Bonus! Nosferatu
We begin our Audience Appreciation Thursdays with Shadow of the Vampire for ZWAK! As a bonus, I included a nice copy of Nosferatu, which was the source material for Shadow of the Vampire.
Shadow of the Vampire is a fantastic movie which has been locked behind a paywall pretty much its whole life. I waited quite some time for this to come up on free streaming, and finally gave up. This version on YouTube has been up for 3 years, so I assume there are no objections to it being there.
So what is it about? What if the vampire lead in Nosferatu, Max Schreck, was actually a creepy vampire? And as the movie was made, horrible things started happening? It’s not too far of a stretch if you have seen Nosferatu. Max Schreck looks creepy as it gets playing Count Orlok. So as the plot progresses in Shadow of the Vampire our main character gets creepier and creepier, and members of the production begin to vanish. Then – you guessed it – Hilarity ensues! I hope you enjoy, this is one heck of a film and an excellent pick from ZWAK.
So what about out bonus? Let me tell you something, there are six versions of Nosferatu on TUBI alone. I initially picked the 100th anniversary version, and then I heard the damn soundtrack. Holee sheeeit! There was an off-key warbling lady for at least 15 minutes, all of you would immediately turn it off. Others have been colorized, or had neon colors and dance music (I actually liked that one but figured it had limited appeal here). I ended up picking the GroundUP version, which has a soundtrack by Bob Lanzetti which is at least tolerable and does what a soundtrack should do, which is add to the mood and not be too distracting. It also has the best color blocks for the scenes. In case you did not know, the original Nosferatu came with colored gels to put over the projection during some scenes, using color to shift moods. So this is somewhat authentic. This version is in German, so turn on subtitles to read the cards. Or feel free to pick a different version. Or don’t watch it at all and talk about the weather. Everything is voluntary, after all. And there are no rules on Thursdays!
So watch! Or don’t! Everything is voluntary! Next week, we will appreciate the heck out of The Late P Brooks with Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS! WARNING: This is on an oddball video streaming site. Set your cookies appropriately.
YouTube? Oh, fuck. BRB.
Sorry. I could not find it anywhere else.
It’s OK, I don’t do YT on this machine.
What do you have against YT people?
YouTube is Google, therefore evil.
I’m late, but I’m diving in!
I saw Shadow when it came out. It’s great.
I had fun last week telling the manager of our local sushi place that the one, older semi regular is, in fact, John Malkovich.
Being John Malkovich was a fantastic film of his.
Yes.
” WARNING: This is on an oddball video streaming site. Set your cookies appropriately.”
I never heard of that one. Pluto doesn’t work well for me.
Kinda feels like a Russian streaming site. It’s the last one that won’t be on a major streaming site for the month, I think. Unless Mad Heidi or Sasquatch Sunset gets released somewhere.
(-.-)
So, how much do I have to work a leather holster to break it in? The holter wanted to rack the slide on my 1911, but with the safety on, it it only rattled it. Hearing the slide snap forward that little gap (the 1/8th inch or so before the slide hits the safety and is stopped) did not make me happy. Nor did the effort taken to get it seated in the holster.
😱
Fuck no I don’t like this holster. It disengaged the safety twice in a row. Sure the hammer was only at half-cock, but that’s trouble waiting to happen.
(I also didn’t have any ammo in it, but you know how often “empty” guns have gone off)
That does not sound right.
The safety lever is large and sticks out from the side of the pistol, On the draw, it drags along the leather, the curve of the lever encourages it to move up and down. It’s a perfect storm of things that are individually not an issue.
Together losing a toe is an issue.
Turns out the safety was never engaged.
I forgot that thesafety won’t engage unless the hammer is at full cock.
I regard this as a flaw in the pistol design.
At full cock with the safety engaged, the lever didn’t move anywhere.
And with it actually engaged, there’s no slop in the slide.
You’re talking about the thumb safety on a 1911 right?
I forgot that thesafety won’t engage unless the hammer is at full cock.
I regard this as a flaw in the pistol design.
It was intentionally designed that way. It’s a single action pistol with a grip safety. The hammer does not cock if you pull the trigger. It has to be cocked manually or cocked through the action of firing the gun.
The grip safety was, if I remember my 1911 history correctly, something the Army (Cavalry specifically I think?) insisted on. If you aren’t holding the pistol, the grip safety is engaged and the pistol can’t fire even if cocked with the thumb safety disengaged. John Moses Browning thought the grip safety was unnecessary.
The gun won’t fire on half cock. The hammer can’t drop and the trigger can’t move.
Are you new to 1911s?
“cocked and locked”
“cocked and locked”
Right, which is how Browning intended it to be carried and why he thought the grip safety was unnecessary.
DEG – I got my pistol Permit back in May.
I’m new to the nuances.
DEG – I got my pistol Permit back in May.
I’m new to the nuances.
Ah.
I suggest you spend time learning the system before complaining about it. Browning started working on what would lead to the 1911 in 1906 if I remember correctly. Semi-auto pistols were new. It was also for the military, so they had a say in the design. What they asked for was based on what they thought they would need, and remember, semi-auto pistols were new.
It’s a great design for the day it was designed in. For the modern day, I think there are better guns out there but it has held up (a 1911 used to be my carry gun but isn’t anymore).
In all seriousness, spend some time learning about it before criticizing it.
No.
I will grouse and complain about my favorite gun because complaining is what I do.
The safety should be able to be engaged regardless of hammer position.
Maybe, but the USA doctrine was empty chamber. There are period holsters that don’t cover the trigger.
Find a good piece of wood you can shape to push down in there and smooth it out, even stretch it a little. Use it like a shoe tree. Takes a day or two to stretch it if you can keep a block of wood tight in there.
Failing that,
STEVE SMITH HALP STRETCH OUT HOLSTER!
Do you think that will change the behavior around futzing up the safety? Or is this just a “defective as designed” piece of equipment?
Don’t know. I can’t see your holster. I know leather working though. It can be stretched, just like tight shoes.
Now of you just hate it and have time, return it and get a different one.
The only issue right now is the difficult fit. I suspect the struggle to get it back out is what’s pushing that safety lever.
Who made it?
Most common method is to put the pistol in a plastic bag and insert into holster. Leave in for a day or overnight. Then multiple draws.
That’s a good idea too. That will only slightly stretch it. I forgot to ask, is it unfinished leather inside?
Produced by Nicholas Cage
He did!
I didn’t know any of that about the original Nosferatu. The things I learn here…. Thanks R.J.
And… Brooksed it.
Nosferatu was ordered destroyed by the widow of Bram Stoker, we only have it because old copies were found hidden in attics years later. The original quality was like watching a film through a screen door, while wearing sunglasses. Film restoration is an incredible thing.
They seemed like nice boys.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/05/us-news/alleged-yuppie-jihadis-from-montclair-nj-plotted-attack-planned-to-join-isis-feds/
They sure did.
I got mixed up between these guys and the other ones in Michigan plotting terror attacks.
Easy mistake to make. I’m guessing we will see more of these plots. I’m looking forward to the cries of Islamophobia when one of them works.
Mom works for the UN.
Shes a terrorist too.
You know, there’s something about these boys, and their families….I just can’t put my finger on it.
Oooh, I’ve been eager for Shadow of the Vampire and wasn’t ever able to find it. I’ve heard remarkable things from everyone about it.
Watch it now! This copy was posted three years ago, so I doubt if it will get pulled – but you never know.
Half hour in… this is excellent.
A great pick from Zwack.
Speaking of… Where is that brain scientist?
I dunno but his admirer is swole, rawr!
SotV is a most excellent choice. Willem Dafoe is truly disturbing.
More disturbing than Schreck? Maybe.
I have SotV and Nosferatu in my DVD liberry. The newest additions are the Vincent Price collections vol. I – III.
All finished.
I liked it.
Thanks RJ and Zwak!
You are welcome! See you next week!
Thanks, RJ! I had forgotten about recomending this. Watching now!
Glad you made it! Be sure to steal your custom graphics for later.
If anyone is interested, I found this cartoon archive site. New stuff, old stuff. All mixed together.
https://www.b98.tv/video/booze-hangs-high/
That’s an example.
Bookmarked, thanks!
My childhood was shaped (warped?) by Looney Toons.
“Kill da wabbit, kill da wabbit…”
#metoo but I have a hard time with the druggier ones from the 30s like this one.
Those were not any part of my Saturday morning cartoon regimen.
Yeah, somehow the Saturday morning cartoons skipped this one: https://www.b98.tv/video/confusions-of-a-nutzy-spy/
HAHAHA WTF: https://www.b98.tv/video/the-ducktators/
Wow. I didn’t think Looney Tunes could be found anywhere.
Look up “studio” in the menu and you can separate onto rough groups. Merry Melodies, etc…
Still not terribly organized.
I just rewatched this for Halloween. It was one of the first movies I rented back when I got my first new fangled DVD player (I believe I was the 1st person to get one in my small little town)
Nosferatu (1922) Soundtrack by: Type O Negative better than the drek with the tubi version.
It’s very early looking over whooville from grinch mountain right now. It says, if the Scottish Highlands have invaded our space yet the Grinch looks down upon The WHO’s and laughs.
Dr. Suess lived in La Jolla and soledad mt. was where the gringch lived. We lesser folk who live in Pacific Beach are the Whoville in his canon, kinda neat,
Happy Friday, boys and girls!
🎉🥳🍾
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwNnlNnu3s8
🎶🎶
Happy Friday!
Morning.
Good morning, Sean, Ted’S., U, and homey!
How goes?
My day has been a bit less than optimal so far. I couldn’t wake up before 5:30, which left me little time to get through my morning routine before I had to hit the road. My car reminded me that I was basically running on fumes and I made the stupid mistake of skipping the 24/7 gas station in favor of the cheap place only to find that the cheap place isn’t open that early. After I did get fuel I was in a mood to go fast to feel like I was doing something, but traffic boxed me in. It’s objectively not a real problem, but the frustration of wanting to drive faster only to be hemmed in by a school bus and the slowest pickup in the tristate area didn’t make for a relaxing commute. Arrive to the parking garage to find that the KN car that’s been in ‘my’ spot for the past week is still there and I have to find a substitute spot. I get on the elevator to leave the garage and find somebody has pushed all the buttons, so I get to stop at all the floors.
Watch, there will be an abnormal number of people in the office today.
I’ve been slowed down in my daily work commute by accidents on the interstate (and school buses on surface streets) multiple times lately. I hate to think how bad it’s going to be when the weather is actually bad for driving. 😒
🚗🚗🛺🚙🚐🚚🚛🚗🚙🛺🚌🚐🚚🚛🚗🚓
But these guys didn’t even have the excuse of someone crashing. They were just going slow, side by side.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/woke-portland-politician-who-demanded-unhoused-neighbors-be/
Burning down a home is a misdemeanor? WTF?
If you’re politically connected in the right way it is.
Because it was an accident and not on purpose so not arson. A stupid and forseeable accident but an accident.
Plenty of felonies can be committed negligently. Most house fires are started negligently, though, so I can see why that one isn’t a felony. Probably ought to be some kind of aggravated negligence, though, that catches a felony.
lol 🙄
Locust? Now, I’m not prone to calling the homeless Locusts…
He only weights 20 tons.
Not sure how unpopular an opinion it is, but I prefer PGI’s angular and chamfered design to the old FASA ones.
Locust has been arrested more than 50 times for various felony and misdemeanor charges since 2006, according to court records obtained by The Oregonian.
And more than fifty times he was released on his own recognizance, right?
“She claimed afterward that she was targeted for her political beliefs.”
In a way I suppose she was.
suh’ fam
yo whats goody
Harry apologises to Canada for wearing LA Dodgers cap during World Series
He should apologize to LA.
Hey, Chucky Three – There’s some more Royal titles for you to formally revoke.
Mornin’ all. I’m a little late getting to the gym. But at least I’ll still be there while the morning crowd is there.
I really don’t like the evening crowd. I was at the gym late yesterday. Too many people, Folks hogging equipment, but on the other hand there was a guy interested in some of what I was doing so I taught him some stuff. And there was eye candy. But… I’d rather be with the morning crowd.
What time of day is there not a crowd? People would make me self-conscious.
That sounded more narcissistic than I intended.
I am glad your gym is well-patronized.
I’m going to go drink some more caffiene.
I have my home equipment, I can avoid the exercise by not showing up in the garage.
Tomorrow starts Deer Hunting Season, I’ll skip that too, first time in about 35 years. I may go out in the afternoons if it’s warmer.
It’s not the same without the “old gang”.
…so I taught him some stuff. And there was eye candy.
NTTAWWT.
Up to the ridiculous actions in the pandemic, I was going to the pool every other day. Then they closed. And months later re-opened with a bunch of silly, useless rules. So I got accustomed to working out at home, basically body weight stuff and very light weights (that one can do with 2 barbells…)
In a way, it’s kind of like ‘work from home’ – convenient, but also much easier to shirk/skip. When you travel to the gym, it’s a much more clearly delineated task – one thing to do and one thing only. Sometimes miss it, but I doubt I’ll return.
I hate going to the gym, but I do want to keep fit. I also like to watch sports and there’s usually a game on to watch, so instead of sitting down munching snacks while watching baseball, hockey, football, I’ll do some light lifting and do a stint on a stair climber. Still easier to slack off than actually going to a gym and back, but the routine works okay for me.
For me, its the opposite – going to they gym is much easier to “miss”, but the garage gym is right fucking there, unavoidable.
Hi-diddley-ho neighbors!
Welcome, fellow neighbor!
What a coincidence. I also have neighbors.
I hate my neighbors.
This might be the most Glib comment ever, UnCiv.
Happy St. Venison’s Day Fourscore, and anyone else whose deer season starts today!
I saw ‘Shadow of the Vampire’ and had to think….nope. My father had a supporting role in ‘Grave of the Vampire’, different movie. It was once voted ‘worst movie ever made’ which gives me no end of material for jokes. yep, my father was in the worst movie ever made.
Anyway, I have seen this movie and it was fantastic. Willem’s natural creepiness is perfect for the role.
Also I will mention now that I am checking in that I keep hearing Mamdani’s message is ‘New and Exciting!’
Get that? Communism is new and exciting. Holeeeeeey fuck.
You have to understand that much of Mamdani’s support is women who want to fuck him. The rest is mostly hand-waving.
They want to fuck that Twink? Someone should remind them where that thing has been recently. They will change their minds.