Though it still has faults (not least the ridiculous, distributor-mandated
title), this Universal homage is easily Smith’s best feature to date with
moments that are genuinely impressive. Three friends searching for legendary
mad scientist Rathbone and his rumoured coterie of monsters find what they’re
looking for and soon regret it. Though promoted as a Frankenstein/werewolf
mash-up this owes more to Dr Moreau. Its biggest strength is Alex Harrison’s
corking monochrome photography (with occasional well-judged colour moments), evoking
the post-Universal, pre-Hammer Euro-style of Freda or Franju. A superb sequence
of Rathbone re-animating his disfigured wife then dancing with an idealised
fantasy version of her leads into a brief but beautiful Bava-esque nightmare as
an accidental witness (Robinson, who is just fantastic) runs past caged experiments.
On the downside, the script is full of narrative gaps and unexplained
motivations, and Gates’ accent provokes unintended giggles, wobbling between
Bela Lugosi and Colonel Klink. End theme by Dr and the Medics, with a cameo by
lead singer Clive Jackson.
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