The Astrologer (1975 horror film)
The Astrologer | |
---|---|
Directed by | James Glickenhaus |
Written by | James Glickenhaus (uncredited) |
Produced by | Mark Buntzman |
Cinematography | Francis A. Romero |
Edited by | Victor Zimet |
Music by | Brad Fiedel |
Distributed by | Republic Arts |
Release date | December 1975 |
Running time | 96 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Astrologer (also known as Suicide Cult) is a 1975 American horror film directed by James Glickenhaus.[1][2]
Plot
A scientist who is investigating reports of the Second Coming of Christ ends up in conflict with a Satan-worshipping suicide cult.
Cast
- Bob Byrd as Alexei
- Mark Buntzman as Kajerste
- James Glickenhaus as Spy
- Alison McCarthy
- Al Narcisse
- Monica Tidwell as Kate Abarnel
- Ivy White as Indian Maiden
Production
Glickenhaus adapted the screenplay from the 1972 novel The Astrologer by John Cameron.
"I'd inherited some money," Glickenhaus told The New York Times, "and I took all of it and lost it making a movie called 'The Astrologer.' I'd been to film school, but film school was oriented more toward the avant-garde in those days, and I didn't really know what a master was or a cutaway or a closeup. And I had great trouble conveying ideas, except in dialogue. So 'The Astrologer,' which was about 79 minutes long, was probably 60 minutes of dialogue. I mean, it was interminable. I didn't think it was interminable then. I thought it was great and interesting and fascinating to listen to." The film took him two years to produce from start to finish.[3]
The music was composed by Brad Fiedel.[4]
Release
The film was initially released in December 1975 by Republic Arts. It was later re-released in theaters in 1978 by Interstar. It was released in Canada by Cinépix Film Properties (CFP) under the title Astrologer in 1979. It was retitled Suicide Cult and re-released in theaters by 21st Century Film Corporation in 1980. It was released on home video by Continental Video as Suicide Cult in 1986.
Reception
Glickenhaus convinced some drive-in theaters in the South to show it and he recalls, "Even though it was a terrible movie, people didn't absolutely hate it. But I realized by watching them that the only parts they liked were the parts with action."[3]
References
- ^ Gallagher, John A. (12 August 1989). "Film Directors on Directing". ABC-CLIO. Retrieved 12 August 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ Clark, Randall (17 December 2013). "At a Theater or Drive-in Near You: The History, Culture, and Politics of the American Exploitation Film". Routledge. Retrieved 12 August 2018 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Chase, Chris. "AT THE MOVIES; Jennifer Leigh and her trip from X to R." Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (16 April 2015). "The Encyclopedia of Film Composers". Rowman & Littlefield. Retrieved 12 August 2018 – via Google Books.