Harlow - 1965 ***

The film itself was okay, but Carroll Baker was woefully miscast as Jean Harlow. For fans of Jean, this film does nothing for her image, missing out important chunks of her life (such as her relationship with William Powell) and portrays her as a bit of a ditzy, uneducated bimbo which she wasn't. The relationship with Marino Bello is glossed over as little more than a step-daughter being immature towards her slightly annoying stepfather, when in reality Bello was a hard and unlovable man who took all Jean's money and made it very difficult for her to mature as a human being and as a celebrity. It wasn't a bad standalone film if you want to try not to compare it to any real events but there is no way you can take this as gospel about Harlow's short and sad life.

Dr Terror's House of Horrors - 1965 ****

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing in the same scene? Enough said.

But no, really, this is actually a very good Amicus production, and yes, there may be parts in the film that don't add up, but who cares, it's enjoyable and pretty eerie to boot.

Five men aboard a train are joined by the mysterious Dr Schreck (German for terror, hence Max Schreck) who presents them with a packet of tarot cards and offers to tell each of them their destiny. We are introduced to a variety of topics, including vampires, voodoo, werewolves, walking hands etc and nearly frightened out of our wits.

The twist comes at the end, as it always does in any Hammer or Amicus movie, and it is totally fitting. Cushing is almost unrecognisable in this because of his thick bushy eyebrows etc so it took me a while to work out it was him, but Christopher Lee is on top form, proud, intellectual and sophisticated.