CBB Presents the Bear Cave of Terror - Ep 57 - The Sentinel (1977)

Finding his way to the Bear Cave of Terror for the first time is the Big Gay Horror Fan himself, Brian Kirst! Brian brings with him his second favorite horror movie of all time, the controversial 1977 doorway to hell feature from Brian Winner, The Sentinel! Brian and Steve come at the film from different angles, since Steve isn't shy in saying he wasn't a fan at first viewing! From the exploitative vibe of how some of the actresses were presented ("the Lesbians!"), to the use of disabled actors for spectacle, how self-harm is damned in the film, and of course the complicit and sometimes overtly villainous Catholic Church, the presentation is controversial to say the least. However, there are some gems to the film, like getting to see Old Hollywood actors mingling with the (at the time) New Hollywood up-and-comers, like Burgess Meredith, Sylvia Miles, Ava Gardner and John Carradine opposite Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Walken, Chris Sarandon, Tom Berenger, and Nana Visitor, to name a few. Chilling make-up effects and atmosphere, some truly scary moments, and we don't even have time to talk about the score! So keep an eye out for rentals that are too good to be true, and have a listen.

Additional Resources for the episode:

"Michael Winner Shocks with the Armies of Hell" by Rex Reed, 2/27/77, San Francisco Examiner

"Amusing Hokum in the Sentinel" by Kevin Thomas, 2/11/77 L.A. Times

"The Sentinel: of Pre-internet feline birthday parties and..." by PopMatters Staff, 9/29/15 popmatters.com