Count Dracula [il Conte Dracula (1970)] - Soundtrack

Although the film Bruno Nicolai composed this excellent music for was first released in 1970. A soundtrack LP of Nicolai's score would not be released until 1982. Twelve years later, that same album recording would get reissued on compact disc, with an additional 10 previously unpublished tracks. This 2021 disc is a remaster and reissue of the latter and a welcome addition to my collection.

When I checked the IMDB I found that Christopher Lee was in a total of nine films that had 1970 as the registered year of release. Three of those films were Dracula movies. Two of them were Hammer Film productions. The first being Taste the Blood of Dracula, which was the last film, at that time, to have a narrative connection to the entry that preceded it. Seeing that it picked up right where Dracula Has Risen from the Grave had ended. The second Hammer offering was the far inferior, I think, Scars of Dracula.

Count Dracula, an offering from Spanish director Jesús [Jess] Franco, would be the third time Lee would play the legendary vampire on the big screen in the year 1970. The lure here seems to have been an intention stated by the filmmaker(s) to hew closer to the narrative of Bram Stoker's novel than any other film had, up to that point.

While I have seen, and enjoyed, Franco's more Universal Monster mash styled (and almost dialogue free) Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein (1972), which also used this score. Count Dracula remains a vacancy in my viewing history. One that I hope to rectify, sooner rather than later.

Explorers (1985) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 30, 1985

I was not living in the States at the time of Explorers theatrical release, so I missed out on seeing it on the big screen. The version I did see was the home video release from Paramount, which had some modest alterations.

The tragedy of this movie's perceived failure, both commercially and critically, in 1985 most likely is rooted in its dire (and admitted by director Joe Dante) third act issues.

When Explorers went into production, it was slated for a Fall of 1985 release. At some point during production the film's release was moved forward to July, which shortened the film's post-production and might even have cut into some of its filming schedule. That latter point is an assumption of my part, at that time of writing this particular blog entry, that is. But I make it after having read how Dante has regularly voiced disappointment with the film's third act and stating that the moving forward of the release robbed them of the ability to work out the revelation and tighten the pacing. So it goes.

Still, it the film as is had more than enough charm and magic and love for schlocky science fiction movies that it is impossible not to enjoy it. And Jerry Goldsmith's score is, as always, a joy to hear. 

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #43

Behind the scenes: Alien Head - Rubber Model

A final rubber model of the Alien's head is constructed only after a series of schematic drawings were created depicting the Alien from several angles. The original Alien design came from H. R. Giger and was reworked by Tom Woodruff, Jr., and Alec Gillis for Alien 3.

Tentacles [Tentacoli (1977)] - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 29, 1977

I have a memory of seeing the poster for Tentacles displayed at the Alameda Theatre and being unnerved and grossed out by the idea of being gripped and engulfed by slimy and sucker encrusted tentacles. The concept so unsettled me that I did not go and see the film.

Now there might be some out there that might hold the opinion that I dodged a bullet by making that decision. Because, when the film made its network television premiere and I finally watched it, I found the film to be a rather underwhelming and silly affair.

Ovidio Assonitis, credited here as Oliver Hellman, having made considerable bank with his Exorcist cash-in, known stateside as Beyond the Door, struggles to build and maintain any kind of tension whatsoever. While there a few nifty moments scattered throughout, they are just that. Moments. Not sequences, just an occasional well crafted edit or nicely angled shot during an attack sequence.

Though I would like to add Stelvio Cipriani's zesty score to my soundtrack collection at some point.

A check of the Theatre Guide revealed that, at the Lux, Tentacles was on triple-bill with The Little Cigars Mob, a film about gang of bank robbing circus midgets, and Savage Sisters, another Eddie Romero Philippines lensed exploitation flick. The Coliseum drive-in, that aforementioned Alameda Theatre, as well the Hayward 6, the Hilltop Mall, and the Nimitz drive-in all had Tentacles paired with a re-issue of The Food of the Gods. Not surprising, really. As both were American International releases and The Food of the Gods was the distributor's biggest moneymaker of the previous year.

The California Cinema, which is where I saw Boots Riley's debut Sorry to Bother You on the big screen, had Tentacles showing with Eddie Romero's Philippines lensed exploitation flick Twilight People.

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #78

Day of the Dead (1985)

"You almost killed Rickles. Yeah. You almost fucking killed Rickles." 

Gigantis The Fire Monster [Godzilla Raids Again (1955)]/Teenagers from Outer Space (1959) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 26, 1959

The first Godzilla movie took two years to reach theaters and drive-ins in the United States, albeit in a cosmetically altered version. This quickie sequel, released the very next year in Japan, took twice as long getting to the states. Titled Godzilla Raids Again in Japan, the film was retitled Gigantis The Fire Monster because, well, the distributor did not have the rights clearance to use the moniker Godzilla.

While Gigantis The Fire Monster is no Godzilla King of the Monsters, it does introduce Anguirus. Although a quickly vanquished antagonistic nuance to the Godzilla here, Anguirus would, much Godzilla itself, be resurrected and evolve into Big G's forever BFF.

I have never seen Teenagers from Outer Space, not even on Mystery Science Theater 3000. All I know about it is that one of the alien threats is represented by the black silhouette of what is clearly a lobster. It was evidently a real lobster and quite dead and therefore quite odiferous.

There is also a moment, at the very beginning, where an "annoying" dog gets zapped by a raygun and collapses as a skeleton.

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #42

Behind the scenes - Planet surface

To create the surface of the planet Fiorina 161, the set was littered with derricks and cranes, on the back lot of Pinewood Studies, London. The planet's unusual horizon will eventually replace the plain blue background.

The Omen (1976) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 25, 1976

In these United States, where this blog is currently housed, The Omen celebrates its 50th birthday today.

I remember being equal parts fascinated and unnerved by one of the countless advertisements for The Omen. It was the one where the shadow Damien casts is that of doglike figure, which I had no way on knowing at the time was supposed to represent a jackal (and Damien's birth mother). The more used alternate, of course, was Damien casting a shadow of cross that, because of the perspective, was rather conspicuously upside down (which means EVIL).

My only other memories are of flipping through the novelization and getting frightened by the black and white photos in the center. The same also applies for the novelization of Damien Omen II (1978).

I think I first saw the film when it made its network television debut. Because, at time of The Omen's theatrical release, my brother and I were considered far too young to see R-rated fare on the big screen.

Because this was a major theatrical release, The Omen had no double-feature in its indoor venues. However, at the Coliseum drive-in, where double-bills were essential to the point of being required, The Omen was well paired with 1973's The Legend of Hell House.
 

And those double-bills being shown on the adjacent screens were also pretty cool. 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #77

Poltergeist (1982)

 

Land of the Dead (2005) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 24, 2005

That Eli Roth quote comparing the release of a new George A. Romero zombie film being something akin to the release of a new Star Wars film (in the year 2005, at least) was not all that far off the mark. Well, at least for me.

I took a vacation day just so I could see the very first matinee screening of Land of the Dead on its opening day, because I was really that excited about it. When the movie ended, I contemplated staying at the theatre and getting a ticket for the next showing. I kind of regret not doing so, but I had to get home and write a review for a now defunct webpage. So it goes.

Oh, and there was the whole needing to pick up my kid from school thing.

Reaction to the film was mixed, or course. I remember one message board comment describing the film as having a first and third act that were in dire need of a second. Something that might have to do with Simon Baker's character of Riley Denbo feeling a tad thin and underdeveloped when compared to the more colorful and more energetic characters that surround him.

The true standouts are John Leguizamo's Cholo, Asia Argento's Slack, Dennis Hooper's Kaufman, and Eugene Clark's Big Daddy. I also like the satirical flourish of having Big Daddy being surrounded by a zombie crew of this own.

While it may not have been the thunderous and energetic achievement I had hoped for, I still think it is makes for a solid entry. One that that showed Romero still had the vision and the creative ability to make something interesting and entertaining.
 

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #41

Outtake - Scene not included in the movie

In the original scene from Alien 3, prisoner Murphy becomes the first victim when he finds the Alien in the Abattoir just after it has burst from the ox. In the released version of Alien 3, Murphy is still the first victim of the Alien. But the Alien does not come from an ox. It bursts from his dog, Sparky.

20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) / The 27th Day (1957) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 23, 1957

20 Million Miles to Earth tells the tragic tale of a Venusian animal brought back to Earth where, alone, confused, and scared, it is tormented by equally confused and scared humans. Although somewhat hampered by its paltry budget, the stop motion animation by Ray Harryhausen is superb. The unnamed alien, known to fans as the Ymir, is so skillfully animated that it moves and reacts as if it were a living being and not a mere special effect.

This would be the first of three films that Nathan Juran would make with Harryhausen. The other two being the 1958 classic The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and 1964's First Men in the Moon.

The 27th Day is a movie I have the vaguest memory of seeing a portion of on television. It was a scene of a man being hit by a car. But that is all I remember of it.

The film was based on a 1956 novel written by John Mantley, who would go on to write a season two episode of The Outer Limits that was titled Behold Eck! Mantley also served as producer, perhaps show runner, for the television series Gunsmoke from 1965 - 1975, and is credited with writing 17 episodes and producing 240. He also produced and wrote the late 1970s series How The West Was Won. He also had some producing credits on the series The Wild, Wild West, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and MacGyver.

I was also surprised and delighted to learn that the film was directed by William Asher. A television workhorse, Asher credited as director on 102 episodes of I Love Lucy, a first season episode of The Twilight Zone titled Mr. Bevis, 131 episodes of Bewitched, and many, many more.

But I know Asher best for directing the queasy 1981 hagsploitation-themed slasher thriller Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker, which I saw on the big screen as Night Warning.
 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #76

Poltergeist (1982)

Those hands belong to Steven Spielberg, who had a grand old time working with DIRECTOR Tobe Hooper.
 

The People That Time Forgot (1977) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 22, 1977

When I went to see The People That Time Forgot, on the big screen, I had no idea that it was a direct sequel to The Land That Time Forgot. I just thought it looked like a fun and exciting fantasy adventure.

Since this ad is from the San Francisco Examiner, I am going to focus on the screening in that region and leave the East Bay for when the daily clipping comes from the Oakland Tribune.

All the markets looked to have paired the film with the a reissue of At the Earth's Core, which just so happened to have been made by most of the same creative team responsible for The People That Time Forgot. Save for the absence of Milton Subotsky, as he and credited producer Max J. Rosenberg had parted ways and their Amicus Production company was no more. 
 

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #40

Outtake - Scene not included in the movie

Another of the original scenes from Alien 3 included this shot of an unsuspecting prisoner actually picking up the Alien in its facehugger form. The Alien has just burst from the dead ox strung up in the prison's Abattoir and is about to its first victim.

I might be in the minority here, or maybe not, but I do not find the Assembly Cut to be all that much of an improvement over the theatrical cut. Because a lot of the film's problems rested within the film's underdeveloped and unfocused script. That it needed a few more drafts to strengthen its characters and setting can not be ignored or denied.

 

Empire of the Ants (1977) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 12, 1977

Last year I clipped and shared the STARTS WEDNESDAY ad for Bert I. Gordon's Empire of the Ants that ran in the San Francisco Examiner. Now it is the Oakland Tribune's turn.

The other day the 7 disc Sangster Directs Hammer box set from Severin arrived in the mail. One of the film contained therein is Fear in the Night, which just so happens to feature star Joan Collins. Who played a vibrant and campy role in today's subject.

My reason for mentioning this factoid is that the Fear in the Night disc features a video essay titled Joan Collins: Queen of the Horror Film. Collins appeared in a lot of British horror films in the early seventies, the most famous being Tales from the Crypt, of course. 

Yet it seems this particular slice of b-grade cheese schlock was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Embarrassed and, quite possibly, infuriated, Collins would option her sister Jackie's novel The Stud and reinvent both her public persona and acting career. A decision that paid huge dividends when she was cast in the long-running primetime soap opera Dynasty.
 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #75

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2 Freddy's Revenge (1985)

While these publicity shoot images bled together over time, because there were just so many of them, I am somewhat unsure if the above image was taken for the second film in the franchise. It might have been, but I think it might actually have been taken during the production of the third film.

The Freddy make-up would change from film to film, depending on who was working on the make-up and what idiosyncratic flourish they wanted to give it at that time, and this looks more Dream Warriors than it does Freddy's Revenge. To me, at least.

But I could be wrong. That can and does happen. Like I said, New Line did a lot of these publicity shoots.
 

Jaws (1975) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 11, 1975

This teaser ad hyping the upcoming release of Jaws is one of what, at time of typing these very words, is close to ten or so dozen examples of why I started looking at every page of an archived paper. Because this teaser was not nestled with all the other movie ads in the Entertainment Section. No, this ad was 'hidden' in either the Business or Sports section. Or between to two. Just so eyes that might not bother checking the Entertainment Section might see and take note of it.

I have no idea when the very first teaser ad for Jaws appeared in either the San Francisco Examiner or the Oakland Tribune. But, since I am going through every available edition archived ad Newspapers.com, I should be able to find and archive it here. It is my favorite movie of all time, after all.

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #39

Outtake - Scene not included in the Movie.

In one of the original scenes for Alien 3, oxen are used to pull Ripley's EEV from the water. When one of the oxen falls to the ground, the prisoners take it to the Abattoir for butchering. But while a prisoner is preparing to butcher the ox, the Alien bursts from the animal's chest.

A scene I believe you can now see in the 'restored' Assembly Cut version of the film.
 

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 10, 1981

Although I am incapable of NOT remembering the pop culture and box office juggernaut that was Raiders of the Lost Ark, since it was a massive hit. I have no memory of seeing the film on the Big Screen. Because... I did not see it until it was on home video.

Why? No idea. It baffles me that I was uninterested in seeing the film. While I was all kinds of excited and eager to partake the likes of Friday the 13th Part 2, An American Werewolf in London, Wolfen, and Escape from New York. Yet I still gave one of the most iconic fantasy-adventure films of all time a pass. Weird.

Come to think of it, I was more excited and determined to see Brian De Palma's Blow Out on the big screen than this film. Again... weird.
 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #74

Alien (1979)

"Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal!"
 

Gremlins 2 The New Batch (1990) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 9, 1990

Despite the wish casting in the banner of this ad for a "Special One Night Only" Sneak Preview screening of Gremlins 2 The New Batch, the Gremlins did not get out of hand when they were unleashed on June 15th. So it goes.

Less a linear sequel and more of an outright Looney Tunes cartoon-style parody of what a Gremlins sequel might be like, both in front and behind the camera. Gremlins 2 The New Batch is a whirling and wobbling dervish anarchic energy and slapstick comedy.

If there is to be a downside to this movie, it is that it leans a tad too heavily into cartoonishly comedic chaos and nowhere near enough toward something approximating an actual, you know, story. It just takes the narrative framing of the first film upon which to hang an insane, almost exhausting, number of jokes, references, gags, parodies, and creature effects.

Not that that is a bad thing. There are will always be times when one is dire need of watching something that only exists to be a silly, funny, and goofy good time. An admission that makes me want to plop on the couch and watch Gremlins 2 The New Batch one more time.
 

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #38

Datalog: Approx. 0:300 Hours, Day 3

I wanted to believe him, but I couldn't take the chance. If this Bishop was lying it could mean that the Alien would never be destroyed. I knew what I had to do...
 

The Giant Spider Invasion (1975) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 8, 1976

I remember seeing some television spots for this big bug throwback's theatrical release and being freaked out by them. Surely The Giant Spider Invasion would shock and terrify me beyond all measure.

Twenty-three or so years would pass before I would actually see The Giant Spider Invasion and, well, whatever horrors I imaged the film containing at age eight or so turned out to be far, far worse than what was in the film itself. But it did provide fodder for what just might be my all time favorite episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

"GILLETTE, THE BEST A MAN CAN GET!"  "PACKERS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!" "MOSES, MOVE THE BIKE!"

Quoting it only makes me want to watch it again.

As far as the film's co-hits go. The Alameda Showcase had The Giant Spider Invasion on a double-bill with 1972's Tales from the Crypt. The Eastmont Four had it showing with a different feature from 1972. The Hit Man, which starred Bernie Casey and Pam Grier. At the Roxie, The Giant Spider Invasion was paired with yet another different feature from 1972, Eddie Romero's Philippines lensed The Twilight People. That same double-bill was also unspooling at the Coliseum Drive-in. But the Nimitz bucked the trend of dusting off features from 1972 by pairing The Giant Spider Invasion with 1973's cheapie science-fiction thriller The Clones. Pleasant Hill's Motor Movies Drive-In did not buck the trend, as it had Spider, like the Alameda Showcase, paired with Tales from the Crypt.

United Artists in Berkeley had to have had the most thematically appropriate pairing, though. There it was paired with the William Castle production Bug. The Plaza, the eighth and final venue listed, also had it showing with 1973's The Clones.
 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #73

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors (1987)

 

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 5, 1977

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger might be the only Ray Harryhausen effects movie I saw on the big screen. While this June 5, 1977 ad clipped from the San Francisco Examiner listed the Alameda Theatre, I remember seeing it at the ever reliable Southshore.

While the film has a bevy of stop motion beasties to enjoy, the only big screen moment that lodged in my memory was the antagonist bemoaning there was not enough magic potion to fully complete her transformation from bird back into human form. "Not enough! Not enough!"

 

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #37

Datalog: Approx. 0:300 Hours, Day 3

From out of the shadows came Bishop. The company had sent a Bishop look-alike to gain my trust. He said the company wanted to remove the Alien inside me and destroy it. He said they wanted to help me. But what if he was lying?
 

Alligator (1980) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 4, 1981

This newspaper ad is all that stuck with me for the brief theatrical run of what became the modest cult/sleeper hit Alligator. Blessed with a solid cast that got to work with a tongue-in-cheek script by John Sayles, who claims to have wrote this on a plane flight from the New York to Los Angeles. Alligator is a fun, unpretentious, and, at times, downright nasty monster movie.

For whatever reason, this is one that slipped through my fingers and I did not see it until it debuted on network television. I think the film's infamous "walk the plank" scene made it to the airwaves intact, but that first viewing has been mixed and muddled with countless follow-up VHS and DVD viewings that it no longer matters. But I did know about the scene well in advance, because someone at school that had seen it on the big screen talked about it.

A check of Friday's "Theatre Guide" revealed that the Roxie would have Alligator on triple-bill with Shogun Assassin and Planet of the Dinosaurs. The Southshore had it paired with the action film High Risk. The Coliseum Drive-in was showing it with Humanoids from the Deep, while United Artists in Berkeley had it coupled with Windwalker. If you went to see Alligator at the Festival Cinema in Hayward, you could watch it with Excalibur. The Cooper Twin in San Pablo also had it with Humanoids from the Deep, while the Regency in Pleasant Hill paired with the Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin historical action flick Death Hunt.

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #72

Pumpkinhead (1988)

Another Fright Flicks card with Vengeance: The Demon title on the back of the card, rather than that actual title of the film, which is Pumpkinhead.

This image is from late in the film, when the true cost of summoning the vengeance demon Pumpkinhead begins to manifest.
 

Ghostbusters (1984) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 3, 1984

Ivan Reitman and Dan Ackroyd, with the assist of Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, and an almost unacknowledged Ernie Hudson, captured lightning in a bottle that, despite numerous repeat attempts, was never truly been recaptured.

This might have been my favorite film of the summer of 1984, although it did receive stiff competition from the even darker and actually scary at times Gremlins. Which just so happened to have been released on the very same weekend as Ghostbusters.

I was visiting friends and family in the states at the time, which meant I got to see it during its theatrical run while it was enjoying massive business and the Southland Cinema in Hayward. At least that is where I remember seeing it.
 

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #36

Datalog: Approx. 0:300 Hours, Day 3

I could see them across the way; they had finally arrived. The Weyland-Yutani Commando team charged up the stairs, ready for battle. They were outfitted in full military uniform and each of them carried a pulse rifle. May question was: Were they here to rescue us... or the Alien?
 

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - June 2, 1976

While Brian De Palma's cult oddity Phantom of the Paradise was first released in late 1974, I did not see it on the big screen until this 1976 re-release.

One of the things I truly enjoy about clipping and sharing these vintage ads is learning and processing the difference between when something happened versus how I remember it having happened. Sometimes the history and the memory align, sometimes it does not. This is an example of the former.

I remember sitting in the Alameda Southshore, which was still called the Showcase at this time, and recognizing Rod Serling's distinctive voice speaking the opening narration. A voice that I recognized as the host of Night Gallery, not The Twilight Zone. Because I would not see an episode of The Twilight Zone until 1978 or 79. Maybe? Oh, and my I remember my first ever Twilight Zone episode being the Charles Beaumont scripted A Nice Place to Visit, which remains one of my all time favorite episodes.

Phantom of the Paradise would also serve as my first ever Brian De Palma movie. And a wonderful and memorable introduction it was, I think.

As far as actual history differing, or merging, with personal memory goes. A check of the theatre listing revealed...

That Phantom of the Paradise was double-billed with another, far less stellar, childhood memory of mine. The painfully unfunny (at least that is how I remember it) Old Dracula. Which means that I saw them on this double-bill, although I did not remember that as being the case.

But... my memory of where I was seated, and thus how the screen image was positioned before for me, for both films were identical. Why I do not remember seeing these two together, I have no idea. But see them I did. Together, at the Alameda Showcase, in 1976. At the tender age of eight or nine.
 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #71

Day of the Dead (1985)

 

Invaders from Mars (1986) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 1, 1986

I was on summer break from SFSU, and thus in Hong Kong, when Invaders from Mars was released at selected theaters and drive-ins to a less than spectacular reception from both audiences and critics. So I missed out on seeing it on the big screen. Which is too bad, as I thought it was a nifty 'little' movie when I saw it on home video.

While not as chaotically bonkers as Hooper's delightful cult classic Lifeforce, which had cratered at the box office the year before, Invaders from Mars, despite looking and feeling ever so slightly choppy and uneven, has a colorful charm and a dreamlike sense of wonder to it. Elements that make it pair really well with Joe Dante's 1985 box office flop Explorers, which also, despite looking and feeling ever so slightly choppy and uneven, has the same kind of colorful charm and dreamlike sense of wonder to it as Invaders from Mars.

I think this movie is well worth seeing for the Martian ship set design, the Stan Winston creatures, and Daniel Pearl's gorgeous cinematography. There was an interesting essay, that was attributed to director Tobe Hooper, that was in John Russo's book Making Movies. It detailed some of the baffling meddling Hooper had to contend with while making this movie and should be sought out and read.

One anecdote I heard was that Golan/Globus, and the Cannon Group, were disappointed that the film was not scary enough. They wanted a scary monster movie, an alien invasion variation of Poltergeist. But Hooper was intent on making more of an E.T. style adventure.

And I think it succeeded, for the most part. This is one of those movies I really wished had done better at that box office. It would have been great if it had at least broken even at the box office and not lost a ton of cash for the struggling studio/distributor.

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #35

Datalog: Approx. 0:300 Hours, Day 3

The Alien was trapped in the lead mould. But so were Dillon and I. There was a huge gantry overhead; our only chance was to climb out and onto the platform with Morse. I made it to the top and clung to one of the overhead pipes, helplessly watch as Dillon tried to climb to safety.