I had heard good things about "Curse of the Demon" but I always bring a full serving of pessimism to old raved about '50s movies because the vast majority of them are remembered fondly from childhood viewings. Very seldom does one end up being a really good movie. I can think of examples like the original versions of "The Fly" "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The War of the Worlds". I think "Curse of the Demon" has a right to be mentioned in the same company.

I was watching a featurette about Richard Matheson on a "Trilogy of Terror" DVD called "Richard Matheson - Terror Scribe". On it Matheson talks fondly of "Curse of the Demon". He claims that it had a lasting impact on him primarily the less-is-more theory he wished it had stuck to. The controversy he hints at is the actual demon that is shown in the movie. His claim is that it nearly ruins the film. I can't believe I am saying this but Matheson is wrong. The appearance of the demon is very effective and while it's clearly a puppet of some sort the way that it first appears in the night sky as rolling smoke and then reveals itself as a horned entity is nightmarish.

The story itself is a precursor to Sam Raimi's "Drag Me To Hell". The villan (Niall MacGinnis) plots and a hero (Dana Andrews) doubts which seems like a pretty standard story line but it's very satisfying because it's done with subtlety. You have to pay attention to the details sprinkled throughout. One thing I was also surprised by was a number of jump scares. Normally you don't encounter them with a film of this age but they were fun here. The demon attack at the end of the movie is savage and very effective too even though it lacks all gore. This film needs more love.