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The Masque of the Red Death (1964) in the PNW
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- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 720
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle got Bava's "The Evil Eye" (1963) for a second feature while Portland got "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" from 1962.
Click on images for larger versions.
The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
“The Masque of the Red Death,” a 1964 horror film directed by Roger Corman, is a vivid adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story. The film stars Vincent Price as Prince Prospero, a cruel and debauched nobleman who retreats to his opulent castle to escape the deadly plague known as the Red Death. Inside, he hosts decadent feasts and perverse entertainments for his fellow aristocrats, all while the peasantry outside suffers from the merciless disease.
As the plague ravages the land, Prospero’s castle becomes a sanctuary for the elite, indulging in excesses and mocking the suffering of the less fortunate. The prince’s consort, Juliana, seeks deeper communion with the dark forces Prospero worships, while the innocent Francesca, brought from the village, becomes a pawn in Prospero’s cruel games.
The film culminates in a grand masquerade ball, a twisted celebration of life in the face of death. However, the revelry turns to horror as an uninvited guest arrives, cloaked in a costume that personifies the Red Death itself. This spectral figure brings a chilling revelation that not even Prospero’s wealth and power can protect him from the inevitable grasp of mortality.
Corman’s “The Masque of the Red Death” is a haunting tale of hubris and doom, a reflection on the futility of trying to escape the universal fate that death holds for all.
Director: Roger Corman
Writers: Charles Beaumont, R. Wright Campbell
Stars: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher
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The Evil Eye (1963)
“The Evil Eye,” also known as “La ragazza che sapeva troppo” (The Girl Who Knew Too Much), is a 1963 Italian film directed by Mario Bava. It is often considered the first “giallo” film, combining elements of horror, mystery, and romance.
The story follows Nora Davis, an American tourist in Rome who enjoys mystery novels. Her vacation turns dark when she witnesses a murder, plunging her into a real-life mystery. As the killings continue, Nora and her suitor find themselves entangled in the dangerous pursuit of a serial killer known as the Alphabet Murderer.
With its blend of suspense, stylish cinematography, and a plot that pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock, “The Evil Eye” is a seminal work that influenced the thriller genre.
DirectorL Mario Bava
Writers: Ennio De Concini, Sergio Corbucci, Eliana de Sabata
Stars: John Saxon, Letícia Román, Valentina Cortese
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The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
“The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” is a 1962 American science fiction horror film delving into scientific ambition's dark side. Directed by Joseph Green, the film tells the story of Dr. Bill Cortner, a surgeon with radical ideas about human transplantation. After his fiancée, Jan Compton, is tragically decapitated in a car accident, Dr. Cortner manages to keep her head alive in a laboratory setting.
Obsessed with finding a new body for Jan, Dr. Cortner scours various places, including a burlesque nightclub and a beauty contest, in search of a suitable “donor.” Meanwhile, Jan, now a disembodied head, experiences agony in her new existence and develops telepathic abilities, which she uses to communicate with a monstrous being locked away in the lab—a failed experiment of Dr. Cortner’s.
The film reaches its climax when Jan’s pleas to be allowed to die are ignored, and she calls upon the creature to help her. In a gruesome turn of events, the creature breaks free, leading to a violent confrontation that underscores the perils of playing God. “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” is a cautionary tale of science without ethics, exploring themes of identity, consciousness, and the limits of human power.
Director: Joseph Green
Writers: Doris Brent, Joseph Green, Rex Carlton
Stars: Jason Evers, Virginia Leith, Anthony La Penna
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The Masque of the Red Death (1964) poster
The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) poster
The Masque of the Red Death (1964) trailer
Buy "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964) bluray on Amazon (SPONSORED)
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The Evil Eye (1963) trailer
Buy "The Evil Eye" (1964) bluray on Amazon (SPONSORED)
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The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) trailer
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Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) in the PNW
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- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 907
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest.
Click on images for larger versions.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964)
“Robinson Crusoe on Mars” is a captivating 1964 science fiction film that takes the essence of Daniel Defoe’s classic tale and launches it into the cosmos. The movie, directed by Byron Haskin, presents the story of an astronaut who becomes stranded on the Martian landscape after a series of unforeseen events during a space mission. With limited resources and only a monkey for company, the astronaut must use ingenuity and determination to survive the harsh conditions of the red planet. The film explores isolation, survival, and the indomitable human spirit, all set against a beautifully rendered Martian vista. It’s a tale of adventure and discovery that cleverly adapts the novel’s core elements to a new, extraterrestrial environment.
Director: Byron Haskin
Writers: Ib Melchior, John C. Higgins, Daniel Defoe
Stars: Paul Mantee, Victor Lundin, Adam West
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June 120, 1964 mini-review (Seattle)
August 4, 1964 photo (Portland)
August 6, 1964 photo (Portland)
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) poster
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) trailer
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The Last Man on Earth (1964)/Unearthly Stranger (1963) in the PNW
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- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 1104
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "The Last Man on Earth" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. "The Unearthly Stranger" (1963) was the second feature.
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The Last Man on Earth (1964)
“The Last Man on Earth” is a 1964 post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film that tells the chilling tale of Dr. Robert Morgan, portrayed by Vincent Price. In this bleak vision of the future, a devastating plague has swept across the planet, leaving Dr. Morgan as the sole survivor due to a mysterious immunity he acquired years prior. By day, he fortifies his home and hunts the vampiric beings that the plague’s victims have become, while by night, he endures the relentless assault of these creatures.
Haunted by the loss of his wife and daughter to the plague, Morgan’s existence is a lonely vigil of survival. His days are a repetitive grind of seeking out the undead to destroy them and burning their bodies to prevent their return. The film delves into Morgan’s past, revealing the onset of the plague and the tragic fate of his family, providing a poignant backdrop to his solitary struggle.
As the last man on Earth, Morgan’s life is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, even as he faces the horrors of a world overrun by the undead. The film explores themes of isolation, loss, and the fight to retain one's humanity in the face of overwhelming despair.
Directors: Ubaldo Ragona, Sidney Salkow
Writers: Richard Matheson, William F. Leicester, Furio M. Monetti
Stars: Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia, Emma Danieli
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Unearthly Stranger (1963)
“Unearthly Stranger” is a 1963 British science fiction film that delves into the enigmatic world of Dr. Mark Davidson, a scientist working on a groundbreaking spaceflight project. His life takes an unexpected turn when he marries Julie, a woman with an array of peculiarities that defy human norms. As the story unfolds, Dr. Davidson and his colleagues grapple with the implications of Julie’s mysterious past and her extraordinary traits, which raise suspicions and intrigue.
The film is a suspenseful exploration of the unknown, blending elements of mystery and romance with the tension of Cold War-era espionage. It challenges the characters—and the audience—to question the nature of identity and the boundaries of love and trust in a world where not everything is as it seems. “Unearthly Stranger” captivates with its atmospheric tension and thought-provoking narrative, all while maintaining a veil of secrecy that leaves viewers pondering long after the credits roll.
Director: John Krish
Writers: Rex Carlton, Jeffrey Stone
Stars: John Neville, Philip Stone, Gabriella Licudi
The Last Man on Earth (1964) poster
Unearthly Stranger (1963) poster
The Last Man on Earth (1964) trailer
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Unearthly Stranger (1963) trailer
The Flesh Eaters (1964) in the PNW
- Details
- Written by: Mortado
- Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas
- Hits: 915
This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "The Flesh Eaters" (1964) in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle got "The Witch's Curse" (1962) for a second feature while Portland got "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" (1963).
Click on images for larger versions.
The Flesh Eaters (1964)
“The Flesh Eaters” is a 1964 horror/science fiction film that unfolds on a secluded island where a group of individuals, including an alcoholic actress, her personal assistant, and a pilot, find themselves stranded due to bad weather. They encounter a renegade Nazi scientist who has been using the ocean’s life to develop a flesh-dissolving solvent. The island’s waters are infested with tiny, voracious flesh-eating organisms, which pose a deadly threat to all on the island. As the survivors search for a way to escape, they must also contend with the scientist’s sinister intentions and the ever-present danger of becoming prey to the microscopic monsters. The film is noted for its graphic violence and is considered one of the early examples of gore cinema.
Director: Jack Curtis
Writer: Arnold Drake
Stars: Martin Kosleck, Byron Sanders, Barbara Wilkin
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The Witch's Curse (1962)
“The Witch’s Curse” is a 1962 Italian fantasy-horror film that intertwines elements of adventure and gothic horror. Set in 17th-century Scotland, the story begins with a witch being burned at the stake, who curses the inhabitants before her death. A century later, the curse still haunts the land, compelling women to commit suicide. The witch’s descendant, Martha Gunt, faces execution for witchcraft, prompting the heroic Maciste to intervene. He uproots the cursed tree, revealing an entrance to Hell. Maciste ventures into the underworld to confront the original witch and lift the curse, battling various mythical creatures and helping the damned souls he encounters along the way. The film is noted for its unique blend of peplum (sword-and-sandal) and horror genres, featuring Maciste, a classic strongman character, in a dark and eerie setting.
Director: Riccardo Freda
Writers: Eddy H. Given, Oreste Biancoli, Piero Pierotti
Stars: Kirk Morris, Hélène Chanel, Vira Silenti
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X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Dr. James Xavier is a scientist who invents eye drops that allow him to see beyond the visible spectrum. He experiments on himself, hoping to enhance human vision and discover new realms of knowledge. However, he soon realizes that his new power has a terrible price: he can no longer control what he sees, and he becomes haunted by visions of the inner workings of reality.
Director: Roger Corman
Writers: Robert Dillon, Ray Russell
Stars: Ray Milland, Diana Van der Vlis, Harold J. Stone
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The Flesh Eaters (1964) poster
The Witch's Curse (1962) poster
X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) poster
The Flesh Eaters (1964) trailer
Buy "The Flesh Eaters" (1964) DVD on Amazon (SPONSORED)
The Witch's Curse (1962) trailer
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X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) trailer
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