Last Seen pre-1970 Classic/Vintage Horror Movie?

[FryeDwight]

A LUST TO KILL (1958). Somewhat formulaic Western about two childhood best friends going on different paths-one to a life of crime (Don Megowan, mostly played monsters and who is a cross between Lee Marvin and Lon Chaney Jr as the sadistic hateful outlaw) and as a Lawman (Jim Davis, best known for TV's DALLAS). One of my favorites Allison Hayes is here, but not much to do, although, as per usual, she is lovely. It moves well enough to hold Your interest, although the ending can give You an "EWWWW" moment. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Bloodlust! 1961 ★★½

This early sixties feature follows two couples with a lot of fifties in them. Kind of like the Cunninghams but, instead of the Fonz, their captain is the rummy from the opening scene from A Clockwork Orange. They find a seemingly abandoned island

Gosh dear, isn't this lovely?
Oh darling, it's wonderful.

only to end up being chased by a Vincent Price facsimile who tries to kill them with a crossbow for a place in his own private collection. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

The villain looks cool, but take away mister Price's charm, cool and charisma, and any actor imitating him will soon become cartoony. Which kind of makes it funny in its own way. Just like the predictable ending for the infidelity subplot or the henchman almost killed half off screen.

For people in the mood for a bit of cheese.
Or for people with not enough for a feature length, but still looking for an hour's worth of fun.

[FryeDwight]

QUATERMASS 2 (1956). Sci-fi from Hammer Studios with Brian Donlevy reprising his role as the brusque scientist intent on Space Colonization goes to investigates a large number of meteorites all landing in the same area. Investigating with a colleague, He discovers a large governmental building and finds there is more than meets the eye.

Nothing Earth shattering, but not a bad way to spend some time, especially spotting all the Hammer names that would become familiar to Monster Kids as the studios fortunes increased. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Originally Posted by FryeDwight

QUATERMASS 2 (1956). Sci-fi from Hammer Studios with Brian Donlevy reprising his role as the brusque scientist intent on Space Colonization goes to investigates a large number of meteorites all landing in the same area. Investigating with a colleague, He discovers a large governmental building and finds there is more than meets the eye.

Nothing Earth shattering, but not a bad way to spend some time, especially spotting all the Hammer names that would become familiar to Monster Kids as the studios fortunes increased. ***

I enjoyed part 1. Should check this one as well.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Cry of the Werewolf 1944 ★½

Off screen kills, little or no special effects, lots of theatrical and seemingly aimless yapping.

It's not good when one the more interesting scenes just remind you of Harry Dean Stanton in Alien.

Guess they can't all be zingers.

Vertigo 1958 ★★★★★

Thanks to the local art house theater for putting this gem on their classics program.

We got an introduction during which a person told us a few bits and bobs about the techniques used during the shooting and how they proved to be revolutionery. Like what later became as The Vertigo Zoom or the dizzying effect when Scotty suffers a vertigo episode. Cinematic brilliance.

And yes, I love this movie and my appreciation has only gone up from the previous viewing. A masterpiece of storytelling with excellent acting from both James Stewart and Kim Novak. During Madelleine's descent into madness and afterwards during the later twists. Though, in my opinion, Midge was the most likable character in the film. Makes me wonder how much the perception of the female characters in Vertigo shifted over the years.

At this point, I am a bit on the fence about the ending. From the introduction, I understand James Stewart's criticised the film for being too perverse and too somber; and yes, the ending is somewhat dark, with the main antagonist escaping scotfree. Then again, I would imagine that happy endings were so par for the course that you could also consider it as daring to go against the grain.

Sadly missed the shot where Hitch inserted himself into the movie. So a rewatch is due sooner or later. As if it would not be anyway.

[FryeDwight]

THE WORLD OF THE VAMPIRES (1960). Very cheesy Mexican horror film dubbed into English, that nonetheless is a fun little romp. If nothing else, a lot of their films had good atmosphere and certainly are fun if taken in the right spirit. TWOTV concerns a Count Subotai seeking revenge on the descendants of an enemy family. He loves playing music on a huge organ with lots of bones and like most Mexican vampires, has canines that are enormous. Oddly enough, there are some musical pieces which can cause serious harm and one scene where He attends a party and the nominal "hero" plays a piece, the look of distress on his face is pretty funny...it looks like He's having a bathroom attack! ***

[FryeDwight]

THE WASP WMAN (1960). Roger Corman (RIP) quickie that while very low budget is better than it sounds, although the titular feature is less than impressive. An aging head of a Cosmetics Firm-probably two firsts in a film of this type; a Woman is in charge and the emphasis on her normal aging could be responsible for declining sales- lets herself be a Guinea Pig for a scientist's experiments with Wasp jelly (although You tend to see a swarm of bees instead::confused) to rejuvenate her appearance. Things start off well, but it only lasts so long and typical of most people (not just a woman), She wants results yesterday and things quickly go FUBAR. Good performance by Susan Cabot in her last film. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Vertigo 1958 ★★★★★

Thanks to the local art house theater for putting this gem on their classics program.

We got an introduction during which a person told us a few bits and bobs about the techniques used during the shooting and how they proved to be revolutionery. Like what later became as The Vertigo Zoom or the dizzying effect when Scotty suffers a vertigo episode. Cinematic brilliance.

And yes, I love this movie and my appreciation has only gone up from the previous viewing. A masterpiece of storytelling with excellent acting from both James Stewart and Kim Novak. During Madelleine's descent into madness and afterwards during the later twists. Though, in my opinion, Midge was the most likable character in the film. Makes me wonder how much the perception of the female characters in Vertigo shifted over the years.

At this point, I am a bit on the fence about the ending. From the introduction, I understand James Stewart's criticised the film for being too perverse and too somber; and yes, the ending is somewhat dark, with the main antagonist escaping scotfree. Then again, I would imagine that happy endings were so par for the course that you could also consider it as daring to go against the grain.

Sadly missed the shot where Hitch inserted himself into the movie. So a rewatch is due sooner or later. As if it would not be anyway.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Raven 1963 ★★★★

Roger Corman took the classic Edgar Allen Poe story and turned it into a more slapstick like comedy.

It worked brilliantly. All stars do a great job (Vincent Price can quite funny) and it was fun seeing a young Jack Nicholson come by.

Also, I kind of hope there is an audiobook version of mister Price reading the original text by Poe.

[Tommy Jarvis]

*delete*