Review of The Undead

Before I dissect this 1950's Horror classic. I want to take a moment in tribute to one of Hollywood's most underrated producer/Director Roger Corman. Corman who is labeled as the most frugal movie producer in Hollywood history with hundreds of films to his credit spanning six decades of work was also the mentor to heavy weights in the film industry as well. Corman influenced many successful actors at the start of their careers , Jack Nicholson, Robert DiNero,Sylvester Stallone,Dianne Ladd and Talia Shire. Many current successful film directors were mentored by Roger as well, Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, Francis Ford Coppola to name a few. Out of the many films Roger produced including Little Shop Of Horrors which set a record for the quickest profitable movie ever made shot only in two days time. Only six films were monetary failures. For Roger's work in the Movie industry, he was finally presented with an Academy Award in 2009 for his lifetime achievement in films. You might say Roger planted many seeds in Hollywood that sprouted many successful directors, actors, writers and countless behind the scenes people. On to the film THE UNDEAD shot in dreary and foggy black and white. A scientist/psychic Quintus Ratcliff (Val Dufour)merely by happenstance comes a cross a prostitute Diana Love (Pamela Duncan) on a street corner. Takes her back to his laboratory where they are met by his colleague Prof. Olinger (Maurice Mason). I know what your thinking but there's no need to keep your thoughts in the gutter. This is strictly scientific in nature. In this small sized room with an centered examination table plus what looks like an E.E.G. machine (electroencephalogram) with wires attached as they take their shapely brunette on a journey like no other, back in time, Her past lives. Diana stops during the dark ages somewhere in England. Witches and the Devil himself are part of this dark foggy landscape. The colorful characters in this movie made this a curious tale to witness. Diana Love is now Helene who's personality is totally different than the defensive confident lady of the night. Helene is sweet and endearing totally the opposite personality. Troubled Helene is accused of being a witch and must proclaim her innocence and her love and leading man Pendragon (Richard Garland) will try to stop her beheading. Pendragon has a sexy rival Livia a real Witch (Allison Hayes) with her impish puny dwarf sidekick also with powers (Billy Barty) causing havoc for poor Diana. Other notable performances by the Undertaker Smolkin (Mel Wells) who sings catchy songs throughout and to prevent further trouble there's the unappealing Meg Maud (Dorothy Neumann). Every character is engaging in this twisted tale of past and present events. Through Diana Love's mouth on the table, the two scientist hear her story from humble and accused Helene. Ratcliff wants to travel back in time and prevent Helene to be spared as Professor Olinger sets up the machine for another traveler. All I can tell you is there's a price to be paid at the end of this story to make things as they are. Well written and one of Corman's best for that period.