Saturday is Horror Day #211 - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

 The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

Baskerville Hall has been cursed after Sir Hugo Baskerville sullied the place with his drunkenness, violence, and complete disregard for anyone but himself. But one night he finally went too far, and a curse was placed upon his descendants. Fast forward a number of years. The current master of Baskerville Hall has died under, shall we say, mysterious circumstances, and his son, now Sir Henry Baskerville (Christopher Lee) is headed home to claim his inheritance. However, he is mindful of the curse and reluctant, so he seeks advice from renowned detective, Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing). Holmes listens to his tale, though obviously he gives no credence to the possibility of a curse. However, when a tarantula almost kills Sir Henry in Holmes' flat, he admits that maybe someone wishes to harm him.  He agrees that Sir Henry should not travel there alone. However, he himself cannot accompany him, but there is no reason that his associate, Dr. Watson (Andre Morell) cannot. So the two men set off.

On arrival, they discover that a prisoner by the name of Selden has escaped from the nearby Dartmoor 

Prison. At the Hall, Sir Henry finds a couple who served his father, the Barrymores (John Le Mesurier and Helen Goss). Holmes left strict instructions to Watson to never allow Sir Henry to go onto the moors alone, but one night he does just that and meets a strange girl. He impulsively follows her, despite her obvious desire to lose him, and becomes instantly smitten. He learns that the girl, Cecile (Maria Landi) lives with her brother Stapleton (Ewen Solon) nearby. 

Doctor Mortimer (Francis De Wolff) had attended Sir Henry's father before his death and advises the son to be careful as he has a weak heart. Watson and Sir Henry run into a pastor (Miles Malleson) with an unusual penchant for entomology, and a telescope that seems to be fixed on the Hall. Hearing the fabled hound baying across the moor is just the icing on the cake, as Watson inadvertently puts himself into the very predicament Holmes had advised against. Is the curse of the Baskervilles a real thing?

This 1959 version of the famous story by Arthur Conan Doyle, is a Hammer film featuring two of the studio's greatest stars - Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It was also the first Holmes film to be shot in color. Peter Cushing makes a great Holmes, although there is no evidence of his drug habit, but that is not surprising for the times in which this was made. As is the lack of real violence. It doesn't have to be seen to be felt, after all. Imagination plays a great part in good horror films. I like Andre Morell's Watson, who was not made out to be the buffoon that Nigel Bruce was forced to play. In fact, he is a good foil for Cushing's Holmes. Christopher Lee is his usual patrician self as Sir Henry Baskerville. I do have to say that the relationship between Sir Henry and Cecile was sudden and not believable. Luckily it's but a small part of the plot. Also, in the original story the Stapletons were posing as a brother and sister when in actuality they were married, but in this film, they are father and daughter. 

Even after all these years, this film holds up as a good version of the story, and I enjoyed it as much as I ever did.  I am a huge fan of Basil Rathbone's Holmes, and also the more recent Benedict Cumbermatch series, but Peter Cushing is just as good. I'll give this film 4 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #37(8.3)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Dealing with a vampire is not always easy. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #37(8.3)

“Are you hungry?” Avram ventured a guess. “I can take care of that for you.” He didn’t really think that was the issue, as the vampire had only recently fed. Or at least he assumed he had. They’d never really discussed what happened that night between him and the late Doina, and he wasn’t about to ask.

“I’m fine, Avram. You worry too much.” The vampire unexpectedly flicked the tip of Avram’s nose in a playful gesture.  At least he appeared to be in a good mood, all things considered.

“It is perhaps… companionship you seek?” Avram was trying to be delicate and not offensive when questioning the state of his foster father’s libido. Another topic that was not willingly touched on

In one graceful move, Nico seemed to glide across the deck. He slung a companionable arm about Avram’s shoulders. Leaning in to him, he asked in a seductive tone, “Are you perhaps offering?”

Oy vey, this man can be so infuriating.

Avram knew damn well the vampire was toying with him in order to provoke a reaction of some sort. Why, he didn’t know. Boredom, perhaps?  The success of his maneuver could be attested to by the sudden warmth in Avram’s cheeks, despite knowing Dracula was kidding. Well, according to the saying, turnabout is fair play.

“And what if I said yes?” he riposted, dramatically fluttering his eyelashes. “Would that answer your question?” He puckered his lips, as if he were ready to be kissed.  His gesture was met with a disdainful laugh as Nico pulled away from him, crossing the boat to stand looking out across the river.

When Avram glanced at him, he was surprised to see a slight shudder steal through the vampire’s frame.  Or perhaps it was a trick of the moonlight.

“We were invited to join Andrei and his family, would you like to do that?” Avram hoped he sounded more optimistic than he actually felt.

“Not we… you.”

Of course he’d heard. Foolish to think otherwise.

“Don’t let me stop you, Avram. Feel free to associate with the hoi polloi if that is what you desire.”

Avram clenched his fists in anger at the offensive words, although he was not surprised by them either. The vampire thought he was above everyone else and always had. No wonder he got along with the Hapsburg bitch so well. Avram’s only consolation was that he not only charmed the empress, but he also dominated her in private. And she reciprocated with financial gratitude. That was the only reason they were headed to Vienna now—besides needing to get away from Bistritza, at least for a little while, they really needed the money.

Maria Theresa would put them up, she’d done it before. And Nico would play dominant to her submissive. As for Avram, he would simply try to stay out of her way. Antisemitism was strong in that one. He would have to rely on his own ingenuity and Nico’s assistance to avoid her as much as possible. To that end, they posed as master and servant.

Naturally, Avram got to play the part of the servant. What else could he do?

 to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

Saturday is Horror Day #210 - Glorious

 Glorious

After a painful break-up, Wes (Ryan Kwanten) hits the road as well as the bottle. Finding a remote rest area, Wes tries to get the only candy bar from an antiquated vending machine but is thwarted. A strange woman observes him and helps him retrieve the errant candy, offering him some strange advice - to clear out his back seat so he can sleep horizontally. The intoxicated Wes heeds her advice and gathers all the stuff by a fire pit, where he burns it. Satisfied, he heads into the rest area and promptly gets sick in one of two stalls.

Thinking he is alone, as there were no other cars in the lot, Wes is startled to hear a voice (J.K. Simmons) 

coming from the other stall. Wes isn't exactly in the mood for conversation, but the voice is persistent and even sympathetic.  All Wes wants to do is get his girl back, not trade life stories with a strange in a men's room. Thinking there is something off about this strange man in the stall, Wes tries to leave but finds himself locked in.  The voice introduces himself as Ghat, and he has something important to tell Wes. He says Wes being there is no accident, and they have important business that needs to be taken care of together. In fact, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

This film is most definitely unusual and very Lovecraftian in nature and does take place entirely inside a bathroom. And yet it manages to keep you guessing about what is really going on, who or what is Ghat, and how is Wes going to get out of this place intact? Is that even possible? And what's going on with that glory hole? You might remember Ryan Kwanten from True Blood - he played Sookie's crazy brother Jason Stackhouse. And everyone knows and loves J.K. Simmons.  Even though we never see him, just hearing his recognizable voice is enough to picture him.  Wes has to deal with his own demons, both literally and figuratively, and the outcome is never certain until the very end. It's a short film but I think it's definitely worth watching. I'll rate this film between 3.5 and 4 Stars, mostly because of J.K.Simmons.

Book Review: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

 

Parable of the Sower       

Author: Octavia E. Butler

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition

American release date: April 30, 2019

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Dystopian Fiction/368 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Lauren Olamina is fifteen years old, the daughter of a Baptist preacher. She lives a sheltered life with her family inside a gated community in the Los Angeles area. But sheltered is a relative term as the world has become something virtually unrecognizable from what it once was. Drastic global climate change and a series of economic crises have proven to be too much for mankind to handle and society has disintegrated into lawless chaos. Mere survival is a struggle and the luxuries of yesterday but a dream. What is left of any government is of no help. If you want police protection, you have to pay for it, and there is no guarantee you’ll receive it. Building on fire? The fire department will charge you for the water to put it out.

Lauren lives with her father and stepmother and three brothers. Her birth mother was addicted during her pregnancy to a drug that caused Lauren to become hyperempathetic – she can feel other’s pain, and that is not a good thing. Even living in a gated community isn’t a perfect solution. There are problems within and problems without. Junkies and others break in to rob and harm people. A new drug, called Pyro, causes those who take it to enjoy setting fires, so that is what they do.

People dream of leaving the state and heading north – to Oregon, Washington, or even Canada. But there is no guarantee that safety lies up North, or that other states will allow people inside their territory.

Lauren has listened to what her father preaches all of her life, but at fifteen, she no longer believes in his religion. She has her own ideas about how things work, and she begins to write them down. She calls it Earthseed, and at the core is her belief that God is change. She keeps her writings secret, and she also prepares a pack of necessities, in case she has to leave in a hurry.  Her forethought proves to be propitious when an unexpected calamity drives her away from her home, heading who knows where. Now it’s a question of how she can survive, and who can she trust?

This is my first time reading Octavia Butler, but it won’t be my last. She is an excellent writer who draws you into her world so that you quickly become immersed.  The dystopian world she describes is eerily similar to the world we now live in, although written in 1993. But the book itself begins in 2024, which is unnerving at times, and continues up through 2027. I have to warn you that it is a bleak story in many ways, where the rich have everything and the poor are fighting for scraps, with little protection or guidance. It’s almost as if she could read the future.

I like the basic concept of Earthseed, but I would make one change in her philosophy. I would not refer to any God, for that term is really outdated and archaic, but I think Life works instead. Life is change. And that we know to be true. If this is our future, it is bleak indeed. Change needs to happen, and quickly. There is a second book in the series, which I intend to read. I’m hoping for a happy, or at least a happier ending. This book is well worth reading. And hopefully someone will come away from it with ideas on how to keep it from happening.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #36(8.2)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

As if Avram didn't have enough to worry about, now Andrei has seen things he shouldn't have. At least not for his and Nico's safety. Will he tell? Only time will tell. And what is Dracula up to now? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #36(8.2)

“All I ask,” Avram began again, but Andrei quickly interrupted.

“I know what you are asking. And out of respect for Father Gunther, I won’t say a word.  And for you. But not for him.” He spat in Dracula’s direction, although it was a meaningless gesture as the vampire was nowhere in sight, resting below deck. Despite his brave words, though, Andrei spoke softly, as if fearful of being overheard.

That would have to do, Avram decided. He was fairly certain, though, that Andrei would manage to communicate at least some of his apprehensions and beliefs regarding his passengers to his cousin. For that, he couldn’t blame him.  He would just have to deal with any potential problem as they arose, and hope that Nico did nothing else he should not. At least not within sight of the man who was providing their next form of transportation.

*

The sun was just beginning its fiery descent into the horizon before them when Andrei poled the boat to a stop and set the anchor. Avram saw no sign of the man they were to meet, but he also wasn’t sure precisely what the smugglers’ arrangement was.

“We are early,” Andrei announced to Avram. “He will arrive in the morning. In the meantime, I’m going to visit with my family. You are welcome to join me.”

Although he didn’t say them, the words but not him hung palpably in the air.

“Thank you, but I shall stay here. We’ll be fine,” Avram assured him, although he knew Andrei didn’t really care if Nico was fine or not. He couldn’t really blame the smuggler—the vampire’s manners were not always the best, and it was useless to argue with him about them. Although he could be most charming when he chose to be, or when it was required. And he would need to use all that charm where they were going.

“As you wish. Take care, Avram.” With a quick nod, Andrei disappeared over the side of the boat and slipped away into the encroaching night.

Mere moments after the smuggler was out of sight, Nico casually emerged onto the deck. Not very subtle, was he?  “Good evening, Nico.”

“Avram.” The vampire nodded as he gave a cursory glance about the deck, as if to ascertain what he already knew.

“He won’t be back until morning,” Avram volunteered. “His cousin won’t be here until then either, so Andrei is staying the night with his family. I assume they live nearby.”

“Better for me then.”

Avram narrowed his eyes at his employer. What was he up to now? And how would his actions get them into any further trouble than they were already in? But Dracula’s expression revealed nothing.

Avram hesitated for a moment. He rose from where he’d been sitting, the groan from his aching bones testifying to the fact that he hadn’t moved in a while, and cautiously approached the vampire. “Better for you what?”

“Perhaps better for me you should not know.”

Avram swore he could see a smirk on those well-formed lips. He rolled his eyes and shook his head in disdain. “That has never been and never will be in our best interest, Nico. I would rather you tell me now and save me the trouble of cleaning up some mess after the fact.”

When Nico flinched, Avram wondered if perhaps he had gone too far.

No, he didn’t really think so.

to be continued

Now go visit the other Briefers and see what's up!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday is Horror Day #209 - The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake

 The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake

Anthropologist Jonathan Drake (Eduard Franz) has a recurring nightmare about shrunken heads. He believes that the men in his family are cursed because of a longstanding feud with a tribe of South American Indians. Concerned about his only brother, Kenneth (Paul Cavanagh), he decides to visit him. But he arrives to find a funeral for his brother in progress! When he demands the coffin be opened, he is horrified to discover his brother's head is missing!

Drake's only child, Alison (Valerie French) is concerned about her father, as his Dr. Emil Zurich (Henry 

Daniell), a fellow anthropologist. The police are baffled, when they do bother to take the situation seriously. The investigation is being led by Police Lieutenant Jeff Rowan (Grant Richards). It quickly becomes clear that his interest in the case is primarily due to the presence of Alison. One night, her father is attacked and seems to be dead. But closer inspection shows this is no natural happening, but a poisoning! It's a race against time to learn what has happened to Drake. When it is discovered to be curare, the investigation is turned in a completely different direction. Now Drake's life is even more on the line than before, although they are no closer to discovering the person behind this series of events. A possible hypothesis was disregarded as preposterous but they might have to consider it now!

Before I discuss the film itself, there are factors to take into consideration. First, it was made in 1959, 

and it looks it. Black and white (not a problem for me, sometimes adds to the ambience of a horror film). The acting is indicative of the time. Not that it's bad, but stiffer than we might be used to now. Also, the writing. Naturally, it is not gory, and any violence, including heads being sliced off, are off screen. That being said, that could have been a little more smoothly.  There is a character named Zutai, who belongs to the same South American tribe and resembles a living shrunken head, with rather gruesome makeup. Charles Gemora did not only the makeup for the film, but also designed and sculpted the shrunken heads.

It was probably pretty scary back in the day. I didn't find it frightening, but I thought it was interesting to watch. Two of the actors were well known and very well respected, Eduard Franz and Henry Daniell). I have seen both in other things, especially Daniell. I think he does horror well. That being said, no, not a great film, but something a little different in the horror genre. How often do you see shrunken heads as the subject of a film? Beetlejuice doesn't count, although that was a great shrunken head! I'll give this film 2.75 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #35(8.1)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Now that Andrei has seen what Dracula is capable of, will that make things awkward for the trio? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #35(8.1)

When had life become so difficult? Avram wished, not for the first time, that they’d remained in Bistritz. Sure, problems arose there at times—usually of the financial variety, but nothing such as this. Only when they ventured out of the relative safety of the castle and its environs did they find themselves embroiled in conflict. Of course he understood the reason for their leaving, but that didn’t make the current circumstances any more palatable.

The storm they had so skillfully evaded, thanks to Nico, had eventually petered out, a reluctant sun appearing at last.  But it had clearly not been forgotten. Avram could tell that Andrei was clearly shaken after having witnessed Dracula’s masterful manipulation of the elements. He maintained a respectful distance from the vampire, which was facilitated by the latter fortunately choosing to spend most of his time below deck. There was no longer any reason for them to assist Andrei, everything running smoothly now. Avram couldn’t help but notice that from time to time the smuggler made a sign with his fingers as if to ward off evil, one that he aimed toward Dracula, although the gesture was lost to the vampire.

Avram sighed. He hadn’t wanted to say anything about what had happened, but common sense told him he needed to.  “Andrei,” he began tentatively. The other man was tending to the sail. He glanced toward Avram. Almost warily, it seemed to Avram.

“Yes, Avram?”

“I would appreciate it if you would keep what happened… that is, what you saw…. Well, between us, if you don’t mind.”  He hoped his request would be enough. No need to get Nico involved as that might not end well for anyone.

Andrei quickly crossed himself and shuddered. As though someone had walked over his grave, to paraphrase Swift. He didn’t speak immediately, as though considering his words.

“The old bunica,” he finally muttered. “She has said things. I never gave them any credence before, because she’s crazy, you know, but now…” The words hung heavily in the air between them as he turned an accusing gaze at Avram. “You should know better than anyone, Avram. Is he what they say he is?”

His worst fears realized, Avram braced himself for the word strigoi—or some variation thereof—but it never came. What Andrei asked, he could never and would never admit to. Not to anyone. He knew where his primary loyalty lay. He returned the smuggler’s gaze without flinching. He’d gone through this before— more than once— and knew how much their lives depended on his ability to weave a credible yarn.

“He is my employer,” he said simply. “And he’s my guardian. Nico took me in and raised me when I was but a small child, alone in the world, my parents dead. He didn’t have to do that, but he did. I owe him my life. And I know that he is a good man.” Inwardly, he cursed the old woman, wondering what exactly she was saying about Dracula. And why. That conversation would have to wait.

 to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb