Episode 134: Planet 8 Rides The Horror Express!

As many of us are experiencing a very chilly winter, it seemed appropriate for us to do a deep dive on "Horror Express," a 1973 film set in a very cold environment, a train on a journey through Siberia! This classic 70s horror film features legends Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, this time, teamed up against the evil creature, and also features Telly Savalas, yes, Kojak, as an over-the-top Cossack captain.

While often mistaken for a Hammer film, this was actually a Spanish/British production. A one sentence description of the movie might be "Murder on the Orient Express meets The Thing." Lee's scientist brings the fossilized corpse of a missing link on board the train - but it harbors the essence of an alien entity who reanimates the corpse and goes on a murder spree. The cast also features characters right out of Clue, with a Russian Count and Countess, a slinky spy, an engineer, a police inspector, and a Rasputin-like monk. It's at turns creepy and funny, but always watchable.

In our Sensor Sweep, Commander Larry shares his newest acquisition, Chekov's Enterprise, Walter Koening's journal of working on Star Trek The Motion Picture. He also shares Creatures magazine (thanks Jenny!). Finally, he has a humongous Mothra statue from Mondo. Check it out on our YouTube channel! Bob has picked up the late David J. Skal's book, Halloween: The Making of America's Darkest Holiday. He also has a comic, Godzilla Rivals: Jet Jaguar vs. Megalon from IDW, with a cover by Lenny Romero, who has been an artist at the Bay Area Film Events Godzillafest. This issue is only available online. Bob's hat trick is a book that collects the magazine Fantastic Monsters. Recon Officer Walker shares the graphic novel Star Trek and the Planet of the Apes: The Prime Directive by the Tipton brothers and artist Rachel Stott. It's a fun story that captures the spirit of both franchises.

That's all for now. Share your memories of Horror Express with us at one of our spots:

Episode 134: Planet 8 Rides The Horror Express!

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