The lady sleeps curled up

This time, I’ll talk about an old Hammer movie that I watched as a kid: The Reptile.

As I said before, Hammer Productions made this film in 1966. Its director was John Gilling. They filmed it right after “The Plague of the Zombies” and reused many of the sets, such as the exterior shots at Oakley Court, near Bray, Berkshire.

The cottage used was on Brentmoor Road, in the West End of Woking, Surrey. The heathland shots were done in West End and Chobham Common. The station at the beginning of the film is the Loudwater train station.

Fun facts

Actress Jacqueline Pearce did not like to wear the reptile makeup because she suffered from claustrophobia. After this movie she swore she would never wear monster makeup again.

In some markets, the film was released alongside “Rasputin, The Mad Monk”.

Reception

The movie received good reviews, although some flaws were pointed out.

Before we continue, spoiler alert: If you’re thinking about watching the movie, you should stop reading now.

The plot

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Black Death wreaks havoc on a town called Clagmoor Heath, in Cornwall. Harry Spalding (played by Ray Barrett) inherits his brother’s cabin and moves in with his wife, Valerie (played by Jennifer Daniel).

The locals are unfriendly to them, except for the bartender, Tom Bailey (played by Michael Ripper). Bailey explains that the hostility of the people is due to a series of mysterious deaths.

The couple meet their neighbor, Dr. Franklyn (played by Noel Willman). The doctor lives with his daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce) and there is no one else in the vicinity. But the doctor seems to despise his daughter and only a silent Malay servant (Marne Maitland) takes care of her.

The investigation

Harry invites local eccentric Mad Peter (John Laurie) to his house for dinner. Mad Peter warns them that their lives are in danger and leaves, but returns foaming at the mouth and with a black, swollen face. He dies a few minutes after that.

The Spaldings try to warn Dr. Franklyn, but he arrogantly claims that Peter’s death doesn’t matter to him.

Trying to help Harry, Tom Bailey digs up Mad Peter’s corpse and discovers a wound on his neck resembling a snake bite. Harry digs up his brother with Tom’s help and they discover the same wound.