I'm finally hosting a b-movie night

[AndyC]

Some of you know I've been trying to put together a bit of a b-movie festival off and on for a couple of years now, but never quite made it happen. Well, I've managed to get an outdoor double or triple feature included as part of a local festival this summer. I even made a cheesy b-movie trailer for it, which can be found at http://www.sunflower-festival.com under "Events." The building in the background is the location of the event, and the animation was done by me using Blender. Editing was on Studio 11. And it's also me torturing the theremin (actually a MIDI synth).

Now, I just need to come up with a lineup of about three classic 50s-60s b-movies that are available on DVD, in the public domain, and accessible to people less fanatical than us. Any suggestions?

[Mofo Rising]

Congratulations. Hope it goes well.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions, I'm not that familiar with the period.

[Raffine]

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is one of the more well-know PD titles from this period.

THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, THE KILLER SHREWS, THE GIANT GILA MONSTER, ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES, THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and THE MANSTER are just a few more of the PD titles that might fit your needs. 

[AndyC]

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is one of the more well-know PD titles from this period.

THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, THE KILLER SHREWS, THE GIANT GILA MONSTER, ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES, THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and THE MANSTER are just a few more of the PD titles that might fit your needs. 

We're definitely on the same wavelength. I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these is in the final lineup.

I should add one other criterion - that it not have too much horror/sex above the laughably pathetic level. That's my only real concern with NOTLD, that it's actually a pretty effective horror movie. The crowd is probably going to be older, and include some families. The first feature is likely to be the tough one to choose, with the most need to be inoffensive yet entertaining on a very basic level. Something that pleases kids and grandparents, along with the fans. After some of those folks head home to bed, then it should be easier to choose.

[AndyC]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPj-v_0Ub6U

[Raffine]

THE GIANT GILA MONSTER is lots of goofy fun. It even has a cute little crippled girl and a catchy tune.

Several of the Gamera movies from the 60s are in the public domain, and are definitely geared toward the kiddies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-UACM_8q_Q

EDIT: Your trailer is terrific!

Since it features some very specific images you could go with PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, ROBOT MONSTER, and EARTH VS. THE SPIDER - all in the PD, I believe.

[Nukie 2]

Robot Monster?

The Creeping Terror?

Brainiac?

[Nukie 2]

Congratulations, that's awesome!

[RCMerchant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPj-v_0Ub6U

That trailer definitly captures the essence of B-movie drive in fare! 
BRIDE OF THE MONSTER,mebbe? (I obviously have a soft spot in my head-er-heart for that film.)

[Rev. Powell]

How about the Steve Reeves HERCULES?  (In color and appopriate for kiddies)

REEFER MADNESS is a very popular PD title, but might draw the wrong kind of crowd.

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE should be in the public domain, and would be the biggest draw.

[Doggett]

Good luck, Andy 
I want to know how well it goes.

Brain that Wouldn't Die is a great flick !
Little Shop Of Horrors...

[Cthulhu]

'grats!
Raffine is right, you should DEFINIETLY show Giant gila monster and Attack of the killer shrews.

[darthchicken]

Beast of Yucca Flats is a good one. I'm pretty sure it's in the public domain.

[The Burgomaster]

* MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE

* SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS

* THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN