In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Tuesday 21 July 2015

The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

Abandoning the continuity that had been carefully established in their two previous Frankenstein films in favour of one that was more closely related to Universal's was a dick move by Hammer. Seeing an opportunity to make some easy money the rival studio had relaxed their earlier restrictions in exchange for distribution rights, meaning Hammer could reference the trademarked big-footed and flat-headed creature design. So Hammer did, but they did it badly. The make up is atrocious. The Baron is a less complex individual than he'd been before, and the creature's story is underdeveloped.
Katy Wild’s deaf-mute character was a bright light in the dimness, and I’ll watch anything just to see Peter Cushing in action, but the film was a lumbering step in the wrong direction for the franchise.

2½ external impulses out of 5

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