The Devil's Messenger

 

The Devil's Messenger is a 1961 black and white horror film, directed by Herbert L. Strock and Curt Siodmak. The stars include Lon Chaney Junior, Karen Kadler and John Crawford. 

A woman named Satanya commits suicide and ends up in Hell. Satan himself gives Satanya's soul a task and so she returns back to earth. Three eerie stories unfold, as the woman carries out her three missions. There is a photographer who goes mad, a scientist who falls in love with a prehistoric woman covered in ice, and Satanya's former boyfriend visits a fortune teller. This is an anthology of the Swedish TV series "13 Demon Street".

I rate this a modest 6/10.

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Donovon's Brain

 

A 1953 science fiction horror, directed by Felix X. Feist. The stars include Nancy Raegan, Lew Ayres and Gene Evans. Two scientists have some ambitious ideas, and remove the brain of a dead wealthy banker, with the purpose of trying to study why the brain is active after the man's body had died. They kept the brain in a tank, although it becomes aware of everything and uses telepathy to control people. Next the brain wants to control the world!

The film is based on a book of the same title "Donovon's Brain" by Curt Siodmak who also wrote other novels including "Skyport" and "The Third Ear". Orson Wells Played one of the scientists on the radio drama of the story "Donovon's Brain" in 1944. The actress Nancy Raegan became First Lady of the United States in 1981. 

I rate this clever intense film a 8/10

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Cat Women of the Moon

 

This is a 1953 science fiction film directed by Arthur Hilton. The stars include Marie Windsor, Carol Brewster, Sonny Tufts and Victor Jory.

A group of astronauts land their rocket on the moon with the intention of exploration, but their navigator, Helen, seems strangely connected to the moon. It's as if she's been there before, but she couldn't have been. That mystery deepens when Helen guides the astronauts to a cave in the hills. They find fresh air, giant spiders and a city ruled by women. 

While regarded as a B-movie, it was 3-D in the cinema during its time of release. There are connections with "Project Moon Base" film 1953 and "Destination Moon" 1950 as it borrowed much of the costumes and sets. The 90's girl group Shakespeare's Sister were inspired by the film to make their 1992 album "Hormonally Yours". Elmer Berstein the composer of the film had his name misspelt in the movie credits. 

My rating is a flower moon 7/10. 

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Blithe Spirit (1945)

Blithe Spirit is a comedy horror made in 1945. It was directed by David Lean and the cast includes Rex Harrison, Margaret Rutherford and Kay Hammond. 

There is a seance gathering with a group of people including a psychic medium. Things don't really happen as they should when the medium passes out and a "green lady" ghost appears! Suddenly there's a chill felt in the room. Despite being a funny ghost movie, there's a couple of genuine creepy scenes. It's based on a play called Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward and it's been adapted in theatre many times.  

I rate this a spooky 6/10. 

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