Wednesday, March 18, 2009

THE WITCHES - Sir Richard Rodney Bennett - "The Devil's Own" (1966)

What a bunch of Freaks! Have you ever sat around and wondered how many secret meetings or get togethers are going on in your own town right now?? Gangs, Covens, Nazis, Religious Fanatics, Sex Fiends, Money Lenders, Politicos, etc, etc! You're sitting home staring at your computer or watching TV, eating pizza, and drinking beer, just trying to relax, and at the same time there are all kinds of people out there still trying to figure out how to take over the world for one nefarious reason or another, and if it wasn't for movies like "The Witches," you probably wouldn't even bother thinking about it!!

Joan Fontaine plays Gwen Mayfield in her last film outing, and turns in what I find to be an incredible and fascinating performance!! The film begins in Africa, and the locals aren't real fond of Gwen!! That's all you need to know, because she has a breakdown after this scene, goes back to a small town in England and gets a job in a church school!

This is a Hammer film, so you know something's not going to be right with the townsfolk, and you'd be right!!

Joan notices strange things happening in the village! She finds weird footprints in the mud and gets 'accidently' trampled by some sheep, but is helped by all those kindly local people again!

She was getting way too close to something, so with a little help, the flashbacks start up!

Next thing you know, Joan's lost her memory and is tossed into this can of vegetable soup!!

I became a big Joan Fontaine fan after watching this film again!

So back to the meat and the music!! Seems Joan was on to something, all those weirdos are Devil worshippers led by the lady with the candles on her head

A one, and a two, and a three....Let's Go!!!!

The Soundtrack is by Richard Rodney Bennett, who was knighted by The Queen in 1998 for his service to music!!! He's that good!!!

"C'mon now baby and take a chance, Say that you'll let me have this dance, Well let's dance, well let's dance, We'll do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too, Any old dance that you wanna do, But let's dance, well let's dance!!!!!!"

"Hey baby, yeah, you thrill me so, Hold me tight, don't you let me go, But let's dance, well let's dance, We'll do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too, Any old dance that you wanna do, But let's dance, well let's dance!!"

"OK, Wail Now!!!!"

3 comments:

Max said...

This is pretty solid movie up until the beatnik dancing at the end. Sorta takes the creepiness out of it, y'know. And beatnik dancing just ain't as much fun without Audrey Hepburn in black pajamas.

Eegah!! and Tabonga! said...

Good one Max!!! Thanx!!!!

Greg Goodsell said...

This seems to be one of the inspirations for THE WICKER MAN!

Monster Music

Monster Music
AAARRGGHHH!!!! Ya'll Come On Back Now, Y'Hear??