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CURRENT NEWS
THE MIHMIVERSE HOLIDAY SPECIAL IS COMING!


Why are Stu (puppeteered and voiced by Elliott Mihm) and Evelyn Johnson (Alice Mihm) smiling in this "accidental still" from the production of "The Mihmiverse Holiday Special?" Because the production is complete and they're excited for its release this Thanksgiving!

We have been assured by the powers-that-be that "The Mihmiverse Holiday Special" WILL be ready in time for its holiday release on Thursday, November 25th. According to writer/director Christopher R. Mihm, it will be a "close shave" to get the DVDs & Blu-Rays out by that date, but he's hopeful that if they aren't available ON Thanksgiving day, they'll be out before the end of the year!

Stay tuned!
 

THE DAY THE EARTH ABRUPTLY ALMOST ENDED

Now that "The Phantom Lake Kids in The Beast Walks Among Us" is 100% released (DVDs and Blu-Rays are finally available!) and the "The Mihmiverse Holiday Special" is complete, writer/director Christopher R. Mihm has focused his sights solely on the only project left in the pipeline: "The Phantom Lake Kids in The Day the Earth Abruptly Almost Ended!"

Principal photography is EXTREMELY close to being done, and Mr. Mihm has informed us that a full half-hour of the film has been edited. A single scene remains to be shot and, as long as the weather holds, will be "in the can" by the middle of September! Should everything continue going in the direction it has been, the film will be released sometime in Spring 2022!

On a side note, a new, very amusing still from the currently-in-production film was recently provided to us, and we could not wait to share it with you! In it, you can see a very large moth sitting on Chip's (Daniel Mihm) head. What it's doing or why it's there is a mystery but, if we're being honest... it's so cute, who cares!?



CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEW MOVIE!

In "The Phantom Lake Kids in The Day The Earth Abruptly Almost Ended," Phantom Lake County is shaken by inexplicable earthquakes emanating from a local system of caves and being overrun by grossly mutated creatures of unusual size—a phenomenon which may point to the return of a long-since-forgotten menace! Thankfully, the Phantom Lake Kids (Danny & Evelyn Johnson and their friends Billy Blue, Butch, and Chip) are "on the job" and determined to solve the real mystery: what's the deal with Butch's magic hat?

As has been reiterated many, many times, the Mihmiverse is only made possible by contributions from fans like you. For each $20.00 donation, all contributors will be entitled to having a single name* of their choosing listed in the contributors section of the closing credits of the film and a customized, frame-able document certifying their contribution!

IMPORTANT! Physical media copies of the finished film are NOT automatically included with a basic contribution. If you would like to be guaranteed a DVD or Blu-Ray of the film when it is released, you MUST order it separately (with the purchase of at least one credit)!

Credits can even be given as gifts! Imagine the looks on the faces of your loved ones when they find out their names will be immortalized on the silver screen!

"The Phantom Lake Kids in The Day The Earth Abruptly Almost Ended"
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR CREDITS
NUMBER OF CREDITS ($20 each)
*ON-SCREEN CREDIT(S)
Separate credits by commas, & or "and." 
DVDS (+$10 each)
BLU-RAYS (+$20 each)
Is your mailing address outside of the U.S.?
(All non-U.S. mailing addresses will be charged a shipping premium for physical media.)

EXCLUSIVE CREDITS!

NOTE: If you purchase one of the following credits, writer/director Christopher R. Mihm will contact you shortly after to discuss your purchase!

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER — $500
Associate producers will earn IMDb and on-screen credits and will be allowed certain privileges of producership, including free, exclusive merchandise and other perks (TBD).
 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER — $1000
Executive producers will earn IMDb and on-screen credits and will be allowed certain privileges of producership, including free, exclusive merchandise, set visits, and other perks (TBD).

*A single credit is defined as the name of one (1) person or corporate entity. Any credit requiring the word "and," an ampersand (&), and/or a comma (except when part of a legal company name) will constitute multiple credits and MUST BE paid for separately.

NOTE: The contributor program is an "equal exchange" program, which means specifically that those participating have NO SAY in the decisions or actions taken by anyone involved in the actual production of the film and are NOT entitled to ANY possible future profits earned by the film, derivative works, and/or merchandise created for or featuring elements from the film. Becoming an contributor does not entitle the participant to ANY ownership WHATSOEVER of the finished film or associated elements.


"THE BEAST WALKS AMONG US" IS HERE!

When a local man is suspected of having been transformed into a hideous monster, it's up to a scrappy gang of local kids (Danny & Evelyn Johnson, Butch, Chip, and their friend Billy Blue) to uncover the truth and save Phantom Lake County—and everyone in it—from certain doom in writer/director Christopher R. Mihm's tribute to the creature-features of the 1950s, the history of the Mihmiverse, and "Scooby Doo!"

The disc contains a high quality digital transfer of the film and several exclusive special features, including a blooper reel, two photo galleries, feature-length commentary with writer/director Christopher R. Mihm, English subtitles, Esperanto audio & subtitles and much more!

Feature Run Time: 1 hour, 19 minutes. Black & White, Widescreen, NOT RATED.

$9.99 (DVD) / $19.99 (Blu-Ray)
(+$4.99 shipping & handling)
format: 

Check here if the shipping address is outside of the U.S.
Check here to include writer/director Christopher R. Mihm's autograph
NOTE: Autographs require removal of a disc's protective plastic wrap.
By selecting this option, you agree to allow us to do this!
THIS MONTH IN MIHMIVERSE HISTORY
Since the films of Christopher R. Mihm have existed for over 15 years, we figured digging into it would make for an entertaining addition to this newsletter! Thus, in this new section, aptly titled This Month in Mihmiverse History, we'll traipse through "days of Mihmiverse past" and present some of the most interesting!


In September of 2006, "The Monster of Phantom Lake" held its drive-in debut at the Hi-way 18 Outdoor Theatre in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Writer/director Christopher R. Mihm claims that seeing it presented on a 90-foot drive-in screen was the impetus for him wanting to "do nothing beyond make more cheesy monster films." In fact, he credits this screening as the true moment the "extended universe"—hence the term "Mihmiverse"—was born, because he decided to make another Professor Jackson/Canoe Cops film (2007's "It Came From Another World!) while sitting in Josh Craig's (Professor Jackson) car and watching the film!

In 2008, the Mihmiverse crew papier-mâchéd Saint Euphoria Studios (AKA the Mihm family basement) into a cave to prepare for principal photography of "Terror from Beneath the Earth!" In addition to that film, papier-mâché caves have also appeared in 2017's "Demon with the Atomic Brain" and the forthcoming "The Mihmiverse Holiday Special!"

In 2011, a moon zombie (Michael Kaiser) and a younger, less-gray-haired Mark Haider (General Castle) and writer/director Christopher R. Mihm ended up at the Minnesota State Fair to promote that year's new film, "Attack of the Moon Zombies," at the Blue Moon Dine-in Theater and the trio ended up being spotted in the crowd at a taping of the local nightly news! There's even photographic evidence!


In 2013, writer/director Christopher R. Mihm appeared as the Sterling North Book & Film Festival's first-ever film-related, non-author guest. The main draw that year was none other than the REAL Patch Adams, the physician upon whom the 1998 Robin Williams film was based.

"Weresquito: Nazi Hunter" premiered at the end of September 2016, the first Mihmiverse film to debut in Autumn. All previous films had held their world premieres in the Spring!
THE MIHMIVERSE MONTHLY AUDIOCAST
The latest episode of the Mihmiverse Monthly Audiocast has arrived!

This month, host writer/director Christopher R. Mihm discusses exactly why he's so busy and catches us up on EVERYTHING happening in the Mihmiverse!

Also included: The next installment in the new audiocast segment, "An Oral History of the Mihmiverse," episode #10 of Atomic Tales, a monthly short story from the author of "The Canoe Cops vs. The Mummy," Stephen D. Sullivan, and a few more jokes from Dr. Bob Tesla of Midnight Monster Movies with Dr. Bob!

To download an .mp3 of the audiocast, click HERE, visit archive.org where the file is stored, or download it free from Apple Podcasts!

Otherwise, if you'd like to listen to the episode right from this browser window, click the play button on the player below!

The Mihmiverse Monthly Audiocast is hosted by writer/director Christopher R. Mihm and is focused specifically on what's going on RIGHT NOW in the Mihmiverse. In addition, Mr. Mihm will discuss the monster movie-making process, touch briefly on the future of the 'verse, pontificate on random subjects, and be joined by guests from within and without the Mihmiverse. PLUS, each episode will include something unique you won't find anywhere else!

MIHMIVERSE FAN FOCUS
Welcome to the Mihmiverse Monthly feature where we talk to YOU, the fans! Every month, we choose a random Mihmivite and ask them a few Mihmiverse-related questions in an attempt to get to know them better and find out what they REALLY think about the films of Christopher R. Mihm!

This month, we interview Curtis Rice!

Introduce yourself to the Mihmiverse!
My name is Curtis Rice. I'm 58 years old (so I might ramble a bit). From as early as I can remember, I have loved horror, fantasy and science fiction films. The first film I saw was as a two-year-old in 1965: the old 1940s "Wolf Man." Being a kid with Cerebral Palsy, I spent a lot of time with black and white monsters and "things from space" on a black-and-white television, thanks to the local Indiana horror host, Sammy Terry. PLUS, my folks would go to the drive-in as much as twice a week. It really shaped me and fed my love for these pictures.

When and how did you discover the films of Christopher R. Mihm?
It's been a few years so I can't remember the exact date, but I do remember the "how." I had just seen "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" and I wanted more like it. I searched Amazon recommendations and came upon a film called "House of Ghosts." I watched the trailer and thought, "Great trailer, catchy title, black-and-white—I knew this was in my wheelhouse!"

I bought it, watched it, and loved it. I immediately got on Amazon and ordered more Mihmiverse titles: "Weresquito: Nazi Hunter," "The Giant Spider," and "Cave Women on Mars."

Christopher Mihm is a master at what he does. His films are flawless. I call his films "The New Old Stuff," because that's what it's like. You look at his films and think they could have been made in the late '50s early '60s.

If you had to pick just ONE, which of the Mihmiverse films would be your favorite? Man, you would do this to me! That is really tough! I love 'em all!

Okay... deep breath...

Although "House Of Ghosts" was my first, "Weresquito: Nazi Hunter" was cool, and "The Phantom Lake Kids in The Beast Walks Among Us" was the funniest, if I had to pick one, my favorite would be "Terror From Beneath the Earth." (I watched it on Vimeo.) The idea and design for the monster was so cool and unique. Also, I really liked the moral dilemma at the end of the picture. Do you or don't you kill—and I liked that the decision was completely taken away from the deciders at the end. It's great!

Tell us how you, in particular, show your "Mihmiverse pride!"
I don't know if there's anything particular or unique about me as a fan. I buy physical media whenever I can. I bought the "Canoe Cops vs. The Mummy" book, which I enjoyed so much. I think that one of the most important things I do, besides buy the films, is get the word out. I tell people about the films and show them to company over popcorn and pizza!

Where would you like to see the Mihmiverse go in the future?
I don't feel that I'm qualified to tell writer/director Christopher R. Mihm what or how to do things. According to his podcast, he works like crazy as it is, and I know things are hard right now. I just want The Mihmiverse to continue in the future... please! The video game is an exciting idea, and I'd like to see more fiction books based in the Mihmiverse. As for the movies, please keep going. Now that the Phantom Lake Kids are older, you could go in a "Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow," "The Beach Girls and the Monster," or "Horror at Party Beach" direction. Or, maybe a "juvenile delinquent" film with a heavy-handed moral message at the end.
Want to be interviewed for a future edition of the Mihmiverse Fan Focus? Send an email to info@sainteuphoria.com and let us know! Maybe next month the subject will be YOU!
THE TRIVIA CORNER
Creepy Kids!

We've all been enjoying the recent "Phantom Lake Kids" series...because the kids are all so likeable (and the films are so much fun)!

But there was a time when movies featured some pretty creepy kids! Below, I've listed 5 of these films.

You won't find modern classics like "The Exorcist," "The Omen," "Poltergeist" or "The Shining" on the list because we're sticking with older black and white films to match the Mihmiverse milieu.

What you WILL find are 5 slices of cheese, followed by a list of vague plot points and other trivia. As always, your mission is to match 'em up. Here's looking at you, kid!

1. "The Bad Seed" (1956)
2. "Village of the Damned" (1961)
3. "The Innocents" (1961)
4. "Spider Baby" (1967)
5. "Night of the Living Dead" (1968)

A. Karen lives in a safe house with her parents—but considering what happens, NO ONE is safe in that house. George Romero directs.
B. Patty McCormick plays Rhoda Penmark, who is about as evil as they come. She gets spanked in the film, but it doesn't solve a thing.
C. Virginia is regressing both mentally and emotionally, and her dietary demands create a web of horror.
D. Bleach blonde kids with glowing eyes. (That should be all you need!)
E. Deborah Kerr and Sir Michael Redgrave in a story inspired by Henry James' "Turn of the Screw." It involves a governess and some possessed pre-teens.
Scroll to the bottom of the Mihmiverse Monthly for the answers.
— Mike Cook
CLASSIC MOVIE OF THE MONTH
High School Hellcats (1958)
Directed by Edward Bernds
Starring Yvonne Lime, Jana Lund, and Brett Halsey

Joyce is a high school girl who transfers to a new school and finds its social life is run by a ne'er-do-well all-girl gang called The Hellcats. Its leader, Connie, and her second in command, Dolly, immediately take to Joyce and set about effectively frightening her into joining by making it clear her social pecking order will greatly suffer if she doesn't. First, they test her to see if she'll wear slacks (which is against school policy) by tricking her into it. When Joyce complies, she's embarrassed to the point of cutting class the rest of the day. She ends up in a local coffee shop where she meets Mike, a promising young man she quickly falls for and secretly begins to date (even though Connie has made it clear she gets a yay-or-nay vote when it comes to Joyce's love life). Impressed by Joyce's willingness to go against the dress code, Connie throws a pair of increasingly illegal and immoral tasks at Joyce to test her fitness for membership. The final test results in the girls being at a questionable party where something VERY BAD happens which changes the tone and tenor of the film rather drastically. "High School Hellcats" is the typical kind of exploitation film which distributor American International Pictures was infamous for: built around teenagers and taboo subjects that would fill drive-ins with rock-and-roll loving teens looking to rebel against their disapproving "square" parents. By modern standards, the film is entertainingly quaint in its depiction of "bad girls." But again, about two-thirds of the way through the movie, the story takes a turn I was not expecting which makes the whole thing seem much better than it feels it should be! All things considered, I found myself liking it way more than I ever thought I would, and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in low-budget, late-1950s, teen-centered drive-in fare!
— Christopher R. Mihm
STREAM THE MIHMIVERSE
If you're like most people these days, you tend to stream your favorite TV shows and movies, particularly because it's way more convenient and you have access to them in more places! Did you know that there are now several places to stream the entire Mihmiverse catalog?

From the movie that started it all, "The Monster of Phantom Lake," to its musical offshoot, "The Monster of Phantom Lake: The Musical!," and "The Phantom Lake Kids in The Beast Walks Among Us," everything you need to "visit" the denizens of Phantom Lake County is available for your streaming pleasure!


The ENTIRE filmography of writer/director Christopher R. Mihm (including the newest film, "The Phantom Lake Kids in The Beast Walks Among Us") is available through the Mihmiverse Vimeo VOD portal!

Every film is presented using the same ultra high-quality renders used for the official Blu-Ray releases and actually feeds video content to the Drive-in Monsters Roku channel. Most importantly, the Mihmiverse Vimeo VOD portal is the ONLY PLACE to legally own the films digitally!



Retro-style monster movies from the wild & weird imagination of cult filmmaker Christopher R. Mihm! From giant, rampaging spiders to alien invasions and bug-eyed horrors, the Drive-in Monsters channel includes the entire catalog of Mr. Mihm's films, exclusive extras, and long lost special features originally released on currently out-of-print physical media! Explore the worldwide, underground cult phenomenon known as the "Mihmiverse" and enjoy the rebirth of the golden age of "drive-in cinema" with the Drive-in Monsters channel!

As of right now, the channel is free... but, that most likely will not last forever! So make sure to enjoy the Drive-in Monsters Roku channel while it's still completely free of charge!


Most of the films of the Mihmiverse are available on Amazon Video. Sadly, as Amazon continues to revise and rewrite its policies, they have downgraded the entire Mihmiverse catalog from "available with Prime" to rental only. Though this wasn't entirely unexpected—given the way the service has been slowly ridding itself of the films of Christopher R. Mihm—we CANNOT guarantee they will still be there on any given day! So, if Amazon is your preferred place to watch the Mihmiverse, enjoy it while it lasts!

NOTE: Amazon has barred writer/director Christopher R. Mihm (and MANY other independent filmmakers) from adding any new films to their service. As far as we have been able to figure out, the service is taking a more "curated" approach to its catalog and, unfortunately, does not have any more room for the cheesy goodness of the Mihmiverse! Therefore, if you're interested in watching the newest films of the Mihmiverse, we highly recommend checking out the Mihmiverse Roku channel, Drive-in Monsters!
DID YOU KNOW?
Mihmiverse DVDs & Blu-Rays are now available at SaintEuphoria.com, the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm. In addition, exclusive movie posters, collectibles and other merchandise are now in stock. Everything is available in extremely limited quantities, so get yours today before they run out!
The Trivia Corner answers: 1-B, 2-D, 3-E, 4-C, 5-A

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