Since 1990, Something Weird Video has rescued thousands of bizarre and wonderful exploitation titles from obscurity. To celebrate the work of founder Mike Vraney, who died last week, here are some of Something Weird’s best offerings. WARNING: Some blurred but very NSFW images ahead.
Mike Vraney was inspired by his teenage job as a theater projectionist when he decided to transfer countless hours of film onto VHS and DVD. Vraney's passion was exploitation films — the splatter films of Herschell Gordon Lewis and the sexploitation masterpieces of Doris Wishman. On the Something Weird Video website, you can browse thousands of titles for purchase, both as DVDs and downloads. While it would be impossible to sum up all the greatness that the Seattle-based film distributor has put out over the years, here are some of the more notable Something Weird selections.
Something Weird (1967)
Director: Herschell Gordon Lewis
What it's about: An electrical accident disfigures Cronin Mitchell — but it also grants him psychic powers! He starts dating a witch in exchange for having his face healed, and learns that he can boost his powers by tripping on LSD.
Purchase: DVD or download
Something Weird Video
Blood Feast (1963)
Director: Herschell Gordon Lewis
What it's about: Caterer Fuad Ramses is brutally murdering women and using their body parts in meals that he makes as a sacrifice to the Egyptian goddess Ishtar. This is a classic splatter film, and not for the faint of heart.
Purchase: DVD or download
Something Weird Video
Color Me Blood Red (1965)
Director: Herschell Gordon Lewis
What it's about: Struggling artist Adam finds success when he accidentally incorporates blood into his art. Soon, he's doing it on purpose, murdering his girlfriend and other hapless women who stumble onto his path.
Purchase: DVD or download
Something Weird Video
