The Zombies of Cornish Village

Pierce rises from the grave in Plague of the Zombies

I hadn’t intended on writing this so early in the morning (or late if you consider it), but while putting together the two pieces for Thursday evening, Turner Classics was showing some Hammer flicks. I wrapped up Hangover Square (1945) and The Gorgon (1964) was already on—and I have always liked it (for the most part)—so while formulating my thoughts I left it on TCM. I really think Cushing’s portrayal of the doctor/scientist in this village, doing what he thinks is best for his nurse, Shelley (probably my favorite of her Hammer work, although nothing beats, “Come here…lemme kiss you” as a Dracula-turned vampire in Dracula: Price of Darkness (1966) to me), to keep her safe and yet he puts others at risk while keeping her "condition" close to the vest, but despite his best secretive efforts, the outside world will not allow him to keep her tragic casualty of an evil possession (the full moon bringing out Megaera) from eventually surfacing, that dominant spirit just not allowing her to ever escape for a better life won’t let her be free. Richard Pasco was worse for wear after coming in contact with The Gorgon, somewhat aging him while also making him ill. Soon his mentor, played by Christopher Lee, arrives to help out his friend, looking for answers on why Pasco’s father is dead. With Dr. Who’s own Patrick Troughton as a police inspector who is elusive and difficult and Jack Watson as Cushing’s loyal aid/muscle who even attempts to knife Pasco at one point. Lee’s care for his friend, stern disregard for the tactics of this village with their secrets, and confrontational style is a blast to watch on screen in a rare heroic part…sadly he can’t keep his friend away from Shelley. Shelley spends the film trying to get answers from Cushing who remains tight-lipped and mum, his resolve not to say much quite infuriating to others wanting to know what is going on. A better Medusa at the end would have really made this film quite memorable. But it looks great until that ending and the cast gives performances of a caliber that helps give the film value. Cushing and Lee briefly spend screen time together, but it is contentious as the former wants to keep Shelley shielded from harm while the latter persists to find Megaera. Pasco tragically in love with Shelley is doomed because of her condition. ***/****

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But Plague of the Zombies (1966) was the big late evening film closing out Thursday. It never fails to impress me. Great cast, some really creepy graveyard scenes (that nightmare village doc, Brook Williams, has where the zombies in robes, pasty rotted flesh and soulless eyes is a real gem; but, to me, nothing quite bests Pierce rising from the coffin and towards Morell and Williams), sleazy company voodoo practitioner, John Carson, keeps, and a gnarly inferno at the end between Carson’s home and mine. The zombie screeching before dropping Pierce’s dead body to the ground while a horrified Diane Clare looks on is another high-five. Morell as the lead hero, sort of the B-division of Hammer’s hierarchy of stars, is perfectly cast. His intellect, balanced maturity, strength, and level-headedness is badly needed because Williams is at odds with the village who have lost their own, unbeknownst to them, thanks to Carson’s voodoo blood dolls in little coffin boxes. Ripper’s role in this one compared to Plague’s sibling Hammer classic, The Reptile, is less significant, as an inspector trying to find out why locals keep winding up dead…he still is in the thick of it, though. Loved the Cornish village setting, the look of the zombies, and the selective use of voodoo as a weapon so that Carson can operate his mine through the undead. I really like Hammer’s B-division and they made some real good ones. ***/****