Witchmaster General Featuring L.A. GUNS' Phil Lewis To Be Screened At Long Island Art House Theater
November 2, 2011, 12 years ago
Witchmaster General, the film debut of rocker Phil Lewis - lead singer of L.A. GUN - will be theatrically screened at the prestigious Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, Long Island, NY on November 19th at 11PM as a Late Night Horror Show.
The film also stars B-movie scream queen Suzi Lorraine, Vic Martino of The Sopranos, gorgeous model/actress Tatyana Kot and stunning Playboy Playmate Colleen Marie (also making her film debut) and is written and directed by Long Island cult filmmaker and longtime L.A. Guns fan Jim Haggerty.
"It's really great to have the movie shown at a place like the Cinema Arts Centre," Haggerty says. "Anyone in Long Island can tell you the place is very much the mark of quality and art. Usually people don't think of a film like Witchmaster General as high art, but I think if we learned anything from the Tarrantino era, it's that there is an artistic aesthetic to exploitation and genre pictures which is what I try to preserve in all of my films. I'm very pleased the Arts Centre is recognizing that and showcasing my work."
The film centers on a charming and devious witchdoctor named Dr. Gorgon (played by Lewis) who runs a murder-for-hire racket where the price is your soul. A gruff cop (Martino) tries to piece together the mystery with the help of a sexy bartender and a beautiful witch.
"The best way to describe the movie is an old 1960's Vincent Price/Roger Corman movie on acid," Haggerty says. "It doesn't take itself too seriously, it's a really good looking movie that moves along at a brisk pace and will leave you with a smile on your face."With much critical praise and good word of mouth, the film has already garnered a cult following among cult movie fans as well as L.A. Guns fans. In the lead role, Haggerty says Lewis really stepped up to the plate and put his signature on the film.
"Phil was wonderful to work with - a true professional, a true gentleman, and really a very good actor," Haggerty says. "He gave the material a real gravity, and it comes off great. I've known him since I was 16 or 17 hanging out at his shows, but to have the chance to direct him in my film was awesome - truly an honor that I will never forget."Witchmaster General will be screened just once on November 19th - Haggerty will be appearing in-person along with cast members yet to be announced. Haggerty promises it will be an evening to remember.
"We're going to really make it an event," he says. "There's going to be giveaways, raffles, contests, special guests, it's going to be a great time - and a great movie, come see it!"
