The Gothique Film Society presents X the Unknown (1956) and Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959)

About The Gothique Film Society presents X the Unknown (1956) and Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959)

Founded in 1966, the Gothique Film Society specialises in double bills ‘for the connoisseur of the macabre’.

Rushed into production following the company’s huge success with The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), X the Unknown marked the moment when Hammer moved over to sci-fi/horror. With Nigel Kneale not allowing the studio to re-use his Quatermass character (he apparently had “plans” of his own) Dean Jagger ended up portraying Dr John Royston, but he’s still just as single-minded!

There was also controversy about the director. Joseph Losey, blacklisted in the USA, was due to direct, but Hammer, not wanting to upset their American associates, put out the face-saving story that he had caught pneumonia while location scouting in the freezing weather, and brought in Leslie Norman (Barry’s father). Scriptwriter Jimmy Sangster was intrigued by the thought that, as The Quatermass Xperiment had featured a ‘monster’ coming from outer space, this time the ‘monster’ would come from the centre of the earth. It works well, and the result is a very suspenseful film.

Caltiki, the Immortal Monster, is a fine way to bow out of Season 56. Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava might have argued over the years about who directed how much, but this is a typically fun Italian sci-fi horror. In Mexico, a team of archaeologists descends on the ruins of an ancient Mayan city to investigate the mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants. However, the luckless explorers get more than they bargained for when their investigation of a sacrificial pool awakens the monster that dwells beneath its waters: the fearsome and malevolent god Caltiki. Who will survive, and what will be left of them?!

Doors open at 18.00 for a 19.00 start.

Refreshments will be available in the licensed cafe/bar.