Beast of the Yellow Night
This article is missing information about the film's theatrical release.(November 2019) |
Beast of the Yellow Night | |
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Directed by | Eddie Romero |
Written by | Eddie Romero |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Distributed by | New World Pictures (U.S.) |
Release date |
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Running time | 87 minutes |
Countries |
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Languages |
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Budget | US$200,000 or US$60,000[1] |
Beast of the Yellow Night is a 1971 Filipino/American horror film, directed by Eddie Romero and starring John Ashley, who co-produced the film with Romero. It was the fourth release for Roger Corman's distribution company New World Pictures. It was released as a double feature with the West German horror film, Creature with the Blue Hand.[2]
After successfully distributing
Plot
The film is set near the end of World War II in the Philippines.
Cast
- John Ashley as Joseph Langdon/Philip Rogers
- Mary Charlotte Wilcox as Julia Rogers (as Mary Wilcox)
- Leopoldo Salcedo as Inspector Santos
- Eddie Garcia as Det. Lt. Campo
- Ken Metcalfe as Earl Rogers
- Vic Díazas Satan
- Andres Centeneraas blind man
- Ruben Rustia as hospital doctor
- Don Lipman as U.S. military attaché
- Jose Garcia
- James Spencer
- Carpi Asturias as Langdon's jungle contact
- Jose Roy Jr.
- Criselda
- Joonee Gamboa as Mateo
- Peter Magurean
- Nora Nuñez
- Johnny Long
Production
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2019) |
Ashley said that playing the role of the monster "was a lot of fun to do. I used a double in the long shots but the scenes where the beast was talking...was me."[4] Ashley later said that the film was among the better written of his Philippines films. "It certainly was the most cerebral, if you can call any of those pictures that", he said.[5] The success of the movie led Corman to make a series of films in the Philippines, including The Big Doll House.[6]
Release
Beast of the Yellow Night was released in 1971 in the US. "We really tried for quality", Romero said later. "I don't think it did very well. They [the audience] prefer out and out gore."[7]
Diabolique magazine wrote that "The film is a lot of fun, and Ashley's performance is good – he's not playing a stock leading man character this time, but a tormented killer redeemed by love for his new wife. It was a financial success and launched Ashley as a producer, while confirming his status as a draw in horror movies."[6]
Home video
Beast of the Yellow Night was released on DVD by Ventura Distribution on August 21, 2001. The film was reissued several times after its initial DVD release, usually as part of a multi-disc combo pack. It was last released by VCI Video as a part of a four-disc combo pack.[8]
Reception
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2018) |
Beast of the Yellow Night received mostly negative reviews upon its release. Linda Gross of the Los Angeles Times called it a "confusing, implausible rather poorly made horror film", although she admitted it had "a nice twist" showing "two kinds of caring: that of a woman whose love implies expectations and that of a friend who wants nothing and is thereby able to give more."[9] Graeme Clark of The Spinning Image rated the film three out of 10 stars, criticizing the film's overly talky and confusing script.[10]
Legacy
Ashley later became a producer on
In 2014, Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett of movie mocking commentary RiffTrax riffed the film as part of their repertoire.
See also
References
- ^ "Cinefantastique Vol 01 No 4 (Fall 1971)". Cinefantastique. 1971. p. 43.
- ^ https://www.grindhousedatabase.com/index.php/Beast_of_the_Yellow_Night/Creature_With_the_Blue_Hand_(1967)
- ISBN 978-0-89950-628-9.
- ^ Weaver, pp. 42-43
- ^ Weaver, p. 43
- ^ a b Vagg, Stephen (December 2019). "A Hell of a Life: The Nine Lives of John Ashley". Diabolique Magazine.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Leavold, Andrew (2006). "Strong Coffee with a National Treasure: An Interview with Eddie Romero". Cashiers du Cinemart.
- ^ "Beast of the Yellow Night (1979) – Eddie Romero". AllMovie. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ Gross, Linda (December 22, 1973). "MOVIE REVIEW". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Clark, Graeme. "Beast of the Yellow Night Review (1971)". The Spinning Image. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ProQuest 389734195.