One of the scariest classic horror movies you've never even heard of is this low-budget independent from United Artists where several classic screen actors get to do their thing, and the plot isn't anywhere near where you think it seems to be going. Henry Danielle, a veteran of some classic horrors (including the cult favorite "The Body Snatcher") gets to be downright evil here as a man bent on revenge on the descendants of a long-dead man he believes guilty of crimes against his own ancestors. A very sinister looking Amazon creature roams around, stabbing the heirs to this curse with a bamboo knife, and like the Queen of Hearts said, "Off With Their Heads!" It truly is a face worse than death as you are soon to find after the first killing shows a sinister finale to veteran character actor Paul Cavanaugh. Veteran character actor Edouard Franz is Cavauaugh's younger brother who shows up after his death with his daughter, the beautiful Valarie French, and before you know it, revenge is taking further steps as the scary native is out with his bamboo knife again and even the law is unable to stop him. Several innocent victims threaten Danielle's plot and it is a fight to the finish for good over evil, with the chills flying fast at the viewer, sometimes leaving them with no moments to breath between frights. This is one of those "keep an eye on your popcorn" movies, as some of those thrills might cause you to accidentally throw your popcorn out of its container in pure terror.

Won't bore with the details of the plot; see other reviews.Was in discussion with friends the other night about the TV we watched when we grew up (1960's and 1970's) and of course we all fondly remembered Chiller Theater on Saturday nights. After not thinking about it for nearly 40 years, I recalled that one of my favorites was 4SOJD and wondered if it was even available anymore. Back then in the late 1960's as a 10 year old, I had a strict bedtime during the week, but on Saturday night, my parents were letting me stay up late and we got into the habit of watching Chiller Theater. I remember watching the first few movies, all classic B grade horror at the time, and finding them actually entertaining instead of scary. You could see the zippers on the creatures crawling out the lagoon and the rubber knives and such. Even Dracula (Lugosi kind) and Frankenstein(Karloff) were not all that scary. As a ten year old, I was proud to be able to conquer horror films, but then again, these "horror" files weren't all that scary.Then, one Saturday night, we watched "The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake" which started out with many of the much beloved B-grade horror trademarks. Campy shots. Cars coming and going, but the camera never moves from the same mount. Great horror music lead by a crazed organist. But in the end, this movie was different from the rest. It actually scared me. I went to bed that night and could not sleep. Every creak and bump in the night convinced me an ancient South American Indian was lurking in the closet. I kept fearing for my head. I never again assumed a film could not get under my skin and make me worry.I will always remember it as one of the perfect B&W horror films from my youth. Would recommend it to someone who wants to "train" their 10-12 year old in what a good old horror film was like. But it may not have the same effect. Most kids can play video games wiping out zombies with much more bloodshed and violence. Perhaps this film was the gem it was because of the time it was released. Doesn't have the competition as it does today.You probably won't bet scared by this movie anymore, but you should watch it for the better than average acting and acceptable story line. And the crazed organist lead sound track. What you should be scared of is the other movie that came with this one as a double billing from Netflix - Boris Karloff in "Voodoo Island". I love MST3K, but they would not touch this one, because it is THAT bad. Boris Karloff bounding around Hawaii avoiding rubber plants and wearing a hat even the Beastie Boys wouldn't touch. You've been warned.

From United Artists, a very interesting black & white horror flick. Somewhat predictable, but atmospheric and haunting...you really want to take the invitation to be chilled. Jonathan Drake(Eduard Franz), a professor specializing in the occult and the eldest male descendant of the cursed Drake family, arrives for his last living brother's funeral and it is discovered he has been decapitated right before the services. This continues the curse, and its a doozy that has lasted 200 years; the curse is the work of angry head-shrinker Dr. Emil Zurich(Henry Daniell), who survived a South American jungle massacre led by one of Jonathan's ancestors.Kudos to director Edward L. Cahn for making writer Oville H. Hampton's story put a little chill down our spine and satisfy that thing inside us that draws us to horror films. Sometimes you just can't turn away. And especially those oldies in beautiful black & white. The rest of the cast features other B-film stars you'll recognize; Paul Cavanagh, Grant Richards, Valerie French and Howard Wendell.

The movie concerned the death of Jonathan's brother and the brother's missing head. Of course the fact that his head is missing isn't discovered until the funeral. Then the realization hits that the brother's death and decapitation is because of a curse put on their grandfather by a South American tribe he had cheated. At this point Jonathan considers there is a strong possibility that he is next. That thought occurs when he awakens in the middle of the night to discover a rather gruesome looking native, with his mouth sewn shut, standing over him with a long, sharp knife. Now he, family and friends must find a way to save his life. It's too bad most of you will never see this in the theater. (Eduard Franz and Henry Daniell were great actors!)Seeing it again a few years ago (over 50), I could see all the fallacies and the real lack of anything to be afraid of, it was pretty phony in loads of places. And, compared to what the producers and directors put out today, it, also, was pretty tame. But one more thing I will say scary though it might have been then, now I consider it fun.