Old School Horror: The Black Sleep (1956)

 A great Cast does not always a Classic Film make.  This is The Black Sleep, a 1956 Horror/Thriller with some big potential.  The Film is also important for a key historical reason.  

Right off the bat, you have to know who's in this Film. 
Basil Rathbone. 
Lon Chaney Jr. 
John Carradine. 
Tor Johnson. 
Bela Lugosi.  

How many notable names can you get for one Film?!?  As a bonus, it was Directed by Reginald Le Borg, who was behind the lens of a number of notable Films.  Jungle Woman, Weird Woman, Calling Dr. Death (both parts of the Inner Sanctum Series) and The Mummy's Ghost- just to name a few.  

Back to Lugosi, this would- unfortunately- be the final Film that he completed before his death.  Yes, his Test Footage/Random bits for Plan 9 don't count for this. 
So why is a Film with so many Stars/Attractions and a (dark) historical importance so forgotten? 
The Plot involves a mad Doctor, brain surgery and a random-ass Third Act.  To find out how this turns out, read on...

A man is sentenced to death for a murder he didn't commit.  His Doctor friend- Rathbone- gives him a formula that fakes his death and takes his body away.

He awakens as a free and 'dead' man.

The pair are up to no good, doing experimental surgery on people that the latter catches.  They are then drugged with the titular substance.

The guy on the right was supposed to be Peter Lorre, but his asking price was too high.

The 'dead' man is a Doctor and agrees to help Rathbone with his treatments.

His work involves brain surgery and it, well, is a work in progress.

One of his past subjects- Mongo (Chaney).

He used to be a Doctor, but the surgery made him a bit crazy.
His Daughter works with Rathbone, but it gets awkward when her Dad keeps trying to choke her to death.

Lugosi is another Subject, but he's better off- he's just mute.

Just don't try telling Bela (back when you could) that he was better off- he was pissed that he got no Dialog!

As enough time goes by the good Doctor and the Daughter suspect that more is going on.  They're right.

They see the previous subjects and find out that they are still alive, albeit mutated and/or crazy.

They also find out that the Doctor was framed for his crime (shocking, I know) by Rathbone and the 'victim' is still alive.  It's another mute, angry-faced Tor Johnson role.

The show-stealer- an absolutely bonkers John Carradine as a man who thinks that he's a Soldier in The Crusades!  It's like he's from a different Movie!

It all leads to a silly confrontation that ends in all of the bad people being killed...in pretty lame ways.

The Cops arrive and...that's it.  The End.

A Film that should be great.  Basil Rathbone as a Mad Scientist- great.  Lon Chaney Jr as a mute marauder- good.  Lugosi as, well, anything- good.  It's just a shame that the big attractions don't get to do nearly enough.  

Carradine appears so late in the Film that he can't do much more than steal the Show.  He's such a fun, random character that him being in here like this is just plain weird.  He belongs in a big, broad Comedy and this ain't one!  Chaney is, well, that's about all he can really do.  You don't lose much with him here- no disrespect.  The same goes with Tor, although his towering presence is a nice treat.  You get a mute killer showdown that we were denied when New Line didn't go with Jason vs. Michael back in the day.  Even if it is brief, seeing the pair have a face-off is a bit like that 'tease a match for later during a big match' thing that the WWF/E likes to do.  

Lugosi is wasted here the most as I genuinely can't talk about anything interesting he does.  He exists in the background (see above) and that's about it.  What excuse do you have?  

Rathbone does shine here, as he was clearly determined to make his villain more than one-dimensional.  You get the same basic beats that you'd later get with Classics like Eyes Without a Face (got no human race) or the less-classic Mansion of the Doomed.  Good for him.  

The Film is pretty damn dry and that's a shame.  You can have some fun with this one, but...eh, it's just alright.  

On the plus side, this Film is the context for this weird picture you see making the rounds on Google...

Next time, I cover another Black Film.  Will Bela get a second chance?  Stay tuned...

Rare Holiday Flix: Old Mother Riley Meets the Vampire (1952)

A Film only a Mother could love.  Assuming said Mother had never seen a Comedy before, that is.  This is Old Mother Riley Meets the Vampire, a 1952 Comedy starring a British Comedy 'Legend' that I had never heard of before.  Given the quality of this one, I can't imagine that I'll hear it again either.  This Film goes by many different names, as it was changed for both the U.S. Release AND the U.S. Re-Release in 1963.  Yes, someone released this TWICE and ON PURPOSE.  This is the last in the Mother Riley Series and somehow the most famous.  Why?  Bela Lugosi, baby!  Right before he was mourning his dead wife for Ed Wood, he was over in England appearing in this.  Is this more embarrassing than Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla?  No, but close.  This is one of those Films where the Stories behind it are actually kind of interesting, even if the Movie isn't.  I'll go into most of them in the Review proper to spice up the Recap.  Sufficed to say, Bela was in England and needed money, so he agreed.  The Plot involves a Mad Scientist who thinks that he's a Vampire, Old Mother Riley, a shipping mix-up and a Plot to conquer the World.  Incidentally, the copy I found was from the re-release, so it has a new Title, omits Bela from the Credits AND has an Allen Sherman Song over the intro.  To find out why this is so infamous, read on...

In England, the Vampire is kidnapping people.  He's actually just a confused Scientist who wants to rule the World.

So two things...
1) He's not a Vampire, so that this could be shown to Kids, apparently the biggest audience for this.
2) Bela came to England for a Revival of Dracula.  It failed and he was stuck in England, leading to this Film.  That's why he has his outfit.

This is Old Mother Riley.  She runs a Shop and sings a song about how she shouldn't pay her debts.

Somehow, this is the TWELFTH TIME this Character led a Film and it is apparently considered to be the original 'guy in drag succeeds in Comedy.'  Suck it, Medea!

She inherits something from a dead Uncle, which makes her happy.  It also doesn't lead to another song, so it makes me happy.

There's a mix-up at the port and she get the Robot made for Bela.  He apparently made it, but also needed to ship it to himself, because...shut up.

This leads to lots of 'hijinks' involving Riley...but she's annoying, so I'll skip it.

I won't skip this factoid though- this is the only Riley Film without the Daughter Character.  Why?
Well, the Actor and Actress were MARRIED and had a nasty split in 1951.

There is quite a bit of random, physical comedy here that apparently was done by his understudy.  The Actor that played Riley died 2 years later, so I guess that's no shock.

This shot of her jumping out a window does encompass my feelings though.

It all comes down to a bunch of physical comedy bits, including a prolonged 'throw vases at each other' bit.

The confusing highlight- this part where Riley grabs a gun and it fires...arrows...that hit different spots.  What and or huh?!?

Oh and the Robot is supposed to be a big part of this.  Riley takes AGES to find it in front of her, runs from it, but then easily takes it apart when the Plot says so.

It all builds up to a big chase, a shoot-out with the Police and Bela being caught.  Riley, meanwhile, crashes a bike into the water and breaks the 4th Wall.  The End.

Bad, bad stuff.  Maybe there was a time and place where this was hilarious.  Like I said, they made 12 of these, so maybe I'm just wrong.  Bad Comedies are always the worst ones to sit through.  Riley is loud, obnoxious and not very likable.  She randomly gets heroic in the 3rd Act, so go figure.  Supposedly there were attempts made to shoot more footage of Bela and use less of Riley for the U.S release, but Bela was too ill.  It's a damn shame, since he's clearly the best part of this.  Like his other Poverty Row Films, Bela suffers for us (and the paycheck).  Even in his more frail state, his natural showmanship is here.  It's just a shame that people only wanted to use him as a comic foil in his later Years- the man was talented!  If this was more of a showcase for him, this would be easier to recommend.  As it is, it is a pretty bad, pretty broad Comedy with very little Plot and structure.  They kidnap Riley, then make her a Maid, then try to get her to work for them on their plan and THEN she just leaves- Story Part over.  All of the stuff that should be interesting- Bela, the Robot and him thinking that he's a Vampire- are not used enough.  In their place, bad comedy and a Sub-Plot or two that goes nowhere.  This is ostensibly about Bela needing a map to a Uranium Mine to make his Robot Army, but that barely plays a part.  Even at the end, he gets the info and...it's not there?!?  What?!?  You may disagree, but I've had my lifetime share of Old Mother Riley.  I will point out this doubly-funny (I think by accident) fake Newspaper.  First, you have the redundant writing on the left.  Second, you have the Headline to a Story that I'd rather read than watch this Film!

I wish I had gone with my backup plan for this Year.  At least that would have had some interesting Murder in it.  Happy Mother's Day!

Old School Horror: The Return of the Vampire

Not exactly a Sequel, but it really wants you to think it is!  Today's Film is The Return of the Vampire, a 1943 Vampire Film Starring Bela Lugosi (!) that is NOT a Dracula Film.  Well, he's not playing Dracula, but he is.  This one comes to us from Columbia Pictures and not Universal, hence the name change.  They find a rather different way to make the Title fit, so this isn't completely misdirection.  The intention is still clear here, however, so let's not shy away from it.  Bela himself wouldn't return to the role until 1948's Abbot & Costello Meet the Frankenstein, making this the awkward middle child of the 'series.'  The Film involves a different Vampire going on a killing spree, getting stopped and then coming back years later (in the year the Film was actually made).  He also has a Wolfman.  The Film is very casual about this, so I will be too, I guess.  Notably, the Film features a fairly-strong female heroine.  It is 1943, so good for you.  How good is the whole Film though?  To find out, read on...

A Wolfman!  Wow, that was fast.

He wakes up his Master to do some evil back in 1918.

I have to note how idyllic and silly this Family looks by today's standards.  The Son is asking if he can play a song on the Piano before he goes to bed!  If only!

 Fairly soon, the Wolfman is followed back to the Vampire's Tomb and the latter is slain.  It is only 15 minutes in, so I thought my Disc had skipped or something!

Cut to 1943 and the Nazi Bombing of London shakes free the Vampire's coffin.  Two blokes see a stake in his heart and think it is shrapnel, removing it.

Oddly, they don't die.  Go figure.

The Vampire returns (first showing Bela) and takes on the identity of a dead Scientist.  He wants to get back at the woman who killed him before.

Now, I guess she didn't see his face before.  Otherwise, how the hell does this Plot work?

He targets her Son's fiancee and later the Son himself.

Oddly, they imply that the girl attacked the Son...but then the Vampire later casually cops to doing it.  Weird, right?

The woman figures it all out and makes a play against the Vampire.  Kudos to the Film for this nice bit of imagery.  Since it is only 1943, it isn't nearly so cliche to boot!

In an interesting turn, the Wolfman- who was freed when the Vampire was killed and then re-enslaved- does the final deed, dragging the Vampire out and staking him.

As Not Dracula melts, I should note that the Bombing inadvertently aids the deed.  Bonus credit to the Nazis!

Oh...The End.

Fun, old school stuff.  What else can I say?  Bela is back- fun.  A Vampire and a Wolfman- fun.  A WWII-era Vampire Film- bonus.  All it needs now is the cliche shot of someone walking down the Stairs in a trance...

Next up, I continue to sort through the mixed 'bag' of Films.  It is probably going to involve Zombies, so heads up.  Stay tuned...

Sons of Kong?: Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla (1952)

Thank Space Jesus this is over!  At long last, I am done with the Sons of Kong Set.  Who's stupid idea was it to do all 10 of these?  Oh, right.  Naturally, I'm going out with arguably the worst one in the whole group.  The Film- Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla.  I don't really need to spell this one out, do I?  No?  Well, tough shit!  I looked this crap up and you're going to read it.  The Director- William Beaudine.  Yes, the Director of Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter and Billy the Kid vs. Dracula.  Crap.  The Stars- Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo.  I'll actually forgive you for not knowing those names.  These guys basically stole Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis' routine- while they were still doing it!  Fun Fact: Mitchell had an Uncredited Role in a Martin & Lewis Film in the same year that this one came out!  The Film also features Bela Lugosi (who's not actually Credited outside of the Title), white Natives and, yes, that same damn Monkey Suit!  Ugh.  The only way that this could be worse if Mantan Moreland was in this.  He's not.  You probably thought that I was going to say that he was for some sort of ironic effect, right?  Wrong!  To see how this Set ends with (an unfunny) bang, read on...

After a random batch of Animal Stock Footage, we learn that two Comedians were found in the Jungles of...Made-Up Land with White 'Natives.'  They turn out to be Mitchell and Petrillo (playing themselves).

They each end up with a lady, although the one who likes Petrillo is fat.  As such, she deserves no love!  How dare she?!?

They end up working with a local Scientist (Bela) who uses them for random work.  He's not evil!

Petrillo continues to mug and mug as...yeah, this Movie has barely any Plot...Moving on...

In a bit they stole from an Abbott & Costello Film, Mitchell is turned into an Ape.  Mug, damn you!

At a Tribal Gathering, Bela goes to shoot the Ape-Mitchell (Trademark!), but Sammy takes the shot.

Sadly, he's not dead!  He was just having a dream and a stomach ache.  Yea- more Story theft!  They do their Act again and the Film (and their Comedy Career) ends.

Bad.  Bad bad BAD.  Just...just really bad.  That's all there is to it.  It isn't funny.  It isn't exciting.  It isn't scary.  It just sucks.  My God, it sucks.  This is apparently the only Film containing the pair of Mitchell and Petrillo doing their schtick.  Oh darn.  I feel bad for Bela here.  We all know that he didn't have much time left at the time this one was Shot.  Is this the best you could give him?  Sorry, Bela.  Seriously, avoid this one at all costs.  If you won't take my word for it, let's see what Martin & Lewis thought of this one...

Up next, some more Screener action.  With so many out there, who knows what I'll do next.  Stay tuned...

Sons of Kong?: The Ape Man (1943)

Another Lugosi Film is far more preferable than another Mantan Moreland Film!  Poor Bela- the man was never bad.  For whatever reason, Universal was just so non-committal with him.  He arguably is the biggest reason for the rise of the company as a Horror Film giant.  His performance as Dracula set everything in motion IMHO, so seeing how they treated him is not kosher.  Is it because he turned down the lead in Frankenstein?  Is that why you did crap like hire him for only Supporting Roles with Karloff (when he could be a lead!), cut all his dialogue from his turn as The Monster in a later Frankenstein Film and just generally mistreated him?  For shame!  That leads into this Film- 1943's The Ape Man.  Instead of Universal, this one is by...Favorite Films Corp.  Ouch.  In this one, Lugosi is a Scientist who is cursed by his own experimentation and must find a way to cure himself.  The solution: killing people alongside an Ape.  That's what happened to Marie Curie too, right?  This one is pretty schlocky, but nowhere near as bad as other stuff you'll see here.  How does it fare overall?  To find out, read on...

In a Newspaper-style Exposition Dump, we learn that Lugosi has vanished...strangely.

As for me, I want to know what the results of that 'Job Survey' were.  Were they good?

The other Doctor brings Brewster's wife to his home and she sees...Ape-Man Lugosi.  Ouch.

To keep the Story going, we have two Reporters.  In a dated bit, the guy has to explain that he's not a 4-H and has permission to stay stateside during the War.  Okay.

After hiding from the Reporters, Lugosi escapes.  You see, he needs something to make his cure: spinal fluid.  According to this Film, taking it would kill someone.

Okay- either Medical Science has advanced GREATLY since 1943 or they didn't know shit!

As a side-effect of his Altered States-like transformation, Lugosi now controls this Ape to help him.

They kill enough random people to get the stuff, but the other Doctor smashes the vial...and pays!

In traditional fashion, it ends up that Lugosi has captured the lady Reporter to harvest her spine!

However, a struggle occurs between him, the Ape and the Police that finally arrive.  Bad guys die.

Before you go, here's the actual final shot of the Film though.  Neat.  The End.

Silly, cheesy and...not that bad, really.  There are some obviously-dated aspects of the thing, but they don't take away from the Film.  It is just nice to see one of these that is neither in the Jungle (with 'Natives') or 'old-timey Racism.'  This one is just about a Mad Scientist, a transformation and an Ape.  Nice, wholesome fun.  Good stuff.  Mind you, it is not that great of an actual Film, but it is what it is.  Lugosi embraces the role and really just goes for it.  He makes this work, even if the Story is complete bull.  The old-timey banter between the two Reporters is fun too.  Is it shallow?  Yes.  There are a bunch of silly, little things here that make it extra fun.  The fact that they have to disguise the sounds of an Ape being whipped in the basement- good.  The fact that they try to cover it by claiming it is a recording of a ghost- great.  The fact that Lugosi somehow has a close-circuit TV view of the door- excellent.  This is a great example of what fun, schlocky Movies of the day were like.  You'd go to the Theater every day and pay a penny to watch this kind of thing (plus the War Update and the Cartoon).  Quality-wise it isn't that great...but who cares?  I sure don't.

Next up, I jump to the future- in more ways than one.  At Maynard's request, I review a Film he likes- will I though?  Stay tuned...