TCM Greatest Classic Film Collection: Hammer Horror

TCM's recent box sets have not just been focused on gangster films and musicals - just in time from Halloween comes one devoted to horror films - TCM Greatest Classic Film Collection: Hammer Horror - from the famous British Hammer Studios. All shot in rich color and released in the states through Warner Bros., these imports have been gathering American devotees since their initial arrival in the late 1950's. Four of the most famous have been culled for the new set, which includes two devoted to Frankenstein, and the same to Dracula. All feature those supreme masters of Hammer horror, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

Horror of Dracula

The set opens with the classic 1958 Horror of Dracula, featuring Lee as the title vampire. He had begun his long association with the studio the year before as the Creature in The Curse of Frankenstein, (also included in this box,) but this was his first stab at Dracula. And he is a fearsome villain, emphasizing the horrific over the charismatic in his portrayal.

Loosely based on the original Bram Stoker model, the film opens with the arrival of Harker at Dracula's castle. Posing as a prospective librarian, the vampire-slayer quickly discovers the gruesome deeds of the Count, who makes in immediate impression on him - or, more precisely, his neck. His rival subjugated, Dracula begins paying nocturnal visits to Harker's fianc�e, the frail, virginal Lucy. When it appears Dracula will tap into the arteries of half the town, Harker's pal, Dr. Van Helsing (Cushing,) arrives on the scene to foil the Count's bloody spree. A very respectable Hammer entry, the film is most watchable, with a few blood-curdling sequences, and some washes of atmosphere.

Dracula Has Risen From the Grave

Lee was still at it 11 years later, in Dracula Has Risen From the Grave, (The astounding actor is still busy making movies at 88!) However, the lead vampire isn't the only thing that sucks in this film. It is sabotaged by long, dull stretches of dialogue. And by this time, the Hammer style had become lurid. The gratuitous gore - -or red paint as the case may be - -often proves laughable. In this one, the Count, literally on ice since the 1966 Prince of Darkness, is resurrected and none too pleased about the crucifix that has been placed at his castle door. When he discovers that the Monsignor was responsible for this bit of unwelcome, exterior decoration, he swears revenge by attempting to impart his infamous love bite on the holy man's curvaceous niece, Maria. In the meantime, he finds new digs in a basement cell that conveniently adjoins that of the local pub. Furnishing it simply with his coffin, he manages to sink his fangs into the bustiest babes in the village, before his vengeance is thwarted by Maria's dashing fianc� Paul. Some handsome set design and striking photography cannot salvage the proceedings. Unless you are a die-hard Hammer enthusiast, or a fan of cockney wenches with unusually large breasts, skip this one.

The Curse of Frankenstein

The second disc includes the two Frankenstein flicks, the first being The Curse of Frankenstein. With a literate script, and some impassioned performances, this is a more than adequate retelling of the Shelley story. It is related in flashback, with the Doctor initially recounting his tale from a prison cell; and, at the end of the film, being led off to the guillotine. Cushing does a fine job evoking the hero's regression from idealistic scientist to mad fiend. As the monster, Christopher Lee does a credible job but does not expunge memories of Karloff. The film quality is slightly grainy, but certainly acceptable.

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed

It appears that that guillotine blade was duller than we thought, since the evil doctor is still up to his old tricks 13 years later in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed. The movie begins promisingly, with a splashy, action-packed opening, dotted with sly, comic touches. As the plot begins to unfold, it becomes heavily bogged down in dialogue - -the curse of countless British horror films.

The flimsy storyline involves a doctor and his bride-to-be, Karl and Anna, who are blackmailed by Frankenstein and forced to assist him in a plot to kidnap his catatonic former medical partner from an asylum. He performs brain surgery, hoping to restore the ex-partner to sanity, and wrest a medical formula crucial to his work. His plot goes horribly wrong, and in the course of this gloomy, dull feature, everyone in the cast is shot, stabbed, incinerated or disfigured. To increase the shock value, a totally incongruous and unnecessary scene is inserted in which Frankenstein brutally rapes Anna. Like Dracula Has Risen..., this film is often visually attractive, but is ultimately boring and tedious - cardinal offenses for a horror movie. The title is quite apt, since, at this point in Hammer's output Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed.... for good!

Like the previous releases in this TCM series, this set is being sold at bargain prices, less than $5.00 per film. Comparing this set with the recently released Cagney set poses the obvious apples and oranges situation. Yet in terms of consistent quality and sheer entertainment value, the Cagney is the clear choice. (Click to read the review of the Cagney set.)