I think “Horror In The Heights” was the best episode from the short lived “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” TV series. I have discussed Kolchak in prior posts but I watched this particular episode again recently. It was scripted by Hammer films vet, Jimmy Sangster, whose screenwriting credits included Hammer’s “Curse of Frankenstein” and “Horror of Dracula”. Very good credentials, indeed.
A series of ghastly murders are occurring in a neighborhood primarily populated by the elderly. What worse is that the bodies show the signs of being partially devoured! Our fearless reporter, Kolchak, begins to sense that the killings are far from ordinary. He comes upon the realization that an ancient Hindu supernatural being may be manifesting itself in this particular Chicago neighborhood and continuing its distasteful habit of man eating.
Very atmospheric and creepy television work on a level far above most. I definitely recommend you view it.
Gruesome Hammer Films reinterpretation of the classic Universal monster movie vehicle of a mad, maverick doctor and his attempts to bring life to dead bodies. Made in 1957, this horror remake is a graphic, Technicolor chronicle of the despicable practices that Dr. Frankenstein engages in. Portrayed as a kind of sadistic, cold-hearted deviant, Peter Cushing is marvelous as the doctor. Cushing carries on an affair with his housekeeper even while his long suffering fiancé is sleeping upstairs in the castle. Having previously promised the housekeeper marriage, as well, Cushing laughs in her face and says he never had any such intention. When he learns that the housekeeper is pregnant and threatens exposing his behind closed door hobby of reanimating dead things, the good doctor locks the lass in the lab with the hideous creature and lets him rip her to pieces. Christopher Lee is more a less seen as one of the unluckiest characters in movie history. The “creature” never asked for this treatment but endures a horrific, miserably short lived existence. The brute stumbles out of Frankenstein’s estate and out in to the countryside. Killing at least one other unfortunate he has come across, the Creature is put out of its misery with a bullet to the head by Frankenstein’s assistant. If that isn’t enough, Dr. Frankenstein brings the beast back to life and the brain damaged result is converted in to a shambling, semi obedient pet following Frankenstein’s commands. It is a pathetic sight indeed. Frankenstein’s dream of creating the perfect “Superman” does in fact turn into a compete failure. This Hammer Films reboot makes that point quite painfully clear.
A varied collection of unusual movie and music video clips.
