Back into the vaults of Hammer Studios and viewing for the first time, The Brides Of Dracula (1960). There’s no Dracula, no Christopher Lee. Instead, a school teacher (Yvonne Monlaur), travelling to her new school, inadvertently spends the night at the castle of Baroness Meinster (Martita Hunt) and unwittingly frees the Baroness’ imprisoned golden haired son (David Peel) who has the Curse Of Dracula – he’s a vampire! As he feeds on innocent daughters across the countryside (to create the titular followers), there’s only one man who can stop these shenanigans – the quick-witted and charming Van Helsing (Peter Cushing, so dashing!). With its heightened style, lush colours in the costuming, lighting and sets, this was a very entertaining, old-fashioned horror movie. Many a classic moment, capped by Cushing’s derring do. Alongside The Devil Rides Out and Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde, this was one of my favourite Hammer experiences. Recommended.
VHS Tracking 