The 4 films collected on this double disc set were made by Hammer Films between 1960 and 1964. In fact, 2 are from 1960 and 2 are from 1964 yet they are not coupled together on their respective DVDs which would have made sense not only chronologically but thematically as well. The 2 1960 features, SCREAM OF FEAR and TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL, are psychological studies while the 1964 ones, CURSE OF THE MUMMY’S TOMB and THE GORGON are straightforward monster movies. However since both discs have one of each, I’ll focus on JEKYLL & TOMB for this review and save SCREAM and GORGON for another day.
First up, since it’s the lesser of the 2, is THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY’S TOMB. This came 5 years after THE MUMMY and follows the same basic scenario. Archeologists mess with the tomb, the mummy comes to life, and kills those responsible except for the hero played here by Ronald Howard (son of Leslie). There’s even a flashback sequence setting up the present day action that occurs later in the film. There is one clever plot twist, which I won’t divulge, that caught me by surprise and helped make the movie for me. Another plus in my book is American actor Fred Clark playing a P. T. Barnum like huckster. Not only does he have some great lines, but his (and Hammer’s) staging of the opening of the sarcophagus is an absolute joy.
However the highlight of this disc is the other film, THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL which I had never seen until this set was released. For the time, this is an extremely adult treatment of the story featuring not only violence but open infidelity, friendship betrayal, some overt can-can footage, and the most salacious dance between a girl and a snake that you will ever see. The twist here is that Mr Hyde is extremely attractive and smooth talking, seducing everyone he meets. Canadian actor Paul Massie does a good job in the roles originally intended for Laurence Harvey and Dawn Addams is a fetching Mrs. Jekyll. Christopher Lee has one of his best early roles as the faithless friend and look fast for Oliver Reed in his first Hammer role. Terence Fisher’s direction is more intense than usual. Another winner in Sony’s ICON series.
The Capsule Critic 