FILM: Tikis in Movies!

As a regular poster on Tiki Central's forums, I noticed today someone was looking for Tiki Movies.

This is a question I've been asking myself since recently diving into the subculture head-first. I've seen a couple of movies with their varied references. Most of them always an Elvis movie, but there has been a few notable movies in my Dark & Tiki view of things..

First off, let me again remind you, I'm looking for more darker + weird movies with Tiki references along with the latter.. (for a good background soundtrack, I suggest putting on Deadbolt's 'Zulu Death Mask' or 'Tiki Man' record..

Ok, let the LIST begin!

• From Hell It Came (1957) Taking place in the South Seas, this movie is a B-... well more like a D-Movie. Definitely something not to be taken WAY too seriously. Killer Tree as the Villain makes for a good laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-QV9CL-p_Y : trailer
• Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) Although not necessarily taking place in the South Seas or Polynesia, this movie does speak the Tiki talk with it's scenery and natives. Always has home in the Tropaholic's movie closet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM1o1xe5FGE
• Voodoo Woman (1957) An African setting does this movie justice to land a place in my list. However, there isn't much of Tiki in this, just awesome Jungle scenes + cheesy special effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akBy5Mpvbis
• Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968) I am pretty partial to this movie because it IS actually watchable. Zombies on an Island! I'm already signed in, and plenty of crazed natives to keep it lively! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6PSHZN8CKY
• Brides of Blood (1968) aka "Danger on Tiki Island" a TOTAL grindhouse flick from the late 60's, and has the weirdest monster in it! It's kinda good in certain parts but has it's moments where it tends to DRAG. Lots of Tiki stuff! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXtBth75aTw&ob=av1e (whole movie!)
• Island of Lost Souls (1933) (based from 'The Island of Dr. Moreau')Early Thirties movie with a small role from Dracula himself, Bela Lugosi. Obviously before this 'Ed Wood Years', Bela was making weird Sci-Fi horror films to pay his rent. Based in the south seas, and lots of weird mutant people! VERY TIKI! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJajdX0dNZM (chapter 1 of the full movie!)
• I Eat Your Skin (1964) Ok, this one's pretty campy and weird. Originally released  on a double bill with "I drink your Blood", This movie combines Mad Scientists, Voodoo, and Zombies. Not too much in the Tiki dept. but a good campy horror film for the aficionado. http://www.archive.org/details/IEatYourSkin1970 (full movie)
• Mothra (1961) Ah, MOTHRA! This movie does hold a great Tiki oriented scene. Apparently the almighty Mothra comes to us from an island in the Pacific surrounded by Tikis! AWESOME! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBJQ3nNuQ34 
• Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (1966) small Tiki role once again in this Japanese flick. When we see our friend Mothra appear, it's once again from the South Seas Island he was first brought to us from. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khm4gNlyzT4&feature=related
• She Demons (1958) Mutant Women! Island Natives! Scantily Clad Dance Scenes? Sounds like a Grindhouse flick to me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w82Uhk2v5Y4
• The Blue Gardenia (1953) Ok, enough with the HORROR movies! Here's a Film Noir flick that only has one cool Polynesian Restaurant scene, but it's fun to watch them sit in BIG wicker chairs, and order "polynes... poyynynesss.. south sea pile drivers.." watch the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5lw3KmERX4
• Psycho Beach Party (2000) and now almost 50 years later, we got PBP, and this movie was hilarious! It's half horror, half beach blanket bingo, and half noir, ALL fun. There's a lot of 60s surfing, and the real Tiki stuff comes at the end when they have a huge Luau and have Los Straitjackets as their band! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA_G2Ts8xmo
• TIKI (2006) Ok, in my opinion, this movie was preeeeetty campy. I mean, this is really hard to watch. It's AMUSING if you're not gonna watch it seriously and laugh at it. But I mean, It's THAT kinda movie! Killer Tiki doll running around.. do the math. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT0BquU1GRE

This is a very short list I'm sure, but I'm working on finding new movies to add to this! Hope it helps satisfy the crave for Dark & Tiki in your Movies!

**LEAVE ME SOME COMMENTS IF I FORGOT SOME MOVIES!**

BAR / GROG : Bahooka!

ah, the almighty BAHOOKA! Since I was a kid growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, I remember seeing this legendary BEAST at the corner of Rosemead and Lower Azuza Rd in the city of Rosemead. See back when I was a kid, I never ever set foot in here.. Why? Oh because it ALWAYS looked closed! Plus my parents weren't much drinkers and the place just looked a big drafty bar. I had friends that went to Rosemead High School which is literally across the street that always tried to go in there and have people buy them drinks. I think they were ALWAYS unsuccessful..

Anyway, finally later in life I arrive at the famous Bahooka and sit down..

...as you can see, we DOVE right into a Bowl, and get pretty buzzed off ONE. The thing with Bahooka is I've only been there a handful of times, but it seems that the effort involved in making their tropical drinks is pretty much, ALOT of booze, and some fruit juices. Nothing that tasted like it was from scratch but definitely some stuck out more than others. The food was mediocre at best and pretty much tasted like something you'd eat at some family restaurant. Ribs were pretty good, but nothing too amazing, still it's a good meal. It's mainly that you go to Bahooka for their drinks anyway!

Apparently the Bahooka dates back quite a bit. I want to estimate it was in the 70's that it was in the city of West Covina, and then closed to be relocated to the city of Rosemead. If you visit the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rosemead-CA/Bahooka/29044716932?v=wall) you'll see people's posts and stories of their experiences at the bar from early on to recent. It's interesting to see a bar such as the Bahooka has survived so many years in this small town, tucked away, and most never have even heard of it! Frankly, I think if you live in California and are a Tiki enthusiast, you MUST go down there and visit. It's got a million aquariums inside, tons of drinks, lots of food, and the only downside is, they're only open till 10pm.

Being inside this bar, is COMPLETELY surreal. It does NOT have any windows, (per Tiki bar rules) and inside it's ALWAYS dark. It feels like you're out at sea and the captain has collected way too many lamps, fish and other weird things from years past. It's also very large and houses probably in the vicinity of about 150 souls at once. The last time I went was for their 40th's anniversary mug party , having had Sven Kirsten design their mug and threw a big party to commemorate it! Lots of fun that night, and got completely obliterated when I ordered one of their 'secret' drinks. Ask for a Grenade, and if you're feeling bold, have them 'Pull the Pin'.

Enjoy!

DARKandTIKI tumblr!

In case you didn't know, I have a DARKandTIKI tumblr that I update very frequently!

If you're following my Twitter (@DARKandTIKI) you'll see I have joined the feeds and will post TONS of stuff. Apologies if it's a bit much but I try to get those pictures out there for your visual amusement!

MUCH thanks to http://www.arkivatropika.com/ for existing and having SO many amazing pages of Vintage Polynesian Pop / Tiki stuff! This website has gems upon gems of old menus, matchbooks, brochures, .. you name it!

So I've been cheating and using tons of their stuff (hope they don't mind) to make flyers for my DJ gig that I do twice a month at the Black Boar Bar in Eagle Rock!

It's called ALOHA from HELL! and I spin alot of 60's garage, surf, and the likes and it's a pretty rompy night! If you're ever out in the East end of town, come on down and have a drink!

Untill the next post!

...still here!

hello readers,

I've been on and off of my stories but again, it is strikingly hard to keep updated in the world of Tiki!

I've been trying to work in some stories but it seems that the best ones are just of my adventures!

So here's a wrap up of what's been shakin'!

Last weekend I was out in the Desert, Joshua Tree to be exact, for a friend's festival which was a lot of fun, but Sunday we got to roll into Palm Springs for some sun and not TOO much R & R. A lot of Mid Century finds!