William Marshall
Biography: William Marshall was an American actor, director, and opera singer. He is best known for his title role in Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream as well as his role on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Marshall made his Broadway debut in 1944 in Carmen Jones. In 1950, he understudied Boris Karloff as Captain Hook in the Broadway production of Peter Pan. He played the leading role of De Lawd in the 1951 revival of The Green Pastures, a role he repeated in 1958 in a BBC telecast of the play. He performed in several Shakespearean plays on the stage in the U. S. and Europe, including the title role in at least six productions of Othello. Harold Hobson of the London Sunday Times praised Marshall’s portrayal as "the best Othello of our time." In 1968, Marshall joined the Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles to play Othello in a jazz musical version, Catch My Soul, with Jerry Lee Lewis as Iago. Marshall portrayed Paul Robeson and Frederick Douglass on stage. He researched Douglass' life extensively, and in 1983 produced and played the lead role in Frederick Douglass: Slave and Statesman. Marshall's career on screen began in the 1952 film Lydia Bailey as a Haitian leader. He followed that with a prominent role as Glycon, comrade and fellow gladiator to Victor Mature in the 1954 film Demetrius and the Gladiators. His demeanor, voice and stature gave him a wide range, though he was ill-suited for the subservient roles that many black actors of his generation were most frequently offered. He was a leader of the Mau-Mau uprising in Something of Value, and Attorney General Edward Brooke in The Boston Strangler. He probably received the most notice for his role in the vampire film Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream. In later years, Marshall played the King of Cartoons on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Despite blacklisting because of his supposed communist connections, Marshall managed to continue appearing in both television and films. He appeared on the British spy series Danger Man in episodes titled "Deadline" and "The Galloping Major". He also won two local Emmys for producing and performing in a PBS production, As Adam Early in the Morning, a theatre piece originally performed on stage. He also was featured in an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour titled, "The Jar", with actors Pat Buttram and George Lindsey. In addition to acting and producing, Marshall taught acting at various universities including the University of California, Irvine, and the Mufandi Institute, an African-American arts and music institution in the Watts section of Los Angeles. He did similar work at Chicago's ETA Creative Arts Foundation, which in 1992 named Marshall one of its Epic Men of the 20th century. Marshall died June 11, 2003, from complications arising from Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Marshall was considered by many to be a much underrated actor and one who never got his due. Some have remarked that Marshall should have had a much more successful and larger screen career, even saying that Marshall would have been a perfect choice for the role of Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: August 19, 1924
Deathday: June 11, 2003
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Known For
Dinosaur Valley Girls
1995-01-01
Dinosaur Valley Girls
Overview: Haunted by recurring dreams of Hea-Thor, a gorgeous cavegirl,and a menacing Allosaurus, action-movie star Tony Markham soon finds himself transported, by means of a magic Icon, back through time to Dinosaur Valley. Now trapped in world of dangerous dinosaurs, grunting cavemen and a tribe of exotic, love-starved cavegirls, Tony must put his modern-days skills to extreme tests in order to survive prehistoric perils, win the cavegirl of his dreams and (maybe) return to his own time?
Genres: Adventure Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1995-01-01
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Blacula
1972-08-25
Blacula
Overview: An 18th century African prince is turned into a vampire while visiting Transylvania. Two centuries later, he rises from his coffin attacking various residents of Los Angeles and meets Tina, a woman who he believes is the reincarnation of his deceased wife.
Genres: Horror Fantasy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-08-25
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Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered and Shafted
2004-12-31
Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered and Shafted
Overview: Written, directed, and produced by David Walker, MACKED, HAMMERED, SLAUGHTERED, & SHAFTED is an insightful examination of the blaxploitation film movement of the 1970s. Featuring interviews with key actors and filmmakers, the documentary explores the origins of blaxploitation, and the controversial history of Hollywood's most misunderstood genre.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-12-31
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To Trap a Spy
1964-01-01
To Trap a Spy
Overview: The men from U.N.C.L.E. are off to Africa to stop the assassination of a president.
Genres: Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-01-01
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Maverick
1994-05-20
Maverick
Overview: Maverick is a gambler who would rather con someone than fight them, and needs an additional three thousand dollars in order to enter a winner-takes-all poker game that begins in a few days, so he joins forces with a woman gambler with a marvellous southern accent, and the two try and enter the game.
Genres: Action Adventure Comedy Drama Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-05-20
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The Boston Strangler
1968-10-08
The Boston Strangler
Overview: Boston is being terrorized by a series of seemingly random murders of women. Based on the true story, the film follows the investigators path through several leads before introducing the Strangler as a character. It is seen almost exclusively from the point of view of the investigators who have very few clues to build a case upon.
Genres: Drama Crime Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-10-08
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Sorceress
1995-01-04
Sorceress
Overview: Two friends, who both work for the same high-priced, high-powered law firm, are both married to modern day witches. Erica, the wife of Larry, believes that he is being led astray by Carol, an old flame, who also works for the same law firm. Erica decides to act and one night after a torrid sex session Larry drifts off to sleep and begins to dream. Soon the dream turns into a nightmare of sex, violence, murder and death involving himself, his friends and colleagues from the law firm which appears to be frighteningly realistic...
Genres: Fantasy Horror Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1995-01-04
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Scream Blacula Scream
1973-06-27
Scream Blacula Scream
Overview: After an aging voodoo priestess dies, her arrogant son Willis Daniel's believes he is next in line to lead. He is outraged when Lisa, his mother's adopted apprentice is chosen as the leader. Willis seeks revenge by reviving the African prince Blacula — but soon finds that he cannot control him.
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-06-27
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Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
2019-02-07
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Overview: Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, this is the untold history of black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the horror genre.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-02-07
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The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute
1974-02-20
The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute
Overview: In this made-for-TV production, Vincent Price and his hunchback sidekick (Billy Van) host a pun-filled salute to the horror film genre from its earliest beginnings all the way up to The Exorcist. Featuring clips from classic horror films and interviews with genre greats like Frank Gorshin, John Carradine, John Astin and SFX legend Bill Tuttle, among others.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-02-20
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Something of Value
1957-05-08
Something of Value
Overview: As Kenya's Mau Mau uprising tears the country apart, former childhood friends Kimani (Sidney Poitier), a native, and Peter (Rock Hudson), a British colonist, find themselves on opposite sides of the struggle in this provocative drama. Though each is devoted to his cause, both wish for a more moderate path -- but their hopes for a peaceful resolution are thwarted by rage, colonial arrogance and escalating violence on both sides.
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-05-08
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Zig Zag
1970-05-01
Zig Zag
Overview: A dying man frames himself for murder so his widow can collect the reward.
Genres: Crime Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-01
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Twilight's Last Gleaming
1977-02-09
Twilight's Last Gleaming
Overview: A renegade USAF general, Lawrence Dell, escapes from a military prison and takes over an ICBM silo near Montana and threatens to provoke World War 3 unless the President reveals details of a secret meeting held just after the start of the Vietnam War between Dell and the then President's most trusted advisors.
Genres: Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-02-09
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Abby
1974-12-25
Abby
Overview: When a minister's wife becomes posessed by Eshu, the Nigerian god of sexuality, an exorcist is called in to drive the evil spirit away.
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-12-25
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Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
1996-01-01
Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
Overview: A documentary that explores man's enduring fascination with the vampire legend by examining historical accounts, literary works, and as they are portrayed in film and television.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-01-01
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Sabu and the Magic Ring
1957-11-24
Sabu and the Magic Ring
Overview: Young Sabu is a happy stable boy in the kingdom of Samukan, in charge of taking care of the Caliph's elephant. Searching for a lost diamond, he finds instead a mysterious ring which, unbeknownst to Sabu, conjures up a genie when he rubs it.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-11-24
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Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
1991-01-01
Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
Overview: A history of the famous vampire of books and movies, using film clips, previews and other methods.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-01-01
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The Many Faces of Dracula
2000-01-01
The Many Faces of Dracula
Overview: Hosted by Christopher Lee, this documentary examines the different actors who have portrayed Dracula over the years.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-01-01
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Othello
1981-01-01
Othello
Overview: Adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-01-01
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Beverly Hills Madam
1986-04-06
Beverly Hills Madam
Overview: A bordello catering to rich and wealthy clients, run by Lil Hutton experiences a series of crises as one girl ends up pregnant, and another dead. As a subplot, a young woman, Julie Taylor, makes a trip to LA to surprise a friend, but never finds her. Julie is mugged, and seeks help from Lil Hutton. She sees how much the prostitutes are making, and is tempted into the lifestyle. On her first "job" is hired by a rich father for his 18-year old virgin son as a birthday gift, and they fall in love. But the relationship comes to a quick end as soon as the son learns she is a "whore"; Julie breaks down and runs off after realizing prostitution is a cold and loveless occupation that cannot fulfill her emotional emptiness.
Genres: TV Movie Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-04-06
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Monster Madness: The Counter Culture To Blockbusters
2015-08-31
Monster Madness: The Counter Culture To Blockbusters
Overview: Part four of a multi-part documentary series with distinguished actors, directors, writers, composers and special effects mavens examining the history of the horror, fantasy and science fiction films from the groundbreaking silent 1920s through the Golden Age of Universal, the Silver Age of Hammer and up through the 1980s and beyond. This DVD begins with the late 60's era Blacula and Splatter films; then moves on to the cinematic evolution of the 70's with The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Planet of the Apes, The Exorcist and the films of the great Stanley Kubrick; and then concludes with the apex of the 80's including Alien, Star Trek, The Howling and more! Collect all four chapters in the Monster Madness series and enjoy never before seen interviews and fun-filled facts about the stars, the producers and the movies that made America want to go to the theater!
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2015-08-31
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Making It
1966-01-01
Making It
Overview: A documentary that looks at the obstacles African-American males face when building a career. As the narrator states, "this film is about his chances, about the changes that have been made and the problems still remaining." The film includes interviews with men who are "making it," or who are some of the first African Americans in their field.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-01-01
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The Mask of Sheba
1970-03-09
The Mask of Sheba
Overview: Intrigue, romance, and the customary angry natives are the major elements in this tale of a hunt for a priceless gold mask in the jungles of Ethiopia.
Genres: Adventure TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-03-09
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Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women
1977-05-19
Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women
Overview: A couple of resourceful, free-wheeling criminal attorneys with an eye for the ladies confront a no-nonsense judge while trying to clear an heiress in the slaying of her husband, although her explanation of a mysterious intruder provides them with a rather weak case.
Genres: Crime Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-05-19
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Lydia Bailey
1952-05-30
Lydia Bailey
Overview: A young Boston lawyer, Albron Hamlin, goes to Haiti in 1802 to find Lydia Bailey, whose estate he must settle. The island is war-torn in the strife between Toussaing L'Overture, the black president, and the French who are trying to retake possession of the country. Hamlin finds Lydia and, against the background of war and rebellion, they fall in love while helping the Haitians against the French.
Genres: History Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-05-30
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Demetrius and the Gladiators
1954-06-16
Demetrius and the Gladiators
Overview: The story picks up at the point where "The Robe" ends, following the martyrdom of Diana and Marcellus. Christ's robe is conveyed to Peter for safe-keeping, but the emperor Caligula wants it back to benefit from its powers. Marcellus' former slave Demetrius seeks to prevent this, and catches the eye of Messalina, wife to Caligula's uncle Claudius. Messalina tempts Demetrius, he winds up fighting in the arena, and wavers in his faith.
Genres: Adventure History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-06-16
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Operation Heartbeat
1969-04-17
Operation Heartbeat
Overview: Lawsuits fly when a widow believes a gifted surgeon allowed her husband to die so his heart could be transplanted into the doctor's ailing mentor and friend. Operation Heartbeat was the pilot movie for the TV series Medical Center.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-04-17
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Skullduggery
1970-03-06
Skullduggery
Overview: An expedition into the interior of Papua New Guinea comes across a tribe of ape-like people who may or may not be ancestors of early man.
Genres: Adventure Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-03-06
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The Great Skycopter Rescue
1980-12-31
The Great Skycopter Rescue
Overview: When oil is discovered in a small-town, some greedy prospectors hire a gang of wild bikers to scare the townsfolk away. However, when a group of young pilots stumble across the underhanded plot, they plan an effective retaliation.
Genres: Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-12-31
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Honky
1971-11-26
Honky
Overview: Black girl from rich family loves white boy from poor family.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-11-26
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The Hell with Heroes
1968-08-28
The Hell with Heroes
Overview: In 1946 North Africa, two former US Air Force pilots are forced to work for an international smuggler to get money needed for their return to civilian life after fighting in World War II.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-08-28
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Killer Instinct
1988-11-22
Killer Instinct
Overview: Woody Harrelson stars in the story of psychiatrist Lisa DaVito and her battle to save a tortured man whose past has turned him to violence. One tragic incident seals his fate and shakes Lisa's faith in her profession.
Genres: TV Movie Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-11-22
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Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter
1986-01-01
Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter
Overview: Gino, a bank executive is not having a good day. After giving birth to their eighth child, his wife insists that he have a vasectomy, something he doesn't even want to think about. On top of that, he discovers that other family members are stealing money from his bank.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-01-01
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Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion
1967-09-06
Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion
Overview: In this exciting jungle adventure the esteemed archaeologist, Dr Singleton, and his daughter, Mary, travel to mystical Africa in search of an ancient artifact: the fabled Blue Stone of Heaven. Imbued with the unfathomable power to bestow its holder with immense strength, the statuette attracts corrupt Colonel Tatakombi, who, blind with greed, intends to spark an uprising, and turn the natives against Tarzan. Can mighty Tarzan avert the jungle rebellion?
Genres: Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1967-09-06
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Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
1988-12-21
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
Overview: Pee-wee Herman and pals are celebrating Christmas in the Playhouse in their own creative ways: Pee-wee makes a list for Santa Claus 1.5 miles long, teaches Little Richard how to ice skate, goes for a sleigh ride with Magic Johnson, enslaves Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello into making Christmas cards, receives a long phone call from Dinah Shore, even has more musical fun with k.d. lang, the Del Rubio Triplettes and Charo! Finally, Big Red arrives and announces that Pee-wee's Christmas list was so big, he didn't have enough presents for all the children of the world. Will Pee-wee follow his own advice and help others?
Genres: Family Comedy TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-12-21
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The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Features
2012-08-23
The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Features
Overview: Bob Wilkins (April 11, 1932 – January 7, 2009) was a beloved Northern California television personality best known for his long run as a horror host. His singularly unique approach to the films and his hosting style was a simple extension of his wit and charming personality. This film covers the dates and titles of his weekly horror shows on KCRA 3, KTXL 40, and KTVU 2 with vintage interviews of Bob Wilkins, clips from his shows, film trailers, commercials, stills, and audio recordings. A video scrapbook, you definitely will not catch it all on a single viewing.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-08-23
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Amazon Women on the Moon
1987-09-18
Amazon Women on the Moon
Overview: Centered around a television station which features a 1950s-style sci-fi movie interspersed with a series of wild commercials, wacky shorts and weird specials, this lampoon of contemporary life and pop culture skewers some of the silliest spectacles ever created in the name of entertainment.
Genres: Comedy Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-09-18
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