Darlings, This Was The Greatest Make-Up Job Since Sandra Harrison In "Blood Of Dracula!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                             And the results were the same--both actors looked better as the monsters!

                             "The Curse Of The Werewolf" was Oliver Reed's first starring role, even though he had been in films since 1955.  I never understood why some got all hot and bothered over him; yes, I have seen the mud fight scene in 1970's "Women In Love," but my eyes went to Alan Bates.  Oliver Reed always struck me as gorilla like--brooding and brutish.  He managed to synthesize all of this brilliantly into his characterization of Bill Sikes in "Oliver!," but then he was directed by his uncle, Sir Carol Reed.

                              Roy Ashton did Reed's make-up for this film, and it is just about perfect.  Reed does look better as the werewolf, and is more convincing here than as this young, tormented soul whom the audience is supposed to sympathize for, but, for God's sake, it is Oliver Reed!  Come on!

                              Still, the pointy ears add the right touch that Universal never did.

                              And Yvonne Romain, who plays the servant girl/werewolf's mother escaped from this crap to marry Leslie Bricusse.  Good for you, Yvonne!

                              Set in Spain, when the novel was set in Paris, because Hammer already had Spanish sets, the film is all over the place.  The actor playing the sadistic Marquis looks faux French, like Basil Rathbone in the 1935 "A Tale Of Two Cities," and no one even attempts a Spanish accent.

                               Still, it was fun to see this fantasy of my childhood realized.   Now, I can move on to more important things like fashion and skin care.  Still, this "Svengoolie" broadcast was tinged with sadness, as no "Sventoonie" followed it.  Bring him back, you heathens of Me TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                The only ones cursed by this, darlings, was the audience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!