The Undying Monster (1942)

SYNOPSIS

Cornwall at the start of the 20th century. According to local legend, the Hammond family, owners of the large eponymous coastal manor, have been the victims of an ancient curse that takes effect on certain frost-bitten nights, with those taking a shortcut through the manor grounds falling victim to it. On one such night, the last female in the family bloodline, Helga, is awoken from sleeping on a couch by the butler. The butler is concerned that her brother Oliver has still not returned from visiting a family friend, Dr Colbert, suggesting that he may have had a run-in with some of the poachers operating in the area.

Helga reassures him that there is nothing to worry about, but when the pet dog is let out to be taken to its kennel, something alarms it. The butler expresses the hope that Mr Hammond has not taken the notorious shortcut along the shorefront, this being the place that the sibling's grandfather was found dead under mysterious circumstances. It was at that location and during weather such as that being experienced this evening, that family ancestors had met their deaths, reportedly at the hands of a monster.

When the butler recites the poem that details the family curse, his mistress chastises him for believing such nonsense. To allay her employee's fears she phones Dr Colbert, who assures her that her brother has just left. Just as she makes her way to bed, a strange howl is heard from outside.

Meanwhile a servant girl, Kate O'Malley, is seen being chased along the seafront, eventually being attacked by something on a rocky outcrop. Alerted by her screams, the Hammond woman grabs a pistol and takes a carriage down to the seafront, accompanied by a groom. Making their way through the rocks and tundra near the outcrop, they find Oliver Hammond's pet spaniel, horribly mutilated. Further searching reveals the brother lying injured on some rocks, with the barely alive body of Kate nearby.

Back at the manor, Helga tends to her brother's wounds as best she can. He eventually regains consciousness, but can only recollect vague details about the incident. Dr Colbert appears and advises that the servant girl is in a coma, with little chance of recovery. Prompted by Colbert, Oliver remembers some more about the attack and ends up convinced that the monster of family legend has returned to kill the last remaining members of the Hammond dynasty. The doctor and Helga later discuss the legend of the curse affecting the family, her brother's mental state and what sort of animal could have caused such carnage.

At Scotland Yard the next morning, Inspector Craig visits the laboratory of forensic scientist Robert Curtis and his assistant Cornelia Christy. Following a recent successful investigation on another case, Craig presents Curtis with the dossier on the Hammond case, telling him that this could be a lengthy and dangerous assignment, designed to challenge his skills and make him question his rationalist convictions. After being interviewed by the Inspector in his office, Helga Hammond is introduced to Curtis, who reveals that he knows a significant amount concerning the Hammond legend, involving an ancestor who sold his soul to the devil, and who reputedly still lives in a secret room within the manor, only venturing out to secure new victims to preserve his immortality. The Hammond woman stresses that she does not want any scandal besetting her family, but the scientist promises that his investigation will be of the utmost discretion. He and his assistant make arrangements to travel to the manor...
IAIN McLACHLAN

Last Updated: 1 January, 2009