Happy Birthday Christopher Lee

Today Christopher Lee turns 90! He is the founding father (for me) of the face of horror, thanks to his enormous contribution to the genre. His Hammer Films days of long ago are still some of my favorite go to films to enjoy on a day of idle rest when all I long for is nostalgia.  The first ever movie of his I saw and probably my true introduction to horror (even though the movies weren’t really scary but more entertaining) was “The Curse Of Frankenstein”. It was on late night television with the horror host Wolfman Jack’s ‘Midnight Special’.


So to honor his birthday I am going to list my top ten Christopher Lee films starting with “The Curse Of Frankenstein”. In 1957 this film had Mr. Lee playing The Creature against Peter Cushing’s Victor Frankenstein. A b-movie classic that it would be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn’t seen the cult film. Horror fan or not.

1. “The Curse Of Frankenstein” (1957)




















Victor Frankenstein builds a creature and brings it to life. But his creature behaves not as he intended.

My second film that really stuck with me is not a horror movie unless you lived the atrocities of World War II. It it “Missiles From Hell” but better known as “Battle Of The V.1” and the only reason I watched it was because of my dad. He loved war movies even before going to Vietnam. So I decided to have a common interest with my dad because I noticed as he watched these military films he always seemed so involved in the story. Almost lost, I wanted to feel that way to, to share that experience with him. I think that is why this film still sticks with me.

2. “Battle Of The V.1/Missiles From Hell” (1958)

Battle of the V-1 (also known as Battle of the V.1, Battle of the V1, Missile from Hell and Unseen Heroes) is a British war film from 1958, starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Medina, Milly Vitale, David Knight and Christopher Lee. It is based on the novel They Saved London (1955), by Bernard Newman.

Here is a clip since I couldn’t find the trailer.

My third selection not only holds title to my true love of horror (because as a little kid this shadowy story on the moors scared the shit out of me). It is also the reason for my lifetime love of Sherlock Holmes. It is time to fear the hounds!

3. “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” (1959)

When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.

Film number four is one I happened to see much later in life, around the age of 20 I think. Another late night Insomnia experience, this time thanks to USA’s Billy Bob. “City Of The Dead” is a great film.

4. “City Of The Dead” (1960)

On 3 March 1692, in Whitewood, Massachusetts, the witch Elizabeth Selwyn is sentenced to be burned at the stake, and her partner Jethrow Keane asks Lúcifer to save her. About three hundred years later, the college student Nan Barlow decides to spend her vacation in the town to research witchcraft. Her professor Alan Driscoll suggests Nan to lodge in the Ravens Inn, managed by Mrs. Newless. Once in the village, the naive Nan is advised by the local priest, Reverend Russell, to immediately leave the place, where devil has ruled over for three hundred years, but she decides to stay and find that she is in a coven of evil witches. Nan vanishes, and the granddaughter of Reverend Russell, Patricia Russell, pays a visit to Nan's skeptical brother, Richard Barlow, and her boyfriend Bill Maitland, and they decide to follow her steps. Once in New England, they realize that a group of immortal witches have to sacrifice two beautiful women per year, one on Candleman Eve on February 1st, and the other on the Witch Sabbath, to stay alive forever, and only the shadow of a cross would be able to destroy them.

I have always been partial to black & white movies. So my next pick is Christopher Lee’s 1964 “Crypt Of The Vampire”.

5.  “Crypt Of The Vampire” 1964)

Count Karnstein sends for a doctor to help his sick daughter Laura. Her nurse believes she is possessed by the spirit of a dead ancestor; Carmilla. A young woman becomes intrigued by the mysterious deaths surrounding Laura after a carriage accident outside the castle forces her to stay. They become close friends until Laura becomes convinced the spirit of Carmilla is forcing her to kill.

Next film  I choose is the iconic Christopher Lee as Dracula. In this film he brought more evil and darkness to the character than most of today’s actors could muster. There was no glammy sexually “let’s be friends” air about this character. It was pure demonic desire. A true Prince Of Darkness version of the Count.

6. “Dracula: Prince Of Darkness” (1966)

Dracula is resurrected, preying on four unsuspecting visitors to his castle.

Film number seven has Dracula returning in a non-stop killing spree letting everyone no he is back in town. A great vicious film that has Christopher Lee playing the character even darker than before.

7. “Dracula Has Risen From The Grave” (1968)

When his castle is exorcised, Dracula plots his revenge against the Monsignor who performed the rites by attempting to make the holy man's young niece his bride.

For me number eight is just a must have for any vampire film collector. It is a great exploration into the world of carnal knowledge and desires. Plus it is just a cool flick to watch.

8. “Taste The Blood Of Dracula” (1970)

Three elderly distinguished gentlemen are searching for some excitement in their boring borgoueis lives and gets in contact with one of count Dracula's servants. In a nightly ceremony they restore the count back to life. The three men killed Dracula's servant and as a revenge, the count makes sure that the gentlemen are killed one by one by their own sons.

My number nine film has Christopher Lee venturing with Peter Cushing to the Polar region in search of the missing link. A departure from the vamp story this film takes place on the railway and has your classic creature in a suit vibe that is just classic fun.

9. “Horror Express” (1972)

















An English anthropologist has discovered a frozen monster in the frozen wastes of Manchuria which he believes may be the Missing Link. He brings the creature back to Europe aboard a trans-Siberian express, but during the trip the monster thaws out and starts to butcher the passengers one by one.

My number ten selection is kind of cheating because it is two films. These work as a single story in my world.

10. “Dracula A.D. (1972) / “The Satanic Rites Of Dracula” (1973)

Johnny Alucard raises Count Dracula(Christopher Lee) from the dead in 1972 London. The Count goes after the descendents of Van Helsing.

Dracula A.D. 1972 -Trailer by tetleymoon

It's 1974 - two years after the events in Dracula 1972. Strange things are happening - some girls are disappearing from the street and some of them are secretaries to important people. The Police and the Secret Service become interested when rich people (including a Lord) are pouring their empires into a foundation in which the boss hasn't been seen and a photograph of him doesn't produce a figure. The Inspector from D72 comes to see Van Helsing and Jessica and their investigations lead them to believe that the boss is Dracula...