13 Demon Street
13 Demon Street is a Swedish horror television series that aired between 1959 and 1960 in American syndication. Thirteen 25-minute episodes were produced. Lon Chaney Jr. was the host, introducing each episode from his 'home' at 13 Demon Street. Condemned for some shockingly atrocious crime, Chaney's purpose in relating the series' stories was to convince viewers that the crimes presented in them were worse than his, thus freeing him from his purgatory. This was hard for audiences to judge, however, because Chaney's original crime was never specified. Three episodes of the series were edited together to make a theatrical feature called The Devil's Messenger, in which Chaney's character was reconfigured as Satan himself. Chaney filmed new wraparound segments to link the chosen episodes, which were 'The Photograph', 'The Girl in the Glacier' and 'Condemned in Crystal'.
Insights
Plot Summary
A private investigator is hired to look into a series of strange occurrences at a house known as 13 Demon Street. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a sinister plot involving a mysterious woman, a greedy doctor, and a sinister cult.
Critical Reception
This low-budget horror film from the late 1950s is primarily remembered for its B-movie charm and for being one of the last films released by the financially troubled Monogram Pictures (which became Allied Artists Pictures). It garnered little critical attention upon release and is considered a cult curiosity rather than a mainstream success.
What Reviewers Say
- The film is noted for its atmospheric, noir-like cinematography.
- Its plot is often considered convoluted and sometimes nonsensical.
- Despite its flaws, it has a certain camp appeal for genre enthusiasts.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those that exist tend to highlight the film's dated special effects and acting, while acknowledging its historical place in exploitation cinema.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on a very tight budget, utilizing existing sets and limited special effects, which is characteristic of many films produced by Monogram Pictures and its successors during that era.
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