The Horror Crawl

Reviews on Horror movies from the 20th Century and making them approachable for modern Horror and Vintage film fans!

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Welcome to the Crawl

Hello folks and welcome to my crypt! I wanted to start this Horror blog cataloging my dive into various horror films from the past (pre-2000s), starting in the 1960s but not limited to. I love old films, art, horror and all things spooky so I wanted to find out which older Horror films are lost treasure or should be left buried. I'd like to make a nicely summarized catalogue for those maybe new to horror or vintage films that are easily accessible to a modern audience. I'll be letting you know which films might have tropes, terms and outlooks that are outdated and a 'product of their time' with little warnings at the bottom. It's time to find all the hidden occult treasures and experience the spooky camp of a good plastic bat on a string! 🦇

My tastes lean towards well paced with good set design, cinematography and acting, to campy, fun and weird in a good way. If that sounds like something you also enjoy I hope you follow along for the ride! 💀🌙👻🖤 Look out for my Must Watch's for the films I like the most!

If you have suggestions for films I should put higher on my list or more warnings I should add to certain already reviewed films please send me a message or ask!

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The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) 🗡️

Director: Alan Gibson (Hammer Films)

Genres: Horror, Spy Thriller 💀

Notes: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Michael Coles, Satanic Imagery, Pentagrams, 70's fashion, spy gadgets, Bubonic Plague, Blood rituals, Nudity

Review: The supernatural around the Dracula figure has been swapped for a 70's satanic spy thriller film. For having so many great actors in this film and a Hammer Films production I was a little underwhelmed by much of it, however the silly goons in sherpa vests, blood rituals and very tiny spy guns I was pretty amused by. The fate of the world resting in the balance of Van Helsing and his team of spies felt comic book and this was definitely a more 70's "modern" take on the Dracula mythos. I was pleasantly surprised about the amount of representation in the vampire women that you don't see even in more modern works of vampire media. The ending of Dracula's death was a bit far fetched though, lack luster and the story itself wasn't the most engaging to watch. Dracula being trapped in a bush/tree felt about as satisfying to watch as it sounds.

Overall I give The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973): Could Skip🦇

Recommendation: If you're a fan of the Music Artist Gost you'll recognize a part of the Satanic Ritual spoken by Barbara Yu Ling in this film in their song Arise ft Kriistal Ann!

-Warnings for Folks-

Suicide: Man hung by neck, suicide spoken about

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Messiah of Evil (1974) 🌙

Director: Willard Huyck + Gloria katz Genres: Horror, Cult, Mystery 🗡️ Notes: Michael Greer, Marianna Hill, Joy Bang, 1970s fashions and hair, weirdly sexual, partial nudity, Undead cannibal cult, blood moon, slow, pop art

Review: This movie was odd in all sorts of ways but not in an enjoyable way. I felt the pacing really slow but also the plot jumped around with different characters way too often. The killing sequences are so bazaar and weirdly surreal but also off putting and funny bad at the same time. The camera framing was unique with all the wall art and murals in the sets and the one sequence where you hear footstep squeaking on the supermarket floor with soft jazz playing in the background while cannibals chase the character was really the only parts I enjoyed but if felt unintentionally funny. This film oozes with bad 70's weird and bad acting and an ending I just didn't get, not something I'd recommend watching if that's not what you're looking for. Michael Greer holds up the film with his creepy guy character and I wasn't here for it. Overall I give Messiah of Evil (1974): Would not watch 🥩

-Warnings for Folks- Mental Health: Self Harm - Character shown stabbing themselves repeatedly with a Needle

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House on Haunted Hill (1959)🏚️

Director: William Castle Genres: Crime, Horror, Mystery 🔍 Notes: Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, fantastic sets, a pit of acid in my house?, gasoliers, antique furniture, vintage wallpaper and patterns galore, funny, spooky, plastic rats and skeletons, twist ending, Black/White Film🖤🤍

Review: The opening to this film is iconic and makes this an instant classic, setting the tone of the movie with Vincent Prince's narration welcoming us to this strange night of murder and misfortune. The practical fx in the film are fun and campy with the plastic rats and skeletons, a mix of some more gruesome visuals and funny ones too. The story was compelling, well paced, spooky and the ending had a satisfying twist! Overall I give House on Haunted Hill (1959): Must Watch! ☠️ Recommendation: This film I had thought to be an adaptation of the 1959 Gothic horror novel "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. But despite the similar names and a few similar concepts and visuals within each story; has nothing to do with one-another. But all the same I do recommend checking out the Netflix series based on the book which is also some marvelous modern horror!

-Warnings for Folks- Mental Health: Suicide is spoken of and a body of a woman hangs by a noose. Sexism: Woman's Hysteria Abuse: Verbal abuse to the wife character and hair pulling by her husband to get her to do what he wants. Gore: Decapitated Head

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The Hound of the Baskerville (1959) 🐺

Director: Terence Fisher (Hammer Film Productions) Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Drama 🕵️ Notes: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, lovely sets, Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, Christopher Lee, Family Curses, Arthur Conan Doyle.

Review: If you've seen any of the newer BBC Sherlocks or the RDJ films I highly recommend giving this one a watch! Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes gives such a fantastic performance to the character. You may see some DNA of his performance reflected in the more modern adaptations and draw your own comparisons which might be fun for a modern audience. Not having read the actual book this is based on I only have those to reference but this film is full of eerie atmosphere, family curses and a mystery to be solved it's a good watch for sure! Overall I give The Hound of the Baskerville (1959): Worth the Watch 🔍

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Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968) 🕯️

Director: Vernon Sewell (Tigon British Film Productions) Genres: Mystery, Horror, Occult 🧙‍♀️ Notes: Christopher Lee, Boris Karloff, Rupert Davis, generational curse, witches, cult, great sets, sex/debauchery, nudity, FX kaleidoscope, hypnotism, Romance

Review: Film starts off with a great opening score then jumps to a whole lot of cultists in BDSM gear that I was not expecting right out the gate, these outfits were a hoot and a half to witness. This film is full of surprises and great sets. With a villainess that feels almost alien and a cast of fantastic horror legends, this film is full of witchcraft and sexy cult rituals! Overall I give Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968): Worth the Watch 😈

-Warnings for Folks- Nudity: You see quite a bit with strong sexual themes throughout (is rated R)

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The Reptile (1966)🐍

Director: John Gilling (Hammer Films) Genres: Horror, Mystery, Creature feature🦎 Notes: Reptile Creature, FX and Makeup, labelling/text, great style and colour, animals

Review: Starts off with a good hook, I really liked the styling of the colours, cinematography and fantastic FX makeup, the creature makeup especially was enjoyable in a kinda goofy but creepy way! The characters were well acted, a few with quirky charm. I thought the pacing and the mystery around the creature held my interest well. The one thing that was a little annoying was the many objects and people that had big lettering on them, seemed a little too obvious at times like I was watching a comedy play. Overall I give The Reptile(1966): Worth the Watch 🐍

-Warnings for Folks- Questionable Cultural ties: A bit of Oriental/Exoticism around the curse, only person of colour referred to as "The Malay" played by Marne Maitland and cultural props surrounding the curse felt a little off like it was meant to be appreciative of the culture but at the same time was missing the mark.

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The Innocents (1961)🚸

Director: Jack Clayton (Achilles / 20th Century Fox) Genres: Gothic Horror, Mystery, Ghost Story 👻 Notes: Victorian Mansion, lovely opener, great costuming, sets and acting, dream sequence, Deborah Kerr, Black/White Film🖤🤍

Review: This film made me feel unsettled, and it was intentionally so. From the child actors and Deborah Kerr's haunting performances and the very creepy off-putting villain's apparitions; to the horror being subtly mixed in and slowly escalating. There are some lovely and very aesthetic, almost romantic and gothic visuals in this film. The only part that really took me out of the story was the large leaps in logic our main character takes on figuring things out, the explanations just appear out of no-where sometimes and it doesn't feel very organic. Overall I give The Innocents (1961): Watch at least once 🧒🧒

Recommendation: This film seems to be based on the 1898 Gothic horror novella "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. The Haunting of Bly Manor miniseries on Netflix is also an adaptation of the same source material (I highly, highly, highly recommend Bly Manor to any and all as a Must Watch)

-Warnings for Folks- Inappropriate: There is multiple scenes of the lead character (a young woman) kissing a child on the mouth, feels wrong especially with what we know of in the story around the child and the relationship between the characters. I don't know if it was meant to seems more sweet and motherly but it just came off as awkward. Abuse: Characters being physically abused by their significant other mentioned. Dead Children: nothing gory but still unpleasant for those not wanting to see this.

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The Mummy (1932) 🪲

Director: Karl Freund (Universal Pictures) Genres: Horror, Creature Feature 💀 Notes: Egyptology, Mummy, Curse, Souls, Spells, Magic, Forbidden Romance, Boris Karloff, Black/White Film🖤🤍

Review: What better way to start the month of December with some (mummy) unwrapping! To get in the festive spirit I jumped back a few decades to watch this classic for the first time! Was immediately in love with the lighting, the cinematography and the tone of the film. It's quick pace and storytelling are enjoyable with the mix of academic and fantasy. There was one line "The British Museum is interested in science not looting" that a Professor says that made me laugh out loud. I can definitely tell this was the defining film for much of the following Mummy movies in the genre and much to be inspired by! There are definitely flaws to the film that don't hold up under a modern lens but the rest of the film is a joy to watch. Overall I give The Mummy(1932): Must Watch, a Classic 💀 Adjacent Recommendations: Watch OverlySarcasticProductions Mummy History feature videos over on youtube, they recently released an awesome dive into the Mummy genre in books and film here and here, I highly recommend since I think it'll enhance your watching experience with the context they give around the film if you care not for too many spoilers and want something to listen to.

-Warnings for Folks- Racism and Racist tropes: The only black character in the film who is referred to as "The Nubian" is turned into a slave and there is some weird suggestion that he becomes Imhotep's thrall because it's in his "ancient blood". Big yikes man. White Washing: Actors who are not Egyptian playing Egyptian characters, very common in this era of film unfortunately.

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The Devil Rides Out (The Devil's Bride) (1968) 😈

Director: Terence Fisher (Hammer Films) Genres: Horror, Occult 🐐 Notes: Christopher Lee, Charles Grey, Devil worship, Hypnotism, Well paced, Car chase, Baphomet, Black Magic, Spider, Horse in Costume, Egyptology, Ritual, Sabbath, Religion,

Review: This film is a well paced wild ride full of classic occult imagery. From ritual sacrifice in the woods to magic circles of protection, go no further to find a great spooky time. I very much enjoyed all the FX and practical being done throughout the film this has action that keeps your attention. I also loved looking all the attention to detail this film had, a very fun watch! Overall I give The Devil Rides Out (1968): Must Watch 🕯️

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Dracula has Risen from the Grave (1969) 🪦

Director: Freddie Francis (Hammer Films) Genres: Horror, Creature Feature 🧛 Notes: Christopher Lee, Dracula's back again but terrorizing teens?

Review: This was probably the weakest so far in my watching of the Christopher Lee Dracula Films. I wasn't really invested at all in our main protagonists, I found the young male lead unlikeable and comparing to the previous two films (Watch those ones, they are better) this one felt lacking. The one highlight of this film though is Christopher Lee and this Dracula's death scene had some fun acting other than that, I wasn't feeling this one. Overall I give Dracula has Risen from the Grave (1969): Could Skip 🦇

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Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) 🚂

Director: Freddie Francis (Amicus Productions) Genres: Horror, Supernatural 🐺🦇🌿🎵 Notes: Train, Tarot Cards, Short Stories, Good Camera Work, Old House, Curse, Wolf Spirit/ Werewolf, Possession, Killer Plants, Voodoo God, Musicians, Artist, Suicide, Disembodied Hand, Practical FX, Vampires, Bat on a String

Review: This film has a star studded cast all doing great work. You'll likely recognize many of these actors in addition to legends Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. This is a fun collection of stories being told from the fortune teller Dr. Terror on a Train. Brilliantly done with a great twist ending. This movie has a a little something for everyone. Overall I give Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (date): Must Watch! 💀

-Warnings for Folks- Mental Health: Suicide Racist Trope: Some BIPOC are depicted in a Voodoo dance and worship, this is a very theatrical and inaccurate depiction of the real life belief and practice. Also some cultural appropriation going on for plot

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Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) 🦇

Director: Terence Fisher (Hammer Films) Genres: Horror, Creature Feature 🧛 Notes: Vampire, Dracula, Sequel, Castle, Blood FX, Practical FX very well done, Christopher Lee, Classics

Review: I've watched the first of Christopher Lee's Dracula (1958) a while ago (Definitely watch that one first) but this is fairly good as sequels go! The main cast of characters is interesting and how they come to meet Dracula is a fun take on his return. I did feel like Dracula compared to the first film was a tad wimpy and a little sad and the film had a rather abrupt strange ending but still enjoyable. Overall I give Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966): Worth the Watch 🩸

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The Gorgon (1964) 🐍

Director: Tarence Fisher (Hammer Films) Genres: Horror, Mystery, Creature feature (Mythology) 👹 Notes: Barbara Shelley, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Richard Pasco, Early 20th Century, Mental illness, Asylum, Practical FX, Creature, Mythology, Fast Romance, Suicide, Creepy Manor, Curse

Review: Out of all the Hammer films thus far I felt this was one of the weaker entries but still very enjoyable. Lots of early medical science and themes of transformation litter the film with great acting as always from the lovely Peter Cushing and cast. The sets and characters are enjoyable however where I felt the film doesn't quite hit it's mark is the Gorgon herself. The makeup and costuming fell a little anticlimactic/flat for such a big reveal and big fight and set at the end especially for the creature of the title. Overall I give The Gorgon (1964): Worth the Watch 💃

-Warnings for Folks- Mental Health: There is some suicide by hanging depicted and patients at a Mental Asylum as well. Gore: Decapitation (very obviously a mannequin head tho)

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Eye of the Devil (1966)🏹

Director: J. Lee Thompson (Filmways Pictures)

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Occult, Cursed Lineage 🏰

Notes: French Vinyard, Lavish Interior Sets, Great Cinematography, Religion, Creepy Siblings, Magic Amulet, Cult Ritual Magic, Castle, Sharon Tate, David Hemmings, Black/White Film 🤍🖤

Review: There is almost a romantic quality to this film that took me for surprise from the start. The sparkle of the dresses and eerie buildup to the trance like acting of the siblings Odile and Christian played by Sharon Tate and David Hemmings which add a weirdness to the film that keeps things on their toes. The slow descent from dreamlike to nightmare for the main character was an enjoyable watch however there was a lot of unanswered questions left by the end. So prepare for things to just happen without explanation or context of meaning. This film does feel maybe slightly older compared to some of the other films coming out at the time with camera tech and fx but still a nice watch.

Overall I give Eye of the Devil (1966): Worth the Watch🍇

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Two on a Guillotine (1965) 🪄

Director: William Conrad (William Conrad Productions)

Genres: Mystery, Horror

Notes: Spooky Mansion, 1960s costuming and fashion, Magician, Stage Magic, Beautiful Interiors and Great Set Design, Romance buildup, Dream Sequence, Madness, Black/White Film 🤍🖤

Review: This is a great film with a compelling and great story about the daughter of a magician who moves into his trap filled manor and haunted by her estranged parents. It's a bit exposition especially in the beginning but the visuals of the manor, dream sequence along with the romantic buildup of the two love interests was a very enjoyable combo with the horror. I love the cute audio gag with the magic rabbit as well, keep your ears open for that one!

Overall I give Two on a Guillotine(1965): Must Watch 🐇

-Warnings for Folks-

Mental Health: Character in the film goes mad from grief

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Island of Terror (1967) 🥼

Director: Terence Fisher (Planet Film Productions) Genres: Scifi Horror, Creature feature (Science) 🔬 Notes: Laboratory, lab experiment, Cool creature fx, radiation, well paced, medical science, Peter Cushing, "No Bones?"

Review: This is a great Scifi Horror film! If you like Dr. Who and practical creature fx with lots of campy action, good atmosphere and great paced story then this is for you! I loved watching the weird little creatures slide around and whip their tentacles at our heroes. My favorite part being near the beginning when scientists went around saying "No Bones?" over and over and over, made me laugh. I had more fun than I thought going into this which was a nice surprise as I normally don't go for many old Scifi films. Overall I give Island of Terror(1967): Worth the Watch! 🧪

-Warnings for Folks- Gore: Hand get chopped off, liquified people fx