American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. takes inspiration from his real life to help craft one of the most intense dramas of the year in Waves.
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Title: Curse of the Demon (1957)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Dana Andrews | ... | John Holden | |
| Peggy Cummins | ... | Joanna Harrington | |
| Niall MacGinnis | ... | Doctor Julian Karswell | |
| Maurice Denham | ... | Professor Henry Harrington | |
| Athene Seyler | ... | Mrs. Karswell | |
| Liam Redmond | ... | Mark O'Brien | |
 |
Reginald Beckwith | ... | Mr. Meek |
| Ewan Roberts | ... | Lloyd Williamson | |
|
|
Peter Elliott | ... | Kumar |
|
|
Rosamund Greenwood | ... | Mrs. Meek |
| Brian Wilde | ... | Rand Hobart | |
| Richard Leech | ... | Inspector Mottram | |
| Lloyd Lamble | ... | Detective Simmons | |
|
|
Peter Hobbes | ... | Superintendent |
|
|
Charles Lloyd Pack | ... | Chemist (as Charles Lloyd-Pack) |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Dr. John Holden ventures to London to attend a paranormal psychology symposium with the intention to expose devil cult leader Julian Karswell. Holden is a skeptic and does not believe in Karswell's power. Nonetheless, he accepts an invitation to stay at Karswell's estate, along with Joanna Harrington, niece of Holden's confidant who was electrocuted in a bizarre automobile accident. Karswell secretly slips a parchment into Holden's papers that might possibly be a death curse. Recurring strange events finally strike fear into Holden, who believes that his only hope is to pass the parchment back to Karswell to break the demonic curse. Written by Rick Gregory <rag.apa@email.apa.org>
Taglines:
Who will be the next in line to defy the curse? See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 March 1958 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Curse of the Demon See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (edited)Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Narrator: It has been written since the beginning of time, even unto these ancient stones, that evil supernatural creatures exist in a world of darkness. And it is also said man using the magic power of the ancient runic symbols can call forth these powers of darkness, the demons of Hell.
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Charles Edward Horne
Lyrics by Robert Herrick
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Jacques Tourneur never planned to show the monster, but to leave it instead to the audience's imagination. However, the studio insisted that the monster be shown, and added it in post-production, allegedly without Tourneur's consent, approval or involvement. "The scenes where we really see the demon were shot without me. All except one: I shot the sequence in the woods where Andrews is pursued by this sort of cloud. [Tourneur himself in Midi-Minuit Fantastique 5.65] + It should have been unveiled bit by bit without it ever really being shown." [in Cinefantsatique; '73.] See more »Goofs
In the opening shot, when Professor Harrington asks to see Karswell, he demands "I must see Dr. Karswell at once". When Bates, the butler replies, he refers to Karswell as "Mister", and nowhere else in the movie is Karswell addressed as "doctor". One would assume that Harrington of all people, having headed an investigation into Karswell and his cult, would know his title. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Narrator: It has been written since the beginning of time, even unto these ancient stones, that evil supernatural creatures exist in a world of darkness. And it is also said man using the magic power of the ancient runic symbols can call forth these powers of darkness, the demons of Hell.
See more »
Alternate Versions
Despite bearing the title "Curse of the Demon", the print currently available on videotape and television in the USA is actually the original longer (UK) cut. See more »Soundtracks
Cherry Ripe(uncredited)
Music by Charles Edward Horne
Lyrics by Robert Herrick
See more »
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This piece has stuck with me since I saw it as a child in about 1960. Our family enjoyed horror films, and we always thought that this one was memorable. Seeing it again recently, I haven't changed my mind. Given the effects available at the time and the creepiness factor, I've always though this was one of the better of the older horror movies around.
It is quaint, British, and builds slowly after the initial shock. Some comments say it was boring, shouldn't have shown the creature, Dana Andrews was drunk and sucked, etc. It isn't perfect, but like "The Haunting" and a few others made around that time, it succeeds well in creating an unsettling and generally engaging mood, including some humor, on a very small budget. I still think that the creature F/X was excellent for its time. I can imagine the film without seeing the creature, and maybe that would have been even more effective, again like "The Haunting".
I give it "A-" for effort and execution, and for avid horror buffs, it's definitely worth a watch or two. I've tested this one out with some younger folks, and they seem to really like it. Even a jaded younger horror fan used to blatant gore and in your face monsters said, "That creeped me out." FYI, the "Night" vs. "Curse" versions are different by several minutes of extra footage, which I recall was the séance scene and some connective dialog.