Daily Dirt: Werewolves, zombies and vampires … oh my!

Daily Dirt for Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022

If that zombie can run, you better movie it, move it, move it! … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 381 of The Daily Dirt

1. Wednesday is “Frankenstein Day,” which, yes, is an actual holiday. It’s specifically designed to be a celebration of the big guy, but generally speaking, it’s a tip o’ the hat to all the monsters who terrorize our dreams and movie screens.

So in the spirit of the season, here are the monsters I most enjoy watching on film — and always check behind me at night to make sure they aren’t following:

• 1. Werewolves: “One moment they are normal people, and the next they are blood-hungry monsters that only a silver bullet can stop,” according to author Chris Morgan.
• 2. Zombies: These guys would be No. 1 if they were quicker. But I can outrun zombies, except for the ones in that “28 Days” movie. Those zombies could run like Jesse Owens, and that’s simply not fair.
• 3. Vampires: These guys (and gals) might actually be the most dangerous, although the bloodsucking thing probably would not be a mad as the overall viciousness of being done in by a werewolf or zombie. Plus, you get a second chance at life as a vampire!
• 4. Frankenstein: Frankie is zombie-like but minus the appetite for humans. I’m pretty sure I could also outrun Frankie, who is much like a back-up NBA center. You know, the 7-footers who can’t move or shoot real well. Think Artis Gilmore near the end of his career.
• 5. Predator: Yeah, this guy was nasty. He and his friends liked to hunt humans and had that magnificent power of camouflage.

2. My favorites quotes about monsters:

• Gold medal: “The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls.” — Edgar Allan Poe.
• Silver medal: “Zombies are the blue-collar monsters.” — George A. Romero, who created and directed the original “walking dead” concept films.
• Bronze medal: “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real, too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” — author Stephen King.

3. Another little-known fact from pop music history, thanks to Billboard Hot 100 researchers.

The following classics never reached top-10 status on the Hot 100 countdown. All peaked at No. 11:

• “Eleanor Rigby,” by the Beatles (1964).
• “Rhiannon,” by Fleetwood Mac (1976).
• “Baby I Need Your Loving,” by the Four Tops (1966).
• “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” by Meat Loaf (1978).
• “Disco Inferno,” by the Trammps (1978).

Steve Thought O’ The Day
Speaking of the Beatles … did you realize none of the Fab Four reached 6 feet in height? John, George and Paul were all 5-11. Ringo was 5-8.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Did Steve actually say he could outrun zombies?