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Reviews
Night of the Demon (1957)
Possibly one of the best British horror films ever!
Much has been said about revealing the 'monster' right at the start, as anti-climax. However, it doesn't diminish the atmosphere which pervades the black and white film, and throughout there are touches of suspense; from the eerie (and frankly non-existent) English country hillbilly household;to the villain deceptively garbed in a clown's outfit hosting a children's party and calling forth a hurricane.
Dana Andrews is not the greatest actor, but he does lend the role a suave American-ness that Harrison Ford has become master of. And Niall MacGinnis is the correct blend of sinister and finally, desperation.
And I don't care WHAT you say, the monster is cool! No CGI, but my goodness, when you see it standing astride a passing train at Clapham Junction (Britain's busiest Railway Station!) picking up the villain and mauling him without any sense of propriety, you really get a feel for real visceral horror. The same shot would be played out in a modern version -which is inevitable- in a far longer and drawn out scene. So nice to see that early horror managed just to show death in its rawest form.
Although flawed (but what film isn't?) it is perfect midnight fare - somehow black and white horror has more resonance on the small screen. I count this, along with the 'Haunting' and the 'Shining', my unholy trinity of horror.
On the Fiddle (1961)
Think Ealing comedy....but with Bond!
A charming little piece, harking back to life during the 2nd World War, with the same rose-tinted spectacles worn by Captain Mainwaring in The BBC comedy series 'Dad's Army'. But this isn't a period piece; it's a comedy. And an interesting one of note because it features Sean Connery in one of his earliest lead roles, before the 007 role catapulted him to stardom.
What raises this above the usual comedic fare is the excellent bond (pardon the pun) between the two mismatched characters. Connery is the conscience, and manages to keep his companion in moral check. But he also yearns for front line action, anathema to his colleague's sense of survival. Thus the cheating character is one we can sympathize with and actually believe he's looking after Connery's best welfare.
Of course in the end they do finally see action, and after most of the film playing second dumb fiddle, Connery takes the lead and convinces his buddy to make the correct moral choice, helping save the lives of allied soldiers.
The only one real flaw is the sudden ending which is humorous only really in its abruptness, but overall I found this film to be an entertaining surprise. Great underplayed role from Wilfrid Hyde-White, and spot some British favourites in early roles.
It's Garry Shandling's Show. (1986)
Why is this not on DVD?
I watched this in Britain in the late eighties/early nineties, and though it was relegated to the graveyard slot on a minor channel it still has a mass fan base who would love to buy it on DVD, even Region 1. But there's no sign of it being released! Why is this? If anyone associated with the relevant network reads this please consider releasing it. You may find that very soon someone will 'borrow' the idea, have a massive success with it, and the new version will be considered more successful, and the show will simply be relegated to history. The time is ripe for a Garry Shandling revival! Who's with me!!