Late night movies in the 1970’s and early 80’s kicked ass. You can take that statement to the bank. This is not an opinion; I say it with mathematical certainty.Turn on your TV tonight with your 250 channels and TiVo and find something to watch that’s off the beaten path, some long lost gem from the 60’s or 70’s. Actually, don’t bother – you’ll just embarrass yourself. Sure, TCM does a fairly good job of bringing you older films from around the 40’s, but if you’re wanting to find something like Corvette Summer (1978) or The House that Dripped Blood (1971)… you are probably going to be SOL.
Here's a snippet from a TV guide from July 1981. The image shows a small portion of the schedule … with just a few channels to choose from. Yet, night after freaking night the stations were overflowing with awesome retro goodness!
Take a long hard look at the schedule. You’ll find these trash and treasures to choose from:Can't Stop the Music (1980) – This is a disco movie starring The Village People, Steve Guttenberg and Bruce Jenner. Need I say more?
The Clones (1974) - The first movie to ever use the term "clone" in its title. I’ve never seen this, and likely never will. It’s not on DVD.
The Castle of Fu Manchu (1968) - Christopher Lee plays an evil Chinese mastermind!
Hot Stuff (1979) - Starring Jerry Reed, Dom DeLuise and Susan Plachette (pictured at the top of this post)... look me in the eyes tell me you don't want to see this.
Short Walk to Daylight (1972) - James Brolin is trapped in a subway after an earthquake, he and the other passengers must find their way out. Good luck trying to find this jewel on DVD… it’s gone, baby gone.
White Line Fever (1975) – One of the best trucker movies ever made.
Tales from the Crypt (1972) – One of my all time favorite horror anthology movies. Joan Collins is great in it. You’re lucky to find this on TV even around Halloween nowadays.
The Omegans (1967) - A VERY obscure science fiction movie filmed in the Filipino jungle starring Ingrid Pitt!
And this is just a small block of time!
Today, you’ll find flicks like Enemy of the State or Tommy Boy on TNT, AMC or TBS… but where are the trashy trucker movies? Where are the gritty grindhouse horror movies? Where’s the manic cocaine fueled disco movies? Gilligan wants to know.
