UK Schmoes With Digital - New Horror Channel (24Hrs A DAY!)

[Reigh Kaufman]

Just a quick heads up for you horror Schmoes who live in the UK and have digital/cable. Horror Television begins on Monday and will be broadcasting 24 hrs of horror (apparently). If you have Sky, it's channel 330. If not, then you are most likely a pleb and hail from Glasgow.:D

I'll be back with some listings, films, info...when it starts broadcasting. Have high hopes for this.

[Psychocandy]

Go here...

http://www.horrorchannel.co.uk/

[Reigh Kaufman]

I'm obviously much lazier than my friend Psychocandy. Great link!:)

What did you think of it?

[Psychocandy]

Ok...i've had a good look throught the listings for May. I'm more than a little underwhelmed. They have a pretty good focus on classic movies many of which I haven't seen. Fritz Lang's M, White Zombie, Nosferatu (yeah...I haven't seen the original Nosferatu)...etc. I'm going to enjoy expanding my collection of genre DVDs with my trusty DVD recorder. I just hope that the prints that they show are in acceptable condition. Where the channel suffers is the quality of the more recent movies they are showing. It's mostly really bad straight to video fare. I was hoping that there would be themed nights of Argento, Fulci, Carpenter etc. They have hooked up with horror/sleaze distributor Salvation and that could result in something worthwhile. Still...it's better than nothing. There's massive room for improvement. Hopefully given time it will realise it's potential.

[Psychocandy]

They do mention in the news section that they are showing Kolobos soon. I've been wanting to see this for a while now. So that's cool. :D

[Psychocandy]

It also has to be said that the Channel's presenter is a bit of a babe...

http://www.a3collie.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/horrorchannel/images/images/thc_news_jade.gif

Her favorite horror movie it seems is Dr Terror's House Of Horror. Odd choice.

[Psychocandy]

Here's their manifesto...

Introducing The Horror Channel…

The Horror Channel, the world's first English language television channel dedicated to the dark side of cinema, launches as a free-to-view Sky channel on May 3rd.

Managing Director Tony Hazell explains: “American horror films will dominate the Horror Channel's schedule but our approach is to show as many rare and unusual titles as possible, rather than attempting to compete with premiere channels by showing modern blockbusters. These will range from Karloff and Lugosi classics in earlier slots to full-on splatter movies after midnight. We want The Horror Channel to appeal to as many horror fans as possible, so we're trying to balance out classic and modern titles fairly evenly.” Amongst the gems lined up so far are Dementia 13, Night of the Living Dead, White Zombie, Bloody Birthday, The Incredible Melting Man, Blood Tracks, Evil Ed, The Stepfather, The Devil Bat, The Dark Dealer, Nightmares and Rattlers.

“At the heart of The Horror Channel's programming will be our own horror heritage,” says Hazell. “The British horror film is almost as old as cinema itself, and our schedule will feature an eclectic mixture of British cinema's blood-drenched output, from the black and white classic The Ghoul, through Hammer Horror masterpieces Frankenstein & The Monster From Hell and Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter to underrated obscurities such as Assault, Revenge, Goodbye Gemini and Expose. Fans of classy British horror double act Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (and who isn't?) will not be disappointed as we showcase their finest work, together and individually, in Nothing But The Night, Dr Terror's House of Horrors. City of the Dead, The Uncanny and The Funnyman.” And in August, Cushing devotees can look forward to a special season of the actor's films on the tenth anniversary of his death.

According to Mr. Hazell, Euro-horror fans should be happy too – there'll be plenty of Bava, Fulci and Argento to keep them happy, as well as some truly obscure titles and these films will be broadcast in the Horror Around the World slot in the early hours.

The Horror Channel is also working with cult video label Salvation to produce a weekly midnight slot featuring the pick of their uniquely provocative crop.

Looks like the improvements I was hoping for are just around the corner. I would very much welcome the opportunity to see some Bava movies.

[Reigh Kaufman]

Kolobos?

My God, P. If I'd known you were that desperate for a horror fix, I'd have put you on the mailing list to recieve my sexy new boudoir photographs.

That girl's favourite film is Dr. Terror's House Of Horror?

My God, scantily-clad strumpet. If I'd known you were that desperate for a horror fix, I'd have pu...blah...blah...blah...boudoir....photographs.. .blah...

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Reigh Kaufman
Kolobos?

My God, P. If I'd known you were that desperate for a horror fix, I'd have put you on the mailing list to recieve my sexy new boudoir photographs.

That girl's favourite film is Dr. Terror's House Of Horror?

My God, scantily-clad strumpet. If I'd known you were that desperate for a horror fix, I'd have pu...blah...blah...blah...boudoir....photographs.. .blah...

Were you by any chance the class clown? ;)

Anyway...what did you think of the channel?

[Psychocandy]

Also...I don't think Do You Wanna Know A Secret? is a movie the channel should be boasting about having on it's schedule.

[Reigh Kaufman]

Hmmm, I'm underwhelmed, but the fact is that when I get in at night, I want to watch a horror film, more or less. It relaxes me and it's not very taxing (most of the time). This channel will also be ideal for the kind of trash I miss out on by not watching Jerry or Oprah. I'm made up by the inclusion of two bona fide classics (Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu) and the likes of Stepfather and Stepfather Deux will no doubt magically transform me to the time in my life when I thought I lived in hell (the 80's) and every video store wouldn't serve me. In a few months, if they can expand to better genre flicks, better genre directors (other, obviously, than Murnau, etc) like Romero and early-Craven, then I will be happy.

It gives me hope that I can finally re-watch movies that I would never be able to get a hold of normally (Martin, Nadja, Willard, The Prince Of Darkness, etc). It is, at least, offering possibilities .



;)

[Cronos]

i cant wait for this, its a shame it only runs from 6pm to 6am but i like night time tv :D

i hope it picks up with some classics

theres quite a few films ive wanted to see for ages like M and White Zombie

also, a horror channel is better than no horror channel

:)

[Scully1888]

HOLY SHIT!

They're showing The Monster Club on Thursday!

:D :D :D :D :D

Think I might buy a DVD Recorder just for this...

[Jewbo]

i saw this a while ago. great news but im worried at how long it will last. but then come to think of it the god channel has been there for ages and a load of other crap channels. lets hope it stays a while i cant wait.
A bad thing that i have only just rememberd is i work nights! and the vhs is fucked in our house and wont record. time to look for a new job.

[Reigh Kaufman]

Don't knock the God channel. It's funnier than Paramount, and there's no Seinfeld.:)

[Jewbo]

Originally posted by Reigh Kaufman
Don't knock the God channel. It's funnier than Paramount, and there's no Seinfeld.:)

Thats true.

[Scully1888]

Just thought I'd be a sad bastard and list the films shown (up till the 23rd of May, when their schedule ends so far) in alphabetical order, just so you can quickly see when a film's coming on again (in case you miss a showing). Also decided to add the year and country of origin for each film, just to give a bit more information:

ASSAULT aka SATAN'S PLAYTHINGS, IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN (1971, UK) - 5th, 11th
BACK FROM HELL (1993, USA) - 7th, 11th
BAT, THE (1959, USA) - 18th
BRAIN FIX (????, USA) - 6th
CABINET OF DR CALIGARI, THE (1920, Germany) - 8th, 16th, 23rd
COLD EYES OF FEAR (1971, Italy/Spain) - 15th, 22nd
DEADLY LOVE (1987, USA) - 11th, 16th, 23rd
DEUCES (2001, USA) - 6th, 17th
DOPPELGANGER (1993, USA) - 7th
DREADED, THE (1990, USA) - 4th, 14th, 21st
ENCHANTED, THE (????, USA) - 9th, 15th, 22nd
FANTASIST, THE (1986, Ireland) - 11th, 18th
GHOUL, THE (1933, UK) - 3rd, 12th, 19th
HORROR STORY, THE (1997, USA) - 9th, 15th, 22nd
INVISIBLE TEMPTATION (1996, USA) - 5th, 17th
M (1931, Germany) - 4th, 14th, 21st
MEDUSA TOUCH, THE (1978, UK/France) - 3rd, 17th
MONSTER CLUB, THE (1980, USA) - 6th, 16th, 23rd
MOONSTALKER (1988, USA) - 4th, 16th, 23rd
MURDER IN LAW (1990, USA) - 5th, 14th, 21st
MYSTERY OF SPOON RIVER (2000, USA) - 8th, 12th, 19th
NOSFERATU (1922, Germany) - 8th, 16th, 23rd
NOTHING BUT THE NIGHT (1972, UK) - 3rd, 13th, 20th
PARTY CRASHER (2000, USA) - 5th
PHANTOM EMPIRE, THE (1986, USA) - 7th, 12th, 18th, 19th
PROJECT VAMPIRE (1993, USA) - 3rd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
PSYCLOPS (2002, USA) - 3rd, 14th, 21st
REEL HORROR (1985, USA) - 8th, 13th, 20th
REVENGE (1971, UK) - 4th, 10th
REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN (199?, USA) - 3rd, 9th, 13th, 20th
SACRED FLESH (2000, UK) - 8th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st
SHOUT, THE (1978, UK) - 6th, 12th, 19th
SORORITY GIRLS AND THE CREATURE FROM HELL (1990, USA) - 4th, 10th
SPANIARD'S CURSE, THE (1958, UK) - 9th, 15th, 22nd
SPIDER BABY (1964, USA) - 18th
STEPFATHER, THE (1987, USA) - 8th, 17th
STEPFATHER 2, THE (1989, USA) - 15th, 22nd
UNCANNY, THE (1977, UK/Canada) - 7th, 13th, 20th
VAMPIRE BAT, THE (1933, USA) - 5th, 10th, 17th
VAMPYR (1932, France/Germany) - 6th, 11th
WHITE ZOMBIE (1932, USA) - 7th, 13th, 20th
ZIPPERFACE (1992, USA) - 10th

So better make sure that you at least see The Bat, Brain Fix, Doppelganger, Party Crasher and Zipperface because they only have one showing between now and near the end of the month, which suggests the channel might not have got as good a deal on them (and therefore only had the rights to show them one or two times).

Especially Doppelganger, if only for Drew Barrymore's shower scene :)

[Scully1888]

And just in case you didn't think I could be sadder, here's a few stats I worked out for my fellow Schmoes:

DECADES REPRESENTED
1920's - 2 films (5%)
1930's - 5 films (12.5%)
1940's - 0 films (0%)
1950's - 2 films (5%)
1960's - 1 film (2.5%)
1970's - 7 films (17.5%)
1980's - 8 films (20%)
1990's - 10 films (25%)
2000's - 5 films (12.5%)

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
UK - 9 films (22.5%)
USA - 27 films (67.5%)
Germany - 4 films (10%)
France - 2 films (5%)
Ireland - 1 film (2.5%)
Italy - 1 film (2.5%)
Spain - 1 film (2.5%)
Canada - 1 film (2.5%)

(Some films are co-produced by multiple countries, hence a percentage of over 100%.)

[Psychocandy]

Cheers Scully...very useful. Unfortunately the list clarifies the crap/cool ration and it's obvious that the amount of crap of the schedule outweighs the good by roughly 3:1. Damn. Here's the stuff I want to see...

BAT, THE (1959, USA) - 18th
CABINET OF DR CALIGARI, THE (1920, Germany) - 8th, 16th, 23rd
COLD EYES OF FEAR (1971, Italy/Spain) - 15th, 22nd
GHOUL, THE (1933, UK) - 3rd, 12th, 19th
M (1931, Germany) - 4th, 14th, 21st
MONSTER CLUB, THE (1980, USA) - 6th, 16th, 23rd
MOONSTALKER (1988, USA) - 4th, 16th, 23rd
NOSFERATU (1922, Germany) - 8th, 16th, 23rd
PSYCLOPS (2002, USA) - 3rd, 14th, 21st
SACRED FLESH (2000, UK) - 8th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st
SPIDER BABY (1964, USA) - 18th
STEPFATHER, THE (1987, USA) - 8th, 17th
STEPFATHER 2, THE (1989, USA) - 15th, 22nd
VAMPIRE BAT, THE (1933, USA) - 5th, 10th, 17th
VAMPYR (1932, France/Germany) - 6th, 11th
WHITE ZOMBIE (1932, USA) - 7th, 13th, 20th

I just hope that they have succeeded in getting a hold of the best prints available and, wherever possible, show the movie in widescreen.

[Scully1888]

Unfortunately, the films will have ad breaks.

According to the FAQ on the site:

Will The Horror Channel run commercials?

The short answer is ‘yes’. As a free-to-air channel, the only way for us to earn revenue is through commercials. However, we’re sure our exciting programme package will more than compensate for a few short commercial breaks.

[Psychocandy]

FUCK!!! That scuppers the possibility of me using my DVD recorder.

[JCR]

I know they've gotta find something to show pre watershed, but I still think it's a bit of a stretch to describe Lang's M as horror. They may as well be showing the maltese falcon, the third man, or white heat as horror, because M is no more horrific than those movies. In fact you could argue white heat is worse than M.

[KillerKlown]

Originally posted by Scully1888
HOLY SHIT!

They're showing The Monster Club on Thursday!



Fuckin' A!!! I've been dying to see this film!!

[the dead one]

TIME to RELOCATE to the U.K.!!! :D

[Scully1888]

I can't see the channel until I go home this weekend, so has anyone started watching it yet? Is it any good?

[Cronos]

i watched part of the Ghoul yesterday, the print was terrible and it had foreign subtitles which i found odd, i havent seen that much on it but ill be watching M tonight, ive wanted to see that for many years

[Andrew Tom]

You lucky bastards. You get Spider Baby!!! I have to move to the UK now!

[Jewbo]

great to see that they are showing some pretty rare stuff. i watched psyclops last night. pretty bad film but im ok with that. think im going to watch Sorority Girls and the Creature From Hell tonight.

[Living_Dead_Dude]

Great classic horror being represented so far but as has been said I hope they show some Fulci films in particular (as I haven't been brave enough to buy any of his films blind), apart from the ad breaks tho' I say this channel is a god send! been wantin' to see Spider Baby for ages!!

[JCR]

I don't think there are many fulci movies that could be shown on a non subscription tv channel at any time. I could be wrong, but they are rather violent, you know! ;)

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by JCR
I don't think there are many fulci movies that could be shown on a non subscription tv channel at any time. I could be wrong, but they are rather violent, you know! ;)

The press release on the site states that they are planning on showing a lot of Fulci, Argento and Bava sometime soonish.

[jagged halo]

Being a UK citizen just gets better and better :D :D :D :D

[therealjohng]

I have two questions:


1) Are the films uncut? It would suck if they weren't


2) Is this coming to the U.S.? I've heard some rumblings of this happening. Just wondering if anyone else knew.




Thanks!

[KillerKlown]

Originally posted by Scully1888
HOLY SHIT!

They're showing The Monster Club on Thursday!

:D :D :D :D :D

Think I might buy a DVD Recorder just for this...



Ach, shit! I got mixed up - I thought it was Monster Squad!!

Never mind, Im still watching it anyway.

[RottingRhonda]

Originally posted by therealjohng
Is this coming to the U.S.? I've heard some rumblings of this happening. Just wondering if anyone else knew.


I think that American Horror Channel is coming out this October.

Also, Canada has a horror related channel called Scream and at first it didn't have an extensive selection but as the viewers and the advertisers came it's movie collection grew with each passing month and now it kicks ass. Only once a day for half does it have paid advertisements. The movies are uncut and usually only have 3 short commercial breaks. It plays movies as well as horror related shows and documentaries. Scream also has a movie mistress to intro shows.

So with time I think that the Horror Channel will improve its selection and hopefully lighten the load of paid advertisements.

[RottingRhonda]

I found a website for the American Horror channel and it is coming out Halloween 2004.

www.horrorchannel.com (http://www.horrorchannel.com)

[Scully1888]

Just thought I'd update the list (the schedule on the site's been added to), with the new films in red (now up to May 30th):

ALICE SWEET ALICE (1976, USA) - 27th
ASSAULT aka SATAN'S PLAYTHINGS, IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN (1971, UK) - 11th
BACK FROM HELL (1993, USA) - 11th
BAT, THE (1959, USA) - 18th, 26th
BLOODSUCKER LEADS THE DANCE (1975, Italy) - 27th
BLOODY MURDER (2000, USA) - 29th
BRAIN FIX (????, USA) - 25th
BUCKET OF BLOOD (1995, USA) - 29th
CABINET OF DR CALIGARI, THE (1920, Germany) - 16th, 23rd, 25th
COLD EYES OF FEAR (1971, Italy/Spain) - 15th, 22nd, 28th
CREATURE FROM THE HAUNTED SEA (1961, USA) - 30th
DEADLY LOVE (1987, USA) - 11th, 16th, 23rd
DEMENTIA 13 (1963, USA) - 27th
DEUCES (2001, USA) - 17th
DEVIL BAT, THE (1940, USA) - 28th
DOPPELGANGER (1993, USA) - 7th
DREADED, THE (1990, USA) - 14th, 21st
ENCHANTED, THE (????, USA) - 9th, 15th, 22nd
FANTASIST, THE (1986, Ireland) - 11th, 18th
GHOUL, THE (1933, UK) - 12th, 19th, 25th
GIANT GILA MONSTER, THE (1959, USA) - 24th
HORROR STORY, THE (1997, USA) - 9th, 15th, 22nd
INVISIBLE GHOST, THE (1941, USA) - 27th
INVISIBLE TEMPTATION (1996, USA) - 17th, 30th
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960, USA) - 28th
M (1931, Germany) - 14th, 21st, 26th
MEDUSA TOUCH, THE (1978, UK/France) - 17th
MONSTER CLUB, THE (1980, USA) - 16th, 23rd
MOONSTALKER (1988, USA) - 16th, 23rd, 24th
MURDER IN LAW (1990, USA) - 14th, 21st
MYSTERY OF SPOON RIVER (2000, USA) - 12th, 19th, 24th
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968, USA) - 30th
NOSFERATU (1922, Germany) - 16th, 23rd, 25th
NOTHING BUT THE NIGHT (1972, UK) - 13th, 20th
PARTY CRASHER (2000, USA) -
PHANTOM EMPIRE, THE (1986, USA) - 12th, 18th, 19th, 29th
PROJECT VAMPIRE (1993, USA) - 9th, 16th, 23rd, 25th
PSYCLOPS (2002, USA) - 14th, 21st, 28th
REEL HORROR (1985, USA) - 13th, 20th, 25th
REVENGE (1971, UK) - 10th, 28th
REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN (199?, USA) - 9th, 13th, 20th, 27th
SACRED FLESH (2000, UK) - 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 30th
SHOUT, THE (1978, UK) - 12th, 19th, 24th
SHUNNED HOUSE, THE (2003, Italy) - 29th
SORORITY GIRLS AND THE CREATURE FROM HELL (1990, USA) - 10th, 26th
SPANIARD'S CURSE, THE (1958, UK) - 9th, 15th, 22nd
SPIDER BABY (1964, USA) - 18th, 26th
STEPFATHER, THE (1987, USA) - 17th
STEPFATHER 2, THE (1989, USA) - 15th, 22nd
TERROR, THE (1963, USA) - 30th
UNCANNY, THE (1977, UK/Canada) - 13th, 20th
VAMPIRE BAT, THE (1933, USA) - 10th, 17th
VAMPYR (1932, France/Germany) - 11th, 29th
WHITE ZOMBIE (1932, USA) - 13th, 20th
ZIPPERFACE (1992, USA) - 10th, 26th

Certainly loks like a lot of new (and decent) films have been added, and... WAIT A BLOODY MINUTE! BLOODY MURDER?! :D:D:D

[therealjohng]

So are these films going to be uncut? As in all the nudity and gore and violence is left in? That would be the only reason to get it imo.

[Cronos]

im soooooo fucking looking forward to finally seeing Alice Sweet Alice

[GoldenGhost]

Alice Sweet Alice and Night of the Living Dead. There is hope.

Btw, did anyone catch one of the most WANK films EVER the other night...

The Horror Story?

Jesus wept, after 15 minutes, that was it. FUCK it was awful.

[Cronos]

i missed the Horror Story, but i made the mistake of watching Reel Horror (at least the first 10 minutes of it), christ, that is one of the worst films ive seen

[Jewbo]

they are showing some terrible films but at least they are rare terrible films. theres a place in my heart for them.

[Scully1888]

Ach, I like my fair share of shite.

It means you can appreciate the classics that little bit more. :)

[Psychocandy]

The UK Horror Channel has been going for a year or so now...and it sucks. Big time. Absolutely appalling. A combination of straight to video US cack, eurocheese (I’m not and never will be a Jess Franco fan), and ancient b&w "gems" the prints of which last came within spitting distance of being enjoyably viewable decades ago. I know it's free. But fucking hell...I was looking forward to the dawn of a new horror age on UK satellite TV with all the enthusiasm your average kid bottles up in the weeks before Christmas. The end result was kinda like the kind of sickening disappointment the same kid would feel if he rose from bed on December 25th only to discover that someone had murdered his parents and stole all his toys (ok slight exaggeration...but I was miffed).

Do my fellow UK schmoes agree? Or does the channel have it's fans (surely not).

[heretic]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
The UK Horror Channel has been going for a year or so now...and it sucks. Big time. Absolutely appalling. A combination of straight to video US cack, eurocheese (I’m not and never will be a Jess Franco fan), and ancient b&w "gems" the prints of which last came within spitting distance of being enjoyably viewable decades ago. I know it's free. But fucking hell...I was looking forward to the dawn of a new horror age on UK satellite TV with all the enthusiasm your average kid bottles up in the weeks before Christmas. The end result was kinda like the kind of sickening disappointment the same kid would feel if he rose from bed on December 25th only to discover that someone had murdered his parents and stole all his toys (ok slight exaggeration...but I was miffed).

Do my fellow UK schmoes agree? Or does the channel have it's fans (surely not).

Couldn't agree more I very rarely watch this channel is ever a huge let down after me having so much anticipation for the launch. Occasionaly I turn it on and see a old film that I've always wanted to see is on such 'White Zombie' only to find out that the print is unwatchable. It's a real shame this could and should of been so much more.

[KillerKlown]

This channel has been a huge disappointment to me. Apart from the odd film that may be worth watching, such as The Monster Club, it's mostly shite that's on.

[ERIN_LoJ]

To my knowledge the American Horror Channel didn't come out in 2004 either. Another dissapointment. I haven't been following any of these 'TV channels for months' now. It either never comes or something else. You would think it wouldn't be that hard to just make a decent horror channel.

[Cronos]

yeah, ive been overly disappointed with it although i have finally managed to see some films such as Alice Sweet Alice, Turkey Shoot, Fascination, Monster Club and the Bloody Murder films (to see how bad they really are)

but i want to know wheres the Bava and Fulci we were promised??

[GoldenGhost]

Oh this is a good channel. Not in the way I would like it to be, but we get some horrible stuff on here, it's quite brilliant. I was watching something late last night, cant remember the name (who the fucks cares!) and it was nothing short of genius. This channel aint going nowhere for a while so we might aswell accept it, get your buds round, canny few beers, spark a blunt and have your tellybox on The Horror Channel. Regret you will not.

[Psychocandy]

I still think it sucks. But what more can we possibly expect from a free channel? I'd happily pay for a really cool horror channel but I doubt there would be enough subscribers to keep it going. There are some pretty cool b&w movies on but unfortunately the picture quality is usually appalling and they generally suffer from serious sound quality issues. As for the stuff later at night. I used to have a lot of time for horror cheese but i'd rather check out one of the inumerable classics I own on DVD than watch z-movie schlock these days. And don't get me started on the soft-core european flicks that predominate. They must have got a real good deal on all those Jess Franco movies they keep throwing at us. I'd rather nail my cock to a table than watch another of his "dreamlike" atrocities.