‘Scream and Scream Again’ features three horror legends

Despite a strange title, Scream and Scream Again is something of a landmark horror film. The plot is nothing to scream about and neither are the characters. However, this is one of the rare cinematic gems that features Peter Cushing, Vincent Price and Christopher Lee, arguably the three most famous horror actors of all time. For that fact alone, it skyrockets to the top of any genre fan’s cinematic bucket list.

Price plays Dr. Browning, a mysterious doctor who the London police believe may be behind a series of murders where the victims are drained of their blood. When the detectives finally turn up on Browning’s doorstep, what they find is positively ghastly.

Unlike many other horror/thrillers from the same time period, Scream and Scream Again is not set in the days of yore with a scary castle in the background and bats flying through the air. The movie very much embraces its early 1970s vibe, and everything has a “TV murder mystery” feel, as if we were watching an early episode of CSI. The music is probably the most obvious reminder that this little 95-minute movie is a generational time capsule. Everything and everyone looks and sounds so stylish (and the title song is quite catchy when it’s played at a disco club).

The movie is based on Peter Saxon’s novel, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the parallels to the Cold War. In Browning’s quest to create the perfect human, there are not-so-subtle hints of Communism and the influence of eastern Europe.

Even though the central story is fairly straightforward, Christopher Wicking’s screenplay can grow quite confusing. Gordon Hessler’s direction, although a time capsule of the 1970s, doesn’t hold up that well either. Everything features too many complications and needless detail. At the end of the day, Scream and Scream Again is a mad scientist tale with a few twists; trying to add too many plot devices takes away from the thrills. One should watch the movie for Price’s devilish turn, Cushing’s fine acting and Lee’s presence … that’s about it.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Scream and Scream Again

• 1970

• Directed by Gordon Hessler

• Written by Christopher Wicking; based on the book by Peter Saxon

• Starring Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee

• Running time: 95 minutes

• Rated R

• Rating: