Happy Birthday Carole Lombard (1908-1942)

I already posted about Carole on my other blog, Screwball Cinema about today being her birthday. But I had to post about her on here as well. For me, Carole Lombard was the greates actress ever. I loved her in everything she did. She especially shined in all those screwball comedies like Nothing Sacred, Twenthieth Century, To Be Or Not To Be, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith to name a few. Her life was tragically cut short due to that plane crash in 1942 but she left behind a legacy of great work. So, Happy Birthday Carole. And I will take a break from horror movies today to watch at least one of her films.

Classic Horror Films - Day 6 (REPULSION - 1965)

Catherine Deneuve stars as Carol Ledoux, a Belgian manicurist living with her sister, Helen (Yvonne Furneaux), in a London flat. Simultaneously attracted and repulsed by sex, Carol is a virgin who finds her sister's relationship with a married man, Michael (Ian Hendry), extremely disturbing. When her sister and Michael go on holiday, Carol begins to disintegrate mentally, hallucinating bizarre encounters, being forced into taking a sabbatical from her job and ultimately committing a pair of murders in her deranged state. A strange but effective thriller. Catherine Deneuve gives a terrific performance as the young woman who becomes unhinged. Very creepy.

Happy Birthday Kate Winslet

Happy Birthday to Kate Winslet, who is one of my favorite modern actresses. My favorite Kate films are Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, The Holiday, and Heavenly Creatures.

Classic Horror Films - Day 5 (The Birds)

A wealthy San Francisco playgirl (Tippi Hedren) pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness. A Hitchock film that starts off like a romantic comedy with all the banter between Hedren and co-star Rod Taylor. But then once the birds start attacking, hold on. The initial attack at the gas station is intense and exciting. Hitch keeps the suspense wound tight and the whole cast is perfect. Along with Hedren and Taylor, you also have Suzanne Pleshette, Jessica Tandy, and a young Veronica Cartwright. A solid thriller that still works almost 50 years later.

Classic Horror Films - Day 4 (THE UNINVITED - 1944)

Soon after moving into a house purchased at a suspiciously low price, a music critic and his sister (the wonderful Ray Milland and Rut Hussey) experience unusual occurrences. A beautiful young girl (Gail Russell) frequently visits the house and secrets of the past are revealed in a most terrifying manner. Solid ghost thriller that ranks right up there with The Innocents and The Haunting.

Classic Horror Films - Day 3 (THE WICKER MAN - 1973)

When a young girl mysteriously disappears, police sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee), is not at all what it seems. Before long, the devout Christian detective uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy. Excellent film with strong performances by Woodward and Lee. Not your typical film as The Wicker Man does get a little weird but it's always interesting and intriguing. And let's not forget Britt Ekland's racy dance sequence as she tries to temp Howie late one night. Oh and stay away from the dreadful Nicolas Cage remake.

The Women of Hammer Films - Joanna Lumley

Most modern audiences know Joanna Lumley from her stint as Patsy on the hit British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous during the 90's. But Joanna has had an eclectic career before that series ever came about. For one thing she starred in The New Avengers in the mid 70's that teamed her up with Patrick Macnee. And while this incarnation of The Avengers never achieved the level of success of the 60's version nor did it catuplut Joanna into stardom like Diana Rigg, it did show Lumley had some skill. But the reason she is a woman of Hammer is because she appeared in one and only one of the studios production called The Satanic Rites of Dracula.She played Jessica Van Helsing, granddaughter of Professor Lorrimer Van Helsing (Peter Cushing). This character actually appeared in another Hammer film, Dracula A.D. 1972, but she was played by Stephanie Beachum. Joanna won the role this time out and while she doesn't get to kill Dracula, she does have a memorable scene in a vampire infested cellar. It's been awhile since I've seen this film, but I do remember it being passable entertainment. So for this week, Joanna is the Hammer Goddess and I will post pics and facts about her all week long.

Classic Horror Films - Day 2 (THE INNOCENTS)

Deborah Kerr is top-notch as a spinster governess who must fight the spirits of her dead predecessor and lover for the souls of two orphan children. A classic thriller from 1961that uses superb cinematography and lighting effects for maximum chills. One of the best ghost films of all time.

Classic Horror Films - Day 1 (PSYCHO)

One of Hitch's best films he ever made. Anthony Perkins is perfect as Norman Bates, a young man who runs The Bates Motel, who has a serious mother fixation. Along comes Janet Leigh, a young woman on the run from the cops for stealing money from her job. And the rest is cinema magic. Psycho set the standard for all the slasher flicks that would follow, but it's still the best one. It works as a thriller and a character piece. You really get to know Norman Bates and Perkins does a helluva job. Janet Leigh is pretty good too. A must see.

New Poll started...

Since this month is Halloween, I had to do a poll on the subject of horror films. Who was your favorite Dracula....Bela Lugosi or Christopher Lee?