The Horror of It All (1964), on Hulu

Jazz sets the stage for a car speeding through the streets of London – a suspenseful opening for this classic black and white horror-comedy, now on Hulu, directed by Hammer auteur Terrance Fisher (Dracula: Prince of Darkness). 

American encyclopedia salesman Jack J. Robinson (Pat Boone) surprises his English fiancée, Cynthia Marley (Erica Rodgers), at her family estate. Robinson intends to ask for Marley’s hand in marriage but arrives at an inopportune moment – the death of a young cousin. As more of the family meet their demise, Robinson quickly realizes that there are dangerous games afoot. 

This quirky film on Hulu, written by Ray Russell (Tennessee Gothic), has all the elements of classic horror – a spooky English manner, an eccentric family, and a raging storm. However, if you look and listen closely a solid comedic element and supporting soundscape make this feature a classic. 

With a marketing tagline of The Zaniest Bunch of Ghouls Ever to Haunt a House, this film had me hooked from Robinson’s (Boone) first words.

Filmed at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England, the Horror of It All merges Terrance Fisher’s significant directing experience and ghoulish techniques found in the Three Stooges, television’s Adams Family, and even a little Scooby Doo thrown in for good measure. The film even has a title song composed and sung by Pat Boone. 

If you consider yourself a classic horror connoisseur, the Horror of It All absolutely must be in your viewing toolbox. 

It is currently streaming on Hulu and F.X.M. Retro.

Pure (2019), on Hulu

At an annual Purity Ball retreat, a group of men manipulated and coerced their teen daughters into signing Purity Contracts. But with the appearance of the demon Lilith, the girls develop personal strength, denying their controlling fathers.

A Blumhouse Production, Pure is the twelfth and final episode of the first season of a Hulu horror anthology, streaming television series Into the Dark. Pure stars Jahkara J. Smith (NOS4A2) as the vulnerable Shay, McKaley Miller (911:Lone Star, Charmed) as the rebellious Jo, Ciara Bravo (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Red Band Society) as the innocent Lacey, and Annalisa Cochrane (Cobra Kai, N.C.I.S.: L.A.). Scott Porter (Lucifer, Harley Quinn) plays Pastor Seth. Written and directed by Hannah Macpherson (T@gged).

The script is ok, but it could have used one more rewrite. However, highly experienced in both television and film, the cast delivers solid, suspenseful performances. 

A few gotcha moments kept me interested, while the familiarity of the retreat location pulled at the back of my mind, enhancing the “possibility” of the story. 

The soundscape was good but targeted. The Lilith special effects were a little hard to accept, not Disneyesque, but certainly not I.L.M.

Ultimately, Pure is a slow-burn mystery filled with creepiness – suitable for a rainy day or solitary Friday night. The scary part? Misogynistic cults of varying degrees do exist.

Now streaming and V.O.D. on Hulu.