If nothing else for horror fans the seventies was the best
time for fans of the anthology horror film. Movies had been made like this in
the past but nowhere near the number that came out in that decade. TALES FROM THE
CRYPT, THE VAULT OF HORROR, TALES THAT WITNESS MADNESS, FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE
and more saw short horror stories tied together with a single thread that
horror fans were eager to see. Many of these films were produced by Milton
Subotsky whose Amicus Films company released them. They also had the pleasure
of starring actor Peter Cushing. Well both can be found connected to a nice
little film now being released by Severin called THE UNCANNY.
The central story here revolves around a reclusive author
Wilbur Gray (Cushing) who is urging publisher Frank Richards (Ray Milland) to
publish his latest book that tells tales of cats being involved in the deaths
of people. Gray is cautious, fearful that the cats are listening in as he
relates his stories while Richards passes off his fear as nonsense. But each
story Gray points out has that element of cats in it.
The first takes place in 1912 in London and involves an
elderly woman named Malkin (Joan Greenwood) who is overly affectionate with the
cats she has. So much so that the wealthy woman is changing her will and
leaving all of her money to her cats as opposed to her nephew Michael (Simon
Williams). But Michael is taking steps to prevent this by having an affair with
his aunt’s maid Janet (Susan Penhaligon). He wants her to steal the will and
destroy it. But when she attempts to do so a scarp with Mrs. Malkin results in
her dying. As Janet attempts to retrieve the will she is attacked by the cats
and chased into the pantry. Can she survive the attack?
The second story takes place in 1975 where young Lucy
(Katrina Holden) is orphaned and sent to live with her aunt Mrs. Blake
(Alexandra Stewart), her husband and her daughter Angela (Chloe Franks). Along
with Lucy is her treasured cat Wellington and several books her mother left
her. Angela is the epitome of a terrible child, treating Lucy terribly and
blaming any and all things she does wrong on her. Of course her parents are
blind to her actions up to and including disposing of Wellington. Using the
books her mother left her, books on witchcraft, Lucy will have her revenge
though and Wellington will play a major role in that revenge.
The third and last tale takes place in 1936 Hollywood where
the actress Madeline De’ath (Catherine Bégin) is accidentally killed on the set
in an iron maiden while being filmed. Still determined to save the picture her
husband and co-star Valentine De'ath (Donald Pleasance) suggest that they bring
in a young actress he knows named Edina (Samantha Eggar) for the role. He fails
to mention that Edina is also his mistress or that he had something to do with
the failed iron maiden. The producers accept the proposal and filming restarts.
But Madeline’s cat has other plans in mind.
The film ends with Cushing reiterating his concerns about
cats and their attacks on people, claiming these are no mere coincidences and
that there is a plan behind it all. Is he right or is it all just by chance?
Watch and see.
Of the many anthology films I have to admit that this is one
of the weaker ones. That being said it was still a lot of fun to watch with
high quality production values on screen and behind the camera. The acting on
all parts was truly gifted running from the more serious offerings of
Penhaligon to the campy style of Pleasance as he chews scenery with ease. And
as a fan I have to say that anything Cushing applied himself to was worth
watching.
Severin has done a fantastic job with the print used here,
scanning from an inter-negative recently discovered in a London vault. It
offers the cleanest looking version of this film to be found to date. In
addition to that they offer two extras, a current interview with Penhaligon and
the trailer for the film. I’ve got to say that Severin has stepped up their
game when it comes to competing with companies like Arrow and Shout for films
like this. Let’s hope they continue to do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment