The Gorgon 
                                               
Director: Terence Fisher
Year: 1964
Rating: 7.5
Police "Doctor, will you perform an autopsy?'

Doctor "On a body that has turned to stone?"

In the small town of Vandorf in central Europe, this is becoming a habit, but oddly none of the villagers seem too upset or curious - they just stay home when the moon is full. This Gothic Hammer film is rather lovely with a wonderful cast, sets and a tale that builds the dread to an ending that fulfills its promise. The only weakness is the look of the Gorgon herself. The Gorgon from Greek mythology will turn a man to stone if they are face to face because the Gorgon is so hideous. In my youth, I had blind dates that looked worse. Sure a few snakes in her hair and poorly put on make-up but try dating a native girl from Brooklyn. She is played by Prudence Hyman which strikes me as a name at odds with itself. 



A young woman goes running after her boyfriend into the night and stops and screams and is found literally stone dead the next day. The boyfriend is discovered hanging from a tree, a seeming suicide - though never really explained. The man is convicted for murder and his suicide. A neat conclusion. That fact that she was stone is never mentioned, covered up nicely by the local doctor. Doctor Namaroff played beautifully by a calm, cold, dispassionate Peter Cushing. Close to his Dr. Frankenstein personality - not exactly evil but obsessed and impersonal to a fault. Besides his practice, he also runs an insane asylum. The father of the dead boy refuses to believe this and investigates. He hears a siren calling in the night and walks out, the wind blowing, an eerie quiet in the town and follows the sound to an ancient long deserted castle up on the hill. I kept telling him turn back - if I heard that sound, I would lock all the doors and windows, close the curtains, go in my bedroom, put a chair against the door after locking it and get under the bed. But I am not a film hero for good reason. Of course he doesn't listen to me. Nobody does.



He too is turned to stone - called a heart attack by the good doctor. His son Paul (Richard Pasco) comes to investigate. Digs up dad. Could mount him on his mantel. He sees Namaroff's assistant and is bedazzled. Not surprising. Barbara Shelly has never looked this good. Her red auburn hair wrapped up in a bun, goodness seeping out from every pore. She wants to go away with him. Go. No, I have to find out what is going on. His professor from Leipzig shows up - ah, finally at the 50-minute mark Christopher Lee appears with a small gray moustache looking like he should be in a Harry Potter movie - Professor of Logic or something.  The doctor says it may be the spirit of one of Medusa's sisters who has taken on human form. It could be anybody. Don't go out in a full moon. Of course, they do.