On this day in movie history – Videodrome (1983 movie & books):

Videodrome

aka Zonekiller, 

directed and written by David Cronenberg,

was released in the United States on February 4, 1983.

Music by Howard Shore.

Cast:

James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky, Leslie Carlson, Jack Creley, Lynne Gorman, Julie Khaner, David Bolt, Reiner Schwarz, Lally Cadeau, King Cosmos, Kay Hawtrey, David Tsubouchi.

Recommended reading:

Videodrome

Studies in the Horror Film

By Tim Lucas.

Published by Centipede Press.

First Edition.

Published 2008.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1933618280

ISBN-13: 978-1933618289

Description:

Released in 1983, David Cronenberg's Videodrome is one of his most original and provocative works, fusing social commentary with shocking elements of sex and violence. Crossing the boundary between science fiction, horror, and social criticism, Videodrome remains a unique and brilliant work in the oeuvre of cinema's greatest maverick.

Tim Lucas had behind-the-scenes access to every facet of production when Videodrome was filmed in 1981. His unique perspective provides interviews with cast and crew, including exclusive, never-before-published interviews with Cronenberg, commentary and analysis of the film, and over sixty black-and-white and color photographs, many never before seen.

Videodrome is the first in the Studies in the Horror Film series, which aims to present critical and popular discussion of the great horror films in affordable, attractive packages.

Tim Lucas is the editor of Video Watchdog magazine, which specializes in critical discussions of popular and obscure horror, fantasy, and science fiction films. He is also a renowned and astute film critic and award-winning writer.

Videodrome

by Jack Martin.

Published by New English Library Ltd.

Published 1983.

ISBN-10: 0450056015

ISBN-13: 978-0450056017

Description:

In the world that lies ahead of us all, reality and hallucination will merge and interchange.

So, when Max Renn saw the flesh of his stomach swell and redden as though a giant worm was moving beneath the skin, was that imagination – or reality?

And when the skin split and the flesh parted like giant lips, soft and bloodied. When he could sink his fingers, his whole hand, deep inside, feeling and probing through the wall of his own stomach. As the juices, thick and warm, clung and sucked gently at his finger-tips, drawing him in. As the bile rose, hot with revulsion in his throat....

Was that a nightmare – or reality?