Joe Dante on CURSE OF THE DEMON
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ย. 2024
- Often described as a Hitchcockian monster movie, Curse of the Demon is best remembered as the culmination of director Jacques Tourneur’s work-a shrewdly constructed and perfectly cast horror-noir, this 1958 chiller is the equal to Tourneur’s Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie. Dana Andrews gives one of his most incisive performances as a smug skeptic who has his bubble burst by a bat-winged demon, but it’s Niall MacGinnis as an affable warlock with mother issues who walks away with the picture.
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'Night of the Demon' is truly one of my favorite horror films from the pre-70s. The performances are fantastic, it has a great villain and a tight script. I can not stress enough, if you have not seen this film, seek it out. It is a must-see for any horror fan.
I know it's not the generally received opinion, but I really like the fact that the demon appears, and think that it only adds to the effectiveness of what is an already terrific film
Agreed 👍
Absolutely! Showing it was the right decision!
It's definitely cheesy looking, but it's also really awesome and cool in the 1950s to see a smoking demon that evokes the Balrog from Lord of the Rings.
The first time I saw this picture was in the ‘films room’ at the San Diego Comic-Con in 1973. I found myself a chair after the picture had already started and missed the opening scenes with the first appearance of the demon. The first scene I saw was the ‘meet-cute’ with Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins on the airplane. Believe it or not, the story unfolded perfectly well from that point forward. Even references to what might or might not have happened to the first victim gained resonance with the film’s non/belief theme as the story progressed. In fact, in that manner, as the story developed and new supernatural elements were methodically added, the tension increased as our own ability to explain away each new phenomenon was challenged, much like Andrews’ character. Imagine the spine-tingling effect thus derived when the animated, wriggling strip of runes-parchment tries to deliver its edict of doom. The image fairly leapt off the 16-mm screen at me as I wondered what could possibly happen next. So. When the monster was shown in the finals scene, giving answer to whether the menace had been real or not, I was thoroughly satisfied by the conclusion. This was a picture that delivered. Thankfully the creature is a humdinger on its own terms. While unseen terror is potent, if you have the goods to show the audience, then do it, by all means. I think John Carpenter said something like this once. But drop the first reel if at all possible. You’ll never miss it.
I LOVE this movie (both versions) and it needs to be in every movie lovers personal film library.
The noise of that steam engine is so haunting
I agree that Night of the Demon's monster appearing early on was a good call. One of the few films where this happens and the fear factor is enhanced. It's a great demon!
Yeah almost akin to the Columbo concept: show it right away and then the audience has the suspense of seeing the protagonist figure out what they already know
I know every single line in this movie. I've seen it more times than I can count. It's so good.
Joe calling something a "terrific picture" is the most any movie can achieve. ❤
One of the many movies I watched on Alex Cox's Moviedrome series back in the day. A late-night BBC 2 delight.
Full of great moments - the kids at the party, the hand on the banister - the chase through the woods. I watch this film at least once a year. Trust Joe Dante to nail one of the '50s classics!
Truly wonderful picture, thank you for covering!
Thanks for this Joe. Have had this on dvd for some time. Upgraded to Blu-ray, something I seldom do. Niall McGinnis is superb. Great, great film.
The Demonic Creature in the Posters and Trailers is what really sold this Movie.
Always good to see Joe. This movie lives up to the hype.
"You could learn a lot from children. They believe in things in the dark, although we tell them it's not so. Maybe we've been fooling them."
Night of the Demon is easily one of the best films of the 50s, any genre. Dana Andrews and Niall MacGinnis are fantastic.
EDIT: If you ever bother to watch this film (please do, it's fantastic), make SURE you watch the longer Night of the Demon version, and not the cut down American "Curse" version. The extra scenes in "Night" really do make the film make a lot more sense, and feel more complete.
Indeed, I just discovered that the US edit omits Holden's visit to the Hobart house - one of the best & most pivotal sequences. Whatever were they thinking??
The actor in the thumbnail is Brian Wilde, prison officer Mr. Barrowclough in 70s British comedy series Porridge.
Incredibly, I've never seen this one!
But if the Legend Joe Dante says its a favorite, well, I'm off to find it!🤘😎🤘
Thank you for defending the monster puppet! I love monster puppets. I first saw this as a young child, so of course, the monster was the only part I even remembered!
One of Mr Dante's favorite, and sampled by Sam Raimi are 2 facts that must push anybody who haven't seen it already, the big surprise for me in this classic is the treatment made on the villain, spoilers coming: his first appearance(?) as a clown entertaining children, then a mama's boy, very odd and new, i feel Hitchcock was the great one to bring special persona to psychos and it reminds me of the master. Great channel that helped me discovering new stuff, recently a pure gem,Private parts,Paul Bartel's first directed movie, Mr Landis presented the video.
Once seen, never forgotten! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A long time favorite.
I love the puppet demon so much. A great moody suspense film that can also put that big a grin on my face- what more could I ask for?
1957 was an interesting year for Dana Andrews -- he made this iconic thriller and also starred in "Ceilin Zero" a melodrama about a mid-flight crisis...that became the inspiration for the parody "Airplane!"
Ceiling Zero
@@joelkweskin8545 I believe it was called Zero Hour.
Indeed a terrific movie and art direction. Excellent 2k bluray transfer from the original negative avaible from Indicator UK. It was a blast to watch in the home theatre. 🎉
NIGHT OF THE DEMON, NOT Curse of the Demon, the American cut version, is one of Tourneur's greatest films. IMO he is second only to Sternberg in his use of light and shadow. . He directed Cat People, I Walked With a Zombie, Out of the Past (one of the 5 greatest noirs ever) and Nightfall among others. Of course, Tourneur with his impeccable taste, did not want to actually show the demon. Just having smoke or fog would have been much more effective, but he was overruled by the studio. In any case, this is a TERRIFIC film in every way. The storm scene on the lawn could be in a textbook, it's that good. I'm a filmmaker myself and of all the directors I feel closest in spirit to Sam Fuller and Tourneur.
Love the film, love the demon.
Great film to watch late at night, all alone.
Something is out there, unknown & unstoppable.
It may be classed a a B movie but it is a classic.
one of my favorite horror films. so smart and well-acted.
Great film, I watched this film first time with a overnight stay with my friend I was about 12 and we stayed up to watch the midnight horror film which was 'The Night Of The Demon' it scared me to death, this film is based on the marvellous ghost/ macabre writer M R James story 'Casting The Runes' it still holds up today as a great entertaining film with a great cast.
Niall Macginnis was terrific in a short but moving role as a priest serving a leper colony in 1962 A Nuns Story. He’s my favorite Zeus as well!
Years earlier, he also played Martin Luther.
I remember him in Jason & The Argonauts.
@@waltermlane9664 as the narrator says no one remembers that one. The best Luther is Stacy Keach from 74.
Still one of my faves. British version naturally.
I like the demon but they make the fatal mistake of showing it far too early in the film as well as being featured too prominently in the print ads. It should have been only shown in bits and pieces until that final reveal until the end when Karswell gets his just deserts.
i've never seen it but i'm sure at some point i will, thank you Joe for introducing this to us you've been one of my favorite directors since i was a kid and i really wish The Movie Orgy was on bluray i'd buy it day 1. thanxs for Introducing me to the late great Dick Miller if not for Gremlins i would never have heard of the guy. man do i wish you were still doing big movies in theaters like you were when i was growing up and though The Burbs was a flop it's easily among my favorites of all time.
Kate Bush references the line "It's coming at me through the trees" in Hounds of Love...
The “best left up to the imagination “ Writer and Director were wrong . The Suits were right . The appearance of the Demon turned it into a grand slam . Allegedly the Writer said it revealed to much . Nope , I quote Nathaniel Hawthorne “ The chasm was merely one of the orifices of that pit of blackness that lies beneath us everywhere !” Of course there is also one from an ancient Author “ We are Legion . We are many “
heck yeah can't wait to see this. Thanks Joe!
Sam Raimi recommended this movie, and you can totally see the influence on his film DRAG ME TO HELL. Both are fantastic pictures.
"Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes and passing them used lots of skill"
I always had a soft spot for this film
Frank Zappa saw this picture when he was an adolescent. His younger brother Bob found the film extremely frightening and Frank had to tell him it's only a movie. He said Frank talked about the movie for days.
Hey it's one of my favourite early Occult themed movies 😊
Karswell is my favourite villain in cinema history. But holy crap the trailer showed the ending. What a spoiler!
Couldn’t agree more!
Great ❤
Brilliant thriller
Great movie, terrible trailer. Why do film editors give away the endings of movies in the trailer?
The demon had not be shown.
You know within the the first minute or so, they ain't kidding!!!! I actually also think the USA shorter version works better. Have both on DVD
Without the demon the movie is just a whole lot of talking. They were right to include it.