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
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