The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1934 |
| Founder | William Hinds and Enrique Carreras |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Films, including The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb (1964) |
The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb is a 1964 British horror film that was produced, penned, and directed by Michael Carreras. The cast includes Terence Morgan, Ronald Howard, Fred Clark, and Jeanne Roland.
Plot
Set in Egypt in 1900, the story follows English Egyptologists John Bray and Sir Giles Dalrymple, who, along with French scholar Professor Eugene Dubois, uncover the mummy of Ra-Antef, son of Ramesses VIII. Annette Dubois, an expert in Egyptology and daughter of Professor Dubois as well as Bray’s fiancée, supports the team. The relics are transported to London by American showman Alexander King, who intends to capitalize on them through dramatic public exhibitions. Once in London, the mummy awakens and begins to eliminate members of the expedition. Meanwhile, Adam Beauchamp, a wealthy patron of the arts whom they met during their return voyage to England, harbors a crucial secret regarding the mummy’s origin and destiny.
Cast
- Terence Morgan as Adam Beauchamp, a pivotal figure with hidden motives
- Ronald Howard portraying John Bray, the lead Egyptologist
- Fred Clark as Alexander King, the American show promoter
- Bernard Rebel as Professor Eugene Dubois (uncredited; passed away three weeks prior to the UK release)
- Jeanne Roland as Annette Dubois, daughter of Professor Dubois and engaged to John Bray
- George Pastell playing Hashmi Bey, an official representing Egypt’s colonial administration and devoted worshipper of the Mummy
- Jack Gwillim as Sir Giles Dalrymple, fellow Egyptologist
- John Paul cast as Inspector Mackenzie
- Dickie Owen in the role of Ra-Antef the Mummy
- Jill Mai Meredith as Jenny, maid to Beauchamp
- Michael Ripper portraying Achmed, an Egyptian servant
- Harold Goodwin as Fred, a laborer employed by Alexander King
- Jimmy Gardner as Fred’s coworker
- Vernon Smythe playing Jessop, Beauchamp’s butler
- Marianne Stone as Hashmi Bey’s landlady
- Ray Austin performing stunts and playing an assassin aboard the ship
Production
Initially proposed by Hammer Studios to Universal Pictures in 1963, the film credits Henry Younger as screenwriter; however, Michael Carreras and Alvin Rakoff were responsible for writing the screenplay.
Release
The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb premiered on 18 October 1964 through Columbia Pictures/BLC Films as a supporting feature for The Gorgon. Its U.S. debut occurred on 17 February 1965, also paired with The Gorgon.
In North America, it was released on 14 October 2008 within a 2-DVD set titled Icons of Horror Collection: Hammer Films by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which included three additional Hammer horror titles. A Blu-ray double feature with The Revenge of Frankenstein was issued in September 2016 by Mill Creek Entertainment; notably, the Blu-ray spine contained a typographical error listing it as "Curese of the Mummy’s Tomb".
Critical reception
At the time of release, critics described it as providing "spooky but conventional thrills," with Daily Cinema recognizing Hammer’s expertise in this genre. Conversely, Variety found fault with its contrived storyline. The Monthly Film Bulletin commented on a "modest grandeur" during the sewer climax but criticized the delayed introduction of the mummy as indicative of a lack of originality.
Looking back, AllMovie reviewer Cavett Binyon characterized it as a "somewhat tedious mummy confusion."
Sources