Sunday, December 1, 2024
THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE
Writers/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones succeed again with another devilish, Hammer Horror tribute for Classic Monsters of the Movies.
In this case, it's writer/director Jimmy Sangster's wry, 1970 remake (and intended, series reboot) of The Curse of Frankenstein, entitled The Horror of Frankenstein.
Horror of ... hasn't always been a praised submission among Hammer's prolific queue, perhaps because of its odd levity, but if sales for this issue are any indication, the once maligned redux is now more revered than not.
Horror of ... stars Ralph (Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde/Taste the Blood of Dracula/Lust for a Vampire) Bates as Victor Frankenstein and as his creation, David (Darth Vader/A Clockwork Orange) Prowse (who'd go on to portray yet another Frankenstein creature in the next-up, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell, and prior to the Hammer chapters, portrayed a Universal-styled Monster in the 007 spoof, Casino Royale).
Not only are Bates and Prowse given ample exposure in Burton/Jones' periodical, the duo also grants biographical segments on the movie's supporting players: Jon (The Tragedy of MacBeth/Frenzy) Finch; Dennis (Twins of Evil/Horror Hospital) Price; Joan (The Story of Robin Hood) Rice; Bernard (Village of the Damned 1960/Doctor Who) Archard; Graham (Blood from the Mummy's Tomb) James; Kate (The Vampire Lovers) O'Mara and Veronica (Frankenstein Must be Destroyed/Dracula Has Risen from the Grave) Carlson.
Horror of ... was Sangster's directorial debut, though prior to such he was best known as Hammer's top scribe. A look at Sangster's Horror of ... co-writer, Jeremy (The Avengers/The Saint) Burnham (who devised the original draft) is also included, though we learn he was far from satisfied with the the entry's results.
No matter its polarizing consequence, Horror of ...'s dry, comedic flavor is notable for predating Andy Warhol's Flesh for Frankenstein by three years, and for those who have come to appreciate its avant-garde flavor, Burton and Jones' 36-page, trivia-packed/still-laden, "ultimate guide" is bound to further entrench any and all fondness.
Order Classic Monsters of the Movies' Horror of Frankenstein at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-horror-of-frankenstein-1970-ultimate-guide-magazine/
PUPPIES BEHIND BARS: A CHARITABLE TRADITION
For the Christmas/holiday season, thoughts of charitable cause once more come to mind. For those who wish to make a positive impact on others, Puppies Behind Bars is a sincere, worth-while means to do so.
Puppies Behind Bars assists in canine training for wounded war veterans and first responders, who face difficulties with daily functions. In addition, the agency supplies crucial, bomb-detection dogs for police procedures. The canine training is administered by prisoners, who wish to give something beneficial to a society they've wronged in one way or another: a most honorable path toward redemption.
The charity ensures that inmates are prepared to the utmost, caring capacity before they commence their meticulous but nurturing lessons. Trainers and dogs are then teamed for two years, at the end of which the astute, adoring animals are dispatched to their designated guardians in need.
I'm a proud contributor of Puppies Behind Bars and do hope that others will contribute as well. The organization is a huge win-win for all involved.
Visit Puppies Behind Bars
You'll find ample information on all activities, with specific steps on how to lend your support.
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