Does this movie have "cardboard" sets, and a "comic book" plot, coupled with some amateur acting -- most definitely it does, but that’s part of the film's charm. This first print I ever saw was a bootleg video that had some big problems with a muddy soundtrack and severely faded picture quality, but fortunately Alpha Video got hold of a better print when redistributing the film years later. It’s made Pat very popular in the B movie crowd, even more famous that his comic work I imagine, but you can give me some of his moody detailed original art anytime. However, no one should be surprised that this artist chose a horror film to make his mark on cinema. When I started looking over his comic art work, I was shocked to see that out of the roughly two hundred ninety six stories he published over the years with Charlton, DC, Marvel, Warren, Atlas, and a few other minor publishers, almost half that volume, one hundred thirty-nine stories, were of his chilling horror tales. Take my latest page offer here for your enjoyment from Archie Comics Red Circle Group from Sorcery #9. Another beautiful example of Boyette’s lush artwork in the spirit of the Caniff school with ghosts and demons haunting a local church. Unfortunately, these pages seem harder to find than just a few short years ago, but I’ve had my fair share of Pat’s artwork. I also am including another favorite spook page from Atlas Comics Weird Suspense #2 from the 1970s with two cops being eaten by a couple of giant tarantulas.
Pat said it was one of the happiest moments of his life, making this flick, and even though he did not set out to make schlock, with his limited resources, that’s the best he said you can hope for. It’s too bad though, that his later experiences in marketing this feature, discouraged Pat so much, he gave up the movie making business after only a few more films. Not wanting to give away this chillers plot, the film has many of Boyette’s classic themes like, a Victorian setting, one deserted island, damsels in distress, ruthless pirates, ghosts, a big spider, some torture, an insane host, the dungeon of course, disease, a touch of romance, and the shocking twist ending. I noticed many of these themes in his later Charlton comic work, and especially in one memorable Warren story that was pretty close to the "monster" of this motion picture. If you ever get the chance to see this movie and you enjoy Pat's moody detailed artwork, you're in for a real treat.
7 comments:
Beautiful, very interesting blog.
Greetings from Sardinia, Italy
Angelo, thanks for the kind words.
In 1962, while you were rolling around in your crib, I was spending many hours on the set of "Dungeon". It was a great time for me and I enjoyed every minute of it. You are right, it is like watching a comic book come to life -- I still enjoy watching it. Thanks for the kind words about my dad, I appreciate it and I know he would too.
Melissa Boyett Brinkley
A great film! I saw it on the tube in '71 as a kid. Later in '94 I bought a decent VHS copy from Sinister Cinema. Has anybody else besides me noticed the uncanny similarities with Roger Corman's "The Terror"? Too bad Boyette didn't make more gothic horror films.
My father,Maurice Harris, played Mantis. My mother tells the story about how Boyette casted him for the movie. Dad passed in 2003 and the movie is the only living part of dad now. Great movie.
A truly great film! I found it on Roku, and was so impressed.
Loved the dialogue - and the acting was perfect. And I totally
agree with Pearl. A real shame that the man never made make
more horror films. This one is a classic!!
Pat really enjoyed making this movie. It feels like one of his Charlton horror stories come to life.
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