Carry On Screaming! (1966)

This post is part of the "Carry On Kenny! – The 100 Years of Kenneth Williams Blogathon" hosted by The Wonderful World of Cinema) 

When people think of British cinema in the Sixties, they might be inclined to think of Hammer Film Productions' lush, atmospheric, and at times sexually provocative horror movies. When people think of British cinema in the Sixties, they might also  be inclined to think of the "Carry On" movies, a series of light comedies marked by low-brow humour, slapstick, and innuendos. Both the Hammer Horrors and the "Carry On" movies were very popular in the Sixties, and they continue to be popular to this day. It was perhaps inevitable that that the two would meet, and so they did , in the movie Carry On Screaming! (1966). Carry On Screaming!(1966) has been described as a spoof of the Hammer Horrors, although it is actually a bit more than that.

Set in the Edwardian Era, Carry On Screaming! (1966) begins with the disappearance of Doris Mann (Angela Douglas) in Hocombe Woods. Her boyfriend Albert Potter (Jim Dale) looks for her and finds only one clue to her disappearance, a single clawed finger. Albert goes to the local police station to report Doris missing. Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung (Harry H. Corbett) and Detective Constable Slobotham (Petter Butterworth) then investigate. Their investigation leads them to Bide-A-Wee Rest Home in the middle of the woods, inhabited by provocative Valeria Watt (Fenella Fielding) and her brother, scientist Dr. Orlando Watt (Kenneth Williams), as well as their butler Sockett (Bernard Bresslaw). As might be expected, it is not long before Sergeant Bung's investigation centres on Dr. Watt and Valeria.

It is likely that audiences were not surprised when Carry On Screaming! (1966) came out. The series had begun in 1958 with the service comedy Carry On Sergeant. It proved so successful that it would be followed by more "Carry On" movies centred on various occupations: Carry On Nurse (1959); Carry On Teacher (1959),Carry On Constable (1960), and so on. With Carry On Jack in 1964, the "Carry On" movies began spoofing various popular movie genres. Carry On Jack (1964) parodied seafaring adventure movies. Carry On Spying (1964) parodied spy movies. Carry On Clea (1964) parodied Cleopatra (1963). Even without the popularity of the Hammer horrors, it was probably inevitable that they would parody horror movies.

Carry On Screaming! (1966) would mark the first and only appearance of Harry H. Corbett in a "Carry On" film. Then as now, Harry H. Corbett is perhaps best known as Harold Steptoe in the classic sitcom Steptoe and Son. The role of Sergeant Sidney Bung was originally written for "Carry On" regular Sid James, hence the character's first name "Sidney (most of Sidney James's "Carry On"characters were named "Sid" or "Sidney")." At the time that Carry On Screaming! (1966), Sidney James proved to be unavailable, appearing in the pantomime Babes in the Wood at the London Palladium. 

Fenella Fielding, who had appeared in the film Carry On Regardless (1961), was cast in the role of the slinky Valeria, which would lead to a change in the character of Dr Orlando Watt as originally conceived. Originally, Dr. Watt was to have been an older character and to have been Valeria's father. It is for this reason that Kenneth Williams was a bit hesitant to take the role at first. "Carry On" producer Peter Rogers then saw to it that the script for Carry On Screaming! (1966) was changed so that Dr. Watt was a younger character and Valeria was his sister rather than his daughter. Fenella Fielding had actually appeared in a Hammer film prior to Carry On Screaming! (1966). She played Morgana Femm in William Castle's co-production with Hammer, The Old Dark House (1963). As to the name Dr. Watt, it would appear to be inspired by the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, popular then as it is now.

Of course, it is safe to say that at the time no one realized that a future Doctor on Doctor Who appeared in Carry On Screaming! (1966). Jon Pertwee, who would go onto play the Third Doctor on Doctor Who, played police scientist Dr. Fettle. Jon Pertwee had earlier appeared in Carry On Cleo (1964) and Carry On Cowboy (1965) and later appeared in Carry On Columbus (1992). He was hardly the only cast member of Carry On Screaming! (1966) who would appear on Doctor Who. Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Angela Douglas, Joan Sims, and others all appeared on Doctor Who at some point or another. 

"Carry On" regular Charles Hawtrey almost didn't appear in Carry On Screaming! (1966). The problem was simply that producer Peter Rogers and director Gerald Thomas had difficulty finding a role for him in the script. It was Stuart Levy, the head of distributor Anglo-Amalgamated, who saw to it that Charles Hawtrey appeared in Carry On Screaming (1966). He was concerned that his absence from the film could affect the box office. He was then cast in a role that was originally meant for Sydney Bromley, lavatory attendant Dan Dann. While technically one of the leads, Charles Hawtrey only appears for five minutes in the film.

If Carry On Screaming! (1966) looked like a Hammer Horror, that was largely because of cinematographer Alan Hume. While Alan Hume had previously shot several "Carry On" films, he was also the cinematographer on the Hammer Horror Kiss of the Vampire (1963) and Amicus Productions' first portmanteau horror movie Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965). There should then be no wonder that Carry On Screaming! (1966) looks like a film from Hammer Film Productions, Amicus Productions, or one of their rivals.

One thing that does set Carry On Screaming! (1966)  apart from Hammer movies is that it has a theme song, only the second "Carry On" movie to have one (the first was Carry On Cowboy in 1965). "Carry On Screaming" was song by Ray Pilgrim, who released a number of singles (mainly cover versions of songs) under different names from 1960 to 1966. A version of "Carry On Screaming" would be released as a single, sung by Boz Burrell, who would later be a member of both King Crimson and Bad Company.

Carry On Screaming! (1966) was filmed  from January 10, 1966, to February 25, 1966. It was shot at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, with exteriors shot on location at Fulmer Grange in Wexham, Buckinghamshire (the exterior of the Bide-a-Wee Rest Home), the fire station on St. Leonard's Road in Windsor (the exterior of the police station), and house on Queen's Road in Windsor (the exterior of Sgt. Bung's house). 

Carry On Screaming! (1966) was given an "A" certificate by the British Board of Film Censorship, indicating it was suitable for adults. Given it was a "Carry On" film (which were known for their saucy humour) and a parody of Hammer Horrors at that, it might come as a surprise to learn that the BBFC didn't require any of the film be cut. Indeed, the BBFC required cuts to both the original "Carry On" film, Carry On Sergeant (1958) , and the first Hammer colour horror movie, The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), not to mention further "Carry On" movies and Hammer Horrors.

Carry On Screaming! (1966) premiered on August 18, 1966, at the New Victoria Cinema in Westminster, London. It was released throughout the United Kingdom by August 24, 1966. Previously, Anglo-Amalgamated had paired "Carry On" movies with entries in their series of "Edgar Wallace Mysteries." That series had ended in 1965, so Carry On Screaming! (1966) found itself on a double bill with the American International Pictures car racing movie Fireball 500 (1966), starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

Like previous "Carry On" films, critics were not particularly enamoured with Carry On Screaming! (1966). The Times critic referred to it as "...the dullest and least spirited of them all" and lamented that Joan Sims was "...wasted as a cliche harridan." The unnamed critic in the Monthly Film Bulletin wasn't impressed by Carry On Screaming! (1966) either, complaining, "Apart from an engaging performance by Jim Dale (and some appealing squeaks from Oddbod Junior, alias Billy Cornelius), this is glum stuff even by Carry On standards." Penelope Gillatt in The Observer described Carry On Screaming! (1966) as 'An instalment that messes about with the conventions of the series and lays an egg." In the Untied States, Variety wrote of the film, "This 12th in the successful Carry On series puts the skids under horror pix. Snag is most horror films themselves teeter on parody and it is rather tough trying to burlesque a parody."

While Carry On Screaming! (1966) received somewhat mixed reviews upon its release, it has since become regarded as one of the best films in the "Carry On"series. When the British Film Institute listed the five best and five worst "Carry On" movies, in 2018, they included Carry On Screaming! (1966) as one of the five best films in the series. Gold Radio ranked Carry On Screaming! (1966) at no. 2 in their list of the 10 best "Carry On" films. 

From the beginning, the "Carry On" films were distributed by Anglo-Amalgamated and shown at ABC theatres in the United Kingdom. It was in 1966 that Anglo-Amalgamated co-founder Stuart Levy died and the company's other founder, Nat Cohen, decided that Anglo-Amalgamated should produce more prestigious and ditched the "Carry On" films. Carry On Screaming! (1966) was then the last "Carry On" distributed by Anglo-Amalgamated. Afterwards, the Rank Organisation took over distribution of the films and they were shown at that company's Odeon Cinemas. 

If Carry On Screaming! (1966) succeeds, it is largely because it looks like a Hammer Horror. As previously mentioned, much of this is due to cinematographer Alan Hume, who was cinematographer on Hammer's Kiss of the Vampire (1963) and  rival Amicus's Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965). It also helped that Carry On Screaming! (1966), like previous entries in the "Carry On" series starting with Carry On Cruising (1962) , was shot in lush Eastmancolor, the same process used by Hammer Film Productions. Of course, the budgets for both the "Carry On" movies and the Hammer Horrors both tended to be low, so it would be natural for Carry On Screaming! (1966), with a budget of  £197,500, to look like a Hammer movie.

Of course, while Carry On Screaming! (1966) is often referred to as a parody of Hammer movies, it actually parodies the horror genre in general, from American Pre-Code horrors to the Universal monster movies. Kenneth Williams's wonderfully manic performance as Dr. Watt owes much more to Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein in Frankenstein (193!) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) than Peter Cushing as the much more reserved Victor Frankenstein in Hammer's "Frankenstein" series. In appearance anyway, Valeria, played by the great Fenella Fielding, owes a good deal to Morticia Addams from the comic strip and TV show The Addams Family. Many have thought the Watts' butler Sockett, played by 6'7" Bernard Bresslaw, was influenced by the Addams family's butler Lurch, but it must be pointed out that both owe a good deal to Boris Karloff as Morgan in the Universal horror movie The Old Dark House (1932). Carry On Screaming!(1966) also owes a great deal to Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) and its remake House of Wax (1953), as well as horror movies from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) to The Mummy (1932).

Carry On Screaming! (1966) remains one of the most popular films in the "Carry On" series. It also remains one of the most popular horror comedies ever made. A horror parody that looks like a Hammer film, it has come to be regarded as a classic. 

TCM Remembers Robert Duvall

While at the end of each year I always post TCM's annual tribute to those who have died, "TCM Remembers,' I have never posted a TCM Remembers tribute to an individual star before. I am doing so with regards to Robert Duvall for two simple reasons. The first is that Mr. Duvall is one of my all-time favourite actors. He appeared in some of my all-time favourite movies and guest stared on some of my all-time favourite TV shows. The second is that Turner Classic Movies utilises a portion of his character Hub's speech from Secondhand Lons (2003). Not only is it some of Mr. Dvuall's best work, but in my humble opinion it is one of the greatest speeches ever made in the history of cinema. What is more, I believe every word of it. The speech was made by Hub, at his great nephew Walter's request.

For those of you who would like to read the whole speech, there it is below. That having been said, I would urge you to watch Secondhand Lions, if only for that speech. As I said, it is some of Mr. Duvall's best work.

"Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honour, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in." (Hub in Secondhand Lions). 

Lory Patrick Passes On

Lory Patrick, who played Tina Swenson on the final season of Tales of Wells Fargo and guest starred on several TV shows in the Sixties, died on January 26, 2026, at the age of 92. She had been married to writer Harlan Ellison briefly and was the widow of actor Dean Jones.

Lory Patrick was born Loretta Basham on April 8, 1933, in Beckley, West Virginia. She graduated from Oak Hill High School in Oak Hill, West Virginia, and then worked as a model in Detroit and New York City. She was a model on the NBC game show Split Personality, shot in New York City, before moving to Los Angeles. 

Lory Patrick made her television debut on an episode of The Loretta Young Show. She played the role of school teacher Tina Swenson,. a neighbour of lead character Jim Hardie (Dale Robertson), on Tales of Well Fargo during the 1962-1963 season (its final season). She guest starred on the shows The Case of the Dangerous Robin, General Electric Theatre, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Wide Country, Aloca Premiere, It's a Man's World, Dobie Gillis, Laramie, Wagon Train, Death Valley Days, Dr. Kildare, The Beverly Hillbillies, Bonanza, and This is the Life. She appeared in the movies Surf Party (1964) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967).

Lory Patrick retired from acting in the late Sixties. She wrote episodes of Bonanza and other TV shows. She wrote a column for writer's magazine and, as Lory Basham Jones, wrote the book Hearing God (1993).

Chances are good that Lory Patrick will always be best remembered as Tina on Tales of Wells Fargo and her guest appearance on the Bonanza episode "Journey to Terror." The two roles could not be more different. Tina on Tales of Wells Fargo was a sweet, intelligent, and upstanding young woman. Rita was part of a band of outlaws and was as ruthless as the men were. In the Dobie Gillis episode "Too Many Kooks Spoil the Broth," she played rich girl Cecily Atwater, who fully expects Dobie to become a wealthy executive. In the Wagon Tain episode "The Levy-McGowan Story," she played Rachel Levy, who falls in love with the son of her father's rival in the game of checkers. Lory Patrick also played Nurse Betty Taylor in a few episodes of Dr. Kildare and Sylvia Dempster in the movie Surf Party. While her acting career did not last long, she leaves behind a number of enjoyable performances. 

The Late Great Robert Duvall

There are those actors whose talent is simply unmatched by but a few. Robert Duvall was one of those actors. In a career that spanned over sixty years, he played everything from a drug addict to an incompetent, but overbearing Army surgeon to a former Texas Ranger. Through the years he played heroes, villains, and everything in between. He was often a leading man in movies, but it might be more accurate to describe Robert Duvall as a character actor and one of the greatest at that. He could play anything  and play it well. Sadly, Robert Duvall died yesterday morning, February 15, 2026, at the age of 95. 

Robert Duvall was born on January 6, 1931, in San Diego, California. His father, William Howard Duvall, served in the United States Navy and eventually reached the rank of Rear Admiral. Robert Duvall was round 10 years old when his family moved east, and he would spend most of his remaining childhood in the Anapolis, Maryland area. Robert Duvall attended Severn School in Severna, Maryland and then attended Principa College in Elsah, Illinois (a village near St. Louis). He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from Principa in 1953. 

Robert Duvall's father fully expected him to attend the United States Naval Academy, but young Robert Duvall enlisted in the United States Army instead. He served in the Army for two years. In 1955, he moved to New York City where he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. His roommate was Dustin Hoffman, and his classmates ind included Gene Hackman and James Caan. He made his television debut in an episode of Armstrong Circle Theatre in 1959. In 1960, he guest-starred on the shows Armstrong Circle Theatre and Playhouse 90. 

It was in 1962 that Robert Duvall made his movie debut in one of his most acclaimed roles, playing the simple-minded Boo Radley in the classic To Kill a Mockingbird. During the Sixties, he also appeared in the movies Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), Nightmare in the Sun (1965), The Chase (1966), Countdown (1967), The Detective (1968), Bullitt (1968), True Grit (1969), The Rain People (1969),. MASH (1970), and The Revolutionary (1970). He made several guest appearances on television, including Great Ghost Stories. Cain's Hundred, Shannon, Route 66, Naked City, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, The Twilight Zone, The Virginian, Stoney Burke, Arrest and Trial, The Lieutenant, Kraft Suspense Theatre, The Outer Limits, The Fugitive, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Defenders , The F.B.I., Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Hawk, Shane, The Felony Squad, The Time Tunnel, T.H.E. Cat, Combat!, The Cimarron Strip, The Wild Wild West, Run for Your Life, Judd for the Defence, CBS Playhouse, and The Mod Squad. He appeared on Broadway in Wait Until Dark.

In the Seventies, Robert Duvall was nominated for the Oscars for Best Supporting Actor for the movies The Godfather (1972) and Apocalypse Now (1980), and for Best Actor for The Great Santini (1979). He appeared in the movies Lawman (1971), THX 1138 (1971), Tomorrow (1972), The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972), (1972), Joe Kidd (1972), Lady Ice (1973), Badge 373 (1973), The Outfit (1973), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Breakout (1975), The Killer Elite (1975), The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), Network (1976), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), The Greatest (1977), The Betsy (1978), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978),  Apocalypse Now (1979), and The Great Santini (1979).  On television, he appeared in the mini-series Ike. He appeared on Broadway in American Buffalo. Robet Duvall made his feature film directorial debut with We're Not the Jet Set in 1971. 

In the Eighties, Robert Duvall played Captain Gus McRae in the mini-series Lonesome Dove, for which he was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special. He appeared in the TV movie The Terry Fox Story. Robert Duvall appeared in the movies True Confessions (1981), The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981), (1983), Tender Mercies (1983), The Stone Boy (1984), The Natural (1984), The Lightship (1985), Belizaire the Cajun (1986), Let's Get Harry (1986), Hotel Colonial (1987), (1988), Colours (1988), The Handmaid's Tale (1990), A Show of Force (1990), and Days of Thunder (1990). He directed the movie Angelo My Love (1983). 

In the Nineties, Robert Duvall directed the movie The Apostle (1997), in which he also starred. He appeared n the movies Rambling Rose (1991), Convicts (1991), (1992), Newsies (1992), La peste (1992), Falling Down (1993), Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993), The Paper (1994). The Stars Fell on Henrietta (1995), Something to Talk About (1995), The Scarlett Letter (1995), A Family Thing (1996), Phenomenon (1996), Sling Blade (1996), The Gingerbread Man (1998), Deep Impact (1998), A Civil Action (1998), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000), A Shot at Glory (2000),  and The 6th Day (2000). He appeared on television in the TV movies Stalin and The Man Who Captured Eichmann. He guest starred on Saturday Night Live.

In the Naughts, Robert Duvall appeared on the two-part TV movie Broken Trail. He directed the movie Assassination Tango (2002), in which he also appeared. He appeared in the movies John Q (2002), Gods and Generals (2003), Open Range (2003), Secondhand Lions (2003), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Lucky You (2007, We Own the Night (2007), Four Christmases (2008), The Road (2009), and Crazy Heart (2009). In the Teens, he directed and appeared in the movies Wild Horses (2015). He appeared in the movies Seven Days in Utopia (2011), Jayne Mansfield's Car (2012), Jack Reacher (2012),A Night in Old Mexico (2013), The Judge (2014), In Dubious Battle (2016), and Widows (2016). In the 2020s, he appeared in the movies 12 Mighty Orphans (2021), Hustle (2022), and The Pale Blue Eye (2022). 

Robert Duvall was one of the greatest actors of the late 20th Century and the early 21st Century. He was so remarkable that it is difficult to summarize his greatest performances in a matter of paragraphs. To adequately do them justice would take an entire book. He could play a wide variety of characters. He played the mentally unbalanced surfing fanatic Lt  Colonel Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. He the character of the title in The Great Santini, a larger than life Marine pilot whose personality clashes with his family. In The Godfather, he was the Corleone's non-Italian consigliere, who served as a voice of reason. Robert Duvall even knocked it out of the park with his film debut. He played the gentle and protective Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. What might have been his most famous television role was Captain Gus McCrae, the free-spirited but nonetheless philosophical former Texas Ranger in the min-series Lonesome Dove.

Robert Duvall gave a number of great performances even in his lesser known work. This was particularly true of his work in television, on which he left us with a number of great performances. In "A Hole in the City," one of the Naked City episodes on which he guest-starred, he played Lewis Nunda, an armoured car robber who finds himself haunted by his past. In the Route 66 episode "Birdcage on My Foot," he played a heroin addict that Tod (Martin Milner) attempts to rehabilitate. In the Twilight Zone episode "Miniature," he played a a lonely man who becomes convinced that the figures in a dollhouse are alive. His movie The Apostle may not be as well known as The Godfather or Apocalypse Now, but Robert Duvall gives a remarkable performance as the flawed, but sincere Sonny. Among his best-loved performances is that of Hub McCann, the bigger-than-life great uncle of Walter (Haley Joel Osment). 

Robert Duvall was a giant when it came to acting. He had but few peers, and he was unmatched when it came to the variety of roles he could play. While the fame of other actors may fade with time, Robert Duvall will always be remembered for the many great performances he leaves behind. 

Happy Valentine's Day 2026

Valentine's Day is a day for sweethearts. Don't feel bad if you don't have one. Perhaps you can choose a sweetheart from one of these ladies here. Here is this year's Valentine's Day pinups.

First up is Rita Hayworth, who has a heart-shaped box for her Valentine!

Debbie Reynolds has turned herself into a Valentine.

Elizabeth Montgomery makes for a witchy Valentine.

Deborah Harry of Blondie fame, apparently with a gift from an admirer. 

The lovely Deanna Durbin is ready for Valentine's Day.

And last, but not least, who could be a better Valentine than Ann Miller?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sugar Hill (1974)

The cycle of Blaxploitation movies that unfolded from the early to mid-Seventies produced films in several different genres. There were Blaxploitation crime dramas (Super Fly), gangster movies (Black Caesar), action movies (Cleopatra Jones), and even Westerns (The Legend of N***** Charley), As might be expected there were even Blaxploitation horror movies, the most famous of which may be Blacula (1972). Among the Blaxploitation horror movies was Sugar Hill (1974), which blended Blaxploitation tropes with the Hollywood voodoo zombie movie.

The "Sugar Hill" of the title does not refer to Sugar Hill in Harlem or even Sugar Hill in Detroit, but instead to Diana "Sugar" Hill (Marki Bey), a fashion photographer whose fiance Langston (Larry D. Johnson) owns the night club Club Haiti. Unfortunately, for Lagston, local mobster Morgan (Robert Quarry) wants Club Haiti. When Langston refuses to sell, Morgan's thugs beat Lagston to death in the club's parking lot. Sugar wants justice for her dead fiance and seeks out Vodou priestess Mama Maitresse (Zara Cully). Sugar then carries out her revenge against Morgan and his henchmen with the aid of the aid of Baron Samedi, the Lwa of the dead, and an army of zombies.

Paul Maslansky, who directed Sugar Hill (1974), had worked a producer on such films as Castle of the Living Dead (1964) and The She Beast (1966). With the success of Blacula (1972) and its sequel, Scream Blacula Scream (1973), it was quite natural for American International Pictures to want to produce more Blaxploitation horror movies. Samuel Z. Arkoff of American International Pictures then asked Paul Maslansky to "...make a black exploitation picture...a black, funny horror picture" and gave  $125,000 to do so. As to its subject matter, Sugar Hill (1974) traces its roots back to the classic horror movies White Zombie (1932) and I Walked with a Zombie (1943). While nothing supernatural appears in the film, vodou had recently been part of the plotThe  the James Bond movie Live and Let Die (1973). 

The title role of Sugar Hill was played by little known actress Marki Bey. At the time, she had only appeared in a few movies, such as  The Landlord (1970) and The Roommates (1973). According to the film's publicity materials, she researched her part with various vodou groups in the Los Angeles area. Morgan, the villain in the film, was played by Robert Quarry, best known for playing the lead role in Count Yorga Vampire (1970). Sugar Hill (1974) would be the last film Robert Quarry would make under his contract with AIP. 

The all important role of Baron Samedi was played by Don Petro Colley. At the time, he may have been best known for guest appearances on TV Westerns and the role of Gideon on Daniel Boone. Prior to Sugar Hill (1974), he had already appeared in the Blaxploitation movies  The Legend of N***** Charley (1972) and Black Caesar (1973). Like Marki Bey, Don Pedro Colley researched his role, studying the vodou practices from Haiti. 

Sugar Hill (1974) featured yet other cast members of note. Mama Maitresse was played by Zara Cully, now best known as Mother Jefferson on The Jeffersons. Morgan's henchman Fabulous was played by Charlie Robinson (then billed as Charles P. Robinson), who would go onto play Mac on Night Court.Blues legend Big Walter Price appeared in the small role of Preacher in the movie. 

As mentioned earlier, the roots of Sugar Hill (1974) go back to the classics White Zombie (1932) and I Walked with a Zombie (1943). This is even true of the look of the zombies in the film. These are not the ghouls of Night of the Living Dead (1968), with deteriorating bodies that move slowly. Instead, these are proper zombies with pale skin and bulging eyes, often covered in cobwebs. It has been claimed that the zombie's eyes were created by cutting ping-pong balls in half and painting them silver. According to a September 1973 article in the Houston Post, the cobwebs covering the zombie's bodies using rubber cement, which was blown over the actors using fans.  Hank Edds was responsible for the make-up on Sugar Hill (1974). He also worked on Chinatown, which was released in the same year.

Although Sugar Hill (1974) was set in the fictional "Calaiah Parish" in Louisiana, it was shot in the Houston area. Shooting began on September 10, 1973, and was scheduled to last three weeks. Local people in Houston were recruited for both the cast and the crew. Houston locations were also used extensively, including Lulu's Bar, which was located near downtown Houston, and the Heights branch of the Houston Public Library, which doubled as the "Voodoo Institute." Support for the production was provided by the Texas Film Commission.

Like many Blaxploitation movies of the era, Sugar Hill (1974) featured a theme song, in its case "Supernatural Voodoo Woman" by The Originals. The Originals were a Motown group that had the 1969 hit "Baby I'm for Real (which went to no. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart) and "The Bells" (no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 4 on the R&B chart). "Supernatural Voodoo Woman" did not chart, although it is one of the most listenable songs to emerge from a Blaxploitation movie. 

Sugar Hill (1974) was released on February 6, 1974. It did very poorly at the box office, making only $30,500. With a budget of $350,000, this means that it took an enormous loss. Sugar Hill (1974) would be cut from its original 91 minutes to 83 minutes for television and re-titled The Zombies of Sugar Hill for television. 

As might be expected, the portrayal of vodou in Sugar Hill (1974) is both inaccurate and sensationalized. It includes the usual tropes and even stereotypes of the genre: "voodoo dolls," a reanimated chicken's foot, a "voodoo queen" in the form of Mama Maitresse, and so on. While vodou is a syncretic religion blending Catholicism and African religions, the movie portrays it as little more than magic and a tool for revenge.

One thing that sets Sugar Hill (1974) from other Blaxploitation movies of the era is that, despite being a horror movie, it is not nearly as violent. There is no real blood and no real gore beyond several severed heads. There are also no nudity and no sexual situations. This sets it apart from many Blaxploitation movies at the time.

While its treatment of vodou leaves a bit to be desired and the film is dated, Sugar Hill (1974) does have much to recommend it. Marki Bey gives a sincere performance as the title character and proves she is much more than a pretty face. Don Pedro Colley gives a wonderfully over-the-top performance as Baron Samedi. The zombies are suitably creepy and a good break from the George Romero inspired ghouls many insist on calling "zombies." At its core Sugar Hill (1974) is a movie that is not afraid to have some fun and an enjoyable revenge horror film. 

The Late Great Bud Cort

Bud Cort, best known for playing Harold Parker Chasen in the cult classic Harold and Maude (1971), died yesterday, February 11, 2026, at the age of 77. The cause was complications from pneumonia following a long illness.

Bud Cort was born Walter Edward "Bud" Cox on March 29, 1948, in  New Rochelle, New York. He studied acting under famed actor William Hickey. He attended Iona Preparatory School and, after graduating there, he took acting classes at he New York University Tisch School of the Art for a time. He also studied acting under Stella Adler. To avoid being confused with actor Wally Cox, he created his stage name by combining his nickname "Bud" with his mother's maiden name "Court," later changing the spelling of "Court" after the Cort Theatre in New York City.

Bud Cort made his television debut in an uncredited role on the daytime soap opera The Doctors in 1968. In the late Sixties, he guest starred on episodes of Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, Room 222, and The Governor & J.J. He made his film debut in an uncredited role in Up the Down Staircase (1967) and then appeared in an uncredited role in Sweet Charity (1969). He was discovered in a revue by director Robert Altman, who cast him as Private Boone in MASH (1970). He also played the title role in Robert Altman's movie Brewster McCloud (1970). He also appeared in the movies The Strawberry Statement (1970), Gas-s-s-s (1970), and The Travelling Executioner (1970). 

Bud Cort began the Seventies with what might be his best known movie, Harold and Maude (1971), for which he was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer. He appeared in the movies Roma drogata: la polizia non può intervenire (1975), Why Shoot the Teacher (1977), Son of Hitler (1979), and Die Laughing (1980). He appeared on television in the TV movies Bernice Bobs Her Hair (1976), Brave New World (1980). 

In the Eighties, Mr. Cort guest-starred on the shows Insight, Faerie Tale Theatre, Tales from the Darkside, Tales of the Unexpected,The Hitchhiker, Sledge Hammer!, The Twilight Zone, and Midnight Caller. He appeared in the movies She Dances Alone (1981), Hysterical (1982), Love Letters (1983), Maria's Lovers (1984), The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud (1984), Invaders from Mars (1986), Telephone (1986), Love at Stake (1987), Out of the Dark (1988), The Chocolate War (1988), and Brain Dead (1990). He was the voice of the computer Edgar in Electric Dreams (1984).

In the Nineties, Bud Cort apepared in the movies Going Under (1991), Ted & Venus (1991), Girl in the Cadillac (1995), Heat (1995), Theodore Rex (1995), (1998), Seet Jane (1998),  I Woked Up Early the Day He Died (1998), Dogma (1999), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000), (2000), The Million Dollar Hotel (2000), Coyote Ugly (2000), and Pollocak (2000). On teelvision he was a guest voice on Batman: The Animated Series, Tom & Jerry Kids Show, The Mask, The Sylvester & Tweeties Mysteries, and Superman: The Animated Series. He guest starred on the shows Dream On, Bob, Jack's Place, Scren Two, and Gun.

In the Naughts, Bud Cort guest starred on the shows Arrested Development, Ugly Betty, and Criminal Mnids. He was a guest voice on Static Shock and Justice League Unlimited. He appeared in the movies Made (2001), (2003), The Big Empty (2003), The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou   (2004), and The Number 23 (2007). In the Teenes, he was the vocie of the King in the animated movie Le petit prince (2015). He guest starred on the show Eagleheart. 

In my humble opinion, Bud Cort was one of the great character actors of the late 20th Century. Chances are good that he will always be best remembered as Harold Chasen in Harold and Maude, the young man obsessed with death., who develops a friendship with 79 year old Maude Chardin (Ruth Gordon). Hr will also be remembered for another collaboration with Robert Altman, Brewster McCloud. Like Harold, Brewster was an eccentric, although in his case he was building his own wings and lived in a fallout shelter. 

Although he may be best known for these two roles, Bud Cort played other great roles throughout his career. In The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, he played mild-mannered bond company employee. He was the voice of Edgar, the lovestruck computer, in Electric Dreams. In the TV adaptation of Brave New World, he played psychologist Bernard Marx. On television he was also the voice of Toyman on various animated shows based on DC Comics. Bud Cort was a great talent who could bring characters to life, no matter how off-the-wall they were, and make them believable.