Site Dedication: In Producer Don Dohler’s Memory Archive

75th Birthday Boy Don Dohler

Cult legend Don Dohler would have celebrated his 75th birthday this past January. The genius behind such works as The Alien Factor, Fiend, Nightbeast, Blood Massacre, Stakes, Dead Hunt, and Crawler. he inspired such people as Tom Sullivan (The Evil Dead) and Tom Savini (Day of the Dead) during his illustrious career. He is loved and missed by his Family, Friends, and Fans. We raise a toast to Don Dohler!

Damien Leone’s creation Art the Clown

Filmmaker Damien Leone is a busy man. He’s ended up having a successful slasher hit with his 2016 movie TERRIFIER (starring David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown). This January 29th the young man turned 37. Let’s hope he took a minute out of editing TERRIFIER 2 to eat some birthday cake. Happy birthday Damien! Looks like you have your own party clown!

Bad Movie Night discusses STAKES

What the bloody hell? I’m doing an update? Yes, 2020 was one hell of a bust for everyone. I did do some Youtube videos (more on that later). It is a new year, and we are going to get vaccinated, and we will get back to normal. So let’s get some independent film news out there! First off – as you can see above – the Bad Movie Night guys talk about Timewarp Films 2002 production STAKES. Produced by Don Dohler and directed by Joe Ripple, it is a story of two parallel worlds battling an army of Vampires. The movie stars genre legend George Stover as the ass kicking rogue priest and Scream Queen Leanna Chamish as the evil Vampire Queen. The Bad Movie Night dudes kind of take the piss out of the film from time to time in their review, but by the end they loved it and strongly recommend this indie cult flick. Check out the video. Just don’t check out any videos by Obscura Lupa. Her reviews are forced, unfunny and she has no talent.

Madman Majestro is on Youtube!

While I didn’t get a whole lot done on the website last year, my alter ego got videos made! Madman Majestro of the Madhouse Manor has been doing indie movie reviews on Youtube as well as hosting a Tuesday night KAST party where he shows cool genre movies and chats with his live audience. This video above is all about the cool friggin’ swag that can be gotten from the Madhouse Manor. Check it out!

Lil’ Maddy Majestro from superfan Tammy Bradburn

Speaking of Madman Majestro, I’ve been receiving some really cool gifts from fans! The first thing I got was a fun cartoon of Majestro from Director Chris LaMartina – it’s up on the fridge! Tammy Bradburn sent me a knitted voodoo plushie of myself, which is adorable. She also did an incredible horror-themed cross-stitch for me! Both will be on the show soon! Thanks everybody!

Fanex saluted the incredible Forry Ackerman

Prolific publishers Gary and Sue Svehla held a Fanex convention back in 2001 and saluted the legendary sci fi and horror icon – Forry Ackerman – at their awards ceremony. Fanzine publishers and editors from around the United States gathered to honor Forry for his lifetime of dedication to his craft. A ton of familiar faces tell tales out of school about everybody’s favorite “Ackerman.” The video is introduced by Leanna Chamish.

Actor/Writer Steve Rifkin

Fowl Players Radio gives Actor/Writer Steve Rifkin the VIP treatment in talking to him about his indie film career. Check out this fantastic interview!

MORE COMING SOON!

I’m a couple days late (due to work) but I didn’t forget about honoring Don Dohler. As of December 2nd, Don has been gone from us for 12 years. Taken from family, friends and fans far too soon, Don’s legacy lives on in his movies, his teachings, and his decency.

So let’s take a moment to say “Hi Don. We appreciate you and miss you.” Look over some articles in an old Cinemagic magazine. Watch one of his classic movies. Bask in the knowledge that he has helped make such movies as the Evil Dead and Dawn of the Dead possible. Know that he started the career of J.J. Abrams.

Rest In Peace, Don. Thank you for everything.

Filmmaker Don Dohler

This weekend… it’s been 10 years since we lost independent filmmaker Don Dohler. A whole decade now. Taken way, way too soon. A talented man, and a man that was loved by his family, friends and fans. Thank you for the mentoring, advice and the friendship Don. Thank you for the creativity and movies. I know we all wish we had many, many more years with you.

Alien Factor cover

RetroMedia (Fred Olen Ray) has done the lovers of independent monster movies a tremendous service. The company has released Don Dohler‘s THE ALIEN FACTOR on blu-ray. This disc boasts a beautiful transfer and bucket loads of  extras courtesy of actor George Stover. Click HERE to go to our review of this 1978 cult classic.

wnuf-halloween-special

Next we have Moe Porne and Douglas Tilley’s take on the critically acclaimed found footage movie WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL. The brain child of Chris LaMartina and Jimmy George gets a hilarious and glowing review on Doug and Moe’s latest podcast. Click HERE to listen to it.

NBN Logo

Don Dohler and Robert Long II

A happy 70th birthday to a dear friend and mentor, filmmaker Don Dohler.

bwpff

Gene Crowell has been involved with independent films for a couple of decades now. In 1999, he and a few friends made a documentary about the locations used in the BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Here’s what he told me in his own words: “Our video was shot in 1999 and features the only in camera interview with the then mayor of Burkittsville and a full top to bottom tour of the Rustin Parr house! Which was demolished years ago. The films production designer Ben Rock said we had the best house footage he’s ever seen!” Let’s face it – that’s pretty super awesome. Why not go to YouTube and “Thumbs Up” this video? Super rare – super cool!

Don birthday

January 27th is a day we at Smash or Trash always celebrate; it’s D.I.Y filmmaker Don Dohler‘s birthday! This site is dedicated to Don’s memory, and all the people he influenced whom are now in the movie biz. This day, why not pop one of Don’s movies into your DVD player and give it a spin? Or, go over to Smash or Trash’s CafePress store and pick up some Don Dohler merchandise? Part of the proceeds go towards cancer research!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON! WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!

Welcome to another year’s end of Smash or Trash. It’s been an interesting 12 months to say the least. Sorry that there have not been more in-depth updates, but the reason for that is two-fold: the first being that I was in the hospital for a while – which slowed me down. The second is that I decided to put my movie project on the front burner.

manor promo shot lr

I am busy with the pre-production prep to my first movie in years. It is called MADHOUSE MANOR. The plot is a story of revenge set in a monster wax museum. The script is going through some revisions and I am doing some of the storyboards and props to show potential investors when I set up my kickstarter campaign.

Fear of Clowns Blu-ray

Filmmaker Kevin Kangas’ FEAR OF CLOWNS 2 is getting a deluxe Blu-ray release! Shivers the clown has escaped from the insane asylum and is after artist Lynn Blodgett again. It is up to Detective Dan Peters to protect her from the homicidal reject from the circus. Frank Lama, Jacky Reres and Mark Lassise return in the amped up sequel to the LionsGate Film release. So this baby is loaded for bear with extras – including four commentaries and several making of features. This is a must have for anyone that loves a good horror movie. The Blu-ray drops December 20th, 2013 and is offered at a fantastic price. You can pick it up HERE.

GOH bluray

While we are on the topic of Kangas Kahn Films, there is also news that their film noir thriller GARDEN OF HEDON will get it’s Blu-ray release in February of 2014.  Starring Richard Cutting, John C. Bailey, Beau Nikolas Peregino and Andrew Ely, this murder mystery takes place in a castle where a hedonistic society dwells. The movie sports vibrant color and incredible picture quality (it was shot with a RED camera) and comes overflowing with extras – including commentary, making of documentary, and Easter eggs. This is definitely the “must buy” movie of 2014, so make sure to pick it up. As an added incentive, Kangas Kahn Films has posted the first 14 minutes of the movie online (this includes the prelude). You can check that out HERE.

fangs_eyes

Independent filmmaker Donald F. Glut is trying to raise additional funds for his erotic-themed werewolf movie. Glut, a prolific writer (Empire Strikes Back, Transformers) and dinosaur expert has been making cult underground movies since the 1960s. For the man that inspired John Carpenter (Halloween) with his movies, these additional funds will help to make the special effects better, as well as being able to afford higher production values, locations and props. For more information on how to help and where to make a donation for this production – and the cool incentives offered – the link can be found HERE.

Dohlerites

The New York Dohlerites at the After Movie Diner podcast are covering the two final public-released Timewarp Films movies produced by Don Dohler and Joe Ripple. Jon and Dori Cross, Nick Consol and Phil Rowan review 2004’s VAMPIRE SISTERS and 2007’s DEAD HUNT. Both films receive a lot of love and laughs from the folks at the Diner, and go into detail about why Dohler’s films are well worth seeking out. Besides the reviews there is a hilarious Alien Factor-themed skit at the beginning, a kick ass song about Don Dohler and his team, and as a bonus there is a little interview with me too.

So, plenty of stuff to check out here at the end of the year for Smash or Trash, as we go into another exciting year of independent filmmaking in 2014! Happy Holidays and see you all next year!

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Leanna Chris

Independent filmmakers Jimmy George and Chris LaMartina wrapped their movie CALL GIRL OF CTHULU towards the end of Summer of 2013. Pictured above is director LaMartina giving direction to actor Leanna Chamish on the final shooting day.The horror/comedy will no doubt be premiere sometime in 2014. We here at Smash or Trash wish these talented gents continued success. While you wait for the movie, you really should do yourself a favor and check out their found footage film WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL. It has gotten rave reviews everywhere – including the New York Times and MTV!

DOV

Also, the missing DRUNK ON VHS podcast has been found! Podcaster Moe Porne talks with AMD podcaster Jon Cross about the gore-drenched cult movieDon Dohler‘s BLOOD MASSACRE. The movie stars the legendary George Stover  and is arguably considered the best of Dohler’s early work.

Don Dohler, Robin London, Blood Massacre, George Stover

 

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Don Dohler Nightbeast 1979

Seven years ago today do-it-yourself low budget independent filmmaker Donald Michael Dohler passed away. He is still missed by his family, friends, and fans. Let’s take a moment to respect his memory.