 |
 |
|
|
CURRENT NEWS
|
|
With less than two months to go before the big "Attack of the Moon Zombies" world premiere, the air is electric with excitement!
The newest Mihmiverse film is 100% complete and advance tickets to the highly anticipated premiere event are NOW ON SALE! Be one of the first to see writer/director Christopher R. Mihm's latest (and, if rumors are to be believed, BEST) film!
As with previous Mihmiverse premieres, moviegoers will be treated to a program complete with hand-picked, era-appropriate newsreels, classic trailers, appearances by most (if not all) of the cast and crew, and free cake, autographs and photos with the title creatures from the film. (Don't forget to bring your camera!) There will also be a merchandise raffle and organ music from the "WCCO Mighty Wurlitzer!" DVDs, posters and other merchandise will also be on sale at the event!
Advance ticket holders will receive an individually numbered collector's ticket (while supplies last) and, as in years past, an exclusive collector's item! This year's item is a framed, signed piece of the Jackson Lunar Base set!
NOTE: Collector's tickets and exclusive, collectible gifts will be mailed out early next month.
IMPORTANT! Purchasing advance tickets to the world premiere of "Attack of the Moon Zombies" is not required, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Regardless of advance ticket sales, AT LEAST fifty (50) standard ($5) admission tickets will be held to be sold at the door. However, previous premieres have been very well attended and same-day tickets sold out very quickly -- and interest in this film is extremely high. The world premiere of "Attack of the Moon Zombies" is open to the public, so the ONLY WAY to ensure admittance is to purchase an advance ticket!
Don't forget: April 15th through the 17th, writer/director Christopher R. Mihm will appear as a media guest of honor at the second annual CONstellation science fiction, fantasy, anime, and gaming convention in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is the first time our intrepid director has been asked to be a guest of honor at any convention and, understandably, is excited as heck to attend and participate in this great event!
Mr. Mihm is scheduled to participate in a series of informative (and hopefully entertaining) panel discussions and will host a five-year anniversary screening of "The Monster of Phantom Lake!" If you're anywhere near the Lincoln area, don't miss this fun and affordable event!
Mark your calendars for August 6th, 2011 because Mihm-i-CON, the official "Mihmiverse Meet-up," is now a reality! We have found a host hotel and are literally days away from signing the contract and putting down a deposit! The day-long event will take place at the Grand Rios/Ramada Minneapolis NW, a three-star indoor waterpark/hotel located on the outskirts of Minneapolis.
The Mihm-i-CON was inspired by last year's Super Mihmiverse Marathon, when writer/director Christopher R. Mihm had the pleasure of spending the day surrounded by some of the finest friends and fans a filmmaker could be blessed with! Wanting to continue that sense of camaraderie and common interest, he floated the idea to several fans, friends, and family-members, all of whom were supportive and excited by the possibility.
For both the hardcore and uninitiated, Mihm-i-CON will feature several Mihmiverse-related guests, fun activities, a rare props-and-collectibles auction for charity, a look at some Mihmiverse ideas that never made it past the early planning stages, screenings of rare behind-the-scenes video and, quite possibly, another singalong (like the singalong screening of "The Monster of Phantom Lake" held after the premiere of "Cave Women on Mars")!
At this moment, the schedule of Mihm-i-CON activities is still in the planning stages, but we promise everything will be ironed out by next month's newsletter. Once everything is squared away, we will begin taking registrations. If you are planning on attending and are from out-of-town, please refrain from booking your stay until everything is 100% ready to go!
In the meantime, we desperately need to gauge attendance expectations for this event so we can plan everything accordingly. If you are thinking about or planning on attending Mihm-i-CON, please send an email to info@sainteuphoria.com stating your intention to join us.
Admission price is expected to be in the $15-$20 range.
For all the latest information about screenings, events, goings-on, and general news, make sure to frequent SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm!
|
|
|
COUNTDOWN TO MOON ZOMBIES!
|
|
This month, we continue the series of monthly videos that follow two Mihmiverse superfans (Bob Arndt and Rob "Rod" Wartick) as they journey from Appleton, Wisconsin, to the set of the next Christopher R. Mihm film, "Attack of the Moon Zombies," in Minnesota. In this segment, we meet and hear from Douglas Sidney and fan-favorite Shannon McDonough, who play main characters Dr. Collins and Dr. Hackett, respectively. Plus, you'll see more behind-the-scenes action with writer/director Christopher R. Mihm and the cast and crew of the film!
|
|
|
CLASSIC MOVIE OF THE MONTH
|
|
 Beginning of the End (1957)
Directed by Bert I. Gordon.
Starring Peter Graves and Peggie Castle.
In "Beginning of the End," director Bert I. Gordon does what he does best: craft a classic sci-fi film centered around an oversized threat hell bent on death and destruction. This time, grasshoppers have been made gargantuan after ingesting government-sanctioned, radiation-mutated vegetables. As with all things radiation-related in the 1950s, this is definitely a BAD THING because the unstoppable swarm is headed for Chicago! Heartthrob scientist Peter Graves and sexy reporter Peggie Castle do everything in their power to stay ahead of the horde and try desperately to find some way to stop the menacing insects. Bert I. Gordon has always been one of my favorite retro directors. He's responsible for a whole host of great B-movie classics (many of which involve size mutations) from "Attack of the Puppet People" to "The Amazing Colossal Man," its sequel "War of the Colossal Beast," and "Earth vs. The Spider." "Beginning of the End" highlights Mr. Gordon's talent for creating memorable, special effects-driven pictures that knew how to push all the right "drive-in cinema" buttons. The giant bugs in this movie were all filmed using real grasshoppers that were later composited into scenes to create an effectively creepy-crawly experience for the viewer. As absurd as the premise sounds, the movie is highly entertaining from start to finish. Definitely a must-see!
On a side note, I was lucky enough to meet Bert I. Gordon at the 2010 Monster Bash in Butler, Pennsylvania. Set to turn 90 next year, Mr. Gordon recently released his autobiography entitled "The Amazing Colossal Worlds Of Mr. B.I.G.: An Autobiographical Journey." In it, he tells his story in a very casual, accessible, almost conversational style that both entertains and occasionally shocks with its intimate straightforwardness. Definitely worth reading if you're a fan of his films and/or interested in learning a little about "old Hollywood" and classic special effects techniques.
— Christopher R. Mihm |
|
|
MEET THE ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS!
|
|
Since so many fans and supporters have contributed and become associate producers, we wanted to take time to highlight some of these wonderful people! Thus, every month between now and the release of "Attack of the Moon Zombies," we will randomly choose and interview one of them.
This month, we interview a Broomball Team -- or more specifically, Mihmiverse fan and broomball player Pat Cunningham!
Introduce yourself to the Mihmiverse!
My name is Pat Cunningham. I live in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, with my wife Annette and three daughters, Kayla, Kelsey, and Haley. Kayla is a student at University MN Duluth (UMD) and is a cheer captain for the football and basketball teams. Kelsey also is a student at UMD and is on the varsity tennis team. My daughter Haley is a student at Henry Sibley HS; she's an athlete and scholar dedicated to exercise and good nutrition.
In my free time, I play broomball for the International Broomball Wizards (IBW), "America's Oldest Broomball Team." The IBW have been playing broomball longer than any team that's currently playing the sport within the United States. The average age of an IBW team member is ~50 years old. In 2012, our team will be celebrating 35 years of playing broomball. While primarily a local St. Paul, Minnesota, team, the "International" in IBW was earned by playing in Canada, forming a sister team in Tokyo, Japan, and by competing with the Australian men's broomball teams.
The IBW are a conundrum in scope and purpose. While we're an outdoor winter broomball team, we also participate in many social activities throughout the year. We fish, golf, make beer at Vine Park Brewery, play euchre, produce some in-house team videos and miss no opportunity to lampoon one another on the social network called email. Just to boast a little, we've turned email into an art form. The IBW offer a sneak-look into our brand of humor via a webpage: www.broomballwizards.com.
When and how did you discover the films of Christopher R. Mihm?
This past summer, while attending the Minnesota State Fair, I happened to walk past the Blue Moon Dine-in Theater and saw one of the Mihm films up on the screen. The black-and-white film caught my eye. Seeing a well-produced 1950s-style classic kept me there for the entire movie.
In the previous response, I mentioned the broomball team. During weekend traveling tournaments, one of our "between-game" pastimes is watching "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" (MST3K). In addition to the great MST3K dialogue, we're treated to a host of campy horror/sci-fi films. The Mihm films re-create the same sense and feel of the films selected by MST3K. Writer/director Christopher R. Mihm and his crew have a great sense of humor and film history knowledge, and use it when creating their original films. To me, the Mihm films add to the past and take humor to an entirely new level.
Which of the five released films is your favorite and why?
"Terror from Beneath the Earth" is my first and favorite Mihm film.
As a kid, I always loved the classic black-and-white "monster movies" of the 1930s and the subsequent science fiction films that followed. Creatures such as Frankenstein's monster, Dracula, the Thing, Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon and zombies kept me on the edge of the couch — fearful yet entertained.
The Mihm films bring me back to the films I watched as a kid. I later came to realize the horror films of the 1950s, which seemed so simple and clean, mostly shared common themes of atomic catastrophe or alien invasion. Little did I know how much "man" was messing up the earth? I was blissful watching a scary movie, eating popcorn and drinking a bottle of pop.
You recently became an associate producer of "Attack of the Moon Zombies." Why?
I became an associate producer for two reasons. First, I wanted to be able to give away some of the DVDs as prizes for my broomball team's annual Euchre Bustle (tournament). Second, I saw this as an inexpensive way to financially support Mr. Mihm and his film crew. These are fun films to watch, and I am glad he's in the business of making new horror/sci-fi classics.
|
|
|
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
|
|
Now through May 29
Mike Cook (Gustav/Dr. Edwards) appears as "Albert Soady" in "Escanaba in Da Moonlight" at the Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre.
Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre, 3919 Crescent Avenue, Eau Claire, WI
 |
April 8-10 & 15-17
Sid Korpi (Administrator Ripley) will be playing "Jeri Neal" in "The Dixie Swim Club," a comedy by the writers of "The Golden Girls."
Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, MN
|
April 11
Deanne McDonald (Elizabeth) will be presenting a paper on The Muppets at the Minnesota State University Mankato Third Annual Graduate Research Conference.
Visit the conference website for more information!
|
April 14-16, & 21-23 - 7:30pm
Catherine Hansen (Yureena Null) stars in "Jaws: The Musical!"
Anodyne Arts, 825 Carleton Street, St. Paul, MN
|
April 15-17
Writer/director Christopher R. Mihm is scheduled to be a media guest of honor at the second annual CONstellation science fiction, fantasy, anime, and gaming convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Check out the convention's website for more information!
|
April 18 - 7:30pm
Check out a preview of the Minnesota State University Mankato production of "The Odyssey" featuring Deanne McDonald (Elizabeth) at the Ted Paul Theater. The production is one of four selected from across the country to be performed at the Kennedy Center as part of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
Visit the Minnesota State University Mankato theater department website for more information!
|
April 21 - 7:00pm
The Minnesota State University Mankato production of "The Odyssey" is featured at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington, DC. The play stars Deanne McDonald as "The Muse."
Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2700 F Street Northwest, Washington, DC
|
April 23
Deanne McDonald (Elizabeth) will present a paper on Shakespeare performance at the Southwest Texas Popular Culture and American Culture Association conference.
Visit the conference's website for more information.
|
April 28-30 - 7:30pm
Emma Danbury (Eema) will be performing in the Woodbury High School production of the neo-futurist play "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind."
Woodbury High School, 2665 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN
|
May 5, 7, 12, 19 & 26 - 10:00pm
Go back to Bayside! Catherine Hansen (Yureena Null) performs in "The Saved by the Bell Show" at the Bryant Lake Bowl.
Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN
|
May 25 - doors at 6:30pm, movie at 7:30pm
"Attack of the Moon Zombies" premieres at the Heights Theatre in Columbia Heights, Minnesota! The event is open to the public and the price of admission is $10.00 in advance (advance tickets include extra, exclusive merchandise not available with regular admission) or $5.00 at the door.
This is your chance to see the latest (and, if rumors are to be believed, greatest) Mihmiverse film before the rest of the world, and enjoy a program complete with organ music from the "WCCO Mighty Wurlitzer," era-appropriate newsreels and trailers, and appearances by most (if not all) of the cast and crew! Plus, there'll be free cake, autographs and photos with characters from the film (don't forget to bring your camera), and a raffle! DVDs, posters and other merchandise will be on sale at the event!
Click here to purchase advance tickets!
The Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN
|
May 27-29 - dusk
Following in the footsteps of its "younger siblings," "Attack of the Moon Zombies" continues a Mihmiverse tradition with its drive-in premiere as the third film of a triple feature at the Hi-way 18 Outdoor Theatre! The two other films are still to be announced.
New this year! The Hi-way 18 Outdoor Theatre is going digital -- so expect a much brighter, higher-quality picture and unmatched sound!
The Hi-way 18 Outdoor Theatre, corner of Highways 18 & 89, Jefferson, WI
|
|
|
ONLINE, ETC.
|
|
The incomparable Sid Korpi (Administrator Ripley) has a bunch of interviews and appearances scheduled over the next couple months. Keep track of all her signings, appearances, and other promotional events for her book "Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss" by visiting the appearances page at her website: www.goodgriefpetloss.com.
|
Leigha Horton (Stephanie Yates) has had her website completely overhauled and expanded to include photos, video, press pulls, and more! Also, she recently recorded a new pilot for Minnesota Public Radio which will air on Sunday, April 17th at 6:00pm! Further details of the program are now available on her newly refurbished website -- so check it out at www.leighahorton.com!
|
Come on down to Mr. Zero's: Pop Culture Heaven!
Mr. Zero's is owned and operated by Rik Schwinden, who's featured in two non-speaking roles in the forthcoming "Attack of the Moon Zombies."
Mr. Zero's specializes in pop culture memorabilia from DVDs, VHS, and Laserdiscs to vintage and new video games, vinyl, CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, retro and new toys, shirts, action figures, non-sports cards, and almost everything in between!
Mr. Zero's: Pop Culture Heaven" is located at 1744 Lexington Avenue North, Roseville, MN.
This month, save $5.00 when you spend $25.00 (or more) with this coupon!
|
|
|
DID YOU KNOW?
|
|
|
Copyright © and All Rights Reserved Saint Euphoria Pictures / All for George Productions 2011
If you no longer wish to receive the "Phantom Lake Almanac" send a blank email
with the subject "unsubscribe almanac" to newsletter@sainteuphoria.com |
