Kiwi Kingston appears as Frankenstein’s Creature in this extraordinarily atmospheric black-and-white publicity photograph from Hammer Films’ THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1964). Photographed dramatically from below, the towering Creature grips a large metal spear-like weapon while his scarred and bandaged face is illuminated against the surrounding darkness, creating a powerful portrait of Hammer’s distinctive interpretation of the Frankenstein monster.

KIWI KINGSTON - THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1964) Creature with Spear Rare Hammer Horror Photo

The low camera angle gives Kingston an imposing, almost monumental presence. His massive dark costume fills the frame while the harsh lighting emphasizes the Creature’s damaged facial makeup, heavy brow and crude surgical bandaging. Architectural ornamentation remains visible behind him, adding to the oppressive Gothic atmosphere while keeping the monster completely dominant within the composition.

The image is associated with the climactic confrontation involving Zoltan, portrayed by Peter Woodthorpe. After hypnotically controlling the Creature and exploiting him for his own purposes, Zoltan ultimately loses control of the monster he has manipulated. The raised weapon and Kingston’s threatening posture capture the violence and menace surrounding that confrontation.

THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN marked Hammer’s third Frankenstein film starring Peter Cushing as Baron Frankenstein and was directed by acclaimed cinematographer-turned-director Freddie Francis. Kiwi Kingston’s Creature represented a notable visual departure for the series, adopting a more square-headed, heavily scarred appearance that deliberately evokes the classic cinematic iconography associated with Frankenstein’s monster.

The film also stands somewhat apart from Hammer’s preceding Frankenstein continuity. Rather than directly continuing THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1958), it presents a different chapter in the Baron’s experiments and introduces Kingston’s memorable version of the Creature.

For Hammer collectors, this photograph has exceptional appeal as a pure monster image. The dramatic low angle, raised weapon, stark monochrome lighting and extraordinary facial makeup strip the composition down to the essential elements of classic Gothic horror, creating a formidable portrait of one of Hammer’s most distinctive Frankenstein Creatures.

Carefully restored and professionally printed from archival source material, this museum-quality photograph is a distinctive collectible for admirers of Kiwi Kingston, Peter Cushing, THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN, Frankenstein’s Creature, Freddie Francis, Hammer Films, Hammer Horror, classic Gothic cinema and rare 1960s monster photography.

The film's version of the Monster is noted for resembling the one in Universal Pictures' original Frankenstein series of the 1930s and 1940s, including the distinctive laboratory sets as well as the flat-headed look of Jack Pierce's monster make-up which had been designed for Boris Karloff. Earlier Frankenstein films by Hammer had studiously avoided such similarities for copyright reasons. However, a new film distribution deal had been made between Hammer and Universal.

As a result, Hammer had free rein to duplicate make-up and set elements. Additional scenes for American television were filmed on January 14th, 1966 at Universal Studios in Los Angeles adding a new subplot featuring Steven Geray, Maria Palmer and William Phipps, who had not appeared in the original version.

The Evil of Frankenstein had its premiere in London on April 19th, 1964 at the New Victoria Theatre. It received a general release in the country in May 31st, 1964. It later received a release in the United States by Universal Pictures on May 8th, 1964.

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote that the monster made "a welcome return to tradition in a close approximation of Boris Karloff's celebrated make-up" and that the Baron's lab equipment was "as photogenic as ever.