Don Houghton Movies

Created by Don Houghton, the twice-weekly soap opera Take the High Road was Scottish television's answer to the popular British serial Emmerdale Farm. A huge, ever-changing cast appeared as the residents of Glendarroch, a Scottish village with more than its share of sexual hijinks, deep dark secrets, and other assorted dramatic complications. The series began its lengthy run in 1980, with creator Houghton handling the lion's share of the writing chores. Since 1995, the program has been known simply as High Road. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this strange but fun genre hodgepodge, Prof. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is up against seven rotting vampires clad in gold masks. They were revived by Dracula (John Forbes-Robertson) at the behest of a Chinese priest in 1804 and a century later are terrorizing the village of Ping Kuei. One of the locals attends Van Helsing's lecture in Chungking and enlists the vampire-hunter, his son, and a pretty heiress (Julie Ege) in ridding the village of its curse. There's a lot of skillfully handled martial arts swordplay, hopping vampires, and more blood than usual before Cushing gets to run Dracula through with a spear. It's an interesting mix of Shaw Bros. martial-arts and Hammer gothic that doesn't always work, particularly with Forbes-Robertson's tarted-up Dracula apparently lingering way too long at the makeup table, but it's enjoyable enough for a rental. This was, sadly, Hammer's last Dracula film, despite plans to pit the vampire and Van Helsing in India the following year. Anchor Bay's widescreen video release contains both the original film and the hopped-up 75-minute 7 Brothers Meet Dracula, which played in American grindhouses. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Hammer Studios attempted to inject new blood into their Dracula series by setting their next installment in ultra-mod '70s London, where the Count is revived after 100 years by a gang of devil-worshipping swingers led by the not-so-cleverly-named Johnny Alucard (Christopher Neame), and later joined by Jessica (Stephanie Beacham), granddaughter of the legendary vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing, returning to the role after more than a decade). After the group manages to resurrect the Count, he sets about the task of destroying the house of Van Helsing once and forever, leading to a battle in a de-sanctified cathedral. Despite some well-staged scenes, a thrilling prologue (involving a tense battle between Lee and Cushing aboard a runaway coach) and the presence of the stunning Caroline Munro, this is definitely one of the weaker entries in the series, and the script gives Lee very little to do with the hissing, red-eyed villain. Lee may have been bored with reprising the role altogether, as he would only return for one more sequel, The Satanic Rites of Dracula. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Mind of Evil," the Master (Roger Delgado), renegade Time Lord and perennial nemesis of the Doctor (Jon Pertwee), has revealed his presence at a World Peace Council. Going one better, the Master also reveals his current scheme: By sapping the evil thoughts of criminals, he intends to accumulate enough negative energy to successfully steal -- and activate -- a deadly nerve-gas missile. Written by Don Houghton, "The Mind of Evil, Episode 4" first aired on February 20, 1971. Originally filmed in color, this episode currently exists only in a black-and-white version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the six-part story "The Mind of Evil," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) tries to root out the cause of several bizarre but apparently unrelated events at a World Peace Council. It turns out that the renegade time lord the Master, disguised as a distinguished professor, is the cause of all the trouble. But what is the Master's master plan this time around? Written by Don Houghton, "The Mind of Evil, Episode 2" first aired on February 6, 1971. Originally filmed in color, this episode currently exists only in a black-and-white version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Mind of Evil," the Master (Roger Delgado) has launched a nerve-gas missile, armed with the combined negative emotions of a group of imprisoned criminal and aimed at a world peace conference. The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) hurriedly attempts to deactivate the hate-inducing weapon -- and also endeavors, yet again, to put the Master out of business once and for all. The huge sets and props utilized in this story arc pushed the otherwise parsimonious Doctor Who budget far beyond its usual boundaries. Written by Don Houghton, "The Mind of Evil, Episode 6" first aired on March 6, 1971. Originally filmed in color, this episode currently exists only in a black-and-white version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the seven-part story "Inferno," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) has piloted his TARDIS into an alternate universe, where England is ruled by fascist dictatorship. Even so, Project Inferno, the government's effort to find new energy resources at the center of the earth, goes on unabated, just as it had been doing in the "real" universe. But will this project prove to be a benefit to mankind -- or will it bring about the destruction of the earth? Written by Don Houghton, "Inferno, Episode 3" first aired on May 23, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fifth episode of the seven-part story "Inferno," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) is unable to convince the fascist government of the "alternative-universe" England to halt Project Inferno, wherein the earth's core is drilled in search of new energy sources. Just as the Doctor has feared, the project sets in motion the destruction of the earth. But though the fate of the planet is inexorable, there may still be hope for mankind -- if the Doctor acts quickly enough. Written by Don Houghton, "Inferno, Episode 5" first aired on June 6, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the seven-part story "Inferno," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) is able to escape the destruction of the alternative-universe earth, brought about by a drilling project designed to locate new energy sources. Returning to his own universe, the Doctor races to prevent a similar disaster befalling the "real" earth. But in doing so, he may be profoundly altering the future of humankind in other ways -- and not necessarily for the better. Caroline John makes her farewell appearance as Dr. Liz Shaw. Written by Don Houghton, "Inferno, Episode 7" first aired on June 20, 1970, as the final episode of Doctor Who's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide