November 2009 Archives
The Saltair Pavilion
Some of you have watched with interest the DVD of ‘Carnival of Souls’ 1962 after my recent blog, and emailed to say that you enjoyed it, but wondered if I knew anything about the creepy derelict Pavilion used in the movie.
The Pavilion was built in the 1800’s as a health spa on the edge of The Great Salt Lake in Utah. Thousands came to take to the waters that were heavily salted… the only creatures able to sustain life in it’s saline depths were tens of millions of Brine Shrimps, harvested today as pet fish food… In those days one could simply float without drowning in the water! The end of the Pavilion came as part of The Great Salt Lake began to dry, and by the time the movie ‘Carnival of Souls’ was made in 1962 The Saltair Pavilion was in a sorry state.
I Hope that makes the film even more interesting for you… By the way, the director saw the Moorish type Pavilion driving home one night across state, and seeing it at the most erie gave him the idea for the film.
Michael’s Fungi…
Michael Halfpenny’s interesting picture of fungi, struck a thought with me…
The use of fungi by humans dates back to prehistory. Otzi’ the Iceman, a well preserved mummy of a 5,300 year old Neolithic man found frozen in the Austrian Alps, carried two types of mushrooms that may have been used for medicinal purposes. Otzi’ was found in September 1991 in the Schnalstal Glacier, and is Europe’s oldest natural human mummy. He is displayed with his belongings in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Northern Italy.
Carnival of Souls…
Made in 1962 ‘Carnival of Souls’ was shot as a ‘B’ picture in three weeks, and since has become a huge cult film!
After a fatal car accident a young woman played by Candace Hilligoss finds herself trapped between this world and the next.
The Dead make several attempts to bring her to the world of perpetual darkness…
It’s a film of the supernatural played with thought and great feeling, and was made in the US by director Herk Harvey.
Night of the Demon…
“It has been written since the beginning of time, ever unto these ancient stones, that evil supernatural creatures exist in a world of darkness, and it is also said; man using the magical power of the ancient runic symbols can call forth these forces of darkness… The Demons of Hell”
The opening lines against the backdrop of Stonehenge is the setting for ‘Night of the Demon’ by Sabre Film Productions from an original story by Montague R. James.
Made in 1957, it still has the force to give me a good scare! It’s an all British production featuring American actor Dana Andrews and British star Peggy Cummins, but the real star of the show is Irish actor Niall MacGinnis, known for his exacting role in ’Jason and the Argonauts’ Niall was an actor that could be wasted in supporting roles, but given the few leading roles in his career… he was overly magnificient.
Hemel Hempstead.. Peaceful after Buncefield
A Tranquil Scene
This peaceful and tranquil scene in Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, Hertfordshire England, is in sharp contrast to the terrible disaster 4 years ago at the nearby Buncefield Oil Depot, that resulted in the evacuation of thousands of the town’s residents on the morning of Sunday the 11th of December 2005.
Michael’s Mountain…
I simply had to include a lasting shot from Michael Halfpenny’s portfolio of Kleine Scheidegg… and this time it’s his dramatic camera work taken on the snow-bound mountain side of Kleine Scheidegg.
More from Michael Halfpenny…
Michael Halfpenny continues his travels around Kleine Scheidegg with this striking contemporary picture taken at the famous Swiss ski resort.
Michael Halfpenny’s camera…
Michael halfpenny’s camera is seen here recording a striking example of Swiss architecture at Kleine Scheidegg…
Wonderful Scenery!
Another beautiful scene from around Kleine Scheidegg - pictured by the creative camera work of Michael Halfpenny.
More of Kleine Scheidegg…
Another of this week’s stunning pictures of Kleine Scheidegg Switzerland by Michael Halfpenny.
