Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I have seen it several times they run it on one of the cable channels here almost weekly, It is a good adaptation of the story, closer to the 1931 than to the book, Mr Lee is wonderful, very poinant at times as the creature, and Mr Cushing is his usual incredible self. great supporting cast as well. Kaitlin
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I have this film among my favorite ones. My DVD has this same layer. I see great interpretations, so much of Mr. Lee and of Mr. Cushing. Wonderful !
(my daughter Valéria after an accident of motorcycle, she walked similar to the creature... as the accident didn't bring bad consequences, today I can say " this was graced ".
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Well I just bought this film (along with the theatrical/directors cut film The WickerMan)....
I am looking forward to viewing 'Curse of Frankenstein'; as I really enjoy 'The Mummy'.....
Cheers,
Helen
P.S. For any of you interested in expanding your collection of 'Christopher Lee films'; I have noticed lately that Amazon (most of them worldwide) has recently started carrying a lot of Mr. Lee's earlier films......
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
This is in my top ten movies list. It not only introduced the world to Christopher Lee but it changed the face of horror movies forever.
The addition of colour,sex and that now famous Kensington gore paved the way for a whole generation of filmakers.
Christopher Lees interpretation of the creature is second only to the great Boris Karloffs.
The film just celebrated its 50th anniversary and I was lucky enough to be at Bray studios on the day.
The films writer ( Jimmy Sangster ) was there and even he was surprised at how good it has held up.
One of the very best British horror films.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Matt Gemmell.;36906 wrote:
T
The addition of colour,sex and that now famous Kensington gore paved the way for a whole generation of filmakers.
Matt, Please excuse my naiveness; but what is this 'famous Kensington gore'?
Cheers,:confused:
Helen
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Helen Dyer;36907 wrote:
Matt, Please excuse my naiveness; but what is this 'famous Kensington gore'?
Cheers,:confused:
Helen
Hello everyone,
Well, Helen, much as I am tempted to jump in here, I shall leave Matt to explain about the "Kensington gore". I just wanted to say that I was really surprised that you haven't seen The Curse of Frankenstein yet. Perhaps the film has not be shown on US television very often, but over here in the UK it has been shown many times in the past, although not so much nowadays. Well, all I can say is that you're in for a real treat, Helen! This is one of my favourite films with Mr Lee and Peter Cushing together, and, as Kaitlin said, a great supporting cast too. Moreover, it benefits enormously from having a coherent and well-developed storyline, something that was sadly lacking from many of the later Hammer film efforts. Although the "star" of the film is Peter Cushing, for obvious reasons, nonetheless Mr Lee gives a very poignant performance as the creature, and manages to imbue the character with a great deal of pathos, not an easy task given that he has no dialogue in the film. In fact, Mr Lee, referring to this film, recalls that he burst into Peter Cushing's dressing room - in full costume - brandishing a copy of the script and waving it around like a madman saying (I'm paraphrasing here) "Do you realise I haven't got any lines!" To which Peter Cushing replied "You're lucky, dear fellow! I've read the script." Anyway, I am sure you will enjoy this film Helen. Take care and God bless:
Warmest regards,
Andrés
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Andres, You are surprised that I haven't seen The Curse of Frankenstein?!
Since I spend what free time I have trying to find (Sometimes with the help of my dear friends:love:), obtain and then watching the earliest of Mr. Lee's films; and that I rarely if ever watch Television (and then mostly BBC America!) it really isn't a surprise....I would love it if some station here in the USA would run a 'Christopher Lee Film Fest'!!!!! (THink how many hours of film watching that would be!)........
Anyway this will be remedied (hopefully) within a week, as soon as the film arrives!
Cheers,
Helen
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Helen , you will see that it will be worthwhile to see the film. It is great!
I would be very satisfied if in my country there was a station to pass films of Mr. Lee. When I was child there was a session of the dawn where some films were exhibited with Mr. Lee, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Price, Mr. Carradine and other... But there was a rota of more or less 20 films that repeated, it repeated... and I attended, I attended and it never I tired.
I still seek for the film ( The Poor Devil) this was entertaining.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I just finished watching 'Curse of Frankenstein'...Excellent film! Although Mr. Lee's screen time was somewhat limited, I enjoyed his portrayal of the 'Monster'....There seemed to be a touching 'sadness' to the creature.....Mr. Cushing was wonderful as Victor Frankenstein, and the supporting cast definitely added a great element to the story.....I am very glad I obtained this film for my collection!
Thank You for all your comments!
Cheers,
Helen
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Joakim Lundberg;36942 wrote:
Pas the marmelade will you Helen?. This is the best film in my opinion on the Frankenstein theme.
Here's the Marmalade!
What you say is true Joakim; though I would be more inclined to say that 'Curse of Frankenstein' and 'Frankenstein (Boris Karloff)' are the best films in the theme.....
Curse of Frankenstein was an interesting interpretation (to me) from the standpoint (and maybe I am wrong on this) that there seemed to be more emphasis on the 'Relationships' of Victor Frankenstein (with his family; tutor; and the creature).
I have always thought that it was (for me)an interesting psychology that one always feels inclined to be sympathetic towards the creature, rather than repulsed....
Kaitlin, I agree with you! Your comment made me think about how I tended to pay more attention to Mr. Lee's movements as 'the creature'....Especially Mr. Lee's hands...I don't think that I would have noticed his hands as much if it weren't for the fact that they were part of the storyline!
Ah well; Very interesting and enjoyable film and one I will enjoy watching again.....
Cheers,
Helen
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
One of the great horror interpretations indeed. The film guaranteed box office success for the Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing pairing forever after. A Region 2 dvd box set titled 'Hammer Horror Originals' is available, containing 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957), 'Dracula' (1958) and 'The Mummy' (1959) - in my opinion probably the three best horror films Hammer Films made.
Incidentally, I'm re-reading Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' after many years. Even though countless vampire films have been and gone, the original story is so well written that it is more frightening than any film interpretation could ever be. You need to read it just before dropping off to sleep........
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I would have to say that this is one of my favorite Lee/Cushing pairings. I used to have a VHS recorded copy that I got from American Movie Classics before they started ruining films with commercial interruption. I purchased a Hammer DVD box set containing this film, Horror of Dracula, The Mummy, and a few others. The film does run on American TV, but not as often as it should.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I first saw The Curse... sometime in the early 'eighties and it was often shown on tv during the next ten years ago. It was a great period to be a film fan, as British television often broadcast movies which are now rare, such as The Two Faces Of Dr Jeykll (which I have very fond memories) and The Man Who Could Cheat Death.
The Curse isn't my favourite Frankenstein movie (that's probably Created Woman or Must Be Destroyed), but Mr Lee is up there with Karloff in his portrayal of the creature. A wonderful piece of acting (Mr Lee does more with no dialogue that most actors who are given huge speeches).
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I agree with you David. Mr Lees perforemance is comparable to the star making perforemance of Karloff, and made all the more believable opposite Mr Cushings role of Dr Frankenstein.
Although the original was a true classic for it's time and a film I love to watch at least once a year, and the acting top rate, most noteably that of Karloff. I do think that Mr Lees portrail, and makeup had a greater sence of realism. The way Mr Lee approached and developed the character, physically and emotionally, in such a short span of time, was perfect.
In fact I might just watch it again tonight.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
I totally agree, he has the most expressive eyes I think I have ever seen. He does so much with his facial expression even though it had to be almost impossible to move his face under that makeup. There is also a great example of this in the Mummy.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Steve Thompson;38763 wrote:
I The way Mr Lee approached and developed the character, physically and emotionally, in such a short span of time, was perfect.
In fact I might just watch it again tonight.
Mr Lee's talent becomes apparent if you compare Curse with Evil, where the creature is played by an ex-wrestler chosen for his height rather than his acting skills. In Lee's hands the creature is a character, rather than just a monster.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Hi, everyone!
Exellent choise, Juan!
"The Curse of Frankenstein" is one of my favority Hammer Studio! This movie had a stronger start in Hammer Films and The Triangle Lee-Cushing-Fisher. It´s the beginning of all beginnings in Horror Movies!!!
All the best,
Christian
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
well i've just seen this one a couple of times. & it IS a good film indeed. it's NOT my favorite Lee Film though. i have yet to get this on dvd unfortunally. 
anywys, "The man who could cheat death" i've seen that one i didn't think it was THAT great of a film. it was decent buut NOT GREAT! Two Faces of Doctor Jeckyll i STILL have yet to see unfortunally.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
Hello, Aluizio!
Good you to see here with us (I have not been entering indeed in MSN, a lot of work PHEW!) I tie the computer, but I don't get to be for close during the day... you know how the system is... a person making the 3 people's work...
Ah! Today 
Really Mr. Lee was grandiose in the monster character. Without forgetting that to see him working with Peter Cushing it is doubly grandiose.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
That good for seeing here. You does not find Frankentein or Horror of Dracula to a DVD on the 30 years?
Isabel Alves;39084 wrote:
Hello, Aluizio!
Good you to see here with us (I have not been entering indeed in MSN, a lot of work PHEW!) I tie the computer, but I don't get to be for close during the day... you know how the system is... a person making the 3 people's work...Ah! Today
Really Mr. Lee was grandiose in the monster character. Without forgetting that to see him working with Peter Cushing it is doubly grandiose.
Re: The Curse of Frankenstein
One of these days I need to obtain this film and watch it.....:tomato:
Cheers,:creep:
Helen
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