced Terra Drake, a beautiful demon for the 21st Century. The protagonist -- her prey -- Steve Paul fought a valiant but doomed effort against her, hampered by personal, destructive vices that Terra Drake exploited.

The sequel -- part 2 of a planned trilogy -- has been released, and "Terra's Sabbath", 2023, TWB Press, Centennial, CO,  is a superb dark horror literary work.

Terra's main opponent in this novel is cop/detective Marion Paul, and yes, he's Steve's brother. Marion Paul is a tougher adversary for Terra, but what he encounters in battling demons more than once has him struggling to retain his sanity. The opening passages in the novel provide a bizarre frightening, very descriptive ritual that includes a child sacrifice.  Readers learn more background on Terra Drake, her past, her original name, and exactly why she is in the 21st century gathering followers. She and her allies destroy both souls and contemporary civilization.

Author Patrick has a strong knowledge of metal rock and cultural, social, and religious debates. He weaves contemporary issues, biblical themes, and the misery of addiction to create a demon-fueled rising that possesses ordinary people and leaves them devoid of humanity. I enjoy the settings in the novel, small towns, bustling cities, hospital rooms, a small "gas n'gulp" convenience store, a prison, horrific scenes in ordinary homes; slaughter in a nightclub. There's also a 7-foot tall confederate of Terra's, named Adrian Kane, who can become a werewolf.

Paul's prose has Marion both using face-to-face interviews and researching past horrific crimes, including the recent Idaho college student murders, to better understand his adversaries. Patrick crafts an effective scene in which Marion visits a prison seeks answers from an unrepentant, utterly evil killer.

Protagonists who are not superheroes, but ordinary flawed people trying to be heroic are realistic heroes. That is Marion Paul.

As the novel progresses, Marion's efforts against this evil include protecting a woman he's falling in love with, and protecting his estranged daughter. It seems a very difficult task. Marion is, after all, just human.

I mentioned that author Patrick has the talent to inspire dread and horror in typical situations. At a convenience store, he encounters a human-like “demon” named Bridget Magnus. She physically embodies the deterioration and rot that evil provides. She is one creepy character, and makes other appearances in “Terra’s Sabbath.”

There’s also a homeless, addict war veteran whom Terra snares into her service. He simply has too many problem and too little will to resist. Marion is a clear contrast to this character. He’s in the fight of his life, and soul, against Terra, Adrian, Bridget, and others. But he’s capable of fighting back, although as mentioned it’s an uneven match.

But Marion does have one ally that makes Terra nervous. This ally, who had a cameo in “The Lady Mephistopheles,” steps in late in the novel. His appearance may change the odds. We’ll certainly learn more in Part 3 of the Terra Drake trilogy.

The climax of "Terra's Sabbath" sets up an eagerly anticipated battle for the souls of characters readers will care about, with well-developed antagonists on both sides of good and evil. (Author Dean Patrick's photo is below).