Horror Movie Stand Outs - 1975
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I plan on focusing on the most memorable horror films from each year since my birth.
First up is the made-for-TV movie Trilogy of Terrors starring Karen Black. It was shown on ABC and traumatized a generation of TV viewers. You can stream it on Prime. I didn't find an actual trailer, so here's a short clip to give you a bit of a taste...
Jaws might be the biggest horror movie of the 70s ... definitely one of the biggest movies of 1975 if not the whole decade. You can stream it on Prime and tubi if you want to visit the water this month.
Is The Rocky Horror Picture Show a horror movie? I mean it's in the title, so I'm going with yes.
And more importantly, it's a fun and entertaining movie that showcases Tim Curry's immense talents.
Y'all will have to rent it if you want to watch it one time or dive in and get one of the many collector's editions out there. I don't know if it needs to be said but avoid the newer one. This is the only one you need.
Death Race 2000 may be the last of the "recognizable" movies for casual movie fans. These last 3 movies are neck in neck for both the amount of time I've spent viewing them and for how much I love each one.
Death Race is a perfect B-level horror escape. It is a perfect example of a low-budget film getting it right. Something Roger Corman did so well throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Plus it is one of "King Shark's" earliest rolls ...
You can find this one on tubi
So you may know They Came From Within by another name, Shivers. Either way, you need to see this early David Cronenberg horror spectacular. Another one you can find on tubi.
I would have been out for this one in 1975. Bugs is on Redbox to stream.
Keeping with the creepy crawling theme, The Giant Spider Invasion is here. I feel like the title is pretty self-explanatory. You can watch it on tubi or if you prefer there is a Mystery Science Theater 3000 version on amc+ or possibly tubi as well.
Inn of the Damned is one of Australia's earliest horror westerns. Another one you will find on tubi ...
The Devil's Rain is being moved to the top of my must-watch list. I don't think I've ever seen this movie. The cast is amazing - William Shatner, Tom Skerritt, John Travolta, Ernest Borgnine, and Eddie Albert. I mean WTF. Okay ... say it with me ... "You can stream it on tubi"
Other than the full film, I couldn't find much for A Journey into Fear. This might be one of the few Vincent Price movies I've never seen. I will have to fix that soon. Here are the opening credits I think, and I've included the link below that to the full movie on youtube.
Journey Into Fear Full Movie - Click here
Black Moon is a French film. So right away there's a chance it's not going to make a lick of sense, but also if you decide to check out the trailer - be warned - there might be nudity. The best trailer I could find is a modern one so it's using actual footage in a way to grab your attention. You can only stream it on Criterion Channel if you have it or find a physical copy.
In case it's not clear - To escape a gender war, a girl flees to a remote farmhouse and becomes part of an extensive family's unusual, perhaps even supernatural, lifestyle.
The last horror movie for 1975 is The Psychic Killer. I just want to say trailers from the 70s are so much fun. Also, this movie is PG, something I wouldn't have guessed from how they edited the trailer. You can stream for free on VUDU.
I wanted to throw in 2 favorites from 1975 that don't fit under the horror umbrella. First up is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. One of the funniest movies ever made.
I'm a huge fan of animation, and nothing says animation like a Ralph Bakshi production. Coonskin is a deep dive look at the inner city in the 70s. I consider it a must-see film if you are a fan of blaxploitation films from the time period.
Rabbit, a country-born trickster, takes over the organized crime racket in Harlem, facing opposition from the institutionalized racism of the Mafia and corrupt police.
Find it on kanopy and PLEX to stream or you can rent it where you usually go.