Amicus Vault Re-opened!

We'll let the Variety article speak for itself:

"It's alive!

British horror film label Amicus Entertainment has been reanimated by producer Robert Katz, longtime Amicus exec Julie Moldo and financier Jay Firestone.

While the company plans to scare up remakes of such Amicus classics as "The House That Dripped Blood," the shingle will start with two original low-budget horror films. A deal is in the works with a distributor, Katz said, and the goal will be to make as many as six films per year, four budgeted under $5 million and two up to $20 million each.

Katz takes on the Amicus revival effort after concluding his 25-year partnership with Moctesuma Esparza, with whom he produced "Selena" and "The Milagro Beanfield War."

They still have several projects under the Esparza/Katz banner, but Katz wanted a change. The success of low-budget scare fare and his long relationship with late Amicus co-founder Max J. Rosenberg created the opportunity.

Amicus rivaled Hammer for the title of premier British fright film factory of the 1960s, Katz said.

"Hammer was more about monsters; Amicus was more psychological stuff," Katz said. "I'll be looking to do homages to classic titles, the ones that Max didn't sell off with long-term distribution and remake rights, like 'Tales From the Crypt.' We have a catalog that includes 'The Beast Must Die,' 'The House that Dripped Blood,' 'Scream and Scream Again' and 'Torture Garden.' "

Firestone previously established Fireworks Entertainment, sold it to CanWest Entertainment and became chairman-CEO. He left in 2003.

Firestone is providing funds to cover overhead and development, pre-production and deficit financing, though an imminent distribution deal will bear part of the burden.

Amicus kicks off with two Katz-produced pics budgeted under $5 million.

"Re-Animator" helmer Stuart Gordon will direct "Stuck," a thriller about a young woman who commits a hit-and-run, then finds her fate tied to her victim. Gordon wrote the script with John Strysik ("Tales From the Darkside")."

Horror Hotel / City Of The Dead Movie Re-Posted

We’ve reposted Horror Hotel (or City Of The Dead, depending on what country you’re in) for your enjoyment at our MySpace. It’s still a bit blurry, but about as good as it’s going to get on here. We split it up into three parts so we wouldn’t have to compress it as much. It still looks and sounds better than it did. Leave us some comments if you would like to.

Interview coming up with Ingrid Pitt

Be looking out for an interview with British horror queen Ingrid Pitt. We will be talking to her about her role in and experiences shooting The House That Dripped Blood. We'll also talk a little about her new appearance in that "rival" studios new web-based project called "Beyond The Rave". As soon as we get it finished, we'll get it posted for your enjoyment.

Amicus classic on AMC

American Movie Classics (AMC) is showing And Now The Screaming Starts! on Saturday, April 26th at 1:15AM central time. Definitely check it out if you have the channel. Directed by Roy Ward Baker

Starring Peter Cushing, Herbert Lom, Stephanie Beachum

This creepy, atmospheric horror film from England's Amicus Productions dispenses with much of the tongue-in-cheek presentation of their popular '70s horror anthologies (such as Asylum and Dr. Terror's House of Horrors) in favor of a more adult-oriented approach. The story begins in the 18th century, as a young stable hand tries to prevent nobleman Fengriffen (Herbert Lom) from raping a young servant girl -- who happens to be the stable hand's wife -- and for this transgression has his hand lopped off. Flash forward to the present, where Fengriffen's ancestor (Ian Ogilvy) and his wife (Stephanie Beacham), now living on the ancestral estate, are haunted by the servant's vengeful spirit, as well as the severed hand itself, which roams the gloomy corridors of the mansion. Most video versions are taken from the TV print, which is missing some scenes of violence and nudity.

— Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Amicus DVDs Now Available

The Amicus Collection is now available. It features three classic films from the masters of horror directed by Roy Ward Baker and Paul Annett and starring Peter Cushing, Herbert Lom, Michael Gambon, Patrick Magee, Robert Powell, Britt Ekland, and many others. This is your chance to own Asylum, And Now The Screaming Starts!, and The Beast Must Die! in one great package with incredible cover artwork featuring Peter Cushing.

The Midnite Movies double feature DVD release of Tales From The Crypt and The Vault Of Horror is also available now. Here's your chance to get these two classic anthology films on one disc. How convenient! The films are brilliantly directed by Roy Ward Baker and Freddie Francis. They star Peter Cushing, Joan Collins, Patrick Magee, Nigel Patrick, Tom Baker, Denholm Elliott, and many more.