tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post5142291350101337531..comments2023-10-20T13:34:46.654-07:00Comments on Kevin's Movie Corner: Hammer Horror Blogathon: Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell Kevin Deanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-44672480083067766312013-10-30T14:19:12.905-07:002013-10-30T14:19:12.905-07:00Aurora, I first saw it in my teens as well, heavil...Aurora, I first saw it in my teens as well, heavily cut, on, I think, the USA Network, when they used to show horror movies on Saturday night. Saw quite a few Hammers there which I had never seen. I didn't care for it much, but appreciated it much more as an adult. <br /><br />I love Cushing's Van Helsing as well. He may be my favorite Van Helsing of all time. But his Baron Frankenstein is, for me, his most inspired creation. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-53699858250632212582013-10-28T17:53:52.311-07:002013-10-28T17:53:52.311-07:00Wonderful read, Kevin. I saw this movie many, man...Wonderful read, Kevin. I saw this movie many, many moons ago in my teens and haven't watched it since. Needless to say it's well past the time when I should revisit it. Cushing is a wonder and as much as I love him as Van Helsing, I must agree with you that Frankenstein gave him more opportunity to explore the deep recesses of a dark soul. <br /><br />AuroraCitizen Screenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596338896095275116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-83822703139903810992013-10-28T09:20:18.413-07:002013-10-28T09:20:18.413-07:00Jeff, I did not know that about the more graphic i...Jeff, I did not know that about the more graphic international version. So much for my idea of Fisher cutting away from the more gruesome operation scenes. But I know he did not like gore, and kept it to a minimum when possible.<br /><br />Gilby, thanks for the Veronica Carlson anecdote. I've been lucky to meet her on several occasions and she remains a most delightful lady. But "Horror of Frankenstein" still reeks.<br /><br />CW, yes, Cushing was an amazingly dynamic actor who could do no wrong in my book.Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-83093665579400078602013-10-27T17:41:38.219-07:002013-10-27T17:41:38.219-07:00I find it fascinating, and a testament to the acto...I find it fascinating, and a testament to the actor, that Cushing was still able to plumb depths to his characterization of the Baron. You make a strong case for the film. Well done.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-62051099778706513922013-10-27T05:26:37.814-07:002013-10-27T05:26:37.814-07:00Well done review. I agree, there was no where to g...Well done review. I agree, there was no where to go after this sequel. And you are so correct about the Ralph Bates film. This past summer, Veronica Carlson was at the Monster Bash Convention. She said that she was constantly commenting on the lack of quality of the script during production and was not surprised when it failed to spurn sequels.Gilby37https://www.blogger.com/profile/12559239743969365425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-9472652043408415712013-10-25T08:57:00.821-07:002013-10-25T08:57:00.821-07:00Great review! Apparently the uncut version is more...Great review! Apparently the uncut version is more graphic, though it has yet to be released on DVD in Region 1. I found the comments about Fisher having to use the monster makeup despite his reservations to be very interesting. The monster's probably the most distracting element of the film, though this is still one of the most interesting of his Frankenstein films in my opinion.Jeff Kuykendallhttp://www.midnightonly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-67447732892298382052013-10-24T13:21:20.122-07:002013-10-24T13:21:20.122-07:00Becky, I hope you like it. Some of the operation r...Becky, I hope you like it. Some of the operation room scenes are a bit gory, as opposed to earlier entries in the series, but from what I've been told about some scenes on current medical and forensics shows, they're pretty mild. <br /><br />Rick, I've never considered it a black comedy and take it as a straight horror thriller. In other words, I don't think all the action is taking place in the Baron's mind. But for a sixth film in the series, I think it's pretty good and the asylum setting helps the movie. It's not one of Hammer's best, but I still enjoyed it and there's lots of movie series that have ended on a much more sour note.<br /><br />I do apologize to my readers again for the amount of white space at the beginning. It looked OK in the preview, but no matter what I do, it always reverts to the white space. Because its the Halloween season, I'm blaming it on gremlins. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-56140674819846408782013-10-24T13:00:00.619-07:002013-10-24T13:00:00.619-07:00Kevin, I've looked forward to your review beca...Kevin, I've looked forward to your review because I've never quite known what to make of FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL. Some critics actually consider it a black comedy, which I don't get. Yes, it takes place in an asylum and, at this point in the series, one could argue that Victor Frankenstein was going a little nutty. But, other than that, it seems to be a straightforward entry with an increased emphasis on visual horror (the Monster is easily the least human-looking one in Hammer's series, though, as you pointed, that’s not Fisher’s fault). I agree with you that the best of the series is FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED. But it's a strong series with a great central performance by Cushing. I also admire FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN and THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN. I like Ralph Bates, but--you're right--HORROR OF FRANKEBNSTEIN is best forgotten and I don't consider part of the series either.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-65473517072840803902013-10-24T10:20:25.765-07:002013-10-24T10:20:25.765-07:00Kevin, I really liked this review of one Hammer Fr...Kevin, I really liked this review of one Hammer Frankenstein movie that I missed -- I thought I had seen all of them, and somehow passed over this one. You make such a good case for the development of Dr. Frankenstein through the series..."Countless lives are ruined as the Baron continues on his quest; he doesn’t care who he hurts..." Unlike Dracula, the Doctor is a human being, and it is hard to forgive him for what he does. That was truly obvious in one I thought was one of the best too, as you mention, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed. Cushing played the Doctor as downright sociopathic, and it was disturbingly well done. <br /><br />I feel bad for Fisher that the monster had to be designed in such a silly hairy way -- still, your review makes me want to see this one for the many reasons you outline. Great job, Kevin!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.com