CORRIDORS
OF BLOOD (1958)Director: Robert Day
Image Entertainment
CORRIDORS
OF BLOOD (1958)Image Entertainment has thankfully released another outstanding Gordon Films title featuring Boris Karloff in one of his best, yet often overlooked later-day roles. In reality, the film is more drama than it is horror, but there is still plenty of gruesome elements throughout, so it justifiably is classified as a horror film. Although it was produced in the late 50s, it didn't make it to U.S. theaters until 1963 when MGM tossed it onto the bottom of a double bill with the Italian-made WEREWOLF IN A GIRL'S DORMITORY.
Set in London in 1840, the film ingeniously shifts the narrative back and forth from the seedy streets of London's slums to the corridors of an influential hospital. It is there that Dr. Bolton (Karloff) attempts to convince an intimidating hospital superintendent (Finlay Currie) and the rest of his piers of his advancing surgical methods. Bolton is developing an anesthetic gas to use on patients during painful operations. After a botched public demonstration at the hospital, Bolton is dismissed and is denied access to the drugs that he needs to continue his experiments.
Bolton uses himself as the guinea pig for his potent gas, and he eventually becomes addicted. His downfall leads him into the hands of the lowlifes at a tavern called "The Seven Dials." They agree to obtain the drugs that the doctor needs in exchange for his signature on phony death certificates (the corpses are sold to local hospitals). Bolton's addiction creates such an obstruction that he ultimately endangers his life, his reputation and his research.
CORRIDORS OF BLOOD is one of the few gothic British horror films lensed in black and white during this period, as most were employing color in the new era of Hammer Films. Like a handful of other British classics of the same time (Baker and Berman's MANIA and JACK THE RIPPER) the film works better in black and white. The eerie cinematography perfectly compliments the film's cast of sorted characters and surroundings. Director Robert Day capably sets a nice mood and pace, and the cast is a horror lover's dream.
The cast is like a who's who of British horror; Francis Matthews (REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN), Betta St. John (HORROR HOTEL), Adrienne Corri (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), Francis De Wolf (HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES), Nigel Green (COUNTESS DRACULA), Yvonne Warren (Romain) (DEVIL DOLL), Charles Lloyd Pack (HORROR OF DRACULA), and Skip Martin (MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH) all appear in various roles. If you look carefully, you'll also spot the late Desmond Llewelen ("Q" of James Bond fame) as a hospital staff member.
Donned in black garb and top hat, Christopher Lee (in between his first few Hammer films) is perfectly cast as the frayed and scarred grave robber, Resurrection Joe (love that name). Lee's character is obviously inspired by the persona of Burke and Hare, as he snuffs out helpless victims by suffocating them with a puffy pillow. Karloff and Lee only have a few scenes together, but one of them is unforgettable; in self-defense, Karloff flings a jar of acid at Lee who agonizes in slow motion.
There are other great sequences, including Karloff's wild hallucinations that contain a surprising shot of a leg being sliced open. One of the most disturbing themes in the film is a fragile little girl whose leg wound grows worse. Bolton is forced to operate on the small child without the aid of the anesthetic and almost using the wrong scalpel.
What can I say about the transfer other than it is simply stunning. The picture quality on this full frame DVD is sharp and the black and white image has great definition. The elements used for the transfer are in near-perfect condition and the PCM mono sound is crisp and extremely clear, especially considering that this film is more than 40 years old. Also included is a great U.S. theatrical trailer with a rather exploitive angle to it. (George R. Reis)