Prudence Hyman as Megaera in The Gorgon Print

This acrylic painting depicts Prudence Hyman as Megaera, with a whole dozen of rubber snakes coming out of her hair. "The Gorgon" is a 1964 British horror film, directed by Terence Fisher, for Hammer Films. It stars Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Richard Pasco, and Barbara Shelley. "The Gorgon" was based on a story submitted to Hammer by their Canadian fan, J. Llewellyn Divine. Barbara Shelley had suggested that she portray the Gorgon herself and wanted to use a wig that - humanely - contained several live snakes. Producer Anthony Nelson Keys felt that, in order to protect the creature's secret identity, two actresses were needed and that the live snakes were unnecessary. For the role of the monster (Megaera), former ballerina Prudence Hyman was recruited, because the monster was supposed to float gracefully like a wraith. After the completion of the film however, Keys regretted his decision and had wished that real snakes were used. Since the gorgon is seen full-face in several shots, the impact of her petrifying glare was lessened by the use of rubber snakes. As Christopher Lee so aptly put it; "The only thing wrong with The Gorgon is the gorgon." The Gorgon was distributed in the United Kingdom by Columbia Pictures/BLC Films on October 18, 1964 where it was supported by The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb. It was released in the United States by Columbia Pictures on February 17, 1965 where it was also supported by The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb. The Gorgon was released in the U.S. on Blu-ray by Mill Creek Entertainment in March 2018 as a double feature along with the Hammer movie, The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll. The title of the film is misspelled as “The Gorgan” on the spine. Variety wrote "Though written and directed on a leisurely note, 'The Gorgon' is a well-made, direct yarn that mainly gets its thrills through atmosphere. The period storyline is simple and predictable, but John Gilling has turned out a well-rounded piece and Terence Fisher's direction is restrained enough to avoid any unintentional yocks.” The Monthly Film Bulletin found that the monster's appearance was "belated, vague and insufficiently spectacular. Still, it makes a change from vampires, and though the film has little genuine flair for atmosphere it is quite well acted by Richard Pasco and an appropriately blank-eyed, statuesque Barbara Shelley. This acrylic portrait appears in the new publication "A Pictorial History of Hammer Horror" by Eric McNaughton, on page 440. https://webelongdead.co.uk/product/a-pictorial-history-of-hammer-horror/?fbclid=IwAR2SBwzfDOPTSbtUn0YFYHnfHA-DZaU6LffBD6vktW4WfzTCreIX4REowPQ

Print:Giclee on Canvas

Size:16 W x 20 H x 1.25 D in

Size with Frame:17.75 W x 21.75 H x 1.25 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.