thejcowboy22 Review of Horrors of the Black Museum

Horrors of the Black Museum (1959)

"Oh sir can I borrow your face? I want to scare my Boss!

[4/10 · 5 November 2018]

Many years ago one Saturday night I had a group of friends over my house. I was about 14 years old and hosted a night of cards and pizza for my neighborhood friends. We assembled in my panel clad finished basement. The television was on as Chiller Theater was about to start. At that moment the upstairs doorbell rang. It was the pizza I ordered. I Scrambled up the stairs for the money to pay the delivery guy. As I gave the cash to the delivery man I heard screams, commotion coming from the basement. I came down the stairs. My friends remarked, "You missed it. That woman, the blood, the binoculars you missed it!" Dumbfounded I replied, "The movie just started. That was fast!" Horrors Of The Black Museum is one of those movies that starts off with a bang or should I say poke. I have already spoiled some of the plot but I will tell that this movie is broken down into subplots of violence. A vindictive Curator/ crime reporter Edmund Bankcroft (Michael Gough) who undermines the police with his gruesome articles in the local tabloids angers Scotland Yard. The authorities are baffled as a serial killer is loose around town with a different approach of murder using instruments of death the likes we have never seen. The Scotland Yard detectives question a confused and upset French woman Peggy (Malou Pantera) who's room mate Gail was the victim of a gruesome murder involving spring loaded binoculars. Bankcroft enters the room at that moment to an unwelcome detectives as he's accused of printing unfavorable articles about the police department. The phone rings and its the Police Commissioner (Austin Trevor) as a condescending Bankcroft handles the binoculars and boasts that the police do not have the authority or control whatever I print in the paper. The Commissioner tells his department that there are no leads to the murders. The middle aged Bankcroft has one obstacle in his life beside a limp with the use of a walking cane. His Doctor sees an abnormality with his heart. You see Bankcroft is the Proprietor of his pride and joy the "Black Museum" who showcases gruesome murders and the devises/weapons used in those killings which he doesn't show to the public. This venue of the macabre is guarded by his young male assistant Rick (Graham Curnow). Rick is easily influenced and controlled by Bankcroft with the use of hypnosis and injections that transform Rick into a Hideous monster sort of a Jekyll and Hyde thing going on here. Despite Rick's loyalty or obedience to Bankcroft, Rick is torn between his sweet girl friend Angela played by Shirley Ann Fields. Bankcroft does interfere with Rick's relationship. Speaking of relationships, Bankcroft has a female companion Joan (June Cunningham) who is a dancer who at this point is sick and tired of not being appreciated. Her interest in Bankcroft is strictly for his money. They have a falling out due to the fact that he never takes her anywhere. Joan goes as far as to questions his manhood which infuriates him. Basically this movie is filled with violent forms of revenge and is not suitable for frustrated or politically angered persons who might want to emulate this killings. This movie was filmed in color which in some ways gives a contemporary feel. The movie begins with a narrator giving an introduction for the use of Hypnovision which the producers of the film try to control your thoughts while viewing this cinematic. Another words subliminal visual effects to control your curiosity. But it didn't stop me from changing the channel to check College football scores during the commercials. I personally own the DVD and watched this film uninterrupted and still didn't feel the effects of this Hypnovision in the least. As for our foil/lead Michael Gough who looks very distinguished and always bolsters a scene with his acting prowess. Gough always carries the scene. Other players worth mentioning is the suspicious Junk keeper Aggie who is played by Beatrice Varley and the inquiring Dr. Ballan played by Gerald Anderson. As I stated earlier. I missed the opening scene with the deadly binoculars. in those days there were no DVR recording devices so if you missed a show you had to wait until the station shows the film again with the use of a TV guide magazine. In my case it wasn't to long, only SIX MONTHS! It was worth the wait OUCH!!