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DeutschThe Astrologer (1975 horror film)
| The Astrologer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | James Glickenhaus (as Jim Glickenhaus) |
| Written by | James Glickenhaus (uncredited) |
| Based on | The Astrologer by John Cameron |
| Produced by | Mark Buntzman |
| Starring | Bob Byrd Mark Buntzman James Glickenhaus |
| Cinematography | Francis A. Romero |
| Edited by | Victor Zimet |
| Music by | Brad Fiedel |
| Distributed by | Republic Arts |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $65,000[1] |
The Astrologer (also known as Suicide Cult) is a 1975 American horror film directed by James Glickenhaus and starring Bob Byrd, Mark Buntzman, and James Glickenhaus.[2][3]
Premise
[edit]A scientist who is investigating reports of the Second Coming of Christ ends up in conflict with a Satan-worshipping suicide cult.
Cast
[edit]- Bob Byrd as Alexei
- Mark Buntzman as Kajerste
- James Glickenhaus as Spy
- Alison McCarthy
- Al Narcisse
- Monica Tidwell as Kate Abarnel
- Ivy White as Indian Maiden
Production
[edit]The film was based on the book The Astrologer written by John Cameron, James Glickenhaus's future father-in-law.[4] Glickenhaus made a deal with Cameron for the book, wrote the screenplay.[4]
Glickenhaus says that he made the movie for about $20,000.[5] "I'd inherited some money," Glickenhaus told The New York Times, "and I took all of it and lost it making a movie called 'The Astrologer.' I'd been to film school, but film school was oriented more toward the avant-garde in those days, and I didn't really know what a master was or a cutaway or a closeup. And I had great trouble conveying ideas, except in dialogue. So 'The Astrologer,' which was about 79 minutes long, was probably 60 minutes of dialogue. I mean, it was interminable. I didn't think it was interminable then. I thought it was great and interesting and fascinating to listen to." The film took him two years to produce from start to finish.[6]
The film's soundtrack was composed by Brad Fiedel, in his debut.[7]
Release
[edit]With no independent distributors interested in acquiring the film, Glickenhaus convinced some drive-in theaters in the South to screen it.[5] He later recalled, "Even though it was a terrible movie, people didn't absolutely hate it. But I realized by watching them that the only parts they liked were the parts with action."[6] Glickenhaus deciding the overabundance of dialogue in The Astrologer compared to the level of action was the cause of its failure would inspire him to write The Exterminator[4] 21st Century Film Corporation eventually bought the rights to The Astrologer believing they could make it work and re-titled it The Suicide Cult in an effort to capitalize on the Jonestown massacre.[4]
Reception
[edit]The film was called an ”ultra obscure and undeniably fascinating thriller".[8] Another commentator found, ’’The irony, however, is that this debut effort by James Glickenhaus is neither a horror or science fiction film: its a pure Christploitation, aka Godploitation, romp...”[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Brian Albright (October 19, 2012). Regional Horror Films, 1958-1990: A State-by-State Guide with Interviews. McFarland. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-7864-7227-7.
- ^ Gallagher, John A. (12 August 1989). Film Directors on Directing. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780275932725. Retrieved 12 August 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ Clark, Randall (17 December 2013). At a Theater or Drive-in Near You: The History, Culture, and Politics of the American Exploitation Film. Routledge. ISBN 9781317929093. Retrieved 12 August 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Higson, Paul (1990). "An Interview with James Glickenhaus". Fantasynopsis. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Deuce Notebook: The United States of Glickenhaus". MUBI. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ a b Chase, Chris (3 September 1982). "AT THE MOVIES; Jennifer Leigh and her trip from X to R." The New York Times. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- ^ Thomas S. Hischak (April 16, 2015). The Encyclopedia of Film Composers. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 233. ISBN 978-1-4422-4550-1.
- ^ "The Astrologer [Blu-ray]". Severin Films. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
- ^ Francis, R. D. (2021-12-04). "Suicide Cult, aka The Astrologer (1975)". B&S About Movies. Retrieved 2023-12-25.