Yesterday was downright autumnal, with gray skies and cold rain. It felt more like October than early August and I decided it was time to revisit a spooky movie.
From the 1950’s through the 70’s, Hammer Films was the studio for gothic horror. Christopher Lee made an indelible mark as Count Dracula in many of their productions, often facing off against Peter Cushing. You may have never seen a Hammer Film, but many other actors went on to appear in things you know and love. Toward the end of Hammer’s reign the budgets shrank (even as the predominance of blood and nudity grew), but you’d hardly know it looking at the sets and costumes.
In a weird way, they feel similar to Bonanza reruns, swapping out the old west for jolly old England.
While I wish that Hammer hadn’t resorted to cheap tactics to draw attention away from the cheapness of their movies (though they did manage to cast Playboy models and Bond girls, so it's not all bad), I could argue that 1971’s Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (currently on Peacock) is one of their best. The nudity here is mild and the blood, as was typical of time, looks like pasta sauce. It was third time Hammer drew from the well of Dr. Jekyll, and manages to expand on the idea by bringing in Jack the Ripper, and Burke and Hare.
Then, of course, there’s the gender bending twist.
Ralph Bates plays Dr. Jekyll, a decent fellow who wants to find a universal cure for all the diseases of the world. Unfortunately, he realizes that life is too short to fix everything. But since women live longer than men, maybe he can tap into the elixir of life, giving him extra time. If not extending life for everyone.
What could go wrong?
To get the, uh, materials he needs, Jekyll hires Burke and Hare to get him dead women (ie: kill prostitutes). Before long, he’s got an electric green Kool-Aid that he tests on himself. You can guess what happens. Bates turns into the crazy hot Martine Beswick and immediately unbuttons his/her shirt to feel him/herself up in front of the mirror. Several actresses were offered the role, but didn’t want to do the nudity, and even Beswick pumped the brakes.
She does bear a strong resemblance to Bates, when she’s not baring other things.
This creates an awkward love triangle as the brother and sister who live upstairs both get romantically interested in Dr. Jekyll and his “sister.” As Jekyll loses control of his transformations (transitions?) his sexuality also becomes more conflicted. At one point he caresses the brother’s face while still in his male body. As Sister Hyde he has no problem making out with his male colleague and clearly enjoys it.
In recent years this was a celebrated queer film.
I don’t think a movie featuring a bi man going trans and becoming a cold-blooded killer would fly now.
But since Burke and Hare were put out of business and Jekyll feels justified in his academic pursuit, he has to keep on killing. Those bodies aren’t going pile up themselves. Besides, the uninhibited Hyde wants to hang around for as long as possible. As the law is closing in and Hyde finds herself unable to kill the young woman who is sweet on Jekyll, the doctor realizes he’s gone too far. But a strong sense of self-preservation creates stronger inner conflict.
Like any good monster movie, the townspeople eventually corner him/her in his lab.
Jekyll climbs out the the window and is hanging from the roof by his fingertips when he turns back into Hyde, and since women aren’t as strong as men, she falls to his/her death. The end.
Is this B-grade horror movie worth your time? Well, I wouldn’t add it into my annual rotation. But it has some interesting ideas and speaks to some timeless truths. Monster movies remind us that science is a fickle god and meddling with the natural never creates a better world. This film is unapologetic about saying men and women are different, and does it in artistic and fun ways that can spark real conversation. Some real thought and skill went into this film, though it never loses track of its intent: to titillate and thrill.
If that’s what you’re looking for, I’ll recommend it.
