Double Feature w/ Scott Schirmer #1
- mad2473
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
HAMMER HORROR
HORROR OF DRACULA (1958)
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee reteam after The Curse of Frankenstein to bring another classic monster to life for Britain’s Hammer Film Studios. In this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Johnathan Harker (John Van Eyssen) arrives at castle of Count Dracula (Christopher Lee) with the intent to kill the vampire. But Dracula vanquishes him, forcing Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) to visit in search of his friend. After he discovers Harker sleeping in a coffin with fangs, he makes use of his trusty hammer and stake, then informs the Harkley family of their loss. Soon after, Dracula begins preying on the family, turning Lucy (Carol Marsh) into a vampire and setting his sights on Mina (Melissa Stribling) while Van Helsing tries to protect them.
I find Horror of Dracula a more successful gothic outing than Curse of Frankenstein. The script starts off less burdened by exposition and the beautifully decorated sets feel a bit more expansive. The second act drags in comparison to the opening and closing ones, but that’s where I fall back on enjoying the British cast do their oh-so-serious make-believe. Cushing is one of my favorite actors, possessing the ability to make me believe just about anything, no matter how ridiculous the plot may be. Any Hammer film that rides his coat tails is off to a good start. Christopher Lee has more to do this time around, distinguishing his version of Dracula under the specter of Bela Lugosi. Michael Gough (Batman) is a wonderful addition as Harkley’s brother-in-law who accompanies Cushing throughout the last half of the film. James Bernard’s score is too exclamatory for my taste, but Horror of Dracula creates a great gothic vibe throughout its short, eighty-two minute run time. And any film ending with Peter Cushing pushing a vampire into the sunlight by turning two candlesticks into a makeshift cross can’t be bad.
With Olga Dickie and Valerie Gaunt. Directed by Terence Fisher (The Curse of Frankenstein, The Hound of the Baskervilles).
*****
THE MUMMY (1959)
What can I say? I really like mummies. And unlike Universal’s boring 1932 film, this Hammer Films production actually features its creepy title character in many scenes, instead of hiding it. Peter Cushing stars as a member of an archaeological dig that unearths the Egyptian tomb of the princess Ananka and her mummified lover, played by a mute Christopher Lee. A dedicated protector of the tomb (George Pastell) vows revenge against Cushing and his team. He brings Lee’s mummy to England and resurrects him to kill off every member of the excavation team. As his colleagues perish around him, Cushing’s only chance for survival lies in his young wife (Yvonne Furneaux), who has an uncanny resemblance to the mummy’s beloved Ananka.
Hammer’s gothic horror movies are all generally of the same good quality, but The Mummy moves at a nice, slightly faster pace than usual and takes advantage of some neat exterior sets, including a swamp the mummy carries Furneaux into for the climax. The mummy design is a grittier, muddier one than we usually get, and I think it makes the character look more ‘lived-in’ and scary. Lee animates the mummy well, Cushing is terrific as usual, and Franz Reisenstein’s romantic score adds a cozy, added touch. I could do without the lengthy flashback revealing the mummy and Ananka’s backstory in ancient Egypt, but it hardly diminishes the spooky appeal of another well-made film from the fine folks at Hammer.
Directed by Terence Fisher. With Eddie Byrne, Felix Aylmer, and Raymond Huntley.
*****
Scott Schirmer is an independent filmmaker and reviewer. His films include the cult classics FOUND, HEADLESS, HARVEST LAKE, PLANK FACE, THE BAD MAN, and GUSH. His daily reviews can be discovered at www.scottsmoviereviews.com.
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