| The Devil's Hand |
| The Devil's Hand probably has its middle finger sticking up at the viewer.Trust me the feeling is mutual.This viewer gave the screen two fingers after it was over. Robert Alda plays a fellow who is engaged to Ariadna Welter.But he keeps having dreams about Linda Christian (Welter's real life Sister-in-law at the time). The happy couple meet none other than Neil Hamilton (Comissioner Gordon from the Batman tv show)who runs a doll shop.But actually the doll shop is a front for a devil worshipping cult.Well Alda's fiancee develops heart trouble from a pin placed in a doll by the Commish, I mean shop owner. Alda literally meets the girl of his dreams.She was using astral projection to mess with Alda's mind.She takes him to a cult meeting where Hamilton wears a funky cape and calls upon Gamba, the great devil god. Now Gamba is never just called Gamba.He is always Gamba the great devil god.This is done about twenty times to hammer the point he is all powerful or else to eliminate any confusion with his half assed brother, Rufus the mildly annoying devil god. Not much happens in this movie.There is no real suspense and you just loathe all of the characters.However it is fun when Hamilton comes on the scene.When he answers the phone you just want him to say:"Thank heavens it's you Caped Crusader!Get me out of this diabolical film!". It does have a totally inappropriate but great rock and roll instrumental song playing over the credits. |
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| Back in the 60's television needed programming.Late night movies especially filled the time slots.Today we have infomercials and other garbage.AIP handed Larry Buchannon old movie scripts and said:"Remake these for tv and don't spend more than $16000 on any of them." Which brings us to Curse.The plotline is basically this:A mad scientist in the jungle is trying to make a new species.So this is either a remake of The She Creature or Voodoo Woman, take yer pick.Anyway Dr Nutso is trying to meld man and fish using local natives and members of his household. John Agar is the hero geologist who shows up to survey the swamps looking for oil and possibly a better script.Sorry John.John gives it is usual best but all he gets to do is stand around and smoke cigarettes.You just know he wishes he were somewhere else.The geologist and the scientist meet and this movie is pretty much flushed down the dumper. Now if you've never seen this movie before please understand I'm not making this up.A lake and somebody's backyard is supposed to be a swampy jungle.A swimming pool is also supposed to pass as an alligator pit.There are endless scenes of people standing around smoking and acting badly.The mad scientist is probably the strangest one to ever hit the screen. I'm not certain if he is giving a superb acting job or in reality is just visiting our dimension. If this movie is ever on, run away quickly. |
| Curse Of The Swamp Creature |
| The Devil's Hand/ Curse Of The Swamp Creature |