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PLEASE NOTE: If you need an item quick, don't order from us; amazon is your best bet. We do appreciate you ordering from us directly (the author and the publisher make more from the sale this way), but due to the increased number of orders and covid-related shipping changes, our shipping takes considerably longer than it used to. Please be patient, as it can take 2 to 3 weeks to process and ship orders. Please email us about an order only if it's absolutely necessary. We REALLY appreciate your patience for this, and appreciate your business! THANK YOU!
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Beasts! Bedlam! And Babes! (paperback)
BearManor Media

Beasts! Bedlam! And Babes! (paperback)

$37.00 $0.00
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Beasts! Bedlam! And Babes!

by Richard J. Shmelter

458 pages

6x9 size

ISBN 9798887714196

Beasts! Bedlam! and Babes!!!!

Welcome to this literary drive-in theater, a true labor of love that presents over one hundred drive-in flicks from the late 1950’s through the early 1980’s. Alright folks, let us set the tone for this adventure.  Dusk is falling over the area, and the neon lights of the drive-in and concession stand are calling out like beacons and ready for business. It is now time to fill in the name of your favorite drive-in, no matter the time period.  SEE, NOW WASN’T THAT FUN!!!  Nothing like a bit of individuality to add a personal touch to this experience. Now, it is time to sit back and enjoy this collection of crazed maniacs, freaky monsters, bad ass bikers, and sexy women.  And now my fellow drive-in fanatics, it is time to showcase the films.

HERE WE GO!!!!..............

Richard J. Shmelter is a writer/researcher, and podcast host, from Sagamore Hills, Ohio. His specializes in sports history, American crime history, with emphasis on the Prohibition era, and Hollywood history. He is a member of the North American branch of the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League, and the Pro Football Researchers Association.  Beasts, Bedlam and Babes is Mr. Shmelter’s ninth solo book project, and he has also helped out on three other books pertaining to professional football history.

In addition to his writing projects, he hosts the podcast “Flashback” on Raiders Fan Radio that discusses the incredible, and at many times, the wild moments, in the history of the Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders. 

LIGHTS/CAMERA/AUTHOR interview with RIchard J. Shmelter:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lights-camera-author/episodes/Lights--Camera--Author---Richard-J--Shmelter-e2hbtgd

SHOCK CINEMA REVIEW

BEASTS! BEDLAM! AND BABES!
by Richard J. Shmelter (BearManor Media; bearmanormedia.com; paperback: $37.00).
American International Pictures, New World Pictures, Crown International Pictures — those are just a few of the studios responsible for packing US drive-ins with their cheap but entertaining releases, and author Richard J. Shmelter enthusiastically wades through 125 of these classic B-movies (as well as a few “celluloid dumpster fires”) in this 458-page celebration of schlock cinema, circa 1956 to 1982. Tackling the films in chronological order, Shmelter doesn’t provide much hard info or even casual film criticism, but instead offers up a plot synopsis laced with humorous observations — making fun of “dumb ass”
characters, questioning creaky plot details, applauding gratuitous shower scenes, and supplying snarky, all-caps comments. Unfortunately, that type of purely jokey approach can get a bit tiresome, making this book best consumed in small doses. Each film gets 3 to 4 pages, with the1950s delivering b&w creature features like ATTACK OF THE
50-FOOT WOMAN and THE BLOB; the 1960s are represented by BLOOD FEAST, BEACH PARTY and THE WILD ANGELS; the 1970s unleashed R-rated fare such as THE BIG DOLL HOUSE, COFFY, TRUCK STOP WOMEN, BIG BAD MAMA, and DRIVE-IN MASSACRE; and it wraps up with memorable early-‘80s titles like CHRISTMAS EVIL and SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE. Any fan of cult/exploitation cinema will undoubtedly find several personal favorites in this book, which provides lightweight fun for those who fondly recall the glory days of the drive-in — before pay-cable and VCRs killed off these once-popular passion pits.