A month ago, we reported that legendary producer Roger “King of the B’s” Corman was starting a subscriber-only YouTube channel this summer called Corman’s Drive-In that would bring an extensive catalog of over 400 films he either produced, directed, or both to the Internet.
Corman’s Drive-In is now officially open for business and we have some other crucial details for you. The channel will feature a rotating selection of 30 titles that will be refreshed every month and it will all be made available to viewers for the low monthly price of $3.99. It will premiere with a double feature of the first two films Corman made with future Oscar-winning Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson: the 1958 exploitation drama The Cry Baby Killer and 1960’s man-eating plant comedy Little Shop of Horrors, the latter the inspiration for the 1986 musical remake and the off-Broadway show it was based on.
When the Tarantino/Rodriguez double-feature Grindhouse hit theaters last year, the sudden “popularity” of the term unleashed a fury of bargain basement DVD releases of forgotten films, including a few gems but mostly titles which should have remain forgotten, by companies looking to make a fast buck. Would-be filmmakers across the nation took to their backyard to create their own faux trailers to emulate those created for the intermission of Grindhouse. Plans sputtered along to turn Don’t, Werewolf Women Of The SS, and Thanksgiving into full-length movies, Eli Roth threatened to make a movie of nothing but fake trailers, and Machete was put on the fast track to become a full-length movie.
But while watching Grindhouse, which is an absolutely fantastic ride, there is this little irritating voice in the back of the mind which can’t help but notice that for all the added on scratches, sound pops, and jump cuts to recreate a bygone era of moviemaking, both films still look incredibly modern. Now, prepare yourself for Scott Sanders who has thrown down the gauntlet with Black Dynamite!
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press