#MONSTERMONDAY:
Peter Cushing's performance as Dr Lawrence in Tyburn films, 'The Ghoul'
is exceptional, on many levels. I can't help wondering whenever I watch
him in this role, how he manages to be involved in such bizarre and
ruthless acts, and yet... I feel such pity for the character. Watching
the story unfold, as Lawrence reveals his past, all skirts very closely
to 'Art imitating Life', as both the Doctor and Peter Cushing
emotionally crumple before our eyes. It could be
called, a masterclass in using 'emotive memories' ...if it wasn't for
the fact that, for Cushing like Lawrence, it wasn't about recalling the
past...it was living with the loss and pain today....
ABOVE A FIRST for our YOUTUBE CHANNEL! As part of this week's #MONSTERMONDAY
we present a film, made in the tradition of 'The Old Dark House',
'Psycho' and many many other 'thing in the attic' movies. 'The Ghoul'
stands as one of three films that Peter Cushing made with Tyburn films.
'Legend of the Werewolf' and 'The Masks of Death' being the other two.
All three films have a quality and pace that very much bucked the trend
of the time, and producer Kevin Francis, should be acknowledged for
having the back-bone, to present these films, in a style, standard and
production value, that would have been considered, out of step by many.
It is that style, that gives comfort and a quality, that was vanishing
quicker than a vamp down a rat hole, at the first glimmer of sun-rise!
Soon, all would be lost and stab, slash, scream and dismember would
become the replacement for tension, suspense and a quality control hold
on the body count. Having said that, many could and do site The Ghoul,
as one of the very early slasher movies. Maybe so, but with the presence
of Peter Cushing, the ageless beauty of Carlson and Bastedo and the
bumpkin weirdness of the late, John Hurt.... things never slip so far as
to become blood-lusty and just bad taste. The Ghoul is Kevin Francis
homage to all those classics, where, just the THOUGHT of what could be
in that room, out-strips the reveal of a million masked, chopper
swinging, chain-saw buzzing, yawn fests, parts one, two, nine and TEN!
It's a great shame that Tyburn had to leave us so soon, we were on the
edge of our seats and just getting comfy!
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