I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while. Being a fan of 1950’s sci-fi cinema, and exploitation films like those produced by the great Ed Wood, I recall being very excited upon first hearing of THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X. My exposure to the film began a few years back when I was looking into the work of the late great Kevin McCarthy. I had met and hung out with Kevin back in 2001 at a convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For those that don’t recognize the name, McCarthy is perhaps best known as the star of the original INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. In later years he appeared in many of director Joe Dante’s films, and the now classic Weird Al Yankovic movie UHF. Kevin sadly left us on September 11, 2010 at the age of 96 – but it should be noted that he was acting all the way until the end, always appearing in films whenever he could, despite being at an age when many of us would have given up on work long ago.
McCarthy in JOHNNY X
While doing research on Kevin, I discovered he had worked on a film called THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X, an ambitious project that was a throwback to a sillier time at the movies. Shot in black and white, and featuring song and dance numbers, the film boasted a sci-fi plot and greaser guys and gals. The cast features Will Keenan, Paul Williams, Creed Bratton, Reggie Bannister, and of course Kevin McCarthy. And now it’s finally coming out for the world to see. Considering the warm embrace audiences have given movies like THE ARTIST, which is of course another throwback type of movie, I’m hoping THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X gets its share of love as well.
Check out the trailer below, followed by a clip from the film. The movie will have its World Premiere at Cinequest Film Festival on March 3rd. For more information on the project, check out their Facebook page, Twitter or official website.
Cinequest Screening Times for
THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X
Saturday, March 3rd at 9:30pm – California Theatre, 345 South First Street (WORLD PREMIERE)
Tuesday, March 6th at 7:00pm – San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio
Saturday, March 10th at 4:45pm – San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio
http://www.cinequest.org/event_view.php?eid=1623
Synopsis:
THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X is a truly mad concoction, blending 1950s sci-fi melodrama, song and-dance, and a touch of horror – a mesmerizing big screen spectacular! The fun begins as Johnny X and his misfit gang of juvenile delinquents from outer space are sentenced to Earth where “ghastly” is the word! With highly stylized musical numbers, tons of genuinely humorous dialogue and wacky plot twists, JOHNNY X is the only sci-fi dark comedy musical romance you need to see this year! Beautifully photographed on the last of Kodak’s 35mm black and white Plus X film stock, the cast includes sexy new stars Will Keenan and De Anna Joy Brooks, as well as seasoned professionals Creed Bratton (The Office), Reggie Bannister (Phantasm), Kate Maberly (The Secret Garden), Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise) and the late Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) in his final role.
The trailer:
A clip to check out:
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
