The Blood Beast Terror * (1968, Peter Cushing, Robert Flemyng, Wanda Ventham) – Classic Movie Review 2899

Director Vernon Sewell’s 1967 mad scientist horror movie made for Britain’s Tigon studios is all about Victorian insect scientist Dr Carl Mallinger (Robert Flemyng), who creates a creature while working with genetics. 

The canny creature is able to transform back and forth between a giant Death Head moth and a beautiful woman. The creature masquerades as Dr Mallinger’s daughter Clare (Wanda Ventham) when she is in human form. But when she changes into the giant moth, she can give the kiss of death to any man, feeding on the blood of her victims.

Dr Mallinger tries to create a mate for his creature, while Detective Inspector Quennell (Peter Cushing) sets out to solve the mystery and stop the monster and its maker.

But even the unflappable, always affable Cushing looks a bit embarrassed in this clichéd, none-too-compulsive, cut-price chiller with a unbelievable screenplay by Peter Bryan. It feels like there’s a good horror story here but they haven’t quite found it. Cushing considered this to be the worst of all his films.

Roy Hudd appears in his first film as Smiler, the Morgue Attendant. Also in the cast are Vanessa Howard, David Griffin, Kevin Stoney, Glynn Edwards (as police Sergeant Allan), John Paul, Kenneth Colley, Robert Cawdron and Russell Napier.

Flemyng, who reportedly hated working on the film, replaced Basil Rathbone.

Wanda Ventham is now more famous as the mother of Benedict Cumberbatch. She also provided stunt work for the film and appeared in costume as the giant moth monster.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2899

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