MovieChat Forums > The Curse of the Werewolf (1961) Discussion > The dance of the beggar

The dance of the beggar

posted 17 years ago by IrishLass240
2 replies | jump to latest

I was so struck by the innocence on the face of the beggar during his dance. He was filled with a moment of true joy at the laughter of Don Alfredo's guests. This did so much to intensify the horror of the ill treatment that followed. The beggar's expression held the same heartbreaking quality of the Hunchback of Notre Dame(1939), when Charles Laughton was brought to his own joyous laughter when the crowd crowned him "King of the Fools". Touchs like that are what make this movie so much more than a typical werewolf movie.

Did anyone feel the same after that scene?

IrishLass

"He was a bad man. a very bad man, so I put his head on the Jack-in-the-box so everyone could see".

(Billy Mumy/Anthony)"Please son, send him to the cornfield, please." (Twilight Zone, "It's a Good Life")
^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

[–] Woodyanders 17 years ago

That was such a heartbreaking scene; I really hated those arrogant rich bastards for laughing at the poor beggar's wretched plight. Moreover, Richard Wordsworth gave an excellent performance as the beggar. I agree with you that this film has a surprisingly substantial amount of depth which in turn greatly enhanced the overall poignancy and resonance of the tragic story being told.

Nobody does W.C. Fields singing "Mama Told Me Not to Come" better than Paul Frees.

[–] onnanob2 15 years ago

It is a very good scene, and played well by all involved. It's easy to get caught up in the film during this scene, and become angry with those celebrating in the castle.

Desmond Llewelyn, who played Q in several James Bond films, can be spotted during this scene as the castle servant who opens the door to the beggar.

The actor who played the beggar, Richard Wordsworth, can also be seen in the Hammer films "The Quatermass Xperiment" and "The Revenge Of Frankenstein."

Michael Ripper, who can be seen in many Hammer thrillers, is also here playing a drunk.