It’s Hammer Time Presents: X: The Unknown (1956, Leslie Norman)

Around the time that Hammer Studios began to venture into sci-fi and horror they released in 1957 a fairly decent gem called X: The Unknown. This movie, directed by Leslie Norman, was created in the horror/sci-fi style that was popular back in the 1950s, and it properly reflected fears of nuclear radiation. Not to mention mankind worrying about nuclear destruction and death caused by a science that many did not understand. The creature effects are entertaining although a bit cheesy, and yet the movie is well crafted and never becomes silly.

One of my favorite moments is when two kids stumble onto the blob, which ends up leading to a scene that is both horrific and tragic. The scientists of course must race against time to come up with a solution, and the film’s climax although typical of most horror/sci-fi from that era is still enjoyable to watch. X: The Unknown is a reliable introduction to Hammer Films, and it was followed up by the studio’s masterwork, The Curse of Frankenstein, released the next year.

It’s Hammer Time

I couldn’t resist, as cheesy as that title is. Anyways I set out last year to watch as many Hammer Studios movies as I could, and although I’m really behind schedule I’ve still viewed some since last Horrorfest. Links to reviews will be posted here, and I would like to note that I have already seen some Hammer Studios movies prior. I would like to dedicate this entire project to the studio itself, and I’m glad that they are following me on Twitter, which is cool. Also since Netflix sends me whatever DVD they have ready on hand some of these viewings will be out of order.
The List, So Far:

1. X: The Unknown (1956, Leslie Norman), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/its-hammer-time-x-the-unknown-1956-leslie-norman/
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959, Terence Fisher), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/its-hammer-time-presents-the-hound-of-the-baskervilles-1959-terence-fisher/
3. The Plague of the Zombies (1966, John Gilling), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/its-hammer-time-presents-plague-of-the-zombies-1966-john-gilling/
4. Frankenstein Created Woman (1967, Terrence Fisher), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/12/its-hammer-time-presents-frankenstein-created-woman-1967-terence-fisher/
5. The Abominable Snowman (1957, Val Guest), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/its-hammer-time-presents-the-adominable-snowman-1957-val-guest/
6. Night Creatures (1962, Peter Graham Scott), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/its-hammer-time-presents-night-creatures-1962-peter-graham-scott/
7. The Evil of Frankenstein (1964, Freddie Francis), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/its-hammer-time-presents-the-evil-of-frankenstein-1964-freddie-francis/
8. The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958, Terence Fisher), Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/its-hammer-time-presents-the-revenge-of-frankenstein-1958-terence-fisher/
9. The Stranglers of Bombay (1959, Terence Fisher)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/its-hammer-time-presents-the-stranglers-of-bombay-1959-terence-fisher/
10. The Terror of the Tongs (1961, Anthony Bushnell)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/its-hammer-time-presents-the-terror-of-the-tongs-1961-anthony-bushnell/
11. The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959, Terence Fisher)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/its-hammer-time-presents-the-man-who-could-cheat-death-1959-terence-fisher/
12. The Phantom of the Opera (1962, Terence Fisher)
13. Paranoiac (1963, Freddie Francis)
14. The Snorkel (1958, Guy Green)
15. The Maniac (1963, Michael Carreras)
16. The Curse of The Mummy’s Tomb (1964, Michael Carreras)
17. The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960, Terence Fisher)
18. The Reptile (1966, John Gilling)
19. The Witches (1966, Cyril Frankel)
20. The Mummy’s Shroud (1967, John Gilling)
21. Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968, Freddie Francis)
22. Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969, Terence Fisher)
23. Taste The Blood of Dracula (1970, Peter Sasdy)
24. Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb (1971, Seth Holt)
25. Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972, Alan Gibson)
26. The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974, Roy Ward Baker)
27. Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell (1974, Terence Fisher)
28. The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1974, Alan Gibson)
Previously Viewed:

1. The Curse of Frankenstein (1957, Terence Fisher)
2. The Horror of Dracula (1958, Terence Fisher)
3. The Mummy (1959, Terence Fisher)
4. The Brides of Dracula (1960, Terence Fisher)
5. The Gorgon (1964, Terence Fisher)
6. The Devil Rides Out (1968, Terence Fisher)
7. Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974, Brian Clemens)

After Midnight: Horrorfest 2013

Lon Chaney and some creepy woman are so happy that you stopped by for the introduction to this year’s Horrorfest. I’m carrying this over from my last blog, and I’ve been doing Horrorfests ever since 2008. From August until sometime in November I watch as many horror movies as I can, only this year I’m actually planning a theme for October-you’ll see. Just sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. Don’t be alarmed if you scream or if sharp fangs press against your neck. Its all part of the show, see….

The List: (Subject to Change Whenever I Feel Like It)

The Pre-Show: Homecoming (2006, Joe Dante)-Zombies-Netflix DVD-70: https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/2013-horrorfest-presents-homecoming-2005-joe-dante/

August-

1.    The House of the Devil (2009, Ti West)-Demonic-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/2013-horrorfest-presents-the-house-of-the-devil-2009-ti-west/=91/100
2.    The Inkeepers (2012, Ti West)-Ghosts-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-innkeepers-2012-ti-west/=91/100
3.    The Prophecy (1995, Gregory Widen)-Angels and Demons-Netflix Instead Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/2013-horrorfest-presents-the-prophecy-1995-gregory-widen/=84/100
4.    The Man Who Laughs (1928, Paul Leni)-Man As Monster-Youtube-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/2013-horrorfest-presents-the-man-who-laughs-1928-leni/=95/100
5.    John Dies at the End (2012, Don Coscarelli), Monsters-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/2013-horrorfest-presents-john-dies-at-the-end-2012-don-coscarelli/=90/100
6.    House of a 1000 Corpses (2003, Rob Zombie)-Slasher-Family Video
7.    The Devil’s Rejects (2005, Rob Zombie)-Slasher-Family Video
8.    The Cabin in the Woods (2011, Drew Goddard)-Slasher/Meta-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/2013-horrorfest-presents-the-cabin-in-the-woods-2012-drew-goddard/=95/100
9.    Wolf Creek (2005, Greg McLean)-Slasher-Family Video
10.    Rouge (2007, Greg McLean)-Killer Animal-Family Video

September-

1.    Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971, Dario Argento)-Slasher-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/2013-horrorfest-presents-four-flies-on-grey-velvet-1971-dario-argento/=90/100
2.    Tenebre (1982, Dario Argento)-Slasher-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/2013-horrorfest-presents-tenebre-1982-dario-argento/=95/100
3.    The Lords of Salem (2012, Rob Zombie)-Demonic-RedBox-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/horrorfest-presents-the-lords-of-salem-2012-rob-zombie/=95/100
4.    The Evil Dead (2013, Fede Alvarez)-Demons-RedBox-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/25/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-evil-dead-2013/=76/100
5.    The Hamiltons (2006, Mitchell Altieri, Phil Flores)-Creepy Family-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/2013-horrorfest-presents-the-hamiltons-2006-butcher-brothers-phil-flores-mitchell-altieri/=65/100
6.    The Prophecy II (1998, Greg Spence)-Angels-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/2013-horrorfest-presents-the-prophecy-ii-1998/=60/100
7.    The Innocents (1961, Jack Clayton)-Ghosts-Netflix
8.    What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962, Robert Aldrich)-Crazy People-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/horrorfest-2013-presents-what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane-1962-robert-aldrich/=95/100
9.    Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972, Bob Clark)-Zombies-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/horrorfest-2013-presents-children-shouldnt-play-with-dead-things-1972-bob-clark/=85
10.    Stake Land (2010, Jim Mickle)-Vampires-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/horrorfest-2013-presents-stake-land/=87/100
11.    [REC] (2007, Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza)-Zombies-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/10/horrorfest-2013-presents-rec/=93/100
12.    Critters 2: The Main Course (1988, Mick Garris)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/horrorfest-2013-presents-critters-2-the-main-course/=79/100
13.    V/H/S (2012, Adam Wingard, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swangberg, David Bruckner, Ti West, Radio Silence)-Anthology-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/horrorfest-2013-presents-vhs-2012/=83/100
14.    Cemetery Man (1996, Michele Soavi)-Zombies-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/horrorfest-2013-presents-cemetery-man/=95/100
15.    Hellraiser (1987, Clive Barker)-Satanic-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/horrorfest-2013-presents-hellraiser/=90/100
16.    Who Can Kill a Child? (1976, Narciso Ibáñez Serrador)-Slasher-Netflix
17.    The Blob (1988, Chuck Russell)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-blob-1988-chuck-russell/=83/100
18. Forbidden World (1982, Allen Holzman)-Aliens-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/horrorfest-2013-presents-forbidden-world-1982-allen-holzman/=75/100

October-

Hammer Studios Horror Films Edition:

1.    X The Unknown (1956, Leslie Norman)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/its-hammer-time-x-the-unknown-1956-leslie-norman/=74/100
2.    The Abominable Snowman (1957, Val Guest)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/its-hammer-time-presents-the-adominable-snowman-1957-val-guest/=60/100
3.    The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958, Terence Fisher)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/its-hammer-time-presents-the-revenge-of-frankenstein-1958-terence-fisher/=93/100
4.    The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959, Terence Fisher)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/its-hammer-time-presents-the-hound-of-the-baskervilles-1959-terence-fisher/=65/100
5.    The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959, Terence Fisher)-Madmen-Netflix
6.    The Plague of the Zombies (1966, John Gilling)-Zombies-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/its-hammer-time-presents-plague-of-the-zombies-1966-john-gilling/=83/100
7.    The Reptile (1966, John Gilling)-Creature Feature-Netflix
8.    The Witches (1967, Cyril Frankel)-Witches-Netflix
9.    Frankenstein Created Woman (1967, Terence Fisher)-Creature Feature-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/04/12/its-hammer-time-presents-frankenstein-created-woman-1967-terence-fisher/=84/100
10.    The Mummy’s Shroud (1967, John Gilling)-Mummies-Netflix
11.    Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968, Freddie Francis)-Vampires-Netflix
12.    Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969, Terence Fisher)-Creature Feature-Netflix
13.    Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970, Peter Sasdy)-Vampires-Netflix
14.    Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971, Seth Holt)-Mummies-Netflix
15.    Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972, Alan Gibson)-Vampires-Netflix
16.    Dracula: The Satanic Rites (1973, Alan Gibson)-Vampires-Netflix
17.    Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1979, Roy Ward Baker)-Vampires-Netflix

Rest of the Month:

1.    Ravenous (1999, Antonia Bird)-Slasher-Netflix
2.    Ghoulies II (1988, Albert Band)-Creature Feature-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/horrorfest-2013-presents-ghoulies-ii/=44/100
3.    Nomads (1986, John McTiernan)-Crazy People-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/horrorfest-2013-presents-nomads-1986-john-mctiernan/=52/100
4.    Kill List (2011, Ben Wheatley)-Cult People-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/horrorfest-2013-presents-kill-list-2011-ben-wheatley/=97/100
5.    The Devil’s Backbone (2001, Guillermo del Toro)-Ghosts-Netflix
6.    Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986, John McNaughton)-Slasher-Netflix-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/horrorfest-2013-presents-henry-portrait-of-a-serial-killer-1986-john-mcnaughton/=92/100
7.    The Flesh and the Fiends (1960, John Gilling)-Slashers-Netflix
8.    The Bay (2012, Bary Levinson)-Creature Feature-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-bay-2012-barry-levinson/=85/100
9.    The Last Broadcast (1998, Lance Wiler, Stefan Avalos)-Supernatural-Netflix
10.    Immortality aka The Wisdom of Crocodiles (2000, Po Chih Leong), Vampires-Netflix Instant Viewing-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/immortalitythe-wisdom-of-crocodiles-1998-po-chih-leong/=90/100
11.    Resident Evil (2002, Paul W.S. Anderson)-82/100=https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/26/horrorfest-2013-presents-resident-evil-2002-paul-w-s-anderson/
12.    Pumpkinhead (1988, Stan Winston)-90/100=https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/horrorfest-2013-presents-pumpkinhead-1988-stan-winston/
13.    The People Under The Stairs (1991, Wes Craven)-86/100=https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-people-under-the-stairs-1991-wes-craven/
14.    Mimic (1997, Guillermo del Toro)-88/100=https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/horrorfest-2013-presents-mimic-1997-guillermo-del-toro/
15.    Bloody Birthday (1981, Ed Hunt)-76/100=https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/11/01/horrorfest-2013-presents-bloody-birthday-1981-ed-hunt/
16.    The Prophecy 3: The Ascent (2000, Patrick Lussier)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-prophecy-3-the-ascent-2000-patrick-lussier/=73/100
17.    Graveyard Shift (1990, Ralph S. Singleton)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/horrorfest-2013-presents-graveyard-shift-1990-ralph-s-singleton/=70/100
18.    Sisters (1973, Brian De Palma)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/horrorfest-2013-presents-sisters-1973-brian-de-palma/=91/100
19.    Village of the Damned (1960, Wolf Rilla)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/horrorfest-2013-presents-village-of-the-damned-1960-wolf-rilla/=90/100
20.    Terror Train (1980, Roger Spottiswoode)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2013/12/26/horrorfest-2013-presents-terror-train-1980-roger-spottiswoode/=80/100
21.    TerrorVision (1986, Ted Nicolaou)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/horrorfest-2013-presents-terrorvision/=81/100
22.    The Video Dead (1987, Robert Scott)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-video-dead-1987-robert-scott/=74/100
23.    City of the Living Dead (1980, Lucio Fulci)-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/horrorfest-2013-presents-city-of-the-living-dead-1980-lucio-fulci/=81/100
24.    Leprechaun 2 (1994, Rodman Flender), Slasher-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/horrorfest-2013-presents-leprechaun-2-1994-rodman-flender/=79/100
25.    The Funhouse (1981, Tobe Hooper), Slasher-https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/horrorfest-2013-presents-the-funhouse-1981-tobe-hooper/=91/100
26.    Phenomena (1985, Dario Argento)-Slasher/Supernatural-Netflix
27.    Opera (1987, Dario Argento)-Slasher-Netflix

One Night Three Bavas: https://madman731.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/one-night-three-bavas/

28.    5 Dolls for an August Moon (1970, Mario Bava), Slasher-Netflix Instant Viewing=81/100
29.    Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970, Mario Bava)-Slasher-Netflix Instant Viewing=92/100
30.    Bay of Blood (1971, Mario Bava)-Slasher-Netflix Instant Viewing=88/100

Thus ends Horrorfest 2013. I enjoyed watching a ton of movies and being scared and thrilled during a three month period. I can’t wait for Horrorfest 2014. Cheers.