Fear in the Night

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 2nd June 2002, 05:55 PM

Has anyone seen this film. I know its due on DVD.. but is it any good. All i know is it was a box office flop and Peter Cushing and Ralph Bates are in it ....but a couple of film books i have say its a really good film. Anyone seen it??I remember CL saying either this or Straight until Morning was the best Hammer film made or something to that effect. I believe he thought it was ahead of its time.... Im not sure on that though

**Matt Gemmell** · 2nd June 2002, 08:47 PM

First things first . As far as I know Christopher Lees favourite Hammer film is " Taste Of Fear " which he appeared in and was directed by Seth Holt in 1961 ( a really good thriller ).
I don't think " Straight On Till Morning " would be on anyones best list but you never know .
" Fear In The Night " was written produced and directed by Jimmy Sangster for Hammer in 1971 . It stars Judy Geeson , Ralph Bates, Joan Collins and Peter Cushing .
It's a rather convaluted little thriller about a woman recovering from a nervous breakdown when she is attacked at home by a one armed man . Due to her illness noone believes her and the stage is set for one of Sangsters twisty plots .
I think it's a pretty good movie although it's been years since I saw it . As it's Hammer and has Cushing in it I'll certainly shell out a few sheckles for the DVD.

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 3rd June 2002, 02:55 AM

Yeah you may be right... im not sure on CLs fave I thought it might be this one but you could be right i will check the biography again. Ive read critics praise for this film and the cast looks great... but ive read praise before and been disappionted( like Dr.Jekyll and Sister Hyde). I will probally get it anyway it comes out in October with some others so i dont want to get this and be disappointed when I could have passed on it and got something else...Straight until morning i have heard not much praise either.... and judging from your response its not that good huh??

**Dave Hutchens** · 3rd June 2002, 06:32 AM

...DR. JEKYLL & SISTER HYDE????????!!!!!!!!!

WOW, that really amazes me. This is one of my ALL-TIME favorite Hammer films. I was absolutely overjoyed when the DVD came out. What about it didn't you like? Great performances, utterly _perfect_ casting, a good and interesting reworking on what is otherwise a rather tired tale, and one of the best scores ever written for a Hammer film (in my opinion).

As far as "Fear in the Night" goes, it is indeed "Taste of Fear" (or "Scream of Fear," depending on what country you live in) that
Mr. Lee was referring to. I have that one on tape, and it's a _wonderful_ little thriller. Quite Hitchcockian. "Fear in the Night" isn't bad. I'd buy it. It's Cushing...that's usually enough for me! :)

Dave

4th June 2002, 12:50 AM

It's a shame that although Joan Collins plays Cushing's wife (!!!!) they don't have any scenes together.

I enjoyed this little thriller and will be getting the DVD no doubt

**Matt Gemmell** · 4th June 2002, 01:05 AM

Dave's right , come on Fred , DR Jekyll & Sister Hyde is one of the best . Everyone's entitled to their opinion I guess but if you don't like this one then I don't think you'll appreciate Fear In The Night . Then again you never can tell

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 4th June 2002, 01:54 AM

i had a feeling when i said that it would come back to haunt me I have read nothing but good things but i just didnt llike it for one thing the women was in love with ralph Bates a little to fast for me she saw him once and couldnt stop talking about him!!I I dont know I will watch it again but I just didnt like it. I will say it was an original idea and they did throw Burke and Hare and Jack the Ripper in so it was a different showing of Jekyll and Hyde story..maybe its Ralph Bates ..I never liked to many of his films and I know thats probally not going to go over well either, I will watch it again maybe I will see something different. As for the CL comment i was wrong about Fear in the Night but it was Never give Sweets to a stranger that I was thinking of he says it was his fave Hammer film next to Taste of fear. I confused Staight till Morning with the sweets for a stranger film ..Well im on the subjuect I also wasnt crazy about Horror of Frankenstien I never picked that up on DVD...How do you Guys and Gals feel about that one. I saw it once but wanst crazy about it but it was a long time ago.I hate spending money on a DVD and watching it once. Thts really why i wanted info about Fear in the Night..I cant buy them all and i still havent bought and now the screaming stops so i need opinions before i drop the cash. Thanks everyone

**Dave Hutchens** · 4th June 2002, 08:38 AM

Well, Fred, I love the film, but then again I love just about anything and everything Hammer (hell, I'm crazy about "Lust for a Vampire!"). I have the HOF DVD, and it's beautiful. It's also got a delightful interview with Veronica Carlson, which alone is worth the price. You really have to approach HOF with the proper attitude. It was meant to be a parody, and if taken as such it's really very entertaining and often quite funny.

Raplh Bates? Love 'im. I'll never see what Hammer saw when they were grooming him to take over the Dracula role, but he was an exceptional actor who for me turned in some very memorable performances. Dr. Jekyll, I think, was his best for Hammer.

Dave

**Matt Gemmell** · 4th June 2002, 03:34 PM

Fred , it's not easy for me to be critical of a Hammer Horror as they were my first love as a youngster and they all hold a special interest for me , even the bad ones .
As Dave says you have to approach some of them from a different point of view . If one were looking at Horror Of Frankenstein purely as a Horror movie then I must agree with you it's pretty bad , certainly one of Hammers worst . However when viewed through the eyes of a Hammer fan such as myself it's a whole new ball game . As bad as it is ( and it is ) I still hold it in some affection . It's got the beautiful Veronica Carlson alone which is worth the price of the DVD .
Hammer made many classics as we all know and they made quite a few turkeys too . Yet , I would rather watch a bad Hammer film than most of the junk we get today , but that's just me I guess .

**Dave Hutchens** · 4th June 2002, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Hammer made many classics as we all know and they made quite a few turkeys too . Yet , I would rather watch a bad Hammer film than most of the junk we get today , but that's just me I guess .

Hallelujah, brother!!! :)

Dave

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 5th June 2002, 12:04 AM

Well I guess you guys are more Hammer fans than i im. I watched Sister Hyde again last night and yes it is well directed and written and a very good original idea and yes a good film but personally it wasnt a favorite. I can see how you guys and many others including critics like it ...but im just not crazy about it. I have always loved Hammer films, for instance all the Dracula films( even Satanic Rites... not just because of that guy that plays Dracula)I guess it comes down to Ralph Bates. I just dont like him i suppose. Its just my opinion and i dont mean to criticize his acting or himself ..i just dont like him . I love Hammer films too,have since I was a kid, I guess i dont love the turkeys as much as you guys. Horror of Frankenstien and Lust for a Vampire I dont know maybe cause Ralph Bates is in them . Although I doubt it ...they just were not favorites of mine. But i have read negative things about other Hammer films that i loved. I havent read to many people crazy about Twins of Evil or one of my faves without CL , Vampire Circus but i can see them over and over again. i own Horror of Fraankenstien and Lust on tape because yes they were Hammer films...I just dont see me shelling out more money when thers so many others to buy.Thats why Carvel Ice Cream has so many flavors...every one has differant tastes in what they like and why.

**Matt Gemmell** · 5th June 2002, 11:20 AM

Hey Fred , like you say different strokes for different folks but just for the record . Twins Of Evil is great , a 10 on my scale . I met the Director John Hough in Bray a couple of years ago and told him the same . He's proud of it and said that , even though he has made lots more high profile movies , Twins is the one people talk about the most .Vampire Circus ( 8) is one of Hammers more original ideas . On Sat 1/6/02 I took my daughter to a Buffy & Angel convention where I met Robin Sachs who played the male twin vampire. Again he confirmed the fact that fans appreciate these movies and constantly remind the actors about them .As for Ralph Bates I must confess that the only good role he played in a Hammer movie was in Sister Hyde but I think that's down to the parts and not the man whom everyone says was a great guy .

**Dave Hutchens** · 5th June 2002, 02:07 PM

SUPERB.

One of Hammer's finest. If it weren't 5AM, I could go on about it for pages! :)

Dave (very sleepy)

**Matt Gemmell** · 5th June 2002, 11:52 PM

DAVE , as much as I admire your taste in films , GET TO SLEEP MAN.

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 6th June 2002, 02:34 AM

I have read nothing but good things about ralph Bates and the type of person he was.Its just an acting preferance ....Ive read so many books that bash vampire Circus and twins and i can never understand why. I think they are great films. Im glad we agree on those