Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970)

Wow, it was a cold one here in Pennsylvania today.  It was definitely a far cry from what I am used to at the beach.  Oh well,  what can you do? After picking up a few things for the toy store,  I decided to stay warm by watching a movie,  my choice was the 1970 Italian horror, Five Dolls for an August Moon. 

Plot: When an inventor takes a group of investors for an island vacation, an unseen murderer kills them one by one.

While there are many elements in this one that screams Bava, there is definitely something lacking in this one.  Artistically this one features some solid work with with the direction and cinematography, but it definitely does not match the quality of did of his other works. The storyline and scripting are lacking, leading to what eventually spirals into a mess. Fortunately, Bava does enough to keep the movie from being boring and it isn't a total waste.  In the end,  this is far from his best work, but he still manages to create an entertaining and watchable film. It's not perfect by any means,  but you can still give it a shot. 

Scream and Scream Again (1970)

Having spent many evenings working on these radio-drama scripts I have been contracted to do, I have found myself diving into many different genres over the past few weeks and it has been fun. Older movies seem to have such a wider appeal than the typical slasher or paranormal flicks that have overtaken horror and Sci-Fi in recent years. A perfect example of this is this 1970 entry, Scream and Scream Again.

Plot/ A serial killer who drains his victims' blood is on the loose in London; the police follow him to a house owned by an eccentric scientist.

It is funny, for years I thought I had already watched and reviewed this flick. For me, it was a great surprise when I decided to watch this bizarre weirdness. Starring Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing, this movie has everything you need to make a camp classic. It is truly a great mixture of horror, mystery, thriller, and Sci-Fi and most importantly, it was an easy watch considering the number of layers that are woven into the story. Honestly, you may feel lost at the start, but it is well worth watching and letting everything fall into place. The story is fun, interesting, and somewhat complex, the effects are solid (a little campy but solid), and all the performances are fun especially Price playing a mad scientist to perfection. Sure, it does have a few low budget head scratching moments and Price, Lee, and Cushing could have had larger roles (their screen time makes you want to see more), but overall the movie works on multiple levels and any flaws are easily overlooked. In the end, this is by no means the movie I expected or thought it was and that is a great thing. If you haven’t watched it, it will make great viewing as Halloween approaches. If you have seen it, check it out again.

The Dunwich Horror (1970)

After last nights movie, Finale, I decided to dive into the mind of H.P. Lovecraft and watch the 1970 version of The Dunwich Horror from 1970. Starring Sandra Dee (the original Gidget) this Roger Corman production is one of my favorite Lovecraft adaptations.

Plot/ Wilbur Whateley pops over to the Arkham Miskatonic University to borrow the legendary Necronomicon. But little does anyone know, Whateley isn't quite human.

Being one of the first movies based H.P. Lovecraft's works, it was definitely a tricky endeavor (as that is still a challenge today). While the flick boasts the title, there are many changes to the story that appears to be attended to attach a modern occult feel inside the confines of the original work. Yes, at times it keeps a lot of the mood of Lovecraft's tale, but in the end it is a completely different take. While a bit slow and choppy, there are some creepy moments that definitely help create a eerie and heavy atmosphere throughout the film. The acting like the pacing is a bit choppy and uneven at times and the ending seems a bit forced, but overall it is far from terrible. In all, this is an interesting take and a film that is definitely worth watching.

Scream and Scream Again (1970)

After a weekend of attending the Steampunk World’s Fair in Piscataway NJ and being mesmerized by some incredible bands and artists, it was nice to come home from work today and finding an interesting film on Encore. Scream and Scream Again, the 1970 horror/thriller/mystery/mayhem film starring Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing was a great way to start the week.

Plot/ A serial killer, who drains his victims for blood is on the loose in London, the Police follow him to a house owned by an eccentric scientist.

I had almost forgotten how much fun Scream and Scream Again is. Yes, there are times where it seems just thrown together, but with all of the twists and varying story lines, in the end it is truly an amazing tale. The movie has great atmosphere and does a great job of taking small fragments of a story and completing a great painting at the end. While I enjoyed the film, the lack of screen time for Price, Lee and Cushing was a travesty. At the end of the day, this is a great movie to watch if you have the patience to put the pieces together and watch the darker points hidden within the fabric of the film!

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The Horrible Sexy Vampire (1970)

 

As the evening wears on, I decided to venture back into Undead: The Vampire Collection in hopes of finally finishing it this weekend. I should be able to as I am down to only two movies to go. Tonight, the first movie I chose was The Horrible Sexy Vampire, the 1970 European Horror entry into this set. While it isn't the perfect vampire film, it definitely looks interesting (at least more interesting that much of the box set).

Plot/ A.K.A. The Vampire of the Highway. In this film, some kind of sadist, but not human, is murdering people. A doctor is convinced that the killings are the evil workings of a reclusive odd baron who died many years ago. This nudie vampire film set in a Black Forest castle tells the story of the last of the Von Winninger family. Count Oblensky and his lover come to take possession of their inheritance, which requires them to spend the night in the cursed castle which has been the focus of evil goings-on for centuries. The invisible vampire attacks each time the women in the film get nude.

This movie was definitely what I expected from an Euro-horror flick from the early 1970s; beautiful women who exist only to strip, shower and get killed. The plot was boring but a bit different as was the main character, a vampire that prefers strangling vice drinking their blood. Besides the women, the movie has little to offer with bad acting, bad effects, and little to no blood. However, if you are a fan of the 1970s and Eurotrash Horror, this film is for you!

 

Blood Mania (1970)

My mother came in this weekend for Easter and with her, she not only brought my oldest daughter but she came with a couple movies for me to add to my collection. The first was a VHS copy of Bigfoot (the unforgettable encounter) and the other the Gorehouse Greats Collection. While I have seen that at WalMart,I hadn't yet broke down to grab it (especially as I am struggling through the Undead Collection). Bored last night while preparing for the Easter Bunny to make an appearance, I put on disk one and the 1970 movie Blood Mania to pass the time.

Plot/ A semi-broke, swinging doctor needs money to pay a blackmailer. Fortunately, he is lusted after by the daughter of his boss and trades sex for money. Unfortunately, it back fires as the inheritance left by his boss falls to the other sister and the cycle starts all over again. This time the things spiral even more out of control.

I was caught off guard by this film, There is something about it that is very captivating. Yes, it is definitely more of a soap opera or drama vice horror film. Actually, there is very little terror involved at all. What there is plenty of is a mixture of nudity and sexualy tension, an almost believeble look at greed and what people will go through to serve their needs. Amazingly, this movie is well filmed and at times very colorful especially considering the eerie, claustrophobic mood that skews much of the film. There are some issues with character development and the use of characters of a whole. A perfect example is the girlfriend, who subjects herself to the wrath of the blackmailer, only to disappear totally from the storyline from that point on. This is a mixed bag though, as the film unexpectedly dives into the truth behind the father and younger daughter's relationship (something that I really didn't see coming).

In the end, I definitely enjoyed this movie. Yes, I am a man, and it definitely appealed to me, being with the beautiful women and the almost porn-like soundtrack, but the was a quality in this movie that made it enjoyable even though it lacked gore, terror or much of the elements I enjoy in a horror film. While I wouldn't ever classify it in that manner (as a horror film), I would recommend it.

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Why can't I find a Vampire Lover?

I don’t know what is happening with me, for the last few weeks I have been on an old Hammer Horror kick and have watched almost all of the Hammer Films I have here on DVD. Last night, I continued this trend by watching Peter Cushing and Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers.

Set in early 19th century, Vampire Lovers opens with an atmospheric pre-credits sequence featuring a beautiful blonde materializing from a misty graveyard. While encountering Baron Hartog, a vampire hunter out to avenge the death of his sister, this beauty is revealed as a vampire when her breast is seared by his crucifix. Once identified, she is swiftly decapitated.

The main story then begins with a sultry dark-haired lady leaving her daughter Marcilla in the care of General von Spielsdorf and his family at their Styrian mansion. Marcilla quickly befriends the General's daughter, Laura. Laura suffers nightmares that she is being attacked, and her health deteriorates until she expires. Marcilla vanishes from the General's home.

Faking a carriage break-down, Mircalla's mother leaves her (now using the alias Carmilla) at the residence of a Mr Morton. Here, Carmilla befriends and seduces Morton's daughter Emma (Smith) but her need to feed overcomes her emotional attachment and Emma too begins to fade. Emma has nightmares of a being pierced over the heart, and her breast shows tiny wounds. Emma's governess Madame Perradon (Kate O'Mara) also falls victim to Carmilla's erotic blandishments and becomes her willing tool. Some in the household, the Butler and a Doctor, suspect what might be happening, especially in the wake of several local girls suddenly dying. But Carmilla kills each one. All the while, a mysterious Man in Black (clearly also a vampire) watches events from a distance, smiling (his presence is never explained).

After Carmilla kills the Butler, having convinced him that Madame Perradon is a vampire then persuaded him (for some reason) to remove the garlic protecting Emma, Carmilla goes to Emma's bedroom. She says she must go away, but is taking Emma with her. A desperate and sick Madame begs Carmilla to take her with her. Carmilla kills her, in front of a horrified Emma. Emma is barely rescued by a young man named Carl (Jon Finch) who fashions a makeshift cross from his dagger. Carmilla flees to her nearby ancestral castle, now a ruin.

All this coincides with the arrival of the General, who brings with him a now-aged Baron. They find Carmilla's grave, where she sleeps. Her eyes open, and interestingly enough she makes no move to defend herself. The General lifts a stake—and back in her bedchamber Emma screams "No!"--then drives it into Carmilla's heart. He then cuts off her head. Carmilla's portrait on the wall decays, showing now a fanged skeleton instead of a beautiful young woman

'The Vampire Lovers' is a great film. Unfortunately, like many of the Hammer vampire films of the era, it often gets overlooked by many non-Hammer fans. It offers a nearly perfect combination of atmosphere, beauty and tension and a beautiful cast of women led by the stunning Ingrid Pitt. The film also pushed the bounds of sexuality by creating a film that would influence a genre and explore the taboo ideals of lesbianism in scenes featuring the ravishing naked bodies of Pitt, Madeline Smith and Kate O'Mara caught in more than a lovers embrace.

To me, The Vampire Lovers is a must-see movie for any horror or vampire fan. In some ways, it may be the most important and groundbreaking film in Hammers portfolio, creating the first true accounts linking vampirism, eroticism and lust. Backed by a solid script, all-around great performances and the perfect set that created a foreboding yet pleasurable atmosphere, this may be the perfect movie. OK, that may be a bit too much praise, but it is a superb horror film and a must see for all fans of Hammer Horror, Vampires, and Beautiful and Sexy Vampires.

 

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