"The Ghoul" Was Ghastly, Darlings....But In A Good Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Svengoolie really unearthed a gem, with a restored version of this allegedly "lost" film, now found and being aired on "Svengoolie" for the first time.

                                       But for the curious, it really does not answer the question--What is a ghoul?  The dictionary defines it in two ways--Someone who feeds on the bodies of the dead, not indicating if they are dead or alive, themselves.  And also someone with an overtly morbid obsession with death.  In third grade, I wrote a lurid short story called "The Ghoul," which I illustrated with a green bodied monster opening a deceased person's coffin.  I am surprised the teacher did not call my mother!

                                       Anyway, that is not the case here.  Boris Karloff, as Professor Morlant, is obsessed with the macabre aspects of Egyptology; in one scene he exposes a tattooed chest, and drives a knife through it, thinking this will bring him eternal life. Huh?  Ralph Richardson, Sir Cedric Hardwicke (before he was knighted) and Ernest Thesiger (who would earn signature status with Karloff two years later in Universal's "The Bride Of Frankenstein" in 1935)--all A-listers--are on hand, as well.  This was said to be the first horror film made in England, and Karloff was grabbed for it, while on a visit overseas to his family.

                                        The plot barely holds together; the visuals are something else.  Stunning, striking, and macabre.  Highly influenced by German Expressionism--remember "The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" from 1919?  And that chest baring scene!  No wonder Svengoolie urged "Viewer Discretion Advised."

                                           Girls, I am afraid that if you want to see a ghoul conceptualized as I did in third grade--which is how I imagine most of us visualize one--you are going to have to make your own movie!

                                              But, I am willing to watch, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time For Us To Catch Up, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        It has been a busy week, darlings, so I have to make the most of my time.

                                       As I reported, David is going back to work on April 4, the Monday after we see

                                     so you know I will give you all a full report.

                                     Meanwhile, I went to the doctor's this week, where I am told I have a "non-alcoholic fatty liver."  Makes no difference; it's still a fatty liver.  I am told two of my meds--Pravastatin and Metformin--both of which I need, for cholesterol and diabetes--are contributing factors.  I have been referred to a hepatologist, whom it is suggested I see.  I will talk the matter over with my sister first.

                                      Suddenly, with age encroaching, and this being Lent, I am filled with spiritual angst--more than the usual.  I am afraid of heading straight to

                                              when my soul departs.  I still plan to watch "The Song Of Bernadette" on Easter.  My therapist suggests I talk to a priest, and he gave me a recommendation.  I will see how that turns out.

                                                  On a happier note, I just finished "Checkout 19," by Claire-Louise Bennett, and while it did not blow me away like "Booth," by Karen Joy Fowler, let me say Bennett does the same thing as Sally Rooney, only better.  Sally I feel I SHOULD read, Claire I want to.

                                                   Still happier, Spring arrived on the 21st, and guess what, darlings?

                                                That is right; Proserpina returned to Earth from Hell; she will be with us for the next six months.   About till my next dental appointment, which is like going back to Hell, too!

                                                    Girls, I am telling you, March has been frantic.  So much so that I forgot--

                                   "in the year of our Lord, 1692, Elizabeth Selwyn was burned at the stake as a witch!"

                                     Talk about March being Lions and Lambs!

                                      Meanwhile, I continue to read, which is a good sign!  Happy reading, everyone!

A Very Special Day, Darlings! St. Joseph's Day, Plus The Day The Swallows Return To Capistrano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                  Yes, girls, Spring is really on the way, what with Liza's birthday last week, and now the swallows returning to Capistrano.  Which is something I have always wanted to witness, but who knows when, if ever, I will get out to California, again?

                                                     Nevertheless, that iconic day has arrived, so there is no turning back.  I am so happy to welcome back the swallows, and pull back Winter, so that it becomes history.  This is a day of joy, so, if you cannot be near Capistrano today, acknowledge that joy however you please.

                                  For starters, how about listening to Pat Boone's famous rendering of the song, "When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano," recorded in 1957??????????????

Girls, Join Us This Evening As Svengoolie Presents Boris Karloff In "The Ghoul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                    There has been a lot of excitement in our house, this week, concerning the upcoming showing of this film.  First, it is a rare gem, said to have been lost, so neither David nor myself have seen it.  Baby Gojira and Kerwyn, who watch along with this, have kept asking me just what a ghoul is, and I don't know how to answer that one.  I told them the film should explain anything.

                                                    All I know is that, while Karloff was visiting his family in England during the early Thirties, he was corralled into making this film, which includes pros like Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Ernest Thesiger, (with whom he would work on their most famous collaborative work, 1935's "The Bride Of Frankenstein!") and Ralph Richardson.  So, this has the potential of being horror of a very high grade.

                                                      I can hear some of you asking, "What is the difference between a ghoul and a zombie?  Are there any differences?  Are they all the same?  I don't know, but maybe this film will help to explain.  Or maybe you should watch the 1943 Val Lewton classic, "I Walked With A Zombie."  Bronte lovers especially will appreciate the latter!

                                                       So, you are invited to join us all for this special screening.

                                       Natasha Fatale says, "Tune in tonight, dahlings!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                       It should be a ghoulish delight, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                     

A Lot Has Happened This Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Let's start with my visit to the dentist, which, fortunately, I survived.  A new picture to indicate that, since I could not find the old one.  As you know, darlings, I have Dental Anxiety Disorder, so, for me, any visit there is a big deal.  And I will NEVER see "Marathon Man."

                                        I went to the dentist on March 16, which is an important day.  On said day, 59 years ago, I made my First Holy Communion.  A picture of me, going for that Jennifer Jones Oscar gold (and this was years before I had seen "The Song Of Bernadette!") hangs on our refrigerator here.  How far that innocent child has strayed from the path.  Lord, guide me, that I may find peace when the time comes!

                                          This was followed by St. Patrick's Day, which was a really big deal in my childhood, when all the relatives were alive, but less so now.  Nevertheless, David and I, plus Baby Gojira, and our neighbor, also David, whom we had join us, had two loaves of Irish Soda Bread, one thoughtfully given to us by our neighbors, and David made a delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, plus homemade ice cream and walnut cookies, which may have done a number on my upper left side end teeth.  Either that, or the pain of the cleaning is starting to show.  But, right now, I feel fine, so I do not think it is too serious.  At least, I hope so!  But it was a lovely way to honor the day!  Remember on St. Patrick's day, EVERYONE is Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Kiss that Blarney Stone, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             Hey!  Going to the dentist is better than this?  Looking like those two guys from "Deliverance?"  Come to think of it, are these them?

 

Time To Welcome Another Reader, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Can you believe it, darlings?  The follower indicator is up to 121, which means there is a new reader to welcome.  So, glad you found your way here, and hope you find the content on here informative and entertaining.  Or you must have already, upon discovering it.

                                                       So, welcome to the blog, and, as I said, with David returning to office work, this blog could be expanding back to where it was, pre-Covid 19.  As much as anything could, hons!

                                                         The Raving Queen, and its community welcome you.  And now, for this blog's unofficial theme song!

                                   As Deborah Harry says in the song "Call Me," feel free to drop in on here and comment anytime!

Girls Of All Types Can Have Fun At The Beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Darlings, these are "1,000 Pound Best Friends," and I am telling you, nothing like these two bathing beauties has ever been seen before!

                                            This should give us all, hope, dears.  Look how stylish and decked out these two look in their bathing suits.  Who knew plus sized could mean fashion??????????????????

                                               Now, I am not encouraging anyone to balloon up.  But, for those already this size, this is proof that going to the beach, looking stylish, and having fun is possible.  And not just for the well built.

                                                  There can be joy in having no sense of shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!