Full disclosure: though I wasn't all that fond of this particular film, I'll admit that I think its poster is downright genius.
Why?
Well, The Dunwich Horror -- adapted from the H.P. Lovecraft novella for the silver screen -- very amply hints at any measure of subversiveness in its presentation as directed by Daniel Haller. Haller -- not exactly a huge name in genre circles but deserves a bit more recognition -- got his start with his debut picture Die Monster Die (1965) and then delivered this curious little gem but a few years after. He packed reasonably well with some interesting visual ideas, but perhaps what I remember most is this wonderful little bit between stars Dean Stockwell and Sandra Dee. Let me explain it, and you'll see why it kinda/sorta links to the sentiments of this poster ... and maybe you'll agree.
Stockwell plays the film's villain, Wilbur Whateley, a small town loser whose birth ties him to another dimension's source of evil. (I won't spoil it more than that, but Lovecraft fans probably know it well enough.) He woos the lovely Nancy Wagner (Dee, in a bit of a comeback performance from a three-year screen absence) with the intent of sacrificing her with the hope that his deed will usher into our world the 'Old Ones' who'll basically bring an end to life as we know it because -- mostly -- that's what evil does.
In any event, Dee spends the bulk of the film's second half lying on said altar; and -- at one point -- Stockwell reads texts from the original Necronomicon (the Book Of The Dead) in order to usher in this dimensional event. But at one point -- perhaps having grown a bit tired with holding the book up on his own -- he actually rests it between Dee's thighs -- precisely in her (ahem) nether regions -- and continues casting his spell. Forgive me for pounding on this drum, but I thought it was just an incredible visual moment -- so devious, so downright naughty -- that papers could be written about by film scholars for years.
There are many things one could suggest 'belong' within a woman's legs. A book? That isn't one of them.
So 'Happy Birthday' to the cast and crew who brought this delightfully seditious picture to life. It may not have been as successful as everyone had hoped, but them's the breaks in HollywoodLand.
Why?
Well, The Dunwich Horror -- adapted from the H.P. Lovecraft novella for the silver screen -- very amply hints at any measure of subversiveness in its presentation as directed by Daniel Haller. Haller -- not exactly a huge name in genre circles but deserves a bit more recognition -- got his start with his debut picture Die Monster Die (1965) and then delivered this curious little gem but a few years after. He packed reasonably well with some interesting visual ideas, but perhaps what I remember most is this wonderful little bit between stars Dean Stockwell and Sandra Dee. Let me explain it, and you'll see why it kinda/sorta links to the sentiments of this poster ... and maybe you'll agree.
Stockwell plays the film's villain, Wilbur Whateley, a small town loser whose birth ties him to another dimension's source of evil. (I won't spoil it more than that, but Lovecraft fans probably know it well enough.) He woos the lovely Nancy Wagner (Dee, in a bit of a comeback performance from a three-year screen absence) with the intent of sacrificing her with the hope that his deed will usher into our world the 'Old Ones' who'll basically bring an end to life as we know it because -- mostly -- that's what evil does.
In any event, Dee spends the bulk of the film's second half lying on said altar; and -- at one point -- Stockwell reads texts from the original Necronomicon (the Book Of The Dead) in order to usher in this dimensional event. But at one point -- perhaps having grown a bit tired with holding the book up on his own -- he actually rests it between Dee's thighs -- precisely in her (ahem) nether regions -- and continues casting his spell. Forgive me for pounding on this drum, but I thought it was just an incredible visual moment -- so devious, so downright naughty -- that papers could be written about by film scholars for years.
There are many things one could suggest 'belong' within a woman's legs. A book? That isn't one of them.
So 'Happy Birthday' to the cast and crew who brought this delightfully seditious picture to life. It may not have been as successful as everyone had hoped, but them's the breaks in HollywoodLand.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
-- EZ
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