CREATURES OF THE SCREEN Out Now!

Don't forget, CREATURES OF THE SCREEN is now out through Bear Manor Media, available in soft or hardcover editions, either via the Bear Manor website, or Amazon in your relevant region!

CREATURES OF THE SCREEN 

The Uncensored (and Unofficial) History of KISSploitation on Film, Television & Home Video
By John Harrison

From the real thing to the rip-offs, and everything in-between, Creatures of the Screen examines the fifty-year history of the rock group KISS on film, television, and home video, as well as the movies and TV shows which were informed and inspired by – and exploited – the band’s striking visual imagery, popularity, and pop culture impact.

While KISS themselves were captured in television projects like The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976) and the infamous KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978), not to mention exposing their own inner turmoil for all to see on a 1979 episode of The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder, the band’s unique visual image was also being "borrowed" by a number of movies and episodic TV shows. From Sonny Bono playing shock rocker Deacon Dark on The Love Boat, to the Scooby-Doo villain the Diabolical Disc Demon. From the grimy XXX hardcore of Devil Inside Her (1977), to the predictable but warming TV movie schmaltz of Pop Rocks (2004)…the KISS influence runs wide and deep.

Told from the viewpoint of a passionate lifelong fan of both KISS and genre cinema, Creatures of the Screen presents the history of KISS as seen from the perspective of their film, television, and home video appearances, as well as exploring the varied works which capitalized on their success. In between, coverage is also given to some of the more interesting and revealing documentaries that have been produced on the band over the years (both official and unauthorized), as well as examining KISS’ history with televised sporting events, and much more. Gene Simmons’ 1980s exploitation acting career is also covered, as are the non-KISS related films and televisions shows produced by Casablanca Records and Filmworks (KISS’ label).

Interviewees in Creatures of the Screen include Christoper K. Lendt (KISS' business manager during the 1970s and '80s), Gary Sherman (who directed Gene Simmons in Wanted: Dead or Alive), Lydia Criss (former wife of original KISS drummer Peter Criss), Michael Bell (prolific voice actor who dubbed Peter Criss in KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park), actor (and original KISS Army member) Alex Winter, Gordon Hessler (director of KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park), documentary filmmaker Andrew Sgambati, and more.

Among the guest contributors to the book are Chris Alexander, Brett Bartlett, Justin Beahm, Daniel Best, Robin Bougie, David Michael Brown, Lee Gambin, Jarret Gahan, Paul Garner, Andrew Graves, Richard Klemensen, David Nolte, Mitch O’Connell, and Staci Layne Wilson.

Creatures of the Screen is bound to leave you wanting to rock and roll all night, and watch movies every day!

“From sitcoms and sportscasts to Scooby-Doo, John Harrison leaves no instance of KISSploitation unmasked. It’s consistently entertaining and exhaustively researched. Two tongues up!”
—Rod Lott (Flick Attack)

"Just when you thought everything that could possibly be written about KISS had been put to print, Harrison finds a rich vein to tap––one that details the band in a fascinating new light. He tempers open idolatry with his astute knowledge and insight into film, TV and cinema, which gives this book its unique flavor. Fans of KISS will lap it up, but it's equally as satisfying for those interested in popular culture, especially when it comes to the marriage of music and the movies."
—Emma Westwood (emmawestwood.net)

“John Harrison’s CREATURES OF THE SCREEN is a page-turning voyage from the first sentence, a beautifully-written and exhaustive look at the numerous film and television appearances from the pop culture phenomenon that was KISS. Harrison’s writing radiates with infectious enthusiasm, and not only does he capture his personal journey through the various facets of KISSploitation, but a long-gone and pivotal decade in the evolution of modern music. Endlessly fascinating and must-read!”

- Dennis Capicik of Unpopped Cinema

RUNAWAY FOX!

Was a delight to meet the Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb herself, Cherie Currie, before her Melbourne show last Thursday evening. I love her in The Runaways and love her in FOXES, so had her sign my QUEENS OF NOISE vinyl and a FOXES lobby card. Her performance in FOXES is so nuanced and underrated. Cherie is great in PARASITE (1982) as well.

A STORM WARNING Is Coming!

New work announcement. Coming in May from Umbrella Entertainment, STORM WARNING (2007), an Australian outback horror film from director Jamie Blanks (URBAN LEGEND) and legendary "Ozploitation" screenwriter Everett De Roche. I contributed an interview with Blanks for the booklet that comes with the limited collector's edition, which also includes a soundtrack CD and other goodies. Only available from the Umbrella website.

STORM WARNING Collector's Edition Pre-Order

CRAWLSPACE Blu-ray Coming!

I was thrilled to get the chance to record an audio commentary for this upcoming Kino Cult release of the sleazy Klaus Kinski flick CRAWLSPACE (1986). My first solo commentary to be released! Coming in Feb 2025.

BOBBIE JO AND THE OUTLAW Blu-ray Coming!

New work announcement! Coming in March from Kino Lorber as part of their Kino Cult imprint. I provided the audio commentary track for this Blu-ray release of BOBBIE JO AND THE OUTLAW (1976), a 70s drive-in action riff on the classic Bonnie & Clyde tale, directed by Mark L. Lester (CLASS OF 1984, FIRESTARTER, COMMANDO) and starring the stunning Lynda Carter (on the cusp of her WONDER WOMAN superstardom) and enigmatic former child evangelist Marjoe Gortner. In 2020 my book on Gortner's film and television career, WILDCAT!, was published by Bear Manor (and is still available), so obviously my commentary track for the movie centers quite a bit on Marjoe's life and work, but also covers lots of other angles that I hope those who buy the release will enjoy.

CREATURES OF THE SCREEN Book Update

I haven't posted any updates for a while, as there has not been much new to report, but I have had a few people reach out, so thought I'd share a quick update on the status of my KISS book, CREATURES OF THE SCREEN.

The text of the book has been finished and with the publisher for several months now. I was initially hoping it would see release between Halloween and Christmas last year, but clearly that didn't eventuate. The publisher (Bear Manor) recently absorbed another publishing imprint, one that specializes in Disney books, so I imagine that put their whole schedule behind for a bit.

However, the layout for the book has now pretty much been completed by the publisher. Once they generate the index at their end and insert into the book, I then get a proof of the whole thing to go through, and that is pretty much the final step. So hopefully it should arrive not too far into the new year.

Ultimately, I want the book to be as good as can be, so if that means a few months delay then it is worth it. And on the positive side, going through and compiling the index has also allowed me to pick up on a few little grammatical errors to correct. But for those who have been looking forward to it, it is still coming and the finish line fast approaching!

SAINTS & SINNERS * ICONS & IDOLS

Had a great time checking out Phillipa Berry's latest exhibition of shrines at the One Star Gallery in Melbourne today. As usual, some beautiful and amazing creative works devoted to a variety of (often neglected) filmmakers, movie stars, musicians, Mexican wrestlers and other cult celebrities.

Some personal faves were the Lee Van Cleef shrine (which is interactive and comes with a toy rifle to shoot the targets down, like an old carnival game!), the brilliant Albert Dekker shrine (paying homage to his notorious kinks), the Ron Haydock/Rat Pfink (which I would have dived on if someone hadn't beat me to it), and the Barbara Peyton shrine (which opens up like a classic old toy puzzle!).

Could have walked out of there with at least half a dozen to my name...in the end, I snagged the Bert I. Gordon shrine (Mr. BIG himself), which seemed appropriate as I had recently recorded an audio commentary track (along with Lee Gambin) for Kino Lorber's upcoming Blu-ray release of Gordon's FOOD OF THE GODS (1976).

Exhibition is only running until this Sunday, so get your skates on if you want to check it out...highly recommended!!

SAINTS & SINNERS * ICONS & IDOLS
IDEAL FOR IDLE WORSHIP
Created by Phillipa Berry
TURNING TASTELESS TRIBUTES INTO SINCERE CASH-INS
SINCE 1991
OPENING Thurs JUNE 27th. 6pm – 8pm
Exhibition continues until Sunday 30th June
Fri 3-7 pm, Sat 1-7 pm, Sun 1-5 pm.
ONE STAR GALLERY, 301-303 Victoria Street,
West Melbourne, VIC 3003.
shrine enquiries: initialspb@hotmail.com

SQUIRM/FOOD OF THE GODS Audio Commentaries Coming

Like Elvis, Lee Gambin may have left the building, but his work lives on. Kino Cult have just announced their upcoming Blu-ray releases of Jeff Lieberman's SQUIRM (1976) and Bert I. Gordon's FOOD OF THE GODS (1976), for which Lee and I recorded an audio commentary track just a week before he passed, and had a total blast doing them. Due in August.

SQUIRM (1976) KINO CULT #13

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Critics/Authors Lee Gambin and John Harrison

• Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Jeff Lieberman

• Digging In - The Making of Squirm: Documentary with Jeff Lieberman, Actor Don Scardino and Special Effects Artist Bill Milling (33:11)

• Eureka: A Tour of Locations with Jeff Lieberman

• TV and Radio Spots

• Theatrical Trailer

• Limited Edition Reversible Art and O-Card Slipcase

• Dual-Layered BD50 Disc

• Optional English Subtitles

THE FOOD OF THE GODS (1976) KINO CULT #10

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Critics/Authors Lee Gambin and John Harrison, Author of WILDCAT!: The Films of Marjoe Gortner

• Audio Commentary by Writer/Producer/Director Bert I. Gordon

• Interview with Actress Belinda Balaski

• 3 Radio Spots and 2 TV Spots

• Theatrical Trailer

• Limited Edition Reversible Art and O-Card Slipcase

• Dual-Layered BD50 Disc

• Optional English Subtitles

LEE GAMBIN 1979 - 2024

Plenty of tears and sadness, but also lots of laughs and an abundance of love and warmth at Lee Gambin's farewell today. I'm glad his love of horror cinema was not neglected. He will be much missed, but he will also be well remembered, and will long remain a source of inspiration to so many.

UNSUNG HORRORS HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE!

Received my contributor's copy of the latest WE BELONG DEAD book project, UNSUNG HORRORS HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE. Another mammoth and beautifully produced volume, for which I contributed essays on Jeff Lieberman's BLUE SUNSHINE (1977), William Grefe's DEATH CURSE OF TARTU (1966), Brian De Palma's SISTERS (1972), and Rod Hardy's THIRST (1979). Fabulous work once again by editors Darrell Buxton and Eric McNaughton, cover artist Paul Garner, and everyone else. Available in both soft and hardcover editions. Order UNSUNG HORRORS HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE Here!

CINEMA OF THE 70s No. 10

A little peek at my eight-page article in the latest issue (#10) of CINEMA OF THE ‘70s magazine, in which I take a look at rock and roll movies from that decade…from WOODSTOCK to GIMME SHELTER to KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK and SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND! 100 full color pages, available from Amazon in most regions. Always a great read that covers a wide range of cinema from that milestone period of filmmaking. Great work as usual by Dawn Dabell and Jonathon Dabell and the other contributors.

RANSOM BLU-RAY!

New work announcement! I was thrilled to contribute an essay on the great English actor Ian McShane for the collector's edition Blu-ray release of the 1974 hi-jack thriller RANSOM (aka THE TERRORISTS), starring Sean Connery. Coming in April from Umbrella.

TANK GIRL BLU-RAY COMING!

New work announcement! Thrilled to be contributing an essay on post-apocalypse genre cinema for the 48-page booklet that will accompany the special collector's edition of Umbrella's Blu-ray release of the cult classic, TANK GIRL (1995). My essay will cover films produced in the 50 years between the first atomic bomb detonation of 1945 and TANK GIRL's release. Amongst the films I'll be discussing will be FIVE (1950), ON THE BEACH (1959), PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO (1962), PLANET OF THE APES (1968), THE OMEGA MAN (1971), ZARDOZ (1974), A BOY AND HIS DOG (1975), THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981), CAFE FLESH (1982) THE DAY AFTER (1983), THREADS (1984), CHERRY 2000 (1987) and many more, not to mention all the great Italian exploitation films which followed in the wake of THE ROAD WARRIOR and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981). Coming in April from Umbrella.

WES CRAVEN BLU-RAY SET COMING!

New work announcement! I provided the essay text to the 44-page booklet that accompanies this upcoming Wes Craven Blu-ray set from Via Vision Entertainment, which collects three of the horror master's mid-period films: DEADLY BLESSING (1981), THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW (1988), and THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS (1991). Coming 13 March in a 3D lenticular hardcase box with bonus art cards!

HAMMER HORROR TRIPLE SHOCK: VOL. 2

The second of Umbrella Entertainment's Triple Shock Hammer Horror box sets is now out, and includes my 16-page illustrated booklet (which is included in the standard retail version as well as the website exclusive collector's edition). Films included in this set are SHADOW OF THE CAT (1961), PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1962), and NIGHT CREATURES (1962, aka CAPTAIN CLEGG).