Saturday 8 August 2015

THAT FEMALE TOUCH : WOMEN IN GOTHIC: EUNICE GAYSON : BRUCE G HALLENBECK


When the Baron returned in The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), he had another woman to contend with. This time, her name was Margaret Conrad, and she was portrayed by London-born Eunice Gayson, a veteran of television who had also worked for Hammer in To Have and to Hold (1951) and who had appeared in Val Guest's comedy Carry on Admiral (1957), which despite its title, was not a part of Peter Rogers' Carry on series, which would not commence until the following year`



THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN TRAILER

The character of Margaret Conrad was a nurse to the mysterious 'Dr Stein' (Guess who?) in his hospital for 'the poor and needy.' Gayson, of course, would achieve even more everlasting fame in 1962's Dr No when she provided a tuxedoed Sean Connery one of the most famous cues in screen history: 'I admire your luck, Mr…?' she inquiresat a card table. Connery's reply, for the first time, is: 'Bond…James Bond.' She became one of the few actresses to appear in two Bond movies, returning for the following year's From Russia With Love in the same role.


In this case, the Baron's new creation is a far more human and sympathetic one, beautifully played by the expressive Michael Gwynn. As Margaret, Gayson has even less to do than Court had in Curse, but she does serve to advance the narrative when she inadvertently releases the 'creature' from his bonds. She also serves as 'Beauty' to Gwynn's 'Beast,' as the creature Karl finds himself in love with her from afar.

DEADLY SYMPATHY FOR KARL
EUNICE GAYSON AND MICHAEL GWYNN 



The self-confessed romantic Terence Fisher is afforded every opportunity by Jimmy Sangster's screenplay to play up the unrequited love element for all it's worth, and he makes the most of it The Revenge of Frankenstein - is one part horror, one part black comedy, one part love story - is high water mark of Hammer's Frankenstein series.


Written by Bruce G Hallenbeck
Artwork and Design: Marcus Brooks Jamie Sumerville
CATCH PART ONE OF THAT FEMININE TOUCH: WOMEN IN GOTHIC: HERE 


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