Night Of The Living Dead - "Johnny"
“Night of the Living Dead” is probably one of the most influential horror films ever made in my view. I remember seeing it at the end of a triple billed horror show at the Whalom Drive-In in the fall of 1968. I wasn't too impressed at the start of the film primarily because it was shot in black and white (a prejudice I have since jettisoned) and the soundtrack used was stock music one would typically hear on old television programs mostly Westerns. I only can assume that this a budgeting issue for this independent film,
However, as the film progressed, it became apparent to me that I was watching a horror film that pulled out all the stops in terms of shocks and gore hitherto unseen in any genre up until that time. The almost documentary style of the film brought a level of “you are there” element as the tale unfolds and the hero of the film was a black man, an unusual casting choice for the time.
It cannot be stated enough the changes this film has brought to the horror genre. Previously, zombies were slow walking black men with staring white eyes that didn't do much of anything. Since “Night”, a whole industry of “zombie” type of films on TV and the silver screen has become ubiquitous with programs such as “The WalkingDead”, "The Last Of Us”, “Ash Vs Evil Dead” and the seemingly endless iterations of film sequels and remakes where the zombies are anything but lethargic.
Which brings me to this kit. The scene it depicts is when we see “Johnny” (a very nice likeness to the actor BTW) who had been killed by a zombie at the beginning of the film returns at the conclusion to drag his sister out of the house in which she has taken refuge to be literally be consumed by the zombie horde outside along with her brother taking part (one assumes).
The 1/8 scale resin kit is a very nice sculpt by Rick Catizone whichs hows the scene just as Johnny breaks into the farm house. It required a moderate amount of clean up for the eight parts (if you count the buttons) in getting rid of seam lines and the occasional bubble. A sheet of decals was also provided to decorate Johnny's tie. I mounted the torso part of the kit along with the partial door jam with dry wall screws driven up from the underside of the base. As I had done in the past with other kits, I decided in keeping with the film to paint it in monochrome shades, i.e., black, grays and white.
The 1/8 scale resin kit is a very nice sculpt by Rick Catizone which shows the scene just as Johnny breaks into the farm house. It required a moderate amount of clean up for the eight parts (if you count the buttons) in getting rid of seam lines and the occasional bubble. A sheet of decals was also provided to decorate Johnny'stie. I mounted the torso part of the kit along with the partial askew door jam with dry wall screws driven up from the underside of the base. As I had done in the past with other kits, I decided in keeping with the film to paint it in monochrome shades, i.e., black, gray and white. 11/21/2023
A very brief video (>1 min) showing Johnny's reappearance much to the dismay of his sister. Be sure to turn on your speakers to get the best out this horrific scene.