THIS WAS THE FEAR THAT WAS . . . THE MASK

This is a movie about addiction, obsession, and murder -- and it’s pretty good. That it’s also 50-years old this year makes it pretty good, too. With a theme that’s a distant relative of W.W. Jacobs’ The Monkey’s Paw, it is not only the first Canadian film to be widely released in the United States, but it’s also the first Canadian horror film to be widely released as well. Even considering that Canadian horror films were few and far between at the time, it’s still an accomplishment.

Cranking up the cool factor were several sequences shot in 3D. When the voice over exclaimed in a booming, ominous voice to “PUT THE MASK ON NOW!”, he not only meant for the lead to do it in the picture, but for the audience to put on their supplied 3D glasses as well!

In FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FIMLAND #16 (March, 1962), THE MASK was featured in a photo story.

MASK DISPLAY AT TIFF BELL LIGHTHOUSE, TORONTO