Peterson Leigh always wanted to make movies. Ever since he was a young boy his dream was to see a movie he had created flicker and whirl into life on the big screen.

Raised by a single mother, Peterson would accompany her to the various jobs she would perform just to ensure they had a roof over their head and food on the table.

One of these was as an usherette at a local cinema. Whilst Peterson would promise to sit in the office and not make a fuss he would invariably sneak out into the cinema. Who needed school when day after day the host of flickering black and white characters could be his teachers?

It was the Boris Karloff films that etched the deepest impressions on young Peterson’s mind. The captivating blend of horror and adventure left an indelible mark, sparking his fascination with the genre. When the opportunity finally emerged for him to bring his cinematic ambitions to fruition, he chose the path of horror. This decision marked the first step into a genre that would carve out a legacy lasting for eight remarkable decades.

Amid Peterson’s repertoire of films, which included noteworthy productions like the popular CLITTY TElLER spy series, his heart forever resided with the horror movies birthed through his MACABRE MALLET production company. These films not only stood as testaments to his creative prowess but also became his personal favorites.

Now, as we cast our gaze back upon the timeline of MACABRE MALLET movies, spanning from 1955 to 2023, we journey to where it all began, tracing the evolution of Peterson Leigh’s captivating cinematic legacy.

The first ever Macabre Mallet movie saw the screen debut of the British blonde starlet, Imogen Hartley accompanied by respected stage actor Rupert Stanhope.

When residents of the sleepy town of Slaughterpass mysteriously start dying, intrepid journalist Beryl (Hartley) investigates why. The Town’s sinister mayor Oliver Slaughter-Emall (Stanhope) suggests it might be aliens.

Imogen Hartley stars as Doris who inherits a house from her Aunt whom mysteriously died when she was flayed alive while listening to The Archers on BBC Radio.

Quickly Doris realises there is a malevolent spirit living there which she must defeat before her housewarming party on Saturday.

Quentin Stroud stars as Bert, a Vampire just looking for love yet is hampered by the fact he bites all his lovers to death .

Can Edith (played by Imogen Hartley) be the woman to change his bitey ways?

Fun Fact : In the Peterson Leigh produced CLITTY TELLER movies LE MENSONGE QUI T’A STUPÈFAIT and SECOUE-LUNE, the henchman is called Monsieur Biteymann in homage to this movie.

Lilith Ashcroft makes her Macabre Mallet debut as keen swimmer, Mary, who is transformed into a 50ft woman when she swims in toxic waters off the coast of Devon.

The visual effects were achieved by Lilith standing very close to the camera and all the other actors standing far away.

Critics were not kind to this movie with one writing “The incredulity demanded of our audience is nothing short of astounding, commencing with the audacious proposition that the very waters surrounding this majestic isle could transmute into a toxic menace, imperiling innocent bathers.”

The decade ended with this adventure of oversized plankton invading earth from above and from below.

Imogen Hartley plays the Secretary to the Assistant to the Scientist (played by Quentin Stroud) who first alerts authorities to this deadly invasion.

At first stuffy Police Chief (played by Rupert Stanhope) does not believe her and demands she makes him a cup of tea. However, when people start getting their faces sucked off by mutated alien plankton he’s prepared to reconsider.

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Now explore the Macabre Mallet movies between 1960 – 1964