Can finally tick off Narciso Ibáñez Serrador's 1969 film, The House that Screamed (AKA La Residencia) off my watch list. Would have been much sooner if I was able to watch it without some awful VHS rip of it on the net, or cop it without having to pay an extortionate amount for a copy to grey importers. In any case, it's a great film that warms my cockles with all its sumptuous gothic splendour, and certainly worth going over it in more detail at a later date.
Interesting observation about it was John Moulder-Brown kicked off a winning streak thanks to Serrador's film and followed it up with Deep End (1970) and Vampire Circus (1972); all before kissing goodbye to his teenage years. Not quite as impressive as Corey Feldman's phenomenal run in the eighties, but it's still a tremendous achievement, in my opinion.
First caught wind of The House that Screamed in the excellent documentary, Horror Europa with Mark Gatiss, which first aired on TV back in 2012. It was the only film fetaured in it which I hadn't seen until now. Since it was discussed with equal reverance as other great European horror classics like Eyes Without a Face (1960), Black Sabbath (1963), and Daughters of Darkness (1971), the film obviously made it onto my radar.
Serrador helmed what I personally consider the best horror film to come from Spain, Who Could Kill A Child (1976). Ironically, much like my favourite film from Australia, Wake in Fright (1971), it too featured Brits for its main cast.
That Gatiss doc sounds good. Will peep.
ReplyDeleteShould have been a three parter like A History of Horror, but it's excellent, regardless.
ReplyDeleteJohn Moulder-Brown should be the next Doctor Who imho. Need another old git to erase the shitty Peter Capaldi era.
ReplyDeleteChecked out when I saw him with that electric guitar.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Doctor Who, did you know thumb sucking Ryan is in the new House Party film?
No way! When is Hollywood gonna come calling for him wot played Adric?
ReplyDeleteGood thing Billie Piper was in that Secret Diary of a Call Girl series instead of him, innit?
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