Universal-International film from 1959, Curse Of The Undead, is a unique blend of Western and Horror. The film stars Eric Fleming of Rawhide.

As regards the film, the only original element in this Dracula inspired production was the fact that the vampire was a typical Western Gunslinger who, after sinking his teeth into Kathleen Crowley, and committing several murders, is finally laid to rest when he is hit by a bullet with a wooden cross inserted into it.

This nonsense was written by Edward and Mildred Dein.

“Curse of the Undead” (1959):

Michael Pate’s moment of fame for Universal ‘s theatrical release of “Curse of the Undead” (1959)

“Curse of the Undead” (1959): Released as a Universal double-feature presentation with a classic mammoth Universal-Hammer monster/horror masterpiece ‘The Mummy’

‘The Mummy’ is a film that I like very much – very well done and looking a quite expensive production with top actors.

I love these Hammer Horror Films – and particularly this one. When we get the flashback in the very early stages of the film, to the Princess Ananka being buried many years ago and Kharis High Priest with a dark secret – his love for the princess – it really sets the scene for us as we settle down for the action to come.

Whilst excavating the ancient site in Egypt,  Peter Cushing’s father played by Felix Aylmer, picks up and reads the scroll of life and The Mummy stirs,  this sequence is very erie – sending Felix Aylmers character- Banning – mad – to such an extent that on his return to England he is committed to a lunatic asylum where eventually he comes face to face with The Mummy.

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

 Christopher Lee as Kharis High Priest

After the early sequence in Egypt we return to En