SHOCK WAVES: or How I learned to overcome zombie fatigue and love undead monster movies

(NOTE: The following post first appeared on the SF Signal website, when editor-in-chief John DeNardo asked me the question: What was the last science-fiction film that surprised you in a good way?)  

An optimist might say that we’re experiencing a zombie renaissance, with zombie-themed TV shows, literature, flash mobs and conventions.

A pessimist would point to the cliché novelties, crossover comics, books, gimmicky poetry, etc., as though the undead-merchandize is a zombie plague in itself, with mindless products walking (or running) across the multi-media landscape.

Having suffered from “zombie fatigue”, I was surprised and delighted by the movie SHOCK WAVES. (1977).

We’ve seen adaptations of “Tales from the Crypt” (anthology movies, feature films and the HBO series) but SHOCK WAVES is like a "WEIRD WAR TALES" movie!  The film’s faux-documentary opening sets the tone nicely:

Hitler & Werewolves

We all know that Hitler loved King Kong, but how did he feel about Werewolves?

He loved them.

* The Furher was very proud of his name. Athal meaning "Nobel" and Wolfa meaning "Wolf"

* He forced his sister to change her name to Frau Wolf.

* His headquarters in the Ukraine was called WEREWOLF.

* On secret phone calls he frquently used the code name: Conductor Wolf.



* But Hitler's greatest wolf-obsession came with the National Socialist resistance movement, known as Nazi Werewolves. The Guerilla bands stayed in Allied territory, performing various acts of sabotage and arson, and were plotting to assassinate General Eisenhower. The organization was formed at the end of World War II and is remembered as a "desperate defense of Nazism." The soldiers were required to be blood-thirsty and violent like were-wolves, their symbol was the Wolfsangel.

I can't help but wonder if this influenced Rob Zombie's Grindhouse Trailer:

Werewolf Women of the SS


Of course, we'll never know what Hitler would have thought of the 2008 movie trailer, because he died in 1978.

Go here to buy tickets to Friday's Werewolf night -- no service fee!