Diana King Movies

One of the last gasps of the acclaimed Hammer Studios was a series of 13 minor horror and suspense films made for British television in cooperation with 20th Century-Fox. Known as Fox Mystery Theatre or Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, the films failed to re-create the lush Gothic atmosphere of the studio's best films of the '50s and '60s. This one from director John Hough concerns a Satanic rock band called Black Carrion which disappeared without any explanation 20 years before. Now, a reporter tries to find out why, only to be confronted with some remarkably un-Satanic music and weak chills. Norman Bird co-stars with Season Hubley and Hardware's William Hootkins. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Inspired by Pink Floyd's album of the same name, Pink Floyd: The Wall is a dark, expressionistic musical, told from the point of view of Pink, a depressed rock musician. The film is structured around Pink's reflections on his life, all of which center on the building of "the wall." This wall is a metaphor for psychological isolation, a barrier Pink creates to distance himself from his pain. The foundations for this wall are lain in childhood, with the death of Pink's father leaving him to be raised by an overprotective mother and a repressive school system. He seeks freedom from this world through writing and music. However, even after he achieves success as a rock star, the wall continues to grow, with Pink feeling trapped by fame and wounded by his failed personal relationships. Lost in despair and self-loathing, he attempts to isolate himself from the world entirely. Director Alan Parker approaches this material in a highly stylized manner, mingling animation and dream-like sequences to suggest Pink's perception of the world. These techniques complement the almost constant music, which the film often uses in place of dialogue. Songs include "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Comfortably Numb". ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

During the 1970s, British TV fans were treated to two different sitcoms bearing the title You're Only Young Twice, both of which used a retirement home as a comedy backdrop. The second, and more successful, of these two programs debuted on September 6, 1977. The series was set in Paradise Lodge, an old ladies home where the irrepressible Flora Petty (Peggy Mount) invariably led the other tenants into all sorts of mischief. The other principal characters were Flora's loyal "lieutenant" Cissy Lupin (Pat Coombs), humorless nursing home matron Miss Milton (Charmian May), and Miss Milton's equally dour assistant Miss Finch (Georgina Moon). Yielding 31 half-hour episodes and two hour-long specials, You're Only Young Twice ran until August 4, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this sci-fi drama, an alien spaceship breaks down and crashes on the moon. These creatures need help to make repairs and so use their powers to possess a few scientists and use them as slaves. Unfortunately for them, one scientist has a metal plate in his head and cannot be controlled. It is he who travels to the moon and has a little chat with the aliens and suggests they might get more help, if they simply asked for it. The story is based on Joseph Millard's book The Gods Hate Kansas. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Accused of murdering one of his patients, Keel turns to Steed for help. The latter suspects that the real culprit is the dead woman's business partner. Unfortunately, the killer is on the verge of striking again, using his favorite modus operandi: a radio "accidentally" tossed in a bathtub. Written by Peter Ling and Shelaigh Ward, "Dance with Death" was videotaped on April 13, 1961, and telecast two days later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Man Who Wouldn't Talk was coproduced by husband-and-wife Herbert Wilcox and Anna Neagle, with Ms. Neagle filling the role of Queen's Council representative Mary Randall. The title character is American scientist Frank Smith, played by Anthony Quayle, who is honeymooning in London with his new bride Eve Trent (Zsa Zsa Gabor). What the authorities don't know is that Frank and Eve are secret agents, bound and determined to pick up germ-warfare information from Hungarian scientist Horvad (Leonard Sachs). By prearranged agreeement, Smith will relay this information, and the purpose of his mission, to one man and one man only. His self-enforced silence proves to be a severe handicap when Eve is murdered and Smith is unable to provide an alibi for himself. It is up to lady lawyer Mary Randall to defend the close-mouthed Smith in court. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

What was the lady-like Dame Anna Neagle doing in something called Bad Girl -- or, as it was renamed in certain regions, Teenage Bad Girl? In point of fact, the film was originally and more tastefully titled My Teenage Daughter when Neagle signed on. Neagle plays Valerie Carr, the editor of a fiction magazine aimed at the youth market. Though she considers herself "hep" to the world of the young, she has no concept of what her own teenaged daughter, Janet (Sylvia Syms), is all about. When Janet falls into bad company, her mother does what she can to help. But Janet won't pay Mom any heed until her shenanigans land her in jail. Not at all exploitational, Bad Girl is constructed more along the lines of a 1940s "woman's picture" -- tears, renunciations, reconciliations. The film was produced and directed by Neagle's husband, Herbert Wilcox. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A set of flashbacks to 19th century London provide the action in this British wartime film, in which a wealthy girl (Phyllis Calvert) becomes friends with a young waif (Margaret Lockwood) while at school. The waif later becomes a governess for the girl, but betrays their relationship by having an affair with her friend's husband (James Mason). The Man in Grey did exceptionally well in England at the time of its release, and later spawned a cavalcade of similar movies. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

In this supernatural drama, a college student finds himself fixated upon thoughts of his late lover. Unable to forget her, he attempts to contact her spirit by holding a seance. The experience so frightens him and afterward he suffers a breakdown. Eventually he heals with the assistance of a childhood friend who has secretly loved him all along. He finally awakens to her love and returns it. Soon he has forgotten his unhealthy obsession on the other girl. The story is also known as Spell of Amy Nugent. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide