The Man With Wax Faces review: • The Man With Wax Faces... Night of the Demon trailer: • Video The Demon Arrives: • Curse of the Demon (19... #occult #witchcraft
Thanks Michael. There's an oldie called 'Dead of Night' that I'd studiously managed to avoid until; I was in my 40s. You may have seen it, but if not I'd STRONGLY recommend checking it out.
This film had a huge impact on me as a lad and I love the demon! It was shown as part of BBC 2's Friday night horror double-bill season and we need them to run such a programme again!
Great movie, great director and I for one don't mind seeing the demon early on. It gives you an idea of what is at stake for the rest of the movie. M.R. James is my fave with Algernon Blackwood a very close second.
Night of the Demon was released in the UK with a 95 minute running time. For the American market the film was cut to 82 minutes and re-titled Curse of the Demon.and was released in 1958. There are dvd's out there that have both versions on a single disc.
Why am I just finding out about this film? Lol This was a film that Ray Harryhausen was offered but turned down . He had worked with the film's producer Hal E. Chester on The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms in 1953 , and Chester would have wanted Ray to bring his animation skills to the demon . Columbia Pictures suggested Ray for the creature's realisation on screen , but Ray was already underway with The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and didn't want to divide his attention . In the US , the film was released under the title Curse of the Demon .
I love this movie, scared the hell out of me when I was a kid, still gives me chills. So beautifully shot and great points on the angles and claustrophobic buildup around the main character, I'll have to look for that on the next viewing. If you haven't watched it, give "Drag me to Hell" a look, it's campy and creepy and a nice homage to Night of the Demon, of course nowhere near it's brilliance, but a fun watch for fans.
the demon's appearance out of a cloud of smoke and it's strange chirping sound that it makes reminds me a bit of Ghidorah the three-headed space dragon and how it appears out of a ball of fire.
My all time favourite movie. Oh, did you drop this? I believe it may be yours... A favourite touch of this movie is the station clock hand clicking over to 10:01, very definitvely, after Karswell has died. Like a full stop, and showing Holden how close he got. A lovely touch, by a master.
The Director did not want the Demon actually seen, but the producer of the film did, so the Demon is shown. Val Lewton is famous because he did NOT show the monster or demon as he wanted the viewer to create the "monster" in their own minds, such as radio shows were considered the Theatre of the Mind. Who knows, it may have been more interesting not having the demon actually shown on film. Val Lewton certainly made some classics in allowing the viewer to create the demon in their own minds. This one does sort of look like Godzilla from a cheap Japanese film.
You're right of course. I've only recently come to the wonderful films of Val Lewton and have recently talked on here about 'I Walked With a Zombie', which blew me away.
"I Walked With A Zombie" and other such films of Val Lewton stay with the viewer for a long time and only get better with age. The same enjoyment and remembrance of the initial viewing will stay with one because it allows the viewer to maintain the memories that were created in the viewer's mind while watching one of his films. For me that is over 60 years ago. I doubt if Simone Simon would be as well remembered today had it not been for her roles in the Val Lewton films.@@GrumpyAndrewsHorrorHouse
As a kid, I walked home from a pal's house after watching this movie. It was on a mild and windy night in mid-October. I kept checking out the tops of the trees and I whistled as a walked (quite briskly).
The thunder storm scene at the country pile, reminded me of the priest running for cover in- THE OMEN, and there is something about this particular horror film that gains from being shot in black and white. some how the hard black & white contrasts are very striking, more than in other black & white horror's that i've seen . Everything seemed to work in this one and it set the bar for the...curse type horror seen in films like- THE OMEN, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT and others. it's a completely original story for it's time & DOESNT shy away from graphic scenes i.e-(the villian being mauled, clawed at the ending). plus I thought that the creature design was good, although a little Godzilla like at times
Wonderful talk about a wonderful movie. I admit that I looooooove the Demon in this movie, I would miss it. Or maybe if not the Demon, the footprints, like in the woods near Karswell's manor, each time the Demon is here could be only seen, but the smog and the footprints and the Demon itself are very effective I think. Because there is no, mystery : in this story, Demons DO exist, and that's frighting. "Better not to know"... but the public in front of the screen "knows" at the end, and that's cool.
Thank you for another excellent review.You’ve shone a light on things I hadn’t been aware of like the use of scale and angles.(I suppose not noticing it is proof of effectiveness) (Spoilers ahead) Yes I agree with you it’s a real gem and one of my favourite films ever (not just in the horror genre) On a surface level it’s the full on giant demon at the beginning that makes this film stand out from the crowd,it was certainly a bold move and I absolutely love it.Playing it the other way and keeping the entity as merely a suggestion would also have worked wonderfully,but I’m glad they chose as they did. Other things that stick in my mind are that weird twanging sound effect as the demon materialises it’s brilliantly unnerving and unsettling.Also the seance when Karswells mother speaks in tongues is just so bizarre,it toys with being a parody but wins through.My favourite shock might be the questioning and subsequent suicide of Rand Hobart (played brilliantly by Brian Wilde of Last of the Summer Wine fame!) The real heart of the film though lies in the intrigue of the story and the psychological aspect - the dialogue between Holden and Karswell works wonderfully and I find myself empathising with Karswell when we learn he’s actually the main victim of the piece and is actually acting out of fear and necessity. Overall it’s a brilliantly executed psychological horror in every department.
I think the American title, "Curse of the Demon" is better, because the story is about a curse, and not about just one particular night when the demon materializes.
John Harrington's voice at the seance - the only truly disturbing one ever comitted to celluloid, by the way - yelling in terror "It's in the trees!", is the sample used at the beginning of the Kate Bush track 'The Hounds Of Love'.
I love this movie so much, that I watch it at least once a year every year. I also can't believe that Liam Redmond, who played O'Brien was only just in his early 40s when he did this movie. He already looked like he was in his 60s.
Ah I need to check this one out. Lots of great horror movies of the occult. Will you talk a lot about witch coven movies and will you include talking about The Omen and its sequels? Can't wait...
GOOD FILM. I have to wonder if the Brian Donlevy/Val Guest approach to the Quatermass character informed the approach to Andrews' character in this film? I mostly agree re: showing the Demon. I mean to do my own edit and efx treatment (using '50's type technoloty) to the Demon at beginning and end. Slowing down the close--ups, of the creature, cutting down length of on-screen time, darken and apply that same "watery" look to it (the demon) as seen earlier in the film. Shorten scenes of it at the beginning too (leaving the leg shot alone, tho). This is a very talky film----well done---but as full-length, feature seems like ti would be lacking something without SOME kind of visual to pay everything off. Just my opinion.
Indicator powerhouse are bringing this out on blu ray as a special edition, just waiting for the date to be announced. So looking forward to this when it's released. A classic horror film.
This film was actually very reassuring to me. My dog was going through a spell of barking ferociously in the middle of the night and I started to develop all kinds of ideas about what was triggering him. Then while watching this film an owl hoots in the soundtrack and my dog responded in the same way. Mystery solved. Phew! Demons are always more enjoyable when confined to fiction.
This is a desert island movie for me. Personally I love the demon. Yes it's dated, but having watched it as a kid and been terrified, every time I watch it now it still gives me a frisson of that pre-teen terror. Have you done Cat People and Curse of the Cat People? Not found them yet. They're both amazing films.
Vastly overrated horror film. I found it dull as ditchwater. I love 1950s horror but this film just makes me yawn. I've watched it twice. The second time to see if it was a bit better than my first thoughts. No change.
This is one of the best films ever and brilliant effects for the time much better than rubbish today
Saw this film tonight, and I can't believe I've waited 48 bloody years for this wonderful film. Great review.
Thanks Michael. There's an oldie called 'Dead of Night' that I'd studiously managed to avoid until; I was in my 40s. You may have seen it, but if not I'd STRONGLY recommend checking it out.
Thanks, I'll check it out!
This film had a huge impact on me as a lad and I love the demon! It was shown as part of BBC 2's Friday night horror double-bill season and we need them to run such a programme again!
Has anyone noticed, when Holden and Joanna decide to visit Karswell at Lufford Hall, the licence plate of their car includes the number 666?
I LOVE that monster! If you don't like it, close your bloody eyes!
Love this film! So well done. The atmosphere is sublime.
Great movie, great director and I for one don't mind seeing the demon early on.
It gives you an idea of what is at stake for the rest of the movie.
M.R. James is my fave with Algernon Blackwood a very close second.
Night of the Demon was released in the UK with a 95 minute running time. For the American market the film was cut to 82 minutes and re-titled
Curse of the Demon.and was released in 1958. There are dvd's out there that have both versions on a single disc.
This is a must-see film. Excellent special effects for its time. Had to sleep with the lamp on after I saw it in the 1960's.
A little late to the party here... Cannot get enough of this film. Great review. Thank you!
Jacques Tourneur also directed my favourite film noir, "Out of The Past."
Why am I just finding out about this film? Lol
This was a film that Ray Harryhausen was offered but turned down . He had worked with the film's producer Hal E. Chester on The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms in 1953 , and Chester would have wanted Ray to bring his animation skills to the demon . Columbia Pictures suggested Ray for the creature's realisation on screen , but Ray was already underway with The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and didn't want to divide his attention . In the US , the film was released under the title Curse of the Demon .
I love this movie, scared the hell out of me when I was a kid, still gives me chills. So beautifully shot and great points on the angles and claustrophobic buildup around the main character, I'll have to look for that on the next viewing. If you haven't watched it, give "Drag me to Hell" a look, it's campy and creepy and a nice homage to Night of the Demon, of course nowhere near it's brilliance, but a fun watch for fans.
Yes, I'm a big fan of 'Drag Me To Hell'; Raimi cutting loose and having a hell of a lot of fun.
the demon's appearance out of a cloud of smoke and it's strange chirping sound that it makes reminds me a bit of Ghidorah the three-headed space dragon and how it appears out of a ball of fire.
My all time favourite movie. Oh, did you drop this? I believe it may be yours...
A favourite touch of this movie is the station clock hand clicking over to 10:01, very definitvely, after Karswell has died. Like a full stop, and showing Holden how close he got. A lovely touch, by a master.
Great film. Needs restoring & putting on BR.
The Director did not want the Demon actually seen, but the producer of the film did, so the Demon is shown. Val Lewton is famous because he did NOT show the monster or demon as he wanted the viewer to create the "monster" in their own minds, such as radio shows were considered the Theatre of the Mind. Who knows, it may have been more interesting not having the demon actually shown on film. Val Lewton certainly made some classics in allowing the viewer to create the demon in their own minds. This one does sort of look like Godzilla from a cheap Japanese film.
You're right of course. I've only recently come to the wonderful films of Val Lewton and have recently talked on here about 'I Walked With a Zombie', which blew me away.
"I Walked With A Zombie" and other such films of Val Lewton stay with the viewer for a long time and only get better with age. The same enjoyment and remembrance of the initial viewing will stay with one because it allows the viewer to maintain the memories that were created in the viewer's mind while watching one of his films. For me that is over 60 years ago. I doubt if Simone Simon would be as well remembered today had it not been for her roles in the Val Lewton films.@@GrumpyAndrewsHorrorHouse
As a kid, I walked home from a pal's house after watching this movie. It was on a mild and windy night in mid-October. I kept checking out the tops of the trees and I whistled as a walked (quite briskly).
Wow, that sounds great :)
That freakish sound as it materialises.........
@@redpillnibbler4423 -- I believe that "chirping/squeaking" sound was made by bats.
@@walterfechter8080
Do you mean they used the sound of actual bats as the sound effect in the film?
@@redpillnibbler4423 -- I believe so.
Talking of echoes, Drag Me to Hell reminded me of this a little.
Yes indeed!
A film that scared the bejesus out of my Grandad, who saw it on its initial release.
Saw in 1980 as part of BBC2's Summer Horror Double Bill. Have it on the brilliant Indicator box set.
Saturday nights were great viewing back then.
The thunder storm scene at the country pile, reminded me of the priest running for cover in- THE OMEN, and there is something about this particular horror film that gains from being shot in black and white.
some how the hard black & white contrasts are very striking, more than in other black & white horror's that i've seen .
Everything seemed to work in this one and it set the bar for the...curse type horror seen in films like- THE OMEN, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT and others.
it's a completely original story for it's time & DOESNT shy away from graphic scenes i.e-(the villian being mauled, clawed at the ending). plus I thought that the creature design was good, although a little Godzilla like at times
Wonderful talk about a wonderful movie. I admit that I looooooove the Demon in this movie, I would miss it. Or maybe if not the Demon, the footprints, like in the woods near Karswell's manor, each time the Demon is here could be only seen, but the smog and the footprints and the Demon itself are very effective I think. Because there is no, mystery : in this story, Demons DO exist, and that's frighting. "Better not to know"... but the public in front of the screen "knows" at the end, and that's cool.
Thank you for another excellent review.You’ve shone a light on things I hadn’t been aware of like the use of scale and angles.(I suppose not noticing it is proof of effectiveness)
(Spoilers ahead)
Yes I agree with you it’s a real gem and one of my favourite films ever (not just in the horror genre)
On a surface level it’s the full on giant demon at the beginning that makes this film stand out from the crowd,it was certainly a bold move and I absolutely love it.Playing it the other way and keeping the entity as merely a suggestion would also have worked wonderfully,but I’m glad they chose as they did.
Other things that stick in my mind are that weird twanging sound effect as the demon materialises it’s brilliantly unnerving and unsettling.Also the seance when Karswells mother speaks in tongues is just so bizarre,it toys with being a parody but wins through.My favourite shock might be the questioning and subsequent suicide of Rand Hobart (played brilliantly by Brian Wilde of Last of the Summer Wine fame!)
The real heart of the film though lies in the intrigue of the story and the psychological aspect - the dialogue between Holden and Karswell works wonderfully and I find myself empathising with Karswell when we learn he’s actually the main victim of the piece and is actually acting out of fear and necessity.
Overall it’s a brilliantly executed psychological horror in every department.
I think the American title, "Curse of the Demon" is better, because the story is about a curse, and not about just one particular night when the demon materializes.
I can't argue with that logic :)
John Harrington's voice at the seance - the only truly disturbing one ever comitted to celluloid, by the way - yelling in terror "It's in the trees!", is the sample used at the beginning of the Kate Bush track 'The Hounds Of Love'.
Great film. I am just reading some MR James - very good.
I love this movie so much, that I watch it at least once a year every year. I also can't believe that Liam Redmond, who played O'Brien was only just in his early 40s when he did this movie. He already looked like he was in his 60s.
Ah I need to check this one out. Lots of great horror movies of the occult. Will you talk a lot about witch coven movies and will you include talking about The Omen and its sequels? Can't wait...
No Omen films just yet...the month will be more about covens and devil worshippers.
Grumpy Andrew's Horror House Awesome!!
Only saw this wonderful film for the first time this year. That demon really does not muck about once it gets its claws on you.
I had completely forgotten, and so upon re-watching, was unprepared for the demon raking into its victim then pulling him to pieces!
GOOD FILM. I have to wonder if the Brian Donlevy/Val Guest approach to the Quatermass character informed the approach to Andrews' character in this film? I mostly agree re: showing the Demon. I mean to do my own edit and efx treatment (using '50's type technoloty) to the Demon at beginning and end. Slowing down the close--ups, of the creature, cutting down length of on-screen time, darken and apply that same "watery" look to it (the demon) as seen earlier in the film. Shorten scenes of it at the beginning too (leaving the leg shot alone, tho). This is a very talky film----well done---but as full-length, feature seems like ti would be lacking something without SOME kind of visual to pay everything off. Just my opinion.
It’s in the tress it’s coming I found that Kate Bush sample at last !
Yes!
Indicator powerhouse are bringing this out on blu ray as a special edition, just waiting for the date to be announced. So looking forward to this when it's released. A classic horror film.
That's great news, thanks for t he heads up.
This film was actually very reassuring to me. My dog was going through a spell of barking ferociously in the middle of the night and I started to develop all kinds of ideas about what was triggering him. Then while watching this film an owl hoots in the soundtrack and my dog responded in the same way. Mystery solved. Phew! Demons are always more enjoyable when confined to fiction.
Man, that would have scared the heck out of me I think!
Are you sure about that .......
@@redpillnibbler4423 ooer! lol
@@retroactivejealousy-worldl1805
Amazing you replied over a year later 👍👍😀
@@redpillnibbler4423 Really? I got the notification this morning. RUclips has gone a bit crazy lately
I’m going to rewatch this soon
This is a desert island movie for me. Personally I love the demon. Yes it's dated, but having watched it as a kid and been terrified, every time I watch it now it still gives me a frisson of that pre-teen terror. Have you done Cat People and Curse of the Cat People? Not found them yet. They're both amazing films.
Anything for a frisson! I haven't talked about with of the Cat People films yet, but have covered Val Lewton's 'I Walked With a Zombie'.
This is an excellent Movie
I wholeheartedly agree.
I wonder how exactly they'd have pulled the movie off without a demon?
i think they could. the demon would be created by your mind - much more scary!
Joannas soft top car number plate is n ij 666.
Vastly overrated horror film. I found it dull as ditchwater. I love 1950s horror but this film just makes me yawn. I've watched it twice. The second time to see if it was a bit better than my first thoughts. No change.
That's a pity, but we can't all like the same stuff.