As this film mixes Argentinian and US footage, I was expecting something in the Jerry Warren vein; however, the Argentinian scenes are dubbed and presented whole, and the US scenes are far more than just framing devices. In fact, I'd say the majority of the film is US-shot. The Arg. footage is taken from an adaptation of Poe's TELL-TALE HEART, which is then used as a dream sequence and a haunted memory of an old man serving time in a prison in the US footage. The US footage is very low budget using only a few actors and a few small sets, and some limited location work, but it is effective in creating a mysterious atmosphere. The older prisoner, Sidney, and his younger cellmate, Pierre, are well-played, although I don't know who plays who in the film...sorry. As for the "magicmation" aspect of the film, it only appears twice, and for about 5 seconds total, and it's the only part of the film in color, although the black and white photography in both the US and Argentinian footage is quite good and atmospheric. If you consider HOUSE OF THE BLACK DEATH or TERROR OF THE BLOODHUNTERS classics, as I do, then this film is worth seeking out. There is no doubt an interesting production history to Legend of Horror. I don't see any other IMDB credits for US director Bill Davies, but he does a lot with very little here and I would be interested to know what else he has done. It's hard to believe this didn't play theatrically until 1972, as is claimed. The Argentinian footage looks circa 1961 or so, and the US footage looks circa 1965. Perhaps some intrepid cult-film researcher can track down Bill Davies or someone else who worked on the film and do an interview.
Review of Legend of Horror
