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!