Horrors of the Black Museum (1959)

Director:

Arthur Crabtree

Writers:

Herman Cohen (writer)
Aben Kandel (writer)

Release Date:

24 November 1959 (Japan)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

It Actually Puts YOU In The Picture - Can You Stand It?

Plot:

The promotion announced that this film was released in "Hypnovision" which gives an idea of the story...

Plot Keywords:

Binoculars | Murder | Police | Author | Stockings

Cast

Michael Gough	...	Edmond Bancroft
June Cunningham	...	Joan Berkley
Graham Curnow	...	Rick
Shirley Anne Field	...	Angela Banks
Geoffrey Keen	...	Supt. Graham
Gerald Anderson	...	Dr. Ballan
John Warwick	...	Insp. Lodge
Beatrice Varley	...	Aggie
Austin Trevor	...	Commissioner Wayne
Malou Pantera	...	Peggy (Gail's roommate)
Howard Greene	...	Tom Rivers
Dorinda Stevens	...	Gail Dunlap
Stuart Saunders	...	Strength-Test Barker
Hilda Barry	...	Woman in Hall
Nora Gordon	...	Woman in Hall

Also Known As:

Crime in the Museum of Horrors (USA)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Unrated | UK:X (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Merton Park Studios, Merton, London, England, UK

Company:

Carmel Productions

Trivia:

This was the first American International release to be in both color and Cinemascope.

Quotes:

Bancroft: No woman can hold her tongue. They're a vicious, unreliable breed!

Movie Connections:

Edited into Creepy Classics (1987) (V)

Whatever you do, don't call him "Eddie".

Amusing British B horror film in which London is terrorized by mad killer on the loose. Insufferable journalist / author Edmond Bancroft (Michael Gough), who delights in exploiting the macabre side of life, makes life hard for the investigating Scotland Yard detectives on the case. Not to mention his meek assistant Rick (Graham Curnow).

Originally released in a process called "Hypnovision", this film does at least have a good look going for it. It's nice to see a British B horror from the 50's period in color and the CinemaScope aspect ratio. And it does feature some nice touches of gruesomeness. The killer here uses some ingenious devices. (Great opening scene of a comely young lass being dispatched with lethal binoculars.) The whole idea of a "black museum", which would revolve around the act of murder, those who commit it and their implements, is another intriguing plot point. The mystery aspect of this film is virtually non-existent, as it becomes clear fairly soon into the picture who is responsible. It's then really a matter of how soon they can be apprehended, or indeed if they even will. (It's better not to read the review of the film that used to be included in the annual Leonard Maltin paperback movie guide. They pretty much lay it right out for you.) Still, it's enjoyably macabre stuff with an amusing sadistic streak.

Lovely June Cunningham and Shirley Ann Field are good visual attractions among the cast, with Curnow a reasonably likable Rick and Geoffrey Keen (probably best known as Minister of Defense Sir Frederick Gray in the James Bond franchise) is entertaining as the frustrated Superintendent Graham. But with Michael Gough in the film, all attention is pretty much snatched up by him. His scenery-devouring acting is just a hoot to watch. If you're a fan of his, you simply have to see this film.

A short running time (79 minutes) certainly helps; this film moves along well to a conclusion that fails to completely satisfy; it just doesn't have enough punch. But it's a reasonably fun film to watch just the same.

7/10