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Did this film have a introductory sequence at one stage?

posted 15 years ago by jemkat
7 replies | jump to latest

In the late 60s I viewed a Lon Chaney (I'm pretty sure it was Lon Chaney, although now I'm starting to wonder) picture about witchcraft which had scenes set in the 1600s and much of the dialogue was spoken in old english...lots of thees and thous.

I have scoured Lon Chaney's filmography but have never been able to identify or track this down and was wondering whether Witchcraft(1964) perhaps may have had a long introductory sequence ( as did many films of that period a la Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte) set in the past, which is now missing. It could have set up the feud between the Whitlocks and the Laniers when the latter had Vanessa buried alive.

I'm probably clutching at straws here....if not, does anyone have any idea what picture I might be thinking of? It was defiintely circa early 60s, definitely about withccraft, and had much dialogue as I have described, and I could swear it was Lon Chaney, but with the passage of time and the inability to identify it from his discography doubts start to creep in.

Thanks if anyone can help.

[–] Gary-161 15 years ago

As far as I'm aware there is no missing sequences in Witchcraft whose narrative is pretty linear. It basically starts with the bulldozers digging up a graveyard and Chaney shouting "stop, I say!"

So the answer has to be no.

[–] ironmanlucas 14 years ago

I saw "Witchcraft" for the first time back in 1965 when I was a kid (in a double bill with "Curse of the Fly"), and I'm pretty sure there was no "opening explanatory sequence", the beginning was exactly the same as the one on the DVD print.

[–] andyg35 14 years ago

Most probably not, but there's an explanatory 1600s set piece at the start of Mario Bava's Mask of Satan (aka Revenge of the Vampire) made in 1960.

It's not Lon Chaney, but otherwise it ticks some of the boxes.

AndyG

[–] malbrake 14 years ago

Lon Chaney was in 'The Haunted Palace' which does have the introductory opening you described.

[–] jeff4711 10 years ago

I also saw this film as a kid in the 1960's. You mentioned that it was in 1965 you saw it.
Do you know if that was the first time it was screened and if it has been again screened on tv in the UK in the 1960's. The thing i'm trying to establish is what age i was when i first saw it.
I was too young really to watch it as i was born in 1962 and remember being scared sh******. Funny thing is i remember so many scenes from it, it must have left an indelible scar in my mind and i've only ever been scared of witches ever since...ha ha.

[–] tintineric 12 years ago

I think the film you are thinking of is Horror Hotel (aka City of the Dead) a 1960s film with Christopher Lee. It is in black and white and has a very similar feel to Witchcraft. And it has a pre credits sequence set in the 1600.

[–] kaysild 11 years ago

I agree Horror Hotel/City or the Dead is probably movie your thinking of, and it has different versions, some start with the witch being burned and show the curse, others cut that part but you should try to see the uncut one bc obviously makes more sense