The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), and The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

What can you say about the Hammer Frankenstein films that hasn’t been said before?

Well, a lot, actually!

In 1957, a relatively small, mostly unknown studio made a film that would forever change horror and kick off a cycle of sensual, bloody, and atmospheric fright flicks that would dominate the genre for around twenty years. To say that The Curse of Frankenstein is a classic is almost like saying that water is wet, but it is also a film that lives up to its reputation. It and its sequels are films that not only deserve regular revisits, but they also belong in more modern conversations about horror. While nearly all the films shard crewmembers and all but one were directed by Terence Fisher, one constant defined the series: Peter Cushing’s mesmerizing take on Victor Frankenstein, equal parts gentleman and ghoul.

On this episode we look at the first three films in the Cushing Frankenstein cycle, and in a very real way, make a pilgrimage to one of horror’s holy places. We love these films, and we hope that either you do too, or that you will by the time you are done listening.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Corruption (1968), The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), The Devil-Ship Pirates 1964), Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971), The Evil of Frankenstein (1964), Frankenstein (1931), Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969), Maniac (1963), Nightmare (1964), Paranoiac (1963), The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), Re-Animator (1985), The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)