Early AIP sci fi/horror work was inspired by the success of the book The Search for Bridie Murphy (which led to another AIP film, The Undead) although Creature from the Black Lagoon was also surely an influence; ditto Svengali.
Chester Morris is an expert in black magic who has a hold over the beautiful assistant Marla English. At the same time some murders are being committed by a creature from the sea... and it turns out the creature is Marla English in a past life (the theory of evolution holds sway here!)... although she later also might be a 17th century woman as well, which got confusing.
It's a silly sort of movie but I enjoyed seeing all the old time stars in it (producer Alex Gordon loved to cast them) - Morris, Tom Conway as a rich man who goes into business with Morris (a plot not really exploited), Frieda Inescort as his wife and Cathy Downs has his daughter. There's also Aussie Ron Randell as a policeman (though I didn't recognise him at first).
I also found the scenes along the beach at night quite spooky - the early discovery of dead bodies, the later attack sequences - and the creature was fun. There's also the stunning Marla English who looks great in low cut gowns and is very enigmatic and beautiful - she's not much of an actor but she has genuine presence. Lance Fuller is a poor hero but it's nicely shot and I had fun watching it.
No comments:
Post a Comment