The Gorgon (1964)

 ☆ ☆ ☆

The Gorgon (1964) – T. Fisher

If one dates the advent of Hammer Horror from their production of Dracula in 1957 (also directed by Terence Fisher), then The Gorgon (1964) falls solidly into the heyday of the Studios. That said, The Gorgon feels like a lesser entry in the canon.  Possibly this is because the plot veers toward romance (between Barbara Shelley and Richard Pasco), neglecting the monster (a Medusa-like creature lurking in an old castle) for lengthy stretches of the film. Possibly this is because Peter Cushing isn’t on the side of good but instead rather turgidly defends the heroine (with whom he is also in love) who is suspected of somehow being in league with the monster. Possibly this is because Christopher Lee doesn’t show up until halfway through the film (as the hero’s mentor) and his charisma is sorely needed earlier (although Michael Goodliffe as the father of the hero also has a good turn early on – before he is turned to stone, of course). Whatever it is, the film lacks something. Nevertheless, it still succeeds on all those things that Hammer is great at:  production values, art/set design, and an air of mystery!