The Oblong Box (1969) aka Dance, Mephisto

2.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: For the first time... the classic tale of the restless dead and their unspeakable hungers!
Directed by: Gordon Hessler
Written by: Lawrence Huntington, Christopher Wicking, Edgar Allan Poe
Actors include: Rupert Davies, Vincent Price, Christopher Lee
Genre: Horror
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Sigh, to think I'd been holding back on watching this one because I thought it would be decent. Instead it turns out that it's the weakest Vincent Price film I think I've seen yet. First of all it claims to be based around the Edgar Allan Poe story of the same name, but it seems to share more in common with The Body Snatcher. The story is about Brothers Sir Julian Markham (Price), and his deformed sibling Sir Edward. The two were off in Africa when the "accident" happened that left Sir Edward disfigured shaming the bloodline Julian kept him chained away. Anyhow some sort of escape plan hatches for Sir Edward with some help, and he's drugged in order to escape in his coffin only to be dug up later of course. Julian is content thinking his Brother is dead, but when a feller in a red mask starts bothering people (as I don't see how tapping them with red paint would do any more than bother a person) he begins to wonder. I think this story could have been made to be interesting with a fair bit of tweaking, and of course raising the level of horror. This wasn't satisfying at all, even the kills were even boring! Even at 97 minutes it overstays it's welcome by a fair margin, I just wanted everyone to shut up and die already (not a really good sign). It's just shocking that a venture with Price and even having Christopher Lee appear in the film that it couldn't be any better than this. Watch all the other AIP, and Price flicks first, save this disappointment for a rainy day.

Availability:  On DVD

Dream Demon (1988)

 3 / 5 May '11
Tagline: Two women trapped in a savage nightmare...
Directed by: Harley Cokeliss
Written by: Christopher Wicking, Harley Cokeliss
Actors include: Jemma Redgrave, Kathleen Wilhoite, Timothy Spall
Genre: Horror
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:

Overall this is a rather dry and lifeless reworking of A Nightmare on Elm Street however it does have a few surprises along the way. Diana is a rich and famous young British Lass who is hounded by the press about her upcoming marriage. She starts having horribly violent dreams, and until she meets an American girl called Jenny (the only charismatic character in the film played by Kathleen Wilhoite). Jenny believes her past is somehow tied into the house that Diana is staying in, and the two become fast friends. When they realize that the demons in Diana's dreams are causing real damage as she pulls people into dangerous situations if they are nearby. This doesn't sound familiar at all does it? Heck even down to the rescuing of a little girl from a fire that transforms when rescued it's so recycled. Still the thing that really will make this worth watching for genre fans is the surprising gore...heck the best scene is borrowed from 力王 [Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky]. It has potential, it's just a shame they couldn't have made it a bit more exciting and less cliche.

Availability:  Not currently on DVD

Scream and Scream Again (1970)

4 / 5 Dec '09
Tagline:  TRIPLE DISTILLED HORROR... as powerful as a vat of boiling ACID!
Directed by: Gordon Hessler
Written by: Peter Saxon, Christopher Wicking
Actors include: Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
This is a rather strange little film that is confusing for most of the time and unfortunately when it comes together it still feels like it needs to fill some gaps. On the other hand this goes where I dare not think it would and the various plots that it flickers between are all very interesting and horrifying. Though the cast list boasts Peter Cushing (who is only in the film for about ten minutes), and Christopher Lee and Vincent Price (who are both in for a bit more than that but I'm not sure I'd say they were the stars). One part of our story is about a runner who wakes up in a strange hospital in a fog missing a limb! Another involves some sort of strange Nazi like party who seem to be up to no good. Also we have a stranger who picks up girls at bars and kills them, plus he seems to have an unusual strength. Believe it or not those things blend together to give us our plot. Also thrown in are an acid vat, some grossness and blood (yay), and some exciting chase scenes. I actually did quite enjoy this, I just wish it were a little more cohesive...it really could have been amazing instead of just quite good. Still I'd definitely say worth a gander for horror fans, but just be patient with it, you will be rewarded!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with The Oblong Box