The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

[7] In these cynical, recklessly progressive, polarized, impersonal times, I find comfort in many films from Britain's Hammer Studios from the '50s and '60s. Most of these films are pure genre entertainment, devoid of divisive subtext or dreaded political messaging,…
Island of Terror (1966)

Island of Terror (1966)

[6] Peter Cushing headlines this British horror film about an island overrun by mysterious, bone-liquifying creatures that are multiplying at an alarming rate. Cushing plays a professor who teams with a doctor (Edward Judd) and his girlfriend (Carole Gray) to…
Cash on Demand (1961)

Cash on Demand (1961)

[6] Peter Cushing and Andre Morell, paired a few years earlier in The Hound of the Baskervilles, re-team for Hammer Studios in Cash on Demand. Based on a stage play, this is largely a two-man show with Morell playing a…
The Skull (1965)

The Skull (1965)

[2] Peter Cushing stars in this Amicus production about a collector of supernatural antiquities who comes into possession of the Marquis de Sade's skull. Christopher Lee (in a cameo) warns him that the skull has the power to possess its…
Night Creatures (1962)

Night Creatures (1962)

[7] This Hammer production is, in the best way possible, like a live-action episode of Scooby-Doo, complete with pirates, marsh phantoms, scarecrows, and secret identities. The charismatic cast is headlined by Peter Cushing as the dubious town vicar and Patrick…
The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)

The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)

[6] Peter Cushing returns for Hammer's first sequel to their highly successful Curse of Frankenstein. Cushing's mad doctor escapes the guillotine and sets up camp in a new town, where he transplants the brain of his deformed assistant into a…
The Gorgon (1965)

The Gorgon (1965)

[4] The mystery is paper-thin in this tale of Medusa-like sisters who turn their victims to stone. Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee have precious few scenes together, and neither are on their best game (Cushing's character isn't much to work…
The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

[5] Hammer's third Frankenstein film (following Revenge of Frankenstein) is more of a one-off than a sequel, having little to do with the films before or after it. Despite the return of Peter Cushing to the role of Baron Frankenstein…
Shock Waves (1977)

Shock Waves (1977)

[7] Nazi zombies rise from the sea and prey on a group of youngsters stranded at an abandoned island resort. You either love the sound of that, or you don't. I dig it. Peter Cushing makes a welcome appearance as…
Torture Garden (1967)

Torture Garden (1967)

[5] Burgess Meredith stars as Dr. Diabolo, a sideshow barker who gives daring patrons a glimpse at their untimely demises in this horror anthology flick from Britain's Amicus Productions (ever the poor man's Hammer Studios). The four featured tales include…