The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm

Director(s) - Henry Levin (Journey to the Center of the Earth, Murderer's Row) and George Pal (Black Sabbath: Time Machine, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao)

Starring - Laurence Harvey (Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dial M for Murder), Claire Bloom (Clash of the Titans, The Haunting), and Karlheinz Bohm (Combat!, The Magical World of Disney)

Release Date - 1962

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure

Tagline - "In wonderful color!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The Brother's Grimm or Grimm's Fairy Tales is a huge part of pop culture and many of the tales they collected went on to become hits the world over.  Many consider the two to be controversial but their collections of stories are among some of the most important in literary history.  When I was younger I remember catching bits and pieces of The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm while my grandmother was watching television.  I spent a lot of time at her home as a child and it was here that I was able to see some of my favorite films for the first time.  However, this was one of those films that I was not interested in.  It just didn't look like something a kid would enjoy so I found other things to occupy my time.  Fast forward to a few months ago when I received the press release for the Warner Archive Collection release of the film.  I was going to skip on it but decided to check out the trailer.  I'm glad I did because the film looked pretty fucking good.  I responded to the press release and before long I received the review copy.  After watching the fucked up Thriller: A Cruel Picture I decided to ground myself with something a little more lighter.  

     The film follows the two Grimm brothers, Wilhelm and Jacob, who are known for their writings.  However, they both struggle with the ladies and often come up short on their knowledge of the opposite sex.  A local man of power contacts the two to write about his life and we are then taken into three of their tales.

     The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm is not the kind of film you would expect to be reviewed on the site but I couldn't help myself.  The trailer looked fun and the film was just that.  I know the keyboard warriors are going to have a field day in the comments but I wanted to review this one so here I am.  The acting in this one is fun.  The film has so many amazing performances and some memorable characters that make the film what it is.  There is no weak links with the cast and every does their part.  Honestly, if I was to take the time to recognize everyone that did an amazing job I would be here all day.  The story for this one is a lot of fun and works great as an anthology of sorts.  I loved the premise with the two brothers working on something for a duke or nobleman before transitioning to the actual stories being told.  It was a lot of fun but with a film that is over 2 hours long I found myself wishing it would hurry up.  A lot of the scenes are bloated and could use some heavy trimming.  This would help the pacing and flow of the film substantially.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  However, if you are into a beautifully shot film with great characters and an amazing story then this one is for you.  Overall, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm is not going to be for the crowd that frequents the site but general movie goers will love this whimsical and well put together film.  I enjoyed it and the blu isn't half bad either.  We get a little more than your typical Warner Archive Collection but there is still room for additional materials.  

Night Creatures

Director - Peter Graham Scott (Tales of Mystery, Bitter Harvest)

Starring - Peter Cushing (The Vampire Lovers, Horror Express), Yvonne Romain (Corridors of Blood, The Frightened City), and Patrick Allen (Dial M for Murder, UFO)

Release Date - 1962

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Their oath was... TERROR!  Their cry... BLOOD!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Hammer Horror has contributed so much to the genre and is a huge part of movie history.  Many fans love their adaptation of the classic Universal monster films.  However, as enjoyable as those films are I still find myself drawn to some of their amazing yet lesser known titles like Kiss of the Vampire, The Vampire Lovers, most importantly, Night Creatures.  Several years ago, while I was in high school, a friend of mine purchased the VHS from eBay.  It was released under the title  Captain Clegg and it quickly became a favorite of mine.  I purchased a Hammer DVD set several years later and watched is numerous times since then and when my friends over at Scream Factory announced the blu release I was quick to request a review copy.  I couldn't wait to upgrade one of my favorite films and check out what additional features Scream would include.  Like always, I want to thank Scream Factory for hooking me up with a review copy.  

     The film follows a small coastal town governed by Reverend Dr. Blyss.  The Royal Navy pays the town a visit after receiving a tip that they were illegally smuggling alcohol.  The Navy starts investigating and uncover a local legend about a group of supernatural beings that roam the swamps on horseback terrifying anyone that trespasses on their marshland.  However, this legend is a cover up for the townsfolk to smuggle their alcohol without being caught along with another major secret that everyone is hiding from them.

     Captain Clegg, Night Creatures, or whatever you want to call it, is the pinnacle of Hammer in my opinion.  It features one hell of a cast with some highly memorable and enjoyable characters, a story that doesn't fit to just one genre, and some of the wildest visuals to come out of 1960's cinema.  As much as I do love it I do find it far from perfect but it's still one I love dearly so this review will obviously be biased.  The acting in this one is great.  Peter Cushing never disappoints and this film is no exception.  It's not my favorite performance from him but I'll be god damned if it's not one of his better ones.  The supporting cast is fantastic as well but the star of the show is Patrick Allen.  His character is why I love the film so much and his performance is absolutely brilliant.  He's one of the few actors that could carry the limelight with Cushing.  The story for this one is great but very predictable.  I loved the small town secretly banding together to smuggle alcohol while the Royal Navy tries to uncover their underground business.  The addition of the supernatural legend surrounding their swamp adds a nice horror themed layer to the already impressive story.  However, the film is very predictable for first time viewers and the big secret and reveal has little to no impact on the viewer.  The foreshadowing and red herrings give too much away.  Finally, the film has some make-up effects and a little blood but nothing that will stand out.  However, the scenes with the night creatures truly have to be seen to be appreciated by genre fans.  These scenes are fantastic especially for an early 60s horror effort.  Overall, Night Creatures is one of my favorite Hammer releases and this blu release from Scream Factory is a must own for fans and collectors.  If this is one you have never seen before then I highly suggest you snag a copy.  You will not be disappointed.  

Always on Sunday

Director - Ray Harrison (All About Alice, What Really Happened to Baby Jane)

Release Date - 1962

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     A couple years ago I started collecting the blu releases of AGFA when I stumbled upon a couple of them when they were partnered with MVD.  Since then they have became a Vinegar Syndrome Partner label and has released some seriously entertaining forgotten films with a few being very underwhelming.  Sometime back AGFA once again teamed up with Something Weird to release What Really Happened to Baby Jane? and the Films of the Gay Girls Riding Club.  With the year about to end I decided it was the perfect time to try and sneak in as many films from this release as possible starting with the short Always on Sunday.  

     The silent film follows a prostitute in a bar where young men, mostly sailors, all have a good time enjoying themselves on Sunday.

     The short runs for about eight minutes which is about seven minutes too long.  Apparently its a parody of Never on Sunday but it's difficult to call it a movie regardless of the film's run time.  I was expecting something a little more than this but I still have high hopes for the other films in the set.  The acting in this one fits the films.  The cast looks like they are having an absolute blast but no one is really acting.  We have some of the GGRC in drag portraying the female characters while the male characters dance around.  The story just follows women dancing around men who are enjoying themselves at a bar.  Nothing really stands out and unless you are curious about early queer cinema I would suggest moving on to another film in the set.  Finally, the movie doesn't have any real special effects which should be obvious from the set.  It's not a film for horror fans but it is an odd but interesting early 60s drag parody.  Overall, Always on Sunday will not be for everyone.  Hell, I don't know who it would actually be for but it's still an interesting piece of cinema.  It's great seeing the LGBTQ+ community taking to filmmaker and not hiding who they are especially during a time when they were being persecuted by their peers for being who they are.  It's not a fun short but an important one.  

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock

Director - Riccardo Freda (The Witch's Curse, Lust of the Vampire)
Starring - Barbara Steele (Nightmare Castle, The Long Hair of Death), Robert Flemyng (The Medusa Touch, The Blood Beast Terror), and Silvano Tranquilli (Star Odyssey, The Legend of Blood Castle)
Release Date - 1962
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "His secret was in a coffin named DESIRE"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I write reviews I often find myself sounding like a broken record.  What I have said in other reviews still pertains to a new review so I feel the need to repeat myself.  A few months back I reviewed several gothic horror films from the 60s and I made several comments about how modern horror films lack the style and suspense that these classic horror films have.  Sure, films like Blessed Are the Children have some style but nowhere near the level of suspense and style that these films have.  Several months back Olive Films announced that they would be releasing the 1962 gothic horror tale The Horrible Dr. Hichcock on bluray.  I was very interested in this release not only because it was a 1962 horror film but because it was another period piece and starred living legend Barbara Steele.  I reached out to them and asked for a copy and they were kind enough to send one my way.  Thanks guys.

     The film follows doctor and sexual deviant Dr. Hichcock (Flemyng) who has invented a ground breaking anesthesia and uses it for sexual thrills with his wife.  He likes to sedate her which lowers her pulse to the point she resembles a corpse and then goes to town.  Sadly, one day he is a little too excited and administers too much sedative and accidentally kills her.  This devastates the poor doctor and he leaves the home that he once shared with her in the hands of his caretaker Martha.  He is gone for sometime and returns years later with a new wife, Cynthia (Steele).  Cynthia is reluctant at first to move into his old home but is soon convinced by her new husband.  Martha treats her rudely and late at night Cynthia hears strange noises and screams.  Martha tells the doctor and Cynthia that it is her sister who is insane but soon the two find out who is the real voice behind the screams.

     Hammer, Amicus, and the classic Universal horror films are textbook examples of how to build suspense while giving the viewer beautiful sets and stage pieces.  I miss that with modern horror and that is why I love Cannibal Flesh Riot so much.  They give us a great horror story set against a film set.  The Horrible Dr. Hichcock is another film you can add to the list of films that take great use of film sets to deliver a chilling film.  The acting in this one is great.  We once again get an amazing performance from the iconic Barbara Steele who is brilliant at playing the victim. Robert Flemyng is great as well in his role.  He brings the doctor to life and goes through many emotions.  At first he is a sexual deviant with lust in his eyes but we seem him go from being the dominant character to playing the victim at the films conclusion.  The supporting cast is great but these two shine brighter than the rest.  The story for this one is fun but reminded me a lot of Nightmare Castle.  Though this film did come out first I still saw NC before this one and the stories are very similar.  Both follow Barbara Steele rushing through a castle while having her sanity questioned.  With that being said, the film does move at a slow pace but this helps to build tension and suspense.  Finally, if you are looking for blood and gore then you will want to check out Zombi or Burial Ground because this film is not for you.  The film gets a rise out of the viewer by offering up some chilling tension and a terrifying story.  Overall, The Horrible Dr. Hichcock is a late night must watch.  The film has that great gothic look, an amazing cast, and some scares.  Some of the scenes are slow but the payoff is worth it.  Check it out on blu now from Olive Films.

         

Carnival of Souls

Director - Herk Harvey (Reading Rainbow)
Starring - Candace Hilligoss (The Curse of the Living Corpse), Frances Feist (A Life to Save), and Sidney Berger (Wes Craven Presents: Carnival of Souls)
Release Date - 1962
Genre - Horror
Tagline(s) - "She Was A Stranger Among The Living" "She Escaped Death. Now It Wants Her Back" and "Is there death after life?"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (15 Horror Movies Volume 1)

Rating (out of 5):

     Gotta love those five dollar horror box sets you can pick up at almost any store.  I'll buy those, regardless of how many movies are on them, just to get one movie I do not own.  By doing this I have ended up with a slew of box sets and a majority of them have the same movies on them with the exception of a few.  It is because of that this that I have numerous copies of the same movie.  I watched this movie years ago for the first time while I was drinking so I do not remember much about it.  While I was rearranging my DVDs I realized that I have this same movie on 13 other sets.  I figured that if I own that many copies and don't remember a lot about it then I should throw it in and give it a write up.  I went ahead and watched the version on the same 15 Horror Movie set that I watched House on Haunted Hill from.

     A group of guys challenge a group of girls to a drag race.  The girls accept, however, they crash and roll their car off a bridge.  The authorities and rescue crews comb the river bottom in search of the car.  As everyone gives up hope on finding the young ladies, Mary (Hilligoss) walks out of the water completely unharmed.  she refuses to let the accident stop her from living her life and continues on.  She moves to another town where she is hired to play the organ in a church.  However, she finds herself being stalked by ghastly figures.  The figures are there for one moment and then gone the next.  These visions start to leave their mark on Mary.  She is often unsettled and on edge.  One day while practicing in church she loses her concentration and begins to play dark and brooding music.  The minister does not like the tone of the music and fires her because he feels that it does not belong in church.  She starts to see the figures more often and believes she will find answers at a pavilion.  When she visits the pavilion she finds a group of the ghastly figures dancing.  She tries to run away but they follow until she collapses on the beach.  The minister and police are now at the scene of the car crash.  They pull the wreckage from the water and find all three girls, including Mary, dead inside.

     I wish a fraction of the films released today had as much depth and details as the movies from the 50's and 60's had.  I am not going to make the mistake and say movies now are not as original as movies from this period because that is an utter lie.  It does make it more difficult to be original, however, a great deal of filmmakers have done the job.  Anyway, I love the detail this movie was given.  Thought was given to each scene to make sure the story unfolds correctly making it flow with ease for the viewer.  The acting is decent for a 60's b-movie but I have seen a lot better.  I have multiple "Drive -in" movie packs with other b-movies from this time period and all have pretty shitty acting making this movie above average for what it is.  The story, at the time, was extremely original, however, now it has played it's course.  So many other ghost tales have played on this same premise making most of them predictable.  Finally, this film has no real special effects, instead, the film relies heavily on timing and atmosphere.  The shadowy figures do not look that great but the dark and brooding atmosphere provides them with the perfect combination to make them look creepy as hell.  Overall, this is a classic film that typically goes unnoticed by many horror fans and traces of the film can be seen in later classics.  I recommend this one.