"Macabre Mountain" Is A Winner, More Commentary On The Western PA Independent Film Scene

By Thomas Leturgey

On Saturday, June 22 I took part (a very small part) in an upcoming horror film by veteran director Mike Goodreau. He’s made some 40 movies, dating back to 8-millimeter days. This will be “Terror on Tour” and should have a run time of about 1:40. Goodreau (on vacation from his Rhode Island job as a teacher) says a trailer could be out in a week and the finished product could be out in August. [Fun fact: most, if not all, of Goodreau’s works may share a “universe” with the British Spy “Ethan Carver” being mentioned in a vast number of scripts.]

Below is a trailer for one of Goodreau's previous films that mention Carver.

I had the great chance to act with Xander Goldman, an actor and producer. He had produced and starred in “Macabre Mountain.” I could tell because he wore a T-shirt with the title. Upon our introduction and quick run through of the four-page dialogue, he said, “Do you have a DVD player?” “Of course,” I replied. “I have something for you.” He gave me a copy of Macabre Mountain. I was extraordinarily impressed. What a kind gesture to a complete stranger.

 Now, I’m not an experienced actor. A long time ago I worked in a single scene as “Dr. Lance Parkham” in “Fetish Dolls Die Laughing,” and then as the “heavy,” villainous Jebediah Hawthorne in the “Nocturnal” web sites a long time ago. Last summer, I was a bar patron who got to throw a punch in Western short “The Dust Devil of Copper Creek.” To me, most famously, I stood near Jeff Daniels in a couple episodes of “American Rust.” I received checks for American Rust, as well as a one-day stipend as a prison guard in an upcoming episode of “Mayor of Kingstown.”

Below is an episode of "Nocturnal" from about 15 years ago.

I’m not counting my occasional take interviewing KSWA Megastars, as aside from being sprawled out for thanks to a “Mr. Big Stuff” Anthony Alexander right hand, I haven’t spoken on camera in a while.

Thankfully, Xander was an eager audition partner. We ran through our lines, hit our marks and before we knew it, Goodreau announced, “That’s good. That’s a rap for you, Thomas.” Nearly a dozen other aspiring thespians spread out through a airless community lodge hall about 37 minutes south of Lake Erie. I bid adieu and hit 279 south to home. Goldman has a much bigger and more important role in this outing. 

Intrigued by “Macabre Mountain,” I played it. “A Xander Goldman Production,” the film is set in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Right off the bat, “Macabre Mountain” was inspired by “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” with a giant potential killer in a mask. After a chase, the film changed when Goldman arrived on the scene as Officer Browning. There’s a nice twist to the story immediately when he shows up. And the first special effect is quite good.

If one pays attention to the Pittsburgh area (I’m including Beaver County’s Goldman here), you’ll find a small group of professional filmmakers and actors who are successfully working together. And it benefits everyone.

Dave Sheridan and Felissa Rose in "Macabe Mountain." Photo courtesy of Xander Goldman. 

One of the producers of “Macabre” is Felissa Rose, who I first discovered at Horror Realm years ago. With over 150 film credits over 40 years, Rose is an established veteran actor who locals obviously find easy to work with. She is scheduled to return to Pittsburgh in August to work with Writer/Director/Producer Mark Cantu’s 80's horror epic “GRIND”, set for release next year.

Mark Cantu's movies from the past and future. Some of which have collaborators mentioned in this review.  

Here Rose plays an over-the-top “Scream Queen” that shows up to meet and greet with fans as the film’s “Macabre Mountain” is set to re-open a haunted house. She is accompanied in most scenes by Robert Todd Kennedy, an actor and apparent fan of professional wrestling, so he’s keen in my book.

There isn’t a wasted performance in the film, which runs just under one hour and 30 minutes. A standout is Denny Nolan, the town’s stove pipe hat wearing mayor, who fills the same role as anchors-on-suit jacket Murray Hamilton does in JAWS.

Denny Nolan (center) plays the Mayor in Macabre Mountain. Photo still from promotehorror.com. 

Directed by Anthony David (couldn't find a photo), the film has really good—at times excellent cinematography—especially with what appears to be video captured by a drone (a drone is sometimes used as a character in the film as it follows some chased starlets).

Some of the “kills” are interesting, and while some of the special effects are restricted by budget—if you’re watching this film, you expect far worse. But you don’t get it here.

Jackie Kelly. IMDB.

Jackie Kelly plays “Kelly” a player whose role becomes clear as the film rolls on. Dave Sheridan is the flamboyant “Ian” and the nearly 7-foot-tall Robert Mukes plays “Large Man.” Hannah Fierman is enjoyable, and so is Kamarra Cole, who is very important as everything comes to a head.

Local filmmaker Jesse Hutchins and Red Slate films are currently crowdfunding their new venture.

Pittsburgh actor Stephanie Swift gets a couple of nice scenes as Officer Browning’s sister Janie. Swift, who has been a social media friend since the platform launched, epitomizes the Pittsburgh area talent who are eager and welcomed to work together. A realtor by day, she has been featured in several projects, including “A Man Called Otto.” Swift has also worked with Jesse Hutchins, Brian Ceponis and Brian Kadlecik’s recent-award-winning RedSlate Films. Redslate’s terrific “War Between States” just won awards for best short in New York and their latest “A Quiet Town” is currently crowdfunding.

Goldman and Stephanie Swift. Photo courtesy of FB.

And while Swift is a talented on-screen performer, her unwavering ability to cheer on others who work in a variety of roles on stage, the small or large screen.

“Macabre Mountain” tells a tidy tale and doesn’t wear out its welcome. Unlike a lot of smaller productions, there are several key sets…the haunted house, a motel, and a dilapidated shack that…spoiler alert…is demolished by a crane.

The best compliment I can give Goldman is he is like the Lone Ranger, until the very end. [An extensive trip down a Xander Goldman rabbit hole proves he's a very cool guy.]

“Macabre” ends with a couple of quick mid-credit scenes…spoilers…there could be a sequel if funding is ever found…and another that ends with a character-breaking laugh.

Robert Mukes. Photo from Wikipedia.

Give "Macabre Mountain" a shot. You'll really like it. It’s available for free streaming on Tubi.

Local filmmaking has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years. Cameras are capturing far better action, and actors who work day jobs and pursue other activities, are far more talented than ever before. And that’s only getting better. Support these men and women with crowdfunding and watch their offerings.

[Full transparency: I am a Co-Producer on GRIND, an Executive Producer for A Quiet Town. Another former Western Pennsylvania filmmaker and friend, Cody Knotts, is in pre-production for a Nathaniel Hawthorne movie starring his wife and fellow California University of Pennsylvania Vulcan Emily Lapisardi. Their crowd funding campaign is set to launch sometime in the next month. I plan to be involved in that production, which is set to film without me physically in upstate New York.]