Thirty-One Days O’Horror: The Curse Of The Mummy’s Tomb (1964)

Not The Goosebumps Version….

No, I’m not talking about the beloved Goosebumps novel of the same name, I’m talking about 1964’s brilliantly Technicolored The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb. Of all of the Hammer Horror films that I’ve watched so far during Thirty-One Days O’Horror, this film feels the most like a Universal Monsters classic. It features a plodding mummy that is being manipulated to do its master’s bidding much like Kharis the Mummy was forced to do in all of the sequels to the classic The Mummy from 1932. With that in mind, you’ll probably pick up on the fact that I’m a bit sympathetic to the mummy in this film.

Like many of the other Hammer films released during the 1960’s, The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb features a wonderful cast, lovely cinematography, and a somewhat contrived plot with a less than stellar ending. I liked watching this film but it didn’t bring anything new to the table as far as Egyptian mummy horror films go.

In the film, a group of British and French archaeologists who specialize in Egyptology unearth the tomb of Ra-Antef, one of two of Ramesses VIII sons. The other son, Bey, was an ostracized member of the family who has Ra-Antef murdered. Bey plays a key role in the curse of the mummy and of an amulet that is also discovered and given to Annette Dubois, the daughter of the French archaelogist who loses his life at the beginning of the film.

Despite the protestations of Hashmi Bey, an Egyptian government official who wishes to see the mummy and the treasure from its tomb placed into a museum, and of the Egyptologists, American backer Alexander King decides to put all of the artifacts into a traveling roadshow in order to make money off of the discovery. On the way to London, two of the archaeologists, Sir Giles and Ronald Bray, are attacked by a mysterious man who is stopped by Adam Beauchamp, a wealthy “friend of the arts” who decides to aid the group once they arrive in London. In London, members of the excavation party begin to die one by one. It is soon discovered that the mummy of Ra-Antef is the culprit, but who is controlling the mummy? All of that is revealed in the film and I won’t spoil it for you. Watch The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb to find out what happens.

I’ve already mentioned how excellent the cast was in this film but I’d like to point out a few standout performances. First off is Fred Clark as the American promoter named Alexander King. Best known for his tough guy roles, Clark gives a humorous performance in Tomb. Jack Gwillim, who sharp-eyed viewers will recognize as Poseidon from The Clash of the Titans (1981) and multiple characters from other films, delivers a strong performance as the alcoholic Sir Giles. Ronald Howard turned in a great performance as John Bray, a brilliant Egyptologist who falls for Annette and can do nothing as she gives in to the charms of Adam Beauchamp. Speaking of Annette and Adam, Jeanne Roland and Terence Morgan do pretty good jobs in their respective roles.

This film definitely has its moments but it ultimately proves to be rather formulaic and highly predictable. I enjoyed it for what it was but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it is a must-see film. The cast, sets, and cinematography are amazing but only hardcore horror fans like myself will want to see it more than once.

Thanks for reading my post! See you tomorrow!