Reviews

This is the sequel to the 1936 Flash Gordon serial. Flash and company go from the planet Mongo to the planet Mars. The same cast return with the addition of Frank Shannon as comic relief. Beatrice Roberts plays Queen Azura, "Queen Of Magic". I personally missed seeing Priscilla Lawson as Princess Aura. Charles Middleton is and always will be "Ming The Merciless" This serial is also Jean Rogers last portrayal of Dale Arden. This is a fun serial to watch. 15 thrilling episodes with clay people, forest people, Flash, Dale, Dr. Zarkof and, i do so love her, Beatrice Roberts. Well, girls and boys, buckle up have you're popcorn at the ready and enjoy. John R. Tracy.

Flash Gordon was a first rate serial. I know there were a few goofs, however, i didn't watch it for the flaws. Buster Crabbe is Flash Gordon. He was not a trained actor but he gave a very good, convincing performance. Jean Rogers is pretty and at 20 yrs. old did, in my opinion, a pretty good job. Charles Middleton as Emperor Ming, is superb. He was in a lot of other movies, quite versatile, he could sing and dance. His portrayal of "Ming The Merciless", in all 3 Flash Gordon serials, was top notch. The rest of the cast also did a very good job. Well, boys and girls, get some popcorn, settle back and enjoy. John R. Tracy.

The Horror Of Dracula is, in my opinion, the best Dracula film to date. Christopher Lee is excellent as the undead count. He is tall, athletic, aristocratic, and with just the right air of superiority. This is, by far, his best role. Peter Cushing is his equal in every way. He is better known for his portrayal of Baron Frankenstein, however, his Dr. Van Helsing is not second rate. The supporting cast also do a very good job. This film is loosely based on Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula". Terrence Fisher did an excellent job as director, and basically allowed the actors to do what they were trained to do. The ending is one of the best in cinema history. If you've never seen this film you're in for a treat, if you have seen it, watch and enjoy it again. I've seen it over 15 times and i still enjoy watching it. John R. Tracy

"Scrooge", A/K/A "A Christmas Carol", with Alastair Sims is the best, by far, adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic. Alastair Sims was the perfect choice to play Scrooge. Sims took Scrooge from a lonely, unfeeling man who cared only for money, to a person who finally got it, and reformed. The other cast members including, but not limited to, Kathleen Harrison, Mervin Johns, and Hermione Baddeley all did a fantastic job. This film was directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and filmed in glorious Black and White. I have seen this film over 15 times and never tire of it. Once you've seen this classic, no other adaptation of Dickens' story will measure up. Enjoy! John R. Tracy

Vampyr was a French/German film production. Produced and directed by Carl Dreyer. Dreyer's classic film portrays a dreamlike world seen through the eyes of a young man, portrayed by Julien West. This film is very nightmarish, and has a lot of dreamlike sequences. Also, this film is loosely based on Sheridan Le Fanu's classic "Carmilla". The cast is unknown, and, from what i understand, made up from a lot of his friends/supporters. I know, it's slow moving, however, pay close attention to the part where David Gray watches himself being buried alive in a coffin complete with a glass window. What a scene! Sit back, enjoy and, as i, you may have to watch it a couple of times to get the full impact. John R. Tracy

"The Revenge Of Frankenstein" shows just how good, with the right director, and cast, a horror film can be. Most horror film fans know that Baron Frankenstein was a lot more interesting than his creation. Hammer, wisely chose to follow the exploits and give more screen time to Baron Frankenstein. Peter Cushing turns in a superb performance as the Baron, Francis Matthews is quite capable as his assistant, Dr. Hans Kleve, and Michael Gwynn is very good as "Karl" Dr. Frankensteins' creation. This film picks up where "The Curse Of Frankenstein" ended. Along with "Horror Of Dracula", "The Brides Of Dracula", "Night Creatures", "The Mummy", And "The Curse Of Frankenstein", these are my favorite Hammer Horror Films. Sit back and enjoy. John R. Tracy.

This movie made in 1958/59 has Roger Cormans' signature all over it. It's one of his quickies, however, not one of his best. The leeches are laughable, the acting basically phoned in. However, for a 1958/59 B-movie, on a rainy afternoon, well, it will get you through. I know that there are a lot of flaws in this film, however, remember the time when it was made and this movie was intended as a second feature B- picture. Yvette Vickers, i believe a former playboy model/playmate, is worth the look alone. I know, Roger Corman is usually slammed, in his role as director, as king of the Z pictures, however, he has made a few good ones. "A Bucket Of Blood", "The Pit And The Pendulum", "Tales Of Terror", And "The Haunted Palace", just to name a few. This isn't his best, however....enjoy. I know, I know, Bernard Kowalski, was the director, however, Roger Corman was the executive producer. Please, don't storm my castle. John R. Tracy

Night Creatures, a/k/a/ Captain Clegg is a pretty good pirate yarn. It was based on a 1915 novel by Russell Thorndyke titled "Dr. Syn". Later this book was, in 1936, made into a film starring George Arliss. Peter Cushing, Patrick Allen, and best of all, Michael Ripper, as Jeremiah Mipps, were excellent. Michael Ripper, in his best Hammer movie role, almost stole the picture from Peter Cushing. The movie moves along pretty well and there are enough twists to keep you interested. Peter Cushing shows off his athletic ability, along with his oratory skills. Oliver Reed is quite good in his role as the Squires'son, Harry. Beware of the marsh phantoms. Enjoy! John R. Tracy.

I have seen this movie a number of times, and i never get tired of watching it. James Whale was at his best directing this film and he had a marvelous cast to work with. Colin Clive, the tortured Dr. Frankenstein, Mae Clarke,[ a fellow philadelphian], his loyal, yet confused, fiancée. Frederick Kerr, the old bungling Baron, Marilyn Harris as little Maria, John Boles, with his matinée idol good looks, coupled with his stoic acting style, and last, but best of all, Boris Karloff. Karloff was about 44 yrs. old when he took on this role and boy, he made Frankenstein's monster his, to date no one has come close to his performance. Girls and guys sit back and enjoy. John R. Tracy .

I've watched this movie a few times and although Peter Cushing gave his usual great performance this film falls a bit short of the mark in Hammers' Frankenstein cannon. First and foremost, there is no continuity between this film and it's predecessor, the very well done,"The Revenge Of Frankenstein" This has a lot to do with Freddie Francis being Director instead of Terence Fisher. Kiwi Kingston looks like a 3rd rate Boris Karloff, however, being an ex wrestler, and not an actor, also, wearing very bad makeup he does his best with the material handed to him. The supporting cast, Sandor Eles, Peter Woodthorpe, Duncan Lamont, and David Hutcheson, do an OK job, it's just that with the very good "Curse Of Frankanstein" and the excellent "The Revenge Of Frankenstein" i was expecting a lot more. It's still a film worth seeing. Grab that popcorn and enjoy. John R. Tracy

I first watched this film on TV in the late 60's, early 70's. At that time i thought that it was a pretty good film. Recently, i purchased it on DVD and have, somewhat, changed my mind. The atmosphere, castle and surrounding settings are very good, however, the acting could be better. The opening sequence is great, however, the movie goes downhill from there. Graziella Granata, is drop dead gorgeous and Walter Brandi, her husband/male lead is OK. My main problem is with Dieter Eppler, the Vampire. He is way too stiff and his makeup is overdone. He,i assume, does his best with what he has to work with but looks like an extra in a stage play, who just comes in and out. The music is fine and the film, overall, is worth watching. I just feel that it could have been so much better. John R. Tracy

I've watched this movie a number of times, and found it to be very good. This movie is also known as "Castle Of Terror", "Coffin Of Terror", and "Dance Macabre". Barbara Steele, is her usual beautiful/creepy self. George Riviere, the male lead, does a good job with his role. The whole movie is dripping with atmosphere, and there is a good deal of tension throughout. The camera angles are good and the acting, for the most part, isn't bad. This film is quite suitable for a rainy day or evening. I have the DVD uncut version, which is far superior to the edited TV version. Grab some popcorn, turn out the lights, settle back and enjoy. John R. Tracy

The Brides of Dracula is one of the best films put out by Hammer studios. The cast is excellent and David Peel, as Baron Meinster, stands out. I know, he is not Dracula, however, he wasn't intended to be. He does very well with the material handed to him. Peter Cushing, as usual is excellent. Martita Hunt, and Freda Jackson are supurbe. The rest of the cast, including Yvonne Monlaur, do a good job. I know, Yvonne Monlaur has been described as week, however, watch the film and you will see that she holds up her end just fine. If you haven't seen this film then sit down , get some popcorn, a soda, and enjoy. You won't be disappointed. Reviewed by John R. Tracy.