ANCHOR INTRO: The dictionary defines schlock as something inferior, shoddy or cheap. But KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando says the folks behind the San Diego Library’s Schlockfest Film Series would disagree. SCHLOCK 1 (ba).wav 1:15 Debating what constitutes schlock is what the San Diego Central Library’s Schlockfest Film Series is all about says adult programming coordinator Marc Chery. MARC CHERY: That’s part of the fun, what is schlock? What’s schlock to me may not be schlock to you… We mean schlock in a very loving way, it’s a type of first love kind of way because they are the films that we grew up with, comfort films. Films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Tarantula, and The Mole People. Miguel Rodriguez grew up with these schlocky B-movies. He’s the host of Monster Island Resort Podcast and programs the films for Schlockfest. He’s made it his mission to bring respect to what’s often dismissed as a lowly breed of films. MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ: This is something that I’ve wanted for a long time, I’ve wanted an institution like a public library, an institution of learning, to give a chance to these films to be more than just schlock. What makes these films special and what makes them worthy of being shown and discussed in a public forum like the library is that there’s a certain naïve honesty about them that tells us something about ourselves. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, “House of Frankenstein” will reboot Schlockfest with what Rodriguez calls “a cornucopia of monsters” tomorrow night at 6:30 at the new San Diego Central Library on Park Blvd. Beth Accomando, KPBS News.
The dictionary defines schlock as something inferior, shoddy or cheap. But the folks behind the San Diego Library’s Schlockfest Film Series would disagree.
Debating what constitutes schlock is what the San Diego Central Library’s Schlockfest Film Series is all about says adult programming coordinator Marc Chery.
"That’s part of the fun, what is schlock? What’s schlock to me may not be schlock to you… We mean schlock in a very loving way, it’s a type of first love kind of way because they are the films that we grew up with, comfort films," Chery said.
Films like "Attack of the "50 Foot Woman," "Tarantula," and "The Mole People." Miguel Rodriguez grew up with these schlocky B-movies. He’s the host of Monster Island Resort Podcast and the director of San Diego's Horrible Imaginings Film Festival. He programs the films for Schlockfest. He’s made it his mission to bring respect to what’s often dismissed as a lowly breed of films.
"This is something that I’ve wanted for a long time, I’ve wanted an institution like a public library, an institution of learning, to give a chance to these films to be more than just schlock. What makes these films special and what makes them worthy of being shown and discussed in a public forum like the library is that there’s a certain naïve honesty about them that tells us something about ourselves," Rodriguez said.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, “House of Frankenstein” will reboot Schlockfest with what Rodriguez calls “a cornucopia of monsters.” It screens tomorrow night at 6:30 pm at the new San Diego Central Library at 330 Park Blvd. And there is underground parking at the library.
