Hal C F Astell

Huh?: an A-z of Why Classic American Bad Movies Were Made (Cinematic Hell) (Volume 1) Hal C F Astell

This book, by film critic Hal C F Astell of the Apocalypse Later review site, explores the quirky and surprising reasons why 26 classic American bad movies were made.

It aims to be highly representative of different budgets, timeframes and genres.

Films included range from big budget Hollywood productions like Strange Interlude, The Outlaw and The Conqueror to no budget indie flicks like Manos: The Hands of Fate, The Beast of Yucca Flats and The Monster of Camp Sunshine.

They span the years from from 1932 (Strange Interlude) to 1980 (Fist of Fear, Touch of Death), with each decade fairly represented.

They also span diverse genres: not just horror and science fiction films, but also martial arts, melodrama, biker, adventure, exploitation, war, espionage, western, comedy, biopic, historical drama and message movies.

A complete list of chapters with their theme is: A is for Ambition: Eegah (1962)
B is for Bruce: Fist of Fear, Touch of Death (1980)
C is for Con: The Creeping Terror (1964)
D is for Debt: The Corpse Grinders (1971)
E is for Ego: Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)
F is for Frustration: The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
G is for Gimmickry: Strange Interlude (1932)
H is for Hubris: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)
I is for Insanity: Pink Angels (1971)
J is for Justice: Child Bride (1938)
K is for Knockers: Double Agent 73 (1974)
L is for Location: Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961)
M is for Mimicry: Life Returns (1935)
N is for Necessity: Monster a Go-Go (1965)
O is for Opportunity: Polk County Pot Plane (1977)
P is for Patchwork: Devil Monster (1946)
Q is for Quickie: Cuban Rebel Girls (1959)
R is for Religion: Blood Freak (1972)
S is for Sex: The Outlaw (1943)
T is for Timeslot: They Saved Hitler's Brain (1976)
U is for Unknown: The Monster of Camp Sunshine (1964)
V is for Violence: Blood Feast (1963)
W is for Whimsy: Rat Pfink a Boo Boo (1966)
X is for eXploitation: Chained for Life (1951)
Y is for Yes: The Conqueror (1956)
Z is for Zeal: Reefer Madness (1936)