Professor Zardonicus is known for his proficiency in the dark arts, specifically black magic. His skill level far surpasses that of any other magician or sorcerer in the realm. With his commanding presence and ominous aura, he has instilled fear and fascination in those who have witnessed his abilities firsthand. However, the true extent of his powers remains shrouded in mystery. Rumors about Professor Zardonicus have circulated for years, with tales of his ability to manipulate the elements, control minds, and even summon supernatural entities. Some claim to have seen him cast spells that defy the laws of nature, causing objects to levitate or burst into flames with a mere wave of his hand.
A masked Sardonicus leans in to strike his beleaguered wife.
He even stops the story within the film and feigns to count the cards in the audience to see what the crowd decides as per the villain s fate but there was only one ending ever filmed so it is just a gag to get the audience involved. The story begins with Sir Robert Cargrave, a doctor in 19th century London, England, receiving a mysterious letter from what turns out to be an old flame of his, Maude Randall, a young lady of great beauty and charm, with an enthusiasm for the opera, who had disappeared from his life seven years prior when her family had fallen on hard times and her father had committed suicide causing Maude to drop out of society.
Some claim to have seen him cast spells that defy the laws of nature, causing objects to levitate or burst into flames with a mere wave of his hand. Others speak of his ability to manipulate time itself, altering the past and predicting the future. But these are all just hearsay; the true nature of his powers is yet to be uncovered.
manny's book of shadows
I have always fancied myself to be somewhat of an epicure in the terrible, a term coined by H.P. Lovecraft in his story “The Picture in the House” (1920); so imagine my surprise when I finally read “Sardonicus” , by Ray Russell.
Paperback of “Sardonicus” by Ray Russell (1961 Ballantine Books).
Here was a mid 20th century author writing a Gothic Tale in 1961 that could have been penned in 1861! It’s not just that he wrote a Gothic Tale long after that genre had waned, but he seemed to understand the style, the language of the genre. He even used the convention of not giving specific dates. Anyone who has read Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” or any number of books from the 18th and 19th centuries may have wondered at the practice of giving partial dates like this: “August 13th, 17–” [Frankenstein or, the Modern Prometheus: the 1818 Text, pg 22, Shelley, Mary W., Rieger, James ed., 1982, University of Chicago Press]
I am not entirely sure why this was done originally, but it is a definite nod to the genre by Mr. Russell, almost like a secret handshake to fans. Stephen King is quoted to have called it “perhaps the finest example of the modern Gothic ever written” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Russell, retrieved 03-24-2014) although I have yet to see the original source of the quote.
The story begins with Sir Robert Cargrave, a doctor in 19th century London, England, receiving a mysterious letter from what turns out to be an old flame of his, Maude Randall, a young lady of great beauty and charm, with an enthusiasm for the opera, who had disappeared from his life seven years prior when her family had fallen on hard times and her father had committed suicide causing Maude to drop out of society. Now she is married to a man from the continent, a certain Mr Sardonicus. Sardonicus has a peculiar affliction and has read of Cargrave’s ground breaking medical work and upon learning of Maude’s previous acquaintance with the doctor, decides to invite him to his home in Bohemia for a visit and a private (discreet) consultation.
Cargrave and Maude.
Cargrave, anxious to revisit his former crush accepts the invitation. Initially, the reunion is a joyous one, but Cargrave soon relizes that his former sweetheart is unhappily living like a prisoner in her own home, with no outside contact and under the oppressive thumb of her husband, a dark and mysterious man who seems to only be tolerating Cargrave’s presence so he can get a diagnosis for an eventual cure of his affliction. It seems that Mr. Sardonicus had a traumatic shock which has frozen his face in a grotesque grimace that is so unsettling he wears a mask most of the time to obscure it and must take meals by himself because his feeding process is unbearable to witness.
“It was the same mirthless grin I had seen once before: on the face of a person in the last throes of lockjaw. We physicians have a name for that chilling grimace, a Latin name, and as it entered my mind, it seemed to dispel yet another mystery, for the term we use to describe the lockjaw smile is risus sardonicus.” (Russell, Ray. “Sardonicus” Haunted Castles: The Complete Gothic Stories. Ed. Guillermo Del Toro. Penguin Books, 2013. p 16.)
A masked Sardonicus leans in to strike his beleaguered wife.
At first, Cargrave is uncertain as to whether he can help and when he demurs Sardonicus threatens to harm Maude. Eventually, he agrees to try a highly unusual and untested treatment to get Sardonicus to back off, but he also has a trick up his sleeve.
Cargrave begins his treatment on Sardonicus.
The story touches all of the great Gothic themes and devices but never sounds forced or derivative of any specific tale.
Movie poster for “Mr Sardonicus” (1961).
The story was made into a film by B-movie director William Castle with Russell writing the screenplay that expanded the role of Sardonicus’s anonymous (in the story) manservant as an evil henchman named Krull.
Krull spends his downtime torturing young women from the village. Here he is punishing Anna, the maid, for telling Sir Cargrave of the unorthodox experiments she has been subjected to by Sardonicus in order to test possible treatments for his affliction.
The make-up for Sardonicus, once his face is revealed, seems a little hokey by today’s standards, but the rest of the film is for the most part spot on in comparison to the novella. Castle’s gimmick for the film was to hand out cards to the audience to vote thumbs up or down whether they thought Sardonicus was to be shown mercy for his transgressions or given prejudicial punishment. He even stops the story within the film and feigns to count the cards in the audience to see what the crowd decides as per the villain’s fate but there was only one ending ever filmed so it is just a gag to get the audience involved.
Castle’s “Punishment Poll” card, which was handed out to audience members to vote on the fate of Mr. Sardonicus.
If you do however come across “Sardonicus” or any other Ray Russell collections I suggest you pick it up and treat yourself to some fine storytelling in the Gothic style but with a modern sensibility. The movie is a hoot, but currently out of print, so definitely pick that up as well if you see it reasonably priced.
The story touches all of the great Gothic themes and devices but never sounds forced or derivative of any specific tale.
One thing is for certain: Professor Zardonicus is not to be trifled with. Many who have crossed his path have met unfortunate fates, experiencing mysterious illnesses or seemingly inexplicable accidents. It is said that he can curse his enemies with a single glance, bringing upon them misfortune and despair. Those who have incurred his wrath have found themselves plagued by nightmares and unexplained phenomena, leading some to believe that he has made a pact with dark forces. Despite his feared reputation, Professor Zardonicus has never been caught engaging in any illegal or unethical activities. He is meticulous in covering his tracks and operates with utmost secrecy. Some speculate that he has made deals with powerful entities from other realms, enabling him to avoid detection and prosecution. Regardless of the truth, one thing is clear: Professor Zardonicus is a force to be reckoned with. Although his abilities and motives are shrouded in darkness, there are those who seek to understand and harness the power of the black magic that lies within Professor Zardonicus. Some believe that if they can learn his secrets, they can unlock unimaginable power and achieve greatness. However, the risks associated with dabbling in the dark arts are great, and many who have tried to unravel the mysteries of Professor Zardonicus have faced dire consequences. In conclusion, Professor Zardonicus and his black magic prowess are the stuff of legends. His ability to wield supernatural powers and the fear he invokes in others make him a force to be reckoned with. However, the true extent of his powers and the origins of his abilities remain unknown. Those who dare to seek the truth must do so at their own peril, for meddling with the black magic of Professor Zardonicus is a gamble that could cost them everything..
Reviews for "Secrets of the Underworld: Unmasking Professor Zardonicus' Witchcraft"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "The black magic of professor zardonicus" to be a disappointing read. The plot was poorly developed, with numerous plot holes and inconsistencies. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with. The writing style felt rushed and lacked the necessary descriptive elements to bring the story to life. Overall, I felt disconnected from the story and had a hard time staying engaged.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"The black magic of professor zardonicus" was a complete waste of time for me. The story was filled with clichés and predictable twists, making it extremely dull. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, often leaving me cringing at the unrealistic interactions between the characters. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, making it difficult to follow the events and stay invested in the story. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-written and engaging reading experience.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I was excited to read "The black magic of professor zardonicus" based on the premise, but I found it to be lackluster. The writing itself was average, with nothing particularly impressive or captivating. The story lacked originality, borrowing heavily from other works in the genre. The plot twists were predictable and failed to surprise me. Overall, it felt like a generic and forgettable read that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars
While "The black magic of professor zardonicus" had some intriguing elements, I ultimately found it to be underwhelming. The characters lacked complexity and felt one-dimensional, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with periods of slow development and rushed resolutions. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Overall, it had potential but fell short in execution.