Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965): Classic B Movies

     The set-up of Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965) begins simple enough... The year is 2020. The moon has been colonized and now, for the first time, humans are prepared to explore Venus, because the planet is "so much like our own."

     A space shuttle carrying two human astronauts and a robot named "John" lands on the surface of Venus and almost immediately loses radio contact. 

     Fearing the worst, a recovery team comprised of three more astronauts is launched and sets out to find them. Upon landing, they find themselves in a hostile environment. There is water and the planet can sustain life, but the existing lifeforms are those of prehistoric creatures and plants that attack the men right off the bat. 

     No humanoid life seems present, save for the distant ringing of a female voice and the far off glow of lights, the source of which is not immediately apparent. The men set out in their lunar car to find their friends, but come under attack by a pterodactyl over a body of water, and are forced to submerge their car. 

     Under water, they discover remnants of a past civilization of intelligent life. The rescue mission continues and that vague human female voice persists, forcing themselves to ask the question- "Are there still other people on this planet?"

     

Brief clip of Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet

     It is obvious in watching this film that it was originally intended for an over seas market, and some American voices were poorly overdubbed later for marketing here. The special effects are hokey, but I like that kind of thing.

Currently Accepting Portrait Commissions...

     If you are interested in commissioning me to do a portrait, send me a message with a general idea of what you'd like to have done (with a reference photo attached*) at email: travisliam@aol.com

    I will be able to estimate a price based on the info and photo provided

(simple, single subjects are very affordable, starting as low as $50, prices increase relative to quantity and complexity).

* it is integral that the photos be clear, with decent lighting (no bright flash)

Sarah Lee Guthrie, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Tony Norris, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #8, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Shawn Fogel, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Susan, Louis and Mario, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

The Outlaw (1943): Risque Classic Cinema

     Shot in 1941, The Outlaw wasn't allowed to be shown in theaters until 1943. Even then, it was pulled shortly after it's release, banned, and was not given a decent chance with audiences until after WWII in 1946. What was the problem? The hangup? The reason to be bashful?... quite simply... Breasts! Howard Hughes' fascination with Jane Russell's boobs, and his dedication to capture them perfectly on film, drove the censors crazy. It may seem trivial now, but in the early 1940s, such things were very taboo. The Outlaw is often cited as an example in discussions on the dangers of censorship, and, if for no other reason than that, it has earned a well deserved place in film history.

     Doc Holliday has come to Lincoln, NM is search of his stolen horse. It is soon learned that the thief is none other than Billy the Kid. In a showing of mutual respect, the two become friends (but argue over the ownership of the horse throughout the film). When Billy is shot and wounded by Pat Garrett, Doc takes Billy to his ranch to recuperate. Doc's beautiful girlfriend, Rio, played by Jane Russell,  provides medical care for the wounded Billy despite her hatred for him.

     While Doc is away, the nurse/patient relationship quickly becomes a love affair.

     Upon hearing of the betrayal, Doc is not pleased. The rest of the film carries the characters through a psychological maelstrom as they try to elude Pat Garrett and try to come to terms of trust amongst each other...

The Outlaw- movie trailer

New Portrait Illustration: Tom Rush (Folk Musician)

Tom Rush, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     I first saw 1960s Folk icon Tom Rush perform about twelve years ago. It wasn't until a few years ago, however, that I actually met him on several occasions and we conversed. Aside from being an amazing musician and songwriter, he's also a hell of a nice guy, with a comedic wit, and a lot of patience.

Tom Rush- Child's Song

Tom Rush- No Regrets

Tom Rush- Remember Song

For more info, visit his website: http://tomrush.com/

Tom Rush, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Tom Rush, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Atom Age Vampire (1960): Classic B Movies

     Despite the misleading title and bad overdubbing, Atom Age Vampire (1960) still has some enjoyable qualities... mainly the honest campy aspects of the production, and the beautiful visage of Susanne Loret, the leading lady. Originally an Italian film, released in 1960, most viewers only know this overdubbed American version, released in 1963. 

     Susanne Loret plays an exotic dancer. Her boyfriend disapproves of her "so called profession" and breaks up with her. Distraught, she loses control and crashes her car on the way home from the club. She survives, but her once beautiful face is now riddled with incurable scars. 

     She is on the verge of suicide, when she is told of a doctor who has a new secret experimental procedure to reverse scarring. 

     She meets the doctor and consents to the treatment, but no one knows she is there as she was instructed not to inform anyone. 

     She is seemingly cured and beautiful again at first. But it becomes immediately apparent that she will require repeated treatments or else her face will return to it's hideous past appearance. 

     Meanwhile the doctor's assistant is falling in love with him. 

     And the doctor is falling in love with his patient. 

     After a while, the treatment serum is depleted and the doctor must obtain hormones from a living female host in order to keep the object of his infatuation lovely. In a strange twist, the doctor turns into a hideous beast at night. He scours around killing unsuspecting female victims in order to extract the elements he needs... 

     exotic dancers and hookers on the waterfront are his main targets... 

     and when it becomes apparent his love is unrequited, he turns on her... 

     Can this beast be stopped? Will the now lovely, restored maiden return to her previously scarred countenance? 

Atom Age Vampire- movie trailer

Joe Buck: Profiles from the Illustrations

Joe Buck, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Joe Buck (his real name is Jim Finkley) is a jack of all trades in the music industry. I first met him at a show in 2009, and found him to be a fairly easy going, cool guy, and very interesting to talk to.
     He started out playing in various bands in the 1990's and moved on to become the bass player in the band of Hank Williams III. He worked on the production and engineering of  Hank 3's album "Straight to Hell." Also with Hank, Joe Buck is a member of the metal band, Assjack. As a songwriter and solo act, he goes by the moniker, Joe Buck Yourself and travels all over the U.S. and abroad pounding out his own unique brand of punk/metal music. Every performance he gives is intense, well crafted, driving, pure and true...

Joe Buck- Demon in My Head

Joe Buck Yourself- Evil Motherf*%*er from Tennessee

Joe Buck Yourself- My Country Tis of Thee

Hank 3- Straight to Hell

Hank 3- Pills I Took

Assjack- Tennessee Driver

read more on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Buck-Yourself-/323946857004

listen to music here: http://www.myspace.com/joebuckyourselfmotherfucker

Hank Williams III and Joe Buck, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

The Woman in Green (1945): Classic Sherlock Holmes

     As the film is in black and white, we have to assume that the woman's attire is in fact green. What is more immediately apparent is that The Woman in Green (1945) is another fine installment in the classic Sherlock Holmes series. 

     Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are called upon to assist Scotland Yard in investigating a slew of gory murders in London, all the victims female, all of them having their right forefinger cut off post-mortem. 

     Curiosity arises when Holmes spots a nobleman out on the town with a beatiful young lady.

      The next day, that same gentleman is implicated in the murders, but is then murdered himself. 

     Digging further, Holmes discovers that these murders are being committed for the sole purpose of blackmailing innocent rich men, who have fallen under the hypnotic spell of this beautiful woman and her boss. 

     To solve the crime, Sherlock Holmes puts himself in harms way and allows himself to be hypnotized

      and perhaps... become the next victim.

      Will help arrive before it is too late?

The Woman in Green- movie trailer

Please Murder Me (1956): Classic Film Noir

     Endowed not only with a memorable title, Please Murder Me (1956) also delivers a semi-unique storyline that doesn't leave much need for guessing, but is entertaining throughout.

     Raymond Burr plays a lawyer with some difficult news to break to his old War buddy.

     He has fallen in love with his friend's wife (played by Angela Lansbury), and needs to request that they divorce, so he might marry her instead. 

     The friend returns home and is shot and killed by his wife, though she claims it is self defense. Burr as both lawyer and dutiful boyfriend, defends her in the trial. 

     She is acquitted of all charges. 

     Further developments occur along the way, bringing Burr to the realization that she did indeed murder her husband/his friend. He also discovers the evidence of a third lover involved, and the motive of money for the widow. Most hurtful is the fact that she never really loved him, but rather, just needed his expertise in law to get her off the hook for the crime. He plots to even the score. 

     Wrapped in guilt, Burr decides that the only way to get truly even with his former flame, and to make square with his dead friend, is to force her to murder him as well, allowing for a new trial...

modern promo clip for Please Murder Me