Based on the Bram Stoker story Jewel of the Seven Stars, Hammer brings us Blood from the Mummy's Tomb featuring yesterday's Andrew Keir, and the lovely and talented Carry-On, Bond Girl, and Nerd Girl of Note #18 Valerie Leon.This is the story of an archeologist, well several archeologists, who discover the tomb of Queen Tera in Egypt. Queen Tera was put to death in a not-so-nice fashion, and her hand cut off. The hand lived on, and through the Queen's ring, possessed the body of Valerie Leon.
This one is a wonderful little creepy movie. Not so much blood and guts, but terror and intrigue. There are several players, and it is hard to tell who is the bad guy (apart from the dead, evil Queen, 'natch).
Aside from the lovely Ms Leon, James Villiers (The Wrong Box, Repulsion, "The Avengers" and "The Saint") as the smarmy Dr. Corbeck is very good. He has that perfect mix of effete and dangerous that makes a great upper-class English villain.
If you want something a little different from Hammer, this is a great way to go. No Peter Cushing, and no Christopher Lee, but a fun little horror movie.
Valerie Leon in the Queen Tera costume.
Special shout out to Cory's Crappy Cinema.
5 comments:
yanno, i have been an archaeologist for 8 years now, and i have yet to be chased by a mummy. i'm feeling a bit deprived. can't a girl get any mummy love?
(shucks, that's not what i meant)
I love this movie! Ms. Leon is a big part of that, of course, but the atmosphere and costumes and acting on all counts really sells it. Corbeck is indeed a wonderful villain, and Andrew "Dr. Quatermass" Keir is fantastic as well. Highly recommended for the season!
Great post. I really enjoyed it. I love this movie. Valerie Leon is such a goddess.
@iasa - at least you get to battle Nazis while escaping ancient, deadly, trap-laden dungeons!
@Vic - It did seem to come together very nicely. I'll have to see if I have the "The Avengers" episode he was in. If it was a Diana Rigg one, I gots it fo sho.
@Keith - It is funny that they made her wear a wig in this movie, even though it looks exactly like her own hair.
Peter Cushing was actually signed up to play Valerie's father, and even came in for one day of shooting but had to drop out because his wife was gravely ill. I think he would have boosted the film a little but it's still an entertaining little horror, and Valerie is by far the one and only reason to see it.
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