THE UNKNOWN TERROR (1957)
Tagline: They dared enter the Cave of Death to explore the secrets of hell!
(Sci-Fi, Horror, Dangerous Bubble Bath) [PG]
Note: The MPAA did not give a rating for this movie, but I am guessing it would have been a [PG]. Some of the concepts are pretty macabre.
In this one, Jim Wheatley disappears while exploring a cave near a Mexican village. Of course, his sister Gina is having none of that and talks he husband Dan into taking her to find him. After an earlier encounter between Dan and Pete (who also seems to have a thing for Gina) desperately pleas to go with Gina and Dan because he is the only one with the expertise to handle “cave hunting”. This isn’t just any cave folks, this is the dreaded “Cave Of The Dead”. The villagers even have a hit song about it. We are talking about human sacrifice, dogs, and cats living together, mass hysteria. When they get there they run into Dr. Ramsey who has been doing some crazy experiments with fungus claiming it’s for antibiotics. The villagers treat him like a god. Can Pete, Dan, and Gina save Jim, or will the “Cave Of Death” claim more lives?
First off, this movie actually has a creepy sci-fi horror element that escalates as the movie moves along. There are also some pretty crazy story reveals that make this thing stand out among the 1950s b-movies.
Acting-wise, Paul Richards plays Peter Morgan in this and his acting is pretty decent, but man, his character is just super bossy. He’s also super stupid. I would not leave a woman that I like in the least bit with some random scientist in the middle of the night after just seeing that dude putting a beating on his wife. Peter though… Peter doesn’t care. He’s a jerk. Paul Richards is famous for BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES. I am not sure if he plays a jerk in that. I haven’t seen it in years. Mala Powers plays Gina Matthews, (Dan’s wife) and is pretty decent, but she does get left out of a lot of the script until the final sequence. Powers is most famous for her role as Anne Spensser in THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK. Dan Matthews is played by John Howard and Dan is also pretty stupid. He is even more guilty of negligence regarding his wife’s safety than Peter is. Because like I said, he’s dumb. John Howard by the way racked up over 115 acting credits even appearing in an episode of the Wonder Woman TV series. May Wynn plays Concha Ramsey and Gerald Milton plays Dr. Ramsey. I am not familiar with May’s work, but she was okay in this, Gerald Milton just looks menacing and is perfect for his role.
Music and score-wise this movie is pretty good. I also liked the atmosphere for what they were trying to accomplish and the lighting works to perfection. The actual fungus effects worked well and I felt myself on the edge of my seat hoping that Dan, Peter, and Gina weren’t going to fall into the abyss. I guess Twentieth Century Fox hated this thing, so Regal Films along with Emirau Productions had to shop it to Golden Gate Theatre who put it in a double bill with BACK FROM THE DEAD. I don’t see myself reviewing BACK FROM THE DEAD though, because I purposely stay away from overtly demonic crap.
While there are some horror flicks from the 50s that I would consider more on the “sci-fi” side of things. This one is an exception. It does technically fall into the sci-fi category, but it plays out more like a slow-burn horror film.
For me, this is a 4 out of 7. Worth at least 1 watch, but not something I see myself going back to with so many amazing 1950s flicks to choose from.
GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF EMIRAU PRODUCTIONS AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.
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