There do seem to be more old Sci-Fi and horror films on British TV of late, a welcome development, which recalls the heyday of classic repeats I enjoyed during the Seventies.
This resurgence is largely due, but not exclusively, to the Horror Channel, which like me, has a genuine passion for Hammer films.
I'm currently watching The Horror of Frankenstein from 1970 - at 10am in the morning! This is remarkable in itself given that it was rated X [ aka 18] on its release! Relatively modern in the Frankenstein Hammer canon, it casts the suave Ralph Bates as the remorseless Baron and the voluptuous Kate O'Mara as his doomed housekeeper Alys.
Dave Prowse also got his first of two credited shots at playing the Monster, his height and muscles making him the Lou Ferrigno of his day and ideal for strongman roles. Unlike Lou though, Mr. Prowse never really gets the chance to say anything for Hammer as I don't think he had any lines whatsoever in this or the later Monster from Hell in 1974.
His first stomp as the Monster, however, was in 1966 appearing uncredited in Casino Royale, the Peter Sellers/ David Niven 007 spoof.
This lack of lines continued into his most famous role as Darth Vader in Star Wars in 1977, a character famously voiced by James Earl Jones.
The spoiler spat about Vader's progeny between Prowse and Lucasfilm is well known and has directly affected his appearances at Star Wars events, further reducing his vocal presence, which is a shame.
It is a peculiar thing for an actor not to have a voice. However, we British kids knew what Dave sounded like from back in 1975 when he showed us all how to cross the road in the Green Cross Code public information adverts on TV, for which he was awarded an MBE.
I have often felt that Dave never got or gets the kudos he deserves for his role in TV and film . A veteran with many appearances to his name - including Vampire Circus, A Clockwork Orange, The Saint, Dr.Who and even Space 1999 - not to mention the Dark Lord, his physical presence has always been his niche, a niche no less important than those roles dependent on voice.
Anyway, I am still enjoying the film. Have you seen the Horror of Frankenstein?
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