Welcome to another Terror Tuesday…where children play with axes and puppies eat the neighbors…Screened: Vampire Lovers: A Hammer film (1970) based on the novella “Carmilla”. Carmilla, played by Ingrid Pitt, is a beautiful vampire (though I am not certain how she remains active during the day) who befriends the buxom daughters of nobility, only to slowly suck the life out of them and turn them into the undead. Perhaps seduce would be a better word, because she tells them she loves them and pretty soon has them naked and is sinking her teeth into their fluffies. For a 1970 Hammer film, there’s a surprising amount of lesbianism and boob exposure, but the basic story is not bad. Hammer production is lush as usual. Some loose ends remain and if you are expecting the earlier Hammer Dracula type stuff you will be in for a bit of a shock.
Two towns over from me in Biddeford (Maine), the Biddeford City Theater claims its share of ghosts. Unexplained noises and lights float about the building, and the face above the stage’s eyes are said to flick open.
Maine architect John Calvin Stevens designed the opera house in a Colonial revival style. The restored version (the previous ruined by fire) opened January, 1896, and presented a great many vaudeville acts, plays and pageants. It is said on All Hallows Eve, 1904, singer Eva Gray collapsed and died after a third encore of “Goodbye, Little Girl, Goodbye”, at the age of 33. It was reported to be heart failure. Since that night her spirit has been spotted haunting the place.A second ghost, one Mr. Murphy, who ran the place during its stint and a movie house, also roans the great structure’s corridors, watching over the electrical breakers, especially when they are switched on and off by women.
Having attended a concert there one Christmas many years back, it’s easy to see why the place would be a haven for ghosts. There’s an otherworldly look to it with its rich dark interiors and classic design. Alas, I saw not a sprite, experienced no strange happenings, but reportedly many others have. Perhaps it’s time for another look…on Halloween.
My name is Chloe Everson…and I kick demon ass…
THE CHLOE FILES by Howard Hopkins
In the tradition of Sookie Stackhouse and Buffy, The Vampire Slayer…
In paperback from http://www.bn.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/
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1 comments:
Looks deadly, it's a great experience to see the horror movies in such theaters. I think you love to see horror movies, more. Anyway, good job.
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