Review: Johnny Legend Presents Golden Age Ghost Tales. Reviewed by Brian Kirst
Moody and evocative, Golden Age Ghost Tales, compiled by cult legend Johnny Legend, is particularly memorable because of the spooky inclusion of ‘The Haunted Clown’ featuring an almost blindingly beautiful Yvette Mimieux (The Time Machine, Snowbeast, Devil Dog: Hound of Hell, The Black Hole) and for ‘Playmates’ featuring a pre-teen Natalie Wood whose movie star charisma is evident even in this early, haunting 1954 piece.
Most interestingly, all seven television pieces, from 1951 – 1962, have a strong emotional core – with loneliness and the pain of the social outcast ringing most loudly here.
While some critics have noted that several episodes (from ‘One Step Beyond’ and “Twilight Zone’, for example) have been previously available elsewhere, Legend’s sense of dramatic thrust and timing ultimately allows viewers to witness these oldies anew. Besides, a collection that features both the most significantly cool (Boris Karloff) and the most drastically unhip (Ronald Reagan) performers of all time is definitely worthy of celebration.
(PS: Be sure to support independent artists by purchasing, directly, from Legend at the Raunchy Tonk site and receive some free autographed goodies, as well.)
