As most of us are preparing for the most wonderful time of the year (the Jack-o'-lantern one…not the Bells and Holly one), Spill Your Guts is taking this episode to the day of romance and cupid and dead flowers wrapped up nicely. And there is no horror film more associated with Valentine’s Day than “My Bloody Valentine”.

This 1981 classic has become seminal title in the pantheon of horror and did for Valentine’s Day what John Carpenter’s enduring masterpiece “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” did for the respective dates.

My Bloody Valentine has endured the test of time and become regular viewing every Valentine’s Day for horror fans. It’s also Quentin Tarantino’s favorite slasher film. High praise…and well deserved.

However, the film faced more than its share of challenges in both production and release and was considered a flop (if it was considered at all). There’s a long and compelling story to how “My Bloody Valentine” became the classic it is today with action figures, comics, a novel adaptation and even a board game.

Joining me to delve into the film as well as his career as a real journeyman filmmaker is My Bloody Valentine's masterful director, George Mihalka.