Recursion: A Mind-Bending Thriller

If you're a fan of truly original and intriguing stories, you should definitely be reading the work of Blake Crouch. He's the author of a number of best-selling novels, including the Wayward Pines trilogy, Dark Matter, and Upgrade. They're all exciting and suspenseful tales, deftly combining elements of the science-fiction, action film and thriller genres. Wayward Pines was turned into a television series on the FOX network, and Dark Matter was recently adapted for Apple TV. One of his best novels is Recursion, a mind-bending story about an invention that might just change the way we deal with our memories, as well as redefine our concept of time and reality.

Recursion starts off following two parallel story threads. One branch of the alternating chapters follows NYPD detective Barry Sutton, as he investigates the suicide of a woman who claims she is experiencing memories of a life that she never lived, including a different job, husband and home. It's part of an epidemic called False Memory Syndrome, which is affecting people all over the country. The second branch of the story concerns Helena Smith, a scientist researching new ways to treat the onset of Alzheimer's disease, including a groundbreaking process which implants a memory back into someone's brain.

The stories of Barry and Helena eventually intersect, as they both fall prey to the machinations of Marcus Slade, a billionaire philanthropist who has plans of his own for Helena's research, which involve time travel, and ultimately changing history, through a person's death and resurrection, combining the use of a deprivation chair with Helena's research. But the implications and results of Slade's use of her ideas combined with his own technology could lead to nuclear armageddon. It's up to Barry and Helena, who are in a race against time itself,  to stop Slade, and save the world as we know it.

Recursion is a kinetic thriller that features a clever and original science-fiction concept, and a fast-paced story. One of the novel's strengths is the well-developed characters, who have real emotional depth. These are people we can empathize with, as the traumas they're dealing with are things we can all relate to; for example, Barry is dealing with the loss of a child, and Helena's mother is suffering from Alzheimer's, which initially drives her research. There's also a real philosophical element to the story; should we use discoveries like Helena's, just because we can, no matter what the cost?  Recursion, like all of Blake Crouch's work, is entertaining, thought-provoking and intelligently written. Highly recommended.

Revisiting Penn and Hackman's "Night Moves"

Film fans continue to mourn the recent passing of the supremely talented Gene Hackman. He's one of my favorite actors, and he provided us all with a number of fine performances. Hackman could transition with ease from serious dramatic roles in movies like The French Connection and The Conversation to big-budget fare like The Poseidon Adventure and Superman. What each of his films have in common is that he was excellent in all of them, giving top-notch performances each and every time. Back in 2016, I covered one of my favorite Hackman films, the neo-noir thriller Night Moves, here at Eclectic Avenue. In honor of Hackman and his superb body of work, here's a slightly updated version of that post.

In Night Moves, Hackman is Harry Moseby, a former football player who's working as a private investigator in Los Angeles. His wife Ellen has been encouraging him to join a large investigative agency so he can make more money, but he likes doing things his own way. Harry and Ellen’s relationship has hit a crossroads, and he soon discovers she's having an affair. At a friend’s suggestion, Harry takes on a new case: locating the missing child of former film star Arlene Iverson. Her teenage daughter, Delly, has run off and has been spotted in New Mexico, on the set of a film being made there. It seems Delly (Melanie Griffith, in an early role) is something of a wild child. She's been flirting (and more) with several men on the crew of the movie. When Harry arrives, she's already gone.

Harry tracks Delly to the Florida Keys, where she's staying with her stepfather Tom. Delly doesn’t want to go back, as she believes Arlene is only interested in her trust fund, which she will inherit if anything happens to Delly. Harry tries to convince the young woman to return, and in the meantime forms a bond with Paula, a woman who works for Tom. While on a boat ride with Harry and Paula, Delly goes swimming and finds the wreckage of a small plane, with the pilot’s body still inside. Paula marks the spot with a buoy and the trio goes back to shore. Delly eventually returns to Los Angeles with Harry, and reunites with her mother. A short time later, Harry learns Delly has been killed, and he feels guilty about returning her to Arlene. He's drawn back into Tom and Paula's orbit when he looks into her death. Lies are uncovered, and secrets are revealed. In classic film noir style, things do not end well for anyone.

In Night Moves, characters like Harry and Paula are stuck in places they don’t want to be, but feel powerless to change their lives for the better. Harry is the opposite of the typical film noir hero. He isn’t the tough guy punching his way through things to solve a mystery. He hasn’t discovered the truth about the case, and he hasn't figured out his own truth. Hackman is fantastic in the role, subtly conveying Harry’s anguish and frustration, which is bubbling just under the surface. There’s a fine supporting cast, including Susan Clark, Harris Yulin, John Crawford, Edward Binns, James Woods, and Jennifer Warren, who is terrific as Paula. Strong direction from Arthur Penn, a well-honed screenplay by Alan Sharp, and a moody color palette from cinematographer Bruce Surtees all contribute to the film's success.

 

Night Moves is the second of three collaborations between director Penn and star Hackman, the other two being 1967’s Bonnie & Clyde and 1985’s Target. Night Moves is not a typical thriller, but it's a truly rewarding viewing experience. It couldn’t have been produced in a more appropriate decade than the 1970s. This is one of Hackman's finest performances, and is an absolute must see for fans of his work. The film has just been released in a new Blu-ray edition by The Criterion Collection, featuring a fine selection of extras. Here’s a link to the film’s (somewhat misleading) trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdlLWziBggM.a .

This "Storied Life" is Worth Exploring

"Sometimes books don't find us until the right time." 

- Gabrielle Zevin, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.

A.J. Fikry owns a bookstore on Alice Island, located off the coast of Cape Cod. His wife passed away recently, his business isn't doing well , and he's become something of a recluse and a curmudgeon, who doesn't have many friends. But his world is about to change in ways that he can't imagine. A young child named Maya is left in the bookstore, with a note asking A.J. to take care of her. He also crosses paths with Amy, a publisher's sales rep, who's trying to pitch him on titles to stock in his store. Both of these events will have a profound impact on A.J.'s life.

That's the premise of Gabrielle Zevin's marvelous novel The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. In addition to A.J., Amy and Maya, Zevin also creates a well-drawn supporting cast, including A.J.s sister-in-law Ismay Evans, and local cop Nick Lambaise, who becomes A.J.'s friend and confidant. This is a moving tale that will make you smile and tug at your heartstrings in equal measure. The positive effect that Maya and Amy have on A.J.'s life, and those in his circle, is at the heart of this terrific tale, which some readers might notice takes a bit of inspiration from George Eliot's classic novel, Silas Marner.

If you love books, and emotionally centered stories of life and love filled with joy, along with a touch of sadness, you'll enjoy The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Another essential part of the novel's appeal is A.J. and Amy's passion for books, several of which are quoted and referenced throughout the narrative. The novel was adapted into a movie in 2022, featuring Lucy Hale, Kunal Nayyar and Christina Hendricks. It's a fairly faithful adaptation of the story. The film version is currently streaming on Netflix. Here's a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dDTHI67SLk.

Grey DeLisle's Latest Is Coming Soon!

Grey DeLisle is an exceptionally talented singer, songwriter, voice actor and stand-up comedian. She's brought us some terrific albums in the last few years, including Driftless Girl, She's An Angel and Borrowed. Her latest project, The Grey Album, is set to be released on April 4. This promises to be yet another superb record from this phenomenal artist. DeLisle's signature sound is firmly entrenched in country, Americana and roots music, but she can also rock out like nobody's business, as shown on the album's first single "Forty-Somethin' Runaway," which features Cherie Currie, and the bluesy "I Can't Be Kind" which aptly illustrates that DeLisle is one tough mama who could give Bonnie Raitt a run for her money.

The album will feature twenty tracks, including "Take Me Dancing Again," "House on Fire," and "Who To Love." DeLisle's remarkable, deeply expressive voice, which is as adept at bringing out the emotion of beautiful ballads like "She's An Angel" as it is at delivering the sassy twang necessary for countrified barn burners like "I'll Go Back To Denver (And You Can Go To Hell)" is sure to deliver another set of top-notch performances on The Grey Album. So while we're waiting for Grey's latest extraordinary record to be released, be sure to check out her previous work at https://www.greydelislegriffin.com/.

Mitchum's On The Case: Farewell, My Lovely

Robert Mitchum in Farewell, My Lovely

A number of actors have portrayed author Raymond Chandler's iconic private detective Philip Marlowe throughout the years, including Humphrey Bogart, Dick Powell, James Garner, James Caan, and more recently, Liam Neeson. The only actor to portray Marlowe more than once on the big screen is Robert Mitchum. Back in the early to mid 1970s, Mitchum had completed a pair of noir-tinged crime dramas, the character driven The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) and the action thriller The Yakuza (1974). He had done excellent work in both films, and his next project would be an adaptation of Chandler's second Marlowe novel, Farewell, My Lovely (1975), which had been filmed twice before. The story was first reworked as an entry in RKO's "Falcon" series, as The Falcon Takes Over (1942), and two years later, a more faithful rendition of the novel, Murder, My Sweet (1944), was released by the same studio.

Farewell, My Lovely is set in 1941 Los Angeles, where a just released ex-con named Moose Malloy (played by Jack O'Halloran, who appeared as one of the trio of Kryptonian super-villains in the first two Christopher Reeve Superman films) hires Marlowe to find his girlfriend Velma. Malloy has lost touch with Velma after being in prison for seven years, and he wants to reunite with her. The search for Velma takes Marlowe on a tour of both the high and low end streets of LA. He winds his way through a labyrinthine trail of lies and deception, discovers several dead bodies, and uncovers a host of dark secrets, but finds no easy answers. After all, this is a dark tale, and the movie is based on one of the best-loved literary thrillers from the golden age of noir.

While 1970s cinema is filled with a lineup of excellent neo-noir tales, including Chinatown, Night Moves, and Charley Varrick, Farewell, My Lovely is a throwback to the school noirs of the 1940s, with its moody cinematography by John A. Alonzo, and its lush score by David Shire. The direction by Dick Richards is solid and assured, and David Zelag Goodman's screenplay includes some key dialogue lifted directly from Chandler's novel. The cast is top notch, led by Mitchum's fine performance as Marlowe, and featuring a supporting cast chock full of familiar faces, including Charlotte Rampling, Anthony Zerbe, John Ireland, Sylvia Miles and Harry Dean Stanton. Sylvester Stallone and Joe Spinell, who would later appear together in Rocky, have small roles in the film. 

While many contemporary reviewers remarked that Mitchum was too old to play Marlowe, he projects just the right mix of low key charm and world weariness for the character. He's got good chemistry with the cast, including Rampling's sultry Helen Grayle, and Ireland's no-nonsense cop Lt. Nulty. Mitchum even gets to sing a bit with Miles' careworn ex-chanteuse Jesse Florian. Farewell, My Lovely is absolutely worth seeing if you're a Mitchum fan, and a Chandler devotee. He would reprise the role of Marlowe three years later in an inferior sequel, an adaptation of The Big Sleep, which inexplicably moved the story into the present day. That film featured another all-star cast, including Joan Collins, Oliver Reed, Candy Clark and Sarah Miles. Here's the trailer for Farewell, My Lovely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NgK_-g5b3c.

 

On Their Latest Singles, The Midnight Callers and Gene Champagne Rock On By Looking Back

A pair of finely crafted musical confections from the 1960s and 70s come to life again on the latest singles from New York's The Midnight Callers and Canada's own Gene Champagne. Let's kick things off with The Midnight Callers, who are a New York based quartet that combine rock, power pop, glam and punk into an electrifying musical melange on songs like "41 Miles To Roscoe," "Baby Let Me Be," and "Without Ya." They've released two terrific albums, Red Letter Glow and Rattled Humming Heart. Their latest single is a fabulous cover of The Bay City Rollers 1976 hit "Saturday Night," available now on JEM Records.

The band revs up this 1970s tune and makes it their own, turning the Rollers 1976 classic into a glorious rock/pop rave-up! The single features stellar work by Martin Stubbs on guitar and vocals, Marley Myrianthopolous on bass and keyboards, and Julien Budrino on drums and baguettes. There's also a guest appearance from the amazing Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds on vocals. Reil also mixed and mastered this phenomenal track. This infectious version of "Saturday Night," amps up the melodic energy and power pop vibes inherent in the song, and will most definitely have you singing along. "Saturday Night" is liable to get stuck in your head every day of the week! Here's a link to the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r1-W8ZfiuM.

Gene Champagne is a drummer and vocalist who's best known as a founding member of The Killjoys, as well as for his work with the influential punk band Teenage Head. A longtime staple of the Canadian music scene, he stepped out from behind the drum kit in 2024 and released Let's Jet, a solo EP featuring a quartet of rock, power pop and punk-fueled tunes, including "Shake Some More." Champagne's latest single reaches back into the bubblegum pop archive: it's his stellar rendition of the 1968 Ohio Express hit, "Yummy Yummy Yummy."

Champagne takes that sunny pop hit from the 1960s and gives it a bit of a power-punk makeover, with smashing guitars and thunderous drums piled on top of his phenomenal lead vocal. It's a sensational version of the song, which makes this vintage tune sound fresh, but Champagne never loses sight of the pop genes infused into the original. You can find out more about Gene and his music at his bandcamp page: https://genechampagne1.bandcamp.com/. Here's a link to this marvelous track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Z0kIZTuGs.

 

Some Fabulous "Clues" From The Grip Weeds

The Grip Weeds, the supremely talented psychedelic rock/pop outfit from New Jersey, have just issued a new EP, Early Clues. This release is absolutely cause for celebration by longtime fans of the band, a group which includes this writer. Early Clues gives us a tantalizing glimpse into the future, since the band is hard at work prepping a new record that's set to be released later this year, and the EP features three songs from that disc. That upcoming album is titled Soul Bender, and if the tracks included on Early Clues are any indication, then Soul Bender is going to be yet another top-notch effort from this magnificent band.

The EP features a trio of phenomenal tracks, all of which showcase the band's affinity for a variety of musical genres, including rock, pop, modern rock and power pop. "Flowers For Cynthia" is a glorious slice of psychedelia, topped with a healthy dollop of baroque pop. The tune's 1960s ambience is imbued with sublime vocals and groovy guitars, evoking the sounds of bands like The Beatles, The Left Banke and The Zombies. Co-written with David Wojciechowski of the Insomniacs, it's a track that's very much in the band's multi-genre wheelhouse.
 
Also included on Early Clues is "Column Of Air," a joyous paen to the creative process, which would fit neatly onto a retro themed modern rock playlist. The song is filled with positive emotions and ethereal vibes, and features inspired work from the entire band, whose lineup includes Kurt Reil on drums and vocals, Kristin Pinell Reil on lead vocals and guitar, Rick Reil on keyboards, guitar and vocals, and Dave DeSantis on bass. Finally, there's "Conquer and Divide," which allows the group to indulge their love of garage rock on a boisterous tune that's spiced up with a bit of punk rock attitude.
 
All of the songs on Early Clues effectively display the love that The Grip Weeds feel for these classic genres, and their mastery at creating new music that not only celebrates them, but takes them in new directions, combining psychedelic rock, power pop, and modern rock. I'm really looking forward to checking out Soul Bender when it's released later this year, and hearing what other musical gems the band has in store for us. For more on The Grip Weeds and Early Clues, head over to https://www.gripweeds.com/ or https://jemrecordings.com/.

Johnny J. Blair's Groovy, Evocative "Street"

Johnny J. Blair is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as The Monkees, Buddy & Julie Miller and Al Stewart. He's also released terrific albums such as Door in The Water and Grateful. Blair's eclectic sound encompasses soul, pop, rock, jazz, and world music. He recently re-released his 2011 album I Like The Street, and this superb disc is a prime example of his eclectic talents.

 The disc kicks off with the title track, a percussive blast of rock and roll that amply displays Blair’s gifts as a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist. 

That electrified opener is followed up by Blair’s fantastic version of The Velvet Underground track, “What Goes On.” Then there’s the very cool “If I Could Dress Like Clive Owen,” a Blair original that’s got deep 1960s vibes, which features stellar work from Bret Alexander on guitar and Ron Simasek on drums. That dynamic duo is part of an amazing group of players helping Blair out on the disc, including Tim Breon on guitar, Keith Kavanough on drums, Mike Garson on piano, and Felipe Torres on percussion.

I Like The Street is filled with incredible tunes, including the groovy spoken word tale “Big Town Winding Down,” and the mournful “Kept On Walking (Pivotal Moments In Time).” The 80s tinged ballad “Even In The Night,” and the 1950s-esque “Night Garden” (which features some exquisite piano work from Garson) have a Latin flavor that brings atmosphere and color to both songs. If you're looking to get your secret agent fix, check out "Spying In Barcelona." Of course, no self-respecting rocker could resist the chance to really rock out a bit, and the high-energy, penultimate track “Love That’s Here To Stay” fits the bill nicely.

These evocative songs are Blair’s deeply felt stories of love, loss and redemption, based on his personal experiences, and the people he observed, while living and working in San Francisco. There’s not a false note on this remarkable album. If you’re looking to discover a new artist whose music you can dive into and truly experience, Johnny J. Blair’s I Like The Street is a great place to start. For more on Johnny J. Blair, aka the “Singer At Large,” and to check out his music, head over to his bandcamp page at https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com/.

An Eclectic Avenue Top Ten: 2025 Edition

Here's a roundup of the Eclectic Avenue Top Ten. These are the most visited articles at the blog for the last twelve months.

1. Dizzyfish: My review of a terrific concert by the amazing local band Dizzyfish takes the top spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2024/06/dizzyfish-rocks-with-best-of-1970s.html.

2. Marvin Etzioni: My look at Marvin Etzioni's fantastic 2020 release, What's The Mood of the Country Now? vaults into the number two spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/11/etzonis-whats-mood-is-exceptional.html.

3. Driftless Girl: Moving into the top ten in at number three, my review of the talented Grey DeLisle's 2024 release, Driftless Girl: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2024/03/grey-delisles-remarkable-driftless-girl.html.

4. Nick Piunti: My look at Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men's 2024 disc takes the number four spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2024/10/piuntis-latest-shines-with-power-pop.html.

5. The Magnificent Seven: A long-time resident of the top ten, this look at the 1960 Western classic moves into the number five spot on the list this year: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/04/eli-wallach-vs-magnificent-seven.html

6. The Tearaways: My review of a wonderful album by The Tearaways slides into the number six spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-fabulous-trick-from-tearaways.html.

7. Jacques Tourneur: A look back at the work of a celebrated film director clinches number seven: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/05/jacques-tourneurs-world-of-shadows.html.

8. The Changeling: A classic ghost story featuring George C. Scott materializes at number eight: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2018/02/what-is-secret-of-changeling.html.

9. Made For TV Terror: My look at the classic made for TV chiller Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark stays in the top ten at number 9: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/02/you-can-still-be-afraid-of-dark.html.

10. Some Came Running: A review of one of Dean Martin's finest performances rounds out the top ten for the past year: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1682743027095228958/1975430451169944074.

Thanks for your support of Eclectic Avenue since the blog started back in 2011! Please use the search function on the right side of the main page to check out some of the other articles on the site! Thanks for reading!

Retro Mystery Movie: Murder By Decree

Christopher Plummer & James Mason

Sherlock Holmes has investigated some difficult cases, but in 1979's Murder By Decree, he tries to solve one of the greatest mysteries of all: the identity of Jack The Ripper. The film is one of the better big screen Holmes adventures, thanks in large part to the strong direction by Bob Clark, and outstanding performances from Christopher Plummer as Holmes and James Mason as Dr. Watson. There's also an all-star supporting cast, including Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold, Anthony Quayle and John Gielgud. 

A series of grisly murders is plaguing Whitechapel, and Scotland Yard is having difficulty apprehending the perpetrator, or even producing any leads on the killer. When Holmes joins the hunt for the man nicknamed "Jack The Ripper," he finds his investigation blocked at every turn. Eventually, the consulting detective becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving the police, the Freemasons and even the hallowed halls of the British government. Could Jack The Ripper have ties to the Royal Family? If Holmes uncovers the truth, will he be putting both his and Watson's lives in danger?

Murder By Decree is an atmospheric, well-mounted thriller. The cast is excellent across the board, but Plummer and Mason take top honors for their amazing work as Holmes and Watson. They have wonderful chemistry, and both actors bring warmth and conviction to their interpretations of these iconic characters. Plummer is especially good in a moving scene with Genevieve Bujold as Annie Crook, who's an unfortunate victim of the conspiracy that hopes to conceal the Ripper's true identity. He is also first-rate in a scene at the end of the film where he confronts representatives of the government regarding the truth about the Ripper mystery.

Holmes had faced off against Jack The Ripper once before on cinema screens, in the 1965 thriller A Study In Terror, an almost Hammer-style take on the story. Murder By Decree's solution to the Ripper's identity, which posits that the killer may have had a connection to the royal family, was an idea much in vogue at the time of the film's release. That theory has since fallen out of favor, but that doesn't take away from the fact this is an exciting, well-produced Holmes adventure. In addition to the wonderful cast, the direction by Bob Clark is stellar. The talented and eclectic Clark also helmed films as diverse as Deathdream, Black Christmas, Porky's and A Christmas Story.

Murder by Decree wasn't the only Ripper tale released to theaters in 1979. Time After Time, written and directed by Nicholas Meyer, features H.G. Wells (played by Malcolm McDowell) facing off against Jack The Ripper (portrayed by David Warner) in a time travel tale which brings both men to present-day San Francisco. It's a delightful movie which also features Mary Steenburgen in an an early role. Time After Time is an enjoyable science-fiction adventure, and would make a great double feature with Murder By Decree. By the way, Meyer has also penned several Holmes novels, including The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, which was filmed by director Herbert Ross in 1976. Both Murder By Decree and Time After Time have been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and are available on various streaming services.

A Fateful Train Ride with "Dr. Terror"

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors

Horror films have found great success using the anthology format throughout the years, with multi-story productions ranging from the 1964 Japanese chiller Kwaidan, the made for TV classic Trilogy of Terror (1975) and the 1982 favorite Creepshow spinning multiple tales of terror across movie and television screens. One company whose name became synonymous with the horror anthology was Amicus Productions, formed in 1962 by producers Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg, who had previously collaborated on the 1960 film Horror Hotel (aka City of the Dead). Their initial offerings were the low budget musicals It's Trad, Dad (1962) and Just for Fun (1963), both of which were quite successful in the UK. It's Trad, Dad (1962) was the big-screen debut of director Richard Lester, who went on to helm A Hard Day's Night.

Subotsky was a long-time fan of the horror genre, and one of his favorites was Dead of Night (1945), a well-regarded British film which featured five tales of the supernatural. After working as a writer on the TV series Lights Out, he decided to pen his own horror anthology, and had originally planned to produce a weekly show featuring eerie tales of terror. That project later became the Amicus film Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, a 1965 thriller starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Michael Gough. In the film, Cushing portrays Dr. Schreck (aka Dr. Terror), a mysterious man who joins five others aboard a train which is heading from London to the town of Bradley. It's a train ride that none of them are ever going to forget!

To pass the time on their journey, Dr. Schreck offers to use his tarot cards to foretell the future of his fellow passengers. This leads to five offbeat and eerie tales of werewolves, killer vines, voodoo, vampires, and a vengeful disembodied hand. What the passengers don't know is that their fates have already been sealed, and there's a lot more to Dr. Schreck than meets the eye. Though the individual stories vary in quality, the movie is a lot of fun. Cushing, Lee, and Gough are all terrific in their roles, and there are some other familiar faces in the cast as well, including Bernard Lee (best known as "M" in the James Bond series) and Donald Sutherland, who was just at the beginning of his long career. The movie was directed by Freddie Francis, the celebrated cinematographer of The Innocents (1961) and The Elephant Man (1980), who also helmed a number of horror films for both Amicus and Hammer in the 1960s and 1970s

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors set the tone for six other anthology films released by Amicus, including The House That Dripped Blood (1970), Tales From The Crypt (1972), and The Vault of Horror (1973). While the studio released a number of full-length science-fiction, fantasy and horror films, including The Skull (1965), Scream and Scream Again (1970), and The Land That Time Forgot (1974), they were best known for their anthology movies, which always featured all-star casts, including actors like Joan Collins, Ralph Richardson, Donald Pleasance, and future Drs. Who Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. Dr. Terror's House of Horrors is available to stream on services such as Tubi, and has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray. Here's a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpfRzcOFnwA.