Happy Holidays!

From all of us here at the Uphill Both Ways corporate offices we want to wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season, regardless of what you may celebrate.

Yippe-ki-yay!

"Fly Like an Eagle"

Episode #131

Uphill Both what? Oh, the retro pop-culture nostalgia podcast hosted by those proud card-carrying members of AARP? We're back, baby! Mike is almost fully recovered from his surgery a couple of months ago so it's back to the grind! The guys spend this episode catching up on things from the past couple of months, including movies, TV, and books. There's no regular feature this episode, but there IS plenty of flying by the seat of their pants. enjoy the show!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW131_Fly_Like_an_Eagle.mp3

Book Review: The Kinderhook Creature and Beyond: A Personal Reminiscence (2022)

"The Bigfoot of Hudson Valley"

by Joseph Perry

The town of Kinderhook, New York has been home to  President Martin Van Buren, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle” author Washington Irving, author of the book being reviewed here Bruce G. Hallenbeck, and, some say, a cryptozoological beast akin to the Pacific Northwest’s Sasquatch. In The Kinderhook Creature and Beyond: A Personal Reminiscence, Hallenbeck discusses the 1980s heyday of high strangeness and what has happened since in the town and its surrounding area, during which he, his family, and other locals including law enforcement officers have had many fascinating experiences.

The UBW Top 100 Horror Movies - #25-1

We here at Uphill Both Ways love our horror movies.  Both of us grew up with vampires, werewolves, swamp monsters, irradiated beasts and everything around and in-between, and never has our love of the genre wavered. And it's with that love in mind that we decided to create our ultimate top 100 list of horror movies.  The only catch is that the films couldn't be newer than 1989. Sixties, fifties, or earlier? That's fine, as long as it's something we watched during the 70s and 80s  - and that only makes sense since that's the time frame we like to reminisce about here and on our podcast.  So how did we decide on this spooktacular countdown? We scoured the Internet for dozens of "Top Horror" movie lists, collated everything, eliminated ineligible entries, added, divided, averaged, and then sorted it all and then added our own personal rankings to the mix.  Really, the process is something a mad scientist would love and make lesser men tremble. We'd like to think that this process has given us the definitive list of movies that could have been watched on fuzzy UHF channels or VHS tapes back in the day.  Enough talk - let's wrap this thing up and see what the top films are!

#25

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

Director: Philip Kaufman

Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright

There’s maybe a handful of remakes that surpass the original and this is one of them. While the original had the scare of communism at its heart, this one - coming at the tail end of the 70s - is more akin to the fear that the hippies of the 60s and early 70s had to becoming yuppies and losing their whole counterculture street cred. There’s also the specter of government surveillance hovering over everything (like a spy satellite!), all of which - in addition to that ending - makes for one scary world.

The UBW Top 100 Horror Movies - #50-26

We here at Uphill Both Ways love our horror movies.  Both of us grew up with vampires, werewolves, swamp monsters, irradiated beasts and everything around and in-between, and never has our love of the genre wavered. And it's with that love in mind that we decided to create our ultimate top 100 list of horror movies.  The only catch is that the films couldn't be newer than 1989. Sixties, fifties, or earlier? That's fine, as long as it's something we watched during the 70s and 80s  - and that only makes sense since that's the time frame we like to reminisce about here and on our podcast.  So how did we decide on this spooktacular countdown? We scoured the Internet for dozens of "Top Horror" movie lists, collated everything, eliminated ineligible entries, added, divided, averaged, and then sorted it all and then added our own personal rankings to the mix.  Really, the process is something a mad scientist would love and make lesser men tremble. We'd like to think that this process has given us the definitive list of movies that could have been watched on fuzzy UHF channels or VHS tapes back in the day.  Enough talk - let's keep this going!

#50

House of Wax (1953)

Director: André De Toth

Starring: Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk, Carolyn Jones

While House of Wax is itself a delightful thriller, its hook was that it was a 3D picture.  While there are a few scenes that really make use of the 3D gimmick, it’s not overdone and in fact somewhat takes a backseat to the story and performances themselves. Take away the stereoscopic images and there’s still an engaging and respectable thriller on screen.  

The UBW Top 100 Horror Movies - #75-51

We here at Uphill Both Ways love our horror movies.  Both of us grew up with vampires, werewolves, swamp monsters, irradiated beasts and everything around and in-between, and never has our love of the genre wavered. And it's with that love in mind that we decided to create our ultimate top 100 list of horror movies.  The only catch is that the films couldn't be newer than 1989. Sixties, fifties, or earlier? That's fine, as long as it's something we watched during the 70s and 80s  - and that only makes sense since that's the time frame we like to reminisce about here and on our podcast.  So how did we decide on this spooktacular countdown? We scoured the Internet for dozens of "Top Horror" movie lists, collated everything, eliminated ineligible entries, added, divided, averaged, and then sorted it all and then added our own personal rankings to the mix.  Really, the process is something a mad scientist would love and make lesser men tremble. We'd like to think that this process has given us the definitive list of movies that could have been watched on fuzzy UHF channels or VHS tapes back in the day.  Enough talk - let's keep this going!

#75

The Cat and the Canary (1927)

Director: Paul Leni

Starring: Laura La Plante, Forrest Stanley, Creighton Hale

With a plot that certainly seems to have influenced many ‘Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?’ episodes, this old, silent film includes some dark humor that serves to break up some of the most eerie segments. Following the death of the wealthy Cyrus West, his will leaves the inheritance to niece Annabelle solely due to her being the most distant relative named ‘West’.  Of course, she has to be declared sane by a doctor and as the rest of the family starts seeing dollar signs, the excitement begins. Filled with fun visual elements and some wonderful, gothic sets, this is not only a great haunted house movie, it looks good, too.

The UBW Top 100 Horror Movies - #100-76

We here at Uphill Both Ways love our horror movies.  Both of us grew up with vampires, werewolves, swamp monsters, irradiated beasts and everything around and in-between, and never has our love of the genre wavered. And it's with that love in mind that we decided to create our ultimate top 100 list of horror movies.  The only catch is that the films couldn't be newer than 1989. Sixties, fifties, or earlier? That's fine, as long as it's something we watched during the 70s and 80s  - and that only makes sense since that's the time frame we like to reminisce about here and on our podcast.  So how did we decide on this spooktacular countdown? We scoured the Internet for dozens of "Top Horror" movie lists, collated everything, eliminated ineligible entries, added, divided, averaged, and then sorted it all and then added our own personal rankings to the mix.  Really, the process is something a mad scientist would love and make lesser men tremble. We'd like to think that this process has given us the definitive list of movies that could have been watched on fuzzy UHF channels or VHS tapes back in the day.  Enough talk - let's get this going!

#100

Wait Until Dark (1967)

Director: Terence Young

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Things are much scarier in the dark! A bit of a slow burn out of the gate, the pace eventually quickens as Hepburn, playing blind Susy Hendrix, is in-between a doll full of heroin and three men eager to recover the drugs. Hepburn was so good in the film that she was nominated for an Academy Award.

Happy October!

"Diamond Dogs"

Episode #130

Where's the paw-ty? Right here! Anything is paw-sible when Mike and Joseph get together to raise the woof! Things start off with the fellas on a short leash as they Gift, Keep, and Ditch famous dogs from movies and TV shows, and then its on to the main topic, a look at cartoon dogs through the years. This episode may be a diamond in the ruff, but you're barking up the wrong tree if you think that it isn't a paws-itively fetching episode. Dear Dog, there goes our dignity. Woof.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW130_Diamond_Dogs.mp3

It's Almost Time!

In just a few short days we will be unleashing upon the world our definitive top 100 Horror Movies of the Uphill Both Ways era.  You have hopefully seen the bonus sneak peaks of #105-101 over the past few weeks and that that has piqued your curiosity.  

So make sure you check back on October 2nd and see what movies made the list at #100-76!

 

UBW Top 100 Horror Movies: A Taste of Things to Come (Part 5)

We're very excited to release our upcoming Top 100 Horror Movies list. So excited, in fact, that we've decided to offer a bonus to everyone in the form of number 101-105 each week until October when we'll release 25 films each week with the top ranked batch the week before Halloween.
Finally, here is number 101.

101

When A Stranger Calls (1979)

*69 would have come in handy back then

Director: Fred Walton

Starring: Carol Kane, Colleen Dewhurst, Tony Beckley, Charles Durning

Quite possibly the scariest opening act of any of the films on this list, it’s quite surprising that it only clocks in at #101.  While not the only - or even the first - film to utilize the urban legend of “the babysitter and the man upstairs”, it is arguably the best.

Coming next week:  Numbers 100-76!

Don't Be Jealous!

These have been a bit harder to find this year, especially in these larger sizes.  But I got lucky, thanks to my wonderful wife, who managed to snag these on a recent visit to the grocery store.

As we like to say around here at the UBW corporate offices, as soon as the Monster Cereals hit the shelves, it's time for Halloween!

Breakfast has never been this scary good!

UBW Top 100 Horror Movies: A Taste of Things to Come (Part 4)

We're very excited to release our upcoming Top 100 Horror Movies list. So excited, in fact, that we've decided to offer a bonus to everyone in the form of number 101-105 each week until October when we'll release 25 films each week with the top ranked batch the week before Halloween.
Now then, here is number 102.

#102
The Blob (1958)

This encounter isn't going to end well.

Directors: Irvin Yeaworth, Russell Doughten
Starring: Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland
More of a B-movie sci-fi film - and mainly known as Steve McQueen’s first leading role - The Blob does manage to contain a few moments of horror as the titular monster engulfs and absorbs its victims. There’s also the “red terror” and cold war metaphor which were probably pretty scary things to think about back then (we’re old here at UBW, but not THAT old).

"That’s Why God Made the Movies"

Episode #129

This episode the fellas talk about some of the movies they watched from this year's Genre Blast Film Festival (including 'Manfish', 'Johnny Z' and 'The Brilliant Terror') - which were hits and which were misses? You've gotta listen to find out. Plus, September 15th (this episode's release day) is National Malcolm Day, so what better way to celebrate than to do a Gift, Keep, Ditch with famous Malcoms! This one's like a sequel to the previous episode. Or is it a reboot? A reimagining? Even we're confused!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW129_Thats_Why_God_Made_the_Movies_.mp3

UBW Top 100 Horror Movies: A Taste of Things to Come (Part 3)

We're very excited to release our upcoming Top 100 Horror Movies list. So excited, in fact, that we've decided to offer a bonus to everyone in the form of number 101-105 each week until October when we'll release 25 films each week with the top ranked batch the week before Halloween.

Now then, here is number 103.

#103

Demons (1985)

These are demons. The glowing eyes are the telltale giveaway

Director: Lamberto Bava,

Starring: Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey

We’ve got to admit - we’re a little surprised this didn’t make it.  With Bava directing and Dario Argento producing, you would think a movie about demon-creatures bloodily running amok in a cinema would rank a bit higher. Throw in some gonzo action involving a motorcycle and a helicopter and it’s even more of a shock that this didn’t make the cut.

UBW Top 100 Horror Movies: A Taste of Things to Come (Part 2)

We're very excited to release our upcoming Top 100 Horror Movies list. So excited, in fact, that we've decided to offer a bonus to everyone in the form of number 101-105 each week until October when we'll release 25 films each week with the top ranked batch the week before Halloween.

Now then, here is number 104.

#104

Phantom Of The Opera (1925)

It's just a jump to the left...

Director: Rupert Julian
Starring: Lon Chaney; Norman Kerry; Mary Philbin
A classic if there ever was a classic, of that there’s no argument. The first time you saw Christine pop the mask off of The Phantom’s face you probably shrieked just a little, but let’s be honest… What IS up for debate, at least as far as we’re concerned, is how much horror there really is beyond Lon Chaney’s grotesquely magnificent makeup. Maybe here, in the 21st century watching a movie that is almost 100 years old, we’re a bit jaded and maybe that’s why this Universal Monster didn’t crack the top 100.

"The Cinema Show"

Episode #128

Grab a bucket of popcorn and a large drink - the boys have a super-long bonus-sized episode this time around! Up first is Gift, Keep, and Ditch featuring breakfast cereals of yore and then it's on to the feature presentation as they discuss some of the movies from the recent 2022 edition of the Popcorn Frights Film Festival. Join them as they FOLLOW HER through this FINAL SUMMER in the lead-up to the THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER to the TINY CINEMA where we'll all be LIVING WITH CHUCKY.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW128_The_Cinema_Show.mp3

UBW Top 100 Horror Movies: A Taste of Things to Come (No Pun Intended)

We're very excited to release our upcoming Top 100 Horror Movies list. So excited, in fact, that we've decided to offer a bonus to everyone in the form of number 101-105 over the course of the next few weeks. Then, in October, we'll release 25 films each week with the top ranked batch the week before Halloween.
So to kick things off, here is number 105.

105

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Probably the only photo from this movie we can share and remain "family friendly"

Director: Ruggero Deodato

Starring:  Robert Kerman, Carl Gabriel Yorke, Francesca Ciardi

Coming in at #105, Cannibal Holocaust is more “horrific” than “horror”. Cinematically it’s a mix of found footage and traditional narrative storytelling while visually it’s a gore-soaked descent into animal mutilation and slaughter, rape, and yes, cannibalism.  Banned by about a million countries until a handful lifted the restriction nearly twenty years after its release, this is certainly not for those with weak stomachs.

Coming Soon!

We're just a little over a month away from our most monumental unveiling since our Retro Pop Culture Battle Royale a few years ago (and honestly, we think this is bigger).

Prepare yourselves for:

"Hot Rod Lincoln"

Episode #127

Join us as Mike and Joseph take a leisurely Sunday drive back in time to talk about some of their favorite cars from TV shows like the Batmobile (of course!), the Monkee Mobile (really?), and Fred Sanford's beat-up pick-up truck (why not?!). Before that, it's time for "Gift, Keep, Ditch" which sees the guys offer up their choices for spaceships! From dog-boned shaped satellites to tricked out school busses, this episode is a high-octane burst of nostalgia!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW127_Hot_Rod_Lincoln.mp3

8 From the 80s: Hunks

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

80s Hunks

A few weeks ago I did a list of eight of the hottest babes from the 80s, so it's only fair that I do up a list of hunks. Like the gals, there were a lot of guys who could have been included on this list and probably would make it if I made this list a year ago or a year from now.  Anyway... let's hop to it!

8. Andrew McCarthy

He had sex with a Mannequin, spent a Weekend at Bernie’s and looked Pretty in Pink (well, okay, Molly Ringwald looked pretty in that last one, but you get the drift).  McCarthy, who had an innocent look with a wry smile, had a career that includes television as well as the stage and, while he peaked in the 80s, he’s still active as both an actor and director.

7. Michael Schoeffling

Mike was Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles.  His career didn’t last too long, however, ending seven years after his most memorable role and included films like Vision Quest and Mermaids (which was a 90s movie and so we shouldn’t really count it here).  I suspect Molly Ringwald’s Samantha wasn’t the only writing "I ♥ Jake Ryan" on her notebook.

Olivia Newton-John (1948-2022)

You made us "Hopelessly Devoted [to you]", with your "Magic" and gave us a "Heart Attack" when you got "Physical", but will always be our favorite of the Nine Muses of Olympus as you sing and skate around the floor of "Xanadu".

Rest in Peace and thank you for the magic you left us with.

Olivia Newton John from the Universal film "Xanadu"

"Vacation"

Episode #126

As we start getting towards the end of Summer it's time for Joseph and Mike to discuss what they did on their childhood summer vacations - from county fairs to community pools and summer camps to Disneyland. Plus, a shocked Mike has to explain how to play "Kick the Can" to Joseph who never saw the game outside of that episode from 'The Twilight Zone'. All that AND there's a visit to the Planet of the Apes! 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW126_Vacation.mp3

Its Time Once Again for a “Howlin’-good Taste of Fruit”!! Frute Brute is Back!

We here at Uphill Both Ways have made it no secret that we're HUGE fans of General Mills' monster cereals from as far back as we can remember... back when they weren't "seasonal" and you didn't have to wait for them to appear on the store shelves.  Sadly, for the past decade, all you could get were Franken Berry, Count Chocula, and Boo-Berry – but this year Frute Brute Monster Cereal is back , and along with it are limited-edition KAWS-designed boxes for the cereals.

“It’s been a thrill to collaborate with General Mills and Monster Cereals,” said KAWS. “I’ve been a big fan of the cereals since I was a kid. Even now, I love the original box designs and the creativity and imagination they invoke.”

This year’s seasonal Monster debut is also marked by the return of Frute Brute, which joins the other monsters on shelves with its first appearance since 2013, as well as other spooky surprises to come later this fall. Frute Brute is known for its “howlin’-good taste of fruit” and is considered by many collectors to be the most sought-after vintage cereal, in part due to its appearances across various blockbuster movies in the 1990s. 

Franken Berry, Count Chocula, Boo-Berry and Frute Brute Monster Cereals boxes are available now at retailers nationwide. Each Monster Cereals box comes with a unique code on the back that fans can enter on www.kawsmonsters.com for a chance to win a set of the highly coveted KAWS-designed collectible prizes. 

Now if we could just get some Yummy Mummy in our bowls...

You can read the full press release right here.

To learn more about the history of Monster Cereals, visit https://www.generalmills.com/news/stories/the-history-of-our-monsters.

H-H-He's Back! AMC Rebooting Max Headroom

There are a few things that can immediately be associated with the 80s; New Coke, (for the wrong reasons). Sony's Walkman for sure. Some of the clothes, most of the music, a few movie franchises, and Max Headroom - the fictional artificial intelligence character (played by Matt Frewer) advertised as "the first computer-generated TV presenter" and was known for his stuttering delivery and sarcastic wit.

 

Even if you weren't a fan of the two season show (ABC 1987-1988), you couldn't miss seeing Max in commercials for the aforementioned New Coke.  Before that there was his UK origin in the movie Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future and a music video show called The Max Headroom Show. He was on the cover of Newsweek magazine, starred in a video by The Art of Noise (and has cameoed and served as the inspiration for a number of parodies in TV and movies over the past 30+ years.

Now, AMC is looking to b-b-b-bring Max back.

AMC Networks is developing a Max Headroom reboot, with Matt Frewer set to reprise his role as the world’s first artificial intelligence TV personality. Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Christopher Cantwell is writing the adaptation and is attached as showrunner for the project, which is produced by Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s SpectreVision and All3Media.

A launch date has yet to be confirmed by AMC, but you can be sure that we'll be watching our TVs (and computers) for any forthcoming news or announcements regarding dates and details about Max's return.

8 From the 80s: Babes

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

80s Babes

This was an incredibly hard list to come up with.  Not because filling eight spots was difficult... filling ONLY eight spots was nearly impossible. Olivia Newton-John, Erin Gray, Madonna, and Cindy Crawford are just a few that immediately come to mind.  But this is called "EIGHT" from the 80s, so eight it must be. Let's go!

8. Sean Young

Sean helped start the 80s off right with turns in the comedy classic Stripes and sci-fi favorite Blade Runner.

7. Brooke Shields

Nothing came between her and her Calvins while The Blue Lagoon and Endless Love cemented her as one of the early 80s hottest babes.

Marvel Legends Series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends

While there have been a number of Spider-Man cartoons over the years, most everyone remembers three of them before any of the others; the 1967 Spider-Man series, Spider-Man from the 90s, and the one from the 80s - Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.  It's the latter that is getting a very nice looking set from Hasbro that's estimated to ship in January of 2023.

Using their fantastic powers, Spider-Man teams up with fellow heroes and former X-Men Iceman and Marvel’s Firestar to battle the world’s most dastardly villains from their secret crime-fighting lab.

These collectible 6-inch-scale Marvel Legends action figures are detailed to look like the Spider-Man, Iceman, Marvel’s Firestar and Ms. Lion characters from the classic 1980s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends animated cartoon featuring premium deco and multiple points of articulation.

With over 80 years of entertainment history, Marvel has become a cornerstone of fan collections around the world. With the Marvel Legends action figures, fan favorite Marvel Comic Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe characters are designed with premium detail and articulation for posing and display in collections. From figures to vehicles to premium roleplay items, the Marvel Legends Series offers elite character-inspired products for Marvel fans and collectors. Additional Marvel action figures each sold separately. (Subject to availability.)

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

Episode #125

This yellow brick road that doesn't lead to any Emerald Cities! What it DOES lead to is a world of souped-up cars, animals fighting back, dystopian drive-ins and so much more. Yep - the guys are talking Ozploitation flicks! But before that it's a "Gift, Keep, Ditch" of elementary school lunches. Throw another shrimp on the barbie - it's time for Uphill Both Ways! 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW125_Goodbye_Yellow_Brick_Road.mp3

5-25-77 (Movie Trailer)

This movie looks absolutely amazing in just about every way.

You can certainly expect to see more coverage here as the release date for this gets closer.

 

Build Up The Fun With The New Iconic LEGO Atari 2600 Set

Take a trip back to the 1980s with this LEGO® Atari® 2600 (10306) building set for adults. Enjoy a rewarding project creating all the details of this replica console, game cartridges and joystick. Gaming fans will love the 3 mini builds depicting themes from 3 popular Atari® games. There’s even a hidden 1980s scene to build for total nostalgia overload.

"Fashion"

Episode #124

Bell bottoms! Giant collars! Tie-dye! Concert t-shirts! Pegged jeans! It's time for an Uphill Both Ways fashion show! Join the guys as they talk about fashion from the 70s and 80s in general and specifically what their usual style of dress was. Which one dressed like a bad guy from the Alpha Beta fraternity and who dressed like Ducky from Pretty in Pink? You're going to have to listen to find out because we're not spoiling the surprise here!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_124_Fashion.mp3

The Bookmobile

In the latest episode, Joseph and Mike talked about visiting the bookmobile.

In case you've never had the experience, here's what they looked like:

They could - and did - vary in appearance depending on where they were operated and who was funding it. Sometimes they were converted old school buses, but most often they looked similar to this fella. You can tell by the yellow and brown color scheme that this was most likely from the 70s.

As for the interior:

This is a view looking from the front towards the back.  You would check your stuff out at the little station in the very back.  Again, not every bookmobile was laid out exactly like all of the others, but this is a pretty good look at the general layout you'd see.

Did you ever visit your local bookmobile?  Let us know!

"Paperback Writer"

Episode #123

As a follow-up to the previous episode, Joseph and Mike discuss R.I.F. - the old Reading Is Fundamental program, going to the library, and paying visits to the beloved Bookmobile. New regular segment "Gift, Keep, Ditch" features foes of Godzilla, and there's even an announcement about a new contest for another free movie on Blu-ray!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_123_Paperback_Writer.mp3

Happy Father's Day!

8 From the 80s: Forgotten Dramas

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can you rate one thing over another when it comes from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

Forgotten Dramas

“Drama” might not be the most appropriate way to describe most of the shows on this list - fantasy or sci-fi might be a more apt category - but we’re going to keep things simple and just lump all of the non-sitcom shows into this category.  Mostly because it’s the easiest way to do it, but also because this is my column.

Anyway, on with the show!

8. T. and T. (syndicated, 1987-1990)

When The A-Team was canceled, Mr. T needed some work.  So off to Canada he went where he starred in this first run syndicated crime show from 1987-1990.  All but forgotten beyond hardcore Mr. T fans, T. and T. told the story of T.S. Turner, a boxer who was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, but instead of hanging out with George Peppard, T was “rescued” by lawyer Amy Taler and the two of them solved crime together.

“Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters” Roars into Bookstores This September

Uphill Both Ways readers and podcast listeners know that Mike and Joseph are huge fans of Godzilla, so they are anticipating — as all aficionados of The Big Fella should be — Welbeck Publishing’s incredible tome Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters, due September 13, 2022. Written by writer/actor/director/producer and full-on Godzilla enthusiast Graham Skipper (of Sequence Break fame), this is the first officially licensed book to cover the complete Godzilla movie franchise, including both Japanese and Western films. Following is information from the official press announcement.

Discover the complete history of Godzilla in this definitive, official guide to the King of the Monsters.

Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters celebrates more than 60 years of movie mayhem in an exceptional, fully illustrated book. An official publication in partnership with Toho Co., this must-read guide brings together every incarnation of the world’s most famous creature for the first time – including all the Japanese and Western movies, as well as Godzilla’s most celebrated appearances in TV, comics and video games.

"Everyday I Write the Book"

Episode #122

Ernest Hemingway once said "There is no friend as loyal as a book" and if that's true, then Joseph and Mike have an army of buddies! Join the guys as the talk about the books that they read as kids back in the 70s (and early 80s) and find out who read works by people like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and who read Beverly Clearly and the ghost writers behind the Franklin W. Dixon pseudonym. We'd say this episode is a "real page turner", but, well - it's a podcast and that wouldn't make a lot of sense. So click the link and listen already!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_122_Everyday_I_Write_the_Book.mp3

"The Boys Are Back in Town"

Episode #121

Guess who just got back today? / Them wild-eyed boys that'd been away / Haven't changed, had much to say / But man, I still think them cats are crazy… That's right! Mike and Joseph are back! New shorter length! New intro and outro music! Same old men! It's a little bit of this and that, some catching up, and A CONTEST! This very special episode of Uphill Both Ways is brought to you by Red Barn! How about another exclamation point?!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_121_The_Boys_Are_Back_in_Town.mp3

“Masters of Make-up Effects”

“Masters of Make-up Effects” Book Is an Unprecedented Insight into the World of Film and TV Make-up Effects 

Wellbeck Publishing is set to serve up a drool-inducing book for fans of classic horror and genre cinema this September when it releases Masters of Make-up Effects by Howard Berger & Marshall Julius. As you can see from the following press announcement and sample pages, the book offers an incredible behind-the-scenes history of such works as An American Werewolf in London, The Thing, Star Wars, and Star Trek — and just look at that who’s who list of those who made contributions! 

Masters of Make-up Effects 

By Howard Berger & Marshall Julius, with a foreword by  Guillermo del Toro and afterword by Seth MacFarlane

 Welbeck | £30.00/$39.95 | 1st September 2022 (UK), 6th September 2022 (US) | Hardback 

A lively, affectionate and candid oral history of iconic make-up effects, from the artists who create and apply them, to the actors who bring them to life, Masters of Make-up Effects is a glorious gathering of behind-the-scenes stories and incredible candid photos, many of which have never been published before.  

Join Oscar-winning make-up effects artist Howard Berger and veteran film journalist Marshall Julius as they usher you onto the sets of cult classics (An American Werewolf in London, The Thing), award winners (Darkest Hour, The Shape of Water) and fan-favourite film and TV franchises (Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter), then into the make-up trailers of scores of industry legends as they regale with thrilling tales and share their histories, insights and inspirations. With a foreword from visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and an afterword by Seth MacFarlane, Masters of Make-up Effects is a revealing celebration of a century of iconic make-up magic.

Exclusive contributions and unseen photographs from:  

Guillermo del Toro • Seth MacFarlane •  Gino Acevedo • Rick Baker • Vivian Baker •  Howard Berger • Doug Bradley • Lois  Burwell • Norman Cabrera • John Caglione  Jr • Bruce Campbell • Greg Cannom • Blair  Clark • Bill Corso • Mark Coulier • John  Criswell • Ken Diaz • Nick Dudman •  Leonard Engelman • Robert Englund • Mike  Fields • Ben Foster • Rob Freitas • Carl  Fullerton • Toni G• Mick Garris • Alec Gillis  • Pamela Goldammer • Neill Gorton •  Barrie Gower • David Grasso • Kevin Haney • Joel Harlow • Mike Hill • Kazu Hiro •  Garrett Immel • Carey Jones • Doug Jones  • Paul Katte • Jamie Kelman• Eryn Krueger  Mekash • John Landis • Tami Lane • Love  Larson • Mike Marino • David Martí • James  McAvoy• Mike McCracken Jr • Todd  McIntosh • Greg Nelson • Greg Nicotero •  Margaret Prentice • Stephen Prouty • Fred  Raskin • Montse Ribé • Mikey Rotella • Sarah Rubano • Tom Savini • Mike Smithson  • Richard Taylor • Christopher Tucker •  Vincent Van Dyke • Eva Von Bahr • Steve  Wang • David White • Matt Winston • Jeremy Woodhead • Kevin Yagher • Louie  Zakarian 

About the Authors

Special Make-up Effects Artist Howard Berger has over 800 feature film and television credits including Dances With Wolves, Hitchcock, Kill Bill 1 & 2, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, The Orville, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Make-up as well as a British Academy Award for Best Achievement in Make-up. He lives in  Los Angeles, CA. 

Marshall Julius is a film critic, blogger, broadcaster and author, whose previous books include Vintage Geek (September Publishing,  2019) and Action! The Action Movie A-Z (Batsford Film Books, 1996). He lives in London, UK. 

 

Twitter Marshall: @MarshallJulius 

Instagram Howard: @hoops511