Episode 196 - School For Scoundrels (1960)
Reel Britannia
Episode 196 - School For Scoundrels (1960) "Hard cheese old boy!" School for Scoundrels is one of those wonderfully sharp British comedies that takes something faintly ridiculous and plays it with a completely straight face, which of course makes it even funnier. Released in 1960, it follows Henry Palfrey, a polite, mild-mannered man who seems to be permanently stuck on the losing side of life. He is decent, respectable and reasonably successful on paper, yet somehow he always ends up second best, especially when faced with people who have more confidence, more nerve and rather fewer...
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Episode 195 - Home At Seven (1952)
Reel Britannia
Episode 195 - Home At Seven (1952) He came home on time... a day too late. Home at Seven is a neatly unsettling British mystery that begins with one of the simplest ideas imaginable and turns it into something deeply unnerving. David Preston, a mild-mannered bank clerk, arrives home after work expecting an ordinary evening with his wife. Instead, he is met with shock, confusion and growing alarm, because as far as everyone else is concerned, he has not been gone for the day. He has been missing for over twenty-four hours. David is utterly baffled. To him, nothing is wrong. He left work,...
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Episode 194 - Go to Blazes (1962)
Reel Britannia
Episode 194 - Go To Blazes (1962) "So many firms nowadays prefer conflagration to liquidation." If you are looking for a cracking way to spend eighty minutes, Go to Blazes is a proper hidden gem of British cinema. It has that pitch-perfect 1962 atmosphere—stylish, colourful, and just a touch rebellious. The plot is an absolute hoot: three ambitious but slightly dim-witted crooks decide the ultimate way to beat the London traffic after a smash-and-grab is to nick a literal fire engine. It is one of those "so barmy it just might work" ideas that keeps you smiling as you watch them navigate...
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Episode 193 - Hammer Britannia 023 - Taste Of Fear / Scream Of Fear (1961)
Reel Britannia
Taste Of Fear / Scream Of Fear (1961) "You say my mind is affecting my legs. You're wrong. It's my legs that are affecting my mind." Taste of Fear, released in 1961 and also known in some territories as Scream of Fear, is one of those wonderfully chilly British thrillers that shows just how much tension can be created without a drop of gore. Directed by Seth Holt for Hammer Films, it stands slightly apart from the studio’s more famous horror output of the period. Instead of Gothic castles, vampires and lurid supernatural shocks, this is a sleek, sinister psychological suspense picture,...
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Episode 192 - To Sir With Love (1967)
Reel Britannia
Episode 192 - To Sir WIth Love (1967) "If you must play these filthy games, do them in your homes, and not in my classroom!" Set against the vibrant, swinging backdrop of 1960s London, To Sir, With Love is a timeless feel-good classic that radiates warmth and optimism. The film stars the legendary Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, an unemployed engineer who takes a temporary teaching position at a rough-and-tumble East End school. At first, the situation seems impossible. The students are rowdy, rebellious, and determined to drive their new teacher away just as they did the...
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Episode 191 - The L Shaped Room (1962)
Reel Britannia
Episode 191 - The L Shaped Room (1962) "You've had eight over the eight, you lovely bit of crumpet, you!" Directed by Bryan Forbes and based on the novel by Lynne Reid Banks, The L-Shaped Room is a quintessential example of British "kitchen sink" realism. The film tells the poignant story of Jane Fosset (played by Leslie Caron in a BAFTA-winning performance), a young French woman who arrives in London unmarried and pregnant—a precarious social position in the early 1960s. Seeking anonymity, Jane moves into a bug-ridden boarding house in Notting Hill. Her room, grim and L-shaped, becomes...
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Episode 190 - Carry On Cabby (1963)
Reel Britannia
Episode 190 - Carry On Cabby (1963) "I wonder if I've got the right soap? I can't remember if it was green for oily skin or oily for green skin." "Carry On Cabby" is widely celebrated as one of the most heartwarming and narrative-driven treasures in the famous franchise. Stepping away from the purely episodic sketches of its predecessors, this 1963 classic delivers a genuinely sweet romantic comedy that stands the test of time. It is a delightful battle of the sexes that combines wit, charm, and a surprising amount of emotional depth. The story centers on workaholic Charlie Hawkins, played...
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Episode 189 - You Only Live Twice (1967)
Reel Britannia
Episode 189 - You Only Live Twice (1967) "I must say, you have a lot of energy for a dead man, Mister Bond." Get ready for the ultimate 1960s spy spectacle! You Only Live Twice (1967) isn't just a movie; it is a massive, colourful adventure that takes Sean Connery’s James Bond to the vibrant landscapes of Japan for one of his most ambitious missions ever. From the opening moments, the film radiates a distinct, larger-than-life energy that defined the "blockbuster" era of the franchise. The film is a masterclass in escapism. Bond trades his usual Aston Martin for "Little Nellie," a heavily...
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Episode 188 - Just My Luck (1957)
Reel Britannia
Episode 188 - Just My Luck (1957) "Choose Your Entertainment With "WISDOM"!!" Just My Luck (1957) is a sparkling slice of postwar British comedy that captures both the optimism and the charm of its era. Starring the ever-appealing Norman Wisdom as Norman Hackett, a humble jeweller’s apprentice with big dreams, the film follows his hapless but heartfelt attempts to turn his fortunes around. Norman, eternally late and forever in trouble at work, is secretly besotted with glamorous shop assistant Anne (delightfully played by Jill Dixon). When he overhears that she’s a fan of racing, he...
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Episode 187 - Hammer Britannia 022 - The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb (1964)
Reel Britannia
Episode 187 - Hammer Britannia 022 - The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb (1964) "He's living in the past! This is 1900, you have to think modern." Dust off your fez and grab your torch! If you're in the mood for a splendidly spooky adventure that oozes 1960s charm, look no further than Hammer's 1964 classic, The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb. This film is a pure, unadulterated slice of gothic fun, a wonderful reminder of a time when movie monsters were tragic, heroes were dashing, and curses were, well, very literal. The story kicks off in the grand tradition: a team of intrepid (and slightly...
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Episode 181 - The Gorgon (1964)
" Don't use long words, Inspector; they don't suit you."
Get ready to have a monstrously good time with one of Hammer Film Productions’ most creative and atmospheric chillers, 1964’s The Gorgon! This isn't just any old creature feature; it’s a vibrant, gothic mystery that brings together the titans of terror, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, for a truly legendary showdown. Forget what you know about Medusa, because this film introduces a new snake-haired sister to the mix, and she’s ready for her close-up!
The fun kicks off in the spooky little German village of Vandorf around the turn of the 20th century. This town has a serious problem: its residents have a nasty habit of turning to stone. When a young artist is found petrified, his family refuses to accept the flimsy official story. His determined father and brother arrive to uncover the truth, but the locals, terrified of a legendary curse, are tighter-lipped than a statue. This creates a wonderfully suspenseful puzzle, with our heroes piecing together clues while the village doctor (the ever-brilliant Peter Cushing) seems to know more than he’s letting on.
The mystery deepens with the arrival of the dashing Professor Karl Meister, played with commanding authority by the one and only Christopher Lee. He storms into town, ready to challenge superstition with science and solve the stony situation once and for all. The scenes between Cushing and Lee are electric, a fantastic duel between two masters of the genre who bring gravitas and excitement to every line. They elevate the film from a simple monster movie into a compelling human drama set against a wonderfully spooky backdrop.
The film does a masterful job building the tension, giving you glimpses of slithering snakes and haunting reflections before the big reveal. When Megaera finally appears in her full, terrifying glory, it’s a fantastic piece of classic horror magic. Her ghostly presence, combined with the eerie wail that precedes her, makes for some of the most memorable scenes in Hammer's history. The special effects, which show victims slowly hardening into stone, are delightfully retro and add to the film's unique charm.
The Gorgon culminates in a thrilling and dramatic finale set in the ruins of Castle Borski. It's a fantastic climax filled with heroic sacrifice, shocking revelations, and a final, unforgettable confrontation with the creature. If you’re looking for a horror film that is less about jump scares and more about rich atmosphere, brilliant performances, and a truly unique monster, then The Gorgon is an absolute must-see. It’s a stylish, exciting, and wonderfully entertaining ride from start to finish!
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Thanks for listening
Scott and Steven