What would it have been like to have the Universal
monsters
meet Hammer Horror in Italy? I like to think that the outcome of that
meeting
would be glorious. Though their eventual meeting was less than what
we've
dreamed up, it was still an interesting glimpse into the possibilities
that would
soon cease to be. I'm talking of course about “The Curse of the Crimson
altar.” Starring three horror icons and boasting a supporting cast of
stars in their own right, this film will live on if only for that reason.
"Crimson altar" features the godfather of
universal horror, Boris Karloff, in his final completed role as Prof. John Marsh,
an expert in witchcraft and the occult, how fitting for one of the first true
masters of horror. He is joined by his hammer films counterpart in many ways,
the seemingly immortal Christopher Lee. Lee plays J.D. Morley, a sinister man
if ever there was one. And then, of course,
we have Barbara Steele as the ancient witch in green paint no less (or blue
depending on your particular print).It sounds awesome right? It’s not really
but it’s enjoyable for what it is.
Robert Manning (Mark Eden) is in search of his brother Peter,
who disappeared while in the country looking for antiques. His search leads him
to a small forgotten town and a man named Morely. Morley says he never heard of
Peter but Robert is welcome to stay at Craxton Lodge. Having nothing else going
on, he does so and thus meets Morley’s ridiculously hot daughter Eve (Virginia Wetherell)
and ends up all brother Peter, who’s that? Maybe they weren’t very close. He
also meets the witchcraft expert extraordinaire, Prof. John Marsh, now isn’t
that handy? He’s gonna need all the help he can get because soon he begins
having dreams about beautiful witch Barbara Steele, who asks him to sign his
name in her big black book. Will he succumb to her wishes? How is J.D. Marsh
involved? Whose side is Prof. Marsh really on?
This film has a bad reputation that I feel comes from high
expectations. Sure, it by Tigon films, considered the low end of British horror
in their day, but still, this film suffers from having a merely serviceable
script and an exceptional cast. If the film was cast with lesser known actors
instead of three horror heavyweights, I doubt it would have been so harshly criticized.
Mark Eden actually stands his ground against the living legends and there is
also good support from Michal Gough as the village idiot manservant Elder.
Besides the awesome cast, I did like the way the two worlds
are presented very differently. The
opening scenes take place in swinging London, filled with hot Mod girlies in
all manner of undress and intoxication. But when Robert leaves in search of his
brother, there is a shift and the film becomes very Gothic in intent and
traditionally creepy. Not unlike The Wickerman, this movie has two distinct
realities.
The film is based on H. P. Lovecraft’s "The Dreams in
the Witch House" but buyers beware, there is little to nothing at all in
common with Lovecraft. This film was made in 1968, long before we realized that
we can’t make Lovecraft stories into films (Re-animator and From Beyond being
exceptions). For a better crack at the story, check out “Dreams in the Witch House”
from season 1 of Masters of Horror, directed by Stuart Gordon.
It’s a slow paced film with good atmosphere, creepy costumes
and great actors. It’s kind of a town with a secret story, not too inventive
but it sports some interesting moments. In the end, this is Karloff’s final film
and the only one he does with fellow legends Lee and Steele. Though not what we
would have liked, it stands as a reminder of all the things that could have
been.
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