The Hellfire Club *** (1961, Keith Michell, Adrienne Corri, Peter Cushing, Peter Arne) – Classic Movie Review 6917

‘A body was the membership card in THE HELLFIRE CLUB.’ Robert S Baker and Monty Berman, the team behind a string of Sixties TV hits like The Saint, The Persuaders and Gideon’s Way, produced, directed and lensed this jolly 1961 British historical romp based on the nefarious activities of the notorious real-life 18th-century Hellfire Club, a group of aristocrats dedicated to the violation of local virgins.

Keith Michell makes a dashing star appearance as the hero, prodigal son Jason Caldwell, who comes back to repossess his property and title as the rightful heir to the Earl of Netherden, but discovers his wicked cousin Thomas (Peter Arne) has claimed the title Earl of Netherden, is in his rightful home and will not budge. Caldwell looks like he might win the battle, so Thomas requests the aid of the horrible Hellfire Club to see him off.

Adrienne Corri (1930–2016).

It also stars Adrienne Corri (1930–2016) as Lady Isobel and Peter Cushing in a guest star cameo as the enigmatic attorney Mr Merryweather. The distinguished cast works hard with considerable success to keep the unusual story going and the screenplay by Minder writer Leon Griffiths and Hammer luminary Jimmy Sangster (who also wrote the story) is entertaining.

Also in the cast are Kai Fischer as Yvonne, Bill Owen as Martin, David Lodge as Timothy, Andrew Faulds as Lord Netherden, Francis Matthews as Sir Hugh Manning, Michael Balfour, Bernard Hunter, Jean Lodge as Lady Netherden, Miles Malleson as judge, Martin Stephens as Jason as a boy, George Street, Rupert Osborne, Tutte Lemkow as Higgins, Peter Howell, Desmond Walter-Ellis as Lord Chorley, Denis Shaw as Sir Richard and Roger Avon.

The Hellfire Club (1961) is known as Les chevaliers du démon in France.

The Hellfire Club (also known as Les chevaliers du démon in France and Den hemmelige klub in Germany) is directed by Robert S Baker and Monty Berman, runs 93 minutes, is made by New World Productions, and released by Regal Films International (1961) (UK) and Embassy Pictures (1963) (USA), is written by Leon Griffiths and Jimmy Sangster, is shot in widescreen and Eastmancolor by Robert S Baker, is produced by Leon Griffiths and Jimmy Sangster, is scored by Clifton Parker, and is designed by Ray Simm.

Jimmy Sangster’s story is inspired by the historical Hellfire Club, Sir Francis Dashwood’s ‘gentlemen’s’ society of the 18th century, infamous for its depravity, debauchery and devil worship.

Jimmy Sangster’s films as director are: The Horror of Frankenstein (1970, also writer), Lust for a Vampire (1971) and Fear in the Night (1972, also writer).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6917

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