Halloween horror

By David Allen on October 31, 2008 4:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) |

From indefatigable trivia buff Don J. comes word of a trio of horror movies with scenes shot in the (gaaaah!) Inland Valley.

* Says Don: "William Castle's 'Macabre' (1958) was cited by no less an authority than Stephen King as the scariest horror movie shot in Chino." I wonder how much competition there is?

(For screenings of "Macabre," incidentally, theatergoers were issued a life insurance policy, payable if they died of fright. Begging the question: Would anyone die of fright at a movie shot in Chino?)

* Elsewhere in his "Danse Macabre" essay collection, King "namechecked 'Massacre At Central High' which is top-heavy on Claremont College locations (like 'Teen Wolf Too'...)."

* Don concludes: "Oliver Stone's 1981 horror film with Michael Caine, 'The Hand,' has a few scenes where arguably the biggest star ever to shoot in Cucamonga (accompanied by D-Day from 'Animal House') drinks heavily and picks up a stripper at the lamented, notorious Cowgirl strip club."

Sounds like another Michael Caine high point. The Cowgirl was in the current Omaha Jack's location on Foothill.

2 Comments

Ramona said:

DA said:
(Begging the question: Would anyone die of fright at a movie shot in Chino?)

Back in the day a trip to or through some parts of Chino were enough to put the fear of peril in most folks.

Not these days, though. Somewhat. By and large. Mostly.

October 31, 2008 9:52 AM

Warren said:

Having read your blog, I thought that I would mention that the old winery at Haven Ave and Foothill Blvd served as a location for several TV shows in the late 1960s. It was in ruins at the time. One was an episode of "Combat" with Vic Morrow and guest starring Alfred Ryder and the majority of the episode was shot there. Another was a show that had to do with an alien invasion and the last few scenes of the episode was shot there. I think the series was titled "Invasion," but can't be sure.

Warren

["The Invaders," perhaps? I knew about the "Combat" episode, which is on DVD. -- DA]

November 1, 2008 6:32 PM