While best known to genre fans for Curse of The Crimson Altar, Vernon Sewell had a persistent interest in hauntings that led him to remake the same play as four different films. The play is L’Angoisse by Celia de Vilyars and Pierre Mills, and seems to have been a late Grand Guignol piece but I’ve…
Tag: film
James Whale’s Man in the Iron Mask (1939)
As I put the finishing touches on my presentation for Sunday, I have been taking breaks with more swashbuckling: James Whale’s 1939 version of The Man in the Iron Mask. Returning stars of a recent view Louis Hayward and Joan Bennett, as the twins and the queen-to-be respectively. A great cast all around — it’s…
Swashbuckling Adventure
When I get fed up with what I’m working on — or if I actually finish something and need a break — a good old vintage film is often what I look for. The Wicked Lady (1945) is cracking fun. I regret not getting to it sooner. I used to have an aversion to Margaret…
Review: Savage House
Wondering where to begin in recapping my travels — this past week has been a WHIRL of course — The Fall: Futures and Pasts was amazing and Tarot Cultures was magical and then there was more Leonora (even more than expected!) and friends and good meals and so much — so I need to get…
Stars & Screen Virtual Symposium
‘Stars & Screen’ Cinema & Media History Virtual Symposium | May 16, 2026 Next Saturday! You can find the whole program on line here and you can attend by RSVPing on the page. Here’s my subject (though I’ve only got 15 minutes so it may be a little bare bones): Haunted: Where Gothic Bleeds into…
Nephomancy
Happy Walpurgisnacht — or Vappu or whatever you celebrate on the eve of May Day or Beltane. I am sharing my short film Nephomancy as it has been through the festival circuit and now will join the other hauntings that eminate from Hookland, its inspiration. Witches see portents in all things — the world is…
Review: Leonora in the Morning Light
It will probably remove any sense of objectivity to say that I was one of the Kickstarter supporters, but then whilst objectivity has its uses, reviews are by nature subjective anyway. And anyone who pretends otherwise is a jerk (as the kids say [I’m told] I don’t make the rules!). Objectively I can tell you…
No Other Choice/The Ax
Today is the day my late friend Adrean Darce Brent chose as her birthday; she told me once that the process took long enough that she had more than one day that could be considered so, but having to choose she went with that date. She died before her last birthday which I didn’t find…
Forecast: Art Show
I could not be more pleased to be part of FORECAST: READING THE SIGNS at the Gallery Upstairs at the Institute Library in New Haven. What a great theme — you know how much I love systems of divination! It will feature terrific works by gal pals Stephanie Johnson AKA The Queen of Everything, Jennifer…
Dundee When It Grizzles
Okay, poor (very poor) joke title — and it’s Grissel Jaffray anyway! Although thanks to the comments on this new video, I found out about Jim Reid’s song ‘Grizzeled Jaffray’ about Dundee’s last witch. So I’m told; I’m trying to get a copy of it now so I can hear for myself. [Edit to add:…