MovieChat Forums > Curse of the Undead Discussion > End of an era

End of an era

posted 20 years ago by BijouBob8mm
8 replies | jump to latest

Universal almost invented the sound horror film in the 1930s. While other studios turned out horror titles, it was the back-to-back success of DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN that proved (in spite of controversy and criticism over the subject matter) that monsters meant money. Other studios cashed in on this with their own projects, but Universal developed the Fright Film Franchise, bringing back their monsters to star in their own series throughout the 1930s and 1940s. By the 1950s, Gothic horror had pretty much died out, and Universal turned its attention toward (then) contemporary science fiction thrillers. But when a small British studio called Hammer Films enjoyed runaway success with such fare as CURSE OF FRANKNESTEIN and HORROR OF DRACULA in the late 1950s, Universal once again returned to the B&W horror genre, with this unusual blend of cowboys (always popular film fare) and vampires. A risky premise, but it worked quite well. It would be Universal's last B&W gothic horror, but it was a worthy last gasp. This used to turn up on TV frequently, then vanished until a long overdue video release. And the unusual use of thermin on the soundtrack adds an unearthly overtone to the tale.

[–] m12merc 18 years ago

I couldn't agree with you more. I love this movie and I was sure
Universal was going to include it in their Monster Collection,
but I was wrong! Why this movie isn't on dvd is a mystery to me.
Eric Fleming and Michale Pate were equally matched on opposite sides, and Kathleen Crowley didn't hurt the equation either.
Please Universal, release this title on DVD!!!

[–] Chris_Oblivion 17 years ago

Yes, a region 2 DVD also!

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 13 years ago

But a sanguine belly warmer just the same.

Absolute perfection in the face of woofing!

[–] babettegillette 14 years ago

Totally agree!

[–] chongajuly 13 years ago

It was indeed the end of an era, but there was one further title to come, "The Leech Woman," released in Spring 1960, but fittingly copyrighted 1959. Pittsburgh's CHILLER THEATER, hosted by Bill "Chilly Billy" Cardille, showed most of the Universal titles from 1931-1959, with the original SHOCK THEATER titles first appearing in 1965 (the debut of the '31 "Frankenstein"), with the 50's titles arriving in 1973. I can name only three films that didn't air- "This Island Earth," "The Land Unknown," and "The Incredible Shrinking Man." The only surprise for me was the unwelcome presence of "Curucu, Beast of the Amazon." There is a wonderful book on UNIVERSAL HORRORS, first published in the late 80's and updated since, but they stopped by 1946. The Jack Arnold decade deserves inclusion, especially since the studio received a complete overhaul by 1962, and would never be the same again. Carl Laemmle purchased some land in 1915, and the studio name has survived into the next century.

[–] vpilutis 13 years ago

I agree it should be on DVD, if I may go OT now all the times I saw the film I never understood how he was able to go around in daylight and yet he still went back to his grave from time to time, I think it had something to do with the lady's father's body but so what how? Anyone know?

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[–] johnbernhard 12 years ago

How about the fact that he climbs in onto of the dead owner of the coffin?
When it comes to coffins, one's company, 2 is ...well

[–] vpilutis 12 years ago

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?!

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