The Naked Witch (1961)

Rather low-rent and incomprehensible exploitation. A student (Robert Short) is researching the grave of an alleged witch. The witch (Libby Hall) who is beautiful and naked (and that has to be emphasised so much they even named the film after it) embarks on revenge...

It is all very strange with a soundtrack that sounds like a monkey on LSD playing the organ. The problem with the film is that there isn't very much story and the film is padded out with a pseudo documentary at the start and even a bit of a travelogue. When we finally see the (naked) witch well we are already struggling to stay awake.

Not very good, though did we mention that the witch was naked... except that as it was the early 60s she wasn't really of course.

Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police (1939)

A superb country house romp. It is Bulldog Drummond (John Howard) and Phyllis' (Heather Angel) wedding day... again. Will they finally manage to get married this time? Well you can probably guess the answer to that. All is going well in Drummond's old country house before the Professor (Forrester Harvey) arrives telling them about a fortune...

Civil War treasure is hidden in the house apparently, though Drummond promises to long suffering Phyllis that they will get married first. However when the Professor is found dead all plans go to pot...

A classic country house film complete with hidden passages, mysterious goings on, the unknown identity of a killer and even medieval torture equipment! Tenny (E.E. Clive), Algie (Reginald Denny) and the Colonel (H.B. Warner) are on hand as usual. Drummond and Phyllis still did not manage to get married, better luck next time!

Malice in the Palace (1949)

The Three Stooges aim to rescue a stolen diamond (the Rootin Tootin) which the Emir of Shmo has stolen. First of all though Shemp, Larry and Moe are working in a restaurant (well working may be a strong word, more like causing total carnage) which Hasan Ben Sober (Vernon Dent) visits while planning to steal the diamond himself...

Ben Sober plans to get the Three Stooges to steal the diamond for him but his plan goes to pot when the Emir of Shmo beats him too but but the boys decide to steal the diamond back and claim the reward. How to do that well obviously the best way is to disguise themselves as three Santa Clauses!

Frequently nonsense but also frequently hilarious. This is a great comedy short.

Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)

A deliciously macabre Hammer horror. Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is conducting experiments into capturing souls and bringing the dead back to life along with his assistant Dr Hertz (Thorley Walters) and Hans (Robert Morris). Hans is hot on Christina (Susan Denberg), the deformed daughter of the landlord, but gets accused of the death of the landlord although the real culprits are the local dandy Anton (Peter Blythe) and his pals including Johann (Derek Fowlds).

Hans is executed by Frankenstein gets hold of the corpse and captures his soul. Christina commits suicide when she sees Hans' death but Frankenstein brings the girl back to life... and then puts Hans' soul in her body... who then embarks on revenge.

A twisted and quite ridiculous story but enjoyable camp horror.

Zorro's Fighting Legion (Serial) (1939)

Don Del Oro, the god of gold, seeks to become the Emperor of Mexico by stopping the gold shipments of the fledgling republic. Don Diego Vega (Reed Hadley) seeks to prevent this in his masked guise of Zorro. What follows are many cliff hangers and escapades until Don Del Oro is finally unmasked...

Along the way Zorro has to combat intrigues as well as many dangerous traps. The true identity of Don Del Oro is finally unveiled in the final episode (of course).

This is a good serial though the cliff hangers are perhaps a bit over the top. They include one where Zorro looks to be crushed by a moving wall! It is good rollicking adventure fun, packed full of great stunts, as a Zorro serial should be.