Today’s title is actually stolen from a song called “It’s Magic.” The name of the band was Jigsaw. Of course, this was long before anyone thought of “Saw.”
Our current installment will have us visiting a classic from the 1960’s, a very short scare, our old friend, Drew Daywalt and some others that we find on the dark and treacherous road along the way. I would keep the windows up and the doors locked for this trip.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1962)
https://vimeo.com/15147706
One of the great, and often forgotten, masters of the American short story was Ambrose Bierce. This tale of love and escape is part of a trilogy of Civil War stories that were filmed. French director Robert Enrico created a trio of hugely atmospheric and eerie views of the Civil War. This particular film was once used as an episode of “The Twilight Zone.”
Rod Serling
If you have the time, here are the other two parts. “Chicamauga” is part one and “The Mockingbird” is part three.
Please find the time.
Chicamauga (1962)
My recent family research found a distant relative that was killed at that battle.
The Mockingbird (1962)
One Last Dive (2013)
This is a really quick, really scary horror film. Canadian director and writer Jason Eisener takes us underwater, in search of a drowning victim. Eisener has given us parts of “The ABC’s of Death”, “V/H/S 2”, and the award-winning short “Treevenge”, which you’ll have to wait until I do the segment on the letter “T”. Sorry…
I’d like to mention the One Minute Film Competition. Every year, there is a contest to make an effective film, in a given theme, that is sixty seconds or less in length. Many of the horror films from that competition can be found online. Details can be found at http://1-minutefilmcompetition.org.
The Old Chair (2012)
Ah, Drew Daywalt. The things that you use to scare us. An old chair in an online marketplace. What could be more innocent? Mr. Daywalt…what are you doing to my sleep habits?
Organ Grinder (2011)
Chad Crawford Kinkle weaves a tale of demonic possession and an interesting form of exorcism. Not for the weak of stomach. Not for prudes either, if you get my drift.
Ovation (2015)
CGI animation introduces us to a boy who finds the performance of a magician boring. The writing/directing team of JoAnn Kang and Keqian Sophia Wang bring you a quick cautionary tale about attendance at live performances.
Orpheus (2011)
Dreams, rerunning recent events and grief bring a more realistic tone to this experimental film. This film is written and directed by James Button and a product of the United Kingdom. Sometimes, sleep is not the best remedy.
Which brings down the curtain on another letter. Here’s hoping you found a couple to your liking. I’ll be back soon with the next letter. Given what it is, the jokes next time will be very juvenile (bathroom humor).
Once again, Vimeo and YouTube are amazing. IMDB puts the icing on the cake. Thanks again.
Did I mention that I have already started to compile the list of viewing choices for the Halloween Weekend? I know it’s early, but at least one cable station out there is on the ball. Let’s hear it for Turner Classics, whose schedule is available through early November!
