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Actor Ray Danton is probably best known for playing the title role in “The George Raft Story.” He also has the distinction of having played mobster “Legs” Diamond in two films. But stardom ultimately eluded Danton in the U.S.
Dissatisfied with the supporting parts being offered, the actor traveled overseas where foreign producers, eager to broaden the distribution possibilities for the their product, were quick to give leading roles to American actors. After starring in a series of crime films and spy thrillers (including “Lucky the Inscrutable” for eccentric director Jesus Franco) Danton turned his career toward a position behind the camera. Although he eventually settled for steady but, bland television work directing episodes of “The Incredible Hulk” and “T.J. Hooker,” he cut his teeth on three undeservedly obscure horror films.
“Deathmaster”-
Danton’s first foray into horror was aimed squarely at the drive-in crowd. It stars Robert Quarry, fresh from his success in “Count Yorga, Vampire” and its sequel. Quarry plays Khorda, a sinister, Manson-like figure who moves into a commune and quickly exerts a strong influence over the hippy-types residing there. Instead of preaching a message of peace and love however, Khorda turns out to be a vampire interested only in satisfying his craving for blood.
With its “hey, man” dialogue and ear-piercing sitar score, “Deathmaster” is horribly dated. Danton eye for handling dark subject matter and the premise and setting manage to carry the film for a while. It’s unfortunate then that all attempts at creating an unsettling mood are undone by garishly colored blouses and pants with flares large enough to conceal a Volkswagen mini-bus.
In a bit of truly creative casting John Fiedler (the voice of Piglet) plays a determined vampire slayer.
Story- **
Performances- **
Entertainment Value- **/
“Young Hannah, Queen of the Vampires”-
B-Movie stalwart Andrew Prine stars in Danton’s second directorial outing. Prine plays Chris Bolton, a young architect who journeys to a remote fishing village to bury his recently deceased father. Once there he discovers his father was murdered as part of a plot to resurrect the titular bloodsucker.
Filmed in Turkey, the film benefits from its coastal location. The desolate cliffs and ruins help create a dark mood to compensate for the relatively thin script and thinner budget. Danton once again demonstrates his skill at creating an atmosphere ripe with evil and menace. He allows the tale to unfold at a slow, almost dreamlike (some may say boring) pace and provides a gruesomely satisfying finale. “Young Hannah” stands as Danton’s finest work.
Story- **/
Performances- **
Entertainment Value- ***
“Psychic Killer”-
After the high of his previous effort, Danton’s final feature is disappointing. It stars Jim Hutton as a man wrongfully imprisoned for murder. While a guest of the state he learns the art of astral projection and sets about killing the men responsible for his incarceration in a variety of imaginative ways.
Despite an original premise and the casting of Hutton against type, the end result is shoddy. Hutton is on the downside of a less than stellar career and is obviously not thrilled to be in the film. (Knowing that he would soon co-star in a television series with Connie Selleca and be dead in three years probably wouldn’t have made him any happier.) Set in a typical city environment and without the exotic locales of his previous two features to mask the low production values the movie just looks cheap.
Story- **/
Performances- */
Entertainment Value- **
Danton’s trio of features showed him to be a talented director with the ability to deliver decent, atmospheric work on a limited budget. It’s unfortunate that he spent the remainder of his career helming episodic television but we should be thankful he gave us a handful of cinematic treats.•
