DONALD PLEASENCE : REMEMBERED TODAY

REMEMBERING: Actor Donald Pleasence who was born today in 1919... Pleasence appeared alongside Peter Cushing in a surprising amount of titles. From the quite early on brilliant BBC production of '1984' to the not so brilliant 'The Devil's Men', 'Flesh and the Fiends', 'Trial By Combat' and 'From Beyond The Grave' In a very lengthy career, with many highlights, Pleasence was always entertaining, especially with nervous, evil obsessive characters. Pleasence is probably best know for his role of Dr. Sam Loomis in the 'Halloween' films...a role interestingly enough that Peter Cushing was originally approached to play....

More on Donald Pleasence and the film Beyond The Grave in The Amicus Films of Peter Cushing Part Six : CLICK HERE

WHAT'S BEHIND THAT DOOR? 'FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE'

I gave 'THE DOOR' story from Amicus films' 'From Beyond The Grave', several viewings last week. I truly believe, that in a film that was stuffed to the gills with excellent performances and stories, had it been part of say, Torture Garden or Vault of Horror, it would have got the recognition, it so truly deserves as a fine piece of cinema.

Superb cinematography from Alan Hume, with some clever in camera illusions, the 'Blue Room' set from Bert Davey, Simon Wakefield and Maurice Carter. Jack Watson as the chilling Sir Michael Sinclair and Lesley-Anne Down and Ian Ogilvy as young couple, the Seaton's are believable and really get into their roles in limited time span of a short story. I really wish Subotsky had developed this one into a full 90 minute feature. Along with Cushing's 'Poetic Justice' from Tales from the Crypt... this one is one of the jewels in the Amicus crown and looks beautiful! Anyone agree with me?