These days though, with the current state of the world, I sometimes feel reluctant to cover anything about it. As you all know, there's a virus going around the world, causing death, grief and panic. Many people think it's overblown (some of my family members think it is) while others believe not enough has been done to fight against it. We're in an odd situation. Here in Montreal, things are not even close to being as bad as other parts of the world, but things are getting hectic. Schools and churches are closed. There's a general sense of something bad is heading this way. I've personally prepared myself to be as self-sufficient as possible, certainly because I'm the main care-giver of an elderly parent who suffers from asthma.
All this to say that my mind is somewhat elsewhere. I've had many projects in the works, including a magazine, but with all these things going on right now, my focus is pulled elsewhere. No, I'm not saying that I'll stop posting. I won't since I work from home. But it's difficult to try and be informative and entertaining when the world is going bonkers out there.
Many places around the world are going through some really though times, with the crazy outbreak in China and none more than Italy at the moment. Since the PEPLUM genre is mainly an Italian phenomenon, it makes it even harder to go through fun, old Italian movies knowing hundreds of people are dying every day. It's truly heartbreaking. I'll will continue with posts but if things get out of hand, I might take a small temporary break to focus on other things.
In the meantime, pray for this pandemic to be stopped as soon as possible, and certainly pray for Italy.
Italy, stay strong!
Kirk Morris as Maciste in MACISTE IN HELL (1962)
P.S. I want to thank all my supporters, including Bree, and Charles as well. Thank you for your generosity.
I fell in love with the peplum genre after seeing Hercules in 1959 when I was nine. I soon took up fitness and later bodybuilding, and the peplum heroes became my inspiration. All through my teen years and young adulthood I followed the movies and the Sons of Hercules series as best I could. I collected stills and posters and caught repeats on TV.
ReplyDeleteI tried doing research on the genre but to no avail. This was in the dark ages before the internet, so research involved going to the library and scanning the card catalog for articles, photos, etc. My efforts yielded little.
If only I had your website then! Your site has been a godsend to me and I check it everyday. The photos, movie trivia and information are fantastic and I applaud and envy your dedication and the vast array of contacts and resources you seem to have.
Please keep up the great work and don't be discouraged. The world situation will improve and we all will learn from this.
Your work is preserving the great Italian heritage of film and history. My life is better because of Peplum TV!
That's very thoughtful of you.
ReplyDeleteI don't really comment enough on your blog, but I read it daily and want to thank you for all you've done and do for the PEPLUM genre.
ReplyDeleteIt's at this time of darkness, when everything is so depressing and people are being forced to isolate and turn to the internet, that bloggers like yourself are most needed to shine a light. Please keep blogging as much as your personal situation allows you.
This thing is really scary, and the reports out of Italy are heartbreaking. And yet Italy will survive-- it always has throughout plagues and wars through the centuries, and always will. Italy is eternal!
I hope you and your loved ones will remain well and safe!
Thank you for all you do!
Your blog is a bright spot with all the things going on in the world. I hope that you keep posting as it’s nice to see positive things that briefly take us to more pleasant times
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your kind comments.
ReplyDelete"Your work is preserving the great Italian heritage of film and history. My life is better because of Peplum TV!"
ReplyDelete"I don't really comment enough on your blog, but I read it daily and want to thank you for all you've done and do for the PEPLUM genre."
Seconding what these other commentators have said! PEPLUM TV is an amazing resource and celebration of these wonderful old films, may they never be forgotten!
Graham Wrote
ReplyDeleteAs Tiberius said to Drusus in 'I Claudius' the TV series
"You are my light out of the darkness".
Keep up the great work.