Another Loss for the Phantom Community

Happy October, all!

This post is a bit late... but for anyone who was not yet aware, another classic Phantom has passed away. On September 27th, Herbert Lom died of natural causes. He was 95 years old.

Filmgoers likely know Herbert Lom best for playing gangster Louis Harvey in the 1955 film The Ladykillers, and also Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther film series (beginning with 1964's A Shot in the Dark). But to Phantom Phans, he will always be Professor Petrie, the Phantom of the 1962 film by Hammer Film Productions. The film was directed by Terence Fisher and also starred Heather Sears as Christine Charles, Edward de Souza as Harry Hunter, and Michael Gough as Lord Ambrose D'Arcy.

While I wasn't personally a huge fan of that film (mainly due to the script and direction), I did like some of the cinematography in it. I also appreciated Herbert Lom's acting, particularly as Professor Van Helsing in the underappreciated 1970 film Count Dracula, directed by Jesús Franco and also starring Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, Klaus Kinski as Renfield, and Soledad Miranda as Lucy. Despite the film's minuscule budget (which resulted in some pretty poor-looking effects), I adore it; it's one of the most faithful to the novel of any Dracula film, and there are a lot of great acting performances in it.

In any case, rest in peace, Mr. Lom, and thank you for your many contributions to film, the arts, and the Phantom community.


I remain your obedient servant,
I.A.E.