Horror Hotel Cinema : Hammer House of Horror - The Silent Scream (1980)

Hello, one and all....

The Horror Hotel Cinema has yet another rare classic for your viewing pleasure, tonight. This one only runs at an hour long, as it is, in fact, part of a TV spin-off venture that the fabled Hammer Studio's partook of, in the last leg of their saga. The series was called, HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR, and was a hugely successful, if short-lived, set of mini-movies, dealing in a variety of Horror's; (demons, occultism and haunted houses, among others), each one with a different cast, writers and director. It was very much the MASTERS OF HORROR of its time.

I'm unsure what impact the show had on the rest of the world, but in the UK it was a big hit, and has taken its rightful place in the public consciousness, spanning two generations. Its a fine show, with some fine acting, not least in THE SILENT SCREAM...

There are a number of reasons why this episode is so special to me. The most obvious one being that it stars the late-great Peter Cushing, (a man for whom my love and admiration is boundless), in one of his most sinister and dark roles, not to mention, we're also treated to a fine performance by a very young version of the mighty Brian Cox, long before he tackled Hannibal Lector or the work of Jack Ketchum! The story itself is actually very disturbing, and has some great twists and turns to keep you riveted, I believe it to be among the finest of the series.

THE SILENT SCREAM was the seventh episode of the show, which ran for one season and contained thirteen episodes. For anyone in the UK, it's a real treat to revisit this show, (I recommend the DVD box-set!), and for anyone who may have missed it, this episode is a fine introduction to the shows macabre splendor. It has a rare British charm that has long since vanished from our screens, and should be remembered and/or experienced with fondness and love.

And the intro scene....... with the theme music and the guy standing by the window!? That's creeped me out for almost thirty years, and still does. I don't know why....he's just so damned mysterious. What does he want? Why is he watching? Whats going on in that creepy-ass mansion anyway? These are the things that keep Hotel management awake at night, friendo's....

Enjoy the show...