THE HAMMER DRACULA FILMS: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

For fans of Hammer Film Production's Dracula franchise, Classic Monsters of the Movies, courtesy of writers/researchers Nige Burton, Jamie Jones and John Logan, have a tasty treat for you: The Hammer Dracula Films (1958-1973). 

The 84-page, special edition goes pretty much right down the parasitic line, covering (Horror of) Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Scars of Dracula, Dracula A.D. 1972 and The Satanic Rites of Dracula (aka Dracula and his Vampire Bride), with alas, Brides of Dracula and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (aka The 7 Brothers Meet Dracula) excluded, though that is likely due to Christopher Lee's absence in them. 

Nevertheless, this Hammer Dracula homage is one of Classic Monsters' best, covering the creative likes of James and Michael Carreras, Terence Fisher, Freddy Francis, Jimmy Sangster, Anthony Hinds (aka John Elder), James Bernard, the aforementioned Lee, Peter Cushing, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Janina Faye, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt, Francis Matthews, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Kerr, Thorley Walters, Patrick Troughton, Veronica Carlson, Barry Andrews, Linda Hayden, Ralph Bates, Michael Ripper, Jenny Hanley, Michael Gwynne, Stephanie Beacham, Christopher Neame, Caroline Munro and a smorgasbord more. 

All of this comes with punctilious attention to plot constructions, background information and comparisons to Bram Stoker's immortal novel.

The stills and promotional additives (a number being rare) stand as a great treat to behold, particularly printed on Classic Monsters' laudable, high-stock paper. 

Classic Monsters of the Movies: The Hammer Dracula Films is an encyclopedic triumph that will work as a handy, companion piece for whenever one revisits the Lee entries of this historic series. 

Order at 

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FRANKENSTEIN & THE MONSTER FROM HELL: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Hammer's final Frankenstein chapter, Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell, is a 1972 (released in 1974) return to Peter Cushing's revered, Baron roots, after the studio's miscalculated (though much later appreciated) 1970 reboot, The Horror of Frankenstein.  

As it stands, Monster From Hell, directed by Terence Fisher, in what became his last feature, and penned by faithful, Frankenstein scribe Anthony Hinds (aka John Elder), picks up where Frankenstein Must be Destroyed left off, with Cushing's Victor Frankenstein, aka Carl Victor, now experimenting in an asylum, hindered by fire-damaged hands. He's assisted by a pretty, mute assistant, Sarah Klauss, aka Angel, played by Madeline Smith (of The Vampire Lovers/Live and Let Die/Taste the Blood of Dracula) and further abetted by skilled admirer/accomplice, Dr. Simon Helder, played by Shane Briant (of Captain Kronos/Dorian Gray/Demons of the Mind). The monster is enacted by David (Darth Vader) Prowse, who rendered a different monster in Horror of ..., and prior to such, a Universal knock-off in the comedic Casino Royale. (It must be noted that the creature, called Herr Schneider, is a "missing link," who upon receiving a new brain, gains a penchant for stabbing people with shards of glass.) 

Nige Burton and Jamie Jones, with contributions from dramatist John Logan and the endearing Ms. Smith, cover the production's earliest conception to its ultimate reception, combined with an affectionate overview of Hammer's Frankenstein franchise.  

In addition to the movie's aforementioned contributors, Monster From Hell's participants (whether before or behind the camera) receive methodical, biographical passages: Patrick Troughton, Bernard Lee, Charles Lloyd Pack, John Stratton, Michael Ward, Clifford Morrison ... Elsie Wagstaff, in addition to producer Roy Skeggs, cinematographer Brian Probyn, makeup artist Eddie Knight and composer James Bernard. 

Monster From Hell was a woeful but effective sendoff in Hammer's Frankenstein franchise. Great thanks goes to Burton and Jones for celebrating this entry in such a rigorous way. For Monster From Hell's fans (and they are legion), this "ultimate guide" will delight with its layered text, promotional graphics and insightful trivia. 

Classic Monsters of the Movies: Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell can be purchased at 

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AN AMICUS HISTORY: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Amicus Studios: The name thrives in the chilled annals of all serious, horror aficionados, having commenced under the Vulcan label for The City of the Dead (aka Horror Hotel), only to become a consistent, Hammer competitor, which employed Hammer stars (Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Ingrid Pitt, Michael Gough, Herbert Lom, Dave Prowse, Thorley Walters ... Milton Reed) for its profitable anthologies. 

The Milton Subotsky/Max J. Rosenburg brainchild even produced a stylish, Jekyll/Hyde variant (with Lee), a fictionalized, horror-actor, grudge match (with Cushing, Vincent Price and Robert Quarry), a horror/science-fiction mashup based on a Peter Saxon novel (with Cushing, Lee and Price) and even a couple, colorful, Cushing-led, Doctor Who reduxes. In the 1970s, the company would become the prime purveyor of Edgar Rice Burroughs adaptations, headlined by Doug McClure and Patrick Wayne.

To honor Amicus and its many wondrous works, Classic Monsters of the Movies' skillful writers/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones have constructed a loving, 84-page, illustrated tribute, bridged by striking stills and illustrations. 

For the company's fruitful anthologies, the edition covers Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, (Dr. Diablo's) Torture Garden, The House That Dripped Blood, Asylum, From Beyond the Grave, Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror. 

On the full-story, theatrical front, the authors reference The Beast Must Die (Black Werewolf), I, Monster; Madhouse, The Skull, Scream and Scream Again, And Now the Screaming Starts!, The Terrornauts, They Came from Beyond Space, The Psychopath, The Mind of Mr. Soames (with Terence Stamp and Robert Vaughn) and of course, Doctor Who and the Daleks and Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

Then there's a nutritious inspection of the Burroughs-spun At the Earth's Core, The Land That Time Forgot and The People That Time Forgot. 

Beyond a doubt, Amicus' big-name lineups and pulp-ish scripting are celebrated with utmost respect through each chapter, with special insight granted toward the company's shrewd, financial and distribution methodologies. In other words, Classic Monsters' comprehensive curation is one that Amicus devotees have been waiting for: a voluminous, encyclopedic volume that they'll return to for years to come. 

Don't miss out. Order Classic Monsters of the Movies: Amicus, an Illustrated History at

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HAMMER HORROR CHRONICLES (1934 - 2019): A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Authors/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones deserve profound praise for their detail-extensive, horror/science-fiction periodicals. An exceptional example of their know-how can be tapped in the Classic Monsters of the Movies, two-volume set, Hammer Horror: An Illustrated Chronicle (1934 - 2019).

Their overviews are most pleasing, covering the studio's top-shelf chapters, The Curse of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula, Brides of Dracula, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Curse of the Werewolf ... The Mummy, but early (too often overlooked) gems like The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (with Bela Lugosi) and Song of Freedom (with Paul Robeson) are also acknowledged, along with such brash, historical experiments as The Terror of the Tongs, The Stranglers of Bombay and The Devil-Ship Pirates, which bolster the studio's wide-range significance even further.  

The Hammer father-and-son founders and influencers are chambered among the comprehensive pages: William and Anthony Hinds and James and Michael Carreras. The studio's supplementing writers and directors share the same, esteemed spotlight: Terence Fisher, Freddie Francis, Jimmy Sangster, Val Guest, John Gilling, Tudor Gates, Roy Ward Baker, Don Sharp, Don Houghton, Peter Sasdy, Seth Holt, Alan Gibson and more.

Of course, Hammer's proficient performers grab attention page upon page, with fulfilling bios, tidbits and respectful nods: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Veronica Carlson, Hazel Court, Anton Diffring, Michael Ripper, Thorley Waters, Oliver Reed, Herbert Lom, Bette Davis, Michael Gwynn, Francis Matthews, Ingrid Pitt, Madeline Smith, David Peel, Dave Prowse, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Keir, Patrick Troughton, Freddie Jones, Ralph Bates, Martine Beswick, Raquel Welch, Richard Wordsworth, Horst Janson, Jacqueline Pearce; Caroline Munro, Christopher Neame, Susan Denberg, Shane Briant, the Collinson Twins, et al. 

Indeed, the background on each production, filmmaker and star is exquisite and edifying (embellished by an inclusion of the studio's recent revival and subsequent productions, including The Woman in Black 2012), with each aesthetic period accentuated by crisp, black-and-white and color photos. 

These fine volumes can be purchased separately or together and are (beyond debate) essential for any cinema library. To order, visit

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and

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TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: HENRY V VICTOR (CLIVE V CUSHING), BY SCOTT JACKSON

 

TCM'S PETER CUSHING ICON-A-THON

Peter Cushing is TCM's star of the month, and Oct 20 (Tues) marks a marathon of five of his best chillers. 

The set includes "The Revenge of Frankenstein", "The Gorgon", "Horror Express", "The House That Dripped Blood" and "Island of Terror".

Cushing is one of the most admired, fantastic-film actors of all time. I'm glad that TCM has decided to toss the spotlight on him, particularly during the month of Halloween.

Join the macabre, TCM cheer with Mr. Cushing, not just on the 20th, but throughout the rest of the month. 

TCM--where classic movies and Peter Cushing reign supreme!!!

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: CURSE OF FRANK/HORROR OF DRAC (HAMMER TIME)!!!

FILMFAX #155: A NEW FIVE OUNCE TON OF INTELLIGENT FUN!!!

Filmfax #155 has arrived in time for Halloween, and what an apt issue to instill the chill.

This issue's focus is on the underrated (but to those in the know, much beloved) 1983 mystery movie, "House of the Long Shadows", which headlines the fearsome quartet of Vincent Price, John Carradine, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. The film's production, with all its ups and downs, is explored, granting a revealing view of the cult, team-up venture. 

In addition #155 caters to character actor, Henry "Fu Manchu" Brandon; Seattle sci-fi filmmaker, Richard H. Lyford; Kirk "Superman" Alyn; Astounding Stories editor, John W. Campbell; and U.F.O. connoisseur Erica Lukes. 

To further the fun, we get insights on Willis O' Brien's planned adaptation of H.G. Wells' "Food of the Gods", along with more cool Eddie Wood and Death Ray coverage.   

Purchase Filmfax #155 today at your favorite periodical vendor.