The Call of Cthulhu.
There are great movies to be made from the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, and thus far few filmmakers are interested in making them. The handful who have been (Stuart "Reanimator" Gordon being a prominent name) haven't had access to the blockbuster budgets which would allow the scope of Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos to be properly explored.
In the '60s and '70s, Mythos adaptations were particularly pallid: films like "The Dunwich Horror", "Die, Monster, Die!" and "The Shuttered Room" (the last of these didn't bother with fantasy/SF trappings of
any sort). Many of us amateurs believed we could do better. Here's my attempt... and I'm afraid it sucks balls just as badly as any of the lame professional attempts. Despite the title, it's actually an ungainly welding-together of elements from "The Dunwich Horror" and "The Shadow Out of Time", though the bits are so schematically adapted they may not even be recognizable. Those familiar with the originals will be particularly appalled to see how badly I de-mystified Wilbur Whately... an indelible, iconic horror, stripped here of any outre status.
No filming ever resulted from this screenplay; I wouldn't bother presenting it at all except that (1) there are accompanying illustrations (bottom), which I'd prefer not be wasted, and (2) it presents an ideal opportunity to alert fans to a truly fine film version of the same material. The
H.P.Lovecraft Historical Society has recently completed a proper cinematic rendition of "The Call of Cthulhu": it's low budget and not feature-length (stretching the material to 90 minutes would have badly compromised it), but quite faithful to the source and wildly entertaining. I can't recommend it highly enough to the Lovecraft enthusiast! Here's an address, for those who'd care to check it out for themselves:
http://www.cthulhulives.org/toc.html
Meanwhile, here's my junky version:
The Call of Cthulhu
a screenplay by
Foster Glenn Oakes.
based on the Cthulhu mythos
of H. P. Lovecraft
CAST
Prof. Armitage Harper
Richard Whately
Wilbur Whately
David
INTERIOR. The inside of the Miskatonic University Library. At a table, the partially crippled PROF. ARMITAGE HARPER sits, staring into an ancient book. From a door at the back of the room, DAVID enters.
David: Prof. Harper, a Mr. Richard Whately to see you, sir.
Harper: Ah, so he's arrived. Show him in, David.
David exits. In a moment, RICHARD WHATELY enters.
Richard: I expected to find you here, in the library. There's nowhere else in the university that you ever go.
Harper: The Miskatonic University Library is a place of ancient learning, Richard. you would have done well to spend more time here. (He rises, with the aid of a cane.) How are you, my boy?
Richard: Well enough, and quite ready to see the old manor house.
Harper: (slowly) Yes, the old Whately Manor. Richard, I have some things to tell you about that place. At all costs, I want to prevent you from moving in.
Richard: But why? My family still owns it. I have every legal right--
Harper: Richard, there are forces at work in this part of the country that you would not believe in, even if you could comprehend them. Your ancestors moved from Dunwich years ago to escape the curse of your family, the curse that mark them as sorcerers.
Richard: Come now, Professor--
Harper: The degenerates of Dunwich have awaited the return of an untainted Whately. There is danger for you in that town. Please stay here in Arkham for a day or so, then return home.
Richard: I have no intention of doing so, sir. The Innsmouth folk-tales don't frighten me, nor do the people of Dunwich.
Harper: Then you intend to ignore the ancient warnings?
Richard: Certainly I do. And as it grows late, I should be out to the place. Good day, sir. I'll see you tomorrow.
Harper: Of course. Tomorrow, Dick. (They shake hands. When Richard has left, Harper calls out.) David! (David enters.) Bring me the books. You know the ones I mean. There is certain knowledge we must have, if we are to combat the evil that will be created this night.
EXTERIOR. The Whately Manor. It is near dusk. Richard's car pulls into the drive. He gets out and walks toward the front door.
Wilbur: (off) Howdy, Cousin.
Richard turns to confront WILBUR WHATELY, who has just stepped from behind the hedge.
Wilbur: Your a mite early, but that don't matter. We're ready for ya all the same.
Richard: Who are you?
Wilbur: I'm your cousin! Wilbur Whately! In Arkham, they calls us the Tainted Whatelys. But come on in.
Richard unlocks the door, and the two men walk into the house. INTERIOR. A hallway in Whately Manor. In comes Wilbur, followed by Richard.
Wilbur: Right down here. This is the place.
They enter through a door into a long, high chamber, with dusty books sitting on a termite-worn shelves. At the top of the rear wall, is a circular glass window of many panes.
Wilbur: Here it is. Here's where you'll wake him.
Richard: Wake whom? What are you talking about?
Wilbur: "The Dead One Who Lies Dreaming."
Cut to the Miskatonic Library. Prof. Harper and David have just finished the necessary preparations.
David: I'm finished memorizing the counter-phrases, Prof. Harper.
Harper: Good. Now if this one is destroyed, the other my still drive the thing back. (He looks at his watch.) We must hurry. They will start soon.
At Whately Manor, Wilbur has set several books in front of Richard.
Wilbur: This is the one. The words you have to say are in here.
Wilbur selects an ugly-looking tome from the collection and hands it to Richard.
Richard: I've seen this book before, in Prof. Harper's collection. This is an evil book...the Necronomicon!
Wilbur: Did you say Prof. Harper?
Richard: Yes. Prof. Armitage Harper. Do you know him?
Wilbur: He'll try to ruin everything. Quick, read these lines. You're the only one who can!
Richard: These aren't words...
Wilbur: Read!!!
Richard, a bit frightened by Wilbur's fanaticism, attempts to read from the book.
Richard: "Nyl nen-nyl sen Yog-Sothoth re nl nylth rn-rln Cthulhu noth--"
Wilbur: That's enough. He'll come now.
Slowly, the sound of discordant piping arises over the scene, ultimately blotting out all other sound. Richard, in horror watches the panes in the window take on the unearthly visage of Cthulhu.
EXTERIOR. Outside the house, Harper and David have just pulled into the drive. They bound from the car, Harper doing the best he can with his cane. Suddenly, there is the sound of thunder. The old man turns around to see the spot where David stood littered with his ashes. Undaunted, he hobbles into the house.
INTERIOR. Harper bursts in on Richard and Wilbur, just in time to witness an awesome spectacle: in front of the blazing window, the mighty Cthulhu materializes. He breathes heavily, his huge tentacles curling in and out. Richard only stares, transfixed with terror, while Wilbur's eyes shine with insane glee. The degenerate runs toward his god and prostrates himself. The fetid giant glances down on the man and raises his great, talon-like foot. Wilbur looks up and screams a soundless scream, as the massive weight descends upon him.
Cthulhu then turns his attention to the two other men. With ponderous, heavy strides prompted by that first hideous step, he looms toward them. Richard remains in his motionless state, eyes wide. Harper at once leaps, as best he can, into action. He throws himself in front of his young friend and begins the counter-chants. His words are not heard because of the ghastly piping sound, but they ultimately have their effect. The Great Old One falters, then slowly vanishes from sight.
The discordant piping stops. All is dead silent. Harper bends over for a moment, exhausted, then turns to Richard. To his horror, he discovers the young man to be lying on the floor, his eyes staring uselessly at the ceiling. He is dead.
-END-
Next: "Behind the Barred Doors".
